Posted this in the England Thread. Joe for me.
Beefymcfc wrote:There are a few points that I'd like to raise beginning with the fact that if Green hadn't have fucked up, we would've won the game. Watching all the qualifiers and friendlies, it was clear to see that the back four had no real confidence in Green's and James' abilities; they seemed to be worried about every aspect of the keeping. However, when Joe came on in the last 2 friendlies, the back four seemed to have total confidence and we were a better team for him being on the field. What winds me up is that you've got Green who nearly went down with West Ham and James who did go down with Portsmouth, able to be considered in front of a player who became Brums Player of the Year and help them into a very creditable position in their first year in the Prem. Fair enough, he hasn't got that International experience but when you consider that first and foremost the ability to be able to stop goals going in the net is a pre-requisite, then why would anyone opt for James or Green, what have they actually achieved in their own playing careers?
So, on the goalkeeper front, I'd have no hestitation in giving Joe the jersey, not because I am biased but because he is the one who has the form and moreover, the trust of the other players.
Another point I'd like to raise is Ledley King and Harry Redknapp. This is a sore subject for me because I honestly feel that these 2 could've really fucked our chances up. I distinctly remember Harry talking up Ledley's chances of going to the World Cup and specifically said that he could play in all games aslong as he's rested inbetween. Ledley then went on to play 3 games in 10 days proving that his knee's could handle it and gave him a pass for Fabio to pick him. Looking back, it is plain to see that Ledley would not be able to hack the pace as he's not been able to string 3 games together for quite a while, and I'd suggest that Ledley was probably taken injections just to force is way into the England squad.
So, on the defender front, I'd have gone for Dawson even before Rio, as we all know how injury prone these 2 are. And when you consider Dawson's form this season, he has been immense for them and when I've watched their games he has shown excellent ability as well as very good leadership qualities which should have given him an automatic place, not a last minute call-up.
My last point has to be on the Heskey situation, why is he on the pitch? OK, he can hold the ball up blah blah blah, but his job is to score goals surely, otherwise he may as well be a midfielder. Using 2 people for only one to score is far from ideal but if Fabio decided to put Crouch up there from the start, then at least he can do both and he'd allow Rooney to actually get up with play.
Luckily, we have 5 days now to get things right and I'm just hoping Fabio has learnt from his mistakes. Let's just hope he's got the balls to drop people that are not up to the task, just as he did when telling Terry he's lost his captaincy.
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