Crouch called into England squad - TalkSoccer

**russe||** · 02-10-2005, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has been called up by coach Sven-Goran Eriksson for England's final two World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Poland.

Sol Campbell and Alan Smith have also both been recalled in a 24-man squad which has no space for Michael Carrick.

Owen Hargreaves misses out with injury while Scott Parker, Danny Murphy and Emile Heskey fail to make the grade.

England host Austria on Saturday 8 October, with their final qualifying match against Poland four days later.

Eriksson has hinted the Crouch will start at Old Trafford against Austria with Wayne Rooney suspended.

The Swede has also suggested he would ditch the 4-5-1 formation he used against Wales and Northern Ireland.

"It's a pity striker Wayne Rooney is suspended for the game. I can't say what formation I will use, but I'll probably have two up front," he told BBC Radio Five Live earlier in the week.

One of the two in attack is almost certain to be Michael Owen, who should be fit despite missing out for Newcastle on Saturday.

Owen limped out of a training session with Newcastle on Friday but after Saturday's draw at Portsmouth, Magpies boss Graeme Souness said: "It's only a dead leg. He should be fine (for England)."

Campbell's return had been much anticipated after his strong showing for Arsenal in recent weeks following injury, and Eriksson admits he has a welcome headache with so many outstanding central defenders to choose from.

"It was a concern that Campbell had been out," the England coach added.

"I've spoken to (Arsenal manager) Arsene Wenger about that several times, but it seems that Campbell is now very, very fit and playing well.

"I have to make the decision whether to leave out John Terry, Rio Ferdinand or Sol Campbell. I have an idea in my head."

Wenger believes Campbell should be England's first-choice central defender, getting the nod ahead of all other contenders.

He said: "I would pick Sol. He has a little bit more than the rest. He's got what the others haven't got - power, pace and experience.

"It's a difficult choice as I rate Terry. I also rate (Jamie) Carragher as he was one of the most influential players in Liverpool's European campaign last season. He was absolutely outstanding in the two games against Chelsea.

"Ferdinand has always been in there as he's a bit more technical than the three others. It will be a difficult choice but I just feel that Sol has the edge over the rest."

England must win both games to claim the group title and automatically qualify for the finals in Germany, although they are already in a strong position to progress as one of two best second-placed teams in the eight European qualifying groups.

England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Austria (8 October) and Poland (12 October):

Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Tottenham), Robert Green (Norwich), Chris Kirkland (Liverpool/West Brom)

Defenders: Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Phil Neville (Everton), Luke Young (Charlton), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), John Terry (Chelsea), Sol Campbell (Arsenal), Ledley King (Tottenham)

Midfielders: David Beckham (Real Madrid), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Alan Smith (Man Utd), Kieran Richardson (Man Utd)

Strikers: Michael Owen (Newcastle), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Darren Bent (Charlton), Peter Crouch (Liverpool).

Peter Crouch in the England squad, oh dear.

Adalon · 02-10-2005, 07:41 PM

how does Danny Murphy not get into the squad?!

**russe||** · 02-10-2005, 07:45 PM

No idea, he has been playing really well recently.

CantonaStillGod · 02-10-2005, 10:33 PM

Sounds like Sol and Rio to me. Odd one. Well I mean they were good 3 years ago but...we'll see anyway.

**andy villa** · 02-10-2005, 11:46 PM

what a clueless kunt eriksson is...

**russe||** · 03-10-2005, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pablopicasso

what a clueless kunt eriksson is...

