Sol Campbell to Start against Austria and Poland....

[ChuckleBantam]

...Terry and Ferdinand sweating on their places according to Today's Sun. Which proves what I've always said. A fully fit Sol Campbell is the best Centre Half we have got by a country mile. It has to be the ever increasingly clumsy Ferdinand that makes way though. Terry and Campbell should be, when fit our two first choices.

[Rick]

...Terry and Ferdinand sweating on their places according to Today's Sun. Which proves what I've always said. A fully fit Sol Campbell is the best Centre Half we have got by a country mile. It has to be the ever increasingly clumsy Ferdinand that makes way though. Terry and Campbell should be, when fit our two first choices.

Hang on a minute, you we're calling people morons for calling for Svens head because the Sun said so, but now you use the same newspaper as back up for you own views.

IMO whatever any body says, Terry is the best Centre Back in England, When Crouch turned on Sunday he would of had a free shot on goal, but like superman Terry came flying across the front of him to put him off, 2 goals conceeded in 8 games also proves how good he is, although I know the 2 goals conceeded is a team effort, Terry is the captain of that team.

[Barmy]

Agree with Thorney..

At the moment Terry is the best centre back we have.. He should be the first name on the team sheat with Campbell and Ferdinand fightin it out to partner him..

Tho it should be Terry and Campbell for both games with Rio shite at the moment.

[ChuckleBantam]

Hang on a minute, you we're calling people morons for calling for Svens head because the Sun said so, but now you use the same newspaper as back up for you own views.

IMO whatever any body says, Terry is the best Centre Back in England, When Crouch turned on Sunday he would of had a free shot on goal, but like superman Terry came flying across the front of him to put him off, 2 goals conceeded in 8 games also proves how good he is, although I know the 2 goals conceeded is a team effort, Terry is the captain of that team.

I'm just saying what the Sun says. Not that it's right or wrong. The fact that Sol is our first choice centre half when fit is personal opinion and fact. Thankfully, if these reports are true, so does our more than capable England manager. The bit where I say "what I've always said" is what gives it away Thorndyke, do pay attention.

It also says in the Daily Mirror that It's Ferdinand who is sweating in case Sol is picked to Partner Terry, indicating that John "Better than Bobby Moore" Terry is first choice. Either way I couldn't give two hoots, cos It's Ferdinand who is the weak link of the three at present.

[Rick]

The bit where I say "what I've always said" is what gives it away Thorndyke, do pay attention.

Thats not how it was posted, what was posted was

...Terry and Ferdinand sweating on their places according to Today's Sun. Which proves what I've always said.

Which to me and maybe everyone else reading it suggests that you are using the Sun to back up your statement ("proves" gives it away, which was missing from your do pay attention remark), this is the same newspaper you we're slating by saying anyone calling for Svens head because the sun said so, did so like sheep.

So are you back tracking from the statement of the Sun proving your point which is clearly how it reads?

BTW - I'd like to see Carragher and Terry at the back for England.

[ChuckleBantam]

You miss where I state "according to" Thorndyke. Which means that I can see that it is not concrete, but does match an opinion that I have always had and one that I worked out for myself. Try it sometimes Thorndyke, it's so satisfying when It turns out correct.

Carragher is more of your utility good at everything man as opposed to being a world class at one thing man. A great asset to the squad, but not a first choice.

I slate anybody for a sheeplike call for the head of somebody who is doing a splendid job. If any other national team had a manager with a results record as good as Sven's they'd have a job for life. The people who I am getting at are the ones that state the manager should go, but don't have a credible reason WHY he should. People such as youreslf.

Fact; We have one foot in the Finals

Fact; The Pundits and The Players and the F.A are behind him 100%

Fact; his results are second to none

Fact; Only headline seeking arseholes like Dave Whelan and some blokes on a message board only think he's not the man for the job cos the Sun and Star tell him that he should be on the Touchline effing and blinding and pulling his hair out like that other great manager Graham Souness.

How is that the same as me agreeing with something written in the Sun that happens to match an opinion I have ALWAYS had and still do. Campbell IS the man, then you pick one from Ferdinand, Better than Bobby, Woodgate, King and Carragher. That's not sheeplike following, that's facts, which as you know, is ALL I deal in.

[Rick]

The truth of the matter is you are using the Sun to back up your own opinions but slate others who do the same.

You miss where I state "according to" Thorndyke. Which means that I can see that it is not concrete, but does match an opinion that I have always had and one that I worked out for myself. Try it sometimes Thorndyke, it's so satisfying when It turns out correct.

