McClaren learns nothing from WC striker woes
Posted by DavidM in England, Steve McClaren | 13 August 2007
I'm having something of a deja vue moment. Wayne Rooney's foot injury leaves him out of England's upcoming competitive matches and Steve McClaren is keeping a close eye on Michael Owen who's just returning from his own spell on the sidelines.
So in all likelihood Engand will be relying on the talents of Peter Crouch to see us through.
Given that this strategy was an unholy failure in the World Cup, it's worrying that McClaren hasn't developed more striking options.
I think this is Rooneys third foot injury in as many seasons and Michael Owen is a regular in the physio's room, so it would seem obvious that aside from Crouch we need more attacking players ready for an England call-up.
Bent is an obvious one but seems to be disregarded these days. Walcott is moving away from being an out-and-out striker with Arsenal more likely to play him in his favoured right-midfield role. Ashton himself has been out for some time and then you get to the likes of David Nugent.
McClaren is always going to have some selection problems across the team with injury woes, but up-front the options are so limited. He should be working to identify, nurture and try-out the next level of players so he has a better fall-back plan than a long-ball to the tall bloke.
Comments
I read the other day that the minister for sport was looking to encourage clubs to have a minimum number of English players in their squad. Should this be possible and happen, it might help this kind of problem.
In case you have been on Mars for the past six months let me update you. There would be little point in relying on Peter Crouch for the next qualifier as he got himself stupidly booked against Estonia. Therefore he will not be available as he is suspended. Darren Bent has had his chances but is simply not good enough for international football. Also it is common knowledge that there are no real quality strikers coming through. Also it is the clubs responsibility to nurture their youngsters not Steve McClaren's. Please get your facts straight
'Darren Bent has had his chances'.....really? 2 caps, is that all you get? I think David is suggesting that the England manager should nuture talent on the international stage for England, seeing that he is the England manager! As for the 'common knowledge' that there are no strikers coming through, what garbage! Aside from those mentioned above how about Matt Derbyshire.....Leroy Lita...Ashley Young....Luke Varney, even Michael Chopra. Before trying to appear smart, maybe read a little more carefully and get your own facts straight
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