It seems that whatever Capello does the fans moan and it may be justified. Football has an everlasting trait: It has a characteristic that every fan shares; a common denominator among all that criticise from the terraces. The beautiful game can, at times, seem like it would better suit the title, the blame game.
I personally agree with all the fans who call for Capello’s head, who want an Englishman in charge of the English team, who want something other than a flat 4-4-2. It’s become boring to watch England and almost predictable. Unfortunately though, we are stuck with the Italian until after Euro 2012. That means we have at least one more tournament that we can watch, whilst thinking we could have done a better job. So in true English footballing fashion, I’ve put together my own team for the upcoming friendlies against Sweden and Spain.
I’ve stuck to the rules of true anti-Capello spectators and therefore not a single player that the Italian has called up for the international fixtures features in my team. This isn’t because every player in the team I disagree with, but it is so I can pit my Brave Lions against Capello’s gormless gazelles who will be duly preyed on by the bulls of Spain. I urge you to form your very own “I can do it better” team and leave it in the comments.
I am putting forward my team in a 4-2-3-1 formation, utilised to full effect by many Spanish teams and pioneered by the Brazilian national teams of the 1970’s. Manchester United used it for a spell of the 10/11 season and in 5 games using the formation, they won 4, with Hernandez bagging 4 goals in the CF role and Rooney contributing with 3 goals and 2 assists. Rooney will play that role in my England team.
GK: Green never really got his chance as #1 for England; plagued by injury, a career of appearances in struggling Premier League sides and an unfortunate fumble in what just happened to be the first England game of the World Cup saw the ‘keeper effectively out of the scene. However, the ‘keeper has made an assured start in the Championship and the weekend saw a Green-inspired victory for West Ham, with three world class saves keeping Hull on 0. My 2nd choice keeper for the friendlies would be John Ruddy.
Across the back four I have attempted to incorporate the components needed for a true English defence and one that can keep the opposition at bay; power, experience, pace and grit. Micah Richards, inexplicably left out of another England squad, provides power and pace. He was capped for England at the age of 18 becoming the youngest ever capped defender for England, but fell out of favour with future managers. His defensive game has improved massively and justifies his position alongside King and the Taylors.
Ferdinand is still trying to shake off a sick note that sticks to his boots like a piece of damp toilet roll, and whilst his experience as an England captain is invaluable and unlike Terry, he has more or less kept his nose clean and learned from his mistakes, Steven Taylor gets the nod from me.
Ledley King’s inclusion comes on the back of making more appearances already this season than last whilst proving he still has the pace to keep up with the likes of Van Persie and Suarez. Tottenham beat both Arsenal and Liverpool this season. Ryan Taylor’s inclusion shouldn’t be a surprise and if his superb form carries on surely a call up to Capello’s team awaits. His goal epitomised his season so far, as part of the tightest defence in the Premier League.
Wish i had time to think about who i would pick but work does not allow for it. To be honest i think i would probably pick most of Staurt Pierces u21’s, they couldnt be any worse than the prima donas we currently have and might be more hungry for it!
I am just going to pick my first choice England 11 with everybody fully fit.
Hart
Richards King Terry Cole
Gerrard Parker Wilshere
Johnson Rooney Young
I’d plump on a mixture of exicting young talent and hungry players that would value the call up:
————Ruddy————-
Richards–King–Taylor—Gibbs
Albrighton Henderson Jarvis—
——Lallana Chamberlain—–
———-Carroll————-
Lallana really is the best player outside the Championship and Chamberlain will be in the World Cup squad in 2014. All in my opinion of course.
————-Green————–
Richards–Ferdinand–Taylor–Gibbs
Lennon–Henderson–Gerrard–Jarvis
——-Carroll—-Delfouneso——
ruddy
r.talyor
king
smalling
warnock
barton
carrick
cleverly
rooney
lambert
defoe
Robinson
Richards Taylor King Gibbs
Lennon Hargreaves Clevery
O.Chamberlain Holt Defoe
hart
richards terry king bridge
ajohnson gerrard parker walcott
rooney defoe
———Green————
Rio-Anton—King—Gibbs
–Hargreaves-Carrick–
Lennon————-Jarvis
—Carroll——Owen—–
1. Kelvin Davis
2. Frazer Richardson
3. Dan Harding
4. Dean Hammond
5. Aaron Martin
6. Danny Seaborne
7. Adam Lallana
8. Jack Cork
9. Rickie Lambert
10. Lee Barnard
11. Richard Chaplow
COME ON ENGLAND!
