If you were frequenting a public house for a game against the old enemy, you will have heard the usual locals propping up the bar banging on about how they, and them exclusively, know the key to a successful England team.
Well, move over Guinness guzzlers, this is the true verdict. At the moment, England manager Fabio Capello seems to favour the 4-4-2 formation with a holding midfielder in Gareth Barry and a target man up front in Emile Heskey. Whilst this formation may have its merits, it could be significantly improved upon.
Get Emile out
In particular, the use of Heskey up front is a complete and utter waste of time. Although he may win a few aerial challenges, he brings absolutely nothing else to the plate. Many would agree that the only reason for his consistent selection for the team is because of his popularity amongst the England faithful.
Replace him with the man in hot form, Darren Bent, as I feel he provides equal physical presence as well as greater skill and pace. The criticism Bent has received over the last couple of years is completely unwarranted. Even Wayne Rooney would struggle to get into a team ahead of Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov. And now that Bent is the clear first-choice striker at White Hart Lane he is scoring goals for fun and this just goes to place emphasis on the old saying, “form is temporary, class is permanent”.
Barry is a perfect fit
However, in the midfield area Capello has got it spot on. Introducing Gareth Barry as a holding midfielder was a stroke of genius and is a move that will definitely pay dividends in the future. Barry has tightened, what used to be, a midfield which would leak possession far too easily. The Aston Villa midfielder, as with Darren Bent, is another who is hugely underrated and there is no doubting he will have a long and fruitful future with England.
In terms of the actual formation in number form, it would be the same as Capello. This formation would be a simple 4-4-2, a 4-1-3-2 to be precise.
The team as follows: -
1. David James
2. Micah Richards
3. Ashley Cole
4. Gareth Barry
5. Rio Ferdinand
6. John Terry
7. Theo Walcott
8. Frank Lampard
9. Wayne Rooney
10. Darren Bent
11. Steve Gerrard