England National football team thread

[War]

Based on his speech it seems as if Walker didn't get injured he would have been first choice right-back for Hodgson. But really i don't know where is all this criticism about Richard's being suspect defensively is coming from.

Mancini all season trusted him and when Kompany got injured, he was named City captain and even deputised at centre-half competently. So for me if you talk about versatility - Richards ATM is more solid option that Phil "Jack of all trades, master off none" Jones.

It looks even worse when all of hem keeping picking G Johnson, who is not even pool's best right-back.

Hodgson said he had a long convo with Feguson regarding Ferdinand and i get the feeling if he had any inclination about picking Scholes - SAF probably killed right then.

As already said, it crazy that Downing has been picked . So what if A Johnson wasn't a city regular, he still looked better in him limited appearance than Downing who flopped in poor season for Liverpool. Johnson impressed in the recent Netherlands friendly even.

Sturridge also should be in. But i guess the selection of Defoe hints that Hodgson is considering playing 4-4-2 at times/or as his main formation, since if ENG play 4-3-3 - Defoe wouldn't suite that formation as well as Sturridge.

Although i'm not a fan of Carrick, i think his efforts in the second half of the seasons merited a call up. To not have him even on stand by but pick Henderson is crazy man.

*Sighs* I will always support England, but everytime i see such selection that fire in my support just dies down.

 

[War]

Euro 2012: Hodgson adds to England malaise | Live football and soccer news | ESPNFC.com

 

[MasterBlaster76]

So no Scholes then - the best English ball player in the country. That's the end of Scholes' international career then. Oh well, on the bright side it means he'll be nice and fresh to play for Utd occasionally next season.

 

[Bevab]

United are going to depend on him next season?

But sadly, that maybe the truth.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

United are going to depend on him next season?

But sadly, that maybe the truth.

No - read the post again. I didn't even mention Utd depending on him. He'll play occasionally - but he can't play a whole season any more. He should be going to the Euros though. Where's the creativity in that midfield? The wings look good, but the midfield looks... well, it looks dire to be honest.

Also Terry instead of Ferdinand....

 

[Themer]

Also Terry instead of Ferdinand....

I wouldn't have picked either personally. Ferdinand hasn't had a particularly good season, he's been ok but he isn't what he was. Then you come to the injury side of things and the decision makes alot of sense. As we saw last tournament with King.

Terry looks passed it for my liking, his legs are gone. Also he's a bit of a dick.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

I wouldn't have picked either personally. Ferdinand hasn't had a particularly good season, he's been ok but he isn't what he was. Then you come to the injury side of things and the decision makes alot of sense. As we saw last tournament with King.

Terry looks passed it for my liking, his legs are gone. Also he's a bit of a dick.

That's the problem - who do we pick then? Smalling's injured as well.

 

[Themer]

Lescott has looked solid for City this year. Jag's was very good in his last international irrc and has had a decent season. Cahill's looked suprisingly good for Chelsea since he's come in so he'd go as well.

I'd also have picked Jones as he can play across the back and in midfield if need be.

----------

Starters being Cahill and Lescott.

 

[Lee1981]

At the end of day it don't really make much difference who we have at the back, normally we look reasonably solid whoever plays there,, except germany match.

The problem is our lack of creativity, can't see us going far at all, we haven't got enough goals in us

 

[barmyarmy]

Richards should have been in; end of.
Sounds to me like SAF warned Hodgson off Ferdinand and Scholes because he doesn't give a crap about England and wants them both getting a rest before next season for Man U.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

At the end of day it don't really make much difference who we have at the back, normally we look reasonably solid whoever plays there,, except germany match.

The problem is our lack of creativity, can't see us going far at all, we haven't got enough goals in us

Scholes would've helped with that - he can sit deep and pull the strings; but he isn't in so that's down the toilet. And some of the young players coming through are injured, like Wilshere.

As for Sir Alex not giving a crap about England, I don't think that's true. Most of the time, he's happy when his players get called up for tournaments (apart from the Olympics ).

 

[War]

BBC Sport - England's Scott Parker could miss Euros - Roy Hodgson

Hmm well according this McNulty BBC article on Carrick:

Manchester United's Michael Carrick, who has not played for England since May 2010, was not considered because he told the Football Association he did not want to be a bit-part player.
However, he is willing to help the national side should the need arise.

I can understand why Carrick would take that route, since although i've not always been a fan of him, he has done well for United and was regularly overlooked in the past. So the frustration he may have is fair.

 

[Themer]

So the frustration he may have is fair.

I don't think its fair that very average players are in the position to refuse call ups personally.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Defensively he's miles ahead of any other English midfielder. Just because he isn't flashy and doesn't run around like a headless chicken he isn't appreciated. Players like Scott Parker leave gaping holes in midfield, run around without any sense but make some tough tackles and win player of the year.

 

[Auwais]

I'd rather have Barry in that central midfield than Parker, who is a complete liability at international level.

International football's all about controlling the tempo of the game, with a huge emphasis on positioning and shape, something that the more "English" players like Terry, Parker, Milner are shite are.

Running around like a headless chicken, throwing yourself into tackles etc. will only get you so far. It's why the Lampard-Gerrard combo has failed consistently at international level.