I was gutted about all the injury worries then I did a score predictor and it brought home just how much lovely football I'm going to get to watch...England will be a bonus...a world cup is a world cup!
Come on you *insert team name here*
SB
England's Chances in the Football World Cup.
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RoyalBlueStuey
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simon redshaw
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Yes, it will be a great occasion whatever, Stuart. What are your predictions? Do you think England should have had more strikers?
Looking at the views on the Sky Forum, many believe Sven has made a big mistake in not picking either or both of Darren Bent and Jermaine Defoe. Also others not keen on Owen Hargreaves. Certainly, I think Bent is unlucky as he has had a very good year with Charlton. Defoe hasn't played that much so would have been borderline anyway. I don't think Hargreaves is that bad.
Looking at the views on the Sky Forum, many believe Sven has made a big mistake in not picking either or both of Darren Bent and Jermaine Defoe. Also others not keen on Owen Hargreaves. Certainly, I think Bent is unlucky as he has had a very good year with Charlton. Defoe hasn't played that much so would have been borderline anyway. I don't think Hargreaves is that bad.
Hargreaves can play anywhere - makes sense to me - you jneed someone like that.
I felt Darren bent should have been a standby instead of Andy Johnson. Andy may be able to hit a penalty, but Darren is just better all round - he is younger, and faster, and just as hungry. Defoe not playing many matches may have been a plus for us - he would be fresher - but this will only help if he gets into the squad!
I really wonder what will happen if Rooney and owen look like they will be fit, but only by the semi final!!!!
What will SVen do then!?
My instinct would be that he'd drop Mike and bring in Jermain.....or just keep em both n play crouch up front on his tod with cole in suuprt, bringing on Theo as second striker.....
England with only Crouch upfront is a scary prospect!
I felt Darren bent should have been a standby instead of Andy Johnson. Andy may be able to hit a penalty, but Darren is just better all round - he is younger, and faster, and just as hungry. Defoe not playing many matches may have been a plus for us - he would be fresher - but this will only help if he gets into the squad!
I really wonder what will happen if Rooney and owen look like they will be fit, but only by the semi final!!!!
What will SVen do then!?
My instinct would be that he'd drop Mike and bring in Jermain.....or just keep em both n play crouch up front on his tod with cole in suuprt, bringing on Theo as second striker.....
England with only Crouch upfront is a scary prospect!
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RoyalBlueStuey
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I can only assum,e that Sven knows Owen and Rooney will both be fit...otherwise taking one out of form striker and a 17 year old who's never played a top level game would seem a trifle cavalier to say the least.
The problem is there's no slack in the system at all now...we have lots of players we are hoping will recover. First choice defence and forwards are in tatters. I don't disagree with taking Walcott but under the circumstances I'd have plumped for Defoe.
It just seems Sven is blindly assuming that the Owen 98 or Rooney 04 effect will happen again.
The problem is there's no slack in the system at all now...we have lots of players we are hoping will recover. First choice defence and forwards are in tatters. I don't disagree with taking Walcott but under the circumstances I'd have plumped for Defoe.
It just seems Sven is blindly assuming that the Owen 98 or Rooney 04 effect will happen again.
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It is only a provisional squad i believe - i do not know the date when it becomes official - i asume it is justbefore the comp starts - but until then we can call palyers up from standby into main squad, and player into standbye group - so if we got horrific injuries then players not on either list could be called up.
i thinkt hats how it works anyway
i thinkt hats how it works anyway
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simon redshaw
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As its only a provisional squad as you say, I would be tempted to put Jenas on Stand By and put in either Darren Bent or Jermaine Defoe as an extra striker. Would likely include Darren as he has had a very good season. It is a big gamble only having four when two aren't possibly going to play until the semis. We have more than enough midfielders. Possibly Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole are gambles because of their fitness and lack of games this season. What's Robert Green like?
Having looked at the squad again generally, I think its pretty good in the most part.
