Carrick, Lampard & Gerrard 196

I think you miss the point. Given a squad which included fit and in form strikers the addition of a talented kid would be understandable, but this was never going to be the case this time. Strikers was our only selection problem and including 2 with injury and fitness doubts does not leave room for such luxuries. There is also a great diference between a manager buying a player for the future. on the opinion of a trusted scout. and picking him to play in the WC a few weeks ahead. We cannot avoid the two decisions...Wengers, "he is not yet ready for the Prem".....and Svens...."He is ready for the WC".

With our shortage of fit to play strikers we could not afford to take anyone considered too inexperienced. which is what SE now seems to suggest. with his comments, and by his decision to disrupt the shape of the side by playing a midfield left player out of position rather than playing his choice in his natural position, which would have at least shown confidence in his original decision. Altering the team rather than risk playing ANY man on the bench in his natural position for 30 mins is weak. The time for experiment should have ended months ago. But we know that if the squad had included one of the 2 or 3 other options who's place was given to Walcott. they would have been on as a straight swap for Owen. But not he kid?

LC