Capello's 1st Selection

[Bryn]

Lennon and Wright Phillips are vastly inferior to Bentley and Beckham.

[lildave3]

It's going to be tougher for Capello than McLaren because there's a lot more younger talents really pushing for a place in the side this time. I think he could do no wrong by including a couple of them in the first team. It is a friendly after all, a chance to try out these sorts of players.

So here's what I'd like to see:

Green

Richards Terry Ferdinand Cole

Cole Gerrard Lampard Young

Agbonlahor Rooney

I'm still not convinced that Beckham should play if I'm honest. Joe Cole's naturally right footed so he should have no problems playing on the right wing, allowing a chance for maybe Young to get his chance.

I also think Agbonlahor deserves a go. He's been putting in some great performances this season and deserves a chance, expecially in a friendly like this. Also shoved Green in there, wouldn't mind seeing him either.

So is Young. I'd probably five Bentley a go tbh, if you are playing well for your club you at least deserve a chance in a less important friendly.

Carson in goal again for me aswell.

[Bryn]

Firstly, I clearly remember an interview how he sorted out Luis Garcia against Chelsea for missing a sitter and Luis Garcia came back on and was a changed man. Luis even came out and said Gerrard certainly helped him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuFSZXFd3x4

Name me one player on the planet who could do what he did that day... No matter how conclusive the outcome seemed, Gerrard produced one of the displays of the century in virtually Steven Gerrard vs. West Ham. Thats one of the reasons why I rate him as the best player in the world (although most will probably disagree). Also Istanbul speaks for itself... The point is, when the team needs Steven Gerrard, hes always there and sets an example for the rest of the team...

You just backed my point. He went into Gerrard superhero mode and succeeded on that occasion. He wasn't there for the team, he was there for himself and his own performance.

Why?

Where was he when England failed? Hiding.

Look at the list of recent incumbents, they were inspirational (for the most part) or simply damn good at being vocal. He was left wanting.

I think he has proved himself to be hopeless at captaining England.

Truedat.

Sorry for double post.

[WetFlannel]

You just backed my point. He went into Gerrard superhero mode and succeeded on that occasion. He wasn't there for the team, he was there for himself and his own performance.

Succeeded on that occasion? His form over the current seasons has been outstanding (you could argue less last season but he still made PFA team of the year)

Would Liverpool be in the same situation if Gerrard wasnt captain? I dont think so...

Do you think you need to shout alot to be a good captain? Despite the fact Gerrard is pretty vocal on the pitch... If not, why do you feel hes a bad captain?

[purpleronnie]

Errrr. You are joking of course. Aren't you?

Yeah what about the passionate 'england family' supporters?

[lildave3]

Succeeded on that occasion? His form over the current seasons has been outstanding (you could argue less last season but he still made PFA team of the year)

Would Liverpool be in the same situation if Gerrard wasnt captain? I dont think so...

Do you think you need to shout alot to be a good captain? Despite the fact Gerrard is pretty vocal on the pitch... If not, why do you feel hes a bad captain?

Gerrard would have done that whether he's captain or not.

For Liverpool, I think he, or Carragher, are perfect choices for the captaincy. But I don't think he should be England captain.

For me that should remain Terry.

[Joe.]

There's no way Rio Ferdinand should be the next England captain. I see no reason why it should be changed from Terry to be honest.

[WetFlannel]

Gerrard would have done that whether he's captain or not.

For Liverpool, I think he, or Carragher, are perfect choices for the captaincy. But I don't think he should be England captain.

For me that should remain Terry.

I'm not sure whether he would...

Captain can sometimes put more fire in your belly, and give you that extra motivation to exceed. Beckhams personal performances grew when he became captain, as did Gerrards for Liverpool.

Its a toss up between him and John Terry for captain. Either choice will satisfy me, as they are both top drawer...

[Wycombe Fox]

Probably going to get flamed here but the more I see of Gerrard (admittedly on the TV) the less I rate him.

