Gary Neville's still injured apparently

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

...or something. Probably...

 

Sven-Goran Eriksson may consider playing David Beckham as an attacking right-back in England's final group game against Sweden after being impressed with the relative success of the captain's redeployment in a more defensive role.

 

 

Beckham was shifted to the right side of England's defence to accommodate Aaron Lennon against Trinidad & Tobago as Eriksson sought a way of breathing life into a laboured display. Lennon's pace discomfited T&T in Nuremberg, and with England dominating possession Beckham was able to take up attacking positions similar to those he assumed earlier in the more rigid 4-4-2. It was from just such a position that Beckham provided Peter Crouch with the opener

 

The move is tempting to Eriksson in the absence of Gary Neville because it allows the coach to keep his captain in the side and incorporate Lennon's match-turning abilities. Jamie Carragher, Neville's replacement on Thursday, is dependable but as a converted centre-half does not offer the same overlapping qualities as the Manchester United player.

Neville is likely to be missing again against Sweden and it remains to be seen if England work on the formation when training resumes today. It would be a bold move and one likely to attract criticism because of the coach's apparently slavish devotion to keeping Beckham in the side.

 

His performances thus far do not justify omission however - in the absence of fluency from the midfield quartet the captain's right foot has been the likeliest source of goals.

[Nebraska Red]

does he get a turn in goal as well.

 

Beckhamania strikes again.

 

Stick Lumpturd at right back and tell him to keep out of Gerrard's way.

 

I'd put Carragher alongside Terry as Frogface looked horrible at times.

[Cooldude]

Freddie Ljungberg says thank you

[Maldini]

It's not Beckhamania. Beckham is more of a Macho Man Randy Beckham, he lets his woman Victoria Miss Elizabeth affect how he operates in the ring on the pitch

[Guest Jack Bauer]

i wouldnt play carra at rightback again tbh, he doesn't have the attacking game at that position.

[Guest Sabre]

Lennon won't be nearly as effective from the start and Beckham would be destroyed by a decent team.

[anny road]

i wouldnt play carra at rightback again tbh, he doesn't have the attacking game at that position.

 

 

so beckham? instead of Carra?

 

Arent defenders suppoosed to be able to defend? The world has gone f***ing mental

 

If this is what it ihas come to for England they may as well pack up now

[McBain]

It worked for 10 minutes against Trinidad and Tobago, therefore it'll work for 90 against Sweden

 

The man is mental

[smithdown]

so beckham? instead of Carra?

 

Arent defenders suppoosed to be able to defend? The world has gone f***ing mental

 

If this is what it ihas come to for England they may as well pack up now

 

 

 

Swedish players will be fighting with each other on the bus to get to play left wing.

[filopastry]

Ljungberg v Beckham's defensive skills, as enjoyable as that would be to see, I don't think Sven's that daft

[jariiiiiiiiiise]

 

Swedish players will be fighting with each other on the bus to get to play left wing.

 

if that worries you think what the Argies would do to him

 

...or something. Probably...

 

Sven-Goran Eriksson may consider playing David Beckham as an attacking right-back in England's final group game against Sweden after being impressed with the relative success of the captain's redeployment in a more defensive role.

Beckham was shifted to the right side of England's defence to accommodate Aaron Lennon against Trinidad & Tobago as Eriksson sought a way of breathing life into a laboured display. Lennon's pace discomfited T&T in Nuremberg, and with England dominating possession Beckham was able to take up attacking positions similar to those he assumed earlier in the more rigid 4-4-2. It was from just such a position that Beckham provided Peter Crouch with the opener

 

The move is tempting to Eriksson in the absence of Gary Neville because it allows the coach to keep his captain in the side and incorporate Lennon's match-turning abilities. Jamie Carragher, Neville's replacement on Thursday, is dependable but as a converted centre-half does not offer the same overlapping qualities as the Manchester United player.

Neville is likely to be missing again against Sweden and it remains to be seen if England work on the formation when training resumes today. It would be a bold move and one likely to attract criticism because of the coach's apparently slavish devotion to keeping Beckham in the side.

