I don't rate Carrick, but I agree that we look better when we play a holding man. Lampard + Gerrard = shambles.
We ended up playing 2-4-4, with Lennon on the right side of the attack and Beckham in right midfield.
I'm wondering how long we can keep picking Beckham just for his dead-balls and crosses. The captain should be setting the tempo for the team, and Beckham is happy to just flit around at walking pace.
I'm not convinced that Lennon is ready to start though. His pace and dribbling is just what we need (and it's great to have a bit of width for a change) but his crossing has looked awful for England, and he is still very inexperienced really. You watch him regularly for Spurs (I assume) - can he cross?
I'd make the same observations about Downing on the other side, by the way.