Anybody think England would perform better with Gerrard as captain?
602314
Probably but England is England!!!!
1180463
I'm going to say yes, we will beat Ecuador.   \n\nGiven that Carragher and Beckham have been our weakest links in the last two matches (all of Sweden's attack came down that side and Beckham just doesn't run anymore), and that we only have 3 strikers left in the team (one with no experience - why the hell didn't Sven take Defoe??), I'd play a 4-5-1 formation as:\n----------------------Robinson------------------------\n-----Bridge - Ferdinand - Terry - A.Cole---------\nLennon - Gerrard - Carrick - Lampard - J.Cole\n-----------------------Rooney--------------------------\nAdding Carrick in as a defensive midfielder should give Gerrard and Lampard more chance to play their natural attacking game.
615224
Well I watched the England celeb's v England legends that was played at Craven Cottage yesterday, and I have to say, the celeb's looked quite good, but the legends were excellent. They countered the better fitness of the younger celeb team, by exceptional positional play, and silky skills, and they linked up very well together, especially as some had never played with each other before. Beardsley looked dangerous enough that he should still be in the Premiership, and Seaman probably kept them from winning easily with some great first half saves.\nIf the rest of the world can link up together like legends did, I am sorry to say, but I think ROW should do it.\n(P.S - Send Beardsley to partner Owen in Rooney is not fit!!)
1055256
If u look closely,u realise that the england squad are more of a deffensive team,with the likes of terry,ashley cole,garry n,ferdinand as the deffense.In the mid field there is lampard and gerrard,which to my oppinion are more deffensive and their ability to strike arises only when they r loosing and the game is about to end(Not all the time Though).Then the srtikers;owen,crouch.Not too good am afraid,but rooney has a gift i have never seen in any player,He has the Flare,the strenght and speed.He alone in the attack can do it.The last european cup in portugal showed how he opperates in major tornaments.I think Young gun Wayne Rooney is England's weapon of Emence destruction.
426383
Yes, I do.\n\nThis is the reason why: the loss of our best player is obviously bad news, but I now think we have the opportunity to add a balance to our team that has been missing.\n\nWith Rooney in the team we would play 4-4-2, with Lampard and Gerrard in the central midfield berths. This is a remarkably flawed system because both are attacking players with poor tackling skills (Gerrard famously so).\n\nSven is never going to drop Gerrard or Lampard (and who can blame him) but the loss of Rooney allows us to play a five man midfield - Cole (on the left), Beckham (on the right), Lampard (in the centre), Gerrard (in the centre) AND Carrick  (who is a tackling'holding midfielder, in the centre).\n\n(It's worth noting that no team has never won the World Cup without a holding midfielder - even Brazil have always needed a work-horse midfielder to allow their more flamboyant midfielders to shine.)\n\nEngland having a holding midfielder allows Lampard and Gerrard (two of the best attacking midfielders in the world) to head towards goal without having to worry too much about defensive duties.\n\nThis formation will require one striker up front on his own, and I think Peter Crouch would be perfect for this. He can hold up the ball and supply the knock-downs for Gerrard, Cole, Lampard and Beckham to run onto. (And if we need to be more attack minded, we can take off a central midfielder and bring on Owen to parter Crouch.)\n\nThis formation I'm suggesting has been well used by Mourinho and Benitez in England over the last two seasons, and it hasn't done their teams any harm.\n\n(Also worth thinking about: Enlgand got to the World Cup 90 semis without the sublime skills of the injured John Barnes. And France won the World Cup with Zidane missing three games along the way - he'd been sent off early in the tournament.)\n\nSven can make this situation work for him if he chooses to.
661893
It's going to be tough now that they lost Rooney for at least six weeks. But they still have anough scoring options to make a run at it with Owen, Lampard, Gerrard, and Joe Cole. They have a very good team, but it might be tough for them to find the back of the net enough times to carry them to the final.
595380
I think it's a huge factor, but England still have a lot of talented players...Sean Wright Phillips might get a chance now.  They've still got Lampard, Cole, Beckham, Crouch...
878319
I don't think so. The problem with the Reds is that Benitez tries to many combinations and players don't have enough time to get used to each other tactics. A poor form in the skipper Gerrard and a lack of finish away from home( they haven't scored away in over 9 hrs) is what the reds are lacking. I hope they will win some silverware this season because they're a good team.
563157
Looks pretty strong around. especially in defense, midfield, and wings. only problem i feel is that there in no defensive midfielder in the team. they tried Ledley king in the friendly against Argentina and it worked, but unfortunately he is in injured. beckam was tried with disastrous results against northern Ireland and Denmark both games they lost.\n    i don't like the sound of peter crouch upfront,i somehow dint like him.they should have given chance to Defoe or bent in his place. hope fully Owen will be fit to start and Rooney by 2nd round or quarters. i hope they go all the way, they are in easier group, and you cannot say what will happen in the knock out phase.
234645
Depends.  What I feel England lack is a world class spin bowler.  If the wickets are such that out seam/swing attck is favoured I would give us a very good chance against anyone.  If the wicket turns sharply later and doesn't offer much to the quicks early then we will struggle.
631638
Crouch he held the ball up and took his goal well. With rooney unfit playing crouch would help to get the best out of owen who cannot play on his own upfront, Gerrard was awful out of position and lampard looked tired. Joe cole didnt put in a single cross and beckham is 5years passes his best
597973
England will win their group most certainly.  I think whoever steps in for Rooney (i.e. Darren Bent, Crouch, Defoe, or even Joe Cole) could step in for him admirably.  He is a great player, but his absence should make the players still around play that much harder!  Keep in mind they have Owen, Gerrard, Lampard, and Joe Cole, guys who never seem to have a hard time finding the net when it is necessary!  I think they will get to at least the quarterfinals, but I am pulling for them to go all the way.
697174
...yep I like that...especially when the team is not doing so well they could look down at their top for inspiration...I think it would look good. good idea...England could use bigger stars, as they'd have less! lol (-:
710611
He cant do a worse job than the recent captains..the main problem for the US is to get them playing like a team, and anyone who can supress the egos of a disparate bunch of superstars stands a chance. Europe's players are individually not as good, but as a team they have been kicking our butts recently.
174585
well... lets jus see who england have to play... i mean if we didnt have to play Brazil last year.... then we.... might have won.... but our team is better Erickson is doing well with us... so i say we will do it for sure
1083852
im not pleased at all , wouldve been a good game to watch ,  especially when you and the england team know they dont stand a chance in hell beating them lol hence your ( thank god ) comment
295913
I would say IN. I still think he has the engine to keep England running. England needs his pin point passing into the penalty area and also his trademark freekicks. With him in the team, i would say the chances of winning are much higher.