Haha, Love for Southampton F.C is apparent.
Whilst they are having a great season in The Championship under Nigel Adkins, I think suggesting playing an entirely Southampton team would lead to some stuffings on the international stage. Some players worth a mention from Southampton are Lallana, who has the potential to be capped internationally, Lambert, who would strive in the Premier League for smaller clubs and Cork.
The post from ChampionshipFootball was a nice idea.
Give it to the Championship lot. At least they’ll value it because for them there is no Champions League distracting them.
——————Fielding———————
——-Clyne—-Tomkins—–Bates———
Lallana–Cork-Shelvey–Nolan–Lansbury
————Baldock–Lambert—————
————-Green—————
Gibbs–Ferdinand–Richards–Warnock
——Lennon–Cole–Young——–
————-Rooney————–
——Crouch——–Defoe——–
tough with injuries, but when cleverley wilshere and carroll are back this would be so much better
hart
johson ferdinand jagelika cole
lennon gerrad parker walcott
rooney young
I’d have to go as follows (Not adding players who are experienced regulars but not in current squad e.g. Rooney and Gerrard)…
GK. J. Ruddy
LB. R. Taylor
LCB. R. Shawcross
RCB. M. Dawson
RB. M. Kelly
RCM. T. Cleverley
CDM. R. Barkley
LCM. J. O’Hara
LW. M. Etherington
RW. M. Jarvis
ST. G. Holt
12-Man Bench (23 Man Squad)
GOALKEEPER
R. Turnbull
DEFENDERS
C. Smalling
Roger Johnson
S. Dann
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER
T. Huddlestone
MIDFIELDERS
J. Barton
K. Nolan
J. Henderson
WINGERS
A. Oxlade-Chamberlain
S. Sinclair
STRIKERS
Andy Johnson
D.J. Campbell
Thank you for a comprehensive reply.
It is interesting to see how people’s opinions vary. For example, Holt starts up front for you when he hasn’t started, up until last week, for Norwich; this is whilst Andy Johnson, a resurgent player, is starting and scoring for Fulham.
I think this team could qualify for the Europa Leagye if it was pitted in the Premier League, however.
Robinson
Richards
smalling
Steven Taylor
Ryan taylor
Gerrard
Wilshere
Ross barkley
Lennon
Rooney
Crouch
Robinson has retired and a few of those players are injured, however; thank you very much for commenting and Newcastle’s Taylor’s are definitely popular choices.
Fielding
Richards
Ferdinand
Taylor
Gibbs
Albrighton
Henderson
Jarvis—
Lallana
Defoe
Rooney
Ruddy
Richards
S.Taylor
Smalling
R. Taylor
Henderson
Barton
Hudldlestone (if fit)
Shelvey / Jarvis
Defoe
Carroll
Warnock
Ferdinand
Smalling
Gibbs
Albrighton
Henderson
Cleverly
Chamberlain
Delfonsou
Crouch
This is one team Capello’s would beat. It has no ‘keeper.
i will have a 4-1-2-1-2 formation
GK – Robert Green
LB – Kieron Gibbs
CB – Micheal Dawson
CB – Rio Ferdinand
RB – Micha Richards
CDM – Micheal Carrick
RM – Joe Cole
LM – Aaron Lennon
CAM – Wayne Rooney
ST – Jermaine Defoe
ST – Andy Caroll
4-4-2 – ‘Sven’s diamond’
GK: F. Fielding
RB: M. Richards
CB: L. King
CB: S. Taylor
LB: R. Taylor
CDM: J. McEachran
RM. D.Beckham OBE (c)
CAM: J. Cole
LM: A. Lallana
CF: W. Rooney
CF: R. Lambert
GK: Robert Green
RB: Micah Richards
CB: Ian Evatt
CB: Rio Ferdinand
LB: Ryan Taylor
CM: Jonjo Shelvey
CM: Jordan Henderson
RM: Joe Cole
LM: Marc Albrighton
CF: Wayne Rooney
CF: DJ Campbell
🙂