Still waiting for England's "world beating" team

[Tomo 21,733]

But if you are an English football fan, there is at least some reason to continue living.

A brace by 19-year-old Michael Tonge against Liverpool on Wednesday, while 20-year-old Neil Mellor was scoring at the other end, added two more names to this term's astounding production line of promise.

And future England manager Alan Shearer must be rubbing his sensible hands together in glee at the pot of gold maturing before his very eyes.

Chris Kirkland, 21 now, will be the world's finest goalkeeper by 2008

Rio and Anton Ferdinand will form the bedrock of Shearer's defence. Blackburn's Martin Taylor will be there to mop up when the siblings' rivalry causes them to lose concentration.

Ashley Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips will be devastating wing-backs, whose surging runs will leave Italians crying into their capuccinos and Germans blubbing in their bratwursts.

This is where England excel, with the maverick talents of Joe Cole and :541: David Dunn

England will have so much talent up front it will be embarrassing, and other teams may concede games before kick-off to avoid the humiliation on the pitch.

the likes of Liverpool's Neil Mellor, Aston Villa's Darius Vassell, Leeds' James Milner and West Ham's Jermaine Defoe will all be in the prime of their careers

Talent of tomorrow

Anton Ferdinand

Jeremie Aliadiere

Johnnie Jackson

Richie Partridge

John O'Shea

Paul Konchesky

Some of my fav's in this http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2641675.stm gem back in 2003 about how England will be world beaters in Euro 2008.

Make of this what you will.

[Shane 2,275]

You know its a shit journalist when he puts down John O'Shea for the talent of tomorrow!

[Spike 12,049]

Terry on the bench? Tsk Tsk Tsk.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Golden generation :giggle:

[zolayes 14,489]

When where England the world's best team ? Possibly in the 1930's . Of course when the first World Cup competitions were organised.we

didn't enter . The arrogance of our FA deemed them pointless . At that time we possibly were the world's best side, certainly our record against

overseas opposition would have backed that claim, We might still have claimed to be the World's best till we were destroyed by Hungary

at Wembley in the 50s ... But what of 1966 ...World cup winners ,,BUT not the World's best ..Played at home with even the semi final switched

to Wembley to suit us .Be realistic in 1966 we were LUCKY winners .

The continual media hype of our team will always lead to disappointment and recriminations . We are the Liverpool of World football ...

Next season (tournament) we will win it .. I would have said the Arsenal but we dont even play pretty football.

[bababoom 4,478]

Haha, thanks for that it gave me a few laughs.

[nullabletype 987]

The book "Why England Lose" is great read and pretty well sums up exactly why they are the crud team they have come to be.

[Laylabelle 9,351]

We dont have a world beating team..heck after Euros we dont even have a manager

[Duppy Conqueror 1,494]

poor journalism was around in 2003 too..not a surprise there. the majority of fans are realistic and understand that we are not the worlds number 1 national team anymore but support the team regardless.

just like the Barmy Army have always stood by the England cricket team when they were far from the top..these fans may be rewarded in the future just like the Barmy army are now.

i`m not expecting England to win a trophy in my lifetime. i never expected Chelsea to win anything in my lifetime nor England to ever be the number 1 ranked cricket side in the world either.

life can be quite exciting and full of pleasant surprises when you expect nothing..i`m sure those who are most down on England at football these days are those who have had too high expectations in the past.

[dave30 728]

i too am looking forward to a Jack and Josh centre midfield partnership .

[PotterFowl 1]

Well the only way we'll win another tournament in the next 10 years is if we can get the team together and play team football. Because honestly, the current England wants to:

• practically shoot long balls if Carroll or Crouch is playing.
  
• keep giving the ball to the shite wingers who are overrated.
  
• play the best league players even if they all hate eachother.
  

Honestly, a midfield of Albrighton, Parker, Lampard and Johnson is better than Walcott, Gerrard, Lampard and Young.

[manpe 10,861]

Well the only way we'll win another tournament in the next 10 years is if we can get the team together and play team football. Because honestly, the current England wants to:

• practically shoot long balls if Carroll or Crouch is playing.
  
• keep giving the ball to the shite wingers who are overrated.
  
• play the best league players even if they all hate eachother.
  

Honestly, a midfield of Albrighton, Parker, Lampard and Johnson is better than Walcott, Gerrard, Lampard and Young.

I don't think Lampard or Gerrard should play anymore. Gary Neville recently wrote in his book that England fucked up with their coaches big time... He said Glenn Hoddle used to be a wack job, he said it was that bad under Kevin Keegan that it was a relief to be out injured.. and that Eriksson and McClaren made some wrong decisions and weren't up to the job.

[PotterFowl 1]

I reckon Lampard can play through Euro 2012 and give Wilshere and McEachran valuable time to improve their England games.

[Laylabelle 9,351]

I don't think Lampard or Gerrard should play anymore. Gary Neville recently wrote in his book that England fucked up with their coaches big time... He said Glenn Hoddle used to be a wack job, he said it was that bad under Kevin Keegan that it was a relief to be out injured.. and that Eriksson and McClaren made some wrong decisions and weren't up to the job.

McClaren was hillarious..Capello isnt exactly the 'saviour' everyone seemed to think he'd be but to be honest whatever manager we end up with I just think England will carry on being shit.Something doesnt click the way it does with other Countries and then theres always some lame excuse for that after 'the pitch..weather; yada yada'. And shit at penalties...

Definatly dont think Lampard should play even more so for the reason he gets blamed when things go wrong..even if its down to a referee decison he seems to get stick for it. England just overhyped every year which doesnt help.To high expectations and all..

Maybe one day things change but just cant see it lol...same old England just different faces..Im very optamstic lol

[Billy. 2,742]

England world beaters quite funny tbh in the players we got comming through now they dont look like there gonna be world beaters were just gonna have to face the fact that we are gonna be a quarter final team at a push semi final team pains me to say but its true