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Sven-Goran Eriksson's task as England manager is becoming increasingly difficult as he enters his second year in charge.
Take, for example, the Striker situation. No sooner have we redced the list of possible understudies to four: Robbie Fowler, Kevin Phillips, Andy Cole and Alan Smith-than along comes Darius Vassell who scores a blinder of a goal on his debut and maybe claims his place at this years World Cup. Similarly, we have just got used to Eriksson's idea of left-back-material: Ashley Cole and Chris Powell, or what you might call a blend of youth and international inexperience when Wayne Bridge appears.
In holland last Wednesday, Bridge had a great game for the forty five minutes he participated in, considering he was up against the brilliance and experience of Ronald de Boer. As for Darius Vassell, rough edges evident in the first half were over-looked as the most spectacular goal scored by an Aston Villa player in an England shirt in the last ten years, gave the Dutch a relatively minor dose of that low-country feeling as we English know rather well. Both Bridge and Vassell give an encouraging pattern to us in that they are both just 21 years old. Of England's other successes, Steven Gerrard is 22 and Rio Ferdinand is 23. Emile Heskey is 24, Joe Cole 20. The temporarily absent Michael Owen is 22, Ashley Cole 21. Michael Carrick is 20 and Wes Brown 22. If Kieron Dyer makes it back in time for Japan, he will have near-veteran status at 23. While there should be no place for Jonathan Woodgate 22, and Jon Terry 21, they are both top quality youngsters. Coming up from the Under 21s meanwhile are all those Jermaines: Pennant, Defoe, Jenas etc.
So, what does all this signify?
First, that never, in the field of footballing piffle, has so much been said with such certainty that on the subject of how young English players would suffer from the rapid increase of foreigners. Youth's bloom has been so dramatic, that Kevin Keegan should not be criticised for stating a couple of years ago, that he had only 35 serious candidates. Then, at the time it was true. Eriksson has used around 43 players in his time as England manager.
He must now think whether, to recall Alan Hansen's version of one convention, that he can win something with kids.
Usually, teams in the World Cup have an average age of 29 years old. Bear in mind though, France leant heavily on experience when they won the World Cup in 1998. If we assume that David Seaman is in goal, Teddy Sheringham stays in the team, and Gareth Southgate plays instead of Sol Campbell, England's average age would still be just around 27 years old.
I still feel however, that the World Cup is a tournament England can still win even with a side scattered with inexperinced youngsters. The manner in which they tamed the Dutch after going a goal behind in Amsterdam last Wednesday, reflects the spirit of the England team. They coped with the adversity of not only Patrick Kluivert but their own formation upfront. Vassell survived, but Ricketts did not. If Ricketts left the Amsterdam Arena last Wednesday silently vowing to find the telephone number of United States Soccer, who are anxious to explore the possibility of his changing of allegiance before the World Cup, then who blames him?
England had made a tactical advance at his expense.
Thanks for taking time to read this discussion, I look forward to reading your replies.
Take, for example, the Striker situation. No sooner have we redced the list of possible understudies to four: Robbie Fowler, Kevin Phillips, Andy Cole and Alan Smith-than along comes Darius Vassell who scores a blinder of a goal on his debut and maybe claims his place at this years World Cup. Similarly, we have just got used to Eriksson's idea of left-back-material: Ashley Cole and Chris Powell, or what you might call a blend of youth and international inexperience when Wayne Bridge appears.
In holland last Wednesday, Bridge had a great game for the forty five minutes he participated in, considering he was up against the brilliance and experience of Ronald de Boer. As for Darius Vassell, rough edges evident in the first half were over-looked as the most spectacular goal scored by an Aston Villa player in an England shirt in the last ten years, gave the Dutch a relatively minor dose of that low-country feeling as we English know rather well. Both Bridge and Vassell give an encouraging pattern to us in that they are both just 21 years old. Of England's other successes, Steven Gerrard is 22 and Rio Ferdinand is 23. Emile Heskey is 24, Joe Cole 20. The temporarily absent Michael Owen is 22, Ashley Cole 21. Michael Carrick is 20 and Wes Brown 22. If Kieron Dyer makes it back in time for Japan, he will have near-veteran status at 23. While there should be no place for Jonathan Woodgate 22, and Jon Terry 21, they are both top quality youngsters. Coming up from the Under 21s meanwhile are all those Jermaines: Pennant, Defoe, Jenas etc.
