England set to use 3-5-2 - TalkSoccer

**russe||** · 05-10-2006, 01:56 PM

Quote:

England boss Steve McClaren, encouraged by his assistant Terry Venables, is set to abandon the Three Lions' 4-4-2 formation in favour of a 3-5-2 system against Macedonia on Saturday.

The formation has not been used by the national team for almost six years, and not a single player in the squad is accustomed to it at club level. However, McClaren, aware of the abundance of centre-halves at his disposal, is determined that England will experiment with different formations before Euro 2008.

Under the watchful eye of Venables, the squad practiced with the 3-5-2 formation in training on Wednesday. And judging by the colour of their first-team bibs, the experiment is set to offer both Shaun-Wright Phillips and Michael Carrick an unexpected opportunity.

With Gary Neville deployed as the right-sided central defender, the Chelski reserve lined-up at right wing-back, with Carrick at the base of the midfield.

As Ashley Cole is the obvious candidate to be the left wing-back, Middlesbrough's Stuart Downing is likely to drop to the bench.

After the tactical rigidity of the Sven-Goran Eriksson era, the switch is bound to provoke prolonged pub debate. Its most obvious drawback will be the players' unfamiliarity. However, as Peter Crouch noted in his press conference: "We're all top players, all internationals, and the two most basic formations are 3-5-2 and 4-4-2. It should be easy to adapt. If the manager chooses to play that way, the way he thinks best, we can cope."

Likely Line-Up
Robinson; G Neville, Ferdinand, Terry; Wright-Phillips, Gerrard, Carrick, Lampard, A Cole; Rooney, Crouch.

http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...571120,00.html

I like this idea tbh.

We should be able to play different formations and 3-5-2 could work well.

Candide · 05-10-2006, 02:45 PM

I'm happy Wright-Phillips is finally getting a starting game. England look strong like this, I can't find any weaknesses with this line up (only because Crouch is in form).

**Sven** · 05-10-2006, 05:21 PM

mclaren an idiot for not calling James and Campbell.

**kyan** · 05-10-2006, 06:54 PM

i think campbell has retired

and altho james is in good form the youngsters should be given a chance...

MUMUFMUFCOK! · 05-10-2006, 07:24 PM

What has Wright-Phillips done this season to deserve a start? Or Carrick for that matter?

**russe||** · 05-10-2006, 09:52 PM

Fuck all really Wright-Phillips is only starting because Lennon is injured and Carrick is only starting cos Hargreaves is injured.

McClaren has overlooked James and Campbell for the same reason he has overlooked Beckham, they are the past and England need to be looking towards the future. We don't need vastle experienced older players for games against teams like Macedonia, however Englands next generation - the likes of Foster, Carson, Brown, Dawson, Lennon will have to replace the old guard one day sthey might as well start now and get the experience behind them ready for the WC in 4 years time.

**Sven** · 05-10-2006, 09:57 PM

imo campbell should be starting at Cb. and james is better then both reserve keepers. but hay mclaren team can do hell he wants, 3-5-2 i just hope it doesnt blow up in his face.

**russe||** · 06-10-2006, 08:54 AM

I didn't say that James and Campbell aren't good enough t be in the squad just that they won't be around for the next World Cup and will be past it for Euro 2008 so why play them now when younger players need the experience?

JD · 06-10-2006, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MUMUFMUFCOK!

What has Wright-Phillips done this season to deserve a start? Or Carrick for that matter?

SWP can't even get on the bench
Carrick struggles to get off it
shameful

**russe||** · 06-10-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD

SWP can't even get on the bench
Carrick struggles to get off it
shameful

Who would you play instead?

MUMUFMUFCOK! · 06-10-2006, 03:44 PM

Parker and Woodgate.

**russe||** · 07-10-2006, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MUMUFMUFCOK!

Parker and Woodgate.

So you wouldn't of gone with 3-5-2 then?

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 07-10-2006, 10:30 AM

Carrick???Scott Parker instead.
Neville???Jamie Carragher instead.
SWP???3-5-2 suits Beckham.It's wrong to let him out.
Rooney???Defoe instead.Rooney totally out of form.

mr.watford · 07-10-2006, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mighty T.A.L.

Rooney???Defoe instead.Rooney totally out of form.

and defoe is in brilliant form?

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 07-10-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.watford

and defoe is in brilliant form?

Defoe made 2 goals for England last time he played home for England.He deserve a second chance.