- Evs Argentina 2/1 Draw 12/5 England -
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Tony Gale believes that Trevor Sinclair should be given the opportunity to play against Argentina.
He insists that it is the pattern, not the passion, that was missing against Sweden in England's opening group game and explains:
"I don't see it, but I think that there should be some West Ham involvement on Friday; Trevor is the one out of the three boys that should be selected.
"It might be a little bit too early for Joe and obviously David James is down the pecking order behind Seaman and Martyn, but I think personally Sven should be going with a sweeper system, and if he did, it should be Trevor Sinclair at right wing back for me, where he has played so many times for West Ham.
"Even if we played 4-5-1 we could play Trevor on the right or the left hand side; they keep saying that Heskey is not up to it and that Dyer is not fit - so what is the matter with Trevor?
"I think his best game was his last one with England because the pressure was off him as he knew he was staying with the squad, and I think he should get a game - but I'm not so confident that the boss thinks that.
"I'm looking at the wide players that have made impacts, and they are all strong running players; it is the best attribute of Trevor's game and I think if he could just pass it into the front man and move off him, someone like Teddy Sheringham, I think Trevor could be filling his boots.
"Although he was a late introduction to the squad, I think it could still be a time for him to play."
Tony is desperate to see either Trevor or Joe playing against Argentina, and adds:
"Let's hope that one of them comes on and lights it up though I can't really see it being David James, obviously, because if Seaman got injured it would be Nigel going in goal - but Joey has that capability of going on to the pitch and doing something, so we may see that.
"When you think about it, though, Joey is going to be coming on the pitch if we are struggling so you don't really want that to happen; but certainly, if he doesn't play again, the whole experience of the World Cup would have been invaluable for him."
And indeed the experience of being a second half substitute against Sweden, about which Tony says:
"He did okay but it is so difficult to come on and light it up in what was a dire England performance; I don't think he did anything wrong, but he found it very difficult to get into the game.
"How can you get into the game when the ball keeps going over your head?
"That was the main problem all the midfeld players had - we played as rigid midfield four and balls were going from back to front, which made it easy for the Swedish defenders.
"We were quite often second to the second ball, and therefore we caused our own problems, and really, I can't see any logic to the system we played.
"If we did play five in midfield, or three at the back, it would suit Joe even better because it could give him a freer role in midfield."
There is, of course, a fourth Hammer at the World Cup - Cameroon's Rigobert Song, and Tony says of his performance against Eire:
"He did okay; I am personally hoping he has a blinder so we can get a few quid for him."
Although listed in numerous World Cup handbooks as a Cologne player, he still has two more seasons on his contract at Upton Park, and will not be going to the club where he spent half a season on loan, as they were relegated.
A move is likely, however, and Tony adds:
"He didn't really cover himself in glory in his short stay at the club, and I don't think he was one of the better signings.
"But if he has a fresh start somewhere else he could kick on from there, so the better he does for his country the more chance he has of West Ham being able to get a better price for him."