Your world cup squad of 23 ...

[gonzo]

If I was going to pick a squad to leave next month, this would be it; of course a lot can change between now and next summer with injuries ...

James, Green or Robinson

A. Cole, Rio, JT, Johnson, Richards, Upson, Lescott, Bridge

Lennon, Lampard, Carrick, Gerrard, J.Cole, Beckham, Milner, Barry

Rooney, Crouch, Defoe, Owen, C.Cole or Heskey



I would opt for 2 keepers not 3. I doubt in the history of the World Cup many squads have used there No.2 GK much, let alone their 3rd Choice.
Beckham could of couse play here if needed

Richards gets the nod as he is equally uncomfortable as a defending Right Back or Centre Half
Beckham could of course play as a sweeper in a 'Franz Beckhambaur' role if needed.

Owen would be my gamble with the extra player after taking a GK less.

Only wild card for me would be Hargreaves if he proved his fitness, equally at home at Right Back or Midfield.


edited: if the rules state 3 GK have to be taken as mentioned below, then at this moment in time Michael Owen would have to miss out.

[Dorve Phlatseo F.C]

I would opt for 2 keepers not 3. I doubt in the history of the World Cup many squads have used there No.2 GK much, let alone their 3rd Choice


Gonzo, i think you will find that the rules mean they HAVE to pick 3 keepers. Im sure i have heard that on a radio station.

My 23 would be....

Green, James, Foster

Johnson, Lesscott, Terry,A Cole, Ferdinand, Upson, Richards, Gibbs (cant stand Bridge )

Beckham, Lennon, Walcott, Milner, Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, J Cole

Rooney, Defoe, Crouch, Zamora

[spreadeaglefc]

Foster, James & Green

Carragher (Bring him back out retirement ) , Johnson, Terry, Upson, A.Cole, Ferdinand, Richards

Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, Milner, J.Cole, Downing, A.Young & Barry

Agbonlahor, Crouch, Owen, Rooney & Defoe


If not Carragher then Gary Cahill


Capello watch this space

[Sidney]

James, Green, Foster

Johnson, Ferdinand, Terry, A Cole, Baines, Lescott, Upson, Woodgate/Dawson (whoever's fit)

J Cole, Lampard, Barry, Gerrard, BECKS , Milner, Wallcott, Lennon/Hargreeves if fit

Rooney, Defoe, Crouch, C Cole,

[Fingers]

James, Hart, Robinson

Johnson, Terry, Ferdinand, Cole, Lescott, Brown, Bridge, Upson

Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, Beckham, Milner, Walcott, Lennon, Carrick

Rooney, Defoe, Crouch, Heskey

[Tony Minoldo]

I would opt for 2 keepers not 3. I doubt in the history of the World Cup many squads have used there No.2 GK much, let alone their 3rd Choice.

Well, 2 examples come to my mind, one from my real country and one from my adoptive one:

England used their second goalkeeper, Chelsea's Peter Bonetti in the 1970 World Cup. Bonetti played in the semifinal versus West Germany, which England lost 3-2 AET. Many criticised Bonetti for one of the W German goals that went under his belly, but it was a short range effort, though.

In the 1994 World Cup, Italy's Gianluca Pagliuca was sent off in the second match versus Norway and Luca Marchegiani took his place for the next 2 matches.

I'd say you also need a 3rd keeper to be on the bench in those cases.

Said that, I personally think that the GK is the weakest link in the England squad...For a country of Banks, Clemence and Peter Shilton, I think that since Seaman's retirement the Lions had been missing a consistent, top-class goalkeeper...What do you peoplke think?

[gonzo]

England used their second goalkeeper, Chelsea's Peter Bonetti in the 1970 World Cup. Bonetti played in the semifinal versus West Germany, which England lost 3-2 AET. Many criticised Bonetti for one of the W German goals that went under his belly, but it was a short range effort, though.

Banks was poisened at the hotel they were staying ...
Sir Alf Ramsey shouldnt have taken Alan Ball and Bobby Charlton off at 2-0 when he thought the game was won ....

