The Best England Team for 40 Years ?

[claus jensens guitar]

Compare the England Euro 96 squad...

1 GK David Seaman
2 DF Gary Neville
3 DF Stuart Pearce
4 MF Paul Ince
5 DF Tony Adams
6 DF Gareth Southgate
7 MF David Platt
8 MF Paul Gascoigne
9 FW Alan Shearer
10 FW Teddy Sheringham
11 MF Darren Anderton
12 DF Steve Howey
13 GK Tim Flowers
14 FW Nick Barmby
15 MF Jamie Redknapp
16 DF Sol Campbell
17 MF Steve McManaman
18 FW Les Ferdinand
19 DF Philip Neville
20 MF Steve Stone
21 FW Robbie Fowler
22 GK Ian Walker

with World Cup 2006 squad

1 GK Paul Robinson
2 DF Gary Neville
3 DF Ashley Cole
4 MF Steven Gerrard
5 DF Rio Ferdinand
6 DF John Terry
7 MF David Beckham
8 MF Frank Lampard
9 FW Wayne Rooney
10 FW Michael Owen
11 MF Joe Cole
12 DF Sol Campbell
13 GK David James
14 DF Wayne Bridge
15 DF Jamie Carragher
16 MF Owen Hargreaves
17 MF Jermaine Jenas
18 MF Michael Carrick
19 MF Aaron Lennon
20 MF Stewart Downing
21 FW Peter Crouch
22 GK Scott Carson
23 FW Theo Walcott

I think the former is better.

The Euro 96 keepers were better, the defence is comparable, the midfield might not be as good but was well balanced and the forwards are definately better with Shearer, Sheringham, Ferdinand, Fowler, Barmby all around their peak. Owen, Rooney, Crouch, (forget Wallcott) Defore and Bent are still not as good.

[CrazyHorse]

Interesting comparison. I think the 'best for 40 years' thing just (wrongly) stemmed from the fact that we've got Owen and Rooney in the squad now.

[americantrotter]

Interesting comparison. I think the 'best for 40 years' thing just (wrongly) stemmed from the fact that we've got Owen and Rooney in the squad now.

I think many people have pointed out quite correctly that it was just a term used to beat Sven's brain in with. If he won it was his players, if he lost he was a numpty with so much talent.

[Simmy]

Nah, I'd go along with the best in 40 years thing, refering to the players of course... As a team they've proven they totally suck yeh but as individual players they've proven in the domestic leagues at least that they are world class.

[50sQuiff]

Yes, 'best players for 40 years' I think is a pretty fair observation. Man for man, our defence + midfield + Rooney is probably as good as we'll ever have, but obviously the team left a lot to be desired

[communistworkethic]

Agreed 50s.

Thing that strikes me with both is the lack of depth in both squads. Get outside your first 11 and some of the players are head scratchers - Nicky "who's next with the missus" Barmby, Steve Stone, Steve Howey etc.

[Crouch > Davies]

Why do people always neglect to mention the 1990 squad?

[bw@bw]

or even the 1970 squad which was in some ways stronger than the 1966 squad - though not playing at home

[keveh]

Nah, I'd go along with the best in 40 years thing, refering to the players of course... As a team they've proven they totally suck yeh but as individual players they've proven in the domestic leagues at least that they are world class.

and of course, Michael Owen being the best England player in 40 years

[Simmy]

Nah, I'd go along with the best in 40 years thing, refering to the players of course... As a team they've proven they totally suck yeh but as individual players they've proven in the domestic leagues at least that they are world class.

and of course, Michael Owen being the best England player in 40 years

Ahem, I was clearly talking about after that waste of space had snapped his ligaments, ya bitch