England squad announced next week

So, with the squad getting announced next week, who should be on the plane to the Euros?

GOALKEEPERS (3)
Joe Hart is an easy pick, he will be our number one no question. But for deputies, Ben Foster has had a decent season and so has Paul Robinson who with his international experience I'd like to see on the plane, but he's retired. There are a few good young keepers out there but they're not ready for this in my opinion, like Stockdale, Fielding and Loach.
GK Joe Hart
GK Ben Foster
GK Scott Carson

DEFENDERS (8)
There are a few players that have to go, if fit. Immediately Terry, Ferdinand and Cole are picks. Baines is clearly the next best left back in the premier league so he goes. Glen Johnson should go due to his international experience, despite the emergence of Smalling and Jones as right backs. I would give Richards a place as he has came on strongly this season at City, Jones misses out by a hair's breadth. Cahill has partnered Terry in Rio's absence and done it well. While Lescott and Jagielka have both had good seasons, it was down to the toss of a coin to separate them. It seems a shame to leave out Smalling and Jones though.
RB Micah Richards
RB Glen Johnson
CB Rio Ferdinand
CB John Terry
CB Gary Cahill
CB Joleon Lescott
LB Ashley Cole
LB Leighton Baines

MIDFIELDERS (9)
Central midfield seems an easy one to pick, Lampard, Parker, Gerrard, Barry all immediately get places in the squad. But for the fifth central midfielder, there is some competition. Carrick for me has had an excellent season at United and is a real team player which for me is what England need, he plays a similar role to Barry. Cleverley, Wilshere and Rodwell have all missed a large part of the season and if they had been fit they maybe all could have made the cut. I'm assuming Scholes would not come out of international retirement.
Out wide Ashley Young is a certainty, but after that we get a lot of players who for me are of similar quality. Lennon and Walcott are both speed freaks down the right who both maybe lack a bit of an end product, but their pace can stretch defenses and that's why Walcott should go. Milner is a hard working player who would be a good pick against the likes of Spain. Ashley Young has had a decent season at United and Adam Johnson is capable of providing a bit of inspiration off the bench. Downing has had a poor season and Oxlade Chamberlain isn't ready, if he was he'd be a regular starter at Arsenal.
RW Theo Walcott
RW James Milner
CM Scott Parker
CM Michael Carrick
CM Frank Lampard
CM Steven Gerrard
CM Gareth Barry
LW Ashley Young
LW Adam Johnson

FORWARDS (4)
Wayne Rooney should go, he is our best player and despite his suspension will give us a massive lift in the later games in the tournament. Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck have both had breakthrough seasons at Chelsea and United respectively and for me have to go. Then there's the final striker. Andy Carroll may have played well over the past few games but was terrible the rest of the season and I wouldn't pick him. Grant Holt has been mentioned but I don't see him coming in and scoring goals with no experience at the highest level. For that reason, I'm going for Crouch. He has had an average season at Stoke but has an excellent England record and I can't see any better options. If Bent was fit, I'd take him.
WG/ST Daniel Sturridge
WG/ST Danny Welbeck
ST Wayne Rooney
ST Peter Crouch

RESERVES
Robert Green
Phil Jones
Phil Jagielka
Tom Cleverley
Stewart Downing
Andy Carroll

I wouldn't take Ferdinand, he looks a liability and if Roy has to make the decision to only take one of Terry/Rio then Terry is the obvious choice. Without Rio we can take Jagielka.

Also, for me Ox has to go. He's been supreme this season

I'm not going to go into detail in who I'd pick, I'll just say what I don't like about your picks.

Ben Foster has also retired from international football, so I would probably take John Ruddy in his place, Carson or Stockdale as the third option is fine.

It's unlikely that Ferdinand and Terry are going to want to play together and I don't think we should tempt fate by taking both, and if I had to take one, it'd be Ferdinand. Despite his fitness issues I think he's had a better season with United than Terry has had with Chelsea, and Terry won't create the best of atmospheres in the camp. I would probably take Phil Jones in his place for his versatility.

