England Squad

[El Turi]

Looks like Lampard may be out now with a thigh injury. Whatever you think of McClaren you've got to feel for him with all the injuries he's got with the two most important games of his managerial career coming up.

 

[Silent Bob]

Looks like Lampard may be out now with a thigh injury. Whatever you think of McClaren you've got to feel for him with all the injuries he's got with the two most important games of his managerial career coming up.

Not really, if Lampard and Gerrard were both fit the fool would probably play both. This forces his hand into playing what theoretically could be an ok midfield.

 

[El Turi]

He's scored 12 in 20 games. Defoe, Owen, Rooney etc haven't managed to scored goals against the shite teams

Exactly. And he's scored 8 goals in 14 champions league appearances, which isn't bad for someone who supposedly can't score at the top level.

 

[Simster]

Not really, if Lampard and Gerrard were both fit the fool would probably play both. This forces his hand into playing what theoretically could be an ok midfield.

This is MclCaren we're talking about.

The RUDDY FACED PRICK will pick Lampard if he's just 60% fit. In fact, I BET that's what happens.

 

[the right footed denilson]

Exactly. And he's scored 8 goals in 14 champions league appearances, which isn't bad for someone who supposedly can't score at the top level.

Suffers because he is 6ft 7 but poor in the air. If he was 5ft 10 but just as skillful as he is i'd suggest he'd be regarded as (at least) the third best English striker.

 

[sten_super]

For all that, I believe Heskey is badly missed by England. Without question Owen and Rooney are the only genuine world-class forwards England have, but even if they could stay fit, they're limitingly small. Moreover, with Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard or Aaron Lennon down the flanks, England tend to become narrow. There's a real need for a hard-working foil to run down the channels and create openings for poachers like Owen, Defoe, Bent, and Lita. Peter Crouch isn't mobile enough to do this, Dean Ashton's name has been suspiciously mentioned more since he got injured than when he actually played. In contrast, Heskey has proven ability here. Just as Lineker needed Beardsley, Raúl needed Morientes and, er, Steve Bull needed Andy Mutch, Heskey's pace and strength can't justly be discarded.

The problem that England have is that only Owen and Crouch seem to have the ability to score goals for England. Rooney, in this respect, severely restricts Englands options up front. If Rooney plays (and he does, if he is fit), then you need a goalscorer alongside him. That means you can't accomodate Heskey.

Heskey has had his time, I don't think he'll ever have the confidence to be the player he once was. Perhaps the best option if you want someone to run the channels (given that they doubt Ashton's abilities in the articles) would be Darren Bent. He can run the channels and work his socks off (he played last season up front by himself, and the season before I think he partnered Marcus Bent, hardly a big guy).

 

[Silent Bob]

He's back....

 

[Mendoza]

He's back....

it must be hard juggling professional football and acting

he was amazing in the Green Mile, deserved an oscar!

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Not really, if Lampard and Gerrard were both fit the fool would probably play both. This forces his hand into playing what theoretically could be an ok midfield.

Quite, The thing is would you be so bother if those two had been out if out second choice midfield pairing whoever it may be had been given some much time in friendly matches?