by Lord Zola » Wed Jun 21 2006, 12:23
I think Sven know's deep down that to get the best out of are World Class central midfielders we must play a holding players and allow both Gerrard and Lampard to do what they do best. However, because of Sven's reluctance to drop big names this formation has never been tested, because we have to play a system that accomodates both Owen and Rooney. However, now because of Owen's injury, Sven can play what in his mind is his best side, which will be Hargreaves holding, allowing Lampard and Gerrard to bomb on to support Rooney, without be too concenred about what is going on behind them.
The 3 main players that seem to come in for me stick than others for some reason, when the whole team quite franlky has not performed that well is Beckham, Lampard and Crouch.
Crouch - As good as Crouch has done in his previous 8 or so Caps, he fails to hide the fact that he's just not World Class. Also by starting Crouch, we are in effect playing all are cards early. What happens if things are not working out? by starting Crouch you lose that option of a plan "B". Where as from the bench we have the option to chnage the whole shape/style of the game.
Lampard - I don't quite see the problem people have with Lampard. He's not a centre forward, so why do people seem to judge him on his goals. He's been the most threatening player in the side, and has had more shots than any other playing in the tournament (offical stats). His finishing has not been up to his usual high standards, but he's made his trademark runs into the box, and has looked threatening, I don't think his first goal of the world cup is far away.
Beckham - He's the one player who is lucky to be playing in my opinion. We just simply haven't attacked down the right flank all tournament. He is crossing the ball from far to deep (has he crossed from the byline once) and as a side we just don't look as dangerous on the right as we do down the left. You can't pick a player for just taking free kicks and corners, but at the moment that is what is happening. Lampard can take a lovely free kick and corner, as John Terry will testify, as Lampard tends to set most of his Chelsea goals up, so why is Beckham out there? Whatever people feel about the man himself (as thet tends to cloud their judgement) if you analyse his actual 3 perfromances this World Cup so far, he's been poor.
From a attacking point of few we are down to the bare bones (some only just healed), with Rooney not yet fully fit for 90 mins, Crouch, a trier, but limited, and Walcott, who is only full of un-founded promise. This begs the question what is Jermane Jenas doing out there, as I fail to imagine a scenario to which he will play. I expect Jermaine Defoe may be thinking the same thing.
KTBFFH
