What the hell is Stewart Downing doing even playing for England? If he was still playing at Villa he wouldn't have a sniff but as he's a big money signing for Liverpool he's an automatic starter. He is a decent footballer, don't get me wrong but if he was right-footed he would be in the Championship. Adam Johnson is a far better option and a class player in my opinion.
Also, Walcott. The guy simply feels far too much pressure at international level. It's a shame because I know he has the ability to succeed and I think he will later on in his career, but at the moment he struggles without his Arsenal mates around him. Good run for the third goal but these moments are few and far between.
In general I think Fabio's done alright since the WC. He's got us playing 4-3-3, which is a good idea even if we're not very good at it. Anything's better than 4-4-2 with Heskey. I think a back four of Cole-Terry-Ferdinand-Smalling is still the way to go, simply because no-one else is really knocking at the door. I've always had a soft spot for Richards but his career has stagnated somewhat at Eastlands. Cahill isn't good enough to start regularly and Jones needs games at United before being thrown in at the deep end. He's a terrific player but Fabio did the right thing tonight leaving him out (though he should have been on the bench so he could come on second half under little pressure).
Parker's been a really excellent addition to the team. He has composure and breaks up play well. Barry is appalling but I suppose is decent backup to Wilshere. Gerrard should play in the role that Young did tonight assuming he gets back form and fitness. Young and A Johnson should play on the wings with Walcott an impact sub. Rooney up top. It's not ideal with Rooney dropping off the whole time but there's enough goals in that team for me.
By the time we get to the Euros, I expect/hope to see this team.
Hart
Smalling
Ferdinand (last hurrah)
Terry (last )
Cole
Parker
Wilshere
Gerrard
Young
Johnson
Rooney
Fabio, you've done OK recently, keep it up.
But keep Downing out.
Stewart Downing and Thoughts on England
posted on 3/9/11
If Welbeck and Cleverley continue their meteroric rise, Sturridge picks up where he left off and Wilshere returns from Injury England will be looking quite good.
Young is much better starting out wide and then working his way into the middle/swapping positions.
Welbeck/Walcott, Rooney, Young
Cleverley, Parker/Gerrard, Wilshere
Cole, Ferdi/Cahill/Jones, Terry, Smalling
Wilshere, Cle
posted on 3/9/11
Arsenes_little_grey_cells - UNBELIEVABLE TEKKERS (U1068
I think a back four of Cole-Terry-Ferdinand-Smalling is still the way to go, simply because no-one else is really knocking at the door. I've always had a soft spot for Richards but his career has stagnated somewhat at Eastlands. Cahill isn't good enough to start regularly and ______________________________________
It shows what you know about football. Naff all.
If Whinger had managed too sign him he would have been the best thing since sliced bread.
Pathetic.
posted on 3/9/11
Why do people say it's time to pick players like Barkley (played twice in his career?), and McCrachen (spelling?), these guys are not nearly experienced enough.
My team right now for the Euro's would be;
Hart
Smalling Rio Terry Cole
Cleverly Wiltshire Parker
Wallcott Gerrard Young
Rooney.
I think our only option is to play on the counter, we don't have the ball players, but in Cleverly, Wiltshire and Rooney we have players to who have a brain, Gerrard, Young and Theo are suited to the counter and the midfield three have loads of energy for the Capellos pressing style.
I'd love to see the midfield three together in particular.
posted on 3/9/11
Damn it, thats 12 players, Meant to say Gerrard/ Clev.
posted on 3/9/11
U10516 does have a point N-N-N Nineteen. You got well and truly owned
posted on 3/9/11
I'm sorry but Downing is the most over rated player currently in the prem/ England team.
AJ isn't played enough by City (cue the city fans quoting the number of games he's played) he simply doesn't start enough or finish enough games. Young is in the box seat at the mo and should be played on the LH side as he is at OT.
As for CM gerrard will sooner or later look at the liverpool squad and himself and call it a day for England as will Lampard, probably both after next summer along with Rio and with any luck JT. so if Capello had anything about him he'd show some bottle and move now to Wilshire, Clevery, Parker in the middle with Young, Walcott & rooney up top and a back four of Cole, Cahill. Jones & Smalling/ Richards
posted on 3/9/11
The reason AJ doesnt play as much as he should is because he goes missing for large parts of a game.
great talent but cannot be relied upon.
As for the downing comments. He is a top footballer and it is quite shocking how england fans cannot put club allegiance aside when supporting the country. If you really think downing is an average player then you really know nothing about football. I suppose yossi is now one of the best players in prem???
posted on 3/9/11
Nothing shocking at all. If I couldn't put aside my club allegiance then I'd never call for AJ to be involved.
Stats are a pile of dung. As a liverpool fan I wonder why you spend so much time watching AJ to come up with the fact he goes missing
If downing was a top class player why has none of the top clubs gone for him? He's been at Boro (a fizzy pop team) Villa (at best a mid table prem team) and now Pool, a team who long for former glory days but have been a 6th or 5th place for a few years and are like spurs dashing to try and catch up but lack the funds to do it
posted on 3/9/11
If downing was a top class player why has none of the top clubs gone for him? He's been at Boro (a fizzy pop team) Villa (at best a mid table prem team) and now Pool, a team who long for former glory days but have been a 6th or 5th place for a few years and are like spurs dashing to try and catch up but lack the funds to do it
again, typical generalist tripe from rival fans.
6th or 5th for a few years..really? is two poor seasons during a time of unprecedented club turmoil equal to us being that team for "a few years"?
As for your club assessment of downing, we can do the same for the "lesser" former aston villa winger, Ashley young.
He's been at watford (fizzy pop team) and villa (at best mid prem team). who else was in for him other than the supposedly average Liverpool?
posted on 3/9/11
Stats are a pile of dung. As a liverpool fan I wonder why you spend so much time watching AJ to come up with the fact he goes missing
As for this comment, i have not watched every one of their games, but when i have seen him play this is exactly what happens. Ask city fans their opinion.
Do you really think a player with his talent would be on the bench week in week out if he was involved 100% and putting the effort in. Oh and another one that came from that fizzy pop team with no other big clubs registering a bid! funny isnt it?