England National football team thread

[Auwais]

Rio's the best English CB of this generation. Top class player, his form in 2007/08 was the best I've seen a CB play the past decade.

Well joint-best with Nesta in 2005.

 

[puddleduck]

Ledley King was in terms of ability... but unfortunately his knees were dodgier than a kebab from a van.

 

[War]

Ledley King was in terms of ability... but unfortunately his knees were dodgier than a kebab from a van.

Yep. If King was fit, i would have loved to have seen Ferdinand/King together as pair at their peaks.

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Gary Lineker disagrees with Sir Alex Ferguson over Rio Ferdinand comments | Mail Online

Indeed Gary Lineker. I've always sensed that SAF didn't want Ferdinand to play for England again. Before the EURO 2012 squad was picked, his ill-advised comments about Ferdinand's inability to play consecutive games, i reckoned played a big part in Hodgson then not picking him for "football reasons".

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Ledley King was in terms of ability... but unfortunately his knees were dodgier than a kebab from a van.

Yep - such a shame. So many of our better players are either not used properly (Scholes) are constantly injured (Darren 'Sicknote' Anderton) or have built in self destruct buttons (Gazza).

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

Yep - such a shame. So many of our better players are either not used properly (Scholes) are constantly injured (Darren 'Sicknote' Anderton) or have built in self destruct buttons (Gazza).

god, tell me about this affliction, it's rare I can sympathise with english fans but here I can. at least gazza was just a nutter and didn't miss games due to being in jail (big dunc) also, we had this fantastic young celtic defender called john kennedy, to the point he was an ac milan transfer target at 20, some bloke took his legs on his international debut and he barely played again. now we've got fletcher with this weird virus thing, it's blooming ridiculous.

 

[War]

BBC Sport - England squad: Lennon out, Ferdinand fit but Dawson a doubt

Enough cover in the squad to deal with Lennon's absence. But will be disappointed if Dawson misses out. When he last played vs Wales in 2011 alongside Terry he looked all set become 1st choice. Now after his excellent for with Spurs, this happens again, so i hope he can make it.

Doesn't really matter what team is picked vs San marino, but i expect Baines to play, Ferdinand to be rested & possibly even Johnson rested to give Walker a game. Thus i expect the line-up to be fairly attacking.

-------------------Hart----------------

Walker---Cahill/Smalling--Dawson---Baines

------------Gerrard-----Carrick----------

Walcott-------------Rooney-------Welbeck

------------------Defoe/Sturridge----------

However for the important Montenegro, i expect a similar formation of three-midfielders from Brazil friendly. Gerrard & Carrick are certain to start. I know Sir Hodgson has started Cleverley in every game since the EURO's, but i reckon on current form Osman or Lampard has stronger cases to start ahead of him.

--------------------Hart----------------

Johnson-----Ferdinand---Dawson----Cole

-----------------Carrick-----------------

-------Gerrard--------Lampard/Osman-----

Walcott---------Rooney------Welbeck/Young

 

[puddleduck]

I would actually quite like AVB to deliver a press release tomorrow withdrawing all Spurs players from international duty due to a severe outbreak of manflu. Could do with the break and then coming back after to really attack the run-in.

 

[War]

Sam Wallace: It's inescapable, this England team is old and hasn't moved on since 2006 - News & Comment - Football - The Independent

Fair analysis this.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Sam Wallace: It's inescapable, this England team is old and hasn't moved on since 2006 - News & Comment - Football - The Independent

Fair analysis this.

And since then, when we've come up against a 'big' team in a tournament, we've been destroyed, when we used to have the ability to raise our game against them, and even out play them, before going out on penalties. Now, we're generally mediocre against the smaller teams and get completely found out by the bigger ones: a worrying trend.

 

[War]

BBC Sport - Rio Ferdinand withdraws from England squad for qualifiers

Ah well at least this clears up that no bad blood between Hodgson & Ferdinand exists & that his fitness situation indeed needs organizing if he is to manage playing for club & country these days.

Cahill/Smalling will need to have big games in Montenegro.

 

[Bevab]

Poor from Ferdinand really, he has all the fitness to play for United but not for England.

 

[War]

And since then, when we've come up against a 'big' team in a tournament, we've been destroyed, when we used to have the ability to raise our game against them, and even out play them, before going out on penalties. Now, we're generally mediocre against the smaller teams and get completely found out by the bigger ones: a worrying trend.

Ye unfortunately, it's got to stop. The levels showed in the friendly vs Brazil need to be retained, even with Wilshire absent.

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Poor from Ferdinand really, he has all the fitness to play for United but not for England.

To be fair to him, based on all i've read its a bit more complicated than that.

Clearly after a few years of bad injuries, United & Ferguson worked out a detailed fitness programme which has aided him in playing for United this season without worry. And being a way from the England team has aided this too.

So as i read, if Rio is going to add playing for England to his match preparation now, he needs a different medical programme & probably needed notification a bit early than last thursday.

You could argue maybe Hodgson could have found out about this or maybe noticed Rio earlier about a potential call-up, but we all know how crazy things have been in the last 8 months between the pair.

 

[Bevab]

A extra game or two at this stage is seriously going to hurt that much? I understand that he's on a fitness program, but well, United are not playing in the Champions League, couldn't he consider this just as a Champions League match and play?

 

[War]

I don't know the exacts, but after these two qualifiers United has games Sunderland on March 30 & the Chelsea replay on April 1.

Reports were suggesting that Hodgson may have compromised & left him out of the San Marino game & just played in Montenegro. But also Ferguson wanted him fit for both those United games after the international break - so maybe this is where Rio medical people said this would be too much games too quickly, thus leading to him pulling out for ENG.

 

[Bevab]

Hope he does get called up later though, but well, I seriously doubt whether he'll play against both Sunderland and Chelsea.

Still that's a risk best not taken.