Steve McLaren

[Briggsy]

So, time to go? Another poor performance playing against a "country" that has a smaller population than Bristol.

Same old problems as we had under Sven - players out of position, players picked on reputation rather than form, and continually insisting on strikers that aren't even scoring at club level (Rooney & Johnson for example).

Also, why can't we leave out the "big names" that play for fashionable clubs to accomodate less-reputable on-form players from smaller clubs?

Also, if McLaren went, who would you bring in?

I think there's only one Englishman for the job - Sam Allardyce. He's proven himself over a number of seasons now at an unfashionable club with no big-name players.

As outsiders, Steve Coppell or Stuart Pearce. Steve Coppell hasn't proven himself over a number of seasons in the top flight yet, but he's got reading playing damn good football - again, with no names, and he's built a good reputation in the lower leagues. Stuart Pearce hasn't got the experience, and he's not proven himself over a number of seasons at Manchester City - however, having retired not that long ago, he's played alongside a lot of the current England team - so i'm sure they'll give him a lot of respect. Mick McCarthy has also proven himself as an international manager and at club level - he's not managing in the top flight at the moment, but does that matter? Iain Dowie is another supurb up-and-coming manager. He's very knowledgable tactically, he gets teams playing football, and he appears to be well liked. If the FA want a "cheapo" option, I'd seriously consider him. Perhaps Martin O' Neill too? ANother young manager that has achived a lot in a short space of time. Worked miracles at Wycombe, Leicester and Celtic - and he's turned Villa, a team that looked like a championship side last year, into a premiership side that could have potential with a little investment from the board.

Knowing the FA though, they'd go for another big-named duo that are known around the world - so, no doubt we'll see Laurel & Hardy or Lou & Andy as manager. Could you just imagine the interview after the match?

BBC: "So Andy, another disappointing goal-less draw by England"

Andy Pipkin: "Yer I know"

BBC: "How do you feel about the media constantly criticising performances"

Andy Pipkin: "I don't like it"

BBC: "The problem seems to be a lack of goals from the strikers. Who would you pick between Defoe and Johnson"

Andy Pipkin: "I want that one..." <*points to the players*>

BBC: "And if England were to qualify for the Eurpoean Championships, who would you like to play first at an away venue?"

Andy: "I wanna go to Florida..."

BBC: "But thats not in Europe?"

Andy: "Yer I know"

BBC: "So how about Spain or Italy away?"

Andy: "I don't like it"

BBC: "So where do you want to go then?"

Andy: "Florida! I wanna go to Florida"....

BBC: "But Andy, you said you hated Florida! You said that Florida was the burden of the world because it was full of loud mouth, shouting yanks that do nothing useful other than supply the world with third-rate cheesy films"

Andy: "Yeah I know"

BBC: "So, whats it to be then...."

Andy: "Florida!"

BBC: "But Florida don't have a football team anyway?

Andy: Yer I know! I wanna see Monster trucks!"

[Max Kane]

Big Sam Allardyce, doesn't mess around with bullsh*t like Mclaren, if they play poorly he tells it straight.

He can handle big egos - Anelka, Ococha, etc - and has no problem dropping them once they've past their uses.

He can also select the correct players for the correct jobs, he wouldn't simply pick the same team over & over as SMc & Sven did, he'd have more adaptability & simple common sense.

The job he's done with Bolton is nothing short of incredible, the only thing he can possibly achieve there now is gaining Champions League qualification & to do that he needs one of the big four to have a 'mare.

[Briggsy]

Summed it up perfectly Tom. Supurb all-round manager. Very good man manager and very good tactically. All he can ever really achieve at Bolton now is winning the UEFA cup or the FA Cup. I doubt it'll be possible to ever compete with the big buys unless they spend a lot of money - and that'd be against Sam's principles. he doesn't work with money - he works with good players to make them even better.

The fact that he tells it how it is though is why the FA won't touch him - they don't want someone that tells it how it is.

mcLaren is just a continuation of the Sven era - he's been involved for too long. He was just a cheap option because they're still having to pay Sven.

[Stuart F]

As a Scot looking on at this, I haven't analysed it too much but I can see that fans booing the players during last night's match is not helping at all. That is one of the reasons if not THE reason why England played so nervously in the first half. Shouting abuse at the substitutes on the bench isn't going to help either. Not that I'm saying that any player should receive terrible abuse but the guys sitting on the bench aren't even on the pitch so what the hell are they meant to do!!!

