Pick Fabio Capello's starting England XI

Fabio Capello has picked his 23-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualification double-header against Kazakhstan at Wembley on Saturday, and Belarus in Minsk's Dinamo Stadium the following Wednesday, leaving Michael Owen on Tyneside to once more consider his England future as probably the most controversial decision.

Now, we all know Mr Capello is God's gift to international football management after that 4-1 victory over Croatia in Zagreb last month but why not give him a helping hand to while away the days until Borat's boys turn up at the weekend by giving him a hand picking his team for this crucial fixture?

The rules, which are simple, are these: for the sake of our poor, overworked, polling equipment, we will have to ask you to select a standard 4-4-2 formation, that is four defenders, four midfielders and two strikers. The mechanism will allow you to pick four central defenders if you so wish, but better to stick with two full backs and two centre backs so as not to tie Fabio's hands.

Will you pick Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in the same midfield (remember, the two do not have to play together in the centre, as there is a space for the Liverpool man on the left side now that Chelsea's Joe Cole is injured)?

And will you reunite the in-form Portsmouth pair of Peter (I scored with an overhead kick at the weekend) Crouch and Jermain Defoe in the national side, resting Wayne Rooney as his club manager Sir Alex (don't mess with me) Ferguson so desires?

Have your vote and then have your say in the comment panel at the bottom, addressing such matters as who you think should be in the squad but isn't, or who is in the 23 but would not be on your World Cup plane.

   

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Comments

[James]

My team
James (hopefully no howlers)
Cole, Ferdinand, Upson (because of Terry's injury), Johnson (who's been playing really well this season)
Walcott, Gerrard, Barry (holding), Downing. (Frank and Steve haven't played well together before and don't see it happening any time soon. When either one of them has been out injured the other has played superbly.)
Crouch (if Heskey's injured), Rooney

[ES]

GK - James
RB - Brown
LB - Cole
RCB - Terry
LCB - Ferdinand
DCM - Barry (Holding Role)
RCM - Gerrard (Attacking Role)
LCM - Lampard (Attacking Role)
RW - Walcott
LW - Rooney
CF - cROUCH

[Carl]

Why Johnson over Brown?
Everyone seems to think he's some major weak link for club and country but has anyone REALLY payed attention to his recent form?
Was he not part of the rock solid defence that amassed an enormous goal-difference last season?
Did he not score at the weekend?
Also, why 442? Walcott spent most of his time in Zagreb in the opposition's half so in effect it was a 433.
I'd stick with that and have:
GK - James
RB - Brown
LB - Cole
RCB - Terry
LCB - Ferdinand
DCM - Barry (Holding Role)
RCM - Gerrard (Attacking Role)
LCM - Lampard (Attacking Role)
RW - Walcott
LW - Rooney
CF - Heskey (As target-man)

[Colin]

Below is my team to play against Kazakhstan at Wembley on Saturday
James
no one else to choose.
Johnson Terry Ferdinand Cole
gone for johnson, over brown for attacking threat.
Walcott Barry Lampard Downing
left out gerrard because of the last england game.Cole injury downing in,.
Hesky Rooney
excellent performance last game.

[Harry harinordiquy]

don't change the team except for forced changes, ie someone in for joe cole.

Ditching Barry just because Gerrard is back would be shoving the best players in, at the expense of the team. If we need a goal, bring him on 2nd half.

Hansen's laughable answer on MOTD was play him wide right - what, in front of theo??

[Simmons]

I think that the main discussion should be who not to pick. Firstly Defoe is an average striker at best so no to Defoe (Owen?). Downing bores me everytime he plays so no to him (SWP?). Agree with previous comments regarding Richards, so out with Brown. Otherwise we've got a very strong squad. Come on England!

[Goonter]

Keep the team that beat Croatia and slot Shaun Wright-Phillips in the Joe Cole role. End of!
Gerrard can come off the bench if need be.

[Timothy Tanner]

James, might the 55 goals conceded be a problem that isn't solely Beckham's fault? I haven't watched him so I don't know, maybe you have seen him score 55 own goals?

I would warn against underestimating Kazakhstan, ok they have started badly and for that the manager has been fired. This is a team that only lost 2-1 to a strong Portugal side and have given trouble to strong teams so a narrow win won't be a shameful thing. Hope the crowd doesn't get on the players backs if we aren't winning 3-0 after ten minutes.

Carson: James is off form as if Green so Carson gets a chance to redeem himself. May well have one or two saves to make. Questionable why Kirkland wasn't picked.

