World Cup winner Martin Peters says England need someone to help Wayne Rooney up front and a great goalkeeper if they are to stand any chance in South Africa next year.
1966 medal winner's views
“I think England are going to be there or thereabouts and if they have a little bit of luck they could go on and win it, but I think we are a bit short in two key positions,” Peters told skysports.com.
“We still need a striker who can score you four or five goals in a tournament to accompany Wayne Rooney and a goalkeeper who can play out of his skin. If we had them then I'd say we can definitely win it.”
Emile Heskey isn’t the answer, said Peters, because the Villa striker’s “goal scoring ratio is not good enough. You can say he makes space for other people but when you're trying to win the World Cup you need your centre-forward to be scoring goals.”
Sort out the England goalkeeping situation
Peters also has a problem with the goalkeeping situation. He spent years with Gordon Banks and Pat Jennings, but believes the current England players aren’t developing a stable relationship with one keeper.
“I don't like the rotation with goalkeepers. You need to build up the understanding whether the keeper is going to be coming or the defenders getting out the way.”
“When I used to play with Pat Jennings, for example, you knew that he was going to collect most things so you held back and so if it is Robert Green given the opportunity then they need to stick with him and give him the chance to build a relationship with the back four.”
His favourite in the England squad
Asked about his favourites, Peters replied “I like Steven Gerrard to be honest with you. He gives 110 per cent every game, he works hard, scores goals, plays from midfield and I like him above all else.”
But it isn’t all about one player: “To win a World Cup it takes togetherness. Everyone's got to be working hard for themselves and each other. You work your socks off for yourself and for your mate, for the guy who plays in front of you, beside you and behind you. You've got to work as a team; you've got to work as a unit.”
“Providing we can sort those two positions out that I highlighted then there is no reason why we can't go on and win it!”
Showing posts with label Steven Gerrard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Steven Gerrard. Show all posts
16/09/2009
Xavi eyes World Cup contenders
Barcelona's Xavi has begun the job of highlighting the teams which might threaten Spain in South Africa next summer.
To nobody’s great surprise the 29-year-old has picked out Brazil, Italy and Germany. He also believes England and the Ivory Coast are potential dark horses.
“We have a superb generation of players, we have already qualified for South Africa and also have the experience of playing there,” Xavi told Reuters.
England, says Xavi, “appeared to have found a new swagger and a solid foundation for possible success”.
He also likes Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, and said a defence including captain John Terry and Rio Ferdinand would be hard to penetrate.
“England were the big absence from Euro 2008 and I expect they are itching to show they can win the World Cup.”
To nobody’s great surprise the 29-year-old has picked out Brazil, Italy and Germany. He also believes England and the Ivory Coast are potential dark horses.
“We have a superb generation of players, we have already qualified for South Africa and also have the experience of playing there,” Xavi told Reuters.
England, says Xavi, “appeared to have found a new swagger and a solid foundation for possible success”.
He also likes Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, and said a defence including captain John Terry and Rio Ferdinand would be hard to penetrate.
“England were the big absence from Euro 2008 and I expect they are itching to show they can win the World Cup.”
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