I agree Greatteams to a degree. Sven was very good from 2002-2004. I think he made some bad decisions in 2006 though.

I remain convinced that had Rooney not got injured we had a great chance in 2004.

Robbing is right about Hoddle. He recognised that possession was the key and would have made us a better International team had he been given a long term chance.

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People always said Gerrard and Lampard in the same team didn't work, but it did work in Euro 2004 with the diamond midfield.

Lampard scored goals, Gerrard played well in a deeper role, Scholes played well on the left of the diamond (which is not remotely like playing left wing), and Beckham was good on the right of the diamond.

That team had a great balance of experience and youth. The only obvious weakness was not having a top class keeper (James as No 1), and having poor depth up front after Owen and Rooney (Vassell and Heskey).

Beckham was a has been hanging on too long?

No we had the visionary Mclaren drop him (like a lot of England fans wanted) he then called him back up because even though he wasn't the worlds greatest player as the media attention made it appear (which caused Beckham a lot of problems and hate from football fans) he was also a damn fine player far better than anyone we have on the wing now let alone the even less talented speed and no end product Walcott and Lennon on the wings...

Can we still really call a player a violent thug when he hasn't been sent off for so long?

A few violent incidents followed by a long period of calm would seem to indicate a previously occasionally violent player...

Thug is just obviously added for effect.

now let alone the even less talented speed and no end product Walcott and Lennon on the wings...

That should be...

now let alone the even less talented speed and no end product Walcott and Lennon on the wings of a few years ago...

England were hit with a few injuries today best team in my opinion

Hart

Johnson- Cahill- Ferdinand- A Cole

Carrick- Wiltshire

Walcott- Lampard- Milner

Rooney

Walcott

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Bring in Beckham, that will triple the viewers!

Personally, I feel as though England look even less likely to win something every two/four years. We just seem to get worse and worse which is a bit demoralising as a fan. There was a time when we were genuine contenders to get into the top 4 in Europe/the World and we'd be disappointed with anything less. Nowadays we are doing very well to go out in the quarter finals on pens. We are now actually satisfied with this as though it is an achievement (because we have become so bad). It's hard to get excited about that, frankly.

I also feel that club rivalry has become over-the-top, to the extent that I don't feel solidarity with - or even affiliated with - other England fans any more.

As a United fan, I feel as though our players and fans are so detested by the rest of England that I wonder why the feck I should even care about England at all.

I used to berate other United fans for saying stuff like that but, alas, I actually share their feelings now.

I don't care much for club loyalties when they play for England....Lampard, Cole, Campbell, Adams, Wright. I draw the line at Terry though