Your 23 man squad for the WC

[papereyes]

If Walcott is going to be a winger he needs to learn how to beat players and cross past the first defender. At the moment all he can do run onto a long ball and shoot. He'd may as well play as a striker.

As it is, he's not yet good enough for the world cup, but he has another two chances at least. For a fair few players this is their last chance.

Yeah, too often we've seen him come up against two men, turn back and pass the ball to somebody behind him rather than take them on.

What's he meant to do?

That's actually pretty decent and intelligent play in that situation.

[Hoop Blah]

Still miffed that Carragher got picked over Dawson.

Ever considered it's because Dawson can't play right back and Carragher is in the squad to provide cover for, or a more solid defence option, our right back!!! Personally I'd not have let Carragher back in and would've taken either Richards or Neville as back up.

The one things in Wright-Phillips favour over the other two wingers that missed out is that he's played right back a few times so he could, in an emergency or as a 'throw the kitchen sink' option replace Johnson.

Starting XI against USA would probably be in a 4-2-3-1'ish type formation:

James
Johnson
Cole
Ferdinand
Terry (would love to play King instead but I think it's Terry's to lose)
Barry
Lampard
Lennon
Gerrard (roaming free behind Rooney)
Milner/Cole (can't decide yet and have no idea who'd be a better fit against the US midfield/fullback)
Rooney

Although we should be looking to win all the 3 group games, I think it's more imperitive not to lose than it is win. A solid base to start off the game with Crouch or Defoe to come on to liven things up if needed.

[Wycombe Royal]

Walcott has very little end product. He is quick but can't cross.....

For me:

Johnson>>>>>>SWP>>>>>>>Walcott.

Unfortuntely Capello has chosen SWP.

[TBM]

Walcott has very little end product. He is quick but can't cross.....

For me:

Johnson>>>>>>SWP>>>>>>>Walcott.

Unfortuntely Capello has chosen SWP.

People keep banging on about Johnson but how can they say he should be in the squad when all he's had is 8mins of international football. Just cos he may do it at club level it doesn't always cross over into International football, hence why Bent isn't going either. Johnson has had about 3 or 4 good games for City this season and is still to prove himself as a decent winger - at least with SWP, Capello knows what he's getting and SWP knows the International game.

[Baines]

Walcott has very little end product. He is quick but can't cross.....

For me:

Johnson>>>>>>SWP>>>>>>>Walcott.

Unfortuntely Capello has chosen SWP.

People keep banging on about Johnson but how can they say he should be in the squad when all he's had is 8mins of international football. Just cos he may do it at club level it doesn't always cross over into International football, hence why Bent isn't going either.

Because we haven't been exposed to his [Johnson's] limitations, people hope for something unexpected from him, as with Walcott in 06, as that's preferable to accepting that the squad's pretty mediocre.

[TBM]

Because we haven't been exposed to his [Johnson's] limitations, people hope for something unexpected from him, as with Walcott in 06, as that's preferable to accepting that the squad's pretty mediocre.

True but i trust Capello's judgement over anyone who's not seen more than 10mins of a player who was, basically, unknown at the turn of the year.

[PlasticRoyale]

If Barry is fit will he be available for any of the group games

[Thaumagurist*]

.

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

Pretty hard to argue with the squad.

Walcott needs to have a long hard think where he is going. Been dog mess for the last year and people seem to be forgetting SWP has look half decent when coming on recently. Think the choice was between Cole/Johnson and SWP/Walcott.

Huddlestone is no way near ready for international football so Carrick is a safe choice, Carra goes cause he can cover 3 posistions. Cappello could have called up a 3 leg dog and u'd still have to back him.

Why do people think he'll suddenly changed the formation now?

DJ
Cash
JT
Rio
Johnson
Gerrard
Barry
Lamps

Rooney
Heskey

Crazy I know, but I reckon picking anteam proven at international level is the way to go. The problem is Barry is clearly fcuked but Fab knows we have no one else. So prob end up shiffting Gerrard into the middle and Milner wide. Not ideal but Fab will sort it out.

