is it all doom and gloom for England [Archive]

glasgowwolf

12-10-2005, 08:41

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4326 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4326110.stm) 110.stm

Are we justified in slagging off Sven (and yes I am as guilty as anyone for this)

People are sayin France will stuff us they might not qualify yet.....

paddingtonwolf

12-10-2005, 08:44

We are entitled to grizzle big time

This is the best England squad in 40 years and the ice cool swede with a penchant for slipping secretaries a length has got them playing like $$$$$$$ing Aldershot

danhlibertine

12-10-2005, 08:58

Look at the group France are in and look at ours.

paddingtonwolf

12-10-2005, 09:00

look at the group Spain are in too

we got a cakewalk to the finals and still tried our hardest to $$$$$$$ it up

danhlibertine

12-10-2005, 09:03

I'm prepared to give Sven this World Cup to see if he can deliver.......He has absoloutley no excuses - he's got his extra break at the end of the season, we've got the best possible squad of players that any manager has had for ages (bar any horrific injuries between now and the tournament), and the competition is in Europe so he cant moan about the climate.

scottishwolf II

12-10-2005, 09:07

just out of interest - bearing in mind the amount of flak sven gets on this board (and in general) - 2 questions for you:

1) what would be an acceptable finish in the world cup for sven to get a stay of execution? semi-finals?

2) what would you think of sven if he won it. bearing in mind how many people can't stand him right now

personally although he seems to have lost the plot a bit recently on
formations and subs, anyone who loses just 1 qualifying game in all the
time he's been there can't be that bad

paddingtonwolf

12-10-2005, 09:18

lets take stock

gk - Robinson - very good but untested at the absolute top level - I am confident he will do well

backup - Kirkland -good but injury prone. Will slip a disc picking the ball out of the baggie net in May. James - captain McCack of the good ship Cack registered in Cackland

def - Ashley Cole, Terry, Ferdinand, Campbell - world class

Young Carragher King - good enough

if we have a problem itis right back - 3-5-2 anyone?

mf - Gerrard, Beckham, Lampard - world class

Wright-Phillips, Joe Cole, Greening, Richardson - all very able

left midfield is a area of concern - Greening is a potential solution

f - rooney, owen - world class

bent - unproven

crouch - opinion is somewhat dividedsmileys/smiley2.gif

that team is good enough for Semi-Final at the very least

scottishwolf II

12-10-2005, 09:21

what about gary neville paddy?

and the second part of my question for that matter smileys/smiley2.gif

scottishwolf II

12-10-2005, 09:23

i think 3-5-2 could work for your lot, i waas discussing it in the pub last night

robinson

terry...ferdinand..campbell

g.neville...lamps...becks...gerrard...cole

rooney....owen

i reckon i should be your manager - ive just got all your best players in one team, with a formation that might suit them.

paddingtonwolf

12-10-2005, 09:26

gary neville - nearly world class and ugly - solves the RB issue if he is fit

if sven wins the WC he can publicly shag faria alam on the roof of Buckingham Palace for all I will care. However, I still won't like him.

scottishwolf II

12-10-2005, 09:28

seems a bit of a lack of world class right backs internationally, possibly making neville world class by default...

fenella

12-10-2005, 09:34

I wouldn't worry too much about our performance in qualifying, the Finals themselves are an entirely different kettle of fish. Brazil were rubbish in qualifying for the last World Cup and nearly didn't even make it but looked a different team once there.

Our easy group had made the players a little over-confident and arrogant, which they then followed with a bad draw and defeat resulting ina complete lack of confidence. But I'm sure that confidence will return and we'll see a different level of performance in the summer, especially against decent oppostion. The only really quality team in the world is Brazil but they've never won it in Europe so we've got a good chance. All the rest are much of a muchness.

danhlibertine

12-10-2005, 09:34

Something to take into account when picking a World Cup squad. It's a 22 man squad, but we will only use 17 or 18 players maximum, so its always handy to take 3 or 4 to make up the numbers that are 1. going to be good for the morale in the camp, and 2. perhaps excellent candidates for the next major tournament, giving them some experience in the set up, players such as Stuart Downing, Darren Bent, Chris Kirkland etc.

wolfan

12-10-2005, 09:46

1) what would be an acceptable finish in the world cup for sven to get a stay of execution? semi-finals?

