Forget last night 3678

You are absolutely right of course. It is all a matter of opinion. To be more specific, my remark was intended for the TV pundits who seemed so impressed with those long balls. So was I, but skilful as they were it is not the best tactic against any side in that defensive mode. Control brings cover, and even cover for the cover. I think we all know by now that even if the wide man gets enough space for a cross they will seldom come to much at world cup level.

Balls played wide from deep which cut out defenders and get the wide man free are a different matter. Beckham can play these well, but so can Lampard and Gerard. I am not knocking Beckham but with his pbutting skills the long ball to the static winger was an easy option which is most often going to fail. The truth is that he seldom had alternatives in that set-up. Short pbuttes to a central Rooney was seldom on, but that's exactly when Rooney is most dangerous. He is fast enough and built like an ox and will make spaces sooner or later, commit defenders, free wide players and be in for the return with players like SG and FL around to pick up the pieces.. But we all knew this didn't we?

Even though Beckham still has lots to offer, it seems to me that the reason for that 5 man middle was defensive. Lampard is a decent defender, Gerard is OK and SWP and Rooney cover and graft. But that midfield should be 4 with Rooney playing forward and one of the 4 a new defensive tiger. In that set-up I could see no place for Beckham at the expense of any of the other 3 because they are now more likely to score in open play.

We will just have to hope they muddle through. Wasn't that always the way? Pity, because this time I thought we had the players to do it in style.

LC