I said Berbatov was 'one of the best strikers around on current form' not the best striker in Europe, slight difference - but I take your point, we're all more biased towards our own players, but it's best to be sensible! I wouldn't bang on about Jermain Jenas being the best central midfielder in the world for example, cos it's not true...

as I said, I rate Carragher highly - but I'd pull up short of saying 'the best defender in Europe' - for starters I think Paolo Maldini might have something to say about that... 38/39 and still capable of marshalling a team to Champions League glory - legend.

'cough' Huddlestone
'cough' Defoe


We all think that we have the best player in any given position.
Everyone has at least one player in their team that they think should be in the National team(whatever nation)in place of someone else's favourite player.

I have never said either Huddlestone or Defoe are the best players in their position in Europe, that would just be stupid, cos it's not true.

what I did say this week is that Defoe should have played in the 'B' international in place of Alan Smith - Defoe scored 19 goals this season, Smith scored none - that should have spoke for itself, apparently it didn't.

on the subject of Huddlestone I have said he could one day be an England international, if he improves his positioning and ball retention - he is just 19, he's got time to progress.

what I try to be is objective - something that some fans appear to lack, that's their business though, I find it funny no harm in that.

While Estonia are no Brazil they still are not the easiest team to score against. In the end we would expect to win but 3 goals away from home in a competitive match is a great result and a good way to end the season.

I think that it is obvious McClarren does not know anything about winning, never had a knack for it so no reason he should be able to achieve it here.

Crouch was excellent and how you lot can ignore that kind of performance is beyond me. The way he brings others into the game is massive.

I still think all the qualifiers should be played in a 2 week tourney at the end of the season. Then we would not have the Managers throwing fitts and faking injuiry to hold players back from International duty.

Any team managed by Guus Hiddink on the international stage is a threat. Along with Scolari he's probably the most experienced international manager.

I fear Russia more than I fear Croatia.

beating Estonia 3-0 out there is an achievement - the Croatians only beat them 1-0 in Talinn, as a comparison.

I don't think anyone ignored Crouch's performance - personally, I didn't see the game so I haven't really commented much, except on the goals - Crouch's header was superb, fair play. he's certainly attempting to stake his claim for a starting position.

Russia are unbeaten in this group stage so far, with 4 wins and 3 draws - they have drawn with Croatia 0-0 twice, they will put up a fight for second place, England will need a point out there and to beat 'em back at home. it won't be easy, but it's doable...

also, if the qualifiers were held in the summer the players would never have time off and they'd be constantly (even worse than they do now...) complaining about being tired.

If all the League started and ended at the same time their would be no issue. We already take several weeks off durring the course of a season to accomidate Internationals. If we played league games instead durring those weeks we would have an extra month at the end of each season. The Qualifiers would be sorted by the end of May.

well he was the best defender in the champions league...

against the likes of barca, chelsea, milan etc etc..


forget about being biased.. who have been the most consistent english central defenders in the EPL in the last three years?

terry.. of course
ferdinand... this year yes....
carra.... undoubtedly


so why are the likes of ledley king, woodgate, wes fcking brown chosen ahead of him??

simple question


KD

Woodgate's form has been excellent, in all fairness to him - Ledley King has been injured for long parts of the season - not sure about Wes Brown, to be honest.

the same could be said for Jermain Defoe in a striking position - 19 goals for the season, Michael Owen's been out all year and waltzes straight back into the team - is that fair?

woodgate has been playing really well in a Boro team which ..err.. finished lower mid table... great eh?

ledley king has been out for much of the season...right?

anyone find the absurdity then that both are considered ahead of carra???

no argument about jermaine defoe mind you... i think at the moment he's a better bet than michael owen to get you a goal, but he's not a first choice striker even for spurs...

IMHO carra should retire from international football.... with immediate effect.

it'll save him from a useless trip next season anyways when england will reach the QFs and then bow out on a penalty shootout to portugal



KD

The retirement idea is all over different Liverpool forums...I too think he should do it as he's just wasting his time with England and McLaren.

Scholes did it ant United and they have reaped the rewards.



I've posted my thoughts on Defoe before and can't be bothered to do it again!

England wouldn't particularly miss Carragher if he were to retire anyway - so what's the problem? he's hardly irreplaceable by any means...

of course not MTTC... that's exactly our point...

he's irreplaceable to LFC though...



KD

fair points indeed, he's the first name on the team sheet for Liverpool.

for what it's worth, I don't think he'll retire from international football anytime soon. like most footballers, he lives in hope...

Carragher has played every possition in the back 4. To say he is not needed is rediculous. The only time he has ever played CB is in a friendly with the B team. In the End Carra's England career is much like his Liverpool Career under Houllier, utillity cover man. Not someone who is ever given the chance to shine on the big stage in his best possition.