Japan v England

[PlasticRoyale]

James (without howlers)

Glen Johnson
Ferdinand
Terry
A Cole

Lennon
Lampard
Barry
Milner

Gerrard

Rooney

Gerrard droping into midfield when needed

Thats mostly going on what i know they can do with a fair bit of wishful thinking thrown in

[Tails]

Hart

Johnson Ferdinand Terry A.Cole

King

Lennon Gerrard Lampard

J.Cole

Rooney

[leww_rfc]

James

Cole
Terry
Ferdinand
Johnson

Cole
Gerrard/Milner
Lampard/Milner
Lennon

Crouch
Rooney

[Ian Royal]

Hart

Johnson Ferdinand Terry A.Cole

King

Lennon Gerrard Lampard

J.Cole

Rooney

Ok for one or two games, but no way will King play regularly. And rather lacking in width for my tastes.

[From Despair To Where?]

We walked qualifying in a way no other England team has in my memory.

We have the best manager for the job, a system that he proved in qualifying works and a player who can win the thing on his own. Play the same team who he played in qualifying, Crouch isn't mobile enough and it doesn't matter if Heskey scores the system is set up for Rooney or Gerrard to get the goals and we're always great at set plays.

Think people like writting off England's chances in a snobbish nature, I feel good going into this as qualifying proved we should.

On the middies debate it will have to be Milner or Gerrard with Lampard. Actually think Gerrard's better at he role but obviously u take away his attacking qualites, might have to make do though. Huddlestone or Carrick aren't good enough.

Pretty much spot on and a big LOL at all the numpties on here saying not enthused with the world cup or England's matches etc. Embarrassing!!

The last time England qualified this comfortably for a tournament was Euro 88 and we all know how well that went.

[PlasticRoyale]

.....and can the England supporters band please fcuk off as well

[Tails]

Hart

Johnson Ferdinand Terry A.Cole

King

Lennon Gerrard Lampard

J.Cole

Rooney

Ok for one or two games, but no way will King play regularly. And rather lacking in width for my tastes.

Plenty of width there in Lennon and A.Cole (remember that A.Cole does not suit a wide man infront of him) - and this could change to a naturally English 4-4-2 with a swap of King for Crouch.

[Archie's penalty]

So I would go for:

Hart

Johnson (I wish we had someone better) Terry King A. Cole.


A.Lennon (for his pace) Gerrard Lampard (or Milner) J. Cole (although I would have brought Young or Downing - why didn't he?)

Rooney Heskey. (Crouch a close second to the Heskster).

[Hoop Blah]

Not sure why anyone would play Milner in the middle over and above Gerrard and Lampard to be honest, but I think if Barry isn't fit we're going to struggle.

The friendlies have shown yet again that without someone playing in there alongside one of them we're too easy to break down because we're just too flat through midfield. A quick triangle of passes or a one-two just bypasses a midfield of Lampard and Gerrard too easily. Neither of them then get forward enough, as is their natural game, because they're too worried about where the other one is.

Carrick and Huddlestone seem to have blown their chances, but I'd take Huddlestone over Carrick as he just looks like he's lost his way this season. I've never felt he's quite done enough, despite being a pretty passer and flavour of the month not too long ago, and Huddlestone is still a bit too pedestrian to add the energy and mobility that we'll miss without the likes of a Barry or Hargreaves.

If Huddlestone goes, and plays, then I can see us lining up with either:

1) Rooney up tops and Gerrard behind him, leaving Lampard and Huddlestone as the two central midfielders so that Gerrard can drop back and help them out, with Lennon and Milner/Cole on the flanks.

2) Heskey up tops with Gerrard on the left and Rooney behind Heskey as we did in the qualifying.

I'm surprised that Parker wasn't given more of a chance to earn his place on the plane (unless he did enough already in training of course) as he's the only one of the 3 that have the natural game to replace Barry/Hargreaves.

I see Crouch and Cole as probably options from the bench, but Cole and Milner will, IMO, be in a right tussle for the last spot in the midfield as he'll go with Lennon for that injection of pace the side needs.

[papereyes]

At the course I was on, the bloke taking us said that Hargreaves was one of the best players in the world at reading and dealing with those moments where possession changes quickly. He reacts, gets to where he needs to go and organises the other players around him.

[Big Foot]

I see Crouch and Cole as probably options from the bench, but Cole and Milner will, IMO, be in a right tussle for the last spot in the midfield as he'll go with Lennon for that injection of pace the side needs.

Hopefully we'll see Lennon starting with Walcott an option from the bench, his decision making is better than Walcott's IMO

What about playing Ledley King in the holding midfield position?

[Hoop Blah]

I don't see King as a viable option as the holding midfielder.

He's an excellent centre back but, like Bikey, I don't think he's agile or dynamic enough to play in midfield and do the job I think we need in there (Hargreaves being the ideal).

If we just needed someone to play as a third centre back, but infront of the back four, then yes he'd do ok, but I think they need to be able to get around a bit more than that and be more flexible. I think it would put too much stress on his knee's too as it's a role that means doing a lot more short burst 'doggies' than reading the game from centre back.

[Wax Jacket]

James (without howlers)

I can't remember his last major one tbf

[Baines]

^ Landmark

[PlasticRoyale]

James (without howlers)

I can't remember his last major one tbf

Just as long as he doesn't risk it too much when coming out of the area

[Thaumagurist*]

.

[PlasticRoyale]

.....and can the England supporters band please fcuk off as well

YOU FÚCK OFF!

I don't suppose the band is such an issue for you and there's no need to be so nasty...