We All Dream of a Team of Charlie Davies

We All Dream of a Team of Charlie Davies

Monday, March 22, 2010

Why England will flop again this summer in South Africa

Scared to play against England US fans?While it may be safe to say most (myself included) are very nervous to play England,I'm in no way scared to play England.Even under the great coaching of the Italian tactician Fabio Capello, I feel England will not be able to make it past the round of 16 in South Africa,and this is why:

Goalkeeping:The main problem for England,who haven't had a great goalkeeper since David Seaman (who still managed to make the mistake that knocked England out the 2002 World Cup)Who will it be?Green?Hart?James?Robinson?Foster?Kirkland?Americans everywhere are smiling knowing that England would do anything to have Brad Freidal or Tim Howard in goal for them this summer.

Defenders:Starting rick back for England will most likely be Liverpool defender Glen Johnson,who is very quick and great coming up and combining with teammates attacking up the field.However,his marking and tackling skills are limited,one smart off the ball run and you have a chance to be in on goal.The center of England's defense is plagued with injuries and a bit of controversy.John Terry has been stripped of his captaincy after the Wayne Bridge incident,while Rio Ferdinand and Ledley King have had their season destroyed by injuries.At left back Ashley Cole is out at the moment due to an ankle injury.England back-up left back Wayne Bridge quit the team,leaving the door open to Everton's Leighton Baines or Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock.While Cole should be back in time to start,his long term injury and also popstar Cheryl Cole finally calling it quits with him means he might not be one of the worlds best outside backs in South Africa.

Midfielders:England have so many well-known midielders,but being well-known won't always get the job done.On the right David Beckham won't be playing after suffering a long-term injury with Milan.Also,Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon has picked up a pretty bad injury which is keeping him out of action for Spurs.Frank Lampard has had a decent season but has had better.The question that must be asked is who will play in the middle with him?The Gerrard-Lampard combination never ended up working out in the center of the field,and also you have Owen Hargreaves who has had another season decimated by injuries.Now for the left side,will it be Gerrard,who's team is struggling just to get into Europe?Joe Cole,who can barely get minutes for Chelsea?Or a surprise,such as Villa boys Ashley Young,James Milner or Stuart Downing?



Fowards:Wayne Rooney.The 2010 season has been his year,and is easily one of the worlds 5 best players,but will he be the next England start to pick-up a big injury right before an international tournament?Michael Owen has been ruled out due to another long term injury.Jermain Defoe has had a great year for Tottenham but just picked up a hamstring injury and will probably be starting on the bench,due to Capello loving a target foward starting,leaving it up to either Peter Crouch or Emile the selfless Emile Heskey.

Add more injuries,more drama off the field wth players like John Terry and Ashley Cole,the press saying "This is the best team since 66" and you have a recipe for disaster.What do I say?England will win there group then get shocked in the round of 16 by either Ghana or Serbia.

1 comment:

  1. How can USA cope with Rooney with all of his confidence coming into the World Cup? He is the definition of a complete striker on one of the worlds best club team who is still in CL and in the title race for the EPL. Even with injuries players like Ashley Young, James Milner, Defoe, SWP, Theo Walcott, Crouch, Heskey, Cole (westham), can take up any position on the field just as well as the starter in front of them. I think under Cappello the controversies will be put aside and they will play for their country with everything. Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard have both had "bad seasons" compared to what they are capable of but you know them and they always play well in the big games or competitions. With all of that said other countries have their problems as well not just England

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