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Tuesday, 26 March 2013, 20:00

World Cup Euro Qual Group H

Carrick quandary for Hodgson

England boss Roy Hodgson is considering using Michael Carrick as an emergency centre-back in Friday's World Cup qualifier against San Marino.

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Comments 1 - 10 of (18)

el silvestre (Manchester United) says...

line up for san marino hart, smalling lecott johnson baines walcott carrick gerard young welbeck sturridge - taylor oxlaide, rooney as subs.

Posted 4:23am 21st March 2013

timbo (Cardiff City) says...

Carrick could play in goal against San Marino, with his hands tied behind his back.

Posted 12:41am 21st March 2013

chopper says...

At least the LB/RB will see a lot of the ball with Carrick playing CB!

Posted 9:06pm 20th March 2013

tonyv25 (Manchester United) says...

@alter I guess he wants to play the normal system so players get used to it? Plus if he does play 3-5-2 maybe he's concerned that you'll have wingbacks alone on the wings, whereas with a winger and a fullback providing the width it gives them more opportunity to work the ball. No idea though, all we have is guesswork until friday. Should serve as a good warm up.

Posted 8:07pm 20th March 2013

tonyv25 (Manchester United) says...

@mostik i apologise for my second if I seemed abrupt. Bad day at the office (hence me spending my time commenting on f365).

Posted 3:56pm 20th March 2013

alter_ego (Bolton Wanderers) says...

Most people have the feeling that San Marino won't test our defenders so anyone can play there. If thats the thinking why doesn't Carrick play midfield and have three at the back. He could clear danger before and higher up the pitch. Or play a third striker. Try and get some early goals.

Posted 3:43pm 20th March 2013

dashee says...

I'm sure even Gunnersaurus would be able to do a job against San Marino.

Posted 1:56pm 20th March 2013

nish says...

Anyone involved in the current England setup should be able to fill that role against San Marino... well maybe not Stuart Pearce after what happened in '93 but everyone else.

Posted 1:10pm 20th March 2013

Gab1965 says...

Seems a no brainer. The central defensive pairing against Montenegro will have to be worked out on the training pitch, which would probably be a harder run out than playing against San Marino in any case.

Posted 1:09pm 20th March 2013

owen1807 (Tottenham Hotspur) says...

England's CB's will see far more of the ball at their feet starting attacking moves off rather than having to defend against the worst nation in europe. A quick look at their goalscoring record says they have scored 19 times in 117 matches and only won once so for that reason Carrick and Smalling would be ideal as they are both fairly comfortable on the ball. The other arguement however is you should play the same CB's in both games so they get a level of understanding before a key game and I wou;dn't want Carrick at the back against Montenegro.

Posted 12:34pm 20th March 2013

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