Pompey 2, England 0

Well, it's a point that's been CRYING OUT to be made. Pompey have helped build the most impressive strike partnership the club has seen for many a year (and the most prolific in the Premier League already) but Capello clearly won't care.

Can you imagine that England get to 65 mins without scoring against Kazakhstan? 0-0 with under a third of the game to go?

Wayne Rooney and Emile Heskey, neither of whom has scored a hatful for England, haven't shown the promise of the Croatia game. No penetration and Theo Walcott is wandering up and down the right hand side, trying to remember what he did for his hat trick.

But, wait! Look at the touchline, isn't that a tall man with his son in England kits? Nope, it's Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe, a strike partnership with 8 Premier League goals and 5 assists in just 7 games.

A partnership that doesn't only meet up at weekends once every three months for an international training camp. A partnership that plays week in, week out and is growing more familiar with every game.

75 mins: A looped ball from Steven Gerrard on the left (don't get me started) lands on Crouch's head, who cushions it into the path of the in-form Defoe.

He may struggle at international level, but he doesn't miss this time. Nestling in the right corner across the goalkeeper, it's 1-0.

82 mins: Gareth Barry frees Defoe down the right, who cuts into the box, totally losing the Kazakhstan defender. He lofts one into Crouch, who smashes it over his head with a trademark bicycle kick. 2-0.

89 mins: Crouch holds up the ball at the top of the D, before laying it off to Defoe, who blasts through only to be denied by the legs of the 'keeper. But his pace is matched by Walcott, who is waiting for the rebound and duly taps in. 3-0, job done.

It's easy to predict the mountain of abuse just waiting to hit. 'Crouch and Defoe have never played well on the international stage', 'they're Premier League players at best', 'the team set-up for England is at a higher level than Pompey could ever achieve'.

Well, all good points, and would be fair to raise. But answer this: would Rooney score more goals if he had Ronaldo or Tevez playing for England? Easily, because they both know how to feed the cheeky Scouser.

If Heskey plays so well with Rooney, why doesn't Ferguson buy him for a few million to help get the best out of him? Answer: he's old and not 'United' level. So why is he the answer for England?

The point I'm trying to make is it's not about the players, it's about the team. It's the reason Gerrard and Lampard have never performed together on the international stage. It's the reason the left hand side has been a problem for England for SO many years, trying to fit Joe Cole pegs in left-footed holes.

I know I'm biased because I'm a Pompey fan, but if you divide the England team into units, a decent strike partnership, a cohesive midfield and a resolute defence need to be found.

Well, the first one is sorted thanks to Redknapp.

Gareth Beavis
www.pompeyfans.com

Comments

[Sean]

14 goals in 4 games. What's wrong with our current strikeforce?

[Dan]

Anyone could see at the start of the season that Defoe and Crouch would work as a partnership; Classic big man and little man combo.

If they both stay fit - I'd put my house on them being the highest-scoring partnership in the Premiership.

Good club players but are they international class? I suspect maybe not

[Phil]

Matt,

"Capello needs to play those who have form and can play together - not the ones that look good on paper."

England were playing on grass last night and looked pretty good to me.

[Mike]

Familiarity isn't the reason Rooney would improve if Tevez or Ronaldo were in the England side. It's because they're much much (can I emphasize that any more?) much better than the other England attacking players.

Crouch and Defoe are good players, but played together England would lack the inventiveness to break down better sides.

[Liam]

Very good although slightly biased article I think Defoe and Crouch do make a good partnership but they are still developing together so I would have them in the squad but not yet starting.

It's obvious to most England fans Joe being an exception that Rooney and Heskey works for us as shown in Zagreb where Rooney was in my view Man of the Match so we should stick to it however let's judge the Partnership of Crouch and Defoe after Christmas and if it's still prolific why not.