With regards to my own opinions I have them, I'm no sheep and I won't go round thinking I've scored points and being smug and satisfied with myself because what I think ends up being printed in the Sun newspaper.

Just for the Record here are my thoughts on the England Squad, if fit and not suspended.

Play 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 not some system where players don't know what the hell is going on.

GK - Robinson, backup should be Kirkland
LB - A Cole
RB - P Neville
CB - Terry
CB - Carragher
RM - Beckham
LM - J Cole
CM - Lampard
CM - Gerrard
SK - Owen
SK - Rooney

Beckham should play on the right and not be in a so called quarterback role, Gerrard in holding midfield and he should be Captain. Lampard should be allowed to do his thing as at Chelsea and get forward as much as possible.
The left side is still a problem but with out an out and out left winger I have to say Cole until Bridge gets fit, as the A Cole and Bridge combination on the left did have some good points to it.

Players I wouldn't let anywhere near the squad would be, James, Johnson, Crouch, Heskey, Smith and P Neville.

[Shipley Bantam]

Campbell and Terry first choice IMO

[Rick]

Campbell and Terry first choice IMO

Fair do's but Carragher and Terry are one of the first players on the team sheet for their repective teams and one are European Champions and one are Premiership Champions, the same can't be said about Campbell and Arsenal. In fact how many games has Campbell played recently?

[Rick]

Is Shrek banned for saturdays game??

Rooney is suspend from Saturday, I would replace him with Defoe but no doubt Sven will play Crouch who is an average player at best.

[ChuckleBantam]

Players I wouldn't let anywhere near the squad would be, James, Johnson, Crouch, Heskey, Smith and P Neville.

I'll agree with you on Heskey and James and Johnson. But the others are good men to have in the squad. I'd not touch Joe Cole and his circus tricks with a bargepole either

[Parrot]

Ferdinands a fecking liability in defence.....end off!
He got the same concentration levels as David James on Acid:D
Terry & Campbell as centre halfs, depends on "Who" the media inspired Swede picks though;)
Why dont we drop this football manager imposter, he's all smoke & mirrors, & let the nation deciede the team by poll?
Then have coaches to train the players for the games?
£4 million a year? Your having a larf aint ya?:D

[robbieu]

This board never fails to astound me.
Rio Ferdinand is pure class, especially at international level where the pace of the game is far more subdued than the Premiership. It is in this enviroment where Rio excells. His disribution from deep is second to none; it is this part of his game that gives him the advantage over Campbell and others who are indeed all fine players.
His form for Man Utd has been mediocre for the last two games (and not for the whole season as some people are saying in an attempt to justify his exclusion).
Football is like that, sometimes players have a dip in form for a spell. Rio is an experienced pro and Im sure will be able to regain his form and return to where he belongs ie one of the first names on the team sheet.

[Barmy]

Ashley Cole has been ruled out of England's forthcoming World Cup qualifiers with Austria and Poland.

The Arsenal defender has sustained a stress fracture of the foot and looks set for at least a month on the sidelines.

Cole picked up the problem during England's training session on Tuesday and the news will be a huge blow both to Sven Goran Eriksson and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

Eriksson has called up Liverpool's Stephen Warnock, but he insists England still have plenty of options despite Cole's untimely withdrawal.

"He (Cole) has had to pull out unfortunately, they took a scan on his foot and he has a stress fracture so he is probably out for one month," Eriksson revealed at a press conference.

"It's a pity to lose Ashley Cole because Ashley Cole is maybe the best left-back in the world.

"But we have a lot of options including (Jamie) Carragher, Phil Neville, Stephen Warnock and Kieran Richardson who is playing there for Manchester United at the moment."

England face Austria at Old Trafford on Saturday and then play their last qualifying game at the same venue against Poland the following Wednesday.

[tony d]

Warnock would be a good replacement... Very tidy player who keeps improving....More defensive than Cole but hey who isnt :D :D

Richardson has apparently played well at left back whilst covering for Man Utd... Plus he could just push up to replace Joe Cole if things needed a shake up..:)

No dramas yet....

On current form Terry, Campbell is the right choice in the centre.... We as fans are forever moaning that the inform players are not picked...

[Barmy]

What worries me is that in his list of options to replace Cole at left back he's named.....

