Will the English be Able to Pull it Off at the World Cup in Germany?

It's difficult to see Carrick in the starting lineup as Sven has not used a five man midfield. Carrick will however be a big success if he is used, as he can orchestrate proceedings from deep midfield, giving others license to roam forward. Carrick may prove to be England's man of the tournament if Eriksson uses him wisely.

Frank Lampard
Lampard will surely start in central midfield and should be allowed to venture forward at will. He has a devastating shot and frequently gets on the scoresheet. England will need his goals if they are to progress a long way in the tournament.

Steven GerrardWorld's best midfielder? Stevie G can possibly win the World Cup on his own, he really is that good. Sven must get get him forward and make him into a goal threat. Gerrard needs to be involved in everything for England. Carrick in the side would definitely release him forward to do so.

Jermain Jenas
It's hard to understand why Jermaine is going, he's a very lucky boy. He's a good player, but I can't see where he fits into the plan, as all the other midfielders bar one command their places. It's difficult imagining how he will be required.

Owen Hargreaves
Hargreaves is clearly a favourite of Eriksson, but many English fans will be hoping he does not set foot on the pitch in Germany. With all the quality midfielders in the squad Hargreaves is an absolute waste of a squad place.

Joe Cole
Cole is the most improved English player of the season, and his skill and trickery can defeat any side. A possible star if he is allowed a free reign to express himself. If Sven makes the most of him he could be a match winner.

Stewart Downing
It'sood to see Downing in the squad, as without him the English are lacking in width. He may be an unlikely starter if the 4-5-1 formation is employed, and should provide crosses from the left for the front player(s).

Aaron Lennon
Similar to Downing, Lennon gives England width, pace and trickery. He may be an efffective bench man if used late in games to attack down the right. Untried at International level, but has impressed in the Premiership.

Eriksson has produced a strange mix of players as front men and has also made gambles that may backfire on him. He has only picked four forwards, which seems to leave England a little under strength.

Wayne Rooney
England's best player, and possibly the World's. Unfortunately he's injured at the moment, but the latest reports show he is ahead of his recovery schedule. All England is hoping he will be ready for thefirst game, but realistically, he will probably miss at least the first two. This makes Sven's decision to take just 4 strikers all the more puzzling.

Michael Owen
Owen now becomes England's biggest hope for goals, but is still worryingly unfit. Owen will probably start up front alone with 5 midfielders providing support. International defences know all about Owen and fear his pace, so he will be an important man for England.

Peter Crouch
There's a distinct possibility that Crouch will start as England's main striker if Rooney & Owen both remain unfit. If that happens, England are in deep trouble. Crouch is not up to the standards expected of the World Cup, and will struggle to score. At 6 feet 7 inches he is too ungainly and awkward.

Theo Walcott
17 years old and has not played for his team Arsenal, yet alone England. His inclusion, at the expense of more experienced strikers was bewildering. From what I've seen of him,which is very little, he looks encouraging, and he maybe useful coming off the bench in late bursts - as Owen used to be.

Overview: Eriksson seems to have left England without too many options up front, which seems to suggest he is favouring a 4-5-1 system instead of his usual regimented 4-4-2.
4-5-1 would allow Gerrard, Lampard, Beckham & Joe Cole licence to attack at will from midfield, and nobody - not even Brazil would relish that prospect.

It has to be said that Jenas & Hargreaves could have been left out of the squad, because of the excellence of all the other midfield players selected. This would allowed for Jermaine Defoe plus another striker to be in as attacking options. As it is, with only the untried Walcott on the bench, England may be found wanting in front of goal.

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