Carra in midfield for England

[urban]

anyone see italy changing their formation and playing fabio cannavarro in defensive midfield for the world cup? thought not.

don't think it's got anything to do with pressure to select carra.

 

I would actually prefer Carra to play alongside Terry, and for (ARGH!!!!) Ferdinand to play as the DM instead. The reason is because Carra is a better defender and Ferdinand thinks he is a midfielder.

[Guest Xabi34]

He should just go three at the back, move Beckham inside with Lampard and Gerrard, and have Cole and Owen up front.

 

I don't like the 3-5-2 formation, but if you have the personel to use it .i.e. good central defenders, it can be an effective system.

Edited May 30, 2006 by Xabi34

[Gomez]

not a great position for JC. He will work hard and close players down, but its like having hamann instead of momo. You know he is going to do a solid job, but he isnt going to be the guy that can start the attacks. IMO Carrick is better suited to that role, and is certianly much more experienced playing there.

 

Not to judge on one game, but Carrick was very poor against Belarus.

 

It's interesting that he both seems intent on playing Hargreaves everywhere bar the defensive midfield position, and playing everyone bar Hargreaves in that position. He has apparently excelled there for Bayern.

[Sion]

not a great position for JC. He will work hard and close players down, but its like having hamann instead of momo. You know he is going to do a solid job, but he isnt going to be the guy that can start the attacks. IMO Carrick is better suited to that role, and is certianly much more experienced playing there.

 

I thought Carrick was very poor vs Belarus, probably why he wasn't picked for tonight. If Carragher had played like Carrick against such a poor side, the press would be calling for his head.

[Armin_Tamzarian]

Carragher is a better defender than Ferdinand but Rio is more accomplished on the ball. If Sven felt he had to tamper at the last minute he may have been better playing a back 3 and asking Rio to play as a sweeper?

 

It's a long time since JC played the defensive midfielder role. I hope he isn't being hung out to dry here, he's been one of the best defenders in Europe for the past 2 years, hope people remember that if he fails to take to this last minute experiment.

[psl]

No, but it's got a lot to do with not dropping ferdinand.

 

No it hasn't. Its just down to wanting to play Stevie further up, needing protection for Lampard in midfield and not trusting Carrick to do it at this level. King would be playing there were he fit.

[alias75]

Yeah distribution will be a problem but im sure Carra will keep it very simple and give the ball to players that can pass it better. One thing is for sure we know he'll be very disciplined in that positiion and at least it allows Stevie to play further forward.

 

Hope he does well, there wont be anyone trying any harder thats for sure.

[Gilps]

Not to judge on one game, but Carrick was very poor against Belarus.

 

It's interesting that he both seems intent on playing Hargreaves everywhere bar the defensive midfield position, and playing everyone bar Hargreaves in that position. He has apparently excelled there for Bayern.

 

I find it hard to believe that Hargreaves has ever truly excelled anywhere.

[Gomez]

Carragher is a better defender than Ferdinand but Rio is more accomplished on the ball. If Sven felt he had to tamper at the last minute he may have been better playing a back 3 and asking Rio to play as a sweeper?

Ferdinand is more acomplished on the ball, but not as much as he thinks he is, hence he makes a lot more mistakes than Carra, who know he is no Beckenbaur, so doesn't get caught out.

 

No it hasn't. Its just down to wanting to play Stevie further up, needing protection for Lampard in midfield and not trusting Carrick to do it at this level. King would be playing there were he fit.

 

Where Stevie plays has no bearing on who is the better defender between ferdinand or Carra. It's only due to injury to wonderboy that he has decided to free Gerrard from being Lampard's lacky.

 

Ultimately, Lampard should not be starting for England as he is not as good as Gerrard and there is only room for one. Anything else is a botched attempt at appeasement rather than building a functional team.

[Swagger]

It just needs to be said that Sven is playing one of the best CBs in Europe in midfield. He truly is an idiot. If it wasn't for the fact he has been playing one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe out of position for the last 3 years ("though he's never really done it for England...") I would be mortified.

