Home > Football > Never mind the old brigade, Spurs and Everton hold key to England's defensive future
by Jordan Collins on 09 August 2007
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With the current injuries to key England squad members Ledley King and John Terry, England boss Steve McClaren has a decision to make that will clearly underline his intentions for the future.
The route that he is rumoured to be following is that of Sol Campbell's return to the fold (The Guardian). While I admit that Campbell has proved to be a capable defender in his spell at Portsmouth, such a recall would be only a short-term measure and as a nation we need to look to more promising players who are more comfortable on the ball.
Michael Dawson is one name that certainly springs to mind. The young centre-back has produced some increasingly impressive displays in his near 50 appearances for Tottenham last term in the absence of King. He is far more comfortable on the ball than Campbell and would show that McClaren is looking forward and not backwards.
Curtis Davies of West Brom is quick, strong and good on the ball and Joleon Lescott, the Everton defender, impressed following his move from Wolves last season, and is another who could stake a claim for a place in the future.
The fact is that in looking to recall Jamie Carragher (retired) or the veteran Campbell, McClaren is showing a lack of ambition and is only filling the void with short- term measures. I am a big fan of both Campbell and Carragher as I think they are both excellent defenders for their clubs. But Carragher is not keen on being part of the set-up.
When all the defenders at McClaren's disposal are fit, he is unlikely to start even when he produces his best form, which makes his decision understandable. Therefore McClaren should let Carragher go and concentrate on developing young talent to build a squad capable of actually winning a major competition.
Comments (26)
by Harry on August 09, 2007
You cant keep replacing experiance with youth, you HAVE to have both. The first time we have looked decent under McClaren was after Becks was brought back, and the same goes with Sol, and dare i say it David James too. Those 2 were supperb for Portsmouth last year, possible the best defence in the premiership, and David James was as good the year before at City. To write rubbish is one thing, but to throw dirt on the player we NEED at the moment in the england team, is treason. You should hang in the Tower, for writing this rubbish
by pete on August 09, 2007
is this a wind up? With inexperienced(at international level) we might leak goals and not even qualify for a major competition, nevermind having a chance at winning. Carragher is a hell of alot better than alot of defenders named in squads in recent times, and its just mad that he doesnt get his game. Campbell is a strong defender yes, but he really is way too short term. We may aswell use the U21 team from now on, just so that in 5 or 6 years they might challenge for a competition, is that what you're saying?
by Norman Turner on August 09, 2007
Carragher? what a waste of space - when Everton beat them 3-0 last season, AJ made him look like a clumsy, slow lump. He has already gained more caps than he should have
by scott mclean on August 09, 2007
although you are right we should look to the future,but friendlies are the best games to do this.And to be honest you forgot Steven Taylor who was england u21 best defender.
by Ben Smith on August 09, 2007
Do you really expect the England Manager, to use players that do well in the U21's. Come on man, this England, we dont follow common sence rules like that, we bin them when they are over 21, and pick other untried, and untested players instead to move into the Full team. Its a joke, so many U21 players SHOULD progress to the full team, having also gained experience playing alongside other Ex-U21's but as stated above, thats common sence so wont happen in England.
by Andrew Watts on August 09, 2007
You are partially correct, but only in the instance of Beckham. He really is one of a kind and a class of his own, at the moment SWP nor A. Lennon can deliver a ball so perfectly. As for D. James and Campbell, well, never say good riddence but certainly with the aforementioned talent chomping at the bit in the form of Dawson, Lescott and Davies, well it makes sense to use them and not these ageing yet still very good, SHORT TERM options. So... 'What a load of twoddle' is a mis-guided and aggressive comment.
by jelly on August 09, 2007
i can understand bringing back the so called experienced defenders but time for the likes of lescott, dawson and taylor. if we dont now we will never as maclaren aint got a clue just picks his favourites. sorry to say that but he is only thinking of saving his butt nothing more.
by R on August 09, 2007
Mclaren has thus far looked to the future a lot, in choosing promising yet inconsistent keepers like Carson over James, who was the best English keeper by a mile last season, Dawson and Woodgate over Campbell, and, until recently, Lennon and Wright-Phillips over Beckham. The result was poor results in the short term, leaving qualification, which should have been comfortable, looking uncertain. Dawson, Davies (who has only played one season against premiership opposition...), Taylor, and Lescott may be the future, but they should be allowed to develop with more premiership football and played more in friendlies, rather than risked when a mistake or a bit of naivivity could cost qualification to the European Championbship. Carragher and Campbell are the only defenders that are ready to step into Terry's boots, and lead and organise the defence - they are in the mould of Terry and Vidic (the players taht bring the best out of Rio), and the type of players that every top team needs - short term measures are need
by Nthan Barley on August 09, 2007
I agree, having watched Lescott for most of last season, he is certainly international class, possibly along with Dawson. Carragher has made is bed and was never good enough to throw his toys, campbell well respected but past it... its time for new blood
by Matt on August 09, 2007
What if Campbell gets injured, maybe we could get Paul Parker back? Yeah I agree experience is needed, but you think the likes of Lescott, Davies and Dawson are babies? Come on, two of these guys keep the defence for for teams that finished 5th & 6th in the premiership last season.