P. Neville.... NOOOOOOO :D

[Parrot]

This board never fails to astound me.
Rio Ferdinand is pure class, especially at international level where the pace of the game is far more subdued than the Premiership. It is in this enviroment where Rio excells. His disribution from deep is second to none; it is this part of his game that gives him the advantage over Campbell and others who are indeed all fine players.
His form for Man Utd has been mediocre for the last two games (and not for the whole season as some people are saying in an attempt to justify his exclusion).
Football is like that, sometimes players have a dip in form for a spell. Rio is an experienced pro and Im sure will be able to regain his form and return to where he belongs ie one of the first names on the team sheet.

I've never rated Ferdinand, you say he distributes the ball from the back, your right, usually 5 yards to the side or back to the goalie!
Campbell & Terry ARE proper blood 'n' guts center halfs not some posing, poncing, over paid shirker that is Rio:mad:

[Barmy]

I've never rated Ferdinand, you say he distributes the ball from the back, your right, usually 5 yards to the side or back to the goalie!
Campbell & Terry ARE proper blood 'n' guts center halfs not some posing, poncing, over paid shirker that is Rio:mad:
pmsl..

true tho :D

[robbieu]

I've never rated Ferdinand, you say he distributes the ball from the back, your right, usually 5 yards to the side or back to the goalie!
Campbell & Terry ARE proper blood 'n' guts center halfs not some posing, poncing, over paid shirker that is Rio:mad:

silly silly silly cunt, silly cunt,silly cunt

[robbieu]

pmsl..

true tho :D


silly silly silly cunt, silly sunt,silly cunt

[komakino]

Whilst never ever wanting to be seen agreeing with Chuckie Egg, you are a silly cunt.

Ferdinand has been gash this season, for both Man Ure and Ing-ger-lund.

He was at fault for both Fulhams goals at the weekend.

He has been sheeite since the summer when he totally made a prick of himsen with the coinage demands.

[Barmy]

silly silly silly cunt, silly cunt,silly cunt
What, you sayin Rio's not been shite?..

[ChuckleBantam]

Thing is with Rio, where he has got the talent and talent in abundance, he thinks he is a player he is clearly not. The Beckenbauur bring it out and be graceful with t it type. The amount of times that he is caught napping in no mans land when he has lost the ball and give the opposition chance to breakaway are far too numerous to mention. Likewise the amount of times he's flat on his arse in the box when the opposition score (although that has been cut out somewhat since he left Leeds)

Saturday and Wednesday are no games for Fancy Dans. Two games where results are paramount over performance needs players to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in. The loss of Ashley Cole is a blow, but Carragher and Terry have both played Left Back for their clubs, so either (pref Carragher so Terry an play centre back) can slot in there. I'd love to see Warnock get his chance, but these are very big games, but like Tone says, he has the right defensive qualities if called upon.

Becks is also a big doubt, because his son is Ill. That will be a massive blow, cos he is playing out of his skin for Real at the moment and was the best player on the park in both the Taff and Northern Paddy games playing in an unfamiliar role. I hope his boy is ok and Becks can take his place in the team on Saturday.

If we get the result on Saturday and the Dutch beat the Czechs on the same day, we don't even have to get a result against the Poles on Wednesday because we would quakify for the finals automatically as best runners up from the groups, but I hope we see both teams off in style to shut the Sven doubters up. I honestly believe there are England fans here that would love us not to qualify so they can say, "Told You So"

[Rick]

I have to say upsets are common place when away from home but aren't acceptable at home, we should get 6 points from the next 2 games and Poland should also take a deserved place in Germany 2006 as they have suprised me how they have swept all before them (except England of course) in this group, for them to be going into the last game with qualification in there own hands has been surprising, well for me anyway as I thought Wales had more than an outside shot at second place.

[Barmy]

Becks is also a big doubt, because his son is Ill. That will be a massive blow, cos he is playing out of his skin for Real at the moment and was the best player on the park in both the Taff and Northern Paddy games playing in an unfamiliar role. I hope his boy is ok and Becks can take his place in the team on Saturday.
Looks like it, has been let out of hospital today..

[ChuckleBantam]

Aye, saw it, he's coming over to England with his Dad too, which is a good sign he's on the mend.

[Rick]

http://images.thetimes.co.uk/TGD/picture/0,,233396,00.jpg
Sven practising for Saturday;)

I'm sure we'll win, but it's time for the players to put actions to their words, if they want Sven as manager they should at least take the pressure off him by turning out performances worthy of the England shirt and get 6 points by this time next week.

[Poulton]

Rio and terry to start, Sol on bench