Has Sven lost it?

[staggerlee]

I just read on the Guardian that because Gary Neville is injured, Owen Hargreaves is going to deputise at right back. Why? Carragher is twice the defender Hargreaves is and he proved he can get forward with that great cross for Crouch against Jamaica. Plus why is Gerrard constantly being stifled in holding? He's in better form than Lampard and I'd say he's generally a more dangerous player, let the boy go forward for christ's sake.

I have defended Sven a lot but tomorrow might be his last chance with me. I bet he's well scared...

[Unregistered]

well you're a pool fan so there's no surprise you support Carragher and Gerrard, who are both good players imo.

But I'm with Sven on both of these issues. Hargreaves gives you much more attacking power on that right flank than Carragher. JT and Rio should be able to cover the back. We never saw Ashley Cole doing anything productive in the first game, so Sven is looking to get something going from right flank.

Gerrard and Lampard don't work together. Maybe they hate each other or something, I don't know and honestly don't care. But if you want to put them both on the pitch Gerrard should be the one who stays back imo. He, like Ballack, can win balls and is good in the air. Lampard is much more attack minded.

[staggerlee]

OK, you don't make poor points... But let's debate this for intellectual curiosity.

Hargreaves gives you much more attacking power on that right flank than Carragher.

What about defensive power? That's the primary concern of a right back, so why put a chink in our best asset so far - our cast iron defence? Carragher might be a centre-back, but Hargreaves is a defensive mid. For me, Carra is still the best choice, but yes I am sure I am biased.

Gerrard and Lampard don't work together. Maybe they hate each other or something, I don't know and honestly don't care. But if you want to put them both on the pitch Gerrard should be the one who stays back imo.

This is more complicated in my opinion. Like I said, Gerrard's all round game is better than Lampard's at the moment. It's a form thing, you can see it in their body langauge even. They may well hate each other but what about this for an idea: Let them both go forward, stick a holding midfielder on and play with just one forward? Without Rooney to run from the top of midfield, why not have two attacking midfielders instead? We are hardly overflowing with in-form, effective strikers right now. This could be the answer. Give Hargreaves his proper position or let Carrick hold. Either way, it relieves the silly "You stay back and I'll go up for this one" thing between Gerrard and Lampard.

[Unregistered]

What about defensive power? That's the primary concern of a right back, so why put a chink in our best asset so far - our cast iron defence? Carragher might be a centre-back, but Hargreaves is a defensive mid. For me, Carra is still the best choice, but yes I am sure I am biased.

Well like I said, Sven probably thinks JT and Rio should be able to handle defense while the team is going forward. And I agree with him. If Rio and JT can't handle defense by themselves then I really don't know who can. and I really don't like Ferdinand all that much.

As far as Gerrard and Lampard issue goes, I just think it's stupid how these two can't get it together. Of course Sven is to blame for most of it as he is responsible to make things work. I think there should be a DM on the pitch so these two can move forward. but who would be benched so a DM can be added? J. Cole? no way. Becks? he is the best player on that squad at the moment.
but here's an idea: put Carragher, Rio and JT on. Take off A. Cole and put on a DM. let Gerrard and Lampard move more freely. I haven't seen anything special from ashley cole in a long time. a 3-5-2 might not be a bad idea to try in the last group game, if England are already through by then.

[staggerlee]

You say who will be benched, but like I said, what about a striker? 4-5-1 covers everything as far as I can see with those two marauding forward?

[acricketer]

I am not convinced by Sven's tactical nous. Carra' and Hargreaves both bring something different and he has to decide how he wants the team to play so who would be best suited. Another point about Hargreaves is that he is more of an unknown quantity and plays out of position most of the time, so you might think Carragher is a more obvious choice, At the same time Hargreaves is an integral and influential player for one of the most powerful teams in Europe

I think Gerrard is a much more versatile player than Lampard and therefore should play more defensively. He can always attack when the need arises.

As for 4-5-1, clearly this is needed when England are playing tougher oppostion. A weakness England has is that there is no striker in the squad who can play with his back to goal.

If it all goes well, Woo Hoo! If it all goes wrong we can blame Sven!

[lplover2k]

Hargreaves at right back!!!! again putting a player out of their natural position!!! Carra has played rb for a couple of years..so he's the first choice to replace Neville...Hargreaves is not even a defender!!!! and Carra is best at CB!!! if we look at the squad there's no one who can naturally replace Neville at rb!!! Luke Young should have been there!

about Gerrard and Lampard..they are very similar... both likes attacking...Gerrard has been playing the defensive mid but he has been very quiet and not so influencial in this role :( ... it is quite complicated to find the perfect formation for these 2!!! Carrick has not been as good as he is in Spurs...

Have you seen Spain formation? 4-3-3 with Luis Garcia behind the 2 strikers!! maybe Gerrard behind Crouch and Owen could be good with JCole,Lampard and Beckham in the midfield..this would be a solution to allow all the 4 best midfielders to play with 2 strikers!!!

Ashley Cole has not been good in the Paraguay match but it's only that match...apart from he's been very good!

