England World Cup Squad
- Thread starter Morbyd
- Start date
Clara
Well-Known Member
jjinit said:
I'd be so hacked off if I was SWP. Here's what Daddy had to say:
EXCLUSIVE
Axing Shaun a disaster
By MARK IRWIN
IAN WRIGHT has accused Sven Goran Eriksson of destroying England’s World Cup dream.
The former Arsenal idol was left fuming yesterday after son Shaun Wright-Phillips was sensationally axed from Eriksson’s squad for Germany.
And he branded the Swede an ‘incompetent’, who has wasted the nation’s golden generation of stars.
Wright, who won 31 England caps and scored 185 goals for Arsenal during a glittering playing career, could not believe his eyes when Eriksson named his 23-man party.
Chelsea star Wright- Phillips was out and had not even made the group of five back-up players.
Wright fumed: “For five years Eriksson has been the most cautious and negative manager in history.
Now, right at the end of his England reign, he has suddenly turned into a reckless Las Vegas gambler. It’s all very well for him to chance his arm. But it’s the whole nation who will have to pick up the tab.
“I have received texts and calls from everyone I know, saying how disappointed they are and how they are now not looking forward to the World Cup as much as they were before he announced this squad.
“He has left out my son because he says he has not played enough games for Chelsea this season.
“And then he has called up Theo Walcott, a 17-year-old boy who has never played a single Premiership game.
“I’m absolutely distraught — and so is Shaun. All season long I’ve kept him going by telling him the World Cup would be his chance to prove a lot of people wrong.
“Now that opportunity has been taken away from him.”
Wright admits he has never been a fan of Eriksson since the day he was first appointed England chief in February 2001.
He added: “I really wonder if Eriksson has dropped Shaun just to get back at me.
“I’ve slaughtered him in the past because I’m a passionate England fan who has never been convinced by this man.
“Eriksson has had England’s finest players for the best part of their careers and has achieved nothing.
“This World Cup is our last chance to achieve something really special and I pray he’s not going to mess it all up.” With Wayne Rooney still struggling to play in this summer’s finals and Michael Owen sidelined since the New Year, England are woefully short of attacking options.
Yet Eriksson has still axed back-up strikers Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent and says he will use midfielder Joe Cole up front if necessary.
Wright rapped: “Imagine what Defoe and Bent think when they hear him say that.
“There is no back-up plan in place, just a load of gambles. We need players who have proved themselves in the Premiership and at international level".
I'm not sure if Stevie G and Lamps play well together, Lamps has a shoot on sight policy and doesn't take his turn at holding.
This means that Gerard has to sit back and you lose the best part of his game - attacking!
I believe Bent should go due to his goals record for an average team.
With the provisional inclusion of Rooney and Walcott, Sven has gone for an all or nothing approach, we could go all the way untill we meet Brazil or we could fail to get into the knockout stage.
My hunch is that we will be humbled by some humble teams, whatever happens I will be in Ibiza from 19/06-03/07 and I intend to enjoy it.
This means that Gerard has to sit back and you lose the best part of his game - attacking!
I believe Bent should go due to his goals record for an average team.
With the provisional inclusion of Rooney and Walcott, Sven has gone for an all or nothing approach, we could go all the way untill we meet Brazil or we could fail to get into the knockout stage.
My hunch is that we will be humbled by some humble teams, whatever happens I will be in Ibiza from 19/06-03/07 and I intend to enjoy it.
jez71
Active Member
On the Walcott issue this what I think has happened here is this. Imagine the scenario: Sven's on the phone after Rooney and Owen are crocked, quite recently. Sven says: "So Arsene, how are Cole and Campbell coming on?" "Fine" says Wenger, "They'll be ready, but Sven, you sound so down."
"Oh, it's this striking problem. I've tried Bent and he didn't look international class, I've tried Defoe and he's been patchy this season. Rooney's injured, Owen's injured and Crouch isn't a pacy finisher."
Arsene laughs, (being French, of course). "Well you could try Walcott," he says. "Really? Do you think he's good enough?" replies Sven. And just as Wenger's car goes into a dip on the M25, he replies. "No, Sven, I'm only joking."
And so next time Sven's down at Arsenal's training ground to check Cole and Campbell are fit, he casts his eye over Walcott. And of course, in training, Walcott is going to be great. In training, he tries his hardest, a kid in a sweetshop of heroes, trying to outpace Thierry and nutmeg Sol Campbell. While the established Arsenal players are weary at the two games a week for two months end to the season, and trying to protect their niggling injuries, Walcott is haring around looking World Cup class.
