England National football team thread

[War]

Roy Hodgson: 'Sexy football' ? that's never really been a description for me | Philippe Auclair | Football | theguardian.com

 

[War]

World Cup: Eight of England's starting XI should come from Everton and Liverpool | Football News | Sky Sports

 

[thedon5]

I agree with Stinky, he's had it tough coming back from his huge injury, and he's still learning to play in his new body (he's bulked up big time since 10/11), but tbh he doesn't really deserve to go at this stage.

Also, he hasn't quite found his top position. He's shown to be not really suited to be a B2B in the long term.

For me you take Lallana, Henderson and Ox. The latter for his versatility and flair. The guy will change the game with his long distance shooting and dribbling.

 

[ParkedTheBus]

Take anyone other than Wilshere. Last 16 spot guaranteed.

 

[War]

I agree with Stinky, he's had it tough coming back from his huge injury, and he's still learning to play in his new body (he's bulked up big time since 10/11), but tbh he doesn't really deserve to go at this stage.

Also, he hasn't quite found his top position. He's shown to be not really suited to be a B2B in the long term.

For me you take Lallana, Henderson and Ox. The latter for his versatility and flair. The guy will change the game with his long distance shooting and dribbling.

Yea he hasn't quite found his top position & yes of course Lallana, Henderson, the Ox plus Barkley, Sterling are other performing young mid-fielder that deserve to start over based on form this season.

However I don't see why you two would say he can't make the squad. There is much space left in 23, whatever balance Hodgson choses with his defender, mid-fielders & strikers for Wilshere be selected. Especially if he plays any part of the remainder of Arsenal season and looks competent enough.

Who is his mid-field competition, outside the aforementioned? - Old legs Lampard, Barry, Carrick - which given the conditions in Brazil, any of them will be lucky to go. Younger legs Huddlestone, Milner & outside shot Osman.

One really can't give a convincing argument to suggest any combination of the latter deserves to go to Brazil and Wilshere not have place.

 

[thedon5]

I'm not sure of the make-up of the squad, but if there are only three of the youngsters going as you suggested, he has to miss out. If there are more spaces, he goes for sure.

 

[ste_mc_efc]

lol at the idea of osman going to the world cup.

 

[War]

lol at the idea of osman going to the world cup.

He is better "outside shot" candidate than someone like Cleverley who Hodgson strangely picked in March friendly vs Denmark, even though he has been garbage for United this season.

 

[ste_mc_efc]

He's a better outside shot than me going the world cup too. Doesn't make it any less silly.

 

[War]

He's a better outside shot than me going the world cup too. Doesn't make it any less silly.

Ha, disagree. A silly English mid-field suggestion as a "outside shot" to go to the world cup would be Cleverley, Steve Sidwell, Jake Livermore, Lee Cattermole, Mark Noble, Fabian Delph namely.

Osman IMO just qualifies to be in the group of mid-fielders who would be of use to the ENG squad in the W-Cup for Hodgson:

Gerrard, Henderson, the Ox, Barkely, Wilshere, Lallana, Sterling, Lampard, Carrick, Barry, Huddlestone, Milner, Lennon, Townsend, Osman, Cork, Ward-Prowse.

Picking any player outside this group based on premier league form, ENG would be in trouble.

 

[shravi]

ENG would be in trouble.

What are they in right now?

 

[War]

What are they in right now?

In a good position to come out of the group alongside Italy IMO. Although the general consensus is that a ageing Uruguay team, that struggled in CONMEBOL WCQs and got to the W-Cup via the play-off's, will qualify alongside the Azzuri instead.

 

[Epic]

England should get out of the group stages at the very least, only real worry is Roy Hodgson fishing it up.

 

[thedon5]

Ha, disagree. A silly English mid-field suggestion as a "outside shot" to go to the world cup would be Cleverley, Steve Sidwell, Jake Livermore, Lee Cattermole, Mark Noble, Fabian Delph namely.

Osman IMO just qualifies to be in the group of mid-fielders who would be of use to the ENG squad in the W-Cup for Hodgson:

Gerrard, Henderson, the Ox, Barkely, Wilshere, Lallana, Sterling, Lampard, Carrick, Barry, Huddlestone, Milner, Lennon, Townsend, Osman, Cork, Ward-Prowse.

Picking any player outside this group based on premier league form, ENG would be in trouble.

Not sure how you can put Fabian Delph in your list of silly suggestions. He's been nothing but quality for Villa this season, he's a great player and better than half of the players in your second list.

 

[War]

England should get out of the group stages at the very least, only real worry is Roy Hodgson fishing it up.

Nah I have faith in Hodgson doing a good squad selection & picking a XI that will satisfy the fans.

He has been painted from the start as boring coach, who is tactical prehistoric by the british press from the start, who wanted Redknapp to be coach. But if you look at his ENG record, he is wiser tactically than is given credit for.

When he had to be attacking in those key qualifiers vs Poland/Montenegro - he introduced Townsend, although everyone was saying he was going to be defensive and play Milner on the wing. While in general, ENG have played a more fluid 4-3-3 system in the last 15 months under him.

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Not sure how you can put Fabian Delph in your list of silly suggestions. He's been nothing but quality for Villa this season, he's a great player and better than half of the players in your second list.

I've aware of some of his good efforts for Villa this season, but referring to him as a "great" player is certainly pushing it.

I'd concede that maybe in the coming years if he plays like this he could come into ENG consideration & the eyes of a bigger club, since I noticed he has got a bit of a engine. However as of now, I won't consider him to be among the group of ENG mid-fielder who should be the category of players that would be of international standard for the three lions.