England squad

I much prefer Lennon to SWP and Beckham on the right. I guess its whether Capello feels the neccessity for a dedicated wide right player or not.

Capello does like to pick on current form though, so hopefully Lennon will be given a go. Also wouldn't rule out a Defoe-Rooney front two.

Like to see Lennon get a run, one thing Milner has over him is stamina Milner works much harder and it seems can last a lot longer applying pressure against some teams he really could help grinding out wins. Different players that bring a different threat says I....

This is what is comes down to.

Milner is a good player. But thats the problem - he's in the mould of the type of reliable and consistent players that have plagued the England National Team for many many years. He'll do a job, but nothing spectacular, because he isn't exceptional in any one area.

This would be fine if we had a team full of technical craftsmen and matchwinners.

Lennon on the otherhand, has exceptional pace, balance and first touch. As well all know, he's erratic in his crossing/shooting ability, and in comparison with Milner, will not do a good job consistently. Somedays he might not touch the ball.

However, he has that mercurial ability to do something different and turn a game in an instant. He's won Spurs our last 2 games in a row out of nothing.

These kind of players have long been ostricised at International level by England managers intent on using the tried and trusted. And then when we go out at the quarter finals of World Cup/European Championships playing organised but predictable football, we rue the fact we don't have enough technical game winners in our team, or enough pace or players who will take on defenders.

I say have Milner in the squad, but use Lennon when he's on form, because even if he doesn't play particularly well his pace is likely to have run a fullback ragged and Milner can come on and benefit.

And there we have it. The key to winning the World Cup, eradicating famine and reversing Global warming. Play Lennon

borocooper wrote:

yoghurt?

Its Pele trying to white up Lennon.

You don't disagree though do you Copter?

Lennon will single handedly end the credit crunch, save the whales, sort out your erection problem, cure your mum of syphilis, and turn your hair an acceptable colour.

Lennon will do all of this. For you

borocooper wrote:

My thoughts exactly.

Spider Crouch wrote:

These kind of players have long been ostricised at International level by England managers intent on using the tried and trusted. And then when we go out at the quarter finals of World Cup/European Championships playing organised but predictable football, we rue the fact we don't have enough technical game winners in our team, or enough pace or players who will take on defenders.

I say have Milner in the squad, but use Lennon when he's on form, because even if he doesn't play particularly well his pace is likely to have run a fullback ragged and Milner can come on and benefit.

And there we have it. The key to winning the World Cup, eradicating famine and reversing Global warming. Play Lennon

Sven you mean. Mclaren and Keegan were just poor. Under Venables and Hoddle England were good to watch.

I would rather play both. Villa do it with Young and Milner.

MadVillain wrote:

Defoe bothered by Owen talk

Spurs striker keen to get away from comparisons

Jermain Defoe has admitted it can be 'frustrating' to hear Michael Owen's name mentioned when he is trying to concentrate on his own England career.

Defoe has been called up to Fabio Capello's latest squad after an excellent start to the season but it was Owen's omission which received most attention.

Comparisons have often been drawn between the two players but Defoe insists he would prefer not to hear about Owen so much.

"It's like if my name gets mentioned Michael Owen's has got to get mentioned as well. That is sometimes frustrating," said the Tottenham striker.

"Michael Owen is a great player but it is not that if I'm in the squad he's not, or that if he is in the squad, I'm not. It would be nice to get away from it."
Rooney partnership

Another popular theory is that Defoe and Wayne Rooney cannot play together, with Emile Heskey regularly preferred up front as a foil to the Manchester United man.

Defoe has not scored any of his 10 international goals when Rooney has been on the pitch but he insists they can forge a successful partnership.

He said: "I have played with Wayne a few times now. He is a great player who likes to get a lot of touches on the ball.

"In that sense he is similar to Robbie Keane and my partnership with him is great. I don't mind staying behind a main striker, that's for sure."

A little bit childish, but ultimately he's right about what he's hinting about - there's definitely a concerted push to get the Media Darling Golden Boy that is "Ingurland's Michael Owen" into the England team, not just squad, once more.

Khadrim wrote:

Spider Crouch wrote:

These kind of players have long been ostricised at International level by England managers intent on using the tried and trusted. And then when we go out at the quarter finals of World Cup/European Championships playing organised but predictable football, we rue the fact we don't have enough technical game winners in our team, or enough pace or players who will take on defenders.

I say have Milner in the squad, but use Lennon when he's on form, because even if he doesn't play particularly well his pace is likely to have run a fullback ragged and Milner can come on and benefit.

And there we have it. The key to winning the World Cup, eradicating famine and reversing Global warming. Play Lennon

Sven you mean. Mclaren and Keegan were just poor. Under Venables and Hoddle England were good to watch.

I would rather play both. Villa do it with Young and Milner.

I did clearly say Lennon has his faults.

RIGHT now worth picking him, but doesn't mean by any stretch he's a nailed on cert for the right for the future.