Glen: Went for him over Brown as this is a home game against a beatable team, add extra impetus to our attack.

Rio and Terry: Questionable picks below them and with Sergei Ostapenko having three goals already this camapign, we need capable defenders to keep an eye on him.

Cole: Hopefully can transfer his recent form to the national team.

SWP: His pace and willingness to get into the box to score make him an excellent option, good thing he is on form. Beckham may be a better crosser and SWP needs to show he can cross but lacks the pace to stretch play. Walcott meanwhile is erratic and would be best brought on against tiring legs for this one.

Barry: We need a holding midfielder and despite Barry's bad form, I can't see anyone else capable of sitting in front of the defence and ensuring midfielder Dmitriy Byakov doesn't become a threat.

Lampard: On form, played superbly against Croatia, deserves to start.

Downing: Did think of Gerrard on the left and I question the inclusion of Downing over Young but we deal with the hand we have been dealt. If we are looking to use width, and I am, then Downing is a better option then Gerrard who is best used coming inside from out wide.

Rooney: Fitness permitting, we need spark and he can provide it.

Crouch: Tempted to go with Heskey still but for this game alone, the team I went for is going to get in a lot of crosses. Crouch seems more likely to head home then Heskey is.

[Greg P]

"anyone selecting David Beckham deserves nothing less than to be shot.Either that or be forced to sit through his "maginificent" displays for LA Galaxy in the Mickeymouse League Soccer circus where the "icon" and "most famous footballer in the world" has somehow managed to turn a previously successful team into a bunch of clowns.Cor isnt "becks" amazing?What an absolute farce hes anywhere near the national squad anymore."

Come on, James - he did score that free kick against Greece 7 years ago!

[Greg P]

England (4-3-2-1):

James; Brown, Cole, Terry, Ferdinand; Barry, Gerrard, Lampard; Walcott, Rooney; Heskey

[Rodney]

I see everyone now favours Lampard form reading below but lets be honest it would'nt be nice to see a top player like Gerrard available yet, warming the bench. Lets give them one last chance. If Gerrard can be disciplined like Lampard was against the croats, he can sod off and go play for Liverpool never to bother about England again

James
Johnson Rio Terry Ashley
Walcott Lampard Gerrard Barry
Crouch Defoe

Lets not forget Barry CAN play left of midfield

[STRIKER]

Well all i say is :
Theo should play
And england needs a proper striker.
Defoe is old.
Crouch is bit lame.
Hesky is ok.
Rooney is Good at being winger or attk mid rather than scoring as he is doing.
Beckham should be given chance.
Fuck Barry he sucks.
Gerrad is essintial
Lampard too
Terry too
Ferdinand
Wes brown
Cole too
And keeper robinson or james.
cuz i still think robinson is good keeper just need more time and concentration to prove it.

[RT]

Since I didn't pick the squad it leaves a problem. I think the only thing Steve McLaren got right was picking Micah Richards at right back. He might be far from the finished article, but his athleticism gets him out of gaol as often as not. I'd pick him there. On his previous appearances he did his work and Beckhams too! Wes Brown does not offer enough, and seems to be slipping down the order at MUFC. Can't do Gerrard and Lampard - we've seen it not working too often now. Only solution half each. Lampard has the shirt, so should start. Trying SWP on the left allows flexibility. We should stop asking Gerrard to be lots of different things.

My squad:
James - GK
Richards Ferdinand Terry A Cole
Walcott Lampard Barry Wright-Phillips
Rooney Heskey

Subs. Gerrard For Lampard, Others on bench - Carson, Lescott, Jenas, Crouch.

Beckham for ball boy no other use.
J Cole should always start when fit, Englands best player for the last few seasons.

[MorpH]

Why not rest Ashley Cole and Rooney at Wembley and save them for the tougher away game? Crouch and Heskey would be an interesting combo as long as the rest of the team resists the urge to constantly play the long ball.
Not sure if any of the reserve left-backs are up to it though, at least Lescott has played this season, so I'd probably go with him.
I'd pick Gerrard over Lampard in the middle, I thought that Lampard was average against Croatia. SWP should replace Joe Cole on the left.

[Steve Phillips]

No matter how many times we sit and play fantasy football with the England XI, it's always going to pick itself at the end of the day.

James - Carson not forgiven for 2-3 Croatia, Green blunders at weekend...

Brown - No one else good enough since Neville's injury virtually ended his career.

A. Cole - Best left back in the country by far.

Terry/Ferdinand - Self expanitary.

Barry - Best form since Liverpool tried to 'tap' him up.

