Who would you select to replace Rooney in starting XI (if Owen is fit)?

[Salty25]

IF Owen is fit, then I would select Crouch, as it would provide the obvious aerial threat.

 

[llss]

really , how much of a drop in class is going to happen . ( HUGE) defoe isnt a team player , crouch has no chance at that levell and out of his depth, bent lacks international exeperience and a int good enough .

 

[wolfav]

i would say crouch out of all of them him and owen would look like a comedy duo O-Ha it may give the defence,s a giggle and open up some cracks!
does anyone know the extent of rooneys injury

 

[Salty25]

really , how much of a drop in class is going to happen . ( HUGE) defoe isnt a team player , crouch has no chance at that levell and out of his depth, bent lacks international exeperience and a int good enough .

come on, thats very harsh, and with an attidude like, is it any wonder we haven't won since '66?

lets look at the midfield:

Beckham - probably best crosser in the world, and Real Madrid's best player this season.
Gerrard and Lampard - fantastic vision and passing ability, great at long range efforts on goal.
Joe Cole and Wright-Philips - finds space, making darting runs into box to threaten on goal, also great passers of the ball.

Surely any half decent striker should be able to get goals with that kind of supply/backup from the midfield? I'm shocked by the defeatism of many football pundits/critics. Last time I checked, Rooney was accompanied by 10 other world class players. Also, by playing Crouch there's now an aerial threat which wasn't there before. And Defoe isn't useless... who scored the winner against Poland?

 

[wolfav]

your right salty we have some of the finest players in the world lampard and gerard could fire us to berlin olympiastadion with their longshot thats without the free kick specialist ! terry at the back would be a definate starter for any country lets just hope he can bring the best out of all the other defenders as for the attack the options are there just hope the choices made stand up and be counted and do thier country honours
what a country to win the world cup from and if we could only take on the hosts in the final !

 

[wod]

i'd say crouch and owen up front but its not about just them its the gerrads and lampard etc that makes the team good

 

[BGonaSTICK]

I think I would have played Jade Goody up front, even if Rooney was fit.

 

[BadWithComputer]

Crouch is improving rapidly. How about Kevin Nolan? Anyone? ANYONE????

 

[RedDevil_UK]

i really dont get why so many people think Crouch is so good??? i think hes useless....

hes not even in the top 15 strikers in the premiership? check here

the most in form English striker is Darren Bent, so surely hes worth taking a chance on... lets face it, he has scored more goals than Rooney this season anyway!!

the other player worth a mention is Marlon Harewood too..

both Bent and Harewood, would benefit of playing with better players also... you never know what would happen

 

[Rob]

Haven't got anything against the other lads, but I would like to see James Beattie of Everton considered.
Any Toffee's fan's like to comment as you would have seen more of him than me.

 

[T_G]

I would take Teddy Sheringham. I know he is old, but he is clever and would be excellent to bring on for the last 20 minutes...his experience might just be what is needed.