Ok so after reading lots of post from lots of disgruntled England fans over the past few months (mainly about McClaren and his ineptitude as manager), I think we should put up or shut up.

Do you think that, given the chance, you could do any better? We all think we could. Don't We? Using only currently fit and available players out there, we could probably get together a world beating squad. Couldn't We?

Show me.

Who would you pick?

......Rooney..............Owen/Johnson

Joe Cole........Gerrard...........Beckham/wright phillips/lennon

.................Hargreaves............

A Cole.....Terry.....Ferdinand...G Neville

..................Robinson...............


Lampard doesnt reproduce his chelsea form in an england top were gerrard has on many an occasion. THEY CANNOT PLAY SUCCESFULLY TOGETHER.

right wing, the one who is in the best form!

but as mentioned by someone else, drop all of them first and let them fight to regain their place..

On current form i would pick,
1 David James
2 Ashley Cole
3 Nicky Shorey
4 Rio Ferdinand
5 John Terry
6 Owen Hargreaves
7 David Beckham
8 Steven Gerrard
9 Wayne Rooney
10 Peter Crouch
11 Joe Cole

I wouldn't play Carragher as he looked suspect against the Brazilians and he hates being run at, i don't particulaly like Wright Philips as he's not positive enough, Lennon blows hot and cold, and i think both James and Robinson can both drop clangers, on current form James is my keeper.
As for Lampard he needs a Beckham style kick up the arse.

On current form i would pick,
1 David James
2 Ashley Cole
3 Nicky Shorey
4 Rio Ferdinand
5 John Terry
6 Owen Hargreaves
7 David Beckham
8 Steven Gerrard
9 Wayne Rooney
10 Peter Crouch
11 Joe Cole

I wouldn't play Carragher as he looked suspect against the Brazilians and he hates being run at, i don't particulaly like Wright Philips as he's not positive enough, Lennon blows hot and cold, and i think both James and Robinson can both drop clangers, on current form James is my keeper.
As for Lampard he needs a Beckham style kick up the arse.

Assuming its not because you hate United, but why on earth would you pick Shorey ahead of Gary Neville?

And isnt he a left back?

1) David James
2) Gary Neville
3) Cashley Cole
4) John Terry
5) Rio
6) Owen Hargreaves
7) Beckham -until Euro 08
8 ) Gerrard
9) Rooney
10) Owen (tentative)
11) Joe Cole

To be honest,its not that different from what i reckon McLaren has as his strongest XI, apart from Frank.

and frank is the weak link, he makes the midfield unbalanced..

Assuming its not because you hate United, but why on earth would you pick Shorey ahead of Gary Neville?

And isnt he a left back?

Arnt we supposed to be picking from players which are fit?
I maybe wrong about Shorey but isn't Neville injured?

Arnt we supposed to be picking from players which are fit?
I maybe wrong about Shorey but isn't Neville injured?

Well seeing as the season is over and he will be fit in August, I reckon he can be included.
And yes,Shorey is a left back.

Barring injuries:


........Rooney.....Bent......

....J Cole....Gerrard....Lennon

............Hargreaves...........

A Cole...Terry...Ferdinand...Nevile

.............Robinson............

Subs
Owen
Downing
Wright-Phillips
Carrick
Jagielka
Bridge
Foster

I'd have Lampard, Defoe, Nolan, King and Beckham on stand-by.

Robinson
G.nevile ...terry..ferdinand...
............hargreaves..............
J Cole..gerrard......beckham
.......wright-phillips.....
Rooney.....owen?

Interesting only one person picks Peter Crouch... the most under-appreciated footballer in the country.

IMO head-down-and-run merchants like Andy Johnson and Darren Bent shouldn't be anywhere near the England side. They've been proven to be short on class.

Interesting only one person picks Peter Crouch... the most under-appreciated footballer in the country.
Good point! For the record, Peter Crouch also holds the best goals to games record (post war) but is still overlooked by so many English fans. Whenever Liverpool have played in big matches throughout the last couple of seasons, the appossing managers have always expressed their concerns about playing against a player that is so tall but so technically gifted considering his height. Milan's and Chelsea's managers to name just two! Having said that, i do think that an inform Owen and Rooney would probably be our best strikeforce however, Crouch has to be the next in line IMO.

