posted Sep 7, 2007

I am a Chelsea fan and I have two points to make. 1: Gerrard should be allowed to play. And 2: Don't pin your hopes on Wright-Phillips

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1) The reason Gerrard hasn't played since was that he couldn't even train for 4 days after the Chelsea game. If he plays agaionst Isreal he'll almost certainly miss Russia. Who do you think we'll need him more against?

2) MoM last game against Germany looks a good player who causes the opposition problems. With Barry, J Cole and possibly Bentley also on the field we should get better end product from them if SWP is creating havoc even if he himself is not directly creating/scoring the goals.

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posted Sep 7, 2007

Steven Gerrard is as importent to England competing in Euro 2008 as any other England player. He is undoubted class, and I was suprised when he was not made Captin un McClaren.

However there is no one player that makes a team. England should and will beat Israel and Russia at home with or without him. We claim to have the best league in the world, now we should prove it. You could name a un-capped side to play Israel and hope to win, the Russians are a bit better but the depth of the Premiership should still shine through.

If there is to be no Gerrard or Lampard then why not dip in to... Carrick, Hargreaves, Jenas, Parker, Sidwell, Reo-Coker, Huddlestone, or at a push the mighty Bristol City's Starv'in Marvin Elliot is having a great start to the season. The point being some of this lot are going to have to be first choice one day, and Israel at home is not a massive challange to let them have a go.

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posted Sep 7, 2007

guys if we can't beat israel with the squad we have available then we don't deserve to go anyway. come on this is England v Israel. the rest of our squad should definately be good enough to beat them

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posted Sep 7, 2007

If the cap fits kirknl feel free to wear it gerrard has been the most consistent england player now for a couple of years.

the player his is today see's himself as one of the best in the world. this was said by rio ferdinand who by the way is not a liverpool fan

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posted Sep 7, 2007

At the end of the day Steven knows how his toe has reacted to treatment so far. Whatever he decides Im sure will be the right thing to do. Theres no way he will play or be allowed to play if it means causing himself further damage, and to miss another 3-4 weeks of football at club level.

Im and ex footballer and injections are commonplace as long as they are masking the discomfort and not masking further damage to the player.

The bottom line is that we shouldnt be worrying about one man when taking on the likes of Israel and Russia.

At club level our nation takes on and beats the finest Europe has to offer... on the international stage we consistently fail to deliver...

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posted Sep 7, 2007

No NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO Call JERMAINE PENNANT UP

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posted Sep 7, 2007

Gerrard played for liverpool against chelsea but it took him 4 days to train again. The reason he played was because both liverpools medical staff and steven didn't know at that point if it would have any after effects.

There were after effects and thats why it took him 4 days to recover. This is also the reason why gerrard never played in the next 2 games. Obviously liverpool don't want him to play as they know he will not be right after the game. He needs time to rest and recover.

This is the reason why Benitez does not want him to play.

If a player is not 100% he should not play its a risk for the player the club and his country.

Why play a player who cannot give 100% when there will be someone on the bench who can.

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posted Sep 7, 2007

"If the cap fits kirknl feel free to wear it gerrard has been the most consistent england player now for a couple of years."

Armchair?

Nah -- office chair, mate

Consistent?

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posted Sep 7, 2007

Kirk,

Maybe be means consistently average!?

I'm in full agreement with you. Gerrard has rarely put in good performances for England. Maybe 5-6 games out of 60. A 1 in 10 ratio.

So I too find it hard to see why he is our 'golden boy' and our 'most vital player.' The evidence would suggest otherwise.

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posted Sep 7, 2007

Once again, it goes to show that we do not have enough cover/strength in depth in central midfield. If Gerrard is not 100% fit, then it is simple, don't play him.

I do not know why McClaren continues to pick the same old squads when there are other players who are performing week in week out for their clubs side but never get a look in; Jenas, Osman, Sidwell, Noble, Reo Coker, perhaps even Nolan, although he has gone a bit off the boil recently and has never even been considered by McClaren. It also highlights that most Premiership clubs are not nurturing home grown talent to come through the ranks. God knows what will happen once the likes of Gerrard, Lampard, Hargreaves and Carrick have gone?!

On an earlier post, apologies red dingo, I completely forgot that Crouch was suspended for the games. I was just choosing on the basis of the squad selector on BBC website. I am however a true football fan despite your criticism.

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