His replacement can't be any worse.

I don't really see Scholes as a quitter. He was forced to play on the left wing, which he simply couldn't do. He was playing out of position all the way through 2004.

btw, who do you think Sven will pick against N.Ireland and Azerbaijan (assuming injuries don't stand in the way). I'd like to see;

GK - Robinson
RB - Neville
CB - Ferdinand
CB - Terry
LB - Cole
RM - Beckham
CM - Lampard
CM - Gerrard
LM - Downing
CF - Rooney
CF - Owen

Back to basics 4-4-2. I know Downing has only played 30 minutes of international football, but I think he could work well. With players like Gerrard and Lampard supplying you the ammo, and Rooney and Owen the targets, he can only improve. Cole and Downing could be England's best left side partnership in years.