It's the equivalent of Alan Sugar in the last week before he retires marching in one morning and getting the work experience kid to do the big presentation to the American financiers. It's hilariously inspired, it's bonkers but it might just work.
But imagine this scenario. England v Paraguay. Rooney has shown some promising signs, enough to include him for later, ruling out Defoe, but he's not fit now. Sven starts with Owen and Crouch and within 20 minutes, Crouch cops an elbow to the cheek from some Paraguayan thug defender and then before half time, Owen's foot crunches again. It could happen. Then where will we be? Having to qualify out of a group we should walk, with Joe Cole and Theo Walcott.
It's not crazy taking Theo, it's a gamble, but it's not crazy. It's crazy having three goalkeepers (when one can play at a time and they don't get injured that often) and just four strikers, when you normally play two at a time. Especially when strikers are injured a lot and two of the four are already injured?
sorry went on abit there but that's what I think!
"Oh, it's this striking problem. I've tried Bent and he didn't look international class, I've tried Defoe and he's been patchy this season. Rooney's injured, Owen's injured and Crouch isn't a pacy finisher."
Arsene laughs, (being French, of course). "Well you could try Walcott," he says. "Really? Do you think he's good enough?" replies Sven. And just as Wenger's car goes into a dip on the M25, he replies. "No, Sven, I'm only joking."
And so next time Sven's down at Arsenal's training ground to check Cole and Campbell are fit, he casts his eye over Walcott. And of course, in training, Walcott is going to be great. In training, he tries his hardest, a kid in a sweetshop of heroes, trying to outpace Thierry and nutmeg Sol Campbell. While the established Arsenal players are weary at the two games a week for two months end to the season, and trying to protect their niggling injuries, Walcott is haring around looking World Cup class.
It's the equivalent of Alan Sugar in the last week before he retires marching in one morning and getting the work experience kid to do the big presentation to the American financiers. It's hilariously inspired, it's bonkers but it might just work.
But imagine this scenario. England v Paraguay. Rooney has shown some promising signs, enough to include him for later, ruling out Defoe, but he's not fit now. Sven starts with Owen and Crouch and within 20 minutes, Crouch cops an elbow to the cheek from some Paraguayan thug defender and then before half time, Owen's foot crunches again. It could happen. Then where will we be? Having to qualify out of a group we should walk, with Joe Cole and Theo Walcott.
It's not crazy taking Theo, it's a gamble, but it's not crazy. It's crazy having three goalkeepers (when one can play at a time and they don't get injured that often) and just four strikers, when you normally play two at a time. Especially when strikers are injured a lot and two of the four are already injured?
sorry went on abit there but that's what I think!
jez71
Active Member
jjinit said:If he was at city he would be in the squad....end of!!!
yes definitely! It sends out a real signal to young English players when Chelsea try and sign them now! It's his own fault I reckon he should of tried to do what Bridge did and perhaps got himself loaned back to city to get some games in
jez71 said:
Pearce did try in January, but it was vetoed by "the special one"
But I agree, if he is serious about his career he should look at leaving in the Summer, theres no way we could afford to get him, but I reckon Arsenal or Liverpool could/would have him. A lot of City fans were slagging him off on Football 365 saying he was greedy, but he went chasing trophies (lets face it he wouldnt be getting any at City anytime soon) and it backfired, I doubt if he even got a Premiership medal and now he's not even going to Germany...it's tragic. Hopefully all the hype (and until I have seen enough of him to make an informed judgement it will remain hype in my eyes) from Spursfans and press surrounding Lennon is vindicated. Should be an interesting tournament anyway.
Morbyd
Moderator
Chelsea are well aware that, because everyone knows they have money, they will have to pay over the odds for any player they want. This goes double if that player (Drogba, Essien, SWP - all good examples) is considered central to the selling team's roster.Dan x said:
Drogba, for all his faults (and they are many) started off the season well (ask Liverpool) and had a great April/May. He's not in the starting 11 due to his price tag, but because Mourinho really rates him for some reason.
Morbyd
Moderator
Strange thing, though... Robben, Duff, Joe Cole. All 3 also in the winger rotation system and all 3 play on their national team (though Duff's Ireland sadly crashed out). Same is true of Del Horno who was in/out of the side all season with Gallas often preferred at left back, and with Crespo who was 2nd choice striker in a one striker system.jez71 said:
Moreover, Sven picked SWP for other games this year. I think it's simplistic to say that the move to Chelsea was the central factor in SWP's exclusion from the World Cup squad.
jez71
Active Member
jjinit said:Pearce did try in January, but it was vetoed by "the special one"
fans and press surrounding Lennon is vindicated. Should be an interesting tournament anyway.
I'd love him at Liverpool, we're crying out for a right winger