 

Totally agreed, especially with the idiot part.

[Gilps]

Ultimately, Lampard should not be starting for England as he is not as good as Gerrard and there is only room for one. Anything else is a botched attempt at appeasement rather than building a functional team.

 

You could have a more than functioning team with both in it if you played Gerrard on the right, but that's not going to happen with Beckham around.

[psl]

Ferdinand is more acomplished on the ball, but not as much as he thinks he is, hence he makes a lot more mistakes than Carra, who know he is no Beckenbaur, so doesn't get caught out.

Where Stevie plays has no bearing on who is the better defender between ferdinand or Carra. It's only due to injury to wonderboy that he has decided to free Gerrard from being Lampard's lacky.

 

Ultimately, Lampard should not be starting for England as he is not as good as Gerrard and there is only room for one. Anything else is a botched attempt at appeasement rather than building a functional team.

 

In fairness, Lampard's goal return in the qualifiers would suggest he's a key member of the side. I agree that Stevie could have scored a similar number if he were playing in that position but that doesn't detract from the fact that Lampard has proven his worth. England have two of the best attacking midfielders in Europe and both should be playing with licence to go forward. The presence of two of the best strikers in Europe has made that difficult however. Rooney's injury has provided an opportunity to free Gerrard, have both he and Lampard in the team with a defensive midfield player. The inclusion of Carragher therefore has nothing to do with Sven avoiding dropping Ferdinand but everything to do with his cautious nature and his decision that as he has two central midfielders pushing forward, a central defender in midfield will provide the extra cover required.

[Guest Xabi34]

Ferdinand has got to be the most overrated defender in Europe.

[Ratters]

I am sure this is more to do with picking up the dangerous hole men in WC.

[Mike]

I find it hard to believe that Hargreaves has ever truly excelled anywhere.

 

Canada

 

 

I am sure this is more to do with picking up the dangerous hole men in WC.

 

Freddie Mercury?

[McBain]

Daft move by a daft coach

[Stevie H]

I am sure this is more to do with picking up the dangerous hole men in WC.

definitely. i can see the logic behind it. plus it should enable gerrard to play his natural game and be far more effective. assuming lampard passes to him and doesn't just try to shoot every time he gets it.

[Guest jjasonuk]

Ratters, thats a very good point. He could be looking into a system he may have to deply against a team in the second round or later, maybe Brazil?

 

If it works he may well start this way, if not he has the option of Crouch up front.

 

I think he likes the idea of crouch coming on from the bench to 'shake it up'

[RedHarvest]

botched attempt at appeasement rather than building a functional team.

This accurately sums up the Ericsson era so far.

[aka Dus]

Neither the problem nor the mockery here is Carra, it is clearly Svennis.

 

Messing around with personnel and positions in your penultimate warm up game 10 days before the WC starts. He's a spoofer.

[Gomez]

Neither the problem nor the mockery here is Carra, it is clearly Svennis.

 

Messing around with personnel and positions in your penultimate warm up game 10 days before the WC starts. He's a spoofer.

 

You mean all those friendlies we played that disrupted the domestic season and were crucial for Sven's preperation weren't used effectively because we couldn't 'rest' the big players and try out alternate strategies in case it affected the marketablity of the match and reduced the FA's profit?

 

Well, that's a scandal I tell you...

[David Hodgson]

The scary thing is, Sven has picked exactly the England team and formation I picked myself, whilst musing t'other day.....this either means, either I'm smart enough to be a manager, or Sven is a f*cking idiot......you decide..

[cymrococh]

I am sure this is more to do with picking up the dangerous hole men in WC.

George Michael?

[Stevie H]

The scary thing is, Sven has picked exactly the England team and formation I picked myself, whilst musing t'other day.....this either means, either I'm smart enough to be a manager, or Sven is a f*cking idiot......you decide..

 

shall we do a poll?

[Mike]

George Michael?

 

beat you