Lampard - Performance against Villa top notch and excellent vs Croatia in 1-4 win.

Walcott - No explanation neededd!

Wright Phillips - Would have been first choice more if he'd played at Chelsea every week. Not Gerrard (controversial!!)

Rooney - Didn't score a competitive goal for years yet gets picked for EVERY game...why not Owen who WILL score every 2/3 games and is still one of Englands best?

Heskey - Give him a break eh. Big, powerful, puts himself about, and has forgotten how to 'go over' easily, sometimes...

[RJ]

James (keeper)
Ferdinand Terry (central defence)
Brown (right back)
A. Cole (left wing back)
Lampard Barry (defensive midfield)
Walcott (right wing)
Gerrard (attacking midfield from left)
Rooney (in the hole)
Heskey (centre forward)

This is how Cappello should play it. Neither Gerrard nor Lampard will like it much, but it will solve the problem of playing them together. Also this is a positional thing. This may be how they line up, but in reality on the pitch, A. Cole must provide the width on the left on his own. Lampard should stay with Barry in supporting the central defenders (as he did to great effect agaist Croatia). While Gerrard should have defensive responsibilities on the left of the pitch he should be able to move in to the centre to take over Rooney's ground as Wayne advances. In contrast, Walcott must stay at the right touch line and be an outlet for passess. This will enable a sort of right wing shift. Balls on the ground can be played through by Barry and Lampard to Gerrard and Rooney. With Gerrard moving inside from the left, A. Cole can bomb forward on attack and pass into the middle. The long ball outlets will be Heskey in the middle and Walcott on the right. This will expose the left flank on attack so Barry will have to be vigilent.

This will work if (a) Lampard shows discipline in not bombing forward unless Gerrard circles back to cover, if (b) A. Cole is aggressive like he is with Chelsea, and (c) Rooney stays in the middle and does not come back and crowd midfield.

[A Syed]

(4-4-1-1 or 4-1-3-2)

JAMES(gk)

JOHNSON-TERRY(c)-FERDINAND(vc)-A.COLE

WALCOTT-BECKHAM-LAMPARD-BARRY

ROONEY-HESKEY

Subs:

DEFOE on for ROONEY (ST) +
JENAS on for BECKHAM (CM) + WRIGHT-PHILLIPS on for WALCOTT (RM)

...in 2nd half

[Karl]

Heskey on his own with the 4 behind him given license to go wherever they please. We only need one holding player against this level of oposition.

James
Brown Terry Ferdinand A Cole
Barry
Walcott Lampard Rooney Gerrard
Heskey

[Joe]

all out attack lets go for 8 it duznt matter if we concede 1.

Green

Wright-Phillips Ferdinand Terry Cole

Walcott Lampard Barry Downing

Hesky Rooney

like when we hammered Luxemberg under keegan playing a young Kieron Dyer rightback id put Wright-Phillips there as all the opposition sre going to do is defend

[Alex]

Capello should sack off Gerrard and pick Walcott on the left with Wright-Phillips on the right and Lampard and Barry in the middle - those two wide players flying at the full backs and whipping crosses in for the likes of Hesky and Rooney with Lampard bombing forward should be more than enough to see of Kazakstan and Belarus.

[Carrard]

Against lower opposition like Kazakhstan, he should play more offensive:

James

Johnson Terry Ferdinand Cole

Gerrard Barry Lampard

Walcott Rooney Cole

[Dan Lyles]

I think that Joe Cole's injury may have prevented a selection dilemma for Capello. Heskey can now continue as a target man with an elusive and interchanging triumverate comprising Gerrard (starting on the left where he was MOTM against the Czech Rep.), Rooney and Walcott situted behind him. This allows Barry and Lampard to continue their effective partnership in the middle. 3 of the back four pick themselves but I still can't understand why Micah Richards has been left out. Although he is still too raw to play centre back for England his displays at right back were reminiscent of Thuram at his peak. He's far better than Brown and Johnson. Michael Owen, Abonglahor and Ashley Young should also be in the squad. The likes of Downing, Jenas and Defoe have failed to perform for England time and time again and should be replaced by the former trio.

[Greg]

Owen should be in there.

[james]

anyone selecting David Beckham deserves nothing less than to be shot.Either that or be forced to sit through his "maginificent" displays for LA Galaxy in the Mickeymouse League Soccer circus where the "icon" and "most famous footballer in the world" has somehow managed to turn a previously successful team into a bunch of clowns.Cor isnt "becks" amazing?What an absolute farce hes anywhere near the national squad anymore.