Sven Sven Sven Goran Eriksson.....

[Silent Bob]

That has all the same problems, just with the names swapped.

They shouldn't both be accomodated at the expense of the balance of the team.

 

[Easy 10]

Doesn't anyone else find it mildly disconcerting that we're going into a World Cup with the manager only just waking up to the fact that we need to think about employing a holding midfielder ?

Shoot me if that seemed a slightly obvious requirement, but the Lamps/Gerrard cengtral partnership hasn't functioned since its inception, yet sure as eggs are eggs, you can guarantee dear old Sven will persist with it in the summer.

Ahh well.

 

[JSD Albion]

We need a TRIED and TESTED English holding midfield player, such as Makelele. Gerard's a donkey and Lampard's injury record has been poor recently.

 

[Redhead]

Doesn't anyone else find it mildly disconcerting that we're going into a World Cup with the manager only just waking up to the fact that we need to think about employing a holding midfielder ?

Shoot me if that seemed a slightly obvious requirement, but the Lamps/Gerrard cengtral partnership hasn't functioned since its inception, yet sure as eggs are eggs, you can guarantee dear old Sven will persist with it in the summer.

Ahh well.

But did that pairing get us to the world cup? I back Sven and trust his judgement.

On me own, on me own, on me own!!!

 

[Silent Bob]

Doesn't anyone else find it mildly disconcerting that we're going into a World Cup with the manager only just waking up to the fact that we need to think about employing a holding midfielder ?

Shoot me if that seemed a slightly obvious requirement, but the Lamps/Gerrard cengtral partnership hasn't functioned since its inception, yet sure as eggs are eggs, you can guarantee dear old Sven will persist with it in the summer.

Ahh well.

Rather him than a man whose full extent of tactical thought consist sof the word "hooooooooooooooooooooooooooooof".

 

[Easy 10]

But did that pairing get us to the world cup? I back Sven and trust his judgement.

On me own, on me own, on me own!!!

It'll do against your Austrias and Wales's of this world....but when the Portugals/Frances/Northern Irelands turn up, it tends to come unstuck.

 

[Silent Bob]

It'll do against your Austrias and Wales's of this world....

Just barely.

It makes matches like that haard work because we have no control of the midfield.

 

[Easy 10]

Just barely.

It makes matches like that haard work because we have no control of the midfield.

Don't tell that to Kinky or Uncle B. They'll simply not have it.

I've tried, lord knows I've tried.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Don't tell that to Kinky or Uncle B. They'll simply not have it.

I've tried, lord knows I've tried.

Ive said all along i want a holding midfielder...

 

[Pevenseagull]

From Sky



Blah Blah Blah

Aside from King, other options include Newcastle's Scott Parker and Manchester United's Alan Smith , whilst Joey Barton's sparkling recent form at Manchester City has led to calls for international recognition.

Alan Smith?



f*** right off

 

[Stumpy Tim]

But did that pairing get us to the world cup? I back Sven and trust his judgement.

On me own, on me own, on me own!!!

You're not on your own - I agree. In the Euro's, when we were the best team in it until Rooney was injured - our midfield had Lampard, Gerrard & Beckham with a left midfielder. Lampard & Gerrard had a form slump in the most recent England games, but if they're back to the their best in June I expect service to be resumed. Unfortunately a lot of people can only remember the recent matches and have forgotten the level of performances 2 years ago.

I would go for:

Robinson,
Neville, Campbell, Ferdinand, Ash Cole
Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, J.Cole
Owen Rooooooooney

That team had every chance of winning the World Cup IMHO

 

[Silent Bob]

You f***ing what?

They were awful at Euro 2004.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

You f***ing what?

They were awful at Euro 2004.

You what!! That's the most ridiculous statement I've ever heard in my life

 

[Easy 10]

Ive said all along i want a holding midfielder...

But

who. do. you. drop.

?

 

[Silent Bob]

You what!! That's the most ridiculous statement I've ever heard in my life

Did you watch any of the games?

Have you in fact ever watched a football game?




Lampard played well but Gerrard was pish, and as a partnership they were horrendous.

 

[enigma]

They werent great at the Euros lets face it. If it wasnt for Rooney....

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

You what!! That's the most ridiculous statement I've ever heard in my life

Sorry tim, England looked un fit and slow with no back up plan.
Beckham was poor as was a number of other players.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

But

who. do. you. drop.

?

Gerrard

 

[enigma]

It amazes me that people dont understand that Lampard and Gerrard aren't meant to play together.

Name any team that uses or has used a similar central mid pairing and done well.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Did you watch any of the games?

Have you in fact ever watched a football game?




Lampard played well but Gerrard was pish, and as a partnership they were horrendous.

I watched all the games - though having been a season ticket holder at the Albion a number of times, I'm not sure I can claim to have "watched a football game"

Personally I thought they were effective at the Euro's and to say Gerrard was pish is very harsh. Backpass apart Gerrard & Lampard out-played the French midfield, and the rear-guard action against Portugal was actually excellent, though it was a shame John Terry wore lead boots for their equaliser