Against teams like Luton brilliant but I can't personally remember the last time he made any real lasting impression against any of the bigger teams. The last time I can remember was the comeback in the Champion's League Final v AC Milan.

In my opinion he and Lampard have compromised the England midfield for too long now. There's been no development nationally in our midfield for years because that department has always been overshadowed by the 'can Lampard and Gerrard play together' argument.

Time to move it on Fabio - get rid of both and find something that'll work in the long term as opposed to the blind faith by previous England managers that Gerrard and Lampard will work eventually.

And Beckham shouldn't be anywhere near the England squad either. Beckham, Gerrard and Lampard? Not exactly set the world on fire.

Now's the time to start completely afresh with the squad as well as the manager.

Out with the 'old' in with the new.

Waits to get flamed...

[Joe.]

I wouldn't dream of leaving Gerrard out of an England team. For me, he's one of the top 3 or 4 midfielders in the world.

I don't understand like most of us why he doesn't shine for England as he does for Liverpool. I'm convinced it's because he's not allowed as much freedom for England. For us to maximise what Gerrard can do we need to give him this freedom, and whoever else plays alongside him should sit back and come forward when needed.

For me we need to build this team around Gerrard, not get him out of it.

[lildave3]

I'm not sure whether he would...

Captain can sometimes put more fire in your belly, and give you that extra motivation to exceed. Beckhams personal performances grew when he became captain, as did Gerrards for Liverpool.

Its a toss up between him and John Terry for captain. Either choice will satisfy me, as they are both top drawer...

If playing for England doesn't put fire in your belly then there's something wrong tbh.

The reason he got the captaincy for the Reds in the first place was because he was playing well and people were beginning to look upto him. Coupled with Hyppia's poor form at the time obviously.

[WetFlannel]

Probably going to get flamed here but the more I see of Gerrard (admittedly on the TV) the less I rate him.

Against teams like Luton brilliant but I can't personally remember the last time he made any real lasting impression against any of the bigger teams. The last time I can remember was the comeback in the Champion's League Final v AC Milan.

In my opinion he and Lampard have compromised the England midfield for too long now. There's been no development nationally in our midfield for years because that department has always been overshadowed by the 'can Lampard and Gerrard play together' argument.

Time to move it on Fabio - get rid of both and find something that'll work in the long term as opposed to the blind faith by previous England managers that Gerrard and Lampard will work eventually.

And Beckham shouldn't be anywhere near the England squad either. Beckham, Gerrard and Lampard? Not exactly set the world on fire.

Now's the time to start completely afresh with the squad as well as the manager.

Out with the 'old' in with the new.

Waits to get flamed...

Gerrards personal performances have got him into the PFA team of the year twice in a row (which only him and Ronaldo have done I think?) and also carried a below par Liverpool team to four cup finals under Rafas reign. His performances this season have been brilliant, aswell the previous seasons.

Gerrard and Lampard I think could work, but I personally feel Gerrard is held back due to Lampard and vice versa. Why not 5 in midfield with one holding and two attacking mids? Just a thought...

[WetFlannel]

If playing for England doesn't put fire in your belly then there's something wrong tbh.

The reason he got the captaincy for the Reds in the first place was because he was playing well and people were beginning to look upto him. Coupled with Hyppia's poor form at the time obviously.

Ive heard that alot of players arent enjoying playing for England anymore. Maybe that could be a reason

Or maybe I'm just starting to clutch at straws

[Daggers]

When hes playing in a system run by Steve Mclaren, it doesnt really surprise me

True - but I don't see that excuse washing for Bobby Moore, Jimmy Armfield, Bobby Charlton, Alan Mullery, Martin Peters, Colin Bell, Emlyn Hughes, Alan Ball, Gerry Francis, Kevin Keegan, Emlyn Hughes, Mick Channon, Mick Mills, Phil Thompson, Trevor Cherry, Bryan Robson, Ray Wilkins, Terry Butcher, Peter Beardsley, Gary Lineker, Stuart Pearce, David Platt, Paul Ince, Pearce, Tony Adams, or Alan Shearer.

