Some fair points there Ona but we're not comparing Rooney here.

Rooney is a prime example of an excellent player not necessarily being a first choice on the team sheet - just like the whole Gerrard/Lampard debate.

A succesful team is a succesful team - not a simply a bunch of talented individuals.

......... but that's a whole different argument.

Heskey should play ahead of Crouch simply because the team seemed to play well on Saturday with him included. Add this to the fact that Crouch can't be completeley match-fit then it's a no-brainer really.

Sure, have Crouch on the bench to come on if Heskey's having a stinker, but Heskey it should be to start.


... Incidentally, I actually do think that Crouch will be recalled at Heskey's expense for what it's worth.

Was Crouch a Regular for Liverpool last year when he was banging them in for England? Has he ever had a problem scoring goals when he gets his chances? Last time he played he scored.

He was much more of a regular than he is this season.

Wouldn't happen to be because he's a Liverpool player that your championing his cause would it.

not really he started 3 games at the same point last season and he has started 2 this season. You know that I am an England fan so I always want what is best for England.

Emile Heskey is expected to retain his place up front for England in the Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia on Wednesday.

The Wigan striker performed well alongside former Liverpool teammate Michael Owen in the 3-0 win over Israel on Saturday.

However, his place is under threat from Peter Crouch, who is available again after serving a one-match suspension.

It now appears as if Steve McClaren has decided to stick with the same side that beat the Israelis, meaning Heskey will continue his partnership with Owen.

"I saw evidence of Heskey holding the ball up very, very well on Saturday and bringing players into the game,'' said McClaren. "We had an outlet.''

Heskey has only managed five goals in his 44 international appearances, but it is his strength on the ball and more importantly his understanding with Owen that put him ahead of Crouch.

The decision between Heskey and Crouch was the only serious call that McClaren will have to make for the game, after both Owen Hargreaves and Frank Lampard were ruled out with thigh injuries.

That means Gareth Barry will continue in centre midfield alongside Steven Gerrard.

One slight concern for England is that they are likely to start with three players on yellow cards, meaning that one more booking for John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole will mean a suspension for the next game against Estonia in October.

How often has it been said that Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard can't play in the same team? The proof is in the pudding. The best 45 minutes by an England midfield in a long long time, if Gareth Barry plays another blinding 45 minutes in the second half, he should retain his place for the matches in October.

Michael Owen proves once again what a great goalscorer he is. We can only hope that he stays fit for the rest of the season.

Maybe all you English people will stop whining about McLaren now

Will they fook.

I don't think so. McClown is still clueless, the only reason this team is playing is because his hand was forced with all the injuries to so called key players.

We will see if he has any bollocks in the next game by keeping a winning side together, I seriously doubt it though, Rooney, Lampard and the rest of the cart horses will be back no doubt.

A good performance by England ...... but not as good as the media and pundits would have us believe.

Russia had us under a fair bit of pressure and if they had their own Michael Owenski then we could've been looking at a different scoreline.

Gareth Barry was again the best player in midfield by a long way.

For the first time in a very long time we look to have to central midfielders who compliment one another's game .......... and McClown mustn't drop Barry just to accommodate a bigger name such as Lampard or Hargreaves.

Heskey was fantastic in the air last night and deserved his applause as he left the pitch.

In just a few days we've won twice, scored six and conceded none. A job very well done ................. but we need to remember that these were games we should be winning and we shouldn't be getting too carried away.

with the defence mistakes last night you can't help but feel a really good team would have ripped us apart. Rio Ferdinand seemed intent on f*cking things up, and but for some dodgy refereeing it could have been 1-1 and that would have changed the outlook of the game. some positives to take from the two games, but put decent opposition in front of 'em and it could be back to 'same old England'

oh, and I wonder what Gerrard's excuses for his performances will be? in the attacking third, which is apparently where he's at his best, he was non-existent and added very little. his defence work was good mind you, so maybe he's a defensive midfielder after all?

these two games, Israel and Russia, were crying out for a Gerrard Liverpool-esque performance and he failed to deliver...

wonder if McClaren will just drop SWP, Heskey and Barry in favour of Lampard, Crouch and Beckham? that would be pish poor management.

The media recognition of GB is long overdue....but...I think I actually prefer his being 'ignored' for the most part.
GB is an integral part of the Villa team and consistently performs to that level and better, week in, week out, in the premiership. To have him suddenly thrust into the spotlight of the 'must have at any cost' brigade is slightly disconcerting....Fortunately, we do have the MON factor, which was enough to see off interest from the likes of Portsmouth and Tottenham.

What would worry me, is a continued role in England's midfield for our Garry and the media spotlight being focused on him! This, although deserved, might just prompt reactions from the "big four"..... I mean; if he 'performs' so well with Stevie G at international level, what about at club level? ( Unless SG IS the one prepared to move!!)

Time to place the silly money on him, Mr Lerner.........make him too expensive to the 'envious'.

The thing is Dunc........Barry will not have to move for Champions league football. I feel he is Villa through.... the lad has charachter and with CL tv money Villa could afford to surround him with some .............well they have some Young players who will be top and as to not offend anyone I feel that the money will help the cause, the manager is on track and Barry is every bit as good as Lampard. personally I have never rated Lamps as the World Beater everyone at Chelsea sees him as. I have always seen him as the fat coaches son who was handed a football carreer. Now He has achieved great things and is certainly a top player but I feel like Barry has an edge. Lampard has always had someone doing the dirty work for him. Hasn't had to get too dirty.

I thought with Barry and Gerrard you had 2 unselfish Crunching players with exceptional range of passing. Barry and Gerrard really bring out the best in eachother, as Lampard and Gerrard basically bring out the worst in eachother. I don't really think they are mates like Barry and Gerrard. Really Michael Owen bennefited from a top midfield and defendeders with quality runs. Also having the Target man playing link up. I feel the synergy between the players was exceptional.

Barry is also every bit as good as Gerrard. you clearly forgot to put that in Ona, due to a lapse of some sort, no doubt connected to, oh, the fact that Gerrard plays in red for some team up north. I forget who now....

Do you really expect gerrard to come back from an injury (mind you he hasn't been playing for 2 weeks) and play how he plays for liverpool? He isn't yet sharp for FFS! he still feels pains and aches in his toe and foot. Benitez is also unsure if he will play this weekend against portsmouth. In addition Gareth Barry isn't a natural defencive midfielder like alonso or mascherano in liverpool, so basically Gerrard's role was to drop a bit deep in midfield and keep a balance. Like you said he was very good in his defencive work this is because he was instructed not to go gung ho (as he does in liverpool because he has alonso or masch behind him). I love barry, very good player and good cross to create the first goal against russia. He did absolutely well and I hope Mclown doesn't ruin everything and drops him.