The good thing about managing England is that (if McLaren would think for once) they can switch between 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 3-5-2 etc WITHOUT playing anyone out of position. You've really got to try and get the best out of (and mould the team around) Gerrard and Rooney, as they are the two players who can really change a game. I would also give Gerrard the captain's armband, as he is a far better captain (and player) than Terry
imo. Gerrard has been shakled by Lampard for too long
imo, and he really deserves to be allowed to play the way he does best. Rooney is 100% wasted on the wings, and I utterly refuse to play him there.
I would also play without Fat Frank, as he is without doubt one of the most overrated players in World Football, and is only genuinely rated by Chelsea fans.
I really think that a 3-5-2 formation is a really good system to play with as England. I would personally go with the following:
GK: Robinson/Foster
DC: Terry
DC: Carragher
DC: Ferdinand
MC: Hargreaves/Carrick
MC: Gerrard (Captain)
ML: Joe Cole
MR: Beckham
AMC: Rooney
FC: Owen
FC: Crouch
I would give Joe Cole, Gerrard and Rooney free roles to do what they want, with high creative freedom for them and Beckham. Instruction Beckham to ping some crosses (or play through balls) to Crouch. Crouch really gives England more than 1 option, as he can hold up the ball, but can also give height into quite a short team. I have recently started a new game, and am going to try and actually win something. I am going to (try to) play a short, slow, pass and move possession game, based on quality passes. I have no idea about Closing Down settings really, but I would have thought that one would want Gerrard and Rooney chasing down the defenders.
Hope that helps.
Linear Mode
