The Centre Midfield pairing for England.

[keano16]

I think this is Capello's most hardest decision in the squad. Obviously Lampard & Gerrard are both on the plane, that is guaranteed. But like Fletch said in another thread, I don't think they should play together. And I certainly don't think Gerrard should be automatically given a role on the left just to fit both them in the same team. Johnson deserves a shot.

Who would be your first choice centre midfield?

[ericactor1]

Scholes and ...... O yes sorry forgot he rejected capello. Now onto a more serious point. I would have said Gerrard and Lampard but as mentioned I don't think Gerrard should be giving a start position. Who know maybe England might meet Ivory Coast and Mr Gerrard will decide to play Drogba through again ? I think if Barry is injured Carrick might be the man to do the job, Carrick could play the deep role which would give Lampard a free role in the middle to get forward. Carrick and also break up the play well and send England in counter attack in no time. Now this might just be my biased manc opinion but there you go.

I think it also comes down to which formation Capello will go with weather he'll play five in the middle with some one playing off Wazza or go with the complex 4-4-2. If its the five in the middle then Gerrard could very well play of Rooney or even Milner.

[johnboy14]

Can't believe people are considering michael carrick for a spot on the plane never mind playing in a starting line up, he's been poor for two years and if he didn't play for united he wouldn't be in the 30 never mind the squad. To be honest I would go with three in the midfield with barry, lampard and gerrard and let gerrard go and join rooney. Barry while technically inferior is still the best option england have for that holding role at present. you can see why capello tried to get scholes back because even at 35 he's still a country mile ahead of this lot when coming to keeping the ball and retaining possession of the ball. Huddlestone is still unproven at this level despite his form for spuds. I think parker deserves a crack in the next game to see if he can handle it, parker in my opinion gives you what barry does energy wise and i believe he's a better player, it would be interesting to see what he would be able to do. England simply don't have enough world class players to win the world cup in my opinion of course.

[chrispiano]

Carrick has had 1 bad season, if he play's well he's a mile ahead of Barry, Parker or Milner.

[NR7]

Based on Carrick's form, I did be surprised if he gets on the plane to SA. Scholes-Lamps apart, none of the other combinations is anywhere good enough to play in a flat 4 midfield..I agree with jb that England's best bet would be to go with a 3 man midfield and Stevie me playing behind Rooney with Lennon and J.Cole or Johnson as the wide players in a 4-3-3 formation.

[fletchabey]

Carrick does seem to be in a bit of rut atm :S i was hoping he might be able to claw himself out of it with a decent WC but im not sure he'll play.

Anyway, my view on the whole Gerrard vs Lampard topic has changed over the last year due too... Rooney. In previous years many proclaimed him to be best as an 'in the hole' player, creative but not always prolific and better off with a big man to support him, which meant 4-4-2 was a good choice. BUT this season has gone to prove he can be a prolific out and out goalscorer, even playing alone.

For that reason, i'd personally have Rooney upfront alone, either Speed Demon on the right, prob Cole on the left, a defensive mid to sit back and protect the defense, Lamps in a central role and Gerrard freedom to move around the pitch, linking with Rooney. No fucking around with trying to put good player in wrong positions.

i wouldnt play Lampard AND Gerrard in a 4-4-2 though.

[Rob]

One thing is for sure, Capello wouldn't have picked Carrick, if he thought that he couldn't do the job. He has had a nightmare season, but when on international duty, he has done well, except for yesterday of course. Anyway, I thought he did quite well, as not one of the England players last night deserved to be on the plane, because Mexico were brilliant from start to finish. They played like Arsenal, which is a shame, but they lacked the confidence to shoot from anywhere remotely near the box.

I do believe that France do have their work cut out, although I am pretty sure that Evra will do better than Baines....

[20Times]

Definatly not Carrick, He's been shit for United this season, and was virutally anonymous yesterday. And this is coming from a fan of him.

[ericactor1]

carrick has had 1 bad season, if he play's well he's a mile ahead of Barry, Parker or Milner.

Well said Chris.

Carrick has had one bad season when on form he is better than Milner, Barry, Parker and Huddlestone

And we as United supporters should be praying he goals cause it would really give him the confidence booster he needs.

[johnboy14]

I think missing out on the world cup will be better for him than going on sentiment. Lampard missed the 2002 world cup and it done wonders for him because he realised he couldn't continue doing the things he was doing. I'll admit i've never been a michael carrick fan and I can only remember really one game where i thought he was world class and that was the 7-1 against roma. I just think his confidence has been shot to bits being in the team then out of it and I think he's given up inside.

[chrispiano]

My personal opinion on Carrick is he plays best in a 4-4-2 where the team have a good width. He's liable to struggle in a 4-5-1 because it is much more narrow and he can be caught in possession as we have seen before. However at Arsenal away and the 2nd leg of Carling Cup he was outstanding and we played 4-5-1 then so i'm not sure. I'd still have him ahead of Huddlestone and Parker even on current form to be honest.

[ericactor1]

But in general Carrick hasn't got a strong personality and I' sure this would effect his confidence too. Ferguson should make him do kick boxing or something get some sort of aggression into his play