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England Striker Crisis!
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
It had to happen didn't it.... Rooney out for 6 weeks with a fractured big toe..
Owen complained of an ache after his 20+ minute appearance and will be looked at once more.
6 weeks till the first England match as well, so who know what's going to happen!
Owen complained of an ache after his 20+ minute appearance and will be looked at once more.
6 weeks till the first England match as well, so who know what's going to happen!
Post edited by JustV on
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It's always possible England could lose another top player of the lieks of Terry of worse still Gerrard. It doesnt look bright for Rooney but it seems like the fans are forgetting about the other English strikers they have to call on. So fair enough, the like sof Defoe aren't as good as Rooney but he is still a very good player, Crouch can add his aerial threat and add what he usually does for Liverpool.
They're not a one man team, Rooney isnt England, they should get over it and look forward to replacements, If Rooney's fit then he'll be called upon.
Remember Beckham had a similar injury before the last World Cup and played while Cashley Cole has been out for much of the season with one.
Minus Rooney and Owen I would say the England attack would be Defoe, Crouch, Bent and Vassell and maybe Joe Cole playing behind them. With the goals and creativity from midfield (Lampard and Gerrard smacking the ball) England should still have a decent chance of getting far but I wouldn't see them winning it (but I don't see them winning it anyway ).
Joe Cole could also be used in the Wayne Rooney role just behind one striker.
Knowing Sven he'll take both Owen and Rooney cause he wont know about any other players. Also since Bridge and Cole have been injured alot this season how about taking Cole and Paul Konchesky instead of taking 2 left backs that have hardly played.
You'll see Konchesky or Young (probably Young) if Cole isn't fit. You'll see Carragher and Campbell if King and Terry aren't fit. As for strikers, I wouldn't be too concerned, Rooney is a top player but he isn't the only top player. England did pretty well in 2002 without him, after all, and only lost in what was effectively the final. Defoe is hardly shite, Crouch is hardly shite, and nor is Bent or Johnson.
Those strikers are nothing compared to Rooney. If anything, I'd play Gerrard behind the striker (he's done it lots for Liverpool). Then you can introduce Carrick to holding midfield (free Lampard) or if needs must bring Beckham central with Lampard and play SWP right (though he's played fuck all so it's a gamble).
I assumed he'd be playing anyway.
No, they're not, losing Rooney would be a huge blow but England do have other players who can do a good job.
I wouldn't even take SWP on the plane, to be honest, because of Mr Mourinho. A team full of fucking Spaniards when they've got the best young English talent in the country. Still, it serves SWP right for being a money-grabbing twunt.
Potential liability IMO, but I think he's first choice.
I don't think England's hopes depended on Rooney (or even Owen) but the real danger for England is Sven playing half-fit players and crossing his fingers that it turns out OK.
Was there really any need for that?
I think without Rooney England have no chance, feel sorry for the lad because he deserves a shot, this would have been the one for him imo.
Don't want to see him rushed back though, we need him as well.
But we can't rely on Rooney all the time though.
Hes a great player though and its a fact that if hes available hes going to play, when hes not any team would miss him.
Did Argentina rely on Maradona? Without him they would not have won in 86.
Face facts, without Rooney England will struggle.
Looking at stats as far as the metatarcel...
Beckham - out for 9 weeks and when he came back he was nowhere near 100%
Owen - out for 17 weeks
Neville - out for 21 weeks
It's unpredictable and it's also about the mental state of the player, and they do have those oxygen chambers, but it's a risk.
Sven will take Rooney anyway because of the sponsors!!
Owen is fine. I think Sven will take Bent too.
Ashley Cole is supposed to play tonight, he played a couple of reserve games this week and he is fit.
I agree, Sven will just put Carragher as left back if nothing else.
And my mate seems to think Fowler is a good shout for fourth striker.
Does anyone know about Terry's injury from the other day and what's up?
If we have Gerrard and Joe Cole playing at their best and our defense is good we have got a great chance!!
That's a bit of a stretch!!
England are only gonna win if they play as a team.
And even though Rooney is an important part of the team, there 's a chance for someone else to shine.
Come on, it ain't the end yet.
Yes you may be right, but England often need great individual performances to win games, and Rooney is one of those people. England often struggle to play effectively as a team, which is frustrating.
I know this sounds stupid but get Fowler in the fuck, it's been proven that with a bit of decent supply he can produce the goods.
But didn't Argentina cheat in 1986 with that 'Hand of God' goal?
Without Rooney but with Owen fit, I'd play 4-5-1 I think. Usual back four of Neville, Ferdinand, Terry and Cole. Midfield of Beckham, Carrick, Lampard, Gerrard and Joe Cole, with Owen as the lone striker. This system would allow Lampard and Gerrard to both play in there favoured position supporting Owen from just behind and leaving Carrick protecting the back four.
Damn straight. Rooney is not everything but, man for man, he is the most important player in the team. I don't think anyone can see England conceivable winning the World Cup without Rooney on top form. If Rooney and Gerrard play well, we can beat any team in the world.
Sure Robbie Fowler can do it at Premiership level but does anyone seriously believe he still has what it takes at international, let alone World Cup level? If Rooney is ruled out, maybe look at someone like Shaun Wright-Phillips but to be honest, without Rooney, we don't have a prayer of winning it. Just look at what happened against Portugal in Euro 2004. We were cruising until Rooney came off. Then it all went shit. It's a psychological boost as well as a physical boost of having him on the pitch.
Man talks sense sometimes.
I still think 4-4-2 is the best option. I think Crouch and Owen could be lethal together. But I think it's essential to play Carrick and either Lampard or Gerrard. And we have to make sure that the rest of the team supports the strikers rather than punting long balls up front all game. With Joe Cole and Frank Lampard (and even Wright-Phillips if he plays) we've got some of the best goalscoring midfielders in the world, and with Crouch knocking it down for them, we could be a very dangerous team. I don't think Crouch is the greatest player ever, but neithers Koller of the Czech Republic, but him and Baros together are brilliant. And you're not gonna tell me Baros is even half the player that Owen is. We still have a chance, we just need to alter the gameplan a bit. I'd rather we focused on a different plan now, then treat Rooney as a bonus if he is fit.
The World Cup is all about team play which is why Brazil wins it so many times, why France won it in '98...
Now imagine what kind of pressure you are putting on the kid to get fit and be the "man"...
It will be a miracle if he recovers but he will be nowhere near to fitness.
I would play 4-4-1-1 with Gerrard playing just behind Owen. And if Sven take Phillips before Bent, I'll be shocked! Bent has scored headers, volleys, placements and penalties this season and has confidence.
My point is, there is always room for someone else to step up and be the inspiration!
Ronaldinho? Zidane? Henry? These players inspirations are relied on to win things all the times (OK maybe not so much Zidane anymore )
Personally? I laughed when I heard he was out. Wiped that smile off the smug fuckers on MOTD.
To play 4-5-1 doesn't mean you have to punt the ball to Owen to hold it up so the midfielders can get involved, change of tactics is needed. Use the ball on the floor get the ball out wide to Becks to deliver his trademark balls to Owen, lamps n stevie through the middle or crossfield balls to Cole either out wide or arriving late at the back post. OR balls out to Cole to do his tricks, beat his men then delivering into danger areas.
Sure you need more than one tactic, if the playing nice football on the floor across the midfield and out wide isn't working then obviously a change of personnel and a change of tactics are needed, and if the change of tactics means punting balls up front then the obvious option is the beanpole.