England National football team thread

[Bevab]

I'd second that.

I'd still prefer Carroll though.

 

[shravi]

Kelly is going to be a future international; he's Anfield's best kept secret. I don't think he was called up to play a part at the Euros. He was called up because he's probably in Roy's plans after the Euros. Should Micah have been picked ahead of Kelly? Sure, but neither of them are going to the Euros so it doesn't really matter, does it? There's no conspiracy against Micah (although it may seem that way sometimes) and Roy isn't going out of his way to pick Liverpool players. It's better not to make any judgements just yet, especially as a single ball hasn't been kicked yet.

 

[Auwais]

Defensively, Kelly's probably the most solid right-back England have.

 

[War]

Ruddy is injured!!!

And Butland moves in to replace him. Seriously, if a young player who last played in League 2 is England's 3rd choice GK, it shows how poor is English squad depth.

Ye Scott Carson is still around, plus unless picking a 3rd keeper is mandatory i would have selected a next outfield player.

 

[thedon5]

From what I've seen of Kelly he's been brilliant. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a breakthrough season pretty soon a bit like Walker did this season. So selecting him makes sense.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Gotta feel for Ruddy. He gets an England call up out of nowhere, then next thing you know, he's injured.

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

Ye Scott Carson is still around, plus unless picking a 3rd keeper is mandatory i would have selected a next outfield player.

it is.

(ahem, if football manager can be considered an authority)

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Shame Robinson is no longer around for England - he should never have been dropped to start with. It was a bobble for God's sake - if it was anyone's fault, it was G. Neville's for passing the ball straight at goal instead of wide.

 

[War]

Norway game review

Well i'm not placing too much emphasis on the game itself, but rather looking at what certain aspects of it means going forward to the EURO's.

- Although their is suggestion that Barry may have pulled his groin, this may sound harsh to say but i hope he is rule out and maybe Hodgson can call up Carrick or Scholes.

Barry limitation in an england shirt are really exposed, he really IMO is lucky he has Yaya Toure next to him at City. England need a good passing mid-fielder desperately.

- I hope the same faith falls on G Johnson as well, since i'm not convinced about P Jones at right-back. I wouldn't mind if Kelly gets into the squad since i do believe also he is the best defensive right-back option ENG have amongst himself Richards, Walker, G Johnson.

Although Richards deserves to be picked on form during the just concluded season.

- I think Jaigelka has to go as well, just in case something happens to Terry, the Lescott/Jaigelka partnership is one the nation can trust.

- Would be nice if A Johnson could put in a stunning performance on the left vs Belgium and oust Downing out of the final 23 also.

- ENG must 4-3-3 regardless of how well Young played in the "hole" tonight in the 4-4-2. Since that euro qualifier vs Wales in cardiff, 4-3-3 has been working well for us and it must continue.

France's likely mid-field trio of Cabaye/M'Villa/Nasri will run rings around us, if we play 4-4-2.


Once 4-3-3 is the main formation also, then i really don't think Defoe is a striker that would suite this formation.

Hoping with some minor later chances, that the final 23-man squad & starting XI vs France will be this:

GK: Hart, Green, Butland

DEF: Terry, Lescott, Cahill, Jaigelka, A Cole, Baines, Kelly, Jones

MID: Gerrard, Parker, Lampard, Milner, Young, Walcott, AOC, Carrick/Scholes,
Downing/A Johnson

STR: Carroll, Rooney, Welbeck,


4-3-3:

Hart

Kelly Lescott/Cahill Terry A Cole

Parker Carrick/Scholes

Gerrard

Walcott Carroll Young

 

[barmyarmy]

I may be flogging a dead horse here but how on earth were 5 Liverpool players, more than any other premiership team, on display tonight?

 

[War]

Euro 2012: Barry ruled out of Euro 2012 | Live football and soccer news | ESPNFC.com

Ah well, not want i wanted to hear with regards to replacement, but i guess i'll have to live with it.

 

[Auwais]

I'm guessing Jones is being preferred in midfield to Henderson. Nice to see another Everton player in the squad.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

What's the point in picking Jagielka when you have Jones as the utility player? If something happens to Parker then England are left with the Gerrard-Lampard partnership again, which has worked so well over the years.

 

[ste_mc_efc]

He hasn't played anywhere near well enough this season to warrant it.

 

[War]

What's the point in picking Jagielka when you have Jones as the utility player? If something happens to Parker then England are left with the Gerrard-Lampard partnership again, which has worked so well over the years.

The thing is that Jaigelka should have always been in the original 23 instead of Jones who really is a jack of all trades and a master of none - although he is talented. He is not ready for EURO 2012.

Richards would have been a better man to play two roles at full-back and central defence and of course a proper passing mid-fielder like Carrick should have been in.