Paul Scholes

[Big Foot]

What a performance last night v Pompey, that was a masterclass in controlling a game from midfield. Watched the whole game and can't remember him giving the ball away once and read in The Times this morning he had 108 touches in 90 minutes, class.

[cmonurz]

Club over country, any day.

[rfcjoe]

Scholes > Lampard
Scholes > Ballack
Scholes = Gerrard

[Big Foot]

He's right to do so as well, he's what 33/34 now ? If he'd carried on for England since Euro 2004 then I don't think he'd have the same engine or drive he still possesses.

Scholes > Gerrard

[cmonurz]

He's right to do so as well, he's what 33/34 now ? If he'd carried on for England since Euro 2004 then I don't think he'd have the same engine or drive he still possesses.

Scholes > Gerrard

But England might have done better. Same goes for Shearer. Two terrific players, but I can't understand not wanting to play for your country.

[papereyes]

Forced to play left midfield to accomodate both Lampard and Gerrard when it was perhaps better to play him and one or the other, with a proper left footed midfielder out left.

And you wonder why England don't do that well?

[6ft Kerplunk]

International tournament finals are generally held in hot and often humid conditions. Not a good combination for a ginger asthmatic. He's prolonged his club career by not playing internationals, fair play to him as I wouldn't enjoy playing on the left whilst Gerrard and Lampard get it all wrong in the middle.

[TBM]

but I can't understand not wanting to play for your country.

If i was being paid £60k a week then doubt i'll be too interested about my country when im not played in my natural position

[cmonurz]

I guess so - difficult to know really, I guess I wouldn't be that motivated. But still, it's playing for England? Ah well. Tbh we missed Shearer more.

[TBM]

I guess so - difficult to know really, I guess I wouldn't be that motivated. But still, it's playing for England? Ah well. Tbh we missed Shearer more.

But he's had over 60 caps for England so playing for them obviously wasn't a novelty and he probably thought playing for his club as more important. Its the same with Carragher, he doesn't get picked (or played in natural position in Scholes case) so thinks sod it, whats the point.

[papereyes]

Especially if the two players you were being dropped for are two of the most over-rated players the English game has ever produced

[Big Foot]

Especially if the two players you were being dropped for are two of the most over-rated players the English game has ever produced

Gerrard & Rooney?

Lampard's not over-rated, any midfielder who scores a hatful of goals on a consistent basis is not over-rated.

[papereyes]

When Ballack got fit, his performances were of a level above Lampards, imo. Its not just goals, its about bringing players into the game, vision, work-rate.

I think if he went abroad and succeeded there, I'd have 100 x more respect for him and his abilities. At the moment, I think he's very good at what he does but it would only work in an English club and only with the players he has around him.

[Big Foot]

When Ballack got fit, his performances were of a level above Lampards, imo. Its not just goals, its about bringing players into the game, vision, work-rate.

I think if he went abroad and succeeded there, I'd have 100 x more respect for him and his abilities. At the moment, I think he's very good at what he does but it would only work in an English club and only with the players he has around him.

Hmm guess we'll never know but I speculate that at Inter Milan in a slower paced Serie A, Frank would've done very well.

[TBM]

When Ballack got fit, his performances were of a level above Lampards, imo. Its not just goals, its about bringing players into the game, vision, work-rate.

I think if he went abroad and succeeded there, I'd have 100 x more respect for him and his abilities. At the moment, I think he's very good at what he does but it would only work in an English club and only with the players he has around him.

Hmm guess we'll never know but I speculate that at Inter Milan in a slower paced Serie A, Frank would've done very well.

If i were Lampard i would have jumped at the chance to play for Inter....i think he took the safe (cowards) option by staying with Chelsea.

[Big Foot]

When Ballack got fit, his performances were of a level above Lampards, imo. Its not just goals, its about bringing players into the game, vision, work-rate.

I think if he went abroad and succeeded there, I'd have 100 x more respect for him and his abilities. At the moment, I think he's very good at what he does but it would only work in an English club and only with the players he has around him.

Hmm guess we'll never know but I speculate that at Inter Milan in a slower paced Serie A, Frank would've done very well.

If i were Lampard i would have jumped at the chance to play for Inter....i think he took the safe (cowards) option by staying with Chelsea.

He had a very good excuse to stay at Chelsea after the respect they showed him during the time when his old dear had passed.

He has an opportunity now to be remembered amongst the very best of the best to have played for Chelsea, I hope he grasps it.

[papereyes]

When Ballack got fit, his performances were of a level above Lampards, imo. Its not just goals, its about bringing players into the game, vision, work-rate.

I think if he went abroad and succeeded there, I'd have 100 x more respect for him and his abilities. At the moment, I think he's very good at what he does but it would only work in an English club and only with the players he has around him.

Hmm guess we'll never know but I speculate that at Inter Milan in a slower paced Serie A, Frank would've done very well.

I don't know. You never know.

Without the protection he gets here from his team-mates and his reputation, I think it could have been a bit of a struggle.

I think my over-rated comment was more directed at the pairing - "best midfield in the world" (C) British press, even years.

[Streets]

Especially if the two players you were being dropped for are two of the most over-rated players the English game has ever produced

Gerrard & Rooney?

Lampard's not over-rated, any midfielder who scores a hatful of goals on a consistent basis is not over-rated.

He's poo poo at international level though!

[papereyes]

Well, that's the basis for my opinion. Has he ever really excelled at a major tournament (Euro 2004?)

I don't remember him playing fantastically well against any opposition of note.

That said ... anyone remember England playing well against any opposition of note ...

[readingbedding]

Well, that's the basis for my opinion. Has he ever really excelled at a major tournament (Euro 2004?)

I don't remember him playing fantastically well against any opposition of note.

That said ... anyone remember England playing well against any opposition of note ...

We played well enough against Russia at home.
Are they of note?