There is some doubts about Owen's fitness and if he is not fit probably a 4-4-1-1 whould be good with Gerrard behind Crouch.

[shankly]

well you're a pool fan so there's no surprise you support Carragher and Gerrard, who are both good players imo.

But I'm with Sven on both of these issues. Hargreaves gives you much more attacking power on that right flank than Carragher. JT and Rio should be able to cover the back. We never saw Ashley Cole doing anything productive in the first game, so Sven is looking to get something going from right flank.

Gerrard and Lampard don't work together. Maybe they hate each other or something, I don't know and honestly don't care. But if you want to put them both on the pitch Gerrard should be the one who stays back imo. He, like Ballack, can win balls and is good in the air. Lampard is much more attack minded.

i'm too a pool fan,so you thing that Hargreaves is better than Carragher in that position? sorry m8,you had the breakfast well :D

[DanneS]

The only thing to go for tonight is a huge victory for England 3-0,
so a three-men-in-the defense and five men on the midfield would do wonders against T&T
but look out for their two forwards + Yorke. They could score if they're lucky.

3-5-2 and remember to keep the wingers busy, it will clog in the middle.

[sameer]

3-5-2 not a veryy good idea, way too less defenders, i think sven is doing good enough right now, people are just blaming him for bollocks. he got a 2-0 win, good enough, now who cares whether the goal was in 83 mins or 10 mins...

2-0 win is a pwnage win for all i care.....Englands Defence is THE defence, and dont mess with it, for owen hargreeves replacing Gary neville, i would say Carragher would be better, but its not like hargreeves is crap, hes a great player, he plays for Bayern Munich Ffs... so all in all 4-4-2 does the job, england have yet to proove how good they are. leave the formation as it is, everyones doing a good job..


ALL HAIL JOHN TERRY!!!

[BicOfBorg]

Sven has either lost it, dont give a crap or hasn´t got a scooby.

You have to take players who are fit and in form to a tournament, and if you see a player isn´t having a good time you put him on the friggin bench.

Owen isn´t fit and is well off form and should be on the bench, Rooney Im not sure, if he isn´t fit due to him not being able to train he should be on the bench. Lampard is off form BENCH!!!! It shouldn´t matter what name they have, how the press will react this is the world cup and in the KO stage you don´t get a second chance.

Sven be brave, put on Theo, Put on Hargreaves, play Lennon from the start.

Im watching Argentina at the mo, if England meet them in this form it´ll be a cricket score

[staggerlee]

More evidence that Sven has lost it: http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup2006/story/0,,1799606,00.html

He is considering starting Beckham as an attacking fullback so that Aaron Lennon can play forward on the right.

This is insane. Beckham couldn't tackle a crossword puzzle.

[Supa]

If Gerrard and Lampard can't play together, they need to bench Lampard. Even if he was on form, but especially since he has not been on form. Gerrard is an ace in the hole, it is sheer idiocy not to create an environment where he can perform at his best (sort of like how France doesn't make the most of Henry).

If Beckham starts at right back, I will have to laugh at England. Beckham is another ace in the hole, he should be maximised, not minimised.

With Owen and Rooney as question marks, the English side should be built around Gerrard, Beckham, and Terry, those are the key players, imo.

My 2p. :)

[fuzzby]

Would England ever try a 4-3-3 or 4-3-1-2? Having Owen, Rooney and Crouch attacking with Becks and Lampard on the supporting on the sides and Gerrard holding central-mid could be exciting to watch! :)

[BicOfBorg]

How about this.

The Defence:-.............. garagher ..Terry...... Rio ..........Cole

Defensive midfield:- ................ Beckham......Hargreaves

Offensive Midfield:- ...........Lennon..........Gerarrd............J.Co le

Attack .............. ................ Rooney

............... ............................................Crouch


With beckham going out to cross now and then and A.cole going left forward

Then with a goal up Theo on for crouch

[King Kenny]

More evidence that Sven has lost it: http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup2006/story/0,,1799606,00.html

He is considering starting Beckham as an attacking fullback so that Aaron Lennon can play forward on the right.

This is insane. Beckham couldn't tackle a crossword puzzle.Mate, have you watched a RM game in the past few years? Beckham is one of the hardest working players around, he tracks back non-stop and is a pretty decent tackler and a good covering player. Besides which he's played (extremely well) at RB for Man U and for England (deputising) before. Admittedly he's more famous for the petulant tackles than the useful ones, but he's more than capable of winning a ball from a winger.

It's an excellent idea to play Beckham at wingback to allow Lennon a role in the game. Beckham can cover well and the width and the depth means he's still able to pick a curling pass to those forward of him.

[era909]

How about this.

The Defence:-.............. garagher ..Terry...... Rio ..........Cole

Defensive midfield:- ................ Beckham......Hargreaves

Offensive Midfield:- ...........Lennon..........Gerarrd............J.Co le

Attack .............. ................ Rooney

............... ............................................Crouch


Please play like that! Even we would be able to score if you played without a goalie and 11 men out on the field. ;)