Croatia was just revenge, Capello clueless.

[beorhthelm]

I think the fact that Joe Cole is injured and that it is a choice of Downing or Gerrard on the left is what has forced his hand for this game.

er... or Barry on the left? where he used to play? i know he's not a natural winger, lacking the pace, but he seems to pop up on the wing to put a cross in often enough for Villa. Gerrard will constantly wander inside, making it congested. this is home to kazakstan, we really should be able to risk Downing on the wing and will need the width anyway if they close up with 10 men bhind the ball. if we need to play the strongest on paper midfield against this opposition, that really means Capello is no better than McClown.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Now your just trying to wind me up UB
I can see it happening though, Capello deploys one of the top 3 midfielders to right back....

I think he would be wasted there, but the point was he had started there and if the midfield that did well against Croatia stayed fit and in form, it might be a case of using his durability elsewhere.

Ultimately England have to make some decisions in various positions as the players filling them are not of the standard needing. What I think will happen in time is that Walcott will go up front and Gerrard will be asked to play on the right of midfield.

 

[Uncle Buck]

er... or Barry on the left? where he used to play? i know he's not a natural winger, lacking the pace, but he seems to pop up on the wing to put a cross in often enough for Villa. Gerrard will constantly wander inside, making it congested. this is home to kazakstan, we really should be able to risk Downing on the wing and will need the width anyway if they close up with 10 men bhind the ball. if we need to play the strongest on paper midfield against this opposition, that really means Capello is no better than McClown.

If you move Barry out there, you lose your holding player.

Alternatively you play Bridge at left back and push Ashely Cole into midfield.

 

[sten_super]

This is the issue with Gerrard though. He is a better player than Lampard, but he is also more durable, hence he does get asked to play out of position, like Scholes before him.

I did read something interesting about giving him a run at right back, another problem position for England with the demise of Neville and the fact Richards seems to be viewed as a centre back and Bardsley has not kicked on like people thought he would.

You've picked up on something interesting there; I don't really understand why Capello is perfectly willing to shoehorn Gerrard into the side wherever he can fit him, yet (seemingly) refuses to see Richards as anything other than a centre back?

 

[RonnieO'Sullivan]

Hart
Richards
Terry
Ferdinand
A.Cole
Young
Gerrard
Barry
SWP
Rooney
Walcott

The futures bright the futures Walcott

 

[Les Biehn]

This is the issue with Gerrard though. He is a better player than Lampard, but he is also more durable, hence he does get asked to play out of position, like Scholes before him.

I did read something interesting about giving him a run at right back, another problem position for England with the demise of Neville and the fact Richards seems to be viewed as a centre back and Bardsley has not kicked on like people thought he would.

I think you will find he actually did get a couple of caps. Not sure I would want him in there now.

The trouble with Gerrard at RB is I think he has got to big for his boots now and is too much of a headless chicken to do the job he would need to there.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I think you will find he actually did get a couple of caps. Not sure I would want him in there now.

The trouble with Gerrard at RB is I think he has got to big for his boots now and is too much of a headless chicken to do the job he would need to there.

Another fine Graham Taylor pick..

Was thinking of Phil Bardsley.

 

[Les Biehn]

Another fine Graham Taylor pick..

Was thinking of Phil Bardsley.

I know. I reckon Danny Simpson may be better than him.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I know. I reckon Danny Simpson may be better than him.

No idea on the Danny Simpson thing.

 

[Les Biehn]

No idea on the Danny Simpson thing.

Looks to have more pace than Bardsley but not sure he's as strong. United seem to have a wealth of RBs coming through who can't quite make it, McShane, Bardsley, Simpson and now they have that Brazilian lad.

 

[RonnieO'Sullivan]

Fabrice Muamba looks a very decent holding midfielder...

good to see him in the under21 side...

 

[beorhthelm]

If you move Barry out there, you lose your holding player.

Alternatively you play Bridge at left back and push Ashely Cole into midfield.

true, though why do we need a holding midfield for this game? that said, we should settle down in a formation/pattern of play, so i agree Barry isnt such a great idea there. Ive long held that A.Cole would make a great winger, he's very attack minded anyway.

my fear is we will win against such mediocre opposition and it will be declared that the two can play together, only for us to get found out agin when we're up against decent opposition.

 

[RonnieO'Sullivan]

Looks to have more pace than Bardsley but not sure he's as strong. United seem to have a wealth of RBs coming through who can't quite make it, McShane, Bardsley, Simpson and now they have that Brazilian lad.

yeah that Rafael could well beat them all to the right back spot unfortunately

 

[Hatterlovesbrighton]

true, though why do we need a holding midfield for this game? that said, we should settle down in a formation/pattern of play, so i agree Barry isnt such a great idea there. Ive long held that A.Cole would make a great winger, he's very attack minded anyway.

my fear is we will win against such mediocre opposition and it will be declared that the two can play together, only for us to get found out agin when we're up against decent opposition.

I always thought the trouble with Gerrard and Lampard playing together was when they were playing together in the centre of midfield without a holding player. If Gerrard is out on the wing then its less of a problem I think.

Might well be more of an issue when Cole is fit again. Gerrard and Lampard will be competing for the same spot.

 

[Smythe]

how Ashley Young isn't in the england starting 11 let alone the squad is just crazy

Totally agree.
Alan Smith on talksport this morning seems to think wre gonna play a 4-3-3 with Lampard and Gerrard in the middle with Barry holding and Rooney, Heskey and Walcott along the front.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Beckham at right-back against this shit team please. No question about it for me. In the absence of Young it has to be Gerrard on the left

 

[RonnieO'Sullivan]

id even rather see milner on the right wing and walcott on the left...

i just can't understand the a.young situation everyone in the country can see how well hes playing

 

[Les Biehn]

Totally agree.
Alan Smith on talksport this morning seems to think wre gonna play a 4-3-3 with Lampard and Gerrard in the middle with Barry holding and Rooney, Heskey and Walcott along the front.

In a way I can get down with that.

 

[CHAPPERS]

But the problem with Lampard and Gerrard is that they always seem to get in eachothers way AND they both always want to play across the park.

 

[Nemesis]

The trouble with Gerrard at RB is I think he has got to big for his boots now and is too much of a headless chicken to do the job he would need to there.

When this headless chicken plays and Lampard doesn't, according to The Times, England gain more points than when Lampard plays and Gerrard doesn't. Also, when they play together England gain even more points.

Still, let's not facts get in the way of anything.