With Rio Ferdinand still out injured for Manchester United, is Wes Brown's return to fitness going to be crucial this year? Brown was definitely missed last year, especially after his magnificent performances in the double-winning 07-08 season, but the emergence of Jonny Evans and the Da Silva twins softened the blow. Here's the article that's got me thinking.
http://www.insidefutbol.com/2009/11/18/wes-brown-bouncing-back-for-ferguson-and-capello/12438/

What you guys think?

I definitely think Brown will play a big part in keeping the goals-against to a minimum for United while Rio stays out injured for goodness how long. He's been proven to be reliable in the seasons he's been fit. I hope it's the same for this season.

you could just mention this in United thread.

Stop spamming.

And Brown's been at United for like 50 years, he always appears when someone gets injured, he's the backup.

At least he writes coherently!

I couldn't care less where he plays or for whom, or how often. As long as he's a million miles away from the England camp. Not International material by a long shot.

If you only wanted Manc opinions mate, this should have been posted in the right place.(Y)

Brown's always there when needed. He's very solid but too injury prone to ever be a starter.

I couldn't care less where he plays or for whom, or how often. As long as he's a million miles away from the England camp. Not International material by a long shot.

If you only wanted Manc opinions mate, this should have been posted in the right place.(Y)

Seriously if you look at the England defenders, they all suck. Lescott, Carragher etc. I can't think of any decent option Capello has as a backup defender for England. Bramble maybe?

On their day, Carragher and Lescott defend circles around Brown, so do Upson and Cahill. Brown might be more consistent, and he's used to being a back-up, as well being able to cover for right-back, so he could be a decent choice for South Africa, but he's not going to offer you anything if he needs to come on. That's why people are criticising England's lack of depth. Like Liverpool, they can field a great 1st team, but there isn't much beyond that. Not at the level you would expect from England, anyway.

Thats the problem with England. They have a quality starting 11 but other than that they have pretty average players. If the starting players remain injury free and in form they have a good chance in South Africa. Otherwise, it will be hard for them to compete with teams like Brazil or Spain which have a lot of depth. I've seen somewhere that there were 103 Brazilian players in the last UCL and only 15 Englishmen :icon_spin:

Well, here's an article like that from 2007, though your numbers are a tad exaggerated.

http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2007/10/30/champions-league-of-nations/

98:26 is still a big ratio though. Just wanted to point out that there's a lack of depth and option in the England team right now.

What about Micah Richardson and Ledley King?

King isn't really an option, he can barely train for Spurs. Richards is good though.

BGS is still running around somewhere as-well.

98:26 is still a big ratio though. Just wanted to point out that there's a lack of depth and option in the England team right now.
Oh for sure. I didn't mean to disagree.