Round 16 and Beyond

[marc71178]

Midfield diamond?

How exactly would that work?

[FaaipDeOiad]

Midfield diamond?

How exactly would that work?

Presumably it'd be Hargreaves in the defensive role, and Gerrard or Lampard going forward? Beckham on the right and Joe Cole on the left, obviously.

[luckyeddie]

Presumably it'd be Hargreaves in the defensive role, and Gerrard or Lampard going forward? Beckham on the right and Joe Cole on the left, obviously.

Biggest problem with that is that you seem to be expecting Joe Cole to play as a wide man.

All well and good, but you have already said that you are playing two strikers AND an attacking midfield player in the centre.

So, key question - how is Cole going to have any influence?

He doesn't ever attempt to beat a man on the outside - he always cuts inside. This will put four players inside in very similar areas when it's screaming out for width.

[FaaipDeOiad]

Biggest problem with that is that you seem to be expecting Joe Cole to play as a wide man.

All well and good, but you have already said that you are playing two strikers AND an attacking midfield player in the centre.

So, key question - how is Cole going to have any influence?

He doesn't ever attempt to beat a man on the outside - he always cuts inside. This will put four players inside in very similar areas when it's screaming out for width.

Hey it's not my idea, I'm just explaining what I think Cloete meant.

By the way, isn't that the role that Ashley Cole would have? To push forward and give a wider option if Joe goes to the centre? What Cloete suggested isn't all that different from what was used against Sweden for most of the match, with Crouch and Rooney up forward, and Lampard supporting them while Hargreaves played a more defensive role in the middle.

[Goughy]

Shoot me. I agree with that entirely. Very well said I must say. The only thing I don't agree with is Hargreaves giving away to many free kicks. He'll prove his worth against Ecuador IMO. A solid defensive mid.

Disagree. An average player who doesnt offer much. He does give away too many freekicks (he is clumsy) and his passing is poor. Even if he does only pass sideways the quality is poor.

I honestly think he is a liability.

[marc71178]

Presumably it'd be Hargreaves in the defensive role, and Gerrard or Lampard going forward? Beckham on the right and Joe Cole on the left, obviously.

Problem being that that drops one of Lampard and Gerrard, which clearly doesn't fit in with Sven (or in this case Scaly)'s thinking.

[FaaipDeOiad]

Problem being that that drops one of Lampard and Gerrard, which clearly doesn't fit in with Sven (or in this case Scaly)'s thinking.

Well, that's why were discussing who would be dropped earlier in the thread. Hargreaves was excellent against Sweden, and Lampard and Gerrard haven't worked together at all, so it seems like a reasonable move. Lampard can always come off the bench if it isn't working out.

[The Foxtrot]

Games in the Round of 16

1) Germany : Sweeden - Munich; 25th June, 1:00am AEST
2) Argentina : Mexico - Leipzig; 25th June, 5:00am AEST

3) England : Ecuador - Stuttgart; 26th June, 1:00am AEST
4) Portugal : Netherlands - Nuremberg; 26th June, 5:00am AEST

5) Italy : Australia - Kaiserslautern; 27th June, 1:00am AEST
6) Switzerland : Ukraine - Cologne; 27th June, 5:00am AEST

7) Brazil : Ghana - Dortmund; 28th June, 1:00am AEST
8) Spain : France - Hanover; June 28th, 5:00am AEST

[FaaipDeOiad]

4, 6 and 8 the hard ones to pick, obviously. I'd go for Netherlands, Switzerland and Spain. I don't think Sweden have looked anywhere near good enough to beat Germany, and Argentina, England and Brazil should cruise through.

Got a feeling that if there is a major upset it'll be Australia getting up over Italy in extra time or on penalties, but that could be my bias talking. Hiddink has a history of it at the least, and Italy don't look all that crash hot.

[The Foxtrot]

agreed, but if Italy have a good game...like against USA....then Australia will be very lucky to win that

Lets just hope that Italy have a shocker!!

[Cloete]

Hey it's not my idea, I'm just explaining what I think Cloete meant.

By the way, isn't that the role that Ashley Cole would have? To push forward and give a wider option if Joe goes to the centre? What Cloete suggested isn't all that different from what was used against Sweden for most of the match, with Crouch and Rooney up forward, and Lampard supporting them while Hargreaves played a more defensive role in the middle.

Yeah that's it. Cole naturally drifts out but he and Beckham can tuck in while Neville and A Cole overlap. Not that much of a problem with Carragher playing as Beckham prefers to hug the touchline anyway. I'd go Gerrard over Lampard who has really failed to impress me this tournament. I'd have Hargreaves in at DM then. We'll see though. If he gets found out against Ecuador then you throw him out, but he could definitely become a solid player for England if he doesn't.

[superkingdave]

apparently Sven is going to play Hargreaves at RB and bring Carrick in to midfield and play 4-5-1

[marc71178]

If Zidane plays, Spain will walk it I expect.

[BoyBrumby]

Shame, but fair play to the lad. Proud to call him a Gooner. Smashes his nose open scoring the opener & then dislocates his shoulder in the cause. From the Beeb's site:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...nd/5113094.stm

Proper centre-half's hair-cut too:

[luckyeddie]

Shame, but fair play to the lad.

I must say old Sendimoff is one player who has really impressed me this last year.

Fit as a butcher's dog too.