Without a shadow of a doubt Wayne Rooney is England's best centre-forward and a world class player. This, however, poses a number of problems which were highlighted in the recent dire performance against Wales - specifically the lack of any creativity or invention in the middle of the park. Undoubtedly Rooney can play up top as the central player in an attacking three - I would like to see a trio of Sturridge - Rooney - Johnson, at least in a friendly. This is not a criticism of Ashley Young, who could easily play in place of Johnson. However, as was glaringly obvious against Wales, the lack of a play-maker in the centre left us bereft of ideas going forward. In the absence of Gerrard and Wilshere, and especially when it was clear the game was passing our midfield by - in contrast to Wales who's play-maker Ramsey was always on the ball, even if they rarely threatened the goal (Earnshaw's miss excepting). Why then did Capello not drop Rooney back into the position he's currently so brilliantly playing for Utd, where he's scoring and creating goals? His combination play with Young looks exceptional at the moment, and it beggars belief that Capello did not make the tactical switch that would have brought our best player into the game instead of leaving him isolated and frustrated up front all alone. Whilst, then, an attacking three can be dangerous the lack of creativity in England's midfield demands that in the absence of Wilshere, Gerrard or another talented distributive player, Rooney must play in the 'hole' behind a central striker- the problem remains who though? Perhaps Welbeck or Sturridge will play this role in the future; Sturridge I think will be a great player for England - he was outstanding for the U-21s in the summer.