At the end of the day, England got 3 points in last nights match and although they didn't play to their full capability, at the end of the day, points decides who qualifies for Euro 2008. Unlike many of my fellow Scots, I want to see England go through because if we go through too, I would love to see another Scotland V England match. I also think that when England are involved in the finals of the world cup or European Championships, it makes the occasion that bit more special as the hype surrounding their campaign is so huge and it actually gets me right in the mood for it even though sometimes Scotland are not involved.

But for the England fans who were booing and screaming abuse last night, take a look at the Scotland fans and lighten up. We always get behind the players, sing our songs and generally have a good time

[bigsteve]

Can't fault you there Stuart. And how often do you see the Tartan Army get involved in brawls? Its a game at the end of the day, enjoy it.

Remember when the UK started out in Iraq the 2nd time around? Few people agreed with it. but we got behind the troops and supported them. Slag the manager off by all means, but not the players.

[Briggsy]

I completely agree about the abuse thing - there's no need for that at all. You don't get it in other sports, so it shouldn't be tolerated either.

However, I do feel the players and management need to look at themselves and take some responsibility. McLaren walked out of a press conference because the media were questioning the players lack of motivation and poor performances. As a manager, its his job to put some faith in the players and us fans by saying something to prove that they're all committed. He's picking the players - many of which shouldn't be in the squad for various reasons, so its up to him to speak on behalf of the team.

As for the players, well, they all need to look at themselves and ask why they can't give 100%. Its an honour to play for your country - pulling on that shirt should be enough to motivate you enough to want to win every match in a convincing manner. On top of all that, they also get PAID to play for their country (which I feel is very wrong) - again, that should be extra motivation. Its also the highest level they can play at in football - something else which should motivate them. PLus the fact that they're all trying to prove that they're good enough to play in the 2nd biggest international football tournament in the world. Thats four things that should make them want to play good goodball that will get convincing results - instead, they're playing like they don't want to be on that pitch. They're playing like their match fee is pennies and not worth picking up. They're playing like their country means nothing to them. They're an embarrassment.

If Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland can win games and play some nice football with many players coming from lower leagues, then why can't England do the same with Premiership players? Maybe thats the problem - their ego's are too big and they expect to walk through the opposition. Not one England player stands out as being world class. They look ordinary. I'd drop them for smaller profile players who will gladly play for England - even if they're from another league. it works for Wales, Scotland and Ireland. These players need a serious kick up the arse, and thats the only way to do it.

Get McLaren out and big Sam Allardyce in. Nobody wanted McLaren to start with - we all knew it was going to be a continuation of the Sven regime.

Sven and McLaren are the worst managers England have ever had. Keegan, Taylor and Hoddle recieved a lot of stick - but at least we saw some good performances from them, even when we lost.

[Ducky]

In regard to England managers, if you look back at past managers especially in recent years all have been YES men, exactly what the FA want!

The majority of Managers that the public have wanted that have proven records tend not to be scared of saying what they think which is what we all like and is part the reason why players respect them and is why the teams they manage do well, which is not what the tossers at the FA want! they just want someone that will agree with everything they say and want someone who wont say anything to the public etc.

Why do you think two of the best men for the job O'neill and Alladyce didnt get a look in when the job was up for grabs! because they both do not fit the FA's criteria of a YES man!!!

Another prime example of a past manager that should have had a shot at the England job was the late Brian Clough, back in his day he was the man for the job but yet again fell short of the FA's YES man criteria!!!!!

[Si_E_P]

Guys, to be honest the England job should never have gone to Steve Mclaren. He's a great number 2, hes a great coach but tactically dodgy. Players play football at club level in a set position week in week out and to change that for internationals is gunna mess them up. heres an example Jamie Caragher plays for Liverpool at either Right back or Centre Back, against Israel he was left back, HHHHMMMMMM, dodgy. Same said for Phil Neville. Lampard and Gerrard cannot play together. We all have our opinions on who should play etc but ultimately its results that count and they havnt been good. I think that Bungle from Rainbow wouldve done a better job as at least the players would be smiling and laughing at the expense of Bungle. Ultimately give Venables the job who has a proven track record at international football and get our asses qualified for the Euros and look at it from there. My team in my opinion would be a 442 with a diamond midfield. GK: Robinson RB: G.Neville CB:Ferdinand CB:Terry LB:Cole CDM:Hargreaves RM:Lennon/Beckham LM:Lennon/Dyer C/CAM:Gerrard Cf:Rooney Cf:Nugent.