Dependant on the opposition, and outcome of the match, Quarter-Finals
would be good. (unless we lost in them to someone like Bahrain!)

2) what would you think of sven if he won it. bearing in mind how many people can't stand him right now

I've always thought that if you are prepared to give a man stick when
he's down, then you should be man enough to stand up and give him
credit when he pulls it off, and if he does then fair enough, although
bowing out at the top could possibly be the best thing he does, as I
cant see him ever fully winning over the nation, because, certainly
since the 2002 world cup, the performances up to now would suggest that
a good showing at 2006 would suggest it's little more than a good run
of form, not that that won't do for me!

personally although he seems to have lost the plot a bit recently on
formations and subs, anyone who loses just 1 qualifying game in all the
time he's been there can't be that bad

Its a good point, but you have to look at the opposition we've played
since Sven arrived. Germany (2001) and Argentina (2002) aside, who have
we ever beaten that we shouldn't have? It's the equivalent of putting
Wolves in the LDV Vans Trophy, and saying well done Hoddle, you managed
to get results that we expected, with particularly memorable games
against, say Forest, or someone of a big size down there. Some of the
teams that we should be putting 4 or 5 goals past, have ended up having
us on the backfoot holding on for a 2-1 or whatever, and if anything,
that's been the most consistant record under Sven, and it isnt good
enough.

Edited by: wolfan

paddingtonwolf

12-10-2005, 09:47

i think 3-5-2 could work for your lot, i waas discussing it in the pub last night

robinson

terry...ferdinand..campbell

g.neville...lamps...becks...gerrard...cole

rooney....owen

i reckon i should be your manager - ive just got all your best players in one team, with a formation that might suit them.

that side would have as good a chance of winning the entire thing as any other team bar Brazil.

As Fenella points out, the Samba boys have never won it in Europe so lets hope it pizzes down in Germany next summer as they won't like that.

Seriously, 3-5-2 is the way to go - we could well win it then

Deutsch Wolf

12-10-2005, 09:50

As Fenella points out, the Samba boys have never won it in Europe

Where's Sweden, then? smileys/smiley2.gif

I don't think 3-5-2 is the way forward. Loads of teams played it in themid-90s - stop the wing-backs and you stop the whole attacking flow of the team.

Sparky

12-10-2005, 09:51

The term World class is used too often. Beckham and Owen world class? Beckham was 3 or 4 years ago, definitely not anymore. Owen - one of the most frustrating players i've watched, has lightning pace but rarely uses it, no work-rate and seems to be playing like he's 35, maybe down to his dodgy hamstrings.

Steven Gerrard could be world class if he became more consistant, 1 good game in 5 isn't good enough and when was his last good game for England?

Ferdinand - good player, definitely not world class though. Over rated.

I think we only have a few truly world class players - Terry, Cole, Lampard and Rooney. We definitely don't have 9!

paddingtonwolf

12-10-2005, 09:53

As Fenella points out, the Samba boys have never won it in Europe

Where's Sweden, then? smileys/smiley2.gif

I don't think 3-5-2 is the way forward. Loads of teams played it in themid-90s - stop the wing-backs and you stop the whole attacking flow of the team.

oh $$$$ - forgot that!!!smileys/smiley9.gif

well, I was minus 14 at the time so I have a slight excuse.

3-5-2 has to better than 4-5-1 and fits the players rather than trying to put square pegs into round holes to make a good 4-4-2

Colin Swedewolf

12-10-2005, 09:54

Where's Sweden, then? smileys/smiley2.gif

Scandinavia can hardly be interpreted as a part of Europe, except maybe Denmark.

