marko1892 Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 This team is based on opta stats so far and suggests the best players in each position who are eligible to play for England: Goalkeeper Steve Harper (Newcastle United) Harper has achieved an impressive 83 per cent saves-to-shots ratio in the Premier League so far this season and has a 100 per cent catch success rate. He has also managed to keep a clean sheet in two of his four games. It is worth noting, however, that if Kasper Schmeichel was the top-rated eligible player but the young keeper has already announced that he will play for Denmark. Defenders Micah Richards (Manchester City), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Anthony Gardner (Tottenham Hotspur), Ashley Cole (Chelsea) The centre-back pairing may raise a few eyebrows as Rio Ferdinand is partnered by Tottenham's Anthony Gardener. It is well known that Ferdinand is one of the most accomplished passing defenders in England, and the 28-year-old defender has a 90 per cent passing accuracy this season. Meanwhile, Gardner has been successful in 80 per cent of his tackles this season and has made 48 clearances for the North London side in the four games in which he has appeared. The full-backs Micah Richards and Ashley Cole have both made solid starts to the season. Richards has won each of the 15 tackles that he has made so far this term in the Premier League. He has also made 52 clearances and has a superb passing accuracy of 91 per cent. Cole's pass completion of 87 per cent is also excellent. Midfielders Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough) The Opta central midfield is all too familiar with Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard filling the positions as they have in many games in the past. Lampard has managed to score in three of his four matches so far this season in the Premier League and Gerrard has a good passing accuracy of 73 per cent which could no doubt be used to good effect to feed the strike partnership. The chance of either man playing in reality has of course been vastly reduced by the pair's respective injuries. With Ashley Young and Stewart Downing on the wings, the strikers will definitely get chances to score. Together, the two wingers have mustered 65 crosses so far this season and Young alone has managed two assists. Strikers Emile Heskey (Wigan Athletic), Andrew Johnson (Everton) Up front are the two men who in the real world look likely to be battling for a spot alongside Michael Owen. Emile Heskey has been an all-rounder this season so far, having scored one goal and assisted another, whilst also making another seven key passes for Wigan Athletic. Johnson, on the other hand, is yet to find the net in the Premier League for Everton this season, despite attempting 12 shots, with an impressive 75 per cent accuracy. The diminutive striker has nonetheless managed to assist two goals and make four further goalscoring chances for his Everton team-mates. Source: SkySports Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 No. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sam Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 If Carson and Foster werent around, and James was still shite, then he might deserve to be in the squad, but no at the moment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NE5 Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 He's played very well since he came back in and got over his initial nerves, also came off his line to crosses better than Given. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marko1892 Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 I think its worth noting that had harper played half a season he wouldn't be the best keeper opta stat wise Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 Gardner has been involved in just one clean sheet in his four games (against Derby at home), and has let in five in the other three games. Stats don't always work... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firetotheworks Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 Theres a parallel universe where Harper left Newcastle after being dropped for the Chelsea FA Cup Semi final and went on to become Englands number one. At the moment though, no. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Snrub Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 A 32 year old who's been a sub basically his entire career becoming England's number 1. Would just about sum your national team up at the minute. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newcastle Fan Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 He should play more for us thats for sure.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 If he'd left the club before the turn of the decade, he'd have played for England by now. Broad statement - but if he'd gone sooner - he'd have been a number 1 somewhere, i reckon. But now? No, not really. Better cover than the likes of Kirkland and Foster, yeah - but i think he's definitely thrown that opportunity away. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howaythelads Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 If he'd left the club before the turn of the decade, he'd have played for England by now. Broad statement - but if he'd gone sooner - he'd have been a number 1 somewhere, i reckon. But now? No, not really. Better cover than the likes of Kirkland and Foster, yeah - but i think he's definitely thrown that opportunity away. But not for one of the BIG FOUR, so obviously shit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stephen927 Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 I doubt he'll even play a full season for us, unlike the keepers he's in competition with. Who knows, maybe if he had left earlier in his career instead of playing second fiddle to Given he might be in contention. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 No Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SLK Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 Yes and definitely...I have a lot of faith in him...Shame the fans of his club are not believers in him... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ridzuan Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 Well,Im not completely against the idea considering the current situation,but I think at such a crucial stage right now,its better if Steve keeps to his plan.Who knows he might pick Harper in the future just to see how he perform. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skirge Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 Had he been a 1st choice keeper at another club then I think he could be 1st choice England keeper, but he does not get enough games, he is in todays Journal saying how he wants to keep the no1 spot here. I like Harper but Shay is a better keeper and we can ill afford to upset Shay by playing Harper ahead of him, I say Shay for the League and FA Cup, Harper for the Carling cup!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
midds Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 Outside chance he could have been called into the squad had he had the bottle to want first-team football. He was a decent keeper 7 years ago and would have improved with more games. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theregulars Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 To be fair I'd select him over Robinson any day. Can actually goalkeep, isn't overweight and doesn't stand 10 yards too far off his line at every set piece. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Luque Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 Yes. Deserves some fame and recognition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 Yes. Deserves some fame and recognition. People with ambition deserve fame and recognition tbh. Can't question Harper's loyalty to us, but if he ever really, desperately, wanted a number one shirt, he would have left yonks ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Luque Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 Yes. Deserves some fame and recognition. People with ambition deserve fame and recognition tbh. Can't question Harper's loyalty to us, but if he ever really, desperately, wanted a number one shirt, he would have left yonks ago. You got a point, but would still be great to tell a spurs fan, our 2. keeper is better than their no.1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohmelads Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 On form he's as good a shout as anyone. The England team is seldom really picked on form though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest optimistic nit Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 On form he's as good a shout as anyone. The England team is seldom really picked on form though. thats unfortunately true. picked on names alone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 On form he's as good a shout as anyone. The England team is seldom really picked on form though. thats unfortunately true. picked on names alone. I'll slate McClaren till the cows come home, but that comment is eligible for the Lampard/Gerrard situation alone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alan Shearer 9 Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 on a side note, Schmeical is shit Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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