Having looked at the squad again generally, I think its pretty good in the most part.
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simon redshaw
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Yes, Sven seems to have over gambled in the odd area. Agree, Scott Carson would have been my choice over Green. David James hasn't always been totally reliable. Will him or Paul Robinson be No 1 if Scott Carson doesn't make it to the final 22?
Do you think Shaun Wright-Phillips has suffered from being on the Chelsea bench a lot? Maybe it was a bad move to join Chelsea. I thought so at the time. Interesting to see his step-dad Wrighty saying that his step son should consider moving on if he doesn't get regular football next season. I think the money was too tempting but he would have been better signing for Arsenal or some other club if he wasn't going to stay at Manchester City.
Do you think Shaun Wright-Phillips has suffered from being on the Chelsea bench a lot? Maybe it was a bad move to join Chelsea. I thought so at the time. Interesting to see his step-dad Wrighty saying that his step son should consider moving on if he doesn't get regular football next season. I think the money was too tempting but he would have been better signing for Arsenal or some other club if he wasn't going to stay at Manchester City.
SWP linked with Liverpoiol - he has certainly suffered. this time alst year he was heralded as threatening beckham for the right midfield position! 15million apparently
i think jose will want to keep him though
Robinson is England number 1. no doubt.
I doubt Carson will make it into the final squad, but I really think he should
-i think the squads are pretty set in stone unless injury alters them.
i think jose will want to keep him though
Robinson is England number 1. no doubt.
I doubt Carson will make it into the final squad, but I really think he should
-i think the squads are pretty set in stone unless injury alters them.
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WharfedaleTiger
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As I udnerstand it the actual squads only confirmed oa few weeks before the WC. And I think It's a good squad. As Sven says you can play JC up front and Owen should be fit in time.
As for Walcott, it's a very, very good move. He is a very, very good, quick player. He isn't the biggest but the ball sticks to his feet. Unlike Owen he isn't a poacher, he only scored 4 in 12 for S'hamton because he sets things up. His vision is incredable.
As for Walcott, it's a very, very good move. He is a very, very good, quick player. He isn't the biggest but the ball sticks to his feet. Unlike Owen he isn't a poacher, he only scored 4 in 12 for S'hamton because he sets things up. His vision is incredable.
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POSTIGER
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Good to see Owen Hargreaves in the squad, for a minute I thought we were going to the world cup without his awesome (ahem) talent 
Seriously though, why pick more midfielders than you are ever going to need and then only 4 strikers of which two are knackered, one is a bit hit and miss at that level and the other hasn't played a game in the prem??!!
I think Sven should have taken a punt on Dean Ashton - he's scored goals at prem level has great technique, and reminds me a bit of Alan Shearer.
Or super Matty Fryatt!
Seriously though, why pick more midfielders than you are ever going to need and then only 4 strikers of which two are knackered, one is a bit hit and miss at that level and the other hasn't played a game in the prem??!!
I think Sven should have taken a punt on Dean Ashton - he's scored goals at prem level has great technique, and reminds me a bit of Alan Shearer.
Or super Matty Fryatt!
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simon redshaw
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Interesting that you mention Owen Hargreaves, PostTiger. I saw a piece about him on my mobile the other day and a certain Tony Woodcock and also Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, I think, both rate him highly!! He hasn't always fulfilled for England, though!!
Like you, I am concerned about there being only four strikers, and I would have taken 5 or 6 with both Rooney and Owen doubtful. Rooney very doubtful.
I am not so sure about Dean Ashton but may have been worth a try if gambling on Walcott. Would have taken either Defoe or Bent definetly though.
Like you, I am concerned about there being only four strikers, and I would have taken 5 or 6 with both Rooney and Owen doubtful. Rooney very doubtful.
I am not so sure about Dean Ashton but may have been worth a try if gambling on Walcott. Would have taken either Defoe or Bent definetly though.
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simon redshaw
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