England World Cup X1 - from the past

crunchman · July 2018

Dodge said:

crunchman said:

There are other positions we never seem to be good at - like left side of midfield.

You've conveniently forgotten Steve Guppy, who Kevin Keegan desicribed as a left-sided David Beckham.

Indeed.

Is that meant to be a compliment to Guppy?

You might notice that I didn't include the right sided version of Beckham in my side above, although I might have if I'd gone 4-4-2.

Dodge · July 2018

crunchman said:

Dodge said:

crunchman said:

There are other positions we never seem to be good at - like left side of midfield.

You've conveniently forgotten Steve Guppy, who Kevin Keegan desicribed as a left-sided David Beckham.

Indeed.

Is that meant to be a compliment to Guppy?
You might notice that I didn't include the right sided version of Beckham in my side above, although I might have if I'd gone 4-4-2.

I don't know, KK said it not me. ;-)

I remember Guppy being described the answer to our left sided problems, presumably as he was the only person in England playing at that time who actually could kick a ball with his left foot.

I'm not sure our left sided problem has ever truly been resolved - Ashley Young always seems to cut in onto his right foot.

Bridgehouse · July 2018

I’m left footed and I can make myself available in 2020.

Mind you, I couldn’t hit a cows arse with a cricket bat for accuracy, and my speed would be described as glacial.

Lestratcaster · July 2018

Alan Thompson was another naturally left-sided midfield touted as a possible solution to the nation's problem, but he was never good as he was for Celtic.

MagicPigDetective · July 2018

It's surprising that no one has mention Hoddle, wasn't he an outstandingly gifted passer of the ball, the kind of midfielder England are crying out for these days, perhaps he would have suited the modern game better.

And a left-field suggestion - Rob Jones was a superb right back who's international career was cut short by injury.

Bridgehouse · July 2018

MagicPigDetective said:

It's surprising that no one has mention Hoddle, wasn't he an outstandingly gifted passer of the ball, the kind of midfielder England are crying out for these days, perhaps he would have suited the modern game better.

He was quite derisory about disabled people tho...

crunchman · July 2018

MagicPigDetective said:

It's surprising that no one has mention Hoddle, wasn't he an outstandingly gifted passer of the ball, the kind of midfielder England are crying out for these days, perhaps he would have suited the modern game better.
And a left-field suggestion - Rob Jones was a superb right back who's international career was cut short by injury.

Jones was a good player. Did think about him before going for Neville. With a back 3 and wingbacks, I'd probably take Trippier from the current squad though.

Regarding Hoddle, he was incredibly gifted but he wasn't the most industrious. Gifted as he was though, I don't think he was as gifted as Gascoigne.

Interesting that most people (including me) left out Rooney. I think we are all remembering the overweight, unfit Rooney of the last 2 or 3 years.

axisus · July 2018

crunchman said:

Keeper is difficult. There isn't anyone with a history of stopping penalties, but Shilton is probably better overall than Seaman, unless you go completely left field and bring in someone who never played much for England.
Both of our semi final appearances have come playing three centre backs, so I'm going with that formation. Which three is tricky. You do need ball players back there, but at the same time, I'd really like some pace - which means Des Walker or Sol Campbell. Campbell needed all his pace to make up for his poor positioning though. You also want someone who is a dominant header of the ball who can be a threat at set pieces.
Having said all that, I'd go Ferdinand, Adams, and Campbell, and hope Campbell didn't get caught out of position too often.
Stuart Pearce is the left wing back. Not as fast as Cole, but far better defending the back post on headers, and his left foot was awesome.
Right wing back would be tricky. I'd probably go for Gary Neville. He played that role quite well in Euro 1996. With Pearce and Neville able to drop in, it would give you flexibility to go to a back four if you wanted an attacking substitute.
3 central midfielders. You need someone to sit in front of the defence.  Nicky Butt did it very very well in the 2002 world cup. I'd rather have Butt than some of the more "talented" players who would go forwards and get caught out of position. The other option there would be Ray Wilkins, but I'm just a bit too young to remember him at his best, so I'll go with Butt.
The more attacking midfielders would be Bryan Robson and Gascoigne.
Up front, Lineker is obvious. The question is who you play off of him. Keegan wasn't at his best in 82, but he was European player of the year twice. We haven't had many players of his calibre. If I could have the 1978 Keegan that would be a no brainer. If we are sticking to the rules about 82 onwards, I'd probably play it safe and go with Bearsdley, as I know him and Lineker work as a pair.
To summarise:
                                  Shilton
         Adams     Ferdinand          Campbell
G Neville                                                      Pearce
                                   Butt
                   Robson         Gascoigne
                         Beardsley
                                  Lineker

Edit: the 1998 version of Owen on the bench as an impact sub.

