A Steve Gerrard comes along once in each decade.

In The Sixties we had Bobby Charlton.

Seventies, Alan Hudson.

Eighties, Glenn Hoddle.

And in the Nineties we had Gazza.

OK, we had Johnny Haynes in the Sixties as well, and while Hudson took Germany apart at Wembley on 12th March 1975, he only played only one more game – against Cyprus.

Now, in the noughties, we have Steve Gerrard, a 21-year old powerhouse.

He can tackle, pass long and short with both feet, and score from 25 yards.

He made some terrific tackles around the D in Munich.And he hit some thrilling megapasses.

The players who hit megapasses are often tall : Rudy Krol, Hoddle, Cerezo, Molby,Effenberg, Veron. Maybe you have to be over six feet to see that far.

Gerrard is a very exciting, dynamic footballer and Munich for him what Czechoslovakia (3-1) was for Gazza at Wembley, just before Italia 90.

As Sven says, he can do everything. He is, as Don Howe said, like a young Effenberg.

But is Paul Scholes the right partner for Gerrard?

Scholes played very conservatively in Munich, sacrificing himself. His natural game, coming from midfield, probably suits a 4-4-1-1 system.

While England are making that extra pass or two, while a Beardsley-Sheringham type is linking the play, Scholes makes his killer runs into the box.

At 4-1 he made a great run, got a perfect ball back from Beckham, and set up Heskey for the fifth goal.

Since Le Tournoi in 1997 Scholes has been one of England’s stars. A reflex player, a volleyer, a ghoster into scoring positions, a really great finisher.

But on Saturday night, amid all the euphoria of a memorable result, I found myself wondering whether that role, in front of Rio Ferdinand, on Gerrard’s left, might be better filled next year by West Ham’s Michael Carrick.

I’m not saying Carrick is a better player than Scholes. I’m not even saying he is as good. But his natural talents are more suited to that role as Gerrard’s sidekick.

Carrick is much better on the ball, much better at slowing the game down, much better positionally, than Scholes, who does silly things in the defensive third.

If the England team is going to play like Liverpool, it makes sense to have that role filled by a player who is a cross between Hamann and McAllister.

So I hope Sven gives Carrick half an hour against Albania tonight.

Hargreaves is above him in the pecking order, but Gerrard-Carrick might giver Engerland the perfect blend.

September 5th 2001.

A Steve Gerrard comes along once in each decade.

In The Sixties we had Bobby Charlton.

Seventies, Alan Hudson. Eighties, Glenn Hoddle.

And in the Nineties we had Gazza.

OK, we had Johnny Haynes in the Sixties as well, and while

Hudson took Germany apart at Wembley on 12th March 1975, he only played only one more game – against Cyprus.

Now, in the noughties, we have Steve Gerrard, a 21-year old powerhouse.

He can tackle, pass long and short with both feet, and score from 25 yards.

He made some terrific tackles around the D in Munich.And he hit some thrilling megapasses.The players who hit megapasses are often tall : Rudy Krol, Hoddle, Cerezo, Molby,Effenberg, Veron. Maybe you have to be over six feet to see that far.

Gerrard is a very exciting, dynamic footballer and Munich for him what Czechoslovakia (3-1) was for Gazza at Wembley, just before Italia 90.

As Sven says, he can do everything. He is, as Don Howe said, like a young Effenberg.

But is Paul Scholes the right partner for Gerrard?

Scholes played very conservatively in Munich, sacrificing himself. His natural game, coming from midfield, probably suits a 4-4-1-1 system.

While England are making that extra pass or two, while a Beardsley-Sheringham type is linking the play, Scholes makes his killer runs into the box.

At 4-1 he made a great run, got a perfect ball back from Beckham ,and set up Heskey for the fifth goal.

Since Le Tournoi in 1997 Scholes has been one of England’s stars. A reflex player, a volleyer, a ghoster into scoring positions, a really great finisher.

But on Saturday night, amid all the euphoria of a memorable result, I found myself wondering wether that role, in front of Rio Ferdinand, on Gerrard’s left, might be better filled next year by West Ham’s Michael Carrick.

I’m not saying Carrick is a better player than Scholes. I’m not even saying he is as good. But his natural talents are more suited to that role as Gerrard’s sidekick.

Carrick is much better on the ball, much better at slowing the game down, much better positionally, than Scholes, who does silly things in the defensive third.

If the England team is going to play like Liverpool, it makes sense to have that role filled by a player who is a cross between Hamann and McAllister.

So I hope Sven gives Carrick half an hour against Albania tonight.

Hargreaves is above him in the pecking order, but Gerrard-Carrick might giver Engerland the perfect blend.

September 5th 2001.