England Squad

[southbank1871]

don't see the issue with taking inexperienced players. This world cup is dead, no one expects anything from it, and these players have to get tournament experience at some point. Why not blood Stones Flanagan, Shaw, Sterling etc with no expections on their shoulders.

I would also have thought that if Luiz gets the nod at right back tonight, instead of moving Azcpilaceuta to right back and Cole into left back it shows how far Cole has dropped down the pecking order

Clearly Hodgson and the FA won't be going into this World Cup thinking that it's 'dead'. It’s like people suggesting Adkins should just throw some kids in for the last few games of the season, when we are still going for a play-off place.

[Taffster]

--------------------Hart-----------------------
Johnson --- Cahill --- Jagelika --- Baines
------------Gerrard--- Henderson-----------
Sterling -------- Rooney -------- Lallana
---------------- Sturridge ------------------

Squad

Foster
Forster (Celtic keeper)
Jones
Smalling
Shaw
Barry
Barkley
Wilshere
Oxlaide-Chamberline
Townsend
Welbeck
Lambert

Plenty of versatility in there which is needed when games come thick and fast, and would hate to take lots of specialist defenders outside the starting 4 and wasting squad places, hence players like Jones and Smalling who can play full back and centre back (Jones can also play dm).

I would also take a lot of younger 2-3 younger players outside of the squad for them to experience being away with the squad and bed them in for future.

[Royalclapper]

Think Hodgson's best bet is to keep England narrow and compact, It'll be less unnerving defending crosses than having quality opposition players exposing our defenders through the middle.

Just if we can keep our shape and composure when we're inevitably starved of possession. The four attacking players look capable of springing a quick counter attack so if England can actually keep a bit of shape instead of the usual 9 defending and 1 up front we might at least be competitive.

Gerrard/Henderson whoever's in there are vital to try and maintain a link to get it to the forwards instead of us being forced into just defending our own box - which is basically what happened last time against Italy where we offered zilch going forward.

[Geekins]

That squad doesn't fill me with lots of enthusiasm

[Hoop Blah]

don't see the issue with taking inexperienced players. This world cup is dead, no one expects anything from it, and these players have to get tournament experience at some point. Why not blood Stones Flanagan, Shaw, Sterling etc with no expections on their shoulders.

Problem is the media and fans will put expectation on their shoulders and then all it'll do is dent their confidence....

Also, if you're taking players for the experience, it's always worth having a decent number of experienced players around them to learn from otherwise they're just making it up and learning as though go. There's little point them making the same mistakes as the previous generation if the previous generation can help them avoid them.

--------------------Hart-----------------------
Johnson --- Cahill --- Jagelika --- Baines
------------Gerrard--- Henderson-----------
Sterling -------- Rooney -------- Lallana
---------------- Sturridge ------------------

That's pretty much my side at the moment too. Biggest issue is probably that Jagielka isn't yet fit and he's running out of time. He's enough credit in the bank to still keep his place though I suppose, but if he's not proved his fitness by the time the 30 is cut to 23 he's going to be in trouble, and so are we.

[jjd82]

Lol at whether we are in trouble or not riding on Jags' fitness.

Also expect to see Milner in instead of Sterling/Lallana. No way Roy will play with attacking wingers on both sides. Much more likely to stick Sturridge out wide and play Rooney up top IMO. As against Denmark.

[Whatevs]

Terry and Cahill would be my first choice CB's. Just had a check on a United forum to make sure i wasn't mental about Chris Smalling being a beast of a CB. They rate him very highly (just not at RB though) Smalling Thread

[Hoop Blah]

Lol at whether we are in trouble or not riding on Jags' fitness.

Also expect to see Milner in instead of Sterling/Lallana. No way Roy will play with attacking wingers on both sides. Much more likely to stick Sturridge out wide and play Rooney up top IMO. As against Denmark.

In trouble for an established centre back pairing. Jageilka and Cahill have been given the chance to form that key partnership and have done pretty well. With Lescott going from league winner to can't get a look in at city there is a lack of experienced and in form centre halfs to choose from.

On the second point, Lalana isn't an out and out winger and so I can easliy see Hodgson going with those two as the wide players. Maybe not for all games but certainly as an attacking option.

[jjd82]

On the first point, you've completely missed my point

On the second point, yep, you've done it again.

I would try and explain, but I fear id be wasting both of our time.

[YateleyRoyal]

The most popular England squad as voted by Sky Sports visitors (listed by number of votes, not position):

Hart
Forster
Foster

Cahill
Baines
Jagielka
Johnson
Shaw
Jones
Walker

Gerrard
Sterling
Lallana
Oxlade-Chamberlain
Wilshere
Barkley
Henderson
Milner
Lampard

Sturridge
Rooney
Welbeck
Lambert

[P!ssed Off]

^
No surprise there.
That's the team I picked as well.

Ruddy, Stones, Smalling, A. Johnson, Delph, Young, Carroll to complete the 30 man squad.

[YateleyRoyal]

Having three centre backs would worry me greatly

[P!ssed Off]

Having three centre backs would worry me greatly

Yeah. Could see either Lampard or Wilshere missing out if Jagielka is not back in good shape before the final 23 announced.

[savage 4 england]

Having three centre backs would worry me greatly

I would swap Walker for Smalling.

With Jones as primary cover for Johnson. Smalling has played there also for United, although I don't think he's great there. Even Milner is capable to cover as a last resort.

[No Fixed Abode]

Ashley Cole must be in the squad now. Two great performances in a week, in two big games.

[YateleyRoyal]

Still on the fence re Cole. I doubt he will be first choice left-back. If he isn't, what's the point in taking him? Give Shaw the experience.

On the other hand, Kesmondo raises a good point.

[jjd82]

Ashley Cole must be in the squad now. Two great performances in a week, in two big games.

All bias aside, who would you start from Baines & Cole?

[No Fixed Abode]

Ashley Cole must be in the squad now. Two great performances in a week, in two big games.

All bias aside, who would you start from Baines & Cole?

Tbh - I'd see how/if Cole plays any remaining games for Chelsea this season first, but if he does and continues at the level he's shown in the last two games, I'd pick him over Baines, purely on defending alone as I believe we'll have to play similar to Chelsea, on the counter attack during the World Cup....

[YateleyRoyal]

Ashley Cole must be in the squad now. Two great performances in a week, in two big games.

All bias aside

[Maguire]

Baines has the set-piece delivery from a lefty that we could do with.