Sun 7 May 06
Cup places set
Man United’s 4-0 thumping of Charlton keeps them in second place and an automatic spot in the Champions League. Arsenal will finish the season in fourth, dropping Spurs to fifth and the UEFA Cup. And the Mags best Chelsea 1-0 to finish seventh, which gives them an Intertoto Cup spot - not much, perhaps, but more than we could have hoped for when the Souness era mercifully came to an end.
Damian P.
Let’s all laugh at Tottenham, let’s all laugh at Tottenham…etc…etc…
No doubt Arsenal was behind the food-poisoning incident with Spurs …
Just got a look at Sven’s provisional squad, and all I can say is: What the hell?!!!
Theo Walcott?!?!? I’m sure he’ll be great, but he’s only 17. Ahead of Defoe, Bent, or even Andy Johnson?!?!? Bent’s not even on standby?! What did he do to so put off Sven?
Crouch is a handful because of his height, but you can’t really describe him as a physical striker, in the mould of Bent or Beattie. Sometimes such a player is needed to make a breakthrough.
And no Ledley King? I thought he was almost set to come back?
We can all thank the soccer gods that Phil Neville will play no part in England’s World Cup. And Aaron Lennon is in the provisional squad. I like seeing Reo-Coker in the standby list. He’s a solid player. But no SWP; Shaun, you shoulda went to Arsenal.
Downing I suppose had to be included after his performance for M’Boro versus Steaua. While Joe Cole has to start on the left (barring him playing in the hole), but Downing is the more likely to whip the crosses in while surging towards the byline. Cole’s tendency is to cut in, and cross with his right, a la the cross that Owen latched onto to win the friendly over Argentina at the death.
Hargreaves is in. It helped I’m sure that he can play right-back, along with Carragher, to act as cover for Gary Neville (poor injured Luke Young on the standby list).
And Robert Green beat out Carson for the 3rd GK jersey.
• Goalkeepers: Robinson (Tottenham), James (Manchester City), Green (Norwich)
• 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 (Totenham), 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.
That forward line…
Rooney - injured.
Owen - not yet match-fit.
Walcott - a child.
Lurch - Peter Crouch.
Why only the four forwards? Why these four forwards? Why Aaron Lennon? Why?
Totally agree about the 4 forwards, with one a definite crock. Had to have at Defoe or Bent in there as well.
As Bobby McMahon said last night, Arsene Wenger talked Walcott up to Sven, but hasn’t played him in any EPL games yet! So he’s not good enough for Arsenal’s 1st team, but he’s somehow good enough for England?!?!
I’m sure he will be great in the future, but he’s still pretty slight. Not like what Rooney was at that age; already a monster. Walcott will get shoved off the ball by any experienced defender.
Sven values pace above all else, and this time, it may well backfire in his face.