David Hurst

Did anyone else sit in stunned silence watching the England v Israel game on Saturday? 79% possession to England and no goals. Why is it when England have so many world class players they simply cannot produce a decent result? Simple really: big name players being played out of position. Here’s England’s best line up in an attacking 4-4-2 formation:

Goalkeeper - Paul Robinson
More than proved himself as a world class keeper. No brainer.

Right Back - Gary Neville
He’s still got it. Solid and reliable, able to put in long throws and gets forward occasionally to stick a ball in.

Left Back - Ashley Cole
When he’s fit, no-one is better. Truly world class and excellent going forward.

Centre Backs - John Terry and Jamie Carragher
What? I hear you say, no Ferdinand? No. Carragher is clearly better, if not the best English defender. Stop putting him at full back and stick him in the middle where he can play best. John Terry is equally good - with these two at the back we’d have total confidence.

Defensive Midfielder - Owen Hargreaves
How good is this guy? He’s really pulled his game together over the past year and he’s the first name I would want to see on the team sheet. Excellent passer, tireless in midfield and brilliant in the tackle. Quality.

Attacking Midfielder - Steven Gerrard
Who else? Not Frank ‘waste another shot’ Lampard that’s for sure. I’m so fed up with watching Lampard shooting from 30 yards. He sucks at it. Very very few ever go on target, let alone hit the back of the net. Gerrard is a much better player and scores from those positions more frequently, but he attempts it less. Gerrard is unselfish, able to play killer through balls and turn games around. Get him in the middle instead of on the wing and give him the armband.

Right Wing - Aaron Lennon
This boy is quick! And talented. But he’s hardly alone, Shaun Wright-Phillips is equally impressive. In our wingers we need young confident players who will run at the defenders. These guys fit the bill.

Left Wing - Stewart Downing
Not the finished article yet, but clearly going to be world class. Give him his chance to shine. Let’s also not forget what a good job Joe Cole can do on the left too.

Strikers - Jermain Defoe and Wayne Rooney
Jermain has the lightning pace, Rooney has the killer set up play. Put these two together and the goals will come.

Subs
GK - Ben Foster
RB - Micah Richards
LB - Wayne Bridge
CB - Rio Ferdinand
CB - Gareth Barry
DM - Ledley King
AM - David Beckham - yes, he is still good enough
RW - Shaun Wright-Phillips
LW - Joe Cole
ST - Michael Owen
ST - Peter Crouch

Sort it out Steve.