I'm not convinced that taking Carrick, Parker and Barry is the best thing for England, all are very similar, and I don't think all three are needed, the two best are probably Parker and Carrick who offer more than Barry can. I'm not sure who I would take in their place. It's also becoming harder to justify Johnson's place in the squad considering the sheer lack of playing time he has had at City and it seems strange to dismiss Oxlade-Chamberlain for those same reasons.

I really don't think we should take Daniel Sturridge, his form has dipped drastically since Villas-Boas was sacked, Di Matteo doesn't have a lot of confidence in him and he hasn't played as much, and I agree with Di Matteo, Sturridge is far too selfish to be a top level player, he's afraid to pass the ball it seems and too often runs into a dead end.

Gregers wrote:I wouldn't take Ferdinand, he looks a liability and if Roy has to make the decision to only take one of Terry/Rio then Terry is the obvious choice. Without Rio we can take Jagielka.

Also, for me Ox has to go. He's been supreme this season

I don't know how you can possibly justify Terry has the 'obvious' choice when this year he has become a defensive liability, he's made several mistakes in big games, for example versus Arsenal, Barcelona and Liverpool last night. Rio Ferdinand has actually had a very good year, and this is coming from a Liverpool supporter, he's also a much better defender than Terry as well as no chance of him disrupting the England team with a grating personality like Terry will.

Terry is the obvious choice solely for the leadership that he brings. Either way I would go with Cahill/Jagielka at the back.

Rio better than Terry?

Further I wouldn't take Gerrard or Lampard, Roy needs to plan for the future and taking Sturridge (who isn't as selfish as many fans would have you believe), Wellbeck, Ox et al is the first step towards that. Taking Phil Jones would be a good option too.

I didn't realise Ben Foster had retired, if that's true then I'd take Green, have Stockdale as a reserve

Why did Foster retire? And does anyone think that Scholes might go?

[quote="Gregers"]Terry is the obvious choice solely for the leadership that he brings. quote]

Sturridge hasn't performed well since January. If he was good he wouldn't have been dropped in favour of Kalou and even Malouda is ahead of him in the pecking order.

There is absolutely no way you can justify John Terry's inclusion ahead of Ferdinand. His leadership qualities simply don't exist, especially now he's not captain. The new captain needs a new slate and having the old captain in the team and certainly he'll try and make a mark as he did at the World Cup with his planned mutiny.

He's been really poor this year for Chelsea as well, the weak link in the defence, Ferdinand has been solid for United.

Who cares if Sturridge hasn't performed well? We all know what he's capable of, if you seen his goals for Bolton and his goal against QPR few weeks ago.

Crimey - John Terry kept out Messi in the first leg and 40 mins of second leg, something Rio could never do..

For me Lescott is a complete shoo in for a centre back starting spot. Comfortably the best English centre half this year. Id probably also start with Richards as you could effectively have Hart, Richards and Lescott who would have a good understanding and possibly even Barry in the side as well as Parker has now gone completely off the boil as Barry has got better as the season has gone on.

Then kneed somebody in the back and got sent off putting his side under even more pressure...

I wouldn't say Ferdinand has been solid, he's looked lost at times and in many ways is still Uniteds first choice due to injury to Vidic and Smalling not being ready yet. No leadership qualities? REALLY? So this is the man that has been the lynchpin of Chelsea's success? Jealous pool fan are we crimey

Also Sturridge will be quality, and in fact has looked quality most of the season. Since January he cooled off a little bit but has contributed some great goals.

England should line up:

--------------Hart---------
Richards-Lescott-Cahill-Cole
-----------Parker----------
-------X---------Carrick----
-Ox--------------------Young-
-------------Y----------------

X= Lamps or Gerrard, we can't play both so shouldn't try to
Y= Sturridge/Wellbeck for the opening matches, then Rooney when he returns
Lescott or Jagielka partnering Cahill

Lescott is too slow and will get skinned for pace... he can look good at City cause of who he's playing alongside.

Then kneed somebody in the back and got sent off

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26g_gEl-QV4

Nothing different than what big shrek did recently.. should he be dropped too?

