Who's In and Who's Out?
My dad sent me a fascinating article this week that broke down the race to make the England squad for South Africa. For each position, here are the current "Incumbents," "Understudies," "Contenders" and "Outsiders:" 1. Goalkeeper
Incumbent - David James
Understudy - Rob Green
Contender - Paul Robinson
Outsider - Ben Foster
2. Right Back
Incumbent - Glen Johnson
Understudy - Wes Brown
Contender - Gary Neville
Outsider - Micah Richards
3. Left Back
Incumbent - Ashley Cole
Understudy - Wayne Bridge
Contender - Leighton Baines
Outsider - Stephen Warnock
4. Center Back
Incumbent - John Terry
Understudy - Joleon Lescott
Contender - Gary Cahill
Outsider - Jonathan Woodgate
5. Center Half
Incumbent - Rio Ferdinand
Understudy - Matthew Upson
Contender - Ledley King
Outsider - Phil Jagielka
6. Holding Midfield
Incumbent - Gareth Barry
Understudy - Michael Carrick
Contender - Owen Hargreaves
Outsider - Tom Huddlestone
7. Right Midfield
Incumbent - Aaron Lennon
Understudy - Theo Walcott
Contender - SWP
Outsider - James Milner
8. Center Midfield
Incumbent - Frank Lampard
Understudy - David Beckham
Contender - Jermaine Jenas
Outsider - Scott Parker
9. Striker
Incumbent - Emile Heskey
Understudy - Peter Crouch
Contender - Carlton Cole
Outsider - Darren Bent
10. Striker
Incumbent - Wayne Rooney
Understudy - Jermaine Defoe
Contender - Gabby Agbonlahor
Outsider - Michael Owen
11. Left Midfield
Incumbent - Steven Gerrard
Understudy - Joe Cole
Contender - Ashley Young
Outsider - Stewart Downing
Your thoughts, lads?
posted by The Blue Devil @ 9:27 AM
2 Comments:
I think the candidates to fill the No. 9 shirt will be our undoing.
I agree, WHR. The assumption of the Guardian piece was that the "Incumbent" in each category would be in the starting XI, that the "Understudy" would definitely be in the squad, that some of the "Contenders" might squeak into the squad as well and that the "Outsiders" would miss out on the plane to SA unless there were lots of injuries.
I'm not so sure, particularly when it comes to the #9, #10 and #11 shirts. Heskey can't get a game for Villa and yet it's assumed that he's the best foil for Roon. I'm not convinced. Crouchie would be in my squad but not Cole or Bent. Defoe and Gabby Ag will just about about sneak into my squad as well but not wee Mikey this time. He's best days are past him, I'm afraid. Gerrard is in the starting XI but perhaps not on the left. Joe Cole is in my starting XI on the left if he's fit and right. Ashley Young just gets on the plane. Not Downing.
The other assumption is that England will line up in the traditional 4-4-2 for each match. That's wrong-headed and I'd like to see Fabio experimenting with the friendlies coming up. Against a lesser opponents from Asia or CONCACAF, I'd run out as a 4-3-3 with Roon, Lennon and Young running up front, Gerrard tucked in right behind Roon and no holding midfielder. When we get to the later stages, I'd play Gareth Barry as the holding and revert to a 4-4-2.
Just a few thoughts.
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