Not a problem though, it's good to see Smogcopter and Dimbo are bonding over this. All that time on the Championship thread - they've got a lot in common bless them

Your reaction is understandable, Pele.

It must be hard to take, knowing that a non Spurs fan knew what was best for Lennon. Whilst you just sat their wanking in his face..and still he went with me

Pele.... When I see him beat Evra and Ashley Cole and sending in good crosses on a regular basis then he is ready. Up until that time he is still a fringe player with good potential.

Brian2468 wrote:Pele.... When I see him beat Evra and Ashley Cole and sending in good crosses on a regular basis then he is ready. Up until that time he is still a fringe player with good potential.

To be fair ive never seen anyone destroy evra like lennon has

borocooper wrote:Your reaction is understandable, Pele.

It must be hard to take, knowing that a non Spurs fan knew what was best for Lennon. Whilst you just sat their wanking in his face..and still he went with me

Smogster, I've always said Lennon needs time. He's 21 FFS. Don't twist my words or I'll tell everyone you're ginger

@Brian - your half right. He took Evra to the cleaners in the Carling Cup final. Shame about his crossing that day though.

L r dd wrote:

Brian2468 wrote:Pele.... When I see him beat Evra and Ashley Cole and sending in good crosses on a regular basis then he is ready. Up until that time he is still a fringe player with good potential.

To be fair ive never seen anyone destroy evra like lennon has

I must of missed few a games or did not notice it. Cannot wait to see this on Sept 12th.......

it was the game the referee apologised for ruining I think Brian.

see http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/pdfs/foilingferguson.pdf

G for Glenndetta wrote:it was the game the referee apologised for ruining I think Brian.

see http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/pdfs/foilingferguson.pdf

This will be a excellent measure of a player improving, If he can continually out fox the defender he is growing.

Brian2468 wrote:

G for Glenndetta wrote:it was the game the referee apologised for ruining I think Brian.

see http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/pdfs/foilingferguson.pdf

This will be a excellent measure of a player improving, If he can continually out fox the defender he is growing.

Brian, what happened to 3-5-2?

2468 makes no tactical sense. Are you cracking up?

Spider Crouch wrote:

borocooper wrote:Your reaction is understandable, Pele.

It must be hard to take, knowing that a non Spurs fan knew what was best for Lennon. Whilst you just sat their wanking in his face..and still he went with me

Smogster, I've always said Lennon needs time. He's 21 FFS. Don't twist my words or I'll tell everyone you're ginger

@Brian - your half right. He took Evra to the cleaners in the Carling Cup final. Shame about his crossing that day though.

It wasnt about saying he needed time.

It was about me saying he needed to work hard on crossing and shooting over anything else and me being shot down by the Spurs fans with shit like "he's not David Beckham".

I don't know how 0trick has the nerve to disagree with smogcopter on this. He just gets worse and worse, awful man. You can tell he comes from a country of nazi sympathizers.

You two have the nerve.

Very naughty. I know your game. It must be "bully the gypsy" week up in Northerly Easterly Land

I won't have it

Spider Crouch wrote:

Brian2468 wrote:

G for Glenndetta wrote:it was the game the referee apologised for ruining I think Brian.

see http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/pdfs/foilingferguson.pdf

This will be a excellent measure of a player improving, If he can continually out fox the defender he is growing.

Brian, what happened to 3-5-2?

2468 makes no tactical sense. Are you cracking up?

Well I lost interest really when King's injuries continually got worse...

Anyone want to second guess the team for tonight's game.

SWP starts on the right.

Whilst Heskey starts upfront.

It's official - Capello is Anti-Spurs.

No need.

England:
Robert Green, Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard, Msatthew Upson, John Terry, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Frank Lampard, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney, Gareth Barry.

I put some money on Defoe as first scorer.

Surely Defoe will get the nod over Heskey, based on Capello's tendency to pick players on form. So I thought.

Capello

debaser wrote:Based on past selections, I'd expect more like:

-----------------------Foster-------------------------------

Johnson-----------Upson---Terry----------A.Cole------

-------------------Lampard------Barry--------------------

SWP---------------------Gerrard-----------------------

---------------------------------------Rooney

-----------------------Heskey--------------------------------


Based on form, Defoe + Lennon should get some time. Maybe Milner too, after he made good cameo in last friendly.

Debaser FTW.. Although I got the keeper wrong

debaser wrote:

debaser wrote:Based on past selections, I'd expect more like:

-----------------------Foster-------------------------------

Johnson-----------Upson---Terry----------A.Cole------

-------------------Lampard------Barry--------------------

SWP---------------------Gerrard-----------------------

---------------------------------------Rooney

-----------------------Heskey--------------------------------


Based on form, Defoe + Lennon should get some time. Maybe Milner too, after he made good cameo in last friendly.

Debaser FTW.. Although I got the keeper wrong

So close but no cigar..its like Aston Villla