Comments on: Defoe still a no-go

By: Ramos

Ramos — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:14:40 +0000

Well Ricky i still disagree….. if u look at the facts, defoes record in his past 10 appearances for england has been phenomenal, and most appearances have been off the bench! 2 goals in 1 half against holland… does that not indicate anything? and u say u wouldnt take defoe because u want only 4 strikers…. well then leave michael owen behind!!!!!!!!!!!! hes past it and has done nothing this season to warrant a selection and that is why capello has ignored him. Every player whos picked should be a regular starter for their club and owen is not. And whats ur obsession with walcott? Hes done nothing this season and even wenger has said he hasnt progressed at the rate he thought he would. Yes he has pace but he doesnt know how to use it. He gets buliied too much. For me, that croatia match was a one off because he has done nothing since then. ld have lennon and young over him. I really dont see any sense in this article.

By: Ricky Majer

Ricky Majer — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:33:54 +0000

It will also be interesting to see Defoe this weekend up against Richard Dunne and not Titus Bramble. This should give us a true indication of how far he has come this season. I will be more than happy to review this on Monday. Dunne is a big strong clever defender who should be at the World Cup next year – but that is another story entirely….

By: Ricky Majer

Ricky Majer — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:17:29 +0000

Hi Ramos – thanks for the comments. Im not a Defoe hater at all, I rate him highly and think on the Premier League stage he is up there and will finish in the top 10 goalscorers no problem. My concern was that his form for England – not Spurs – counts against him. He doesnt do enough for me to say he wouldnt choke on the biggest stage. If we were to take 5 strikers then he would be there, but I would like to see him take Lennon & Walcott (both Right Wingers) and I see the only way him doing that is if only four strikers make the cut. Walcott could be used as an option up front with Lennon or Beckham playing on the right, but only if Defoe doesnt go. In my own personal opinion I would much rather see Lennon in South Africa than his team mate.

By: Case for English defence

Case for English defence — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:44:36 +0000

[...] earlier picking my forward line-up for England’s trip to South Africa 2010 and with the midfield being a little trickier, I will first go over the choices we have at the [...]

By: Redknapp

Redknapp — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:00:26 +0000

I completely disagree with this post. Defoe is a top class striker – full stop. You mention that his "movement is so-so". It's clear to see that his movement is one of his main attributes – he has excellent movement in and around the box. While he can also play on the shoulder of the defence for the ball over the top. Okay his hold-up is not great – but that would not bother Capello. He wouldn't be in the side to play that role – leave that up to Heskey or Crouch. Why not focus on what Defoe can offer to the team?? He has great pace, has a thunderbolt of a shot, can score goals in and out of the box, can score goals with both feet, can go past players with ease…the list goes on!! Oh and he would play well with Heskey if Rooney was injured/needed a rest. Anyway, definitely take Defoe to the World Cup! And Owen!

By: Ramos

Ramos — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:54:18 +0000

u r an idiot who truly hasnt got a clue about football! who has owen scored against? wel hes hardly scored but the games in which he has have been against mediocre teams – including city because their defence is a shambles. lets face it… ur obviously a defoe hater and sum1 whos living in the past with michael owen…. What country would not take their top goalscorer? not saying defoe will be top goalscorer come the end of the season but he has a fair shout and its quite clear he will be up there. Whats this crap about no movement? Aside from his finishing movement is probably his best attributes… the amount of times he scores goals from quick movemnt in the box to gain a yard on his marker. Defoe is clearly the most natural goalscorer england have and with rooney playing up there with him on the shoulder as well as ammunition from the right (aaron lennon maybe) then england will have their best goalscoring team. Rooneys playmaking ability will complliment defoes movement.

By: Some 1

Some 1 — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:36:17 +0000

Terrible article for a few reasons 1) England are rubbish as a collective unit regardless who plays for them, if you don't realise this now you soon will come 2010. You forget Defoe scored within a 1 min against man u also he was not involved against arsenal, not saying that he would have scored but you can not judge. Also regarding bringing people into play check the third goal he scored against hull with Aaron Lennon, as well as the cross he gave to Peter crouch which Chris Kirkland did well to save. You also criticize his hold- up play and movement when it is clear in these areas he has acknowledged a weakness in his game and has worked hard in training and is obviously far better holding the ball than he was even a year ago. You go as far as to say Owen should be ahead of him in the England Line-up ??? Owen is way past his best form whilst it is clear as daylight Defoe is just reaching his peak.

By: andrew dominy

andrew dominy — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:47:35 +0000

so i guess the 2 goals he scored against holland dont count ! iI think he has shown he can score against top class opposition ! please explain what you feel that michael owen has done this season or the past 2 seasons to be considered for the world cup squad . Lets face it even if owen went im sure he would hobble off with the obligatory ham string injury!!!