England Prospects

[Bryan]

It seems to me that the England team should be looking to win one of the next two major tournaments or at least expected to reach a final.

I know that we have been viewed as under achievers like Spain have but I have several reasons for saying this.

1. The midfield pairing of Lampard & Gerrard has to be viewed as on par with the best in the world at the moment and they are both still young and learning.

2. We have at least three world class central defenders.

3. Ashley Cole and Gary Neville (despite his critics) have both improved their all round game significantly.

4. Stuart Downing arguably should solve the left side problem once and for all if his club form translates to the international stage. I think it will and having a quality natural left sided player will transform the team by giving the width the quality players we already have really need.

5. Owen has proved how good he is as Real and why he is our best striker.

6. Rooney is the little piece of magic we need to turn games in the mould of Maradona.

7. Beckham has taken a lot of stick recently but does tend to answer his critics in the end.

8. We have finally ditched James and have a goalkeeper that gives some confidence to the defense.

To balance this out I would also say.

1. Sven would have to stop playing so defensively because his best team is full of attacking players.

2. Not sure we have great cover in a number of areas other than central defense so injuries (as ever) could be a big problem.

3. I don't think anyone outside this country really wants us to win anything based on some previous high profile refereeing decisions.

Putting club and personal prejudices aside I'm Interested to know everyone elses thoughts on this.

[Daddy Long]

SWP

[Sussex Eagle]

It's a possibility if Rooney fulfills his potential, but almost impossible without that happening. That side needs to be dragged kicking and screaming to success by a genius. And we also need to get in a manger with the nuts to make major decisions like dropping Beckham - he is clearly not the best English right winger (SWP) or one of the better central midfielders. He's also a disgrace as a captain.

[Bryan]

Whats SWP?

[davematt]

This is the best England group of players EVER. Players like Stevie Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell & Micheal Owen are starting to reach their peak. We have younger players like Ashley Cole, Jermaine Jenas, SWP (The future of English football) John Terry (Future captain) Jermaine Defoe, and of course Wayne Rooney, who has the potential to be the greatest player England have ever produced. No other nation have players like this at their disposal, so my message to Sven would be use it. The goalkeeping situation will get interesting as many people think once Scott Carson gets a chance at Liverpool, Sven will find it very hard to ignore, so He still could get the No1 jersey for Germany

Strongest 11 for 2006??

Carson/Robinson

G.Neville Ferdinand Terry/Campbell Cole

SWP Lampard Gerrard Downing

Rooney Defoe

Subs...

Kirkland
King
Bridge
Jenas
Beckham
Parker
Owen
AJ!!

That starting 11 is frightning, and would be feared by most people.

The future has never been brighter.

[MartinE]

We have no chance of winning a major tournament with a manager who is not prepared to make courageous decisions, not prepared to change tactics and is completely incapable of motivating the team. We have reached quarter finals in the last two tournaments despite him not because of him. I also think most people in this country are completely obsessed with how good Gerrard is - he is promising but has never dominated a game for England as he does for Liverpool. When the going gets tough, like against Portugal he reverts to type and starts hoofing the ball 70 yards and giving away possession and then we're told he's tired!