[Hoop Blah]

The thing with Johnson is that he has the technique and style (and steady mental approach) that look like they're made for international football.

Until he proves otherwise I think he'll be seen as one that looks likely to step up with little fuss.

Those, like Walcott and Wright-Phillips, that rely on pace just don't look like they have the craft and guile to do it against the better teams and better individuals.

[Hoop Blah]

Why do people think he'll suddenly changed the formation now?

Agree with the rest, but now we're in to the tournament, playing better sides with less time to make up for any slip ups, I think we might see a change or two.

We've also obviously got different players in and out of form since the qualifying finished 8 months ago as well.

My XI did include Barry, but I think it's been said he won't be available for the USA game.

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

Can't be bothered with editing post on iPhone but Lennon on the other wing.

Inthink the choice was between Cole and Johnson. Cappello always goingto take two flying wingers. I'm not a huge SWP fan but he is a better option than Walcott right now.

With regards formation I am prob forgetting to take into account Fab will do what he wants, sonnot trying out a formation in a warm up game maybe no indication of what he plans.

I think Barry's injury is by far the biggest issue.

[Baines]

Because we haven't been exposed to his [Johnson's] limitations, people hope for something unexpected from him, as with Walcott in 06, as that's preferable to accepting that the squad's pretty mediocre.

True but i trust Capello's judgement over anyone who's not seen more than 10mins of a player who was, basically, unknown at the turn of the year.

I agree entirely - I was pointing out that people are stupid.

[Handsome Man]

If Barry is fit will he be available for any of the group games

Crouch will play in the group games in a 424
Then, if we get tthrough, Barry will come in for the knockout bit, with Gerrard replacing Crouch in attack.

[SLAMMED]

James

Johnson Terry Fedinand Cole

Lennon Barry Gerrard Lampard Cole

Rooney

[papereyes]

That's about as underwhelmed as I've been for the announcement of an England WC or EC squad.

I am neither under or over whelmed
I fear I am merely whelmed

[savage 4 england]

Pretty hard to argue with the squad.

Walcott needs to have a long hard think where he is going. Been dog mess for the last year and people seem to be forgetting SWP has look half decent when coming on recently. Think the choice was between Cole/Johnson and SWP/Walcott.

Huddlestone is no way near ready for international football so Carrick is a safe choice, Carra goes cause he can cover 3 posistions. Cappello could have called up a 3 leg dog and u'd still have to back him.

Why do people think he'll suddenly changed the formation now?

DJ
Cash
JT
Rio
Johnson
Gerrard
Barry
Lamps

Rooney
Heskey

Crazy I know, but I reckon picking anteam proven at international level is the way to go. The problem is Barry is clearly fcuked but Fab knows we have no one else. So prob end up shiffting Gerrard into the middle and Milner wide. Not ideal but Fab will sort it out.

Agree with all of that. I think Fabio will go with Lennon on the right.

[Focher]

Rooney is a far far better player on his own up front, so um in conclusion, play him on his own

[Ian Royal]

That's a good squad IMO.

starting eleven for the group stages would be:

James
Johnson, Ferdinand, Terry, A. Cole
Lennon/SWP, Gerrard/Lampard, Barry/Milner, J. Cole
Crouch, Rooney

I don't think it really matters a great deal to the team which of the three sets of two choices I've left plays. I'd be just as happy with any combination of them. If forced to make a choice it would be SWP, Gerrard, Milner.

Once we meet a seed or possibly in the first knock out phase I'd be inclined to drop Crouch and bring in Carrick in midfield, pushing Gerrard/Lampard into the hole behind Rooney.

[Ark Royal]

James

Johnson Terry Fedinand Cole

Lennon Barry Gerrard Lampard Cole

Rooney

That is my pick as well. If Fabio picks any team that does not have two up front (Heskey or Crouch), this is it. Gerrard to support Rooney in a 4-5-1 (or 4-4-1-1), like he does with Torres at Pewl.