Before he got crocked Walcott was starting to play fantastic, Id pick him ahead of Sturridge who personally I dont rate and wouldnt take in the squad.
Hart
Richards Lescott Ferdinand Cole
Parker
Gerrard Barry
Walcott Young
Wellbeck

Lescotts understanding with Richards/Hart could be crucial. Especially if Barry plays just in front of them as he does for City. Partnering them with Cole/Cahill who have built up a great understanding since Cahill joined in January (Especially in the first leg of the greatest two legs in champions league history). With a solid defensive unit it should allow the likes of Ox/Young/Rooney/Sturridge/Wellbeck to influence the game.

Wallcott better than Sturridge? Now I have officially heard it all

Wallcott better than Sturridge? Now I have officially heard it all

Wouldn't rate Walcott above Matt Etherington tbh with you.

No leadership qualities? REALLY? So this is the man that has been the lynchpin of Chelsea's success?

"has been"....not anymore! He's been a liability this year, and he gave up his leadership qualities when he tried to organise a mutiny at the World Cup causing splits in the England camp, then racially abusing the brother of another member of the England team, not to mention sleeping with Wayne Bridge's girlfriend.

He's no longer important to Chelsea and he's living off his past glories with you, the sooner Chelsea fans realise this, the better off Chelsea will be.

Gregers, take a look at Walcotts assist record, I doubt Sturridge could even spell assist or pass come to that. He has been utterly rank since January.

Sleeping with a woman that at the time wasn't Bridge's girlfriend actually... and who is to say it wasn't the tarts fault? As for past glories, I have at many times called for Terry to step back at chelsea given that IMO

Ivanovic/Cahill/Luiz/Cole

Looks much better, but it doesn't take away from the impact he has in the dressing room. Plus if England were to take him and bring him on when we need some extra steel it would benefit us.

Rio does nothing for me

----

Wallcott is an innefectual little tiny right winger in the same mold as greats like Shaun Wright-Phillips, Aaron Lennon and David Bentley. As for comparing assist records Sturridge isn't a winger so that stat is of little importance. And he has not been rank since January, admittedly he hasn't been as good as he was early doors but as I have already said he has had some really good games for us.

Sturridge has been played as a winger for Chelsea though, he may not naturally be in that position, Walcott would say the same thing about himself.

Haven't time to read through the thread in its entirety however there is no way JT should go. A racist who has been past it for at least a season, looked frankly dreadful last night for example. Couldn't be a worse member of the dressing room/squad.

Until the last game where he picked up a knock, whilst he's been injury free this season (which has been almost all the second half) Rio has been almost back to his imperious best. With the added two advantages of not being a racist or dressing room cancer he has to be the pick of the two experienced CB campaigners to go.

Wallcott has pace and a decent shot, nothing else about him. Agree that he is played out of position, ironically the same as Henry was when he first came to Arsenal. Up front Wallcott's pace is a blessing and he doesn't need to worry about crossing

Crimey wrote:Sturridge has been played as a winger for Chelsea though, he may not naturally be in that position, Walcott would say the same thing about himself.

Exactly, a fact that seems to be lost one the one eyed Chelsea fan. The fact is that Walcott plays the wing position much better than Sturridge and doesnt bleat about being played out of position.
Walcott has 8 assists this year, the most by an Englishman in the Premier league, combined goals and assists and he is only behind Rooney. Plus he was bang in form while Sturridge was dropped.
Its really not a tough choice.

Wallcott is useless, a fact that seams to be lost on the inept Diggers... right wum insult finished.

I have never seen Walcott perform well for England, and as I have already stated he is average for Arsenal. TBH I don't know why you're getting so wound up given that the squad I suggested that I would have England play had Ox on the right instead of Theo... If I was in charge I wouldn't even take Walcott based on his current injury as he is unlikely to be fully fit therefore taking a place in the squad up.

Also we've all missed out Downing who undoubtably will go because he always gets picked regardless of the fact that he is truly dire. Another who shouldn't go, but will, is James Milner who needs to pick a position and perfect playing there.

Milner should definitely go, he's not spectacular, but wherever you play him he'll be consistently good, you need players like that in the squad.