Barring injuries:


........Rooney.....Bent......

....J Cole....Gerrard....Lennon

............Hargreaves...........

A Cole...Terry...Ferdinand...Nevile

.............Robinson............

Subs
Owen
Downing
Wright-Phillips
Carrick
Jagielka
Bridge
Foster

I'd have Lampard, Defoe, Nolan, King and Beckham on stand-by.

Beckham's resurgence has shown how poor Lennon really is. He may be quick, but his final ball is AWFUL, and as a winger, that is what you are measured by.

Chris Waddle is a brilliant example of a wing wizard. He was like Lennon and Beckham combined; quick, skilfull and a wonderful passer. When he was at Marseille, he was one of the best players in the world. That is what we need. A flair player who excites the crowd. Our 1990 team was blessed with flair and personality, namely Barnes, Beardsley, Waddle and Gazza. We havent really seen the likes since. We seem to be morphing into a crap version of Germany, all attempted efficiency and pointless short balls. I am partly convinced the FA have tried to nulify flair players, under a form of of Howard Wilkinson 'get rid of the fancy dans' regime. I really wonder what the hell our team stands for now. Having seen Portugal play live (in my opinion the most technically gifted team in the world) it makes you realise how far behind we are in nuturing and encouraging genuine talent. If Ronaldo were born in England, he would have been ordered to cut the crap years ago, and therein lies our problem.

England have become a dull prospect, and that makes me sad on so many levels.

Rant over!

Beckham's resurgence has shown how poor Lennon really is. He may be quick, but his final ball is AWFUL, and as a winger, that is what you are measured by.

Chris Waddle is a brilliant example of a wing wizard. He was like Lennon and Beckham combined; quick, skilfull and a wonderful passer. When he was at Marseille, he was one of the best players in the world. That is what we need. A flair player who excites the crowd. Our 1990 team was blessed with flair and personality, namely Barnes, Beardsley, Waddle and Gazza. We havent really seen the likes since. We seem to be morphing into a crap version of Germany, all attempted efficiency and pointless short balls. I am partly convinced the FA have tried to nulify flair players, under a form of of Howard Wilkinson 'get rid of the fancy dans' regime. I really wonder what the hell our team stands for now. Having seen Portugal play live (in my opinion the most technically gifted team in the world) it makes you realise how far behind we are in nuturing and encouraging genuine talent. If Ronaldo were born in England, he would have been ordered to cut the crap years ago, and therein lies our problem.

England have become a dull prospect, and that makes me sad on so many levels.

Rant over!

Excellant post Mike, in a nutshell you are just about bang on with that assessment fella.

Beckham's resurgence has shown how poor Lennon really is. He may be quick, but his final ball is AWFUL, and as a winger, that is what you are measured by.

Chris Waddle is a brilliant example of a wing wizard. He was like Lennon and Beckham combined; quick, skilfull and a wonderful passer. When he was at Marseille, he was one of the best players in the world. That is what we need. A flair player who excites the crowd. Our 1990 team was blessed with flair and personality, namely Barnes, Beardsley, Waddle and Gazza. We havent really seen the likes since. We seem to be morphing into a crap version of Germany, all attempted efficiency and pointless short balls. I am partly convinced the FA have tried to nulify flair players, under a form of of Howard Wilkinson 'get rid of the fancy dans' regime. I really wonder what the hell our team stands for now. Having seen Portugal play live (in my opinion the most technically gifted team in the world) it makes you realise how far behind we are in nuturing and encouraging genuine talent. If Ronaldo were born in England, he would have been ordered to cut the crap years ago, and therein lies our problem.

England have become a dull prospect, and that makes me sad on so many levels.

Rant over!

A good point but imo a bit too conspirical. I cannot see our F.A 'clamping down' on flair players.

But your right, the lack of natural ability within the team is there to see (Gerrard, Rooney, J.Cole exempt). I think there are a few issues with the national setup that has caused me to unpatriotically crave a tanning from minnows in our qualifying group.

1. Preferential selection dependent on Club.

If your an English player and playing for the 'right club' i.e. Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal irrespective of your ability compared to others of less fashionable outfits like Bolton, Aston Villa, Everton etc. then you your chances of selection are instantly hampered. There are players in the premiership who are more then deserving of an extended run on the international scene. Namely Tony Hibbert (Everton), Kevin Nolan (Bolton), Gareth Barry (Villa), Matty Taylor (Portsmouth). Frank Lampard is the most recent scapegoat but rightly so, he hasn't progressed since Euro 2004 imo.