$

scottishwolf II

12-10-2005, 09:54

come on then DW - whats your team (everyone fit/in form/not banned etc).

i think england have the range of passing in midfield with a deep lying
becks to make 3-5-2 work. becks doesnt have to worry about tackling as
there are 3 CBs behind him, so its different to the 4-5-1

Deutsch Wolf

12-10-2005, 09:59

Robinson; G Neville, Campbell, Terry, A Cole; Parker; Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard; Rooney, Owen.

Parker provides the defensive balance for the attack-minded midfield players, Rooney has free licence to roam, and the defence looks solid.

Squad players to include Carrick, Downing, King, Wright-Phillips and DarrenBent.

And possibly Crouch. smileys/smiley2.gif

shaygriff

12-10-2005, 09:59

Where's Sweden, then? smileys/smiley2.gif

Scandinavia can hardly be interpreted as a part of Europe, except maybe Denmark.


That's right Colin, none of that European stuff for us, we're Scandinavians and proud smileys/smiley36.gif

scottishwolf II

12-10-2005, 10:02

DW - 4-1-3-2 then? or is it a diamond. im not quite sure how theyre lining up there

Del Woppio

12-10-2005, 10:05

3 5 2 is definately the way forward, esp. with Neville out/due to retire from int. soon. however....

Robbo

terry/Rio/Sol

Becks/Stevie Me/Parker/Lamps/A.Cole

Rooney/Owen.

Back up

Kirkland+James
Carra/King/Luke young(enabling us to switch to 442 if needed.
Joe cole/Downing/SWP/Carrick
Bent/Crouch(just for you DWsmileys/smiley2.gif)

there's the 22. now give me £4.6m per year.

Deutsch Wolf

12-10-2005, 10:05

4-1-3-2 mate. Leaves Ashley Cole with a lot of work down the left-hand side, but he's just a young slip of a lad.

danhlibertine

12-10-2005, 10:06

The dilema is, the likes of Parker, Downing and Bent perhaps deserve a shot BUT it is too late to start introducing too many new players.

Colin Swedewolf

12-10-2005, 10:09

My line up would be 8 - 2

Long balls to Crouch, who nods them down for the other forward to run onto.

With this formation England would also have a very solid defence.

danhlibertine

12-10-2005, 10:25

My line up would be 8 - 2



I'm sure Wolvestried that one in the 2nd half once when Stuart Gray was caretaker manager.

danhlibertine

12-10-2005, 10:27

Robinson

Terry Rio Campbell

SWPLam pardCa rrick Cole

Rooney

Owen CrouchEdited by: danhlibertine

paddingtonwolf

12-10-2005, 10:38

no stevie g?

that's brave isn't it?

scottishwolf II

12-10-2005, 10:39

interesting - looks like quite a few of the board want to have all 3 of englands good quality CBs in the side.

danhl - interesting youd drop gerrard and becks from your team. a man not afraid to make tough decisions

the rooney position is interesting as well - also dsicussed playing him
there in the pub last night. kinda like the old paul scholes role at
the top of the diamond. then haaving two strikers in front. could
create some nice space for him to work in

danhlibertine

12-10-2005, 10:39

no stevie g?

that's brave isn't it?

Him and Lamps just arent working. I'd save Stevie G's running ability and bursts of energy for the last 20 minutes, bring him on and frighten the $$$$$$ out of tiring teams.

scottishwolf II

12-10-2005, 10:44

what about becks danhl. he seems to be in great form for Real at the mo. would he even make your squad? oh and whod be skipper?

Bill McCai

12-10-2005, 10:45

I'd consider putting Gerrard on the left and letting him come inside, like Zidane used to for <?:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>. That way, he could get forward plus we could play a Scot Parker or Carrick.
<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
****************Robinson*******************

Neville****Terry*******Ferdinand****Cole

Beckham**Parker***Lampard****Gerrard

************Rooney****Owen***************

Plus that means that 'Mouth Breather' Joe Cole doesn’t get onto my TV.

scottishwolf II

12-10-2005, 10:47

gerrard out on the left was ok and does allow a ball winning midfielder
as well. cole is a one trick pony and aalways comes inside. makes
england look very unimaginitve

danhlibertine

12-10-2005, 11:09

what about becks danhl. he seems to be in great form for Real at the mo. would he even make your squad? oh and whod be skipper?

