England v Paraguay

[Sabba Simba]

Well done to England for an excellent victory. Paraguay might not be the best team in the world but they're going to Japan and Korea so this was a stern test passed with flying colours. I still however think we slightly missed David Beckham who brings a touch of class to the side. Saying that Stephen Gerrard's contribution was outstanding. There were a lot of plus points about tonight's game, and it was good to end a bad run that we've been having. I'm still not sure about Vassell though although it looks like he's booked his place on the plane to the World Cup. What do you all think?

[Jayden]

I think beating anyone 4-0 in Interntaional competition, friendly or not is impressive. Not a bad performance and a much needed confidence boost.

I would have to say that I don't mind taking Vassell to the world cup. I don't think he's gonna be first choice, but worth having in the squad.

If you look at the 5 he's likely to go with, Owen/Fowler/Heskey/Sheringham/Vassell who could you think of that could fit in there better than those guys? Phillips just doesn't look like an international striker to me, and hasn't had a great season. Andy Cole, oh dear, you get two or three chances a game in International matches, the last thing we want is the most over rated player in English football wasting them. Other than that they were talking about Matt Jansen, now I love the guys to bits as a Blackburn fan but would rather see Vassell there. And there's not really anyone else there.

My concern comes at the back. Here's my reasons why.

Gary Neville - Reading of the game is poor, and he's not a great passer of the ball, although surprisingly whilst I'm not a fan at all of his he's probably the one who scares me the least.

Sol Campbell - Average season at Arsenal, Boa-Morte and Saha tore him to pieces against Fulham earlier on in the season, I think he's receeded as a player. Back in 1998 he looked solid, now he looks sluggish and his judgement and anticipation aren't up to scratch.

Rio Ferdinand - Good passer of the ball, nice player with the ball at his feet, but that's not a centre backs job. I really don't think Rio can function in a back 4. His positional sense is awful, he's at times clumsy and his marking and tracking of players is dreadful. If you play with three centre backs I think you can afford the luxury of having him in there to pass the ball, but in a back four he worries me.

Ashley Cole - Am I the only one who realises he's just not a left back. He's rash, positionally naieve, and generally a terrible defender. He's great going forward so play him on the left hand side of the midfield or not at all. He'll give away stupid penalties, and pick up unneccessary bookings throughout the competition.

Danny Mills - Now this guy will only get a game if somebody else gets injured or suspended. Here's my concern, Neville gets injured first game, Mills comes in and picks up bookings too easily and gets suspended and suddenly we've got to look for a third choice right back. Other than that he's a fairly average player anyway.

Wayne Bridge - Not a bad player, but he's no Jamie Carragher, and he's no Graeme Le Saux. Le Saux's had a great season, experienced and is a left back, not a guy who just wants to get forward and get caught out defensively all day long.

Jamie Carragher - Is the best full back we have, why is he not playing every game. Have you ever seen him have a bad game? You know what you're getting with Carragher and he works his socks off.

Southgate and Ehiogu - Haven't put a fut wrong all season, and have played together most of their career. Provide a much more solid partnership than Ferdinand and Campbell and Southgate passes a ball with better vision than Ferdinand.

Phil Neville - Same problems as his brother just that he's even worse

The thought of Crespo/Claudio Lopez/Saviola etc etc coming at a back 4 of Neville/Ferdinand/Campbell/Cole scares the life out of me.

[Verb]

lol at the are "you scotland in disguise?" chants

[Jayden]

Certainly not, England through and through, just realistic about a promising but so far, far from world beating team

[K.J]

I think Full Backs need to get forward and support atacks down the wings, Gary Neville and Wayne Bridge do this superbly. Gary Neville links up very well with Beckham on the right and is not a bad crosser of the ball in his own right. Carragher although he's sound in defence doesn't get forward enough, in fact I think he gets a nose bleed everytime he crosses the half way line.

As for Ashley Cole I agree that we should be playing him on the left midfield, he's crap in defence but gets forward very well, so why is he a left back?