EXTRA: Sven's Provisional Roster
Here it is, loyal readers:
In fact, Sven has evidently decided that Carragher's versatility is enough. He's got 9 midfielders and only 7 defenders, so everything will be fine as long as he doesn't lose 'Tache and two centerbacks at the same time.
TDH is pleased to see Downing in the squad. When he's healthy, he's dangerous. But Sven also seems to be hoping that Theo Walcott will be England's equivalent of Pele in 1958. Certainly, he could do worse (is AJ looking any good these days? he's got 15 from 34 matches), but TDH is hoping he won't just end up being the mascot.
"Why not take one gambling?" was the boss's comment on Wine Hrooney. Indeed, TDH would have included the boy wonder, too. But let's face it - the same comment could have applied to Walcott. Why not five strikers, with Harewood or Fowler (if recent form is so important), and eight midfielders (DROP HARGREAVES!) to protect his options? Well, Sven was never completely transparent. And as a lame duck, maybe he figures he can finally take some risks.
Goalkeepers: Robinson (Tottenham), James (Manchester City), Green (Norwich)Well, the Swede has been a busy man, eh? Several of his choices seem to be based on players' form in only the last two weeks! Lennon's recent form, for example, seems to have been enough to displace Richardson. Sol's truncated efforts seem to have booted poor Ledley out of the team, though why he's not even a standby player is beyond TDH's comprehension.
Defenders: G Neville (Manchester United), R Ferdinand (Manchester United), Terry (Chelsea), A Cole (Arsenal), Campbell (Arsenal), Carragher (Liverpool), Bridge (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Beckham (Real Madrid), Carrick (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jenas (Tottenham), Downing (Middlesbrough), J Cole (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham)
Forwards: Rooney (Manchester United), Owen (Newcastle), Crouch (Liverpool), Walcott (Arsenal).
Standby players: Scott Carson, Luke Young, Nigel Reo-Coker, Jermain Defoe, Andy Johnson.
In fact, Sven has evidently decided that Carragher's versatility is enough. He's got 9 midfielders and only 7 defenders, so everything will be fine as long as he doesn't lose 'Tache and two centerbacks at the same time.
TDH is pleased to see Downing in the squad. When he's healthy, he's dangerous. But Sven also seems to be hoping that Theo Walcott will be England's equivalent of Pele in 1958. Certainly, he could do worse (is AJ looking any good these days? he's got 15 from 34 matches), but TDH is hoping he won't just end up being the mascot.
"Why not take one gambling?" was the boss's comment on Wine Hrooney. Indeed, TDH would have included the boy wonder, too. But let's face it - the same comment could have applied to Walcott. Why not five strikers, with Harewood or Fowler (if recent form is so important), and eight midfielders (DROP HARGREAVES!) to protect his options? Well, Sven was never completely transparent. And as a lame duck, maybe he figures he can finally take some risks.
posted by Daniel Altman at 3:11 PM
2 Comments:
i'm agreement with almost everything you say. Ledley should be in at the expense of sol, though I like Sol, even in the last two weeks he's looked between poor and decent.
Secondly, Hargreaves might be in form, but I would so much prefer Reo C.
But in sven's defence (*shock, horror*) some of his choices are brave and good. Walcott has got the potential, from what I hear, Lennon has been excellent recently, and Reo-C on the standby list is a good call; he's been outstanding this season.
King and Defor will be cheesed off, though.
Well, Defoe deserves it but King doesn't. It's as though Sven can be patient with Rooney, who may not be able to play at all, but not with King, who'll be fit in a couple of weeks.
I didn't think Sol looked bad at all last week, but I didn't see the Wigan match yesterday. I wonder if he'll play in the UEFA CL final.
By the way, it sounds like Sven may play Young Joe as a striker until Rooney comes back - could be a 4-3-3, or a 4-4-2 with Crouch or Owen, depending on Mikey's fitness.
In tonight's post (for tomorrow morning), I too will defend Sven, after a fashion. Stay tuned.
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