........to give Steve McClaren a bit of credit?

 

For me, in the next game if he keeps the same team, (perhaps Hargreaves for Barry being the only change I'd half endorse) and we win, then despite my vociferous disagreement with his appointment, I'm afraid I'd have to say yes.

 

If Rooney and Neville get picked again - then I'm afraid its a big no!

Calm down. It was only Israel and Russia.

 

I agree he deserves credit, but then I don't think he deserved as much stick as he got.

 

If he had dropped Lampard, Rooney, and Crouch instead of having to make enforced changes due to injuries and suspension then he'd deserve a whole lot more. Let's be honest, he's stumbled across a system and personnel that seem to work ok, rather then used tactical awareness to get there.

dont quite think he stumbled across heskey good decision imo the russians looked quick think we may struggle over there

No credit for beating a team with Idan Tal in its midfield,but beating Russia 3-0 was a fine achievement.

 

It would take a brave man to drop Lampard and Rooney if they were fit for Russia away,hopefully they won't be fit.

Lampard can only be in the squad as cover for Gerrard, it's as clear as day that one. However Neville is a solid international full back and Rooney is a proven class act, a watch winner.

 

This time last week it was this board was full of moaning about Heskey's selection, it's laughable.

This time last week it was this board was full of moaning about Heskey's selection, it's laughable.

 

Still don't rate him although he was excellent v the Ruskies. If he continues in that vein and has a long string of good games to equal the shiyte ones he's had for England, I will take it back and say I was wrong.

Used to be a powder puff for a big lad but seems to be putting it about now. We'll have to wait and see.

I think that better defences than the Russians will cope with Heskey but he's taken his chance and played well. With his scoring record it's just as well he brings other players into the game but then again that often is the case with England's second strikers, Beardsley/Linekar and Sherringham/Shearer, etc.

 

Part of the problem with Heskey is who he plays for; do you think the reaction to his selection would have been half as harsh if he played for a London team?

........to give Steve McClaren a bit of credit?

 

For me, in the next game if he keeps the same team, (perhaps Hargreaves for Barry being the only change I'd half endorse) and we win, then despite my vociferous disagreement with his appointment, I'm afraid I'd have to say yes.

 

If Rooney and Neville get picked again - then I'm afraid its a big no!

 

I do give Steve credit and agree with your argument and suggestion to do so... However if he were to drop Barry [ as you are also suggesting ] well this is where I think I would have to take away some of the credit.

 

I think Barry was fantastic in both games . . . this is in my opinion where the biggest credit is due. Putting him in the centre of midfield has been [ for me ] a fookin REVELATION!

funny thing about barry is that we've long wanted a left sided midfielder

 

we've got one and stick him central

Barry passed the ball well but offered no defensive cover at all. We were incredibly vulnerable against Russia, and on a worse night could have conceded several goals.

McLaren deserves no credit, he a yes man who got the job coz he used to wipe Fergie's arse.

 

As for Heskey - he's an average player but I think that people are getting a bit over-excited with him..............but I prefer him to Crouch.

 

The perma-crocks will be back soon, hargreaves & the rest, and they'll waltz straight back in the team if they're fit or not.

funny thing about barry is that we've long wanted a left sided midfielder

 

we've got one and stick him central

No we haven't.

 

We've played a central midfielder in his correct position. Where he's excelled at for the last couple of years for Villa. Compared to being considerably average for Villa at left back/left wing back/left midfield.

 

Just because someone is left footed, everybody assumes they are a left back/left midfielder, presumably because there's a lack of depth in those areas. Lampard and Gerrard are right footed but they aint right midfielders (though Eriksson and Benitez may disagree - fools).

Barry passed the ball well but offered no defensive cover at all. We were incredibly vulnerable against Russia, and on a worse night could have conceded several goals.

 

That's b?llocks I'm afraid, he did plenty of covering back, to say he offered no cover at all is just wrong

 

He hasn't Hargreaves pace, power and ball winning ability, Lampard's knack of scoring goals, or Carrick's passing but he's got a bit of everything whereas the other three are all a little too one dimensional.

 

And Gerrard has played much much better alongside him, that's reason enough to stick with Barry IMO

 

If he doesn't get picked next game it's a sad indictment of big club/media power

He hasn't Hargreaves pace, power and ball winning ability, Lampard's knack of scoring goals, or Carrick's passing but he's got a bit of everything whereas the other three are all a little too one dimensional.

 

And Gerrard has played much much better alongside him, that's reason enough to stick with Barry IMO

 

If he doesn't get picked next game it's a sad indictment of big club/media power

 

spot on IMO.

 

I do rate Barry, since he not been messed about by villa and played in a settled role in Midfield he has been there outstanding player and deserves his call up to the squad, grant it injuries put him in the team that most of us probably wouldnt have and now he is in he deserves to stay.