Suddenly Micah Richards has become the answer for everything. We do like 'em young in England don't we.
Just like Robinson at Leeds was the greatest keeper ever, Rio Ferdinand was the greatest defender ever, and of course Jenas was supposed to be the future.
All these players have been hailed and nailed, then hailed and nailed some more and are now treated by many England fans with utter contempt.
Yes, Richards is a decent player, but lets get some perspective here. May I be the first to say that I think Micah Richards is vastly over-rated. He has a lot to learn about positioning and when to go forward, we were left terribly exposed against Israel down the right on so many occasions but because the opposition were limited it did not hurt us. Against a better team we'd have been murdered on that flank. He is a quality player who may be good, great or just average, but let's not lose our heads. His own dad says he could be a central midfield player if he wasn't so lazy.
Oh and by the way he is a terrible centre half, the game against Blackburn showed that, let's not be affected by the Michael Essien syndrome here, "Oh look he can play everywhere so he must be great wherever you put him!" (In fact Essien is an awful right back and the World's worst centre-half-look at Chelsea's run-in last season). That's rubbish.

Preaching to the converted on here though zeds

Richards should play along side Terry ( i really dont like Rio and never have thought he was anything special to b honest).

quote:

Rio Ferdinand was the greatest defender ever

think your the one getting carried away

Richards is a centre back really, he's only played at right back last season as Distin and Dunne played so well, so it would be unfair to judge him, as so many did to Carra, in an England shirt until he can play in his proper position. Would you be so quick to judge Rio or Terry at right back? Micah was outstanding against Utd at centre back and has great promise. Sadly i think the british press only build people up to knock them down though, lets hope Micah doesnt give them that chance.

So he's an average player...
He's done pretty good in an England shirt so far, so I won't slate him till he does.
We won't know what he's like against stronger opposition until we play a tougher side
There are some players who never seem to perform as well for their country as they do their clubs (which includes almost every Liverpool player except Owen in the past 20 years) yet there are some who can do the reverse.
Maybe another case of big club/name player not really feeling the passion...

quote:

Originally posted by CupraR04:
So he's an average player...

I'm not saying that, read the post.

Ok...a decent player. The rest still stands!

That's the fickle world of the press for you.. build 'em up and knock 'em down.. I'm sure 'the next Wayne Rooney' will pop up soon enough. (not in regards to Micah Richards)

Some of us are still waiting for the current Wayne Rooney.
2004 since his last competitive goal for England….
Injuries or not, that's a long time for the 'new Pele'

And just in case some plastic with the blinkers on, gets all precious about me knocking their team's player, I'll point out that the lad has bags of talent, but I don't think it's being used correctly.
Sticking Wayne up front, on his own, has never been his forte. In fact, it's been more to his downfall as his dodgy temperament exposes his frustration...
Looking at recent England games, it's clear that we can live without many 'name' players, and I don't think there will be many who disagree with the statement that Lampard and Gerrard can't play in the same side.
I'll throw this into the ring...Rooney would be of better use for England in the same role as the previous best Man U player was...Paul Scholes. Pushing from an advanced midfield position, playing in close passes to the front men, and scoring from skilled shots around the box. If nothing else it would take some of the burden of his shoulders

Really Cupra, why try and insult before making your point, makes it hard to want to reply or take it seriously, but -

I think Rooney's fine upfront as long as he has someone decent to partner up with.

On the Gerrard and Lampard issue - No, they don't work.

quote:

Originally posted by CaptVimes:
Preaching to the converted on here though zeds

One agrees with the good Cap'n Vimes.
Leave the hype for the tabloid readers.

sven thinks hes got massive potential, and well who can disagree with sven!!!