[WetFlannel]

True - but I don't see that excuse washing for Bobby Moore, Jimmy Armfield, Bobby Charlton, Alan Mullery, Martin Peters, Colin Bell, Emlyn Hughes, Alan Ball, Gerry Francis, Kevin Keegan, Emlyn Hughes, Mick Channon, Mick Mills, Phil Thompson, Trevor Cherry, Bryan Robson, Ray Wilkins, Terry Butcher, Peter Beardsley, Gary Lineker, Stuart Pearce, David Platt, Paul Ince, Pearce, Tony Adams, or Alan Shearer.

Who?

[lildave3]

Gerrards personal performances have got him into the PFA team of the year twice in a row (which only him and Ronaldo have done I think?) and also carried a below par Liverpool team to four cup finals under Rafas reign. His performances this season have been brilliant, aswell the previous seasons.

Gerrard and Lampard I think could work, but I personally feel Gerrard is held back due to Lampard and vice versa. Why not 5 in midfield with one holding and two attacking mids? Just a thought...

Balls to the PFA team of the year, it's always a shambles. Didn't it have about 10 United players in last year? And his performances towards the start of the season weren't very good at all.

Ive heard that alot of players arent enjoying playing for England anymore. Maybe that could be a reason

Or maybe I'm just starting to clutch at straws

Well, there is that. The pressure and expectancy that is put on them by media, and fans, can't be an easy thing to deal with. But at the end of the day, even with that how could you not enjoy playing football for your country?

[Wycombe Fox]

For me we need to build this team around Gerrard, not get him out of it.

No we don't. You can't build a team around an individual because then it isn't a team - it's one man and 10 others.

Brian Clough built teams that would compliment each other equally, not based around any individual.

Until we get a manager who can identify players to play effectively together as a team regardless of how much a player is worth in a transfer window or what their salary is, then we'll achieve nothing.

Putting expensive players together on a pitch means Jack Sh*t - ask Sam Alladyce (or Peter Taylor - b*stard!)

[lildave3]

No we don't. You can't build a team around an individual because then it isn't a team - it's one man and 10 others.

Brian Clough built teams that would compliment each other equally, not based around any individual.

Until we get a manager who can identify players to play effectively together as a team regardless of how much a player is worth in a transfer window or what their salary is, then we'll achieve nothing.

Putting expensive players together on a pitch means Jack Sh*t - ask Sam Alladyce (or Peter Taylor - b*stard!)

Pretty well said that man

The best 11 players don't necessarily make the best team.

[Bryn]

Succeeded on that occasion? His form over the current seasons has been outstanding (you could argue less last season but he still made PFA team of the year)

Would Liverpool be in the same situation if Gerrard wasnt captain? I dont think so...

Do you think you need to shout alot to be a good captain? Despite the fact Gerrard is pretty vocal on the pitch... If not, why do you feel hes a bad captain?

I've already said why. Why are you asking me again?

[WetFlannel]

I've already said why. Why are you asking me again?

I dont think the statement you provided had much going for it... Just because he outshines the rest of an average bunch doesnt mean he only concentrates on his game... Have you read his autobiography?

[Bryn]

I dont think the statement you provided had much going for it... Just because he outshines the rest of an average bunch doesnt mean he only concentrates on his game... Have you read his autobiography?

Is that the autobiography where he slags off potential England colleague Theo Walcott merely for being on a plane to Germany through no fault of his own?

[WetFlannel]

Is that the autobiography where he slags off potential England colleague Theo Walcott merely for being on a plane to Germany through no fault of his own?

I can't remember him directly criticisizing him...

[Alexikokopops]

Whatever you think of Gerrard's skillzzz on the ball can we not all just agree that he's a cock?

[lildave3]

Whatever you think of Gerrard's skillzzz on the ball can we not all just agree that he's a cock?

No, no I cannot.

[DB11]

When does he announce it?