Wow, strong words there! I am surprised how critical people have been of Capello considering his win record (I think that people have been blinded by the media's opinion of him, as he is not the most charismatic). However, a lot of people seem to be happy with Pearce (who resided over England under-21's dismal last campaign) and Arry who has done well with Spurs but who seems keen to bring back the old guard including the likes of Scholes etc. Surely that's not looking forward? I have been a big critic of Carrick but I agree with Adam that he has been good recently, worth a place in the squad not the first 11. As for Gerrard's passing everyone goes on about his vision but I just remember far too many overhit passes. A Liverpool legend but I cannot remember him having too many great games for England but often the media saw more in his performances than myself.
Slightly seriously, as I actually don't a toss, I think Scott Parker might be the man. He's been an outstanding player from all the way back to his Charlton days. To be honest, I don't know why it has taken so long for the England selectors/manager to pick him. Presumably because he didn't play for one of the biggest teams, which is the usual joke of an excuse.
Strong words... Yes, I'll give you that.... Can't stand the national team being made a mockery of. I'm not blinded by the media, just say it how I saw it. Under Capello, we thought we were something we weren't... I would expect anyone to do well with a team like ours. Pearce didn't do well in last U21, but at least the bloke is an honest grafter.... He will get admirers just for that. The next manager has got to start from fresh, ditch the old guard and be progressive. I know it won't happen, but can you imagine a team made up of players who are the best in their position, regardless of the club or league they are in! No Rooney or Bent..... So, why not stick in the Championship top scorer?? As for the captain, I don't see how you could go wrong with Joe Hart. The role isn't as crucial as is hyped up by the media, he is very talented, young, and one if the few to survive the Capello era pretty much unscathed...
As we are moving into a new era for England we need a captain who will be the next captain for the next 10 years. Scott Parker is 31 and although he is doing well now and don't think he will be around for much longer in the england set up and he still relatively new to england. Gerrard is still a top player IMO but when he has been captain for England he has not been his best. Thats why i would give to Hart as he is a guaranteed starter for the next 10 yrs and although he is in goal who can still have leaders on the fieldI like gerrard and Parker. As for Capello's record. It doesn't matter how good his record is. It is about qualifying and then doing well in the tournements. Yes he got us qualified but i think most of us could get us qualified and when it came to the tournements his selection was poor. Everyone seems to forget that he has NEVER managed an international team before which is why we should have gone with Lippi IMO
It's commmon sense that you give the armband to someone with experience. Rule out the 'old guard' and that leaves us with Parker and Rooney, which gives us a pretty easy choice. I'd be happy not to take Gerrard, although I think he is the natural choice for captain if he does go. We have no chance of winning whatever we do.
I think you are right to some extent; my Spanish friend is bemused by how much precedence the captaincy gets; to them it does not really matter (although I expect a strong leader and motivator would help).
2 million more reasons we should actually choose someone who has a decent chance of doing a good job. I would love to be on performance related pay like that.......... distinctly average at job=large wage packet. We wonder why the "youth" of today and many others from all ages and walks of life get hacked off with watching the failiures get paid for doing badly. That applies to manager, players and captain as far as I can tell in my old fashioned way of looking at things. I am desperate for a fresh start from top to toe. New manager based on credentials of whether they can be an effective coach and man manager. Players based on individual ability, whether they deserve it as well as how well they work with others. A captain who has those funny things called morals, is uncompromising but strong. I agree that if this is applied to the current crop, several taxis would have to be called.............end product would be a team to be proud of. Who cares if we dont win or qualify........have a good time doing it and watching others try......slightly romantic view.........but I think a sea change is needed....
You argue the case well. 100% agree. Now it needs to be put into action. And there's the stumbling block straight away.
I think the main issue is that to have such a clean slate the FA would have to be revamped but like FIFA, the IOC etc it's all the same old rich people pulling the strings the way they want.
To go back to my points about Gerrard. I can understand why some say he's past it but he has barely featured enough this season to get into the groove and he's in a distinctly average Liverpool side that have had all sorts of issues this past year. Gerrard has scored 19 goals for England from 89 games. The only player of his ilk that has a better record for the amount of games is Lampard who is 2 years older and definitely had his better days. Just 3 years ago, Zidane said Gerrard is the best player in the world in his position! Gerrard has one more major tournament left as a swansong to his career. I seriously see him as a vital player. He should be match sharp come the end of the season having played only half a season. This guy can be our main man if he is given licence to roam. Carrick has always been second rate for England and not in the same league. How he can be considered as Gerrards replacement now is beyond me. Wilshere is the future but he will be out for the rest of the season and you just can't throw him straight into a major tournament without a solid 10 games behind him. Parker is immense but he's not a captain. We do not have another more suitable than Gerrard. As for appointing Pearce, if that happens it's a major step back for English football. He's good but no more than a stop gap. I would like to see England line up like this at the Euros with a blend of youth and experience. Hart Richards P Jones Lescott Cole Parker. Barry Walcott. Gerrard. A Johnson Rooney or Defoe or Wellbeck
If I'm honest.... I don't know enough about which English players would be coming through and therefore who deserves/would be best as captain. Don't agree with the sentiment that no "old guard" would mean no experience, we have gone for experience before and still won nothing. It depends on the mix of players, etc. Personally, I think gerard/Liverpool missed a trick over the past few years. Whilst the various shenanigans in the board room have combined with Gerard's injury, his best has long gone. He has been good, but that's past tense. He looked ordinary at best on Sunday, and in the last couple of England games he along with others looked ropey and below what I would class as international class. I think we will struggle generally over the next few years to establish ourselves, and that's due to a generation if players that are very similar. Who knows where the captaincy should go ???
Gerrard is past it. Lampard was always better and still is. And Lampard's a far better role model as well
I agree completely Saint - and who cares anyway? Team captain means feck all. Just pick the oldest player like the Italians do. We won't get through the Group stages anyway with this shower of sh*te - so why does anyone give a toss who's captain?
For me, Gerrard will be in the squad for the Euros without a doubt and rightly so if he maintains his fitness. The special one for me will be Scholes...any England manager should beg him to play ... he would simply run the midfield - now that man does have vision. Thing is, how fickle fans can be, if he does misplace 1 or 2 passes, let's hope the idiots can keep off his back. He is our key to the quarter/semi finals. Also, play Wellbeck ahead of him...there be goals in that lad !
If Gerrard was to get the captaincy we might as well get Sven back in as manager. Gerrard has always been underwhelming at the major tournaments when he has been at the peak of his career, what is he going to offer now he's almost 32 having been injured for ages. What the team is crying out for is a change from the old conventions and we need someone who will bring something new to the side. For me, its either Parker, Milner or Barry who, unlike Gerrard both have been in great form this season and contribute more to the team effort than they do to their individual game. I'd like Milner, he's really improved over the season and was one of our best players last world cup, so I have no doubts he'll be ready for the international stage once again. As with Gerrard, I can't really see a good reason to have him in the team until he improves his fitness and sharpness. Even then, I think we should be looking at younger players, like Cleverly or Rodwell. My team vs Holland: Hart Richards, Cahill, Smalling, Baines Milner (c), Barry, Parker, Young Welbeck, Sturridge
Well Pearce has gone up in my estimation by giving the armband to Parker, now see all the old football pros and expert pundits come out and undermine it saying they are surprised that Gerrard did not get it...