 

His performances thus far do not justify omission however - in the absence of fluency from the midfield quartet the captain's right foot has been the likeliest source of goals.

 

If for example Owen had worked for the team (for Once) and pulled out wide and ran the flanks on occasion like Lennon did, then Cole could have push up and played as a striker while owen was on the right then there would be no need to put beck's at wingback

 

then again sven knows best

[Rimbeux]

It's a fair move if England are chasing the game, but it's crackers from the start, Lennon is still no more than an impact player, and Beckham has no pace, no experience of the position, and no defensive skills to shout about. In a 343, maybe, but that will never happen.

[Guest Cally77]

If he wants to use Beckham a little deeper he has to go 3-5-2 and use him as a wing back. He could then also use Carrick in a playmaker role and push Gerrard and Lampard forward and still keep Owen and Rooney in. Lennon should be used as an impact sub.

Edited June 17, 2006 by Cally77

[Knox_Harrington]

I have to admit I think it's a fantastic move and exactly what England need to do to win the tournament. It's similar to Sorin playing at left back for Argentina. It means that they will have essentially a back three with Beckham at wing-back, ready to whip the ball across when Lennon rolls it back to him. Plays into Beckham's strengths going forward.

[Herbie von Smalls]

if it means the removal of lampard from midfield too it can only be a good thing for england.

[Knox_Harrington]

if it means the removal of lampard from midfield too it can only be a good thing for england.

It should do beause England would be more solid with Gerrard as a box-to-box midfielder alongside a holding player than they are with Lampard alongside Gerrard, as well as more capable of retaining possession. But it probably won't. Small steps though.

[Earl Hafler]

I have to admit I think it's a fantastic move and exactly what England need to do to win the tournament. It's similar to Sorin playing at left back for Argentina. It means that they will have essentially a back three with Beckham at wing-back, ready to whip the ball across when Lennon rolls it back to him. Plays into Beckham's strengths going forward.

 

Yeah - watch in awe as Beckham bypasses the entire England midfield with 70 yard passes from right back, one of them landing within a few feet of Owen and therefor guaranteeing Beckham's England place for the next twelvety years.

 

You watch Brazil and Argentina and their short, triangulated passing ( a player rarely has to hurry anything because he is well supported ) Working the ball upfield and opening up defences with intelligent off-the-ball running and you realise that England do **** all in training.

 

Too many quarter backs, not enough running backs.

[madaboutlfc]

 

Swedish players will be fighting with each other on the bus to get to play left wing.

do they bat for the other side

[Gunga Din]

if England dont play someone capable of defending at right back, then Sweden will exploit that side.

 

i personally wouldnt be surprised if that c*** Sven plays Stevie at right back, thus saving himself the bother of dropping lampard, and play lampard and carrick in midfield

[Rimbeux]

if England dont play someone capable of defending at right back, then Sweden will exploit that side.

 

i personally wouldnt be surprised if that c*** Sven plays Stevie at right back, thus saving himself the bother of dropping lampard, and play lampard and carrick in midfield

 

He'll still have the issue of Lampard being ordinary without two other players in the middle

[Guest Kev]

Carragher is the English Hansen. Can't believe they are considering putting someone who shirks out of every tackle at right back.

 

England team will be Beckham, Lampard, Terry and Ferdinand. The remaining 7 will fit in.

 

Come on Spain

[Herbie von Smalls]

It should do beause England would be more solid with Gerrard as a box-to-box midfielder alongside a holding player than they are with Lampard alongside Gerrard, as well as more capable of retaining possession. But it probably won't. Small steps though.

agreed.

 

can't be sure what sven's instructions to Gerrard and lampard are, but i suspect it's that both of them are to share defensive and attacking duties in the midfield. so far it seems Stevie understands the importance of doing both, while lampard is ineffective attacking and unenthusiastic in defending, happy to leave Stevie as the default holding midfielder rather than get his own boots dirty.