One more thing Joe I think all England fans would rate Capellos thoughts on Rooney above yours I agree he has been overhyped since 2004 (and I'm a United fan) but there are no arguments to him being one of the best players in the world when on form end of!!!

[Oliver]

Joe, your ignorance is astounding. Rooney is quite clearly not over rated (least of all the MOST over rated!, and is arguably one of the best 10 players in the Premiership. Even if he wasn't, he is definitely an international squad member for a team ranked 14th in the world.

And if we're talking about current form for club and country, he has it. Heskey, at least for Wigan, doesn't (though I am a fan when he players for us up front).

Considering the majority of pundits, players, commentators and fans (both in England and around the world) believe Rooney to be a great footballer - why are you reading from a different page?

[Steve]

Come on guys get real... you cant drop Rooney (and I'm not a ManU fan) he is a class player... check how much work he does outside the 18 yard box, the team is much less without him. However, there is absolutely no doubt that Crouch should be playing instead of Heskey. What Rooney needs is a target man to play off... There is no better than Crouch he's (obviously) great in the air and he's deceptively skilled with his feet as well... O and by the way if anyone has forgotten he has a great goal scoring record for club and country!!

[Big Bob]

This is stupid, they wont play for england as neither are good enough. defoe is almost there but crouch-not a chance. i was waiting for some fool to suggest this idea. pompey have been poor this season, so its not like these two are in a rich vein of form. crouch cannot hold up play, heskey can-england NEED someone who can do this. are you suggesting he drop rooney who just got two goals, and heskey who has been consistenly decent. crouch is awful, he acheives nothing for the team.

[Robin]

You have got to be kidding me... I see now that John Westwood really does represent most pompey fans. Completely delusional and in bad taste of all things. Especially football players.

[Rob]

A trademark Crouch bicycle kick?

I thought his trademark was a crappy dance and not being good enough for a big four club?

[robert]

i agree gareth england need a good strike partnership that play week in week out not 2 players that play 2gether twice a year defoe is amazing and crouch links with him perfectly so why does cappello ignore because if he drops our supposidly best player he may get abuse off fans that refuse to sea the bigger picture . rooney heskey owen out defoe crouch in why does the managers never take risks give amazing debues have freindlies to try out young players england need youth

[jim]

So the author of this piece believes that an England team that has scored 5 and 4 goals in its last two prem. outings should be swapping it's strike partnership to mimmic the one found at Pompey? Well before we do that we should probably use some of the other partnerships that have developed in the prem. surely? What English midfield partnership is currently as profitable as Barry and Reo-coker, so out with Gerrard and Lampard and in with those two together. Should one get injured drop the other for Hargreaves and Carrick (again together as they're both at United).

[Frank]

Joe, after last nights performance from Rooney, is he really overrated? I think not. Probably going to be one of the best England strikers ever. He shut you up.

[John Orford]

May I just point out there is no such thing as an assist in football. Normally we say "laid on" or similar things. If you don't know which sport you are watching you shouldn't be writing and if you still think the United States is to admired and copied, I suggest you emigrate there, so that we can keep our identity.

[John Orford]

May I just point out there is no such thing as an assist in football. Normally we say "laid on" or similar things. If you don't know which sport you are watching you shouldn't be writing and if you still think the United States is to admired and copied, I suggest you emigrate there, so that we can keep our identity.

[Justin]

Strongly agree Gareth. It has been a long time since England has played as a team, not just the 11 individual stars. Defoe and Crouch are the best "team" selection. We are only 7 games into the season and they look deadly together.

[joe]

sure he can drop rooney, hes the most over rated player in the premiership, and he shoudlnt even be in the squad. Heskey and defoe is the way forward, play players on form rather than reputation.

[Simon]

Capello cannot possibly drop Wayne Rooney for that beanpole Crouch. Also, as another article on this fanzine states, Owen should be in the squad in front of Defoe.

[matt]

Spot on Gareth. Capello needs to play those who have form and can play together - not the ones that look good on paper..