I just think we have players that offer more than Becks nowadays. I'd put JT as captain I think

Visage Wolf

12-10-2005, 11:11

I'd consider putting Gerrard on the left and letting him come inside</font>

Its not a case of 'letting him' its more a case of trying to get him to not do it all the time.....

glasgowwolf

12-10-2005, 13:39

look at the group Spain are in too

we got a cakewalk to the finals and still tried our hardest to $$$$$$$ it up

<TABLE =shorttable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=1>
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<TD =c1>1</TD>
<TD =c2>Serbia & Montenegro</TD>
<TD =c3>9</TD>
<TD =c4>5</TD>
<TD =c5>4</TD>
<TD =c6>0</TD>
<TD =c7>15</TD>
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<TD =c9>14</TD>
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<TD =c1>2</TD>
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<TD =c3>9</TD>
<TD =c4>4</TD>
<TD =c5>5</TD>
<TD =c6>0</TD>
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<TD =c8>3</TD>
<TD =c9>10</TD>
<TD =c10>17</TD></TR>
<TR =r2>
<TD =c1>3</TD>
<TD =c2>Bosnia-Herzegovina</TD>
<TD =c3>9</TD>
<TD =c4>4</TD>
<TD =c5>4</TD>
<TD =c6>1</TD>
<TD =c7>12</TD>
<TD =c8>8</TD>
<TD =c9>4</TD>
<TD =c10>16</TD></TR>
<TR =r1>
<TD =c1>4</TD>
<TD =c2>Belgium</TD>
<TD =c3>9</TD>
<TD =c4>3</TD>
<TD =c5>2</TD>
<TD =c6>4</TD>
<TD =c7>15</TD>
<TD =c8>10</TD>
<TD =c9>5</TD>
<TD =c10>11</TD></TR>
<TR =r2>
<TD =c1>5</TD>
<TD =c2>Lithuania</TD>
<TD =c3>9</TD>
<TD =c4>2</TD>
<TD =c5>3</TD>
<TD =c6>4</TD>
<TD =c7>7</TD>
<TD =c8>8</TD>
<TD =c9>-1</TD>
<TD =c10>9</TD></TR>
<TR =r1>
<TD =c1>6</TD>
<TD =c2>San Marino</TD>
<TD =c3>9</TD>
<TD =c4>0</TD>
<TD =c5>0</TD>
<TD =c6>9</TD>
<TD =c7>2</TD>
<TD =c8>34</TD>
<TD =c9>-32</TD>
<TD =c10>0</TD></TR></T></TABLE>

Not quite sure this is as difficult a group you are making out.

