Originally Posted by Superhoops
At the back, Ashley Cole is a must, as are Terry and Ferdinand (if he is not fit Campbell). At right back he must make a choice.
His real dilemma is in midfield. Joe Cole is a cert to play on left, he must play Steven Gerrard. If he wants to have any chance of breaking up stronger oppositions midfield play he must play a holding play, Hargreaves (who was excellent in that role last night) or Carrick. This leaves one place for either Beckham or Lampard. Beckham's delivery, especially of dead balls, is second to none, but he does little else. On balance Lampard will contribute more, certainly in work rate if the going gets though, which you expect it to do in the later stages so he would be my choice.
This would leave Beckham out, unless he decided to slot him in at right back. There was some euphoria about Beckham's display at right back when he moved there against T&T, I think I could done as well myself, with all due respect to opposition. He was found wanting last night and certainly was the cause of Sweden's first goal. I think putting Beckham in at right back will only be an option if it meant replacing Carragher, who is a defender but not a natural right back. If Gary Neville is fit, he will play.
Is Sven courageous enough to drop Beckham. If he has any aspirations of winning this thing he must.