Comments on: Lampard and Gerrard can no longer be automatic choices for England

By: John

John — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 21:51:18 +0000

Aaron Lennon is a lightweight

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 13:28:55 +0000

Ed,

The Newcastle fan explains the Dyer choice when did he ever have a good game let alone for England or play more than 2 without being injured. By the way I don’t think he’s a bad player just making a silly comment like you did.

Gerrard is the worlds best player (Henry close 2nd) he has had plenty of good games for England, Greece and other friendlies recently and he was one of the better WC players. Although I think what you meant is that the high standards set by Gerrard you expect 2 goals and a MOM performance every game. Well Sven was partly to blame playing the worlds best mid as a holding man, its like putting Henry up front with lead boots on.

But Tippers is right Gerrard 1st name on teamsheet but we need England to play more like a proper team and not individuals. Maybe we should work on that instead of slating individuals as funny as it can be.

By: Ed Harrison

Ed Harrison — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 11:05:25 +0000

Mark – I agree – Lampard is the one that should be left out for Israel game – his performances in the world cup were pitiful. We’ll see what McClaren does – but don’t hold your breath.

By: Mark Hobbs

Mark Hobbs — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 10:32:43 +0000

Ashley Cole is suspended for the Israel match so he can’t play for you.

Gerrard played anchor man or left midfield throughout Sven’s time in charge (including in the 5 – 1 game). If he hasn’t shone it’s because he’s not been given the opportunity to as he’s been shackled. Lumplard has enjoyed the same freedom as he does for his club and still he’s done nothing in an England shirt. He shoots at every opportunity and doesn’t bring anyone else into the game.

Allow Gerrard the freedom given to lumplard and he will excel.

By: BOBeryto

BOBeryto — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 13:24:48 +0000

Fact of the matter is its lampards UN-versatility that means that him and Gerrard cant work together. lampard will not come back at all if Gerrard pushes on a bit! So gerrard is left covering Lampards ass and restricting his own game!! All lampard does is sit in behind the strikers and pass and shoot (granted he does have a nery good shot) from up there! He is almost a second striker at times, he also restricts Rooney dropping deep be taking up positions Rooney naturally drifts into (no one seems to notice this because their concentrating how much he ruins Stevie’s game). Gerrard has and can come back into a defencive role if needed we see that all the time that he does come back, especially earlier in his career! I ve said it for a long time now that you could never play 2 lampards together but 2 gerrards would be unstoppable! I think the team should be based around the spine of Terry Gerrard Rooney! and with lampard in there he retricts 2 of the most gifted players in the world!

By: Dean Heath

Dean Heath — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 10:15:31 +0000

3 at the back would only work with two quick centre backs in the left and right positions. Rio would have to go in the middle – I’m a Pool fan, but Rio is THE best centre back in the world.

Carragher and Terry are too slow to play semi full back – remember how Jamie was made to look pretty awful against Croatia as part of a back 3.

Lampard has to be put on the bench, just like Cesc or our own Alonso take turns in doing for Spain in the name of a balanced team.

Against Israel, we should just stick Crouch up there and have Rooney, Downing, Gerrard and Lennon (Bentley is now also worth a look) bombing-on in support. It’s Israel for Christ’s sake – even at this level, we should just go for it for the first 30 minutes, getting a couple of goals then relax into a pattern.

The Spurs/Chelsea game typified what makes the English game so purposeful – pace and high tempo. We would blow them away if we took the gamble – it’s not even that big a gamble with the likes of Rio, Jamie/Woody, and Neville at the back.

By: ViceP

ViceP — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 09:45:11 +0000

Rooney should be in there as should probably David James as he had a faboulous season this year. And picking a defense without Carragher is just nonsense.

By: allengland

allengland — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 06:03:07 +0000

without rooney, gerrard england is sure to lose…..crouch and rooney makes a gd choice. Give carragher a chance, is on form now. see how he played against Barcelona.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 20:59:20 +0000

Ahmed – The all important second goal would have mattered more had we not leaked like an incontinent sheep dog at the back in that match.

I’d sooner have Gerrard over Lampard any day, though.

By: Ahmed Bilal

Ahmed Bilal — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 20:05:10 +0000

The Brush – shame on you for calling this a tin pot site!

Ed – Lamps was pretty good in 2004 and 2005, Gerrard was fairly good then as well. But who cares really, McClaren’s not breaking those two up.