Sack this utter Clown

[Goat]

BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals | Defoe form hands Capello dilemma


England boss Fabio Capello admitted Jermain Defoe's goal-scoring form has given him a selection dilemma for the World Cup qualifier against Croatia.

Defoe, 26, came off the bench to score in the 2-1 friendly win over Slovenia, his fifth goal in three England games.

Capello must decide whether to stick with Wayne Rooney and Emile Heskey up front or start with Defoe on Wednesday.

"When Defoe plays in the second half he scores," said Capello. "I have to chose the side. I have time to decide."

The striker, who has now scored eight times under Capello, has been in fine form for Tottenham and England but said he is happy to bide his time as he waits for a starting spot.



What a joke, Heskey is so bad it hurts.

 

[bluebastardo]

Defoe is the in form striker in the league at the moment.
Not playing him instead of Heskey is more than a tad confusing.:blink:

 

[kenada_blue]

Capello likes to play a big man off the lone striker. Defoe is in form, but Rooney is lethal as the main striker and could've had 2 yesterday (bit of an off day for him). So playing Rooney and Defoe would mean changing the formula a bit and have Rooney playing off of him.

To be honest I think Defoe needs a full 90minutes. He's come on late-ish in games and used his pace to get goal against tired defenders. He needs a full game to see what he can do over the 90. I wouldnt drop him for Rooney, and it could be a bit of gamble to play Defoe ahead of Heskey. If anything I'd drop Heskey all together for Carlton Cole - he does everything Heskey does but is far better a striker and is a threat going forward.

I think Defoe should give Rooney a run for his place rather than accomadating Rooney around Defoe to be fair.

 

[Goat]

I personally think its a sorry state of affairs when a team like England has to rely on players such as Emile friggin Heskey and Cant Control.

 

[kenada_blue]

I personally think its a sorry state of affairs when a team like England has to rely on players such as Emile friggin Heskey and Cant Control.

They're there to do a job - hold up the ball, be a nuisence and bring others into play. I think Cant Control has more to offer than Heskey to do that job. I think Cant Control is underrated and seems to have reached his potential at an older age. Not comparing him to Drogba at all but he has similar traits of good positional sense, strength and is comfy on the ball - be good to see him with a good playmaker behind him.

Rooney could this job but you take away that goal threat somewhat, and he's a far more internationally potent striker than Defoe.

I'm more concerned that the next in line to Defoe is Crouch who I've never rated at all.

 

[DENNIS STEVENS]

Not really arsed about international football, but the idea of an england international side having a foreign coach is the biggest joke of all - if they were to ever win anything it'd be rather meaningless, imho. At least when england won the world cup it could be considered an english achievement, if you're into all that stuff.

 

[Goat]

I agree Dennis, but I also think we should have the right man for the job, what ever his passport says.

Anyway, I didnt watch all the match, but I understand Lescott got booed? He also got booed the other day vs Palace, it appears not many people are happy with the foheaded 1.

 

[Clarky66]

Lescott's price tag will haunt him forever.

The world's 3rd most expensive defender in history - Jesus !

Fcukin Klingon.

 

[Blue Wiz]

He also got booed the other day vs Palace, it appears not many people are happy with the foheaded 1.

If it's true, I guess it's because many had some affection for him since he managed to survive the injury as a child and develope into a national team player. But his star lost its shine when he got greedy and went for cash in the end and then goes into the papers and start to bad-mouth Moyes who took him to the place he is today.

 

[kenada_blue]

I agree Dennis, but I also think we should have the right man for the job, what ever his passport says.

Anyway, I didnt watch all the match, but I understand Lescott got booed? He also got booed the other day vs Palace, it appears not many people are happy with the foheaded 1.

I heard boo's when he came on but didnt know it was aimed at him. Very strange.

He did look rusty though, or not arsed. Wouldnt be surprised if he ended up like he didnt give a [Poor language removed] as he sits on his 90k a week.

 

[DENNIS STEVENS]

I agree Dennis, but I also think we should have the right man for the job, what ever his passport says.

Anyway, I didnt watch all the match, but I understand Lescott got booed? He also got booed the other day vs Palace, it appears not many people are happy with the foheaded 1.

That's kind of the point though, MG. To my mind what it says on his passport, or rather birth certificate, should be an absolute in the same way it is for a player. If we must have International football then I want the England tean to be English, including the coach & I want to see the best English players playing great football, not grinding out results as so often happens at club level - international football should really be above all that, it should aspire to be the best example of the beautiful game.

Leaving aside Brazil, who are a special case, the international sides I've most enjoyed watching over the years are the Dutch teams of the '70's & '80's, sometimes Spain & Portugal, occasionally the Italians & especially those glorious French teams back in the days when they never used to win anything - but they really used to not win in style!

 

[davek]

That's kind of the point though, MG. To my mind what it says on his passport, or rather birth certificate, should be an absolute in the same way it is for a player. If we must have International football then I want the England tean to be English, including the coach & I want to see the best English players playing great football, not grinding out results as so often happens at club level - international football should really be above all that, it should aspire to be the best example of the beautiful game.

Leaving aside Brazil, who are a special case, the international sides I've most enjoyed watching over the years are the Dutch teams of the '70's & '80's, sometimes Spain & Portugal, occasionally the Italians & especially those glorious French teams back in the days when they never used to win anything - but they really used to not win in style!

Argentina's win in '78 was my first memory of a World Cup winning team. I dont care what we found out subsequently about bribing Peru to take an avalanche of goals against them to get through the stages, or the political context of the win...the Argies were the cats pyjamas and Kempes lit up the tournament. I wouldn't say I've 'supported' them ever since, but I certainly favour them in World Cups. This next WC in SA will be a winter one just like the '78 one. I think it'll be another cracker.

 

[stevedeblue]

Not really arsed about international football, but the idea of an england international side having a foreign coach is the biggest joke of all - if they were to ever win anything it'd be rather meaningless, imho. At least when england won the world cup it could be considered an english achievement, if you're into all that stuff.

Another person who shares my disinterest with the International team, I believe this is because coming from the North people have always been left out when it came to "the good times" and have always been shxx on from them down south, Look what thatcher done. When I left School the cockneys use to wave money at us at the match shouting "loads of money" quite funny know when I think about it. So when it comes to the Internationale's I think its harder for people in the North to feel part of it.We as a family were rooting for the Republic in there last two World cups that how dischanted we are with the England team.

 

[NeoNaoNeo]

The whole 'Need a player to fit the system' thing is rubbish.

Heskey's supposed job is to hold the ball and bring Lampard and Gerrard into the game?

What exactly did they do yesterday?

Ball never comes to Heskey anyway. Rooney comes deep and feeds it wide. Every time.

Play strikers who score goals ffs. If Defoe scores every time he plays then it means you don't need a grok and a midget.

 

[Jamo Martinez]

Argentina's win in '78 was my first memory of a World Cup winning team. I dont care what we found out subsequently about bribing Peru to take an avalanche of goals against them to get through the stages, or the political context of the win...the Argies were the cats pyjamas and Kempes lit up the tournament. I wouldn't say I've 'supported' them ever since, but I certainly favour them in World Cups. This next WC in SA will be a winter one just like the '78 one. I think it'll be another cracker.

That was my first WC too. couldn't agree more. At the time I didn't realise it was winter there and wondered why they were wearing long sleeves. Argentina were boss but the Italian team was great too with Zoff, Antognoni, Causio, Bettega, Gentile and a young Paolo Rossi. enduring memories.
Check out the guardian unlimited section 'the joy of six'. Looks at great volleys and includes that amazing Hans Krankl goal against W. Germany.