With the next round of Euro 08 qualifiers around the corner…I thought I’d do an analysis of what Steve has actually done…my conclusion is…not much.

The first squad of McClaren’s reign had one ovbious switch. Lennon, a youthful, exciting talent replaced the reliable, but imagination free captain.

At the time, the move was accepted as the start of a new England era, the new squad then defeated Andorra (whose entire population couldn’t fill Old Trafford) a mere(considering) 5-0. They then went to Macedonia where Crouch scored the only goal and Germany travelled to and slaughtered San Marino 13-0! YET! To my increased speculation… the press stuck with the ‘new era’ tag.

For the next round…where we come up against Macedonia again, but also a bit more quality in Croatia. I see a few issues…

Why is Phil Neville in the England squad?

Surely not good enough to better anyone in CDM or CB, and we already have two LB’s. McClaren goes with this option rather than another CB like Dawson or another M like Reo-Coker. The key thing that we all got on Sven’s back for at WC 06 was that he went with 4 strikers. And yet Steve only features Crouch(the hero *cough*), Johnson, who is producing better form than any of the four, but can’t get a fucking spot, Defoe, who hasn’t scored for Spurs in years and Rooney, who is experiencing the biggest slump of his career. Now at least Sven bought (with ‘the’ Walcott selection aside) 3 strikers who were on form!

Ed: ummm, on form? Rooney was injured, Owen was returning from injury. We only had Crouch who was match-fit, and he came in on back of a handful of goals against poor-quality opposition

In the midfield…I think Parker is a great choice, and am one of these people who was pissed of at how well Hargreaves played in the world cup because I think he does nothing to drive the team. In Parker and Carrick you have the only two CDM’s you’d ever need. If you want someone who will win you the ball, Parker. If you want someone who will produce passes and composure, Carrick. Obviously Wright-Phillips or Richardson will make way for Lennon, but until then we have two young players in our national squad not playing first team football for club.

Trying to stay optimistic, but also experiencing some serious Deja Vu!

P.S. I am NOT a Sven enthusiast.