I would back England to win this group

danhlibertine

12-10-2005, 13:41

look at the group Spain are in too

we got a cakewalk to the finals and still tried our hardest to $$$$$$$ it up

<TABLE border=1 cellPadding=1 cellSpacing=0 ="shorttable"><T>
<T>
<TR ="r2">
<TD ="c1">1</TD>
<TD ="c2">Serbia & Montenegro</TD>
<TD ="c3">9</TD>
<TD ="c4">5</TD>
<TD ="c5">4</TD>
<TD ="c6">0</TD>
<TD ="c7">15</TD>
<TD ="c8">1</TD>
<TD ="c9">14</TD>
<TD ="c10">19</TD></TR>
<TR ="r1">
<TD ="c1">2</TD>
<TD ="c2">Spain</TD>
<TD ="c3">9</TD>
<TD ="c4">4</TD>
<TD ="c5">5</TD>
<TD ="c6">0</TD>
<TD ="c7">13</TD>
<TD ="c8">3</TD>
<TD ="c9">10</TD>
<TD ="c10">17</TD></TR>
<TR ="r2">
<TD ="c1">3</TD>
<TD ="c2">Bosnia-Herzegovina</TD>
<TD ="c3">9</TD>
<TD ="c4">4</TD>
<TD ="c5">4</TD>
<TD ="c6">1</TD>
<TD ="c7">12</TD>
<TD ="c8">8</TD>
<TD ="c9">4</TD>
<TD ="c10">16</TD></TR>
<TR ="r1">
<TD ="c1">4</TD>
<TD ="c2">Belgium</TD>
<TD ="c3">9</TD>
<TD ="c4">3</TD>
<TD ="c5">2</TD>
<TD ="c6">4</TD>
<TD ="c7">15</TD>
<TD ="c8">10</TD>
<TD ="c9">5</TD>
<TD ="c10">11</TD></TR>
<TR ="r2">
<TD ="c1">5</TD>
<TD ="c2">Lithuania</TD>
<TD ="c3">9</TD>
<TD ="c4">2</TD>
<TD ="c5">3</TD>
<TD ="c6">4</TD>
<TD ="c7">7</TD>
<TD ="c8">8</TD>
<TD ="c9">-1</TD>
<TD ="c10">9</TD></TR>
<TR ="r1">
<TD ="c1">6</TD>
<TD ="c2">San Marino</TD>
<TD ="c3">9</TD>
<TD ="c4">0</TD>
<TD ="c5">0</TD>
<TD ="c6">9</TD>
<TD ="c7">2</TD>
<TD ="c8">34</TD>
<TD ="c9">-32</TD>
<TD ="c10">0</TD></TR></T></T></TABLE>

Not quite sure this is as difficult a group you are making out.

I would back England to win this group

Yes but most people wouldve backed Spain to win it too.

glasgowwolf

12-10-2005, 13:45

Look at the group France are in and look at ours.

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<TR =r2>
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<TD =c2>Israel</TD>
<TD =c3>10</TD>
<TD =c4>4</TD>
<TD =c5>6</TD>
<TD =c6>0</TD>
<TD =c7>15</TD>
<TD =c8>10</TD>
<TD =c9>5</TD>
<TD =c10>18</TD></TR>
<TR =r1>
<TD =c1>2</TD>
<TD =c2>Switzerland</TD>
<TD =c3>9</TD>
<TD =c4>4</TD>
<TD =c5>5</TD>
<TD =c6>0</TD>
<TD =c7>18</TD>
<TD =c8>7</TD>
<TD =c9>11</TD>
<TD =c10>17</TD></TR>
<TR =r2>
<TD =c1>3</TD>
<TD =c2>France</TD>
<TD =c3>9</TD>
<TD =c4>4</TD>
<TD =c5>5</TD>
<TD =c6>0</TD>
<TD =c7>10</TD>
<TD =c8>2</TD>
<TD =c9>8</TD>
<TD =c10>17</TD></TR>
<TR =r1>
<TD =c1>4</TD>
<TD =c2>Rep of Ireland</TD>
<TD =c3>9</TD>
<TD =c4>4</TD>
<TD =c5>4</TD>
<TD =c6>1</TD>
<TD =c7>12</TD>
<TD =c8>5</TD>
<TD =c9>7</TD>
<TD =c10>16</TD></TR>
<TR =r2>
<TD =c1>5</TD>
<TD =c2>Cyprus</TD>
<TD =c3>9</TD>
<TD =c4>1</TD>
<TD =c5>1</TD>
<TD =c6>7</TD>
<TD =c7>8</TD>
<TD =c8>16</TD>
<TD =c9>-8</TD>
<TD =c10>4</TD></TR>
<TR =r1>
<TD =c1>6</TD>
<TD =c2>Faroe Islands</TD>
<TD =c3>10</TD>
<TD =c4>0</TD>
<TD =c5>1</TD>
<TD =c6>9</TD>
<TD =c7>4</TD>
<TD =c8>27</TD>
<TD =c9>-23</TD>
<TD =c10>1</TD></TR></T></TABLE>

this one Switzerland / Izrael?

not that hard

France are old and past it as was proved in the last 2 tournaments.

