Sven is a twat.

[Simon Morgan]

This is the problem....DB is just not good enough...sure, he's a good club pro, but you get the feeling that is as far as it goes...Vassell is injured I think....

yeah, vassell's having a hernia op or something

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

It's a judgment call on Walcott. I think it's a bad decision from Sven, as has been said comparisons with Owen and Rooney are way off the mark purely because we had at least seen them play at the top level domestically.

Walcott seems the real deal for the future, but you cannot make a logical case for taking him ahead of Bent, Defoe or Johnson at this moment in time.

If you take a wild card to this World Cup you take Lennon, which hopefully he will. Anything else appears self-indulgent nonsense - but I'm sure we'll be cheering if the kid scores a wonder-goal.

We are struggling up front and so yes, it's a question of judgement and obviously with youung Walcott, a risk. Sven's admitted that. But he's not going to start is he unless there's a disasterous set of injuries. He'll be thrown on with a few minutes/extra time to go and told to run at tired defences - and boy we know that lad can run fast. The same with Lennon. These are the players of the future who might just make an impact this summer. You never know.

You're right to say you can't compare Walcott to Owen and Rooney. Owen was joint top scorer in the season before the 1998 World Cup. But that said, Defoe has not impressed in any England game and has scored only 4 goals ALL season; precisely the same number as Walcott.

As for Bent's exclusion. 20 goals this season says he should have been there but he's off form and Sven obviously doesn't rate him.

But overall, given our striking limitations, I think this is a good and exciting squad if a little risky.

 

[Schrödinger's Toad]

But that said, Defoe has not impressed in any England game and has scored only 4 goals ALL season

Eh? Defoe has nine goals.

 

[Hatterlovesbrighton]

Eh? Defoe has nine goals.

4 in the league

 

[itszamora]

If Rooney and Owen were fit, the decision to pick Walcott is perhaps understandable. But as there are huge question marks over both of them, we are potentially in a situation where Walcott may have to start and not be used as an impact sub. I think everyone would agree that Defoe, Bent or even dare I say it Johnson would be a better choice to start a game than Walcott.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Ledley King is injured. Sol Campbell is not.

If you are gonna spout shit about Sven being a twat it's probably best you get some facts right.

As are Rooney and Owen, King will be back sooner than Rooney according to last reports I saw.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

4 in the league

Erm we lost 1-0 to Grimsby
and 3-2 to Leicester in the cups this year

with stalteri getting one at the walkers

 

[NMH]

They have just had the German bloke on TalkSport and he says Hargreaves has been OUSTANDING for Bayern this season playing in the holding role in a diamond midfield.

I think Shaun Wright-Phillips will be ruefully counting his money this evening, wondering what might have been if he had stayed to learn under Staurt Pearce

I saw hargreaves play for BM several times this last season, and can say that he was NOT outstanding in any game that I watched. He wasn't any worse than most, so he didn't stand out in that way - but he only fit into their way of playing to be 'efficient enough' in his position.
Let's not forget though, that German football isn't much better than Scottish, nowadays. Hargreaves is an average player who shouldn't be anywhere near the England squad, imo.

 

[¤DãŃn¥ §êãGüLL¤]

Whatever happens with Walcott he'll have a starring role to play at Euro 2008

 

[Schrödinger's Toad]

4 in the league

Pompey x 2
Middlesbrough
Birmingham
Charlton x 2
West Ham

Plus a couple of others I can't recall. All of Defoe's nine goals have been in the league.

 

[Easy 10]

Whatever happens with Walcott he'll have a starring role to play at Euro 2008

We DON'T KNOW YET

He's just a kid. Yes he's obviously quick and talented, as Wenger wouldn't have splashed the cash on him if he wasn't. But he's still developing physically as a boy and as a player. He's got a LONG way to go before he even becomes an Arsenal regular (if he doesn't end up being farmed out a-la Pennant). Nobodys seen him play anywhere near a decent level yet, so how you can start making bold predicitons about him starring in Euro 2008 god only knows.

Don't ALWAYS believe the hype !

 

[Gary Stevens Neighbour]

oh come on... think it is brave of him to select that squad! Lennon in awesome form for Spurs, and Walcott is massively rated. Admittedly he hasnt played in the Premiership yet, but ALL the comments from staff and those whom have seen him say he is fully capable...

well done Sven! we need options and thats what we now have!

 

[Les Biehn]

oh come on... think it is brave of him to select that squad! Lennon in awesome form for Spurs, and Walcott is massively rated. Admittedly he hasnt played in the Premiership yet, but ALL the comments from staff and those whom have seen him say he is fully capable...

well done Sven! we need options and thats what we now have!

If I get my mates who I play with on Sunday to reccomend me what do you reckon? Got to be in with a shout.

 

[Chesney Christ 1]

Who is the best manager in the world at spotting YOUNG talent? Arsene Wenger. By a country mile.

Who paid £12million for Theo Walcott? Arsene Wenger.

End of.

 

[Gary Stevens Neighbour]

i assume you are talking about playing football Les, not fun & frollics at Dukes mound!

read ya post mate, well open to mis-interpretation

 

[Les Biehn]

What is it with this Wenger dick suck love in? Walcott is a player who hasn't even played Premiership football, he has done nothing to deserve his place against the likes of Defoe, Ashton, Bent and even SWP. I for one think it is f***ing ridiculous. I am actually embarrassed by the stupidity of Sven, what other country would take a 17yr old untried player?

 

[Les Biehn]

i assume you are talking about playing football Les, not fun & frollics at Dukes mound!

read ya post mate, well open to mis-interpretation

That reminds me I still need to give Ashley Cole his phone back.

You get my point though, I'm sure there is plenty of youngsters who are highly reccommended but aren't getting the chance to go to Germany because Arsene Wenger is having his cock sucked by the FA>

 

[Schrödinger's Toad]

Who is the best manager in the world at spotting YOUNG talent? Arsene Wenger. By a country mile.

Is he? What's he got to show for that - Anelka, Fabregas?

 

[Easy 10]

Who is the best manager in the world at spotting YOUNG talent? Arsene Wenger. By a country mile.

Who paid £12million for Theo Walcott? Arsene Wenger.

End of.

How much did Arsene Wenger pay for Jermaine Pennant ?
Or Francis Jeffers ?

He gets more right than he does wrong of course. He's a great manager. But young players don't ALWAYS develop as hoped or expected. And singing this kids praises because someones paid £12m for him is nothing more than blind hope.

Do you think Wenger would say Walcott is ready to play in a World Cup ?

 

[Gary Stevens Neighbour]

come on Les! surely its worth the risk, something new, something untried, how often have you seen an England manager do that? tell me whom you would take instead assuming Rooney defo not fit and Defo takes that place....

assume he will get some form of a game as he aint going to make the numbers or to get the teas is he?

anyway, why arent people asking for MM out! thats what we normally debate ! he he