Ok done this on a recent post but will do it again!..

First thing is first lets get Terry & Ferdinand situation out of the way. I would take neither. Ferdinand has shown good form in patches this season...for one reason..he is playing once a week. He no longer has the fitness to play games in quick succession which is something he will be required to do should he go to the Euro's. As for Terry keep him as far away from the team as possible..no longer holds authority over the dressing..in fact is more or less a hinderance what with his off field problems over the past 24 months. Thats not forgetting his stupidity against Barcelona and calamatious performance against Liverpool last night. He is a liability and whilst he has been a stalwart for England in the past he no longer is...also he gets torn to shreds by anyone with pace..see Germany World Cup 2010!.

Next thing is the Lampard/Gerrard situation.. I think you should only take one..and whilst it is difficult to argue against Lampard going, especially since he has been stand out for Chelsea lately he simply doesnt replicate this when in an England shirt. In fact I would go as far as saying he has had maybe 5 stand out games for England in his whole career. For that reason Gerrard goes.

My squad (and reasons where I feel required) would be as follows:

GK's = Hart, Ruddy,Green,

More or less picks itself...Green is their to add international experience (yes bad at times) but wouldnt like to see Ruddy stripping down to come on against Spain should Hart get injured!

Defenders = Cole, Gibbs, Cahill,Lescott,Jones,Jagielka, Walker,Richards,

Cahill has come on leaps and bounds since his nervy start for Chelsea, Lescott has been solid (perhaps not spectacular) for Man City. LB sorts itself out and id actually play Richards at RB. He can move across to CB if needs be so along with Jones adds versatility. Otherwise you have Walker who would add pace to the right side for overlapping with RM/RW.

Midfielders - Gerrard, Parker, Milner, Barry,

The worrying part of the England set up for me is this midfield. Parker has gone off the boil somewhat but then so have most of the Tottenham team but he is disciplined in that DM position. The problem comes with Milner and Barry...both got shown up against Germany for a real lack of pace...Barry more than Milner..so you have that issue. I actually think Milner would be better than Barry in the middle of the park if he was to get played their. But with a lack of options (Rodwell hasnt played enough & Wilshere is crocked) both will be going. Then its a case of Gerrard playing as the advanced midfielder...world class player who can change a game and has done on so many occasions. Also...Jones could fill in as DM if needs be.

Wingers - Walcott, Johnson, Young, Oxaide,

Plenty of pace and vibrance, none are afraid to take on a player, something England has always lacked in the past. And whilst there are question marks over some of their final ball (Walcott ) they will get into the positions often enough to deliever something at some point. They also all have goalscoring ability and can switch sides which alone creates problems for the opposition.

Strikers - Rooney, Welbeck, Carroll, Crouch,

Obviously Rooney misses the first two games..whilst Welbeck has shown perhaps a little better form than the other two..I feel Carrol would actually bring more to the team given the set up i expect us to play. He is strong, wins plenty of fouls and actually is looking a little decent in the past month or so. Welbeck and Crouch can both be used as impact subs.

My starting XI would be as follows:


This squad gives us a solid 11 with experience (Gerrard, Cole, Barry) but also takes some of the youngsters to get international tournament experience before the next world cup.

There is versatility in Richards, Jones, Milner, Walcott.

Unfortunately I can see Jones being left out for Ferdinand and Barry/Milner or one of the 4 wingers missing out for Lampard to claim a spot!

Im a WUM merchant for preferring a winger in form over one who has been rank all of 2012, OK. How do you explain Walcotts stats if he is useless and is scoring a hat trick for England not playing quite well ?
Wenger reckons there is no problem with Walcott being fit, bearing in mind his complete loathing of his players wearing an England shirt if injured it should be fairly obvious to anyone with half a brain there will be no problem with Walcotts injury.
I wouldnt take Ox personally, too young and again hasnt played consistently well for most of the season. Will be a great player but not ready yet.

