Lets talk solutions

[russe||]

Assuming Rooney won't be fit for at least the group stage of the WC what team would you pick for those games?

We have a few options:

*We could call up a player who could play a similar role to Rooney i.e. Ashton or even Scholes.
*We could get Gerrard to play there.
*We could play with a 5 man midfield - Lamps, Gerrard and Becks in the centre with SWP and J.Cole on the wings.
*We could turn to our third choice striker - Peter Crouch.

Any other suggestions?

For me the best idea is to play Gerrard at the front of a midfield 5 but the concern is Owen getting isolated.

[Jose_Mourinho]

Originally Posted by russe||

Assuming Rooney won't be fit for at least the group stage of the WC what team would you pick for those games?

We have a few options:

*We could call up a player who could play a similar role to Rooney i.e. Ashton or even Scholes.
*We could get Gerrard to play there.
*We could play with a 5 man midfield - Lamps, Gerrard and Becks in the centre with SWP and J.Cole on the wings.
*We could turn to our third choice striker - Peter Crouch.

Any other suggestions?

For me the best idea is to play Gerrard at the front of a midfield 5 but the concern is Owen getting isolated.

I think it all depends on who you play against i mean, against Sweden it would be mad to play with only Owen up front because if SWP and Joe Cole actually got the balls in, how is he going to win the headers against their massive centre backs. Perhaps it would be good to have Darren Bent in for Rooney with the normal 4-4-2 because he is a great headerer of the ball, strong, quick and likely to pose a threat. Sven's never going to be adventurous though is he???

[kyan]

Originally Posted by Jose_Mourinho

I think it all depends on who you play against i mean, against Sweden it would be mad to play with only Owen up front because if SWP and Joe Cole actually got the balls in, how is he going to win the headers against their massive centre backs. Perhaps it would be good to have Darren Bent in for Rooney with the normal 4-4-2 because he is a great headerer of the ball, strong, quick and likely to pose a threat. Sven's never going to be adventurous though is he???

owen scores loads of goals with his head and the way chelsea play they dont even cross it as much as teams who play 4-4-2 cos the wingers always cut in and shoot or play it to frank lampard so i reckon it should be similar to chelski tactics but like this:

__________________robinson_____________________

g neville_________rio__________terry_______ashley cole

___________________carrick/king__________________

____________beckham___________lampard__________


gerrard______________owen________________joe cole

i dont think rio will be dropped and i dont think swp should start cos he hasnt had much game time also this gives the oppurtunity to play a holding mid...

[Jose_Mourinho]

Originally Posted by cristiano_ronaldo

owen scores loads of goals with his head and the way chelsea play they dont even cross it as much as teams who play 4-4-2 cos the wingers always cut in and shoot or play it to frank lampard so i reckon it should be similar to chelski tactics but like this:

__________________robinson_____________________

g neville_________rio__________terry_______ashley cole

___________________carrick/king__________________

____________beckham___________lampard__________


gerrard______________owen________________joe cole

i dont think rio will be dropped and i dont think swp should start cos he hasnt had much game time also this gives the oppurtunity to play a holding mid...

It should look more like this

__________________robinson_____________________

g neville_________rio__________terry_______ashley cole

___________________carrick/king__________________

____________Gerrard___________lampard__________


Beckham_____________Bent______________owen________ _joe cole
WIth SWP coming off the bench and joe cole and Beckham going back. down the wings

[kyan]

yeah that would be brilliant if u can play with 12 players

[kyan]

anyway, beckhams not the kind of player who plays that far forward it would be pointless putting him there because he cant whip in any balls from deep which he often does because hes given more time and space further from goal, plus if he had to play that far forward hed have to play most of his passes quickly and inaccurately(which would be a waste) and hed have to be able to take players on, which he cant do

[robaldo]

if rooney isnt fit he shouldnt go, same with owen

if other players were not fit they wouldnt be in the squad. why take a player who cant play? its stupid

[kyan]

becuase he probably will be able to play and hes got more talent than every other player in the squad....

[Sven]

scholes is retired from international football and thank god for that.

[hanuma]

*We could call up a player who could play a similar role to Rooney i.e. Ashton or even Scholes.

Scholes is blind and a million miles from match fitness. Sheringham would be a better option.

Ashton is a decent idea.

*We could get Gerrard to play there.

I like this idea....a lot.

*We could play with a 5 man midfield - Lamps, Gerrard and Becks in the centre with SWP and J.Cole on the wings.

Only if we don't have Owen or Defoe up front.

[russe||]

Originally Posted by hanuma

*We could call up a player who could play a similar role to Rooney i.e. Ashton or even Scholes.

Scholes is blind and a million miles from match fitness. Sheringham would be a better option.

Ashton is a decent idea.

*We could get Gerrard to play there.

I like this idea....a lot.

*We could play with a 5 man midfield - Lamps, Gerrard and Becks in the centre with SWP and J.Cole on the wings.

Only if we don't have Owen or Defoe up front.

Fair point. Teddy would probably be better yes (not that that is saying much).

Gerrard has played a similar role for Liverpool hasn't he?

You're right a five man midfield doesn't work when you have a midget striker.

[hanuma]

Bent has been very succesful as the lone man for Charlton this season. If he can score 20 goals or so for a side with such a shower of shit in midfield and a defensive minded dullard for a coach then he can do a brilliant job with 2 excellent wingers, Lampard, Beckham and Gerrard in support.

I like the idea of seeing Gerrard further forward though so the 451 should be a back up option.

Now then, Gerrard playing where Rooney does...what happens to the midfield 4?

................Carrick
Beckham Lampard J.Cole

I don't like Carrick in there, but I think Svenn will do. No doubt he is talented, but I don't trust him defensively and with Beckham, Lampard AND Gerrard all hollywoold balling it I would prefer King or even Ferdinand as a more reliable sweeper, destroyer.

[MUMUFMUFCOK!]

Gerrard's best position is in behind a front man, but can Owen play as a lone striker? For that to work SG really needs to push and make sure Owen is not isolated.

If Owen and Rooney aren't fit in time for the first game, then I can't think of anyone better than...

Shearer and Sheringham

Well, I'd trust them more than Crouch, Bent, Defoe, or anyone else being lined up as a replacement.

[russe||]

Originally Posted by MUMUFMUFCOK!

Gerrard's best position is in behind a front man, but can Owen play as a lone striker? For that to work SG really needs to push and make sure Owen is not isolated.

That is the problem with that idea, yes.

Your suggestion about Shearer and Sherrigham just shows how unimpressive our younger strikers are. Defoe was expected to be forcing his way into the England set up by now but he has had a shite season while Crouch and Vassell just aren't very good.

[kyan]

sven goran eriksson prefers king to carrick as a holding mid, king played against argentina in the friendly which was one of england's strongest teams and also in other games... if he gets fit enough i reckon hell play ahead of carrick in most games

i dont think ur giving defoe and bent enough credit tho (some of u) bent has had an incredible season in a shite team and altho defoe hasnt had a great season, hes still a brilliant player with a brilliant shot and dribble, the problem is he doesnt fit in with englands set up