England Thread.

Also can we go back to talking about how Barry isn't a DM any more because I'm interested to know who MO'N has got doing that job for Villa these days then. Maybe it's the tough tackling, no-nonsense Stiliyan Petrov? Oh no, it's probably James "Cruncher" Milner, right? Oh god, of course not, how silly of me, it'll be that fabled defensive shield Ashley Young won't it.

Tbf Barry doesn't actually play as a defensive midfielder regularly for Villa. He plays very much as a box to box midfielder.
 
You're gonna make DM angry, read his post. ;)
Oh god no don't make me actually have to read the thing.

OK, How's about his goal against Chelsea in the CC final then? The one where he, err, controlled the ball, beat a man, laid off a nice pass, and then beat another man with the return ball?

Or skinning Kaladze and laying off the ball for Adebayor to score against AC Milan?

Funny how his supposed best work as a striker has come against smaller teams, whereas his "rubbish" wing work has done its job against the best teams in the world.

Tbf Barry doesn't actually play as a defensive midfielder regularly for Villa. He plays very much as a box to box midfielder.
He's still by far the main guy for their grunt work in midfield though. The idea that his defensive work is "untested" is nonsense.
 
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To be honest, I dont really much care for this argument. I can see why Capello is insisting on a big man up front and that ain't gonna be Walcott, with regard to his ability as a winger, i haven't seen enough for proper comment. During his 'form' england games before he did his shoulder he looked good enough to keep as an option. Personally I would keep him with Beckham as back up.

I am more surprised at people suggesting that Rooney should be upfront alone with Gerrard in support. When Erikison (? spelling) tried that it failed miserably. Rooney just wants to come deep. If we then stick someone up front to lead the line, we leave ourselves the problem of the central midfield. Hopefully hargreeves will get fit and lamps n gerrard can battle it out for the other place.
 
Rooney's played quite far up front for a couple of games for England though hasn't he? I distinctly remember him playing with Heskey just behind him against Croatia, and he did well there too. The difference between now and when Sven did it, is that prior to this season, at club level, he's had, what, two seasons?, of playing without a recognised front man ahead of him, and even now Berbatov isn't completely that kind of player.
 
Rooney's played quite far up front for a couple of games for England though hasn't he? I distinctly remember him playing with Heskey just behind him against Croatia, and he did well there too. The difference between now and when Sven did it, is that prior to this season, at club level, he's had, what, two seasons?, of playing without a recognised front man ahead of him, and even now Berbatov isn't completely that kind of player.

When Heskey is together with Rooney, he holds up the ball and allows Rooney to drop deep. With regard to man u i couldnt say as i havent caught many of their games this season.
 
Hesk should be nowhere near the first 11, international football isn't forgiving, having a forward who doesn't score goals is pointless.

/rant.

This only occured to me this morning, but people raved about Teddy Sheringham when he played upfront with Shearer and rightly so but his goal scoring record in international football is actually pretty poor 11 in 51 caps which isn't exactly streets ahead of heskeys 6 in 52.
 
This only occured to me this morning, but people raved about Teddy Sheringham when he played upfront with Shearer and rightly so but his goal scoring record in international football is actually pretty poor 11 in 51 caps which isn't exactly streets ahead of heskeys 6 in 52.

It's nearly double...
 
It's nearly double...

True but the point I was getting at is that Sheringhams goal output was not exactly significant yet he is regraded as one half of one of the best English Strike pairs in recent years maily becuase he helped Shearer to score at a goal every other game. Now Heskeys goal output is even less significant but your already comparing two mediocre outputs but he was Owens prefered partner and if Rooney keeps scoring at his current rate when playing with the 'donkey' then I don't think his lack of goals will be important.
 
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