World Cup: Scholes' spot on

Paul Scholes wants England to play "the Liverpool way" in Brazil and you won't get much argument from the supporters.

Speaking on his Paddy Power blog this week, the former Manchester United midfielder urged Roy Hodgson to go all out and attack this summer.

"It would be refreshing for England to adopt Liverpool's attacking mentality in Brazil," he said.

"Really go for it. That means certainly four, and possibly five, Liverpool players in the starting line-up."

Scholes wants to see the England team powered by Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson, with pace from Raheem Sterling and potency from Daniel Sturridge.

Glen Johnson, he believes, could also add something at right back, though Phil Jones may challenge him for his place.

Scholes, like most England supporters, does not expect the Three Lions to be among the favourites this summer.

If that's the case, why not attempt to go out with a bit of glory?

The fans, and history, are always kinder to the braver team.

LAME EXIT

Compare and contrast the reputation of Sven-Goran Eriksson's staid, dull 2006 quarter-final side with the creative and inventive Glenn Hoddle team, dismissed in dubious circumstances in the first knock-out round in 1998.

Hoddle's men went out earlier, but at least they did so in style.

There was sympathy for Hodgson at Euro 2012 when he deployed his team in tight, organised banks of four, seeking to avoid defeat before trying to win.

The former Fulham boss had taken control of the team only shortly before the tournament and had hardly any time to work with the players.

It was hardly surprising that he would seek to play it safe. But there is no excuse for that this year.

Drawn in Group D with Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica, you can see why there would be those who believe defence to be the best form of survival, never mind of attack. England are low on belief and fearful of humiliation.

Scholes, you would certainly hope, is not advocating the kind of giddy, reckless attacking that saw Liverpool shed a three-goal lead at Selhurst Park towards the end of the season.

But there is no reason why Hodgson can't use the few strengths that England have at their disposal.

There is genuine pace is this team, from Sterling on one flank and, in all likelihood, from Sturridge on the other.

BE BRAVE

Why not unleash it on the world rather than sheltering behind those banks of four?

Frank Lampard will be 36 by the end of the World Cup and he has had countless opportunities to translate his club form to international level.

Why not send Henderson, the creative engine room of Anfield, out in his place?

I would go even further than Scholes and push Sturridge into the centre where he has played so well for Liverpool.

Rooney can either drop deep or drop out. His form for Manchester United no longer warrants automatic inclusion.

Liverpool did not win the title this season, but like the Kevin Keegan Newcastle sides of the mid-1990s, they will be remembered long after the line-ups of the eventual champions have been forgotten.

Everyone will recall the boundless enthusiasm, the daring and the guile of Brendan Rodgers' team, even if it will be tempered by memories of their final failure.

As an England fan, I'd rather see my nation go out in a blaze of glory, rather than hide like rats under the floorboards, hoping in vain to avoid the traps.

Life is short, but glory is eternal. Scholes is right.

England probably aren't going to win the World Cup this summer. They may as well try to win back our hearts.

The 1982 World Cup in Spain was spread across 17 stadiums in 14 cities. That remains a record for a single-nation World Cup, although Japan and South Korea both provided 10 venues apiece for the 2002 edition. Brazil 2014 will have 12 stadiums in 12 cities.

GO THE LIVERPOOL WAY

"It would be refreshing for England to adopt Liverpool's attacking mentality. Really go for it."

"South Africa in 2010 was so negative with boring draws."

"England fans, and myself, would rather watch 3-3 games than dull, 0-0 draws."

"I'd love to see Roy be brave enough to play like Liverpool. The thing I admired most (about Liverpool) was the swagger of their play and how they terrorised opponents."

HENDERSON'S A 'DIAMOND OF A LAD'

"He's a player others appreciate having around them on the pitch. He'll sacrifice himself for the attacking talent in a team like Liverpool. He's not what you call 'world class', but Henderson could be key to England controlling the ball and using it effectively."

QUESTION MARK OVER JOHNSON

"The question mark is Glen Johnson at right back. It's probably Phil Jones' best position right now. Johnson had just two assists for Liverpool last season so he did not provide a genuine attacking threat, whatever the perception."

MISTAKE TO LEAVE CARRICK OUT

"Not bringing Michael Carrick is a mistake. If there's an injury to (Steven) Gerrard, nobody jumps out to replace him."

This article was first published on May 30, 2014.
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