Good point Liz and about time that, that concept was introduced. I play indoor soccer for two hours every Friday night with a bunch of like-minded idiots. We all play in an over 35 league and our team comprises guys from all over the world. We usually adjourn to a local pub on Fridays after our session and invariably the conversation turns to all things soccer/football.

We have discussed the England team once or twice and I believe the consenus tends to be that the English players for the most part can't cut it against their European counterparts and there are reasons for this. If you look at Gerard for example. Someone above has mentioned that he should play in the centre of midfield. He doesn't even make it in the centre a club level. Benitez has been playing him on the right side of midfield because Sissoko (French) and Alonzo (Spanish) do a much better job. Lampard plays in the centre for Chelsea but he has Makalele (French) covering his ass. So when he drifts forward as he does consistently the midfield compacts and Makalele bosses everything and if you watch most everything goes through Makalele. England do not have a playmaker in midfield, a position that is essential in the modern game. They haven't had one since Paul Scholes retired form the international scene. The one player who tends to shine in midfield, all be it as a defensive midfielder, is Hargreaves (Canadian). The English players tend to play better at club level because for the most part they play along side better foriegn players. Like the old addage goes, "its hard to soar with the eagles when you're surrounded by turkeys."