GLC Posted 31 March 2009 Posted 31 March 2009 Peter Crouch will lead England's attack in Wednesday's key World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley. Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard are likely to play behind the lone striker in an injury-enforced reshuffle. England coach Fabio Capello called up Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor on Tuesday after Tottenham forward Darren Bent injured a knee in training. The Italian said: "I am sure that Crouch is the best forward I can put into the first XI." Crouch has recovered from the dead leg he suffered in Saturday's 4-0 victory over Slovakia, while Rio Ferdinand is fit to partner John Terry in defence. Ferdinand could have played against Slovakia but Capello decided not to risk the Manchester United man, while Shaun Wright-Phillips is also available after a minor ankle knock. Rooney goes into the game on the back of winning the England player of the year fans' award for 2008 and will collect his 50th cap against Ukraine. Bent, called up as a replacement after Emile Heskey suffered a hamstring injury against Slovakia on Saturday, was likely to be among the substitutes. Carlton Cole, who replaced Heskey after 15 minutes on Saturday but lasted only 20 himself, is definitely out with a thigh problem. Capello explained his decision to include Agbonlahor. "I spoke with the assistant manager of Aston Villa and was told Agbonlahor had been training very well during the last two or three days," added the Italian. He then revealed why he opted not to bring England's fourth highest goalscorer, Michael Owen, back into the squad. "In every interview I said the door, for all the players, is open," he insisted. "I chose Agbonlahor because he has played a lot of games. I respect Owen but I am focused on the game of football." Ukraine, who are unbeaten in their three Group Six qualifiers to date, are expected to include former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko in attack. Shevchenko, 32, has only started two Serie A matches for AC Milan this season but is determined to make a mark in his first Wembley appearance. "This is a big game for us and I dream of scoring at Wembley because it would be my 40th goal with the national team," he said. "The national team gives me an opportunity to do what I love doing, which is to play football. But for the national team coach it is not easy to put a player on the pitch who isn't playing."
lildave3 Posted 31 March 2009 Posted 31 March 2009 Weak Crouch. Guess there is no other option though.
Corky Posted 31 March 2009 Posted 31 March 2009 Good to see he's not totally given Owen the snub. I agree that he shouldn't be picked now, but to rule him out completely would be a bad move. Crouch to start- only option really.
dandannieldanok Posted 31 March 2009 Posted 31 March 2009 We should win this comfortably, Ukraine are not a dangerous team. I could end up with egg on my face come tomorrow night, but I just can't see them causing us many problems, apart from perhaps frustrating us with a solid defence for a while.
StanSP Posted 31 March 2009 Posted 31 March 2009 We'll win, but not comfortable. Think Ukraine will pose early threats as England start go get settled. Main thing is though is that we take our chances as often as possible. Whoever plays upfront really has to be on top form. And I hope Downing doesn't play, he could be our downfall.
Uncle Albert Posted 31 March 2009 Posted 31 March 2009 Crouch starting?! What aload of horseshit. Gerrard put on the left again then? Cosmic. Idea of Crouch playing would to put crosses into the box - so now we will have Gerrard on the left, he wont put crosses in and Lennon who doesnt really like crossing ball. Brilliant desicion. Gabby Agbonlahor is a little twat aswell - injured for the Under 21's tonight but fine for the senior squad? Dickhead.
SpoonyMcjefferson Posted 31 March 2009 Posted 31 March 2009 Crouch starting?! What aload of horseshit.Gerrard put on the left again then? Cosmic. Idea of Crouch playing would to put crosses into the box - so now we will have Gerrard on the left, he wont put crosses in and Lennon who doesnt really like crossing ball. Brilliant desicion. Gabby Agbonlahor is a little twat aswell - injured for the Under 21's tonight but fine for the senior squad? Dickhead. Calm down love.
Sparky Posted 31 March 2009 Posted 31 March 2009 Crouch starting?! What aload of horseshit.Gerrard put on the left again then? Cosmic. Idea of Crouch playing would to put crosses into the box - so now we will have Gerrard on the left, he wont put crosses in and Lennon who doesnt really like crossing ball. Brilliant desicion. Gabby Agbonlahor is a little twat aswell - injured for the Under 21's tonight but fine for the senior squad? Dickhead. Gerrard and Rooney looked good in these roles behind a central striker saturday and are worth another shot , Gerrard wont play as a left winger he will be given license to roam and i got full faith in him delivering from there , its not gonna be massivly different to what he does for Liverpool
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 31 March 2009 Posted 31 March 2009 Wouldn't mind seeing Gerrard in almost a second striker role, like he sometimes plays at Liverpool, behind Torres. Probably best to makle a like for like change in such an important game though, considering that that set up looked half decent on Saturday.
Part Of The Crowd Posted 31 March 2009 Posted 31 March 2009 We should win this comfortably, Ukraine are not a dangerous team. I could end up with egg on my face come tomorrow night, but I just can't see them causing us many problems, apart from perhaps frustrating us with a solid defence for a while. We are strong in attack aswell. It surprises most teams. It'll be very entertaining, at least I hope so, I'm staying up all night tonight finishing coursework off so I can go to the match tomorrow.
Joe. Posted 1 April 2009 Posted 1 April 2009 Team: James Johnson Terry Ferdinand Cole Lennon Lampard Barry Gerrard Rooney Crouch
lavrentis Posted 1 April 2009 Posted 1 April 2009 Team:James Johnson Terry Ferdinand Cole Lennon Lampard Barry Gerrard Rooney Crouch Come on England!!!
dandannieldanok Posted 1 April 2009 Posted 1 April 2009 Will be keeping a close eye on Tymoschuk in the Ukraine midfield, rate him highly but haven't really seen him play much this season.
Part Of The Crowd Posted 1 April 2009 Posted 1 April 2009 Voronin up front for Ukraine Shevchenko on the bench, could be devastating as a sub, could be a flop. The constant use of 'Use Somebody' by The Kings of Leon for breaks is starting to annoy me, they do it for all of a second
Samilktray Posted 1 April 2009 Posted 1 April 2009 Voronin up front for UkraineShevchenko on the bench, could be devastating as a sub, could be a flop. The constant use of 'Use Somebody' by The Kings of Leon for breaks is starting to annoy me, they do it for all of a second A small clip of that shits as bad as the full song. Wish theyd play something half decent instead.
Edmund Posted 1 April 2009 Posted 1 April 2009 Wankers ruined the minutes silence missed that what happened?
Part Of The Crowd Posted 1 April 2009 Posted 1 April 2009 missed that what happened? Some fools started yelling out, then others joined in until there was a small group of fans but extremely audible all making noise in tandem (not chanting though) Boos all round once the minute finished
GLC Posted 1 April 2009 Author Posted 1 April 2009 A small clip of that shits as bad as the full song.Wish theyd play something half decent instead. Chelsea dagger
Edmund Posted 1 April 2009 Posted 1 April 2009 Some fools started yelling out, then others joined in until there was a small group of fans but extremely audible all making noise in tandem (not chanting though)Boos all round once the minute finished Im guessing it was England fans? Not necessary.
Part Of The Crowd Posted 1 April 2009 Posted 1 April 2009 Im guessing it was England fans? Not necessary. Definately England fans, could make out the odd word here and there
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