Haven't we been here before? :wallbang:

Candide · 03-10-2005, 07:36 AM

Guide to who is:
Very Good
Good
Average
Should be taken out into a paddock and shot

-----

Goalkeepers:
Paul Robinson (Tottenham)
Robert Green (Norwich)
Chris Kirkland (Liverpool/West Brom)

Defenders:
Ashley Cole (Arsenal)
Phil Neville (Everton)
Luke Young (Charlton)
Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)
Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd)
John Terry (Chelsea)
Sol Campbell (Arsenal)
Ledley King (Tottenham)

Midfielders: David Beckham (Real Madrid)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
Joe Cole (Chelsea)
Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea)
Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham)
Alan Smith (Man Utd)
Kieran Richardson (Man Utd)

Strikers: Michael Owen (Newcastle)
Wayne Rooney (Man Utd)
Jermain Defoe (Tottenham)
Darren Bent (Charlton)
Peter Crouch (Liverpool)

Defence and Attack are an issue! But I believe we have Midfield nicely covered.

If England don't play attacking football - like all there other games under Erickson - than we may as well just leave all the strikers back in England and bring extra defenders.

hanuma · 03-10-2005, 08:22 AM

whatever happens robinson, cole, terry and rooney must play.

the rest should get put in a lucky dip.

**kennethlindheim** · 03-10-2005, 10:04 AM

I would replace Jenas and Smith with Murphy and Parker.

**russe||** · 04-10-2005, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennethlindheim

I would replace Jenas and Smith with Murphy and Parker.

Surely even Sven isn't stupid enough to have Smith in the squad as a midfielder ahead of Parker, I reckon Smith is in as an extra striker cos Rooney is suspended for the first game.

A agree on the murphy/jenas thing though.

BTW anyone else reckon Sven will start with Owen and Crouch rather than Owen and Bent?
:wallbang:

Spursmeister · 04-10-2005, 01:35 PM

Yeo, he'll play the soppy long dog... I have no faith or confidence in Crutch and am yet to see him do ANTHING decent on the field... God Save the Queen, cos he won't!

Spursmeister · 04-10-2005, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ch33kY

Guide to who is:
Very Good
Good
Average
Should be taken out into a paddock and shot

-----

Goalkeepers:
Paul Robinson (Tottenham)
Robert Green (Norwich)
Chris Kirkland (Liverpool/West Brom)

Defenders:
Ashley Cole (Arsenal)
Phil Neville (Everton)
Luke Young (Charlton)
Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)
Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd)
John Terry (Chelsea)
Sol Campbell (Arsenal)
Ledley King (Tottenham)

Midfielders: David Beckham (Real Madrid)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
Joe Cole (Chelsea)
Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea)
Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham)
Alan Smith (Man Utd)
Kieran Richardson (Man Utd)

Strikers: Michael Owen (Newcastle)
Wayne Rooney (Man Utd)
Jermain Defoe (Tottenham)
Darren Bent (Charlton)
Peter Crouch (Liverpool)

Defence and Attack are an issue! But I believe we have Midfield nicely covered.

If England don't play attacking football - like all there other games under Erickson - than we may as well just leave all the strikers back in England and bring extra defenders.

You really are fcuking clueless ain't ya...!

mr.watford · 04-10-2005, 05:27 PM

Jenas and Smith over Murphy

Joke

**russe||** · 04-10-2005, 05:48 PM

Oh god it gets worse:

Cole is injured and Sven has this to say:

Quote:

"We have a lot of options there, Jamie Carragher is one, Warnock is another, Kieran Richardson is playing left-back for Manchester United at this moment,"

Richardson has done well playing there for use recently but this is international football FFS it is a whole different game. Warnock or Carragher (who seems to have returned to being crap again after one good season) is that the best we can do!? I'd call up Gareth Barry (asuming Wayne Bridge is injured).

My line would be:

--------------Robinson
P.Nev----Terry-----Sol------Barry
Becks---Gerrard---Lamps--Richardson
----------Bent--------Owen

I expect from Sven to pick:
--------------Robinson
P.Nev-----Rio----Sol----Carragher
Becks----Gerrad--Lamps----J.Cole
---------Crouch----Owen

mr.watford · 04-10-2005, 05:54 PM

Gareth Barry?

He doesnt even play left back anymore ffs