*eyeroll*

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NEWSFLASH: Apparently, Steven Gerrard would like to be the next England captain. But he's not talking about it.

Okay, first of all, DUH. How is this news? Just about everyone who pulls on an England shirt and isn't total pants would dream of wearing the armband.

And second of all, NO. Let's just not go there.

Comments

[gameazel]

*keeps fingers crossed too*

I would love for JT to be made skipper, but in all objectiveness, he hasn't exactly covered himself with glory during international competitions either? He definitely showed flashes of brilliance, apart from his usual steadfast, solid-as-rock performance, but there were also a few mistakes he made that were, well, completely unlike him.

However, Gerrard, too, was rather off-form too, and I agree that he hasn't shown that he can take that final step to display his true skills on the international stage.

I do think that JT brings an extra element of leadership to the pitch; Stevie might lead by example, but John's sheer presence on and off the pitch, whether in terms of team-bonding or just sheer volume, is undeniable. I'd also say that he's the one person whom the England squad can trust to watch their backs, freeing them to range forward in attack.

If a woman fainted literally at his feet John would have the sense and common decency to at least try to help in some way, rather than stand staring with

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I agree that John wasn't as solid at the WC as he is for Chelsea, but if you look at his so-called mistakes (like the back header) they happened because he was trying to cover other teammates' (read: Rio's) opponents as well as his own. I reckon he'd look a lot more solid if he felt he could trust his defensive partner to not go walkabout at crucial moments in every match.

And you're definitely right about JT's presence. Put it this way--if I was going off to war, I know which of the two I'd want at my back

[gameazel]

Fuck yeah. Though for Ferdinand's standards, this WC was probably one of his better showings; the lapses in concentration weren't as prominent. Unfortunately, his England caps aren't likely to stop anytime soon so, well, JT's probably got to get a bit more used to it. (Or he could kick Rio's ass into behaving, but.. Well, I'd pay to see that

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I'm kinda hoping that Rio will forget another drugs test or something, and clear the way for Ledley King. *evil* Or at least grow an extra brain cell or two. Though your idea of JT kicking his arse certainly has its own appeal! ;)

I remember the Rooney/Becks incident. Shocking, really. But somehow I don't see even Wazza having the balls to have a go at JT like that, especially if he was captain. *crosses fingers some more*

Tragic is right. When I first started following football I had a lot of admiration for Steven. But the more I saw of him, as a player and a person, the more disappointed I became. And now...well, I'll just say that taken as a whole I was wrong to have thought so highly of him.

[gameazel]

Let's see what happens by Aug 16, when they play their first friendly v Greece; really, really hope it's John.

No fucking way he would. Not even the orc.

Mm, I guess we all had the impression that Stevie, with the skills he had, would be one of the 'good guys.' But now, what with all the diving especially.. *sigh* He's a great player, who doesn't need to do shit like that!