I agree completely, but I thought he should have come on for Lampard with Gerrard vacating the right side (which he had been doing all through the match anyway) and playing centrally. Carrick could have been replaced by Parker, even though the latter is not really a holding midfielder, but then again on that performance neither is the former - I don't actually recall many ball winning tackles except when he had lost the ball in the first place! To be fair, the Macedonians did play well and closed Carrick down very quickly, but that exposed his inability to beat a man and run with the ball - he can be a great passer but is very static. Although I don't think Downing is good enough, he did at least put a couple of decent crosses in, and we don't have too many options for that position, although we could try Wayne Bridge there until Joe Cole is fit. In fact Wright-Phillips did OK on the left but only by cutting inside, and if that happens throughout a match from both sides then the team loses penetration and plays too narrow, and also loses any 'Crouch advantage'. Rooney just doesn't look fit or in form at the moment and should be dropped for England until he regains both, and I think Andy Johnson should be in the reckoning but he isn't in the squad (injured?). The team I'd like to see against Croatia is:caller wrote:Nice report.
Actually, I thought the icing on the cake was bringing Wright-Phillips on and playing him on the LEFT!!!
-------------------------------Robinson------------------------------
Neville------------King/Ferdinand---Terry---------------------Cole
Wright-Phillips-------Parker--------Lampard----------------Bridge
---------------------Defoe----------Crouch---------------------------
However I'm pretty sure McClaren will pick the same side that played on Saturday, except with Wright-Phillips replacing the suspended Gerrard and maybe Ferdinand back in defence instead of King (if he is fit).