So, what does all this signify?
First, that never, in the field of footballing piffle, has so much been said with such certainty that on the subject of how young English players would suffer from the rapid increase of foreigners. Youth's bloom has been so dramatic, that Kevin Keegan should not be criticised for stating a couple of years ago, that he had only 35 serious candidates. Then, at the time it was true. Eriksson has used around 43 players in his time as England manager.
He must now think whether, to recall Alan Hansen's version of one convention, that he can win something with kids.
Usually, teams in the World Cup have an average age of 29 years old. Bear in mind though, France leant heavily on experience when they won the World Cup in 1998. If we assume that David Seaman is in goal, Teddy Sheringham stays in the team, and Gareth Southgate plays instead of Sol Campbell, England's average age would still be just around 27 years old.
I still feel however, that the World Cup is a tournament England can still win even with a side scattered with inexperinced youngsters. The manner in which they tamed the Dutch after going a goal behind in Amsterdam last Wednesday, reflects the spirit of the England team. They coped with the adversity of not only Patrick Kluivert but their own formation upfront. Vassell survived, but Ricketts did not. If Ricketts left the Amsterdam Arena last Wednesday silently vowing to find the telephone number of United States Soccer, who are anxious to explore the possibility of his changing of allegiance before the World Cup, then who blames him?
England had made a tactical advance at his expense.
Thanks for taking time to read this discussion, I look forward to reading your replies.
Plus by 2006 they will have grown up together and become more cohesive, and playing together will be second nature, just like the Liverpool and Man U youngsters
I've said this phrase for a long time now.
How are young players ever going to get experience, if they are never give a chance?
Vassell, Rickets and Bridge were given a chance. Vassell and Bridge proved their pedigree, Rickets just needs a little more time to get settled in and become confident in an England shirt. I don't care if the England team is full of youngsters, just as long as all the players play well as a unit.
How are young players ever going to get experience, if they are never give a chance?
Vassell, Rickets and Bridge were given a chance. Vassell and Bridge proved their pedigree, Rickets just needs a little more time to get settled in and become confident in an England shirt. I don't care if the England team is full of youngsters, just as long as all the players play well as a unit.
These players have been around for a while, but old managers have been reluctant to pick them going for crap old players like Wise etc.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's task as England manager is becoming increasingly difficult as he enters his second year in charge.
Take, for example, the Striker situation. No sooner have we redced the list of possible understudies to four: Robbie Fowler, Kevin Phillips, Andy Cole and Alan Smith-than along comes Darius Vassell who scores a blinder of a goal on his debut and maybe claims his place at this years World Cup. Similarly, we have just got used to Eriksson's idea of left-back-material: Ashley Cole and Chris Powell, or what you might call a blend of youth and international inexperience when Wayne Bridge appears.
In holland last Wednesday, Bridge had a great game for the forty five minutes he participated in, considering he was up against the brilliance and experience of Ronald de Boer. As for Darius Vassell, rough edges evident in the first half were over-looked as the most spectacular goal scored by an Aston Villa player in an England shirt in the last ten years, gave the Dutch a relatively minor dose of that low-country feeling as we English know rather well. Both Bridge and Vassell give an encouraging pattern to us in that they are both just 21 years old. Of England's other successes, Steven Gerrard is 22 and Rio Ferdinand is 23. Emile Heskey is 24, Joe Cole 20. The temporarily absent Michael Owen is 22, Ashley Cole 21. Michael Carrick is 20 and Wes Brown 22. If Kieron Dyer makes it back in time for Japan, he will have near-veteran status at 23. While there should be no place for Jonathan Woodgate 22, and Jon Terry 21, they are both top quality youngsters. Coming up from the Under 21s meanwhile are all those Jermaines: Pennant, Defoe, Jenas etc.
So, what does all this signify?
