British Expatriate Network

If you haven't seen the game yet, you should have.

Where do we go from here?

Is it down to the lake, I fear?

Seriously... I don't think the current squad can stay as is.

Personally I think Gary Neville has emerged as a great captain, he showed great leadership potential in an interview earlier this week and took the armband when Beckham went off.

I think we should play 4-3-3.

Goalkeepers

Robinson is a sure starter in goal.
James needs to be booted out.
It's also time to blood the next generation of goalies, and play them against the likes of Andorra, Estonia and a couple of the easier home games:
Scott Carson and Robert Green. Green needs to either get promoted with Norwich or move teams though as I don't think he's improving in the Championship. Hopefully if Dudek finally gets a move from Liverpool, Carson will earn some starts there as Reina's backup. Can't have a better mentor, I can't believe he didn't start for Spain.

Defenders

Neville, Terry, Ferdinand and Ashley Cole.
Carragher and Campbell as first choice backups.
We need to start bringing in a regular stand-in for Neville and Cole so that we have sturdy backup there. Luke Young should be the 2nd choice RB but I am not sure about Wayne Bridge at LB. Maybe if he gets a permanent move away from Chelsea's third team he will earn his place.

Midfielders

I think Hargreaves finally shut up the critics in the Portugal game. He ran on every blade of grass and was inspiring. It's the game he really broke through into the first team.
Beckham is a liability as he can only play for about 4 kicks a game. He should be a sub at best.
Gerrard and Lampard should be the two outside midfielders with Hargreaves holding a central role and a little deeper.
Beyond them I am not sure who we have. Jenas isn't much cop. This would be McClaren's biggest problem, finding suitable midfield depth.

Forwards

Rooney is still the man to lead the attack.
Walcott needs to get some serious time in the team starting with the friendly v Greece to get him the experience he needs. He's obviously not gonna get it at Arsenal for a while, he has the wrong accent.
Owen needs to get back to tip top fitness. He was not even 60% fit in Germany.
Crouch should be close to a starter too. His holdup play when used as a FEET target man, not as a beanpole welly it in the air target man, is superb.
Lennon should be a regular feature in the team either as starter or as first sub off the bench for some extra speed.
Joe Cole would be the left sided striker.

We really do have a team that, if they stay fit and focused, with proper coaching, can do something in 2008. And '10.

Robinson
Neville|Terry|Ferdinand|A.Cole (Carragher)
Gerrard|Hargreaves|Lampard (Beckham)
Lennon|Rooney|J.Cole (Crouch)

I like that!

CC a copy to McClaren, just in case.

You should have added Shaun Wright Phillips to the list. If Chelsea had given him more playing time he would have been included.

Mind you he had played as much (or even more) as Owen, Rooney and Walcott over the last months before they left for Germany evil

Step 1 complete:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football...138288.stm

How about a manager who is tactically aware and can get the best out of his players ...don't care if they are English or not

Wenger , Benitez, Fergusoon ..all great coaches IMO

Mclaren - I reckon it'll be same ol same ol

A lot of people think that McClaren will be Eriksson II. No way.

For a start, look at what he has done at Middlesborough, talk about getting the best out of his players. OK they're crap in the league most of the time, but in the cups they are pretty good for the money they've spent! And what do we need in an England manager? Someone who can bring home a cup.

Just because he was on the same payroll as Sven doesn't mean he shares the same ideas. I don't agree with everything my boss says, except to his face most of the time.

The fact he has been on the team for 5 years means he has seen what doesn't work. Better than someone coming in fresh with no idea on how to handle these players.

Agreed.

I don't for a moment think that McClaren is a "Phil Neal" type.

Probably the worst #2 (read yes-man) in history..........

Robinson
Dawson, King, Davenport, Huddlestone
Lennon, Carrick, Jenas, Murphy
Defoe, Barnard

Sorted ;)

I think we are in for more of the same if you ask me. I don't think you could of found a more unexciting appoinment than Steve McClaren.

I am not expecting great things to be honest, should we do better than under Sven then I will be the first to congratulate them all.