Apparenly England are going to play 4-3-3

[Manwell Pablo]

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,1...2801554,00.html

So what do we reckon.

Plastic pitch, massive game, travelling halfway across Europe to a sub zero climate, three good wins on the bounce. Not the time to be ****ing around trying new things just to accomdate Frank Lampard in my opinion but then this is Steve McLaren. Just as I thought he was doing something resembling an acceptable job as well.

[Fez of Mahrez]

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,1...2801554,00.html

So what do we reckon.

Plastic pitch, massive game, travelling halfway across Europe to a sub zero climate, three good wins on the bounce. Not the time to be ****ing around trying new things just to accomdate Frank Lampard in my opinion but then this is Steve McLaren. Just as I thought he was doing something resembling an acceptable job as well.

I agree with the idea of leaving out Wright-Phillips to be honest.

And if it's 4-3-3, it means we're in control.

If not, it's going to look more like 4-5-1 with Rooney having to play wide right and Owen up front on his own. Can't see that working personally.

I wouldn't worry too much though. If it's working well, he'll stick with it. If not, he'll push Gerrard out wide right and play 4-4-2 which wouldn't be the end of the world.

[Manwell Pablo]

I agree with the idea of leaving out Wright-Phillips to be honest.

And if it's 4-3-3, it means we're in control.

If not, it's going to look more like 4-5-1 with Rooney having to play wide right and Owen up front on his own. Can't see that working personally.

I wouldn't worry too much though. If it's working well, he'll stick with it. If not, he'll push Gerrard out wide right and play 4-4-2 which wouldn't be the end of the world.

I don't see the point in bringing Frank back though, he's been out for ages, and we're going to sling him into the starting line up in Moscow after a long lay off when the team thats played tha last three games has been getting the results, don't see the point.

Also, the last time we tried to play 4-3-3 didn't we lose 1-0 to NI?

Bad feeling about this.

[Fez of Mahrez]

I don't see the point in bringing Frank back though, he's been out for ages, and we're going to sling him into the starting line up in Moscow after a long lay off when the team thats played tha last three games has been getting the results, don't see the point.

Also, the last time we tried to play 4-3-3 didn't we lose 1-0 to NI?

Bad feeling about this.

No, I don't see the need to accommodate Lampard either. He's dropped him for a reason, now we've got a bigger game against better opponents and he's bringing him back when the team are playing well. I agree, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

[Sparky]

only change id make is to replace the injured ashley cole , why change anything else ?

[David O'Leary]

only change id make is to replace the injured ashley cole , why change anything else ?

Because he can?....

[Geo V]

One of the last disastrous team selections that cost us a place in a major event was good old Graham Taylor and his 352 away to Sweden which went tats up. Lets hope that playing a new system that hasn't even been tried in friendlies doesnt end up costing us again.

[Milky]

I think we'll stick with 4-4-2. Unless it's been stated otherwise?

[James.]

In training yesterday they played in a 4-4-2 with Lampard left out suggesting exactly the same team as Estonia but with Lescott/Neville coming in for Cole.

I'd be happy with that. Don't really see any substantial need to change.

EDIT: unless we're trying to bluff the Russians of course and avert to 4-3-3 to try and surprise them... doubt it though.

[Tevez]

4-3-3 is good enough for me, personally this formation will make England in control of the game.

[Manwell Pablo]

I think we'll stick with 4-4-2. Unless it's been stated otherwise?

In training yesterday they played in a 4-4-2 with Lampard left out suggesting exactly the same team as Estonia but with Lescott/Neville coming in for Cole.

I'd be happy with that. Don't really see any substantial need to change.

EDIT: unless we're trying to bluff the Russians of course and avert to 4-3-3 to try and surprise them... doubt it though.

The link at the top of the page maybe chaps?

[Durnerz]

If it ain't broke. Don't Fix it. No one is bigger than the team. Hes not exactly going to get a backlash from the England fans if he doesn't include Lampard, the only change i'd make is Ashley Cole, for obvious reasons.

[Dames]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/i...als/7043418.stm

Everton defender Joleon Lescott is expected to make his first start for England in Wednesday's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia.

Lescott, 25, who made his international debut as a substitute against Estonia on Saturday, is set to replace the injured Ashley Cole at left-back.

Meanwhile, Frank Lampard is likely to start on the bench again as England keep faith with a 4-4-2 system.

YES!

[Manwell Pablo]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/i...als/7043418.stm

Everton defender Joleon Lescott is expected to make his first start for England in Wednesday's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia.

Lescott, 25, who made his international debut as a substitute against Estonia on Saturday, is set to replace the injured Ashley Cole at left-back.

Meanwhile, Frank Lampard is likely to start on the bench again as England keep faith with a 4-4-2 system.

YES!

Good all round news, Lescott deserves a chance and the formation should not be changed.

[Fez of Mahrez]

I thought Lescott looked very shaky against Estonia, it will be a huge test of character for him tomorrow night.

[Manwell Pablo]

I thought Lescott looked very shaky against Estonia, it will be a huge test of character for him tomorrow night.

It's alright Debut nerves!

Seriously, His form this season has been very good. But your right it is a big ask, anyone stepping into the England side for such a big game would be worried and rightly so, they're a ready made scape goat for fans and press alike.

[Ric Flair]

Is Kick-off something like 4 pm today? Comendable, saves me going to the pub eager to see a quality game of football and instead witnessing a grotesque serving. Looking forward to the sweaties against Georgia instead.

[Milky]

The link at the top of the page maybe chaps?

That's shitty Teamtalk.com though. Seems like they're wrong again anyway.

[Manwell Pablo]

Is Kick-off something like 4 pm today? Comendable, saves me going to the pub eager to see a quality game of football and instead witnessing a grotesque serving. Looking forward to the sweaties against Georgia instead.

4pm it is, annoying. I'll probabley miss the whole of the first half.

[Ric Flair]

4pm it is, annoying. I'll probabley miss the whole of the first half.

Which is usually when England play their best football in that time. Not worth bothering with the 2nd half (praying these words come back to haunt me)

[lookwhaticando]

It's alright Debut nerves!

Seriously, His form this season has been very good. But your right it is a big ask, anyone stepping into the England side for such a big game would be worried and rightly so, they're a ready made scape goat for fans and press alike.

He's looked brilliant whenever I've watched an Everton game (I've seen a few this season already).

I often wondered why he hadn't been called up sooner... he's been pretty solid for a while. He's doing a Kisnorbo 06/07 for Everton as well... scoring most of their goals in the first few weeks of the season.

[Bert]

Hope he does keep faith.

Also will someone PLEASE put the "t" in the word "apparently" in the thread title, cos it's so annoying seeing "apparenly".