Article by Will Hannam

Properly hello there! I don’t know if anyone is reading through this or if I’m just talking to myself but if somebody has really managed to fall upon this weblog by accident I welcome them with open arms!

Now as you may have noticed this blog is about football, particularly England and Arsenal. Even so if you actually feel the require to deliver up issues about other clubs or in fact other nations feel no cost! This spot is a public forum open to your views and opinions. And if you ever feel I’m wrong I am satisfied for you to tell me! I take pleasure in nothing a lot more than a excellent football debate.

Anyway, you could have seen I posted a news write-up on the match last evening which I wrote right after watching the highlights it isn’t the most extensive blow by blow report but I believe it does the job. I suppose the very first question I should answer is why I kissed Beckham’s arse so much?

Effectively to be honest from what I saw he was the greatest player on the pitch and it was a wonderful performance. Admittedly the opposition are ranked behind Hong Kong in the world rankings but it’s usually good to see a former star regain the type that produced him these a formidable player all those years in the past.

Now when he was dropped a year back I wasn’t truly against the choice. He had not played nicely in the course of the Globe Cup (admittedly neither had any of the staff bar Hargreaves) and it looked like his finest a long time had been behind him.

Nonetheless since his omission from the squad he has recently identified his kind and he’s whipping in the crosses like he’s 25 once more. I imagine his choice to move to America is one he may arrive to regret and I hope for our sake and his it doesn’t influence his international chances.

That is another post in alone anyway. The problem at hand is yet once more the fate of England and Steve McClaren.

Now the efficiency very last evening was effective versus mediocre opposition, but we undoubtedly weren’t ‘amazing’ or ‘back on track’ as so numerous men and women have been suggesting. Yes we scored a handful of excellent ambitions and yes we dominated. But this is no a lot more than should be anticipated when enjoying a staff who is ranked practically 100 spots beneath us. I don’t begrudge the outcome as it was a very good overall performance and specific folks stood out, but I would urge you not to imagine the hype that this England group are prepared to take on the giants of football and win.

There are several problems that still want to be resolved:

one) Lampard

On What foundation is he nevertheless in the team? His global kind has been under average ever given that his disastrous entire world cup and his partnership with Gerrard has never actually worked. It is a easy notion. One particular midfielder holds in a single placement and allows the other to go ahead. Nonetheless, do we truly want to see Steven Gerrard as a keeping midfielder with Frank Lampard pushing forward? I’ve got no beef with Lampard’s record for Chelsea – 21 objectives for a midfielder is impressive. Even so his type for England has not been of an acceptable level and he is maintaining other gamers out the staff who deserve a opportunity. McClueless appears established to hold Lampard in the staff no matter what, even if it indicates taking part in his vice-captain out of placement on the appropriate. However now Beckham is back what will come about when Hargreaves returns? Absolutely he will not drop Beckham who has place in two good performances and set up three of England’s four targets. That leaves Lampard or Gerrard. Both he drops Lampard and puts in Hargreaves, or drops Gerrard – but that is an inconceivable concept. Of course he could opt for the ridiculous and play five in midfield with Owen as a lone striker (!) This was really advised a couple of days in the past God forbid. Knowing McClaren it may in fact take place. He has to drop Lampard if he wants the midfield to gel successfully.

two) Strikers

I couldn’t imagine my eyes when I saw Alan Smith listed in the England staff to experience Brazil. On what merit does he start off in the England aspect? one aim in 17 caps says it all I believe. If he’s searching for a target man he has Crouch who has undoubtedly obtained a better target scoring file than Smith. Admittedly Crouch has only played towards pretty inadequate opposition, but his goals speak for themselves.

Also is Michael Owen truly up to it any longer? I acknowledge I was pleased to see him get his 26th Global aim, but he surely looked a bit off the pace. Of course he has just recovered from a significant damage and I do enjoy that, but will he ever be the identical once more, or will he suffer the same fate as Robbie Fowler?

Rooney is certainly a first identify on the group sheet when match so there’s no genuine issue there. However are there any alternatives for Crouch, Owen and Alan Smith? Offhand Dave Nugent, Jermaine Defoe, Dean Ashton, Darren Bent come to brain. Let me know of any other individuals you assume deserve a probability.

3) Techniques

How long can we carry on to play the very same type of narrow direct football? We need to get it wide and to people’s feet. We have players like Rooney and Gerrard who are deadly with the ball at their feet so give it to them! Do not stick it in the air at every single possibility! Make use of Crouch’s aerial presence but don’t around use it. Predictability is a problem we have suffered from in the past. It’s great to have Beckham again but let’s not place the creativeness of the team squarely on Beckham’s shoulders. Players these kinds of as Joe Cole, Gerrard and even Hargreaves occasionally can distribute and produce points out of nothing at all.

And last but not least, what does Jamie Carragher have to do to get in the England Crew? He plays exceptionally for Liverpool week in week out and is arguably the sort centre-back in the premiership. He’s not the most attacking appropriate back again in the globe but he’s better than Wes Brown. Ledley King is great but Carragher is better.

Any of your thoughts would be tremendously appreciated.

Will

http://footballplanets.blogspot.com/

About the Author

My title is Will and I’m a massive football fan. I fancy myself as a bit of a pundit and am only as well happy to share my views on the footballing planet whenever I get the chance. Check out my weblog and join in the discussion!