Well I think we have reached an impass Diggers, as I would take Ox over Walcott any day of the week. Maybe its just that I've never rated him, and although he did score a hattrick for england that was a diamond in the rough rather than the norm

@Owen

Brilliantly put together post although I would argue that Lamps should go and be used as a super sub (maybe switching him and Gerrard at 60 mins or something). Finally I would take Sturridge over Carroll although Carroll is the man in form

My main issue with your original team OTW is that if you take Rooney do you not need to take 5 strikers seeing as Rooney can't play for the first two games.

Gregers wrote:Well I think we have reached an impass Diggers, as I would take Ox over Walcott any day of the week. Maybe its just that I've never rated him, and although he did score a hattrick for england that was a diamond in the rough rather than the norm

Fair enough, though plenty of people dont rate Walcott, like a lot of wingers he can appear frustrating, but if you look at his assist end product for the past few years...which is after all what wingers are meant to do........its actually very good.

Looks much better, but it doesn't take away from the impact he has in the dressing room. Plus if England were to take him and bring him on when we need some extra steel it would benefit us.

Why on earth would you want to bring a centre back who was run round with embarrassing ease in the last world cup? Germany showed you need pace in the modern international game and Terry doesn't have it and neither does Ferdinand, why bring the dinosaurs out for another chance of failure?

Jones, Smalling and Jagielka are all better picks in terms of building a new team. I'm not to keen on a midfield containing Barry, Lampard and Gerrard either, they're all part of the past it and previously failed at international level brigade. We have less options in central midfield though.

Cheers Gregers.

I feel you may get your wish, think Lampard is a shoe in to go. I just hope to god Hodgson is brave and doesnt play them both! Can I ask why you would go Sturridge over Carroll?...

Im assuming that means you would take Welbeck and surely he does everything Sturridge does but better?..For me it is necessary to have different options for different situations...something which Roy is actually very good at having.

As a side point I think Roy has a real chance to silence any of those doubters still remaining over his appointment (think his press conference went some way) with the naming of his squad. I just hope his makes the right choices...it is essential we begin to get rid the squad of the 'Golden Generation'...they are not going to be there in 2014 so use the chance and low expectations on the national team to give the youngsters a chance and get them integrated.

I guess I prefer my wingers to either be out and out wingers or be able to drift inside. When you compare Walcott to the likes of Robben, Ribiery etc he lacks that certain sparkle. Continuing I have never when watching Walcott receive the ball thought "I wonder what he'll do next" and neither have I felt excitement. The comparison to SWP that I made is probably a bit harsh but they are the same sort of frustrating ineffective right wingers that this country seams to produce all too often.

--

Changing the topic a touch, would Joe Cole be a good choice for the Euros this year? Given that he has bags of experience and has had a pretty great season in France.

Formerly known as sam....yep my thoughts exactly regards terry/ferdinand.

And as you say midfield is a problem due to lack of options. If Rodwell had played a played a little more and Wilshere was fit then those two would be going instead of Barry & Milner for me.

Derby Blue...I dont think we need 5 strikers...whilst I have been an advocate of it in the past it is more so due to the frustrating insistence of the 4-4-2 formation former managers have played. Im praying to god that Hodgson drops it...it is too stagnate in this international era.

Walcott can act as a 5 the strike option if needs be so taking 4 is more than enough. Unless he goes for the 4-4-2 then yep take 5 lol!

Derby, not really, I'd take my chances. Walcott, Gerrard, Lampard could play in advanced roles. Welbeck or Crouch I'd feel comfortable playing as a lone striker.

For the record:

------------------------------Hart-----------------------------
Johnson------------Terry--------Ferdinand---------Cole
-----------------------------Parker---------------------------
----------------Lampard------------Gerrard----------------
------Walcott-------------------------------------Young----
----------------------------Rooney---------------------------

Would be my starting eleven.
This is assuming Ferdinand and Terry are able to both play, it's difficult without knowing the mechanics of the situation. I know Hodgson is going to talk with both of them on the phone which is a smart move. If they're not happy to play, then Lescott and Cahill/Jagielka should both start in their place.

Just say Ferdinand AND Terry both didn't go, I'd take Jagielka and Jones

Gregers wrote:I have never seen Walcott perform well for England,

Croatia hat-trick?