You strike me as someone with a proper football head. I'm more of a "yay, one of our guys kicked the ball ... yay, one of our guys kicked the ball ... yay, one of our guys kicked the ball ..."

sev112 · July 2018

David James

Stuart Pearce
Frank Lampard snr
alvin Martin
rio ferdinand

trevor brooking
allan Devonshire
Frank lampard Junior
michael carrick

Joe cole
andy carroll

crunchman · July 2018

sev112 said:

David James

Stuart Pearce
Frank Lampard snr
alvin Martin
rio ferdinand

trevor brooking
allan Devonshire
Frank lampard Junior
michael carrick

Joe cole
andy carroll

Wouldn't you be better with Phil Parkes in goal?

You missed Julian Dicks as well. I wonder what Neymar would be like when Dicks had finished with him.

guitars4you · July 2018

Bridgehouse said:

Mind you, I couldn’t hit a cows arse with a cricket bat for accuracy,

didn't stop Sterling getting in the team/squad

guitars4you · July 2018

crunchman said:

MagicPigDetective said:

It's surprising that no one has mention Hoddle, wasn't he an outstandingly gifted passer of the ball, the kind of midfielder England are crying out for these days, perhaps he would have suited the modern game better.
Regarding Hoddle, he was incredibly gifted but he wasn't the most industrious. Gifted as he was though, I don't think he was as gifted as Gascoigne.

I was torn between Glen and Gazza - couldn't carry both in the same team, so I opted for Gazza, as I feel more goals would come from him, as well as setting them up

I personally would not have Beckham anywhere near the squad and certainly not in the team - many will disagree but I won't change my opinion

Hick81 · July 2018

5/3/2 Formation

Seaman

Neville
Campbell
Walker
Ferdinand
Cole

Robson
Scholes
Gasgoine

Rooney
Lineker

Subs
Owen
Shearer
Terry
Adams
Platt
Pearce
Shilton

guitars4you · July 2018

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ not a bad side/formation - I'd change Wayne for Alan - otherwise a fine side with Robson sitting in the middle of the midfield 3 and Gazza/Scholes slightly ahead and left/right but freedom to roam

crunchman · July 2018

guitars4you said:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ not a bad side/formation - I'd change Wayne for Alan - otherwise a fine side with Robson sitting in the middle of the midfield 3 and Gazza/Scholes slightly ahead and left/right but freedom to roam

Robson was at his best earlier in his career when he was making runs into the box. Ditch Scholes, who will get himself sent off anyway, and play Robson in a more advanced role.

Bring in someone to sit in front of the defence who plays that role naturally. I picked Butt in my team, but if you want Hargreaves, or someone else, I wouldn't argue with you. Having Robson in there instead of Scholes also provides a bit more defensively when you don't have the ball.

Has to be Pearce ahead of Cole as well. Trippier has shown the importance of quality delivery of the ball from the flanks. Pearce is much better at that than Cole. He would also be much better in the air at the back post defensively. The added bonus is that he gives you a quality left footed option at free kicks.

sev112 · July 2018

crunchman said:

sev112 said:

David James

Stuart Pearce
Frank Lampard snr
alvin Martin
rio ferdinand

trevor brooking
allan Devonshire
Frank lampard Junior
michael carrick

Joe cole
andy carroll

Wouldn't you be better with Phil Parkes in goal?

You missed Julian Dicks as well. I wonder what Neymar would be like when Dicks had finished with him.

. I had both of them in the first draft ! But the I checked the caps, and they didn’t show

so I dropped them both for not having enoughengland caps - ha !

RMJ · July 2018

Shilton

Pearce
Walker
Wright
G. Neville
Waddle
Ince
Scholes or Hoddle or Gascoigne
Barnes
Beardsley
Lineker

Bridgehouse · July 2018

guitars4you said:

Bridgehouse said:

Mind you, I couldn’t hit a cows arse with a cricket bat for accuracy,

didn't stop Sterling getting in the team/squad

Only cos he’s a bit quicker than me

crunchman · July 2018

RMJ said:

Shilton
Pearce
Walker
Wright
G. Neville
Waddle
Ince
Scholes or Hoddle or Gascoigne
Barnes
Beardsley
Lineker

Ince is a good call. Forgot about him.

RMJ · July 2018

crunchman said:

RMJ said:

Shilton
Pearce
Walker
Wright
G. Neville
Waddle
Ince
Scholes or Hoddle or Gascoigne
Barnes
Beardsley
Lineker

Ince is a good call. Forgot about him.

England need a dog in midfield. Not had one for years. Batty was the last I can think of.

Also....The 1990 world cup squad was exceptional when you look back.

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England World Cup X1 - from the past

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