Steven Gerrard is doubtful for the World Cup and Dyer is definitely out.

Bugger.

M.

We will be ok, others will shine through??

God I hope so, someone normally comes through the ranks to show class - think of it as a chance for someone to take control - another Beckham in the wings maybe?????

My major concern is the old Argies will take Beckham out and crunch his foot and he will be out when we play France in the next round!!

Pete

Bring on Joe Cole.

Dyer's too arrogant anyway.

M.

Any replacements named yet?

not bothered about dyer, gerrard is a loss tho.

Heard on the news that Trevor Sinclair may be called up thats what I call good news.

Dyer, not really a loss as I doubt that he could play 3 games in a week anyway.

Gerard, much more of a loss but again there are fitness doubts.

David James - in.
Joe Cole - in.
Trevor Sinclair - could be in.

Last time England had 3 players - 1966.
And of those 3 Geoff Hurst only played because of injury to Jimmy Greaves.

Too many coincidences, lets hope not.

oh dear we really are up sh** creek! :(

"Dyer's too arrogant anyway"
heh, what a load of bollocks - Maz I take it you're a woman ?

Besides, even with Gerrard and Dyer we'd struggle to make it out of our group.

Its a sad day for English football when Emile Heskey is one of the two first choice strikers. Come back Shearer!

-DV

DV,

No I'm NOT a woman - I suppose anyone who thinks Dyer is crap and up his own arse is a bird? Are you a Newcastle fan? Cole's more up for it and takes less for granted than Dyer - he wants it more. Plus, he's played more this season than Dyer and is not injury ridden. Yet despite all that, Dyer seems to think his place is assured.

Cole is a fantastic counter-attacking player who has pace and vision. And yes, I'm a West Ham fan, but I've watched him all season.

Maz.

"Cole's more up for it and takes less for granted than Dyer - he wants it more. Plus, he's played more this season than Dyer and is not injury ridden. Yet despite all that, Dyer seems to think his place is assured."

On that basis, looks like you're incapable of rational thought. I'm sure Joe Cole has earned his place in the 'squad' but you're reasoning is pure bollocks and (inadvertantly) very entertaining.

Cheers!

-DV

So, you are a toon then...

;)

Bitches purlease! ;)

Theres another player that can fill the left midfield and thats Lee Bowyer. Discuss.

Yep, I know he's rearranged furniture in McD's and there was a drugs incedent at Charlton, and of course he was found not guilty in a recent trial, but on the pitch his discipline and form has been top notch since and during that trial, its a shame if the reason for his exclusion is due to his recent off-field behaviour (in terms of fielding the best available team). Its not as if Dyer doesn't behave like a c*ck off-field is it? Granted not in the same way as Bowyer.

I can't wait to see Joe Cole play. I'd have loved to have seen Dyer play as well. As soon as the squad was announced I thought we didn't have enough cover in midfield. Now that Gerrard is out the spine of Sven's side has been broken, it will be difficult to fix. Hopefully Nicky Butt will fill his place and shine, I feel he is severely under-rated - lets hope so.

I still hope he doesn't play Heskey, as big Ron once said, "He can trap a ball further than I can kick it"

Justin - no I'm not a Leeds fan, I just want our best players there..

Yep, I'd love to see Bowyer let loose on the Argies.

It won't happen though as the FA are too stubborn to climb down and change their minds.

Shame though - Bowyer is a class act and on footballing ability, should be going to the World Cup.

Agree with you about Bowyer's footballing ability. Shame that Darren Anderton isn't going...

;)

M.

Yeh - must admit I cried in my milk when I heard about the injuries. When was the last time Dyer played for England? Admit Gerrard will be missed but england are not the only team to have injuries.
Oh, and a record. Only took 7 posts before 1966 was mentioned. Commentators usually manage it in 2 minutes - does'nt matter who is playing.
And people wonder why us Scots get p*ssed off. Its not the team, its all the bullsh*t that goes along with it. I remember the Bryan Robson fiasco. All the crap in the media and when he was out injured the team played excellent. I hope they do well but wish the media would not talk such b*ll*cks.
On another note, I just don't understand why an England team does not have Ray Parlour in it. Anyone who can play alongside Viera etc must be ok. They'll do ok anyway but watch out for the Swedes!!
Alasdair(staying at home this year)

When i mentioned 1966 i wondered how long it would take for someone to bite!

Totally agree Ray Parlour should have been picked.

Little a bit biased because i live round the corner to him and share the occassional drink.

By the way I am a West Ham supporter so the fact I am recommending an Arsenal player hurts like hell.

Probably be accused of name dropping now.

Dyer still could go, bobby robson was on tv saying the swelling is`nt to bad, and he has till the end of te week to recover.
yes i`m a toon fan, when fit dyer is one of the most exciting players in the premier league.
just my 2p worth
mike

3times
M8 - you need to stop name dropping.
Alasdair

gerrard will be a big loss.

don't think we'll miss dyer too much

I too think that Bowyer should be going and I am a Leeds fan :D:D

Alan Smith should also be on the plane !!

I can't believe that Sinclair has gone as cover though.. Of all the players who really disappointed in the various warm up games, he was the main offender !!

Danny Mills didn't do himself any favours either !!

Does anyone really think we can win it ??

Thinking about it, and I admit that nine months ago I'd have cut my arm off for saying this, but Nicky Butt has had a great season and may well fit in rather well. As for the left side, it's a toss up between Asley Cole and Joe Cole for the left hand side and I genuinely think Wayne Bridge is the better left back, defensively.

Got to agree (West Ham fan too) that Romford Ray can feel aggrieved not to be in the squad. He's such a versatile player with so much puff in him, he never stops running and always gives 110%.

How about this starting line-up:

1. James

2. Brown 6. Campbell 5. Ferdinand 3. Bridge

7. Becks 4. Butt 8. Scholes 19. Cole, J/A

10. Owen 9. Fowler

Any thoughts?

Maz, I think you've hit the nail on the head. I believe he hs thought of playing A Cole left midfield, with Bridge behind him not much will get past there. However I'm also sure that Svens policy is not to play players out of club position but in the left mid scenario that ideal is pretty much screwed...

Another point is the right back. If Neville hadn't broken his foot he would have had that spot, purely because he and Becks have worked as a unit for so long. Also I don't know how either Mills or Brown will cope will the pressure of the occasion.

Upfront I 'd like to see Sheringham start, if he's on form you can never have enough quality in the side.

Justin