Who should be the fourth England striker?

[Team Bergerac]

I'd take four:
Rooney, Crouch, Owen and another.

Problem is that you don't just want to take the player who's in the best form - necessarily - you want one who'll fit in well to a team he might not have played in before. In my opinion that rules out Bent (who hasn't flattered on the international scene), Beattie (too much of a loose cannon, and only actually been playing well for a few weeks), and even Harewood (an outsider if the WC was 6, rather than 2, months away.

Looks like it has to be Defoe then.

 

[souljacker]

I vote for Bent, purely because if he plays in a competitive match for England, Ipswich get a load of dosh from Charlton.

 

[denniseagle]

I'd take four:
Rooney, Crouch, Owen and another.

Problem is that you don't just want to take the player who's in the best form - necessarily - you want one who'll fit in well to a team he might not have played in before. In my opinion that rules out Bent (who hasn't flattered on the international scene), Beattie (too much of a loose cannon, and only actually been playing well for a few weeks), and even Harewood (an outsider if the WC was 6, rather than 2, months away.

Looks like it has to be Defoe then.

Ashton would be my choice, he has a bit of a Shearer look about his style of play , and I think that he would be a compliment to both Owen and Rooney.
As for 'rodders,' he has shown that every time he has come on for England the opposition seem unable to handle him which has resulted in goals and more importantly confidance building victories.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Ashton would be my choice, he has a bit of a Shearer look about his style of play , and I think that he would be a compliment to both Owen and Rooney.

I completely agree. I mentioned this on another thread. From what I've seen so far he's almost a Sheringham-Shearer combined... I think he combined with Rooney could be devastating.

 

[JTG]

On the basis that England players are only ever top scorer in World Cup Finals tournaments when they're Evertonians...

 

[Jo/Joe]

I'm not convinced Crouch deserves an automatic place. I'd like to see someone like Ashton get a go, I think he has the determination that makes a good striker great.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

Maybe a more relevant question, if Owen doesn't go who should start with Rooney? I can see the argument for taking Crouch as third striker but surely he can't be a starter. I think I'd chance it with Defoe, personally, although I wouldn't be too confident.

 

[ChrisFilter]

How exactly? He is the classic look good in a small team, money to a big team where he cant cope/cut it, works well in mediocre team where he is a bigger fish in a smaller pond.

See Sutton, Diouf, Kezman.

C

But could cut it.. his first season at Liverpool he got 25 goals or thereabouts.. but then Houllier started playing him out of position, he lost all confidence, and he's very much a confidence player.. he never recovered from it.

 

[ivebeenhigh]

But could cut it.. his first season at Liverpool he got 25 goals or thereabouts.. but then Houllier started playing him out of position, he lost all confidence, and he's very much a confidence player.. he never recovered from it.

he played on the wing for leicester too no?

 

[Grego Morales]

Crouch is a very good player to have in a world cup. Put him on in the last 15 minuites and tired defenders will get unsettled quite quickly. Look at the games against Argentina and Ukraine. He's so awkard to mark.

Im not entirely convinced by either Bent or Defoe at an international level. But to be fair, they haven't had much of a chance to prove themselves yet. We need another poacher to cover Owen, and I think Bent fills that role better than Defoe, who's more of a flair player.

 

[ChrisFilter]

he played on the wing for leicester too no?

Very occasionally.. he was used as a forward most of the time, partnering a more typical idea of a striker, ie. Tony Cottee, Steve Claridge.

I'd guess that Michael Owen had no complaints about playing with him.. I'd guess that half or more of goals were from Heskey assists. England 5 - Germany 1 as an example.

 

[tangerinedream]

Bad news everyone. John Murphy got a neck injury today. Looks like someone else will have to go, I will admit Matthew Blinkhorn is not up to the job.

I would, in the absence of John Murphy, include Owen, Rooney, Crouch and probably Bent, cos I think he deserves to go for scoring a lot over the year for a relatively mediocre side. Though I think you could make a case for about six and as the fourth striker it's not likely he will have much opportunity anyhow.

 

[JTG]

Bad news everyone. John Murphy got a neck injury today. Looks like someone else will have to go, I will admit Matthew Blinkhorn is not up to the job.

Richard Walker still fit and banging them in though

 

[cathal marcs]

If I were English id take Crouch. Like Big John Hartson isnt the gretaest technical player but fuck me defences dont have a clue how to deal with them,

You could always ask Duncan Ferguson as one final FU to the SFA

 

[tangerinedream]

Richard Walker still fit and banging them in though

Good call

 

[JTG]

I can see it now - Walker bags a hat trick in the final against Germany and the country reverberates to the strains of " do do do do Richard Walker..." (tune: Papa's Got a Brand New Pigbag)

 

[Brixton Hatter]

having just been down the valley to see charlton v newcastle, i'm leaning more towards Darren Bent as the fourth striker...he looked good today, sharp, full of clever quick runs, always kept the newcastle 'defence' on their toes - he scored a pen which makes it 20 goals for the season so far (how long since an english striker scored 20 goals in the prem? shearer??)

 

[tangerinedream]

I can see it now - Walker bags a hat trick in the final against Germany and the country reverberates to the strains of " do do do do Richard Walker..." (tune: Papa's Got a Brand New Pigbag)

Well, Walker scored one of the most important goals in recent pool history, a 94th minute goal v plymouth in 2001 that got us a play off spot (which we took full advantage of). Think he therefore is the man without a doubt. Cool under pressure see.