Raj

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Agree totally. Osorio put in a wonderful performance, as did Marquez. The Mexicans have been one of the highlights of the tournament so far. Fast, fluid football. Excellent movement. If only they had a top class goalscorer they may have been able to cause more problems for Argentina.

Klose plays for Werder Bremen

Radio 5 are stating that the announcement wont be made until 5.30pm, when the Italian Stock Exchange closes.

Agreed, but seeing as he will play a 442, I would prefer to see the following team start - Robinson Carragher Ferdinand Terry A Cole Beckham Hargreaves Gerrard J Cole Rooney Crouch I think this offers the best balance in midfield and should utilise Gerrard more effectively. As Rooney would only be expected to play 60 mins against Ecuador, I would replace him with Lampard and shift to a 451, with Lampard playing slightly more advanced. I also think that Beckham does not seem fit enough to play a full 90 mins, and should be replaced with Lennon, who can stretch their defence with his pace. England still have the players to get to the Semi Final at least, but Eriksson needs to be more proactive in his decision making.

I think that this is a very good formation with the players available. However, I would drop Lampard and play Crouch up front. Gerrard and Joe Cole next to each other. The system would enable the team to keep the ball better too. I also think that if they were defending, that Ashley Cole could drop back and make a back four with Joe Cole moving over to the left hand side, therefore, not placing too much defensive emphasis on Beckham (which is very important as he is not up to it). But Sven is far to conservative for such thinking and it will be back to Flat 442 with Lampard miscuing shots, whilst Gerrard has to curb his natural game.

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My friend is a Millwall fan, and watched him on several occasions last season. He was a class above their other players, but still prone to making some basic errors. Its a decent deal for all concerned. He needs first team football, at a level where he can develop. And he was never good enough to make the step up to our first team. Good luck to the lad.

Agreed. Great value for money. Hopefully he will be able to improve his fitness levels and exceed expectations for next season. I would think that the writing is on the wall for all our other strikers, except Crouch, imo.

Some people need to look at their facts. Finnan was voted into the Premiership XI during his time at Fulham. He was a very good player before he arrived at Liverpool. He took some time to adjust to playing for a bigger club, and this occurred during a poor season for the team before Benitez arrived. To credit Benitez with this solely, is historical revisionism. Well done

It was a bad tackle. But it looked mis-timed to me. Not as intentional as Essien's on Hamman. It would compare with the Reo-Coker foul on Essien back in January. Unfortunately for Diaby, his foot was on the turf, when the impact hit his ankle. I dont think it would have been so serious otherwise. As for Wenger, he is coming across as an even bigger tool after each media comment. I think his comments about Jol were in very poor taste.

Agreed. Lampard is a very good player, but he does not have the same dynamism as Gerrard. And I rarely see Lampard dominate games on a regular basis like Gerrard does. Lampard still feels like this generations David Platt to me. I would have Gerrard over any other midfield player in the world, bar none. Sorry Spanish Fan, but some of your comments are laughable. Gerrard is not a great playmaker!?! I think Platini, Benitez, Carlos Alberto Parreira, AC Milan and PFA Association would disagree with you.

most sensible thing I have read all day. thanks

Agreed. Both different types of forwards, but I think Henry has an aura about him that only Ronaldinho has at the moment. They seem to play at their own speed and direct play more often than not. Players like this often occupy 2 defenders and cause panic just by being on the ball. Shevchenko is a wonderful striker and a constant goal threat, but for me, not up there with the above two, despite being world-class

To be fair (sic), there isn't much between Cech and Reina. (I would have had Reina, based on what I have seen). Finnan over that c**t Neville is a no brainer. He has been far superior to any right back by a mile. The rest of the team is pretty much spot on, apart from Gallas at left back. Gardner has done very well, but Gallas is superb in comparison

Agree wholeheartedly. Perfect summary at a very poignant time This debate can run and run, but it always produces the same result - Stalemate.

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I can't believe that will influence his decision. The only reasons for not keeping Fowler, would be that he signs players who offer more qualities than Fowler does. I'd keep him. He scores goals and has had a positive impact since he signed. I think Morientes and Cisse will be off with 2 other strikers brought in. Kuyt and Owen would be an improvement in my opinion.

Personally, think he's overrated from the number of games I have watched over the years. He has a lot of talent, but is very inconsistent. This season he has been woeful at times. Betis have been very poor, but top players assume responsibility at times like that, not disappear. Judging from what i've said above, looks like he will fit in really well at Madrid.

i dont think so, i'm pretty sure it was an extension of the previous deal. if i remember correctly, the deal expired last season and we actively searched for new sponsorship. we couldnt find any and as a result extended the current deal. i could be wrong, but i'm sure thats a very basic breakdown of what happened.

He has the capacity to be world class and shows it in flashes over the past couple of years. But, he has suffered from a succession of short term injuries over the past couple of years that have hindered his development. Plus, he has been playing in a team, which has fallen considerably from the heights they achieved in the from 2000 to 2004. IMO, he needs a new challenge. not sure whether he would be suitable for English football, but he has always struck me as an exceptional talent with a tough streak about him.

they did, for 2 years. starting at the end of last seaon.

fantastic home record according to those stats. potentially the best yet. only conceding 7 goals is a phenomenal record, considering we conceded 4 in one match.