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NBC · 06-01-2010, 10:58 AM

I think that the most telling reason why Heskey made it is that in Rooney's last 10 games with Heskey up front, Roo has 9 goals; his last 10 games without Heskey, he's got 2.

Sure Bent is in better form right now, but his style of play isn't that compatible with Rooney, whereas Heskey's is. Locke said it best that as Rooney goes, so go England. Personally, I'd play Rooney and Heskey together if you use a 4-2-2. A 4-5-1 formation, Rooney up front with Gerrard in support, Lampard central and Barry holding. Heskey can also play on the left, which has been a real trouble spot for England since the days of Steve McManaman. There are a few guys who have played on the left, Gerrard, Milner, J. Cole, Lennon, Walcott, SWP, no one outside of Cole actually likes it.

For me, I always thought that it was between Bent and Defoe as they both have a similar game - they like the ball over the top and can stretch teams and both can finish. Heskey's inclusion gives them another option that they wouldn't have with Bent. Crouch can't provide the same sort of intangibles that Heskey can, though he is a much more prolific scorer.

As for the Walcott omission, former England captain Terry Butcher said it best when he said that no one out of Walcott, SWP or Lennon really made a strong case for themselves to be picked ahead of the others. Butcher believes they all provide England with a similar style of play, though all three have been under-performing, inconsistent and injury-prone. SWP probably knocked Walcott off the squad by appearing to be more hungry and intense when he got his chances.

If they figure out a decent formation and can get Gerrard and Lampard to sort things out, then they could have a decent tournament, barring any major injuries. Barry, I've just heard, may not be ready until the knockout stages.

06-01-2010, 10:58 AM	#359
NBC Account closed at user's request. Join Date: Jul 2009 Exp:	I think that the most telling reason why Heskey made it is that in Rooney's last 10 games with Heskey up front, Roo has 9 goals; his last 10 games without Heskey, he's got 2. Sure Bent is in better form right now, but his style of play isn't that compatible with Rooney, whereas Heskey's is. Locke said it best that as Rooney goes, so go England. Personally, I'd play Rooney and Heskey together if you use a 4-2-2. A 4-5-1 formation, Rooney up front with Gerrard in support, Lampard central and Barry holding. Heskey can also play on the left, which has been a real trouble spot for England since the days of Steve McManaman. There are a few guys who have played on the left, Gerrard, Milner, J. Cole, Lennon, Walcott, SWP, no one outside of Cole actually likes it. For me, I always thought that it was between Bent and Defoe as they both have a similar game - they like the ball over the top and can stretch teams and both can finish. Heskey's inclusion gives them another option that they wouldn't have with Bent. Crouch can't provide the same sort of intangibles that Heskey can, though he is a much more prolific scorer. As for the Walcott omission, former England captain Terry Butcher said it best when he said that no one out of Walcott, SWP or Lennon really made a strong case for themselves to be picked ahead of the others. Butcher believes they all provide England with a similar style of play, though all three have been under-performing, inconsistent and injury-prone. SWP probably knocked Walcott off the squad by appearing to be more hungry and intense when he got his chances. If they figure out a decent formation and can get Gerrard and Lampard to sort things out, then they could have a decent tournament, barring any major injuries. Barry, I've just heard, may not be ready until the knockout stages.