batman

This would be my team (not specifically for tonight), playing 4-3-1-2 in the traditional English manner, attack with power and pace ......

James - best of a sorry bunch

Richards - big, powerful, quick and can actually defend
Terry - best English defender in the Premiership
Woodgate - has better tactical nous than Rio and is a better tackler
A Cole - is getting his form back (at last)

Walcott - quick, can beat players and will get better the more he plays
Gerrard - the best English midfielder in the Premiership
J Cole - can play anywhere in midfield, has pace and can score goals

Rooney - a Revie style deep lying forward linking midfield and attack

Crouch - I like to see club partnerships in attack and these two are the only English ones
Defoe - as above

subs: Hart/R Ferdinand/Hargreaves/Young/Agbonlahor

I reckon that team would give anyone a good game.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

DB7

There are clearly major problems facing any England manager; namely the lack of left wingers, and ironically from the land of big bustling centre-forwards - we have none. I'd have experimented with Dean Ashton when he was flying at WHU but he now looks slow and overweight. Crouch and Heskey both have the height but neither like to put themselves about.

billy bentley

I'm with you DB7. If Cappello was going to "shake things up" we wouldn't be having the same old discussions - like Sven when the jobs over, he'll have his money to keep him warm.

wadsy

I didn't see the game but what a great result, apparently Walcott & Rooney

were brilliant. Well done England!!!

batman

A slow start but surprisingly England took control of the game very early. The Croatians were never in it after the first goal and 4-1 flattered them in the end. The front three all did well and the defence was solid. England controlled the game in midfield and Lampard had his best game for a while. A promising performance but I do hope it's not another false dawn.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

David Brent

Was I right or was I right?

What an absolute FAB performance from England.
That is the way England should play all their games. They took control early and played with a lot more confidence.
England could/should have scored 6 had bad refereeing decisions gone their way. Lampard had a stunning individual goal disallowed by a very poor ref decision.

Walcott and Rooney were great but so were many players in the England team.
Let's hope this performance leads to bigger and better things.

Revenge tastes so sweet.

Dave.

DB7

I was right to call ditching Beckham and playing Rooney off a CF, so can I have £6m per annum?

David Brent

Seeing an interview with Capello after the game it seems he still plans to use Beckham in the future - so he has not been ditched quite yet.

Although I agree that he should be. He should make way for youth.

Dave.

batman

You'll have to split it with me .... the performance wasn't disimilar to the one I was talking about yesterday .... an attacking English style display with Walcott on the right!

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

DB7

I can live with that.

You were right about Walcott but I do think you're best playing 442 with England as it should be taken into account they spend little time together so it's best keeping it simple.

billy bentley

Didn't see the game or the goals, but great news. Hats off to Theo Walcott and a fond adieu to Mr. Beckham. Lets hope they can build from this result !

hankoler

I would like to see Heskey replaced but who could fill this roll.

batman

Hesley did OK IMHO, the only other traditional centre-forwards we have are Crouch and Ashton. Agbonlahor could be worth a go.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

billy bentley

You may have to wait a short while for Ashton. He's not as heavy as some like to make out, but he does some a bit over-built (i.e too pumped, not fat) and therefore lacking in the pace department. Saw him against Blackburn and he hit a thunderous volley against the post. Maybe Zola's arrival at Upton Park will be a boost for him (no offence Alan Curbishley).

DB7

I'd imagine Darren Bent must be the nearest thing to an English leader-of-the-line playing at a high (ish) level. And therein lies the problem.