Quote: Renegade Carpark @ February 12 2012, 7:54 PM GMTI will support any new England manager who has the guts to dump the dead weights that are Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand.
Rio Ferdinand is still one of the top centre backs (at what he does best)the only justified reason for dropping him would be due to injurys.
Gary Cahill is looking like the most likely conbination with Terry but Villa Boas is playing him as a fourth choice CB due to some misguided faith in the woeful David Luiz.
The best English centre backs are Dawson, Jagielka, Lescott, Cahill, Smalling, Terry (just), King (actually the best, but not really a tournament option... or is he?), Jones... To be honest Rio isn't in contention, and there are a lot of options - throw in Richards as well, defo if you are looking at a squad.
Quote: Jamey @ February 12 2012, 7:58 PM GMTRio Ferdinand is still one of the top centre backs (at what he does best)the only justified reason for dropping him would be due to injurys.
And that he's got a strange mouth.
Quote: Badge @ February 12 2012, 8:05 PM GMTThe best English centre backs are Dawson, Jagielka, Lescott, Cahill, Smalling, Terry (just), King (actually the best, but not really a tournament option... or is he?), Jones... To be honest Rio isn't in contention, and there are a lot of options - throw in Richards as well, defo if you are looking at a squad.
I thought Dawson, Lescott and Smalling were all normally thrid choice at their clubs, King with more injury problems than Rio, Jones fourth/fith choice and Richards is probably England's best right back.
Even if you take Jagielka and Cahill(who would have very little game time unless something changes quick) then Rio is still the best covering centre back to compliment Terry's all out for the ball approach.
Smalling and Jones will almost certinly be overlooked so Stuart Pearce has a strong back line for team GB
Well, whoever is "first choice" should be down to the coach. Unfortunately I suspect under Crapello it was down to the coach under influence of the media. I maintain that neither Rio nor Terry have played in England's best defensive shows of recent years. I wouldn't have either of them, on footballing grounds.
Mabye I'm too biased in this issue, but every week I watch Rio and as a cover for a more offensive Centre back I can see no faults, even with a massive loss of pace and all his injury problems he is just so postionally aware and he reads the game like a dream. He rarely tackles but when he does it is almost always inch perfect.
I fell asleep and had this dream:
Hart
Richards
R.Johnson
S.Taylor (get him fit!)
Baines
Walcott
Watson
Gerrard (c)
Sinclair
Crouch
Rooney
Manager: D.Gradi.
Quote: Stylee TingTing @ February 12 2012, 8:32 PM GMTI fell asleep and had this dream:
Hart
Richards
R.Johnson
S.Taylor (get him fit!)
Baines
Walcott
Watson
Gerrard (c)
Sinclair
Crouch
RooneyManager: D.Gradi.
Love the thought of Dario as England manager as he's an ex-England Amateur international. I used to watch him every week for my team. Also he may possibly have been one of the Great Britain Olympic team. I'll have to check that out.
Also I don't think Walcott is as good as Oxade Chaimberlain.
Quote: Chappers @ February 12 2012, 8:44 PM GMTLove the thought of Dario as England manager..
Just as a one-off for Euro 2012.. a swansong, if you like, which no-one could begrudge. The job'd be there for Harry at the end of the tournament. Gradi certainly wouldn't bring any baggage with him.. and everyone respects his player-judging abilities.
Bring him on..
Quote: Chappers @ February 12 2012, 8:44 PM GMTAlso I don't think Walcott is as good as Oxlade-Chamberlain.
I agree with you: Walcott's better.
Quote: Stylee TingTing @ February 12 2012, 8:32 PM GMTI fell asleep and had this dream:
Hart
Richards
R.Johnson
S.Taylor (get him fit!)
Baines
Walcott
Watson
Gerrard (c)
Sinclair
Crouch
RooneyManager: D.Gradi.
Obviously I am biased too and would have both Walcott and Oxlade Chamberlain on the wings - unstoppable pace not only frightens the opposition, but they draw at least two defenders each time they bomb down the wing. I'd also have Ashley Cole and Lescott in the back four. Probably swap out Watson for Scott Parker so we have more holding options in midfield. And finally, swap out Crouch for Darren Bent or Defoe.
Would quite like Gus Hiddink as manager.
African nations cup looking very tight.
Extra time, possibly penalities.
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ February 12 2012, 9:41 PM GMTI'd also have Ashley Cole..
Noooooo!
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ February 12 2012, 9:41 PM GMTProbably swap out Watson for Scott Parker so we have more holding options in midfield.
(How does that work? Parker better than Watson?) NO!
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ February 12 2012, 9:41 PM GMTAnd finally, swap out Crouch for Darren Bent or Defoe.
NOOOOO!!!!!
*tosses and turns in bed in nightmare-wakes*
I just had this terrible dream...
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ February 12 2012, 9:41 PM GMTI'd also have Ashley Cole and Lescott in the back
Quote: Stylee TingTing @ February 12 2012, 9:48 PM GMT*tosses and turns in bed in nightmare-wakes*
I just had this terrible dream...
Was it of an extremely dull, uninspiring and workmanlike England team getting dumped out the Euros, because yet again, a load of borderline players, with a very inconsistent national track record, couldn't be bothered to bring their A game?
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ February 12 2012, 9:55 PM GMTWas it of an extremely dull, uninspiring and workmanlike England team getting dumped out the Euros, because yet again, a load of borderline players, with a very inconsistent national track record, couldn't be bothered to bring their A game?
YES!!!??
Plus, even worse: YOU were manager!