Midfielder Thoughts from The Independent

Pearce has a point when he demands that Gerrard be given a more attacking role in the England team , considering the goalscoring form he has shown for Liverpool in the Premiership and in the European Champions League. Coach Erikkson’s challenge will be to fit his “Supermodel” captain Beckham in the starting XI. If he fails to find a decent strike pair before the Word Cup starts , onus will fall upon the midfielders to score. Fears linger among the supporters that the dynamic duo of Lampard and Gerrard have not gelled on the pitch to the levels expected. Erikkson must instill a sense of togetherness within the team , failing which the World Cup could turn out to be a Comedy of (Erikkson’s) Errors.

Another option for Sven, assuming he uses Carrick as defensive midfielder, is to push Joe Cole up as a withdrawn striker behind Owen. Assuming Owen is fit. Not a lot of height up there but Crouch seems more of a Plan B, to be sent on late in a game to give the opposition something new to copw with.