England to play with Wingers for the first time since '96

Mclaren has vowed he wants his England side to play "with pace and penetration".

The dropping of Beckham and the inclusion of 4 out-and-out wingers in his 1st squad (Lennon and SWP for the right, Downing and Richardson for the left) heavily suggests he intends to play a wide midfield with traditional wingers at some point

With Beckham being on the right for almost a decade, and a number of players filling in on the left over the years (Barmby, Sinclair, Dyer, Joe Cole),

it could be the first time since 1996- when England played with Mcmanaman and Anderton on the Left and right - that the side will play with traditional wingers. Even in 96 Macca was playing out of position, and Anderton, although more of a winger than Beckham, was still not the paciest.

Do you think its time England played with real wingers? Is it a good idea?
Does wingplay still have a place in International football? Should Gerrard play on the right?

Opinions please

I'd still play Gerrard on the right. Then Cole (Downing for tomorrows game of course) on the left and use Lennon as an impact sub.

For tomorrow use Hargreaves and Lampard but in the future if Lampard can't perform use Carrick there, someone who can set the tempo.

I suppose it would be nice in some games though to just use Lennon and J Cole on the wing.

Very very good news

Its the way England team sHOULD play with pace, drive, verve and desire

Surely he's not going to drop Cole though? I know he's injured for the Greece game but for the future he's made that position on the left his own. If he was to play with two wingers then he would need somebody left-footed on the left ie Downing. That's why i reckon Gerrard on the right and Cole on the left would probably be the best way to play it, bringing on proper wingers as impact players

What the wingers need to do is get some chalk on their boots and whip some crosses in for the big lad in the middle.

Seriously, I agree with the posters above, unlikely he'll drop either Gerrard or Cole, and right wing seems the likely position for Gerrard to start in.

You're forgetting how good Joe Cole has been on the left for England if you think he should be dropped?

He can go past players with ease and has been a real threat for England on that flank. Who's to say that Downing (despite being left footed) will be more effective than Cole? Personally, I don't think so.

has Downing got pace? does Gerrard have to stay out wide or will he be allowed to roam?

E.M. wrote:has Downing got pace? does Gerrard have to stay out wide or will he be allowed to roam?

Downing has got a lot of pace as long as he's fully fit. He's not Lennon quick but he's not far off.

S4P wrote:You're forgetting how good Joe Cole has been on the left for England if you think he should be dropped?

He can go past players with ease and has been a real threat for England on that flank. Who's to say that Downing (despite being left footed) will be more effective than Cole? Personally, I don't think so.

I dont think he should be dropped. But the point is he isnt an out-and-out winger. He likes to cut inside. He's been great on the left, and definitely should keep his place, but it'd be interesting to see how England play with 2 full out-and-out wingers.

This Off Topic But Pele ru going to be following Watford this season now Priskin has signed?

E.M. wrote:has Downing got pace? does Gerrard have to stay out wide or will he be allowed to roam?

gerrard very rarely gets told to stay outside for liverpool... i actually think he would be a brilliant winger if that's the role that the coachs drummed into him... he has pace, power and his crossing is excellent...
on the other wing i cannot see how cole cannot play so england will therefore have two wingers constantly cutting inside despite what mc'claren says.... the important player is obviously lampard.... if he keeps playing the way he is then gerrard will be in the middle and lennon on the right in what is probably england's most exciting possible selection...

E.M. wrote:This Off Topic But Pele ru going to be following Watford this season now Priskin has signed?

I'll definitely be following his progress, but Im more concerned that Gera starts playing in the big league again, either through West Brom getting promoted or moving to a bigger club.

His loyalty to Brom is nice to see, but he is far too good a player for the first division...

The Real White Pele wrote:Mclaren has vowed he wants his England side to play "with pace and penetration".

The dropping of Beckham and the inclusion of 4 out-and-out wingers in his 1st squad (Lennon and SWP for the right, Downing and Richardson for the left) heavily suggests he intends to play a wide midfield with traditional wingers at some point

With Beckham being on the right for almost a decade, and a number of players filling in on the left over the years (Barmby, Sinclair, Dyer, Joe Cole),

it could be the first time since 1996- when England played with Mcmanaman and Anderton on the Left and right - that the side will play with traditional wingers. Even in 96 Macca was playing out of position, and Anderton, although more of a winger than Beckham, was still not the paciest.

Do you think its time England played with real wingers? Is it a good idea?
Does wingplay still have a place in International football? Should Gerrard play on the right?

Opinions please

England haven't got great wingers.So the stategy of Mc Laren is already STUPID.

England SHOULD play with Murphy,Heskey,JL Samuel in the starting XI.

-------------------------Kirkland-----------------

Neville------Campbell----Rio-----------JL SAmuel

-------------------Butt---------------

Murphy--------Gerrard-----------Heskey

-------------Bent/Cole/Rooney--Owen

If only Arnaud was the manager of England. But hey at least he rates Hesky enough to play him on the wing

hahahaha

Arnaud wrote:

The Real White Pele wrote:Mclaren has vowed he wants his England side to play "with pace and penetration".