Thats my opinion, ill leave you guys to slate it now!!!!!!

[Briggsy]

The amount of foreigners has definately played its part in ruining the England team. Phil Neville is, and always has been, crap. Gary Neville is ordinary - he's nothing special, but we have nobody else in his position to replace him. Lennon is a million times better than Beckham. He's a more complete player. Everyone is calling for Beckham to be reinstated, but is that a wise move? I think he should definately be in the squad - but not the starting eleven. He can hit a 50p from three miles away with his crosses, but other than that, he offers nothing to the team. He doesn't take people on, he doesn't run down the wings to scare defenders, and he doesn't tackle. He's handy to come off the bench, but a bit of a liability otherwise. He leaves a hole in a four man midfield. Lennon will take people on, he can cross, and can be a nuisance down the wing - as he proved in the world cup. He was much better than Beckham.

As for Rooney, Johnson, etc - they're not even worthy of a place in the squad. I don't care about their past reputation and their supposed "world class" - they're only world class when they're scoring - and neither are doing that at club or international level. Owen was poor before the world cup too - yet everyone says he's our main threat. He hadn't scored for around 11 games prior to the world cup - yep, that sounds like "world class" form to me.

Everyone slates Peter Crouch and says he shouldn't be in the team - but at the end of the day, his scoring record for England over the last two years has been better than Rooney, Owen's and Johnson's - to me, that says he's worthy of his place.

The problem with this country is that everyone wants to see players that play attractive football - even if they aren't scoring. Even though Peter Crouch looks clumsy, doesn't look too convincing and generally looks messy on the ball - but scores goals, people want him out to accomodate the likes of Rooney or Johnson - players that looks good on the ball, look convincing - but aren't scoring goals. On current form, Rooney and Johnson couldn't hot a cows arse with a banjo. England fans are a fickle bunch.

The England team should have the best CURRENT eleven players picked on form. They SHOULDN'T be picked just because they play for one of the "big four", or because they scored 12 goals for England in 2005. It is now 2007 - so we need players that are playing well now. If we insist on calling up players based on their past reputation rather than form, we may aswell just call Jimmy Greaves and Jack Charlton out or retirement. Hell, they don't score now, but they did it for England a few years ago - just like Rooney & Johnson - whats the difference?...

[Si_E_P]

Ok, a very interesting debate here. As a former YTS Player myself, its not all about form and current goals etc. My personal opinion is that Rooney has/is/never gunna be an out an out goalscorer, he is a creator. without people who can create goals then it dosent matter is you have the best scorer at the moment up front he will never score. Its all about a TEAM, not an INDIVIDUAL. Ill agree with the Beckham comment, i would prefer Lennon but Beckham should be in the mix cause i honestly feel that at set pieces there is no one in the team that can produce for the guys up front. Crouh is a great striker but without good service he aint gunna do much better than anyone else. Rooney and Johnson aint a match due to the fact that they are similar players but Rooney is a million times better. The amount of chances England get through Rooney is enourmous. For me you godda put Nugent up there, his record for the u21's is great and Owen ive never rated anyway, is say that its Crouch or Nugent and id go with Nugent and bring on crouch to be a pest when the back 4 are knackered.

[Briggsy]

The point remains though - whether they're in the side to be creative, or to score goals - at the moment, on current form, they're doing neither - so how can their place in the team be justified? Form players are being over-looked in order to pick players with a past reputation or because they're "fashionable".

Last season was a prime example of form players being over-looked. Darren Bent was the Premierships top scorer but never went to the World Cup - yet Walcott was taken despite never even playing in the Premiership. How can decisions like that be justified? Chris Sutton was banging goals galore in for Celtic - yet because he was playing in an "unfashionable" league, he wasn't being selected either. If they're scoring goals, they should be in the side - thats the way I look at it. The back four should be the four best CURRENTY defenders - and the same goes for midfield. We can't keep playing Lampard and Gerrard together just because they're big names playing for big clubs. Big names don't always make good teams - lesser known players can do equally as a good a job, if not better - the likes of Reading and Bolton have proven that.

Also, if all of the players come from ther Premiership - supposedly the worlds fastest and best league - why do we insist of playing international matches at the same pace of the teans we play against? If we played at Premiership pace, teams like Andorra, Lichtenstein and Poland shouldn't, in theory, be able to cope with it.