The most amazing thing about trying to solve a problem position in a national team is when suitable players exist but are ignored anyway. Such is England, with its perennial problem position of the left wing.
Not since the Bobby Robson years ended has this problem been solved by successive managers, a trend that continues today under Fabio Capello.
And today’s candidates are Matthew Taylor of Bolton Wanderers and Matthew Etherington of Stoke City. Both have the necessary qualities- they’re wingers, and they’re actually left-footed! Voila!
We all saw what Taylor is capable of at Portsmouth, especially in the 05/06 and 06/07 seasons when he scored goals that stunned the entire football world.
His left foot, spectacular goals and his enterprising wing play means he can do no wrong. Last season at Bolton, Taylor even hit double figures for the season, without which Bolton might not have survived.
Etherington has had a career where he’s flattered to deceive at both Tottenham and West Ham, but a move to Stoke during last season earned him a new lease of life where he contributed to Stoke’s Premiership survival although he has yet to score for his current club.
He and Liam Lawrence (himself an excellent player) on the other wing are very much the main creative outlets for Tony Pulis’ side.
Both players have much to offer, and would want to have excellent seasons in a bid to win places on the England team for the next World Cup.
Better still, take both of them along to South Africa.
sam.gilbert
Roar Rookie
i agree with freud, how could you sacrifice a top player just so you can have a left winger? etherington and taylor are nowhere near as good or consistent as the current england players. even if capello were to do this, ashley young, walcott and even stewart downing(when he recovers from injury) are way better than the two you've chosen. they seem really odd choices. joe cole might grab a spot if he can ind some form too. there is no chance either of those players will be in the team. a good manager works out a system to get the best out of his players, he doesnt pick lesser players to fit into a pre-definedd system. your logic is flawed.
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
Why on earth would Capello take two players to South Africa that would not even make an England B squad? You pick your best players, not a Left-sided Midfielder just because you need a left-sided midfielder, that would mean someone more talented would have to miss out. Sure he might have to reshuffle and play someone out of position but any manager will do that before they start picking players to fill slots. Here is the squad from the last internationals: GKs:Foster, Green, Robinson DEF: G. Johnson, W. Brown, Upson, Terry, Lescott, A. Cole, Bridge MID: Wright-Phillips, Lennon, Beckham, Barry, Lampard, Carrick, Gerrard, A. Young, Milner FWs: Rooney, Heskey, Defoe, C. Cole, Crouch Who out of that midfield is going to be left out for Taylor or Etherington? Each and every one of them is more talented than the pair of them combined, not to mention players such as Walcott, Downing, Hargreaves, Scott Parker, Bentley or Jenas who have recently played for their country, even Gabby Agbonlahor on a wing is more value than Taylor or Etherington. Bring Wilshere along for the experience, forget Taylor and Etherington, Capello probably doesn't even know who they are and nor should he, they're not in the same league as these guys.