England Squad

[melonhead]

well beck always done well in the shirt

that should be rewarded imo




though that measn cole should go too, and im not sure about that if he aint playing

[St. Brynjar]

I prefer Rodriguez to Welbeck, but Welbeck's always been decent for England. Should definitely make the squad.

[Ian Royal]

Depends on who else you've got in the squad for Wellbeck IMO, if you've got left wing / forward covered (which I think Lallana does), take Rodriguez. If not go with Wellbeck.

[Royalclapper]

Thought Ox showed one or two notable moments of quality when Arsenal played in Munich, considering the calibre of the opposition players he certainly raised some alarm (one run in particular when he was deliberately fouled) - would have been noticed not least by the German players. Not been much of a positive for him otherwise just lately at Arsenal.

Barkley's not doing his chances any harm either and Sterling continues to impress. Just wish there was more quality in terms of the CB/RB positions competing for a place which is surely the biggest issue for England given the reasonable midfield and attacking options.

The Ox run v B.Munich - some more of this in June please matey:

http://youtu.be/VDzMiSFco48

[Sanguine]

Apparently Lewington was at the Liverpool game yesterday where Sterling was brilliant, he'd have to have a serious loss of form not to make it now.

[Hoop Blah]

Depends on who else you've got in the squad for Wellbeck IMO, if you've got left wing / forward covered (which I think Lallana does), take Rodriguez. If not go with Wellbeck.

It does depend on who else in he squad yes, but hasn't Rodriguez played as much out wide as he has through the middle, just like Wellbeck?

Hodgson certainly played him there at Wembley.

[Ian Royal]

Depends on who else you've got in the squad for Wellbeck IMO, if you've got left wing / forward covered (which I think Lallana does), take Rodriguez. If not go with Wellbeck.

It does depend on who else in he squad yes, but hasn't Rodriguez played as much out wide as he has through the middle, just like Wellbeck?

Hodgson certainly played him there at Wembley.

Possibly, but he seems more attacking and likely to score to me than Wellbeck, who seems like the Milner option for forwards. Solid, but not going to do a great deal.

[3points]

Sterling must be a dead cert to go. I'd also take Henderson instead of Lampard or Carrick

[winchester_royal]

Sterling and Barkley did themselves absolutely no harm today. Barkley in particular is an absolute Rolls Royce of a footballer.

[Hoop Blah]

Thinking about it right now, if the World Cup was to kick off tomorrow, my side would probably be (4-2-3-1'ish).

Hart, Walker, Cahill, Lescott, Cole, Gerrard, Wilshire, Johnson (Adam), Rooney, Lallana, Sturridge

Wilshire looks like he's coming back into form. Cole keeps his place over Baines, just, with Lallana and Adam Johnson on the wings (Milner on the bench to cover everybody).

That was my potential side back in at the start of February. Now I think it would be more like

Hart, Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines, Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling, Rooney, Lallana, Sturridge

Henderson has gone from strength to strength and is now probably in my starting line up when, back in November, he wasn't even in my squad. Glenn Johnson is now back in over Walker at right back as he's looked good against after his injury, and Sterling replaces Adam Johnson in my line-up, partly on form and partly because it looks like Johnson might miss out on the squad completely (I'd still be taking him over Townsend now though).

Cole, Lampard, Townsend and Defoe would now almost certainly be out of my thinking for a place in the squad, with Carrick and Lescott potentially joing them (Lescott still in with a shout as I think Jagielka is still out injured and we're short of centre half options).

My 23 would now (probably) be

Keepers
Hart, Foster, Forster.

Defenders
Baines, Shaw, Cahill, Jagielka, Lescott, Jones, Johnson

Midfielders
Gerrard, Henderson, Carrick, Wilshere, Barkley

Wingers
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sterling, Lallana, Johnson

Strikers
Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck, Carroll

[Sanguine]

Have to agree 99.9%.

Shame in a sense for Cole, but his time is run, I don't think his addition would make the squad any better.

My only change to that squad would be Lambert for Carroll, who looked laboured and mostly shit yesterday, and most days. Albeit I still love his header against Sweden in the Euros.

[Hoop Blah]

Lambert v Carroll is still quite a question mark for me. I really like Lambert but I just think that Carroll is more of a handful and more 'different' for most defences to handle.

[Sanguine]

Lambert v Carroll is still quite a question mark for me. I really like Lambert but I just think that Carroll is more of a handful and more 'different' for most defences to handle.

Fair point I thought made in commentary for the West Ham game yesterday that Carroll's introduction, whilst troublesome for an opposition defence, might have a detrimental effect on the way we are playing, negating any benefit from his being on the pitch.

[Royalclapper]

Glen Johnson and to a lesser extent Walker still defensive liabilities for me, there's just so little competition in that area though.

I've a feeling Jags could be an injury worry throughout the tournament even if he plays the last few for Everton. Lescott isn't brilliant but at least he's a specialist CB.

Henderson isn't anything special and there'll be little difference if him or Carrick play - both much of a muchness. Barkley's impressing with his performances and should defo be going.

Lambert is easier to mark than Carroll for defenders but I agree he just doesn't look anywhere near fit enough to be at his most effective.

[Hoop Blah]

Lambert v Carroll is still quite a question mark for me. I really like Lambert but I just think that Carroll is more of a handful and more 'different' for most defences to handle.

Fair point I thought made in commentary for the West Ham game yesterday that Carroll's introduction, whilst troublesome for an opposition defence, might have a detrimental effect on the way we are playing, negating any benefit from his being on the pitch.

It's certainly a fair point, and we used to see it with Henderson at Reading and Crouch with England before I guess.

My view is that we'd only be taking him to bring on as a plan B or C so the detrimental effect isn't really detrimental but a planned change of tact because the pace and movement of Rooney, Sturridge, Sterling etc isn't working.

[gazzer, loyal royal]

just got a funny feeling that with Walker being injured and played out of position there is a chance for someone else at right back. Flanagan has been steady as a rock for Liverpool this year, can play either side and is pretty good defensively too. an outside bet if there ever was one

[stealthpapes]

Lambert v Carroll is still quite a question mark for me. I really like Lambert but I just think that Carroll is more of a handful and more 'different' for most defences to handle.

Fair point I thought made in commentary for the West Ham game yesterday that Carroll's introduction, whilst troublesome for an opposition defence, might have a detrimental effect on the way we are playing, negating any benefit from his being on the pitch.

Frankly, any decent defense at a world cup would look at Carroll warming up and rub their hands in glee.

[stealthpapes]

just got a funny feeling that with Walker being injured and played out of position there is a chance for someone else at right back. Flanagan has been steady as a rock for Liverpool this year, can play either side and is pretty good defensively too. an outside bet if there ever was one

I think he's been quite good whenever I've seen him this season. I just assumed he was Irish or something.

[Hoop Blah]

He's played for U21s so is certainly qualified.

Too early for a last minute rush into the squad, especially as Hodgson has pretty much said there won't be new blood into 'the group' at this late stage. He's certainly one to watch out for though, although I always thought Kelly and Robinson were the ones Liverpool saw as better.

In my squad I've only taken one recognised right back and I'd be relying on Jones as cover for my only right back in Johnson/Walker. It frees up another attacking player which to my mind makes a bit more sense.

[Sanguine]

Henderson isn't anything special and there'll be little difference if him or Carrick play.

Kepp telling yourself that.

Henderson set to spend a career being under-rated.