England Squad

[Sven]

I could say the same thing, what has Carrick ever done for England?

Nothing, Lampard and Gerrard have.

I would rather have theese two infront of Hargreaves or Barry then Carrick. I think Cappelo thinks that too.

[kyan]

Originally Posted by Sven

I could say the same thing, what has Carrick ever done for England?

Not really, the situations are completely different. When was Carrick given a proper chance to do anything for England? Never.

[unitedfan]

Originally Posted by hanuma

Of course they can work together, but only if they have clearly defined roles, and even better if they have a holding midfielder. Carrick could be that man, but I'd prefer others to do that job.

Who? Carrick has kept Hargreaves out of our side for much of the season. He's been integral for two seasons now, has been very consistent, and absolutely is a fine passer of the ball, ahead of anyone in the squad atm, in that department. He's very solid defensively, if you still can't see that, you're simply not watching, or being selective in what you see.

Then you should know that Carrick CAN be a mighty fine passer of the ball and that he is not THE finest passer of the ball.

Of English players available for selection? He most certainly is THE finest passer of the ball.

Yes, you'd hope he would playing for one of the best teams in the world, it depends what standards you're judging him by though. There isn't a single sane Utd fan that would choose Carrick over any of his predecessors at the club (with the exception of Djemba Djemba).

You do realise that his predecessor was Roy Keane, don't you? So he has to be better than Roy Keane to get in the squad?? Remove everyone else then.

[hanuma]

Originally Posted by Olzy

Who else do you think can pass the ball better than Carrick in such tight situations and under pressure.

Not necissarily better than, but as well as, Gerrard, Lampard and Scholes for a start, all three also offering far more in other aspects of their game than he does of course.

All Im saying is that Carrick warrants a place in the squad. All the midfielders bring something to the table in that squad.

All I'll say is that it's not that shocking that he's missed out.

Kyan: "Very irritating when you put them forward as if they were facts."

I think it's a fact that he's not all that. I don't think he's done anything special by keeping out Owen Hargreaves and Anderson (a mere boy and generally different position) from the team. Central midfield is Utd's weakest area, where in the big games you retreat from the battle there completely conceding possession and focusing on the counter attack.

My biggest problem about Carrick, is not with him itself, it's with peoples perceptions of him as this wonderous ball player, constantly hitting his man in stride with 80 yard crossfield passes. It's a complete myth.

If you look I never say he's terrible defensively, or that he's terrible for conceding possession, or that he SHOULDN'T be in the side, or that he COULDN'T be any good for England.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

What have Gerrard and Lampard done for England which has been particularly impressive since Euro 2004?

Like anyone else for England. What is it about class players who don't perform for England like they do for their clubs?

[hanuma]

Originally Posted by Mighty T.A.L.

Like anyone else for England. What is it about class players who don't perform for England like they do for their clubs?

Terrible management for a start. And then the fact that noone really cares about international football in the way some other countries might. There really is only a handful of international teams left that really care about the international game.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

But they speak so highly about the honor to play for the three lions...