Okay I'll retract that, Walcott has played well once for England. So has David Bentley!

Joe Cole isnt a bad choice Gregers..i havent watched to much of the french league this season though. Is he playing as an out & out winger over their?...I feel he has always been a bit more of RM for England...

Something I want and feel we need to avoid now. The international game has moved on so much in the last 10 years there is a necessity to play a flat back 4 who are disciplined and strict in their positions with at least one holding midfielder...then an out and out striker..be it box or deep lying..with 2 wingers capable of coming inside (case in point your ribery/robben example)..I actually feel Johnson & Ox would be better from this perspective but just to green internationally to go in ahead of Walcott.

I keep hearing that Cole has played pretty well, havent seen him in action though. If he was playing well he'd be a good option as offers something a bit different really.

The Squad id take.

GK : Hart, Ruddy, Foster (if out of retirement otherwise Green)
RB: Richards,Walker
CB: Jagielka,Cahill,Lescott, Ferdinand
LB: Cole,Baines

RW: Walcott,Oxo Cube
LW: Young
CM: Milner,Gerrard, Parker,Carrick,Barry
ST: Rooney,Sturridge,Crouch, Bent (if fit) otherwise Welbeck

Oh no OTW....

I think i will actually cry if I see that line up for England come Euro 2012. (Im really not joking I would cry such would be the agony)!

Lampard and Gerrard cant play together...they havent for 10 years..what makes you think they will start now?...Terry & Ferdinand would be like sending two WW2 veterans into a modern war..yes they have experience but of a completely type of international game and are worn out and far less effective than they were in the past. KEEP THEM CLEAR OF THE SQUAD.

As for Johnson..most overated England defender maybe in history..may just be me but I really do not rate the guy...at all!!

Those who have picked BAINES...any reason why?...Obviously he has had good year but would you not be more for the idea of taking a relative youngster. Cole has the experience so surely good chance to take a youngster who will get experience from being in and around the team...lets face it chances are he wont play..Cole rarely gets injured or sent off so unlikely they will play. (Cursed Cole now probably)!

My England Squad
(Those in bold for 1st XI against France)

Hart
Green
Carson

Cole
Baines
Richards
Walker
Jones
Terry
Ferdinand (pending discussions)
Smalling

Milner
Oxlade-Chamberlain (Let's be brave)
Young
A Johnson
Gerrard
Lampard
Parker
Carrick

Rooney
Bent
Crouch
Welbeck

Bent's injured guys

onlytreblewinners wrote:Bent's injured guys

Nope he still may be fit for the Euros.

Is Kyle Walker injured? Would have him over Glen Johnson if available.

Something like:

Hart
Richards Cahill Lescott Cole
Parker
Cleverly Lampard
Sturridge Johnson
Rooney

Rest of squad: Stockdale, Ruddy, Baines, Walker, Jagielka, Jones, Lampard, Young, Oxlaid-Chamberlain, Walcott, Crouch, Sinclair, Carroll.

Go young (ish), go fast (er than normal) and let's play some attacking football. We might not win but let's at least be good to watch for once.

owen10ozzy wrote:Those who have picked BAINES...any reason why?...Obviously he has had good year but would you not be more for the idea of taking a relative youngster. Cole has the experience so surely good chance to take a youngster who will get experience from being in and around the team...lets face it chances are he wont play..Cole rarely gets injured or sent off so unlikely they will play. (Cursed Cole now probably)!

Along with Cole, Baines has been the stand out English left back. Probably overt he whole season better than Cole. He is only 27, will still be easily young enough for the next world cup, how soon are we meant to start writing off players now.
He is one of the squads easiest picks for me, plus he takes a good penalty.

Those who have picked BAINES...any reason why?...

Fair enough Baines isn't outstanding but there's not exactly a long queue of left backs ready to take his shirt. Bertrand at Chelski or Gibbs (when fit) at Arsenal, Warnock (at wherever he is now) and erm...

Joe Cole has had a really good season in France, could offer us something a bit different on either the left or right if plan a isn't working