Delph for England

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

I despise teams who don't play with a proper striker.

[Dave]

That was an experiment with a target man, which they do from time to time. In the proper games, they tend to ditch the lump and play the 4-6-0 thing.

They didn't in the World Cup final. Or the semi-final. Or the quarter-final.

Anyway, the original point was that Sturridge "wouldn't get near" the German team. If we're now just disputing whether he would be first-choice, or just first-choice striker when they're not playing the silly false-nine thing. It still renders the initial point a bit moot.

[Monty]

They 'tend' to. In tournaments, you often see teams doing uncharacteristic things because they get on a run, or certain players get into a run of form, and all sorts of things which make logical sense in the frenzy of the month. In general, though, they go for the false nine. I agree that Sturridge would get in ahead of their other out-and-out forwards, though they prefer target men in that role usually.

On which, I don't see what's so silly, or so worth despising, or particularly new. Brazil in 1970 played with a false-nine type system, only they called the position the 'ponta da lança'. None of Tostao, Pele, Rivellino or Jairzinho were exactly out-and-out strikers, despite the number of goals between them.

[damon loves JT]

I stayed in Ponta de Lança once. When we arrived the apartment was still full of hangover Glaswegians who'd forgotten to go to the airport

[ktvillan]

That was an experiment with a target man, which they do from time to time. In the proper games, they tend to ditch the lump and play the 4-6-0 thing.

They didn't in the World Cup final. Or the semi-final. Or the quarter-final.

Anyway, the original point was that Sturridge "wouldn't get near" the German team. If we're now just disputing whether he would be first-choice, or just first-choice striker when they're not playing the silly false-nine thing. It still renders the initial point a bit moot.

Fair enough Dave but I still disagree, I think the mental discipline thing is key to the German way of doing things and I still think they would at least be reluctant to undermine that by including someone who can be as selfish/maverick/unpredictable as Sturridge.  They like players who can stick to a game plan.  I think they have the players and mentality to successfully adapt their system to play without a traditional nine, and suspect they would prefer to do that. I'd say Balotelli falls into a similar category, great striker on his day but too unpredictable for many Italians, let alone Germans. 

[Dave]

That was an experiment with a target man, which they do from time to time. In the proper games, they tend to ditch the lump and play the 4-6-0 thing.

They didn't in the World Cup final. Or the semi-final. Or the quarter-final.

Anyway, the original point was that Sturridge "wouldn't get near" the German team. If we're now just disputing whether he would be first-choice, or just first-choice striker when they're not playing the silly false-nine thing. It still renders the initial point a bit moot.

Fair enough Dave but I still disagree, I think the mental discipline thing is key to the German way of doing things and I still think they would at least be reluctant to undermine that by including someone who can be as selfish/maverick/unpredictable as Sturridge.

Fair enough. Obviously it's not something we'll ever see a definite answer to!

[*shellac*]

Henderson out, Delph to start?

[Clampy]

Henderson out, Delph to start?

It's actually an ideal time to play Milner in the middle but i reckon he'll just bung Phil Jones in there, what with him being a Man Utd player.

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

Henderson out, Delph to start?

It's actually an ideal time to play Milner in the middle but i reckon he'll just bung Phil Jones in there, what with him being a Man Utd player.

You mean Man U, that team struggling in the lower reaches of the Prem?

[Damo70]

Henderson out, Delph to start?

I thought you were talking about dropping Henderson but I have just heard is is out injured. Which I am guessing is what you saying.

[LeeB]

Henderson out, Delph to start?

I thought you were talking about dropping Henderson but I have just heard is is out injured. Which I am guessing is what you saying.

There's no flies on Columbo here.

[Damo70]

Henderson out, Delph to start?

I thought you were talking about dropping Henderson but I have just heard is is out injured. Which I am guessing is what you saying.

There's no flies on Columbo here.

Behave yourself. Check the times of the posts. I cracked it in under an hour. Columbo would have taken twice as long!

[Brend'Watkins]

Sturrige and Henderson out injured.  What's the betting they play on Saturday?

[richard moore]

Sturrige and Henderson out injured.  What's the betting they play on Saturday?

Don't think Sturridge will, he's out apparently for 2 or 3 weeks. Oh dear...

[paul_e]

Yeah Sturridge is a pulled hamstring, playing 8 days after that would be a huge risk even if he feels ok.  Not sure what the specifics of the Henderson one is, just that it's an ankle injury, if he's turned it then I guess he'll be out but if it's just bruising from contact he'll be fine.