The latest England & Spain international squads.

I think, injuries aside, we are as good as Liverpool. And I say that because Liverpool are nowhere near what people think they are.

Krul, on better form than Reina.

Enrique playing well but Raylor has won us a few matches this season.

Saylor and Colo, better than their Centre backs.

Simpson and Johnson, both weak links defensively in my book.

Cabaye and Tiote, better than Henderson, but Gerrard is obviously a Match winner.

Gutierrez is better than Downing.

Obertan is faster than Adam, but Adam is better in terms of footballing brain.

Suarez is better than Best.

Ba is better than Carroll atm.

So. With a slight Bias I can't see why they are rated so much better than us?

 

Because it's Liverpool!

 

I feel sorry for thier long suffering fans.

 

This is the Spain squad, I'm scared.

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona); Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Jordi Alba (Valencia), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Nacho Monreal (Malaga); Xavi (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Malaga), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona); David Villa (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Juan Mata (Chelsea), Jesus Navas (Sevilla).

 

Yeah me too. The way they harp on you'd think they've been more hard done by than certain races in the bible....

 

Its not fair

 

Nacho is the only one who you could say is not a household name and he's been one of the best players in the league this season, I can see them battering us on Saturday.

 

Technically it's pronounced Hordi. Nevertheless, still quality!

 

Because over the course of the season it is proven that the depth of quality in your squad will dictate where you finish. We have good youngsters. Then a smattering of senior players who are just ok. They have good youngsters (a possible future superstar in Sterling), and some real quality subs. Kuyt, Maxi, Bellamy, Aurelio, Spearing, Shelvey, Kelly, Flanagan, 4 centre backs to choose from. We can of course in January but they are just a bit further on in development terms. That'll show over a season.

 

Kuyt is a work horse, pretty poor in front of goal. Aurelio....not my cup of tea.
Shelvey, out on loan because he couldn't cut it.
Kelly and Flanagan, ok nothing more.
Centre back depth is better, centre back quality is worse.
Bellamy is a good squad player.

I'm unconvinced basically.

 

For the first time in my life I'm seeing a European squad better than Brazil and Argentina

 

How easy must it be to be Spain manager? You could just pick any 11 of those players in position and hammer most top sides.

 

Harsh on Raylor!

Raylor Saylor Colo Jose

 

I would like to see Ryan Taylor given a chance at right midfield if Obertan is still not fit by the time we resume.

I didn't think much to Marveaux and I would like to see our new Italian play at left-back.

 

It's amazing how people like Arteta and Enrique have never been capped! If they were English they'd be some of the first names on the teamsheet. Shows the gulf in class really.

 

Bit harsh on Marveux but i suggested this last week for the game vs everton as I'd rather see him in action. I think he is a big game player and will prefer the kind of football City play, he came from Inter and has been talked up for years in Italy, REALLY excited about him getting a run in the team and i think now is the perfect opportunity.

 

Maxi and Bellamy have goals in them and are game changers. They have quality cover across their back four. Aurelio is a quality player, he's just fragile. Wicked left boot and great free kick. Kelly/Flanagan highly rated full backs and look good players for me. Regardless I think there is a fair chunk of difference between them defensively, and up top in terms of depth of quality. If we got an injury to a centre back at present Perch comes in with Willo injured. They choose from Carragher or Skrtel. We have three full backs, so two injuries in that area means either playing young Ferguson out of position or playing Perch. They have three back up full backs of PL quality. Up top we have Ba, Best, Ben Arfa. Obv Benny will be seen in a better light next year. Bellamy and Kuyt are proven in the wide areas and up top in the PL. We have Lover and Shola but they're ****e for me. Great pros. Then we have young Sammy who I like but is quite raw. Young Sterling for them could be anything but it looks like he is going to be protected. In attacking midfield we're fine, have a few options.

I just think the gulf in attacking and defensive options will tell over a season because if there is one thing we do know, every team gets injuries.

 

But there was no place for Richards, despite being in the squad for the last England match against Montenegro, or any players from Newcastle, despite them being unbeaten so far this season and having the best defensive record in the Premier League.

'Don't understand Eng Squad,' tweeted former Manchester City midfielder Barton.

'No Newcastle players?? No Micah Richards?? Surely he has to be Man City 5 pts clear, MoM at Old T [Man of the Match in City's 6-1 win over Manchester United] and skipper??'

Richards also aired his disappointment at being left, out, tweeting 'Well well well!!!! Disappointed is an understatement!!'

Barton, who has played once for England, against Spain in 2007, has previously been outspoken in his criticism of the England squad and set-up, saying playing all games at Wembley make it 'an elitist, southern-based team' which the average fan no longer cared abou

 

Aurelio gets beat too easily for me, better going forward than back, same as Johnson. They have more depth at the back, but other than Suarez I wouldn't really want their other strikers. I just think the gap between the two teams is alot less than people think as they are overrated and we are underated.

 

Which is why i wont watch a England match