First, that never, in the field of footballing piffle, has so much been said with such certainty that on the subject of how young English players would suffer from the rapid increase of foreigners. Youth's bloom has been so dramatic, that Kevin Keegan should not be criticised for stating a couple of years ago, that he had only 35 serious candidates. Then, at the time it was true. Eriksson has used around 43 players in his time as England manager.
He must now think whether, to recall Alan Hansen's version of one convention, that he can win something with kids.
Usually, teams in the World Cup have an average age of 29 years old. Bear in mind though, France leant heavily on experience when they won the World Cup in 1998. If we assume that David Seaman is in goal, Teddy Sheringham stays in the team, and Gareth Southgate plays instead of Sol Campbell, England's average age would still be just around 27 years old.
I still feel however, that the World Cup is a tournament England can still win even with a side scattered with inexperinced youngsters. The manner in which they tamed the Dutch after going a goal behind in Amsterdam last Wednesday, reflects the spirit of the England team. They coped with the adversity of not only Patrick Kluivert but their own formation upfront. Vassell survived, but Ricketts did not. If Ricketts left the Amsterdam Arena last Wednesday silently vowing to find the telephone number of United States Soccer, who are anxious to explore the possibility of his changing of allegiance before the World Cup, then who blames him?
England had made a tactical advance at his expense.
Thanks for taking time to read this discussion, I look forward to reading your replies.
Take, for example, the Striker situation. No sooner have we redced the list of possible understudies to four: Robbie Fowler, Kevin Phillips, Andy Cole and Alan Smith-than along comes Darius Vassell who scores a blinder of a goal on his debut and maybe claims his place at this years World Cup. Similarly, we have just got used to Eriksson's idea of left-back-material: Ashley Cole and Chris Powell, or what you might call a blend of youth and international inexperience when Wayne Bridge appears.
In holland last Wednesday, Bridge had a great game for the forty five minutes he participated in, considering he was up against the brilliance and experience of Ronald de Boer. As for Darius Vassell, rough edges evident in the first half were over-looked as the most spectacular goal scored by an Aston Villa player in an England shirt in the last ten years, gave the Dutch a relatively minor dose of that low-country feeling as we English know rather well. Both Bridge and Vassell give an encouraging pattern to us in that they are both just 21 years old. Of England's other successes, Steven Gerrard is 22 and Rio Ferdinand is 23. Emile Heskey is 24, Joe Cole 20. The temporarily absent Michael Owen is 22, Ashley Cole 21. Michael Carrick is 20 and Wes Brown 22. If Kieron Dyer makes it back in time for Japan, he will have near-veteran status at 23. While there should be no place for Jonathan Woodgate 22, and Jon Terry 21, they are both top quality youngsters. Coming up from the Under 21s meanwhile are all those Jermaines: Pennant, Defoe, Jenas etc.
So, what does all this signify?
First, that never, in the field of footballing piffle, has so much been said with such certainty that on the subject of how young English players would suffer from the rapid increase of foreigners. Youth's bloom has been so dramatic, that Kevin Keegan should not be criticised for stating a couple of years ago, that he had only 35 serious candidates. Then, at the time it was true. Eriksson has used around 43 players in his time as England manager.
He must now think whether, to recall Alan Hansen's version of one convention, that he can win something with kids.
Usually, teams in the World Cup have an average age of 29 years old. Bear in mind though, France leant heavily on experience when they won the World Cup in 1998. If we assume that David Seaman is in goal, Teddy Sheringham stays in the team, and Gareth Southgate plays instead of Sol Campbell, England's average age would still be just around 27 years old.
I still feel however, that the World Cup is a tournament England can still win even with a side scattered with inexperinced youngsters. The manner in which they tamed the Dutch after going a goal behind in Amsterdam last Wednesday, reflects the spirit of the England team. They coped with the adversity of not only Patrick Kluivert but their own formation upfront. Vassell survived, but Ricketts did not. If Ricketts left the Amsterdam Arena last Wednesday silently vowing to find the telephone number of United States Soccer, who are anxious to explore the possibility of his changing of allegiance before the World Cup, then who blames him?
England had made a tactical advance at his expense.
Thanks for taking time to read this discussion, I look forward to reading your replies.