The dropping of Beckham and the inclusion of 4 out-and-out wingers in his 1st squad (Lennon and SWP for the right, Downing and Richardson for the left) heavily suggests he intends to play a wide midfield with traditional wingers at some point

With Beckham being on the right for almost a decade, and a number of players filling in on the left over the years (Barmby, Sinclair, Dyer, Joe Cole),

it could be the first time since 1996- when England played with Mcmanaman and Anderton on the Left and right - that the side will play with traditional wingers. Even in 96 Macca was playing out of position, and Anderton, although more of a winger than Beckham, was still not the paciest.

Do you think its time England played with real wingers? Is it a good idea?
Does wingplay still have a place in International football? Should Gerrard play on the right?

Opinions please

England haven't got great wingers.So the stategy of Mc Laren is already STUPID.

England SHOULD play with Murphy,Heskey,JL Samuel in the starting XI.

-------------------------Kirkland-----------------

Neville------Campbell----Rio-----------JL SAmuel

-------------------Butt---------------

Murphy--------Gerrard-----------Heskey

-------------Bent/Cole/Rooney--Owen

Arnaud wrote:

-------------------------Kirkland-----------------

Neville------Campbell----Rio-----------JL SAmuel

-------------------Butt---------------

Murphy--------Gerrard-----------Heskey

-------------Bent/Cole/Rooney--Owen

Is that Andy Cole?

i think arnuad needs us all to teach him a little bit on english football

arnie did you not get to see a few glimpses of lennon in the world cup... this is a guy that rightfully keeps murhpy on the bench for spurs

COTR wrote:i think arnuad needs us all to teach him a little bit on english football

arnie did you not get to see a few glimpses of lennon in the world cup... this is a guy that rightfully keeps murhpy on the bench for spurs

I've seen Lennon and was disappointed with him.He is pacey but he is ONLy pacey ! lol

Murphy is ten times better.Heskey isn't a good winger but played in that position with liverpool when Dioufy was in the starting xi with Owen.In that season Liverpool was 1st and ten points ahead Arsenal in the league..Than Owen was injured and Diouf on the bech and in december they forgot to win during something like 12-13 matches! and then were 5th at the end.

Heskey can play there you ignorant DUMBS.

ignorant Dumbs! I love it!

Vote "Ignorant Dumbs" as THE phrase of the season! True Story <ale>

Heskey did play on the left wing once for England (can't remember who vs)

Considering Heskey's size, he could be almost as good as Drogba, but he seems to bottle it for some strange reason. I only ever saw him have one WC match (v Argentina in a friendly I think).

Murphy is the past and was not international class imo.

Ashley Cole and Bridge are better than Samuel too.

hahahahahahaha

S4P wrote:Heskey did play on the left wing once for England (can't remember who vs)

Considering Heskey's size, he could be almost as good as Drogba, but he seems to bottle it for some strange reason. I only ever saw him have one WC match (v Argentina in a friendly I think).

I was at Wembley for that match. He was awesome that night and the Argentine defenders were scared stiff of him.

Heskey had a season for us when, at his best he was unplayable - fast, strong, and direct.

Then, for no apparent reason, he lost his shooting boots and started falling over all the time.

It's probably the fastest decline of a promising player I can remember. He seems to have just totally lost his confidence.

S4P wrote:Heskey did play on the left wing once for England (can't remember who vs)

Considering Heskey's size, he could be almost as good as Drogba, but he seems to bottle it for some strange reason. I only ever saw him have one WC match (v Argentina in a friendly I think).

Murphy is the past and was not international class imo.

Ashley Cole and Bridge are better than Samuel too.

SAmuel is as good as them and never had his chance at international level.it's ridiculous...Some mediocre players like jeffers have some caps and him no.Pfff...

Murphy is a good palyer with a good vision.Certainly not WC but who for england is better..Lampard ? Joe Clown ???

Pfff Murphy is one of the best english player but for "glamour" reason will never paly for you.A shame cos he is similar to Pirlo imo.Maybe a little bit inferior but same kind of palyer.

Danny Platini

Roger_Hunt wrote:Heskey had a season for us when, at his best he was unplayable - fast, strong, and direct.

Then, for no apparent reason, he lost his shooting boots and started falling over all the time.

It's probably the fastest decline of a promising player I can remember. He seems to have just totally lost his confidence.

There's Emile Heskey before 2002...

And then there's the Emile Heskey Post 2002.

Murphy is a good playmaker - he hasn't got the mobility to be an effective wideman anymore, but Carrick at Quarterback and Joe Cole have more guile now.

@ Arnaud

He really must be struggling to come up with some good Wind Up Posts because this is simply laughable !

I tells ya what Arnaud, you can have Heskey, Murphy and Samuel in exchange for Henry, id be quite happy with that !

I think a 4-3-3...with Rooney/J.cole playing attacking left wing and Lennon on the right would have been the way to go. Its better to utalise our resources and play to our strengths. Having attacking winger's, wont neccesarly have the seaired imapct we are anticipating.

I firmly believe Possesion football with quick feet, is better than wingers running up and down the wings and crossing.

This team would go far Imo..

........................Robinson

.....Neville.........King.....Rio......A.Cole.....


........Gerrard.....Hargreaves....Carrick..........

.Lennon........................................Rooney....

.........................Defoe/Bent.........................

Rooney to come inside, Hargreaves and Carrick protecting the Back four, giving A.Cole more freedom on the Left.....to give that width...