England National football team thread

[Themer]

At the end of the day Scholes was third placed in player of the season. Hardly past it, nor was he overrun in midfield.

----------

A big no to Carrick. Do not rate him at all and I'm a United fan.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

If it wasn't for Scholes, Utd wouldn't have come close to the title. His return brought Utd back into it and as soon as he started to tire, Utd went off the boil again. However if you're going to take him, you need someone to do all the running alongside him in big games. Against City, Utd were completely overrun by Yaya Toure as they were completely dependant on 3 immobile central midfielders. Have England got that kind of player? Gerrard? I'd prefer to see him freed further up.

 

[puddleduck]

Exactly my point, the guy tired and he only played half a season. Apparently he's now to play an International tournament at the end of it and suddenly we're going to build a team around him when he's almost 40?

By all means take him, I love Scholes, but the realist in me is all too aware that Scholes is no longer good enough to win England a major tournament, just as he is no longer good enough to run a midfield in Europe or lead a team to the title. If that's the case, what's the point playing him?

 

[Auwais]

God damn it, pd, you're such a killjoy.

 

[puddleduck]

You're right. Scholes for England!

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Neville on the England coaching staff is a great move. It's good to have an all English setup again! And I really hope Scholsey goes to the Euros.

----------

Exactly my point, the guy tired and he only played half a season. Apparently he's now to play an International tournament at the end of it and suddenly we're going to build a team around him when he's almost 40?

By all means take him, I love Scholes, but the realist in me is all too aware that Scholes is no longer good enough to win England a major tournament, just as he is no longer good enough to run a midfield in Europe or lead a team to the title. If that's the case, what's the point playing him?

I'm not so sure - remember Utd's record this season whenever Scholes played? Who's to say that if he'd come back from retirement a couple of months earlier it wouldn't have made all the difference? Sure, he can't do what he used to do, but he can still do a job in England's midfield - as he did in Utd's midfield this season. I wouldn't say we should build the team around him, but he should be in the squad. We don't have another midfielder like him unfortunately.

 

[War]

Well with the final 23 set to be named 2moro, this is how i personally hope Hodgson does.

- Firstly on a tactical basis I really hopes he just picks two goal-keepers. With Rooney out, their is possibility 5 striker needs to be taken so he can have more options. Also he may need an extra mid-fielder with the bad news about Parker.

So essentially he should decide which of Green/Ruddy/Carson is the best back-up for Hart.

- In defence of course, no-one know yet what the outcome will be with the Terry/Rio situation. They remain ENG best defensive pair and i'd love for them to go. But if it does not happen and just one goes (hopefully it isn't a situation where both are axed) then things will be fine.

- Carrick for me needs to be recalled, regardless if the Scholes comeback rumours materialize or not. Parker's fitness will also dictate which other mid-fielders maybe get picked.

- Other than Rooney. Welbeck, Sturridge, Bent and Carroll are the only forward who would work best in England's 4-3-3 formation. Crouch, Holt or Defoe wouldn't and thus should be picked.

My hopeful 23-man squad:

GK:

1. Hart
2. Green/Carson/Ruddy

DEF:

3. Terry
4. Ferdinand
5. A Cole
6. Richards
7. Lescott
8. Baines
9. Jaigelka
10. Walker

Note: If the Terry/Ferdinand issue can't be resolves, then Cahill or P Jones to replace.

MID:

11. Gerrard (captain)
12. Carrick
13. Barry
14. Lampard
15. Walcott
16. A Johnson
17. Milner
18. Scholes
19. Parker

Note: If Parker is ruled out Scholes return rumour is proved frivolous. I'd bring it another wing option in either Chamberlain/Lennon and either P Jones to become a mid-field option or Cleverley.


STR:

20. Rooney
21. Sturridge
22. Welbeck
23. Carroll/Bent

 

[Bevab]

England should've tested out young players like Huddlestone, Rodwell and backed them while they had a good chance.

 

[Themer]

Huddlestone, Rodwell

Don't rate either. Huddlestone is just too slow in my opinion to step up and I have my reservations about Rodwell as well to be honest.

 

[Auwais]

Choosing 3 goalkeepers is compulsory.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Such a shame what happened with Hargreaves - he was fantastic in the 2006 World Cup - Portugal simply could not handle him.

 

[War]

Choosing 3 goalkeepers is compulsory.

Damn is it really?

 

[ste_mc_efc]

i genuinely can't quite work out what rodwell has done to get 2 england caps.

i can only assume he had pictures of capello with a brass or something

 

[barmyarmy]

Ferdinand out and Terry in apparently. A shame that Walker appears to be injured and out the tournament as he has been the best English right back in the PL this season.

 

[Auwais]

I assume that's for fitness reasons rather than football reasons.

Walker missing out should make Richards a shoo-in for the RB slot.