I remember reading, in the sunday telegraph not some rag, that McLaren was the obvious choice for the FA once Sven is out of contract/leaves/is forced out. In my opinion they could do alot worse, but the problem with English managers is that they are just unremarkable. If the FA were willing to give the job to a timid guy who hadn't really achieved much before he was appointed, then I think maybe chasing a big foreign manager wouldnt be too crazy. I think given what he managed to achieve with Korea (dodgy calls aside, their run was tremendous in 2002) Hiddink wouldve been a guy to look at, before Australia scooped him up.
Anyway, about Beckham back in the centre of park, I think that if he is thriving for Madrid out on the right then its in England's best intrests, as well as Madrid's, not to make him switch for the odd international. The 3-5-2 isnt that crazy, considering the wealth England have at CB, but in my mind Neville the Elder and Cole are too rich in skill and talent to be left out of the team.
I know its something of a hybrid solution, but Joe Cole has to be the best answer at the moment for the leftside. What I would like to see, though, would be more of a 4-3-1-2 which allows Either Lampard or Gerrard, preferrably Lampard, to sit behind the strikers in support, and hopefully with a primarily defensive CM behind him, give a bit of balance to the midfield.
Something like:
------------Robinson------------ (never James, ever again)
----Nev---Terry---Rio---Cole----
-Beckham---Gerrard----JCole----
-----------Lamps-------------
----------Owen----Rooney
But of course, all that is contingent upon Joe Cole getting time enough at the wing position to be internationally fit, and on Lampard recovering last seasons form. I hate to ice Carrick and SWP out just like that, but despite all his failings, Beckham is at the moment a must for the team just leadership wise. Would be kind of intresting, though, to see him left out for Sweep just once, and the armband given the Lampard or Gerrard, if only to see how England do
Anyway, its all food for thought, but as Seven8 said, this thread is really buzzing with good debate. Great to see