England should have beaten them (only lost because of a poor penalty and mistake from Gerrard.......

scottishwolf II

12-10-2005, 13:46

swiss are much underraated as are israel.

glasgowwolf

12-10-2005, 13:49

swiss are much underraated as are israel.

so are Bealrus :-)

Templeton Peck

12-10-2005, 14:07

With everybody fit this must be the world cup side

..............................Robinson

.....Neville..............Terry........Campbell... ....A Cole

....Beckham.........Gerrard/Lampard.........Parker.........J Cole

.......................Rooney.........Owen

Nobody has put forward a better case for the left side than Joe Cole and the only tough decision Sven has to make is whether to play Gerrard or Lampard.

scottishwolf II

12-10-2005, 14:08

swiss are much underraated as are israel.

so are Bealrus :-)

hmmmm

glasgowwolf

12-10-2005, 14:22

Do not understand all this clammering for Parker....

fact moved to Chelsea as did Lampard

Lamprd improved beyond all recognition into one of the worlds top central midfielder

Parker did not improve / play

has not set the world alight with Newcastle.

I like Lampard and Gerrard in midfielder, they will work together.

there are signs that it si starting to work.

Lampard will make a run

Gerarrd will stay

Gerarrd will make a run Lampard will stay

you have one free running midfielder and one sitting

you know what they are going to do therefore you can plan

when no one knows which one will go and which one will stay harder to pick up.

3 at the back does not work end of.

I do like the Diamond

Bex sitting

Lampard / Gerrard either side

Rooney at the point

we need another striker

we really are light up front....

we need one to come thru over the next few months....

I wish AJ had left Crystal Palace and fone to the Prem who knows

crouch is neither quick enough or mobile enough.

very good first touch can bring players into the game.maybe he would be ok as one of2 central strikers with Rooney at the point of the Diamond.

all I know is we have qualified, andthis team is better than 1990....

we all remember the Abuse Robson was getting prior to the 90 world cup.

supporters and the press went into the world cup demanding hisresignation.

our 1st game was awful (Greaves t shirt "set the Bull lose")

all of a sudden we hit some form no stoppingus until penaltys.

fenella

12-10-2005, 14:25

I'd consider putting Gerrard on the left and letting him come inside, like Zidane used to for <?:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><ST1:COUNTRY-REGIoN w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">France</ST1:PLACE></ST1:COUNTRY-REGIoN>. That way, he could get forward plus we could play a Scot Parker or Carrick.
<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><O:P></O:P>
****************Robinson*******************
<O:P></O:P>
Neville****Terry*******Ferdinand****Cole
<O:P></O:P>
Beckham**Parker***Lampard****Gerrard
<O:P></O:P>
************Rooney****Owen***************
<O:P></O:P>
Plus that means that 'Mouth Breather' Joe Cole doesn’t get onto my TV.

That get's my vote Bill, though perhaps with Campbell or Woodgate when fit instead of Ferdinand.

Sparky

12-10-2005, 14:25

Do you have a paragraph fetish?

Deutsch Wolf

12-10-2005, 14:43

England team to face Poland: Robinson, Young, Terry, Ferdinand, Carragher, Wright-Phillips, Lampard, King, Cole, Owen, Rooney.

Predictable team, but I hope we at least play with a bit more freedom and attacking intent, bearing in mind a) we're at home and b) it's a meaningless game.

scottishwolf II

12-10-2005, 14:47

glasgow - is becks/lamps/gerrard/rooney as a midefield 4, not a bit
cack on the tackling front - could be a lot more red cards for england?
if you play 2 up front as well, thats basically 6 attackers and 4
defenders. not convinced.

i think 3-5-2 still and in the interests of debating the point. 3 at the back works. End of

paddingtonwolf

12-10-2005, 14:53

Interested in how Ledley King does tonight.

