England Squad

[Hoop Blah]

I don't see an issue with having a plan B or C that involves using a physical presence up front. Most decent teams do it to an extent, even Spain will presumably have Negrado and quite possibly Costs or Llorente in their squad for exactly that.

We might go a little more direct than them, but they still look to use their physical presence to cause problems for the oppositions defence.

Carroll vs Lambert is open for debate though. Lambert has obviously played a lot more over the last two years and would've earned his place if he gets the nod (which looks more likely after Hodgson named his squad). I think Carroll is the better player though, and he's 7 or 8 years younger and if we're looking at building for the future I'd be more inclined to take him.

If their both at their best I think Carroll is more unplayable of the two and I think would cause more problems for good defenders. He'd also scare them more than Lambert when coming off the bench and it's the havoc and disruption effect that I'd be taking him for. I do think Carroll's ability with the ball at his feet is underestimated too.

[YateleyRoyal]

On one hand I find it great that there appears to be questions over Ashley Cole's place, and that Roy is suggesting picking Shaw over him in a show of form over reputation, and blooding youngsters over the new guard. On the other hand, I find it a bit sad that one of England's best players over the last decade has been forgotten about after half a season.

[soggy biscuit]

it's how international careers often come to an end. club needs to think more long term so brings in younger player, younger player outperforms former star and former star gets no game time and top level career rapidly starts winding up.

Only a matter of time until Cole is playing in America surely?

[YateleyRoyal]

it's how international careers often come to an end. club needs to think more long term so brings in younger player, younger player outperforms former star and former star gets no game time and top level career rapidly starts winding up.

Only a matter of time until Cole is playing in America surely?

Yep, think he'll end up out there. I still think he could do a job for England but the LB slot has to be Baines' now surely.

[soggy biscuit]

agreed, though I suppose I have not seen enough of Shaw.

At Cole's age I always think you seriously need game time to keep match fit and sharp, without it you lose those things very quickly and they are hard to get back at this stage of his career, a long break and he may well never get back to the level he was at.

Quality player. sticking mobile phones up your arse is weird though.

[YateleyRoyal]

WTF are the BBC on about

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26461761

[Sanguine]

WTF are the BBC on about

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26461761

Would help to know which bit you don't like....

[YateleyRoyal]

WTF are the BBC on about

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26461761

Would help to know which bit you don't like....

Not entirely sure how Carrick and Oxlade-Chamberlain can be considered 'definitely on the plane'. The majority of the rest seems ok to me.

[Royalclapper]

I like the bit about Johnson being a 'marauding' right back and Walker and Jones being reliable options, never mind the defending then

Smalling on the plane while Lescott is only a left-field possibiity, 'kinell, we'll get a spanking off someone with such a shaky looking back line.

[YateleyRoyal]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news ... 23-choices

Sky get in on the act now.

That seems more reasonable to me - would still take Ruddy over Foster, Lambert over Carroll and Barkley over Townsend

[6ft Kerplunk]

Bit concerned that all the defenders in Sky's mugshot appear to have been asked to explain the offside rule by Hodgson, only Baines looks like he's got a GCSE.

[Silver Fox]

I'm happy with Collins' list if you take out Lampard and put in Henderson

The bbc one just can't decide can he. How many players has he listed?

[No Fixed Abode]

I'm happy with Collins' list if you take out Lampard and put in Henderson

So you want to take out the 2nd highest scorer in qualifying and replace him with a player, who had a chance last night but failed to make an impact. Gr8 logic.

[Silver Fox]

Christ that was easy, how come you're so bad at it m8?

[No Fixed Abode]

Christ that was easy, how come you're so bad at it m8?

[John Madejski's Wallet]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/18804/9199337/england-world-cup-squad-nick-collins-picks-his-current-23-choices

Sky get in on the act now.

That seems more reasonable to me - would still take Ruddy over Foster, Lambert over Carroll and Barkley over Townsend

Definitely take Lambert & Barkley over Caroll & Townsend

[YateleyRoyal]

So having watched a lot of football over the last few weeks - changed my mind a bit.

Lallana should go without question, as should Lambert IMO. Rodiguez is in goalscoring form, but isn't offering much else. Shaw should go over Cole. Townsend doesn't deserve a spot, neither do Carroll or the Ox, but Barkley should go.

[Hoop Blah]

Wouldn't disagree with much of that, although I'd still take Oxlade-Chamberlain and the toss up between Carroll and Lambert is still a close one for me and depends on how much of an eye we have on the future.

Sterling is playing himself into the squad and Townsend, despite his great impact during the qualifiers, is at real risk of missing out now.

[6ft Kerplunk]

Rodiguez is in goalscoring form, but isn't offering much else.

Which puts him ahead of Wellbeck tbf. If Wellbeck doesn't have a storming end to the season I can see him being the one that misses out.

[Hoop Blah]

Rodiguez is in goalscoring form, but isn't offering much else.

Which puts him ahead of Wellbeck tbf. If Wellbeck doesn't have a storming end to the season I can see him being the one that misses out.

I don't think there's a chance in hell that Rodriguez will get on the plane ahead of a fit Wellbeck. Wellbeck has looked pretty comfortable playing for England, has scored some crucial goals and offers a lot more pace and industry than Rodriguez who also looked nervous and inhibited when he made his debut.

Taking an inexperienced Rodriguez over a relatively proven alternative would be too much of a gamble, especially when that alternative has served the manager well.