Deep In My Heart, England v Israel || Middlesbrough F.C. news, reviews and comment

DEEP IN MY HEART 8-9-07
England vs. Israel, 8th September 2007, Wembley Stadium
James Keen

People are slagging Steve McClaren off like it's going out of fashion. Getting all their digs in now so if we don't qualify for Euro 2008, or if Macca gets sacked they can all say 'told you so!'

But let's be fair. When Macca was at Boro his forte was never league football; his league record was very poor in comparison to his Cup pedigree. And for this reason I think we should stick with him.

The FA probably believed, looking at our group, that we would qualify without too many problems, and then, when we reached the finals 'Super Mac' would work his magic and do with England what he did with Boro. and I don't mean lose 4-0 in a major European final, but bring silverware to a side desperate for glory.

McClaren's tactics seem to work wonders in the Cups, but in the league he's just too negative, whereas some England managers have played tactics that have been great for League football but absolute nonsense when it comes to knock-out.

So, in terms of tactics, I have no problem with Macca. I do however have a problem with his personnel.

The persistent choice of Peter Crotch, Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole just irritates me. Crouch has never scored a goal against a side in the top thirty of World Football, his only goal of any note being against Greece, long after they had fallen from the grace of winning the European Championships.

He is completely ineffective against the world's 'better' sides. I'm quietly impressed by the selection of Heskey as he'll be hungry, he'll be ready, he takes the heat off his backline with his persistent falling over and he'll be Michael Owen's perfect partner. Good call Steve.

Rio Ferdinand is limited in his ability; if you take away his John Terry or Nemanja Vidic he is hopeless. He has been a great player, but at the moment he's not playing well and not worth his place in the team. A much better choice would be our own Jonno, Micah Richards or even Steven Taylor. Too often players get in the side on reputation and not on form, which is Steve's mistake.

Joe Cole is my final nag. He's NOT A LEFT WINGER! He is the biggest waste of space in an England shirt. Recieves the pass from Gerrard, runs at his defender, ignores the run of his left back, cuts inside, tries to take a man on and then either (a) fires a shot into row Z, (b) runs into defender and falls over or (c) tries to pass it to his best mate Frank Lampard.

If I was Ashley Cole I'd have a contract out on his head as I've never seen someone ignore his full-back's overlapping runs so often. And that is why our Stewart Downing would be ideal. He works well with Taylor for Boro and will work equally well for England, given a regular run.

I think Israel are a decent side, but they're not a good side. And with the return of Michael Owen to the side and to fitness, we should have some form of threat.

I'd agree with playing Gerrard, if Stevie wants to play. It's his choice at the end of the day, and I'm sure he'll be keen to play without the irritating Frank Lampard by his side.

Gareth Barry should also be given a shout in midfield after some good performances for Villa and some assured but brief appearances for England.

The final sticking point for me is the right wing. And although he should never have dropped out of the Under-21 squad in the summer, I think David Bentley is the only real option to replace David Beckham.

I'm quite excited by the prospect of us using some lads who are in form at club level and not necessarily just in the side because of who they are.

C'mon England!

The outcome: My heart is telling me 3-0 England, my head tells me a 1-0 win.

Last Time We Met: Israel 0-0 England

Probable side: Robinson, Richards, A.Cole, Terry, Ferdinand, Gerrard, Barry, J.Cole, Young, Owen, Heskey

Side I'd play: Robinson, Young, A.Cole, Terry, Richards, Gerrard, Barry, Downing, Bentley, Owen, Heskey

Man to Watch: Yossi Benayoun

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