Gambling on Theo
England manager announced his squad and there were a couple of shock call-ups, atypical of Sven who likes it to play safe, at least when it comes to his squad. It was not a surprise at all to see Rooney and Owen's names in spite of their injuries. But Theo Walcott...that's a shocking inclusion.
I have always wondered why teams such Brazil have them in their squad certain very young players. While Ronaldo was among the reserves in 1994 and it was Kaka in 2002. The Brazil managers are intelligent guys. They take with them promising players who get invaluable experience just being part of the squad even though they might not get to play. Now, Ronaldo
and Kaka are integral part of their team.
Coming back to Sven's inclusion of Theo, I feel it's a good gamble considering he is highly rated by Wenger at Arsenal and has a pace quicker than Henry's. Just the exposure at the highest level may do him real good.
Lennon has been impressive this season at Spurs and has played a big part in their quest to play in Europe next season. Carrick and Jenas have excelled this season at Spurs and I would like to see Carrick in the starting line-up as the holding midfiedler.
Now that Rooney is a major doubt, it is the perfect opportunity for Sven to play to his strengths...Gerrard and Lampard as 2 attacking midfielders, with Carrick behind them. Captain Becks should play in the right and Cole just behind the main striker.
Sven wouldn't have much pressure on him now that he's quitting at the end of the season and with Rooney as good as out, expectations would be lower. This is his chance, to become part of the legendary group of men who won the World Cup.
The ideal formation would be...
Sven's squad...
Goalkeepers
Robinson (Tottenham), James (Manchester City), Green (Norwich)
Defenders
G Neville (Manchester United), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Terry (Chelsea), Cole (Arsenal), Campbell (Arsenal), Carragher (Liverpool), Bridge (Chelsea)
Midfielders
Beckham (Real Madrid), Carrick (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jenas (Tottenham), Downing (Middlesbrough), J Cole (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham)
Forwards
Rooney (Manchester United), Owen (Newcastle), Crouch (Liverpool), Walcott (Arsenal).
Standby:
Carson (Liverpool), Young (Charlton), Reo-Coker (West Ham), Defoe (Tottenham), Johnson (Crystal Palace).
I have always wondered why teams such Brazil have them in their squad certain very young players. While Ronaldo was among the reserves in 1994 and it was Kaka in 2002. The Brazil managers are intelligent guys. They take with them promising players who get invaluable experience just being part of the squad even though they might not get to play. Now, Ronaldo
and Kaka are integral part of their team.
Coming back to Sven's inclusion of Theo, I feel it's a good gamble considering he is highly rated by Wenger at Arsenal and has a pace quicker than Henry's. Just the exposure at the highest level may do him real good.
Theo - The new Wonderkid
My prayers have been answered! I was extremely happy to see Aaron Lennon being included in place of SWP. SWP should be feeling very dejected and he should be...moving to Chelsea when he knew it would be toughto dislodge Duff, Cole and Robben from the starting line-up! Latest rumour is that Rafa is planning to bid 14 million pounds for SWP.
Lennon has been impressive this season at Spurs and has played a big part in their quest to play in Europe next season. Carrick and Jenas have excelled this season at Spurs and I would like to see Carrick in the starting line-up as the holding midfiedler.
Now that Rooney is a major doubt, it is the perfect opportunity for Sven to play to his strengths...Gerrard and Lampard as 2 attacking midfielders, with Carrick behind them. Captain Becks should play in the right and Cole just behind the main striker.
Sven wouldn't have much pressure on him now that he's quitting at the end of the season and with Rooney as good as out, expectations would be lower. This is his chance, to become part of the legendary group of men who won the World Cup.
The ideal formation would be...
Robinson
Neville Rio Terry A.Cole
Carrick
Becks Gerrard Lampard
J.Cole
Owen
Neville Rio Terry A.Cole
Carrick
Becks Gerrard Lampard
J.Cole
Owen
Sven's squad...
Goalkeepers
Robinson (Tottenham), James (Manchester City), Green (Norwich)
Defenders
G Neville (Manchester United), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Terry (Chelsea), Cole (Arsenal), Campbell (Arsenal), Carragher (Liverpool), Bridge (Chelsea)
Midfielders
Beckham (Real Madrid), Carrick (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jenas (Tottenham), Downing (Middlesbrough), J Cole (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham)
Forwards
Rooney (Manchester United), Owen (Newcastle), Crouch (Liverpool), Walcott (Arsenal).
Standby:
Carson (Liverpool), Young (Charlton), Reo-Coker (West Ham), Defoe (Tottenham), Johnson (Crystal Palace).
posted by Lucas @ 11:03 AM
6 Comments:
if i were sven, i d take Carragher in place of Rio.Rio , for me, has been too inconsistent and has made some glaring errors(I can count abt 5) this season.Same goes for Campbell.
The biggest plus for England is that with the emergence of Carrick,Gerrard no longer has to play in the Defensive midfield posn.if OWen aint fit then Crouch will have to play.
Personally, i d have taken defoe or Bent.
4-3-3
Neville Rio Terry Cole
Carrick
Gerrard Lampard
Beckham J.Cole
Owen
Beckham and J.Cole slightly behind Owen. Lennon can sub Beckham, Walcott(if some surprise needed) can sub J.Cole
Hi Lucas
Great work!
Cheers
My formation:
Neville Ferdinand Terry Carragher
Gerrard
Beckham Lampard Hargreaves
J. Cole
Owen
Sad to hear that Darren Bent, after a superb first season in the Premiership, wasn't selected. Is it that Sven rather compromise his squad just to get a star-studded one?
Another player I would want to see in the squad is Kevin Nolan. A true marksman, and with his efficient work rate, he should have been selected long ago.
And Theo Walcott. There's no doubt he's talented, but there's no need to rush him into the England team. I'm sure he will get selected one day...
@Soccerguy
Totally agree with u regarding Nolan...i had already mentioned this long time back...he's been terrific this season and his performances definitely warrants a place. However, Gerrard and Lampard are ahead of him. He should at least have been in the reserve squad.
Looks like Sven wants star players from top teams rather than performing players from other teams. Apart from Downing and Owen, all other outfield players are from the top 5 teams.
Post a Comment
<< Home