2. Coaching Trends

Ronaldhino, Kaka, Riquelme, Messi. Some of the greatest passers and dribblers of the ball the world is marvelled to see. Why? Well in my opinion, they are taught to use BOTH FEET. Being a left footer myself, during games I do find myself in alot of situations whereby I depend on my weaker right foot, But as a kid I was coached to practice on weaker foots which I would like to see implemented and emphasised more on by coaching our young.

3. Form players

Going back to the South American attitude - Play form players. Give them a go! The copa america starts this week, I ask you to see how many gems will be uncovered because Argentina and Brazil aren't afraid of trusting untested players and giving them a go. Its healthy competition, keeps the squad on their toes and gives hope to alot of players who are doing enough to warrent a call up. The last friendly we gave Nicky Shorey a game who gave a good account, lets build on that philosophy.

I think like Mike pointed out earlier, the passion for the national team is low after too many years of negative tactics and mal-management by Sven. Stevie Mac has a job on his hands trying to rekindle the level of support coaches the likes of Terry Venables and Bobby Robson instilled.

A good point but imo a bit too conspirical. I cannot see our F.A 'clamping down' on flair players.

OK, maybe not clamping down, but FA coaching schools are very technical. Players are actively encouraged to play a pass and move game, and I firmly believe that skillfull players are dumbed down sometimes, at schoolboy and club level. Having done some coaching with the FA, the guidelines are very rigid. I have seen lads repremanded for taking players on rather than knocking the ball square etc. The more football becomes a business and not a sport, the more games are scrutinised and placed in monetary terms. It therefore follows that the powers that be want a good efficient side, rather than a maverick side who may take chances. This was particularly evident in the 2006 world cup, where give or take, teams played a defensive and strategic game for fear of losing or letting in goals.

OK, maybe not clamping down, but FA coaching schools are very technical. Players are actively encouraged to play a pass and move game, and I firmly believe that skillfull players are dumbed down sometimes, at schoolboy and club level. Having done some coaching with the FA, the guidelines are very rigid. I have seen lads repremanded for taking players on rather than knocking the ball square etc. The more football becomes a business and not a sport, the more games are scrutinised and placed in monetary terms. It therefore follows that the powers that be want a good efficient side, rather than a maverick side who may take chances. This was particularly evident in the 2006 world cup, where give or take, teams played a defensive and strategic game for fear of losing or letting in goals.

Again, a good shout and yes - Having done my level 1 football coaching I can honestly say not many of the practices we was shown particularly encouraged skill or flair...Personally, I think its a natural mental and physical ability that cannot be coached. People like Di Canio, Ginola, Gascoigne, Rooney, Bergkamp etc. are just naturally gifted and those types of players are a dying breed imo.

Joe Cole is probably the only player England posess that has the tricks and flair of players from South American sides. I can't find a link but I'm sure I've read an article where Scolari says something along those lines too.

1 David James
2 Gary Neville
3 Ashley Cole
4 Jamie Carragher
5 John Terry
6 Steven Gerrard
7 David Beckham
8 Aaron Lennon
9 Wayne Rooney
10 Dean Ashton
11 Jermaine Pennant

Joe Cole is probably the only player England posess that has the tricks and flair of players from South American sides. I can't find a link but I'm sure I've read an article where Scolari says something along those lines too.

haha.. i used to think this when he was coming thru the ranks at west ham, but he never developed and his moves are so slow and telegraphed they are to be honest....embarrasing!

against brazil he looked in slow motion with his crazy attempts at step overs.

Right I'm going to have a go: don't laugh -

Rooney Crouch (sub. Owen later)

Blank Gerrard Beckham


Hargreaves


Shorey Terry Ferdinand G. Neville


Robinson




The blank is for someone other than Cole and I don't want the other Cole either

Right I'm going to have a go: don't laugh -
Rooney Crouch (sub. Owen later)

Blank Gerrard Beckham


Hargreaves


Shorey Terry Ferdinand G. Neville


Robinson



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where could Dafoe fit into the team?