England - Forwards, who stays? Who goes?

Who was in the 30?

Darren Bent
Peter Crouch
Jermain Defoe
Emile Heskey
Wayne Rooney

5 strikers named by Fabio Capello in his 30-man provisional squad will most 'probably' be cut to 4 by Tuesday lunchtime.

He could take all 5 if he decided to take 7 defenders, which is possible, although I doubt it on either score really?

Who is safe?

Rooney is a nailed on, shoe-in, absolute dead cert, no two ways about it part of the 23 and probably the 1st name on the team sheet.

Crouch is another certainty and despite going off the boil a bit recently Defoe's ability to be that goalscoring impact sub sees him safe.

Who is under threat?

Heskey has been a real favourite of Capello's but he has started to slip away and has been in pretty poor form for Villa recently, when he has even played.

Bent has never really got much of a chance for England, but when he has he has not always impressed really so I am not convinced by him on the international stage - at this point.

Who misses out?

Heskey - Crouch has his role now, and can pretty much do what Heskey does minus the strength add that to the genuine goal threat of Bent and that 'should' see him get the nod, unless he has a mare today?

I know Heskey offers us that 'power' upfront, but does Rooney not offer this and a genuine goal threat too? Goals win games, hence why Bent 'could' force his way in ahead of the Villa man...

What do you think?

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Writer: Rug

Date:Sunday May 30 2010

Time: 12:10PM

Your Comments

If he takes 4 it should be Crouch and Heskey as Target men and Rooney and an understudy as goal poachers , and Defoe has been in pole as Rooney's understudy. I'm a Villa fan and don't rate Heskey but if England go with just crouch as a target we are doomed .

villan57

has to take Rooney Defoe Bent and Crouch, Heskey is not good enough...

rover23

I don't think that Bent or Heskey did much did they, maybe we should leave them both at home!

Mighty Blighty

I'd probably take Heskey over Bent, but I don't think that much of Heskey either, and i'm a Villa fan. There is always the possibility that you leave them both and take an extra midfielder, we have a lot of attacking midfielders, thatd be a big risk though

Callum_ws

Perhaps take Joey Cole instead and use him behind the main striker?

rover23

i personally would take bent over heskey just in case god forbid rooney picked up an injury, bent has proven goalscoring ability in the prem (thou i believe he has still to break his duck for england), even his last season at spurs still managed to be the top scorer for them , despite being 4th choice by the end of the season. if rooney was to get injured then taking bent wouldn't leave us as light on goal threat, as much as taking heskey would.

dukey_nrg

I'd leave Bent and Heskey behind - both useless!

merlin