Having said that - I will probably be too busy cheering on Cyprus against the French to notice.

Axle

12-10-2005, 15:06

Good to see a holding midfielder (King)gives whoeveris alongside him some license to go forward, he can be the Deschamps of English and maybe Lamps'll be on the score sheet tonight from openplay.

Can we have Crouch in also?smileys/smiley2.gif

Visage Wolf

12-10-2005, 15:11

Surely he should drop Owen and play Crouch and Heskey up front?

scottishwolf II

12-10-2005, 15:12

no Vis, Cort and Heskey is the way forward

IMAB

12-10-2005, 15:14

Brazil were rubbish in qualifying for the last World Cup and nearly didn't even make it but looked a different team once there.

I thought the same til someone pointed out that Brazil don't use their Euro based superstars in qualifying games unless they look in danger of not qualifying. For the majority of games Ronaldo, Rolandiniho Carlos etc don't play.

Englandf played the best they had every game and hardly flew, big difference.

scottishwolf II

12-10-2005, 15:19

we have only played crouch once imab. we are following the brazil model

danhlibertine

12-10-2005, 15:21

I do like the Diamond

Bex sitting

Lampard / Gerrard either side

Rooney at the point

Good shout also.......Rooneycan do anything and everything you want him to in an attacking position, so if we had a good enough striker to partnerOwen we would be much stronger playing Rooney behind the front 2 as a link man, we would be far more creative..........The Wales game at home for example, when he playedbehind the front 2 in a 4-3-3 he wasoutstanding.

Deutsch Wolf

12-10-2005, 15:23

The Wales game at home for example, when he playedbehind the front 2 in a 4-3-3 he wasoutstanding.

It was against Wales, though - hence we can get away with giving him a completely roving role, as they're so $$$$$e.

Against a decent team, we need him to at least partly conform to a system, so we don't fall apart as soon as we lose the ball.

paddingtonwolf

12-10-2005, 15:25

if Rooney was the point I wouldn't object to Crouch and Owen in front of him. Crouch can then leap like a salmon and nod down balls for our two tearaway dynamos.

shhh - don't tell Essex

scottishwolf II

12-10-2005, 15:26

where is essex? has he totally stropped off? or is he catching crims?

danhlibertine

12-10-2005, 15:26

The Wales game at home for example, when he playedbehind the front 2 in a 4-3-3 he wasoutstanding.

It was against Wales, though - hence we can get away with giving him a completely roving role, as they're so $$$$$e.

Against a decent team, we need him to at least partly conform to a system, so we don't fall apart as soon as we lose the ball.

Playing him deeper allows us to counter attack more effectively against stronger teams does it not? Eg. the penalty he won against France.

Deutsch Wolf

12-10-2005, 15:29

We didn't play 4-3-3 against France - he played up front with Owen.

I've no problem with him running from deeper areas, but we can't give him a completely free role behind two strikers, especially with our paperweight midfield.

danhlibertine

12-10-2005, 15:32

We didn't play 4-3-3 against France - he played up front with Owen.

I've no problem with him running from deeper areas, but we can't give him a completely free role behind two strikers, especially with our paperweight midfield.

Rooney is a world class player though, and with that he is a disciplined one. I know that sounds ironic - the words Rooney and discplined in the same sentence, but tactically he is very disciplined, because of his astute footballing brain.

paddingtonwolf

12-10-2005, 15:37

rooney - astute? tactically disciplined?

have you ever considered auditioning for the comedy slot on New Faces?

scottishwolf II

12-10-2005, 15:39

rooney is a natural footballer who takes up the right positions more or less by gut feeling i reckon

danhlibertine

12-10-2005, 15:41

rooney is a natural footballer who takes up the right positions more or less by gut feeling i reckon

That's exactly what I was trying to say.

paddingtonwolf

12-10-2005, 15:48

that's fair enough dhl - couldn't resist a sly dig though