Said that, I personally think that the GK is the weakest link in the England squad...For a country of Banks, Clemence and Peter Shilton, I think that since Seaman's retirement the Lions had been missing a consistent, top-class goalkeeper...What do you peoplke think?

I think you are right Tony. It says something when most still put David James at no.1 when he is turning 40 next year, when he wasnt no.1 when he was 10-15 years younger!!

I do think he is more accomplished now though and has definately matured, reduced the silly mistakes and improved with age. He will be unbeatable in another 10 years time!

Take a look at the top 5-6 clubs in the premeirship, not one has an Englishman as their first choice. Proves that point really of how dire our GK situation really is.

[Tony Minoldo]

Banks was poisened at the hotel they were staying ...
Sir Alf Ramsey shouldnt have taken Alan Ball and Bobby Charlton off at 2-0 when he thought the game was won ....

Yes, of course, it was all the controversy about the English team bringing their own food, especially meat, because at that time there was an epidemy of Foot and Mouth disease in Britain. The Mexican authorities used that as an excuse. I remeber watching a documentary: England tood their own food anyway, but the only think the Mexicans allowed was fish and chips, therefore that is what they had for breakfast, lunch and dinner...I remember Sir Bobby Charlton saying that he played versus West Germany fasting because he couldn't stand the diet anymore! Imagine that for today's standards, playing a World Cup (as champions!) on a fish and chips diet

I reckon you might be right, but England would've never done such an "Italian/South American thing" of taking two attacking players to defend a 2-0 advantage in a WC semifinal...But Capello has not such a pressure, and believe me he'll do it if England need it!

I think you are right Tony. It says something when most still put David James at no.1 when he is turning 40 next year, when he wasnt no.1 when he was 10-15 years younger!!

I do think he is more accomplished now though and has definately matured, reduced the silly mistakes and improved with age. He will be unbeatable in another 10 years time!

Take a look at the top 5-6 clubs in the premiership, not one has an Englishman as their first choice. Proves that point really of how dire our GK situation really is.

Similar situation with managers...

[Geoff]

Sir Alf Ramsey shouldnt have taken Alan Ball and Bobby Charlton off at 2-0 when he thought the game was won ....

Was it not Martin Peters?
Anyway wasn't 'The Cats' fault, was some rank defending going on that allowed the Germans to win on that day.

[gonzo]

Anyway wasn't 'The Cats' fault, was some rank defending going on that allowed the Germans to win on that day.

I have watched a lot of footage on that game too and I cant really see how the blame could be on him. Although I doubt (muller?) would ever be able to repeat that 'back-header' ever again.

I wish Chelsea had a top English GK we could send to a World Cup next year

[frank]

Robinson, Hart, Green.

Glen Johnson, A Cole, M Dawson, Ferdinand, Roger Johnson, L King, J Terry.

S Gerrard, F Lampard, Barry, J Milner, A Lennon, J Cole, A Young, M Carrick.

W Rooney, Agbonlahor, P Crouch, M Owen, J DeFoe.

[LBV]

James, Green, Hart

Johnson, Brown, Terry, Ferdinand, Upson, Warnock, Cole

Lennon, Beckham, Carrick, Lampard, Gerrard, Barry, Cole, Milner

Walcott, Rooney, Defoe, Heskey, Crouch

[davidhammers]

1. Hart
2. Johnson
3. A. Cole
4. Gerrard
5. Rio
6. Terry
7. Beckham
8. Lampard
9. Defoe
10. Rooney
11. Lennon
12. Brown
13. Green
14. Lescott
15. Barry
16. J.Cole
17. Milner
18. Parker
19. Crouch
20. Owen
21. Zamora
22. James
23. A.Young

[Geoff]

Is what's his name at centre back for Villa (ex Man City) worth a shout as back up? Richard Dunne, that's the one.

[The Tye]

Is what's his name at centre back for Villa (ex Man City) worth a shout as back up? Richard Dunne, that's the one.

Not really, he's a paddy!!!