by johnty on August 09, 2007
[quote]Mclaren has thus far looked to the future a lot, in choosing promising yet inconsistent keepers like Carson over James, who was the best English keeper by a mile last season, Dawson and Woodgate over Campbell, and, until recently, Lennon and Wright-Phillips over Beckham. The result was poor results in the short term, leaving qualification, which should have been comfortable, looking uncertain. Dawson, Davies (who has only played one season against premiership opposition...), Taylor, and Lescott may be the future, but they should be allowed to develop with more premiership football and played more in friendlies, rather than risked when a mistake or a bit of naivivity could cost qualification to the European Championbship. Carragher and Campbell are the only defenders that are ready to step into Terry's boots, and lead and organise the defence - they are in the mould of Terry and Vidic (the players taht bring the best out of Rio), and the type of players that every top team needs - short term measures a
by tony on August 09, 2007
100% agree
by rdless on August 09, 2007
As a Spurs fan I do have an axe to grind about campbell, but purely on football terms, he had a half decent season although his first touch is very suspect and his distribution is bad, so at international level - Ya Gotta Be Kidding! As for Carragher, anyone who throws his rattle out the pram because he didn't get picked should be ignored. He isn't that good! Certainly not at international level. His last game for England was woefull. Don't compare with Becks because he never said "NO" to England. Dawson has matured having played a season without King by his side. Lescott is also worth a punt as too is Taylor. But McLaren is a muppet and a coward.
by paul on August 09, 2007
why,when a young forward bursts onto the scene,is the whole country baying for them to be included in the national side, but when a defender makes an impact,they are considered inexperienced babies, taylor,dawson and lescott have all had great seasons at their respective clubs. this is yet another short sighted approach from yet another toothless england boss. for christs sake,the germany game is a frindly, and as they are a decent side,it represents a great opportunity to test these guys against quality opposition. if they dont play well,ok,bring in campbell,he did have a good season, but is only a stop gap, mcclaren has burnt his bridges with carragher in overlooking his constant level of performance in favour of the eratic ferdinand, so i'm not surprised he's quit to give his full focus and attention to the club that pay him week in,week out(are you reading,michael owen). mcclaren is just picking the same old faces time and time again, in desperate hope that one day it will all fall into place, remind yo
by Rover Til I Die on August 10, 2007
Is this the same Spur's Defence that leaked the most goals out of the bottom 6 last year?
by rdless on August 10, 2007
[quote]Is this the same Spur's Defence that leaked the most goals out of the bottom 6 last year?[/quote] No. We now have Gareth Bale, Yunes Kaboul and back Soon Ledley King. Also the midfield has strengthened son obviously a much different and stronger defence.
by bass on August 12, 2007
hey, what are u thinking?? playing young kids in an important international qualifiers is totally wrong.. i know that they had been excellent 4 their clubs but international levels are much more difficult than club level.. if Mclaren plays those kids, than i think it will be a disaster 4 england..............
by paul on August 12, 2007
i heard you the first time, and saying it 4 times wont make your opinion correct
by Prior on August 14, 2007
Not yet entirely sure whether Dawson is quite athletic enough to ever be a great or world class defender but he certainly has great composure and understanding of the game for a player his age. Also, and this is also very important, his attitude is top class, he works hard and has a very professional attitude. Given a chance at a higher level i think he would eventually rise to become a very established centre back - whether i'd have the balls to select him at this moment in time if i was England manager I don't know though.
by Bluedazzler on August 21, 2007
Experience may not be the key, and I see no mention of Micah Richards, this lad is outstanding at the back, evidence from the derby on Sunday shows that he is more than capable of dealing with world clas strikers, Tevez (the mutant rag)was snuffed out by Richards every time he got any where near the box,he almost single handedly held off the scum for 75 minutes, surely with his athletisism, speed, and strength he would be an obvious choice, Sol Campbell is a has been, I don't think he's capable of performing at international level anymore.
by MCFC on August 2