england v austria/croatia

With the probably insignificant match against Croatia following the friendly verses Austria, I thought I’d post up my choice selection for the two matches, although the choice of quality players was pretty short. Maybe calls for a limit of foreign players from Coppell, Ferguson and Gerrard should be listened to, apparently on the weekend just gone, of all the players featuring in the premiership only 88 were English, the others (over 200, can’t recall the exact number?) foreign. Surely can’t be that healthy for the English national game?

With Rooney out, I’ve gone for Crouch and Owen. After Hargreeves yet again pulling out with injury, it has allowed Barry to keep his well earned place with Gerrard in the centre and of course Joe Cole on the left. I’ve decided to leave Beckham out and instead start with Wright-Phillips, to try and take early advantage with all of his pace and energy.
The defensive line was hard with so many injuries. I’ve ended up with Brown, Richards, Lescott and Ashley Cole, though with all respect I wouldn’t have the greatest amount of confidence for this back line. So you’d think with this pretty much unproven defence that I’d choose some experienced shot stopper between the sticks. Nope. I’ve gone with Carson, I feel he deserves a start, and at his age some major experience at this level could do him a world of good!

Match prediction: England 3 – 0 Austria, England 1 – 0 Croatia

england v russia

I decided against producing ‘my XI’ thoughts on these two England matches, against Israel (3-0) and Russia tomorrow as due to injuries and suspension the team pretty. Plus Crouch can be quite effective coming off the bench so will be a useful weapon. The big test for McClaren will be the next international and who to choose with hopefully the big guns (Rooney, Lampard, Lennon, Hargreeves, Neville, Terry etc.) coming back in contention for selection.

Score prediction: England 2 – 0 Russia

england v germany

As it’s the friendly between England and Germany tonight, I thought I’d have a go at selecting my England eleven from McClaren’s squad (not easy with some of the muppets he’s selected). No Rooney, Gary Neville, Lennon, Gerrard, or Hargreeves. Plus Owen and Beckham are severely lacking in match practice.

 

I’ve chosen a 4 – 5 -1 formation due to the lack of options up front (as Johnson is doubtful). Crouch as the lone striker, as much as I rate Defoe, Spurs have really destroyed his confidence, so it’s the bench for him. I’ll have Wright-Philips on the right, after his promising start to the season with Chelsea, Joe Cole on the left and Lampard and Carrick in the middle. Lampard supporting Crouch as much as possible and Carrick supplying the passes. I’d pick Barry as the holding midfielder, as Hargreeves is injured yet again. In defence I’ve settled with (from right to left) Richards, Ferdinand, Terry and Ashley Cole, with Robinson in goal. Due to absentees, Lampard, Wright-Phillips and Barry can be thankful for their places.

A couple of the papers are claiming England will start with Smith and Owen upfront. Although I beleive when on form and match fit both are quality scorers, I don’t feel they are ready for it this early in the season.

Score prediction: England 2 -1 Germany

won 0, drawn 2, lost 1 = very very poor

Has this really happened? Have Man Utd just gone three games into the new season without a win? After spending millions in the transfer market during the summer, they get off to their worst start for apparently 15 years – the double isn’t looking much good then!

I wouldn’t rule them out just yet, with Ronaldo and Rooney plus Saha, Solskjaer and Neville to return, Nani to to improve (hopefully as Ronaldo did), Hargreeves looking solid plus the pretty much unkown entity that is Anderson – The future’s bright but is the future’s red?