I see that Roy has indicated he will be announcing his provisional squad next week. It will be more interesting to see who is excluded than anything else.This would be my selection- although I've not counted numbers so it might be short/over GK Hart Robinson (Green) Foster (Ruddy) DF Cole Baines Walker (Johnson) Richards (Terry) Ferdinand (omitted) Jones Cahill Lescott MD Johnson (Downing) Lennon (Young) Walcott Sturridge (Chamberlain) Gerrard Parker Lampard Barry (Milner) ATT Rooney Carroll Wellbeck Bent (Defoe) I'd prefer Gerrard not to start- by this point it's obvious he and Lampard inhibit each other. Just pick one- on form Lampard is ahead. ****UPDATED**** Bracketed players included in Roy's squad
Glad to see you've dropped Terry, silky. Not least because of his hapless performance last night which has cost a premiership place. Don't believe Bent will make it and would have Crouch up front in any case; whatever you think of him his England record is impressive. Also I'd have Young (whatever you think of him) rather than Lennon (poor judgement on final ball).
I agree that Hart and Foster will be the first two keepers. I don't see Robinson getting a place though. It'll either be Carson if he goes for experience or - long shot here - if he wants a younger keeper as third choice for the experience, our David Stockdale could be in with a shout. We know Roy rates him, because he signed him for us. In midfield I think Milner is nailed on - he's a Roy type of player, hard-working and good at tucking in as wide man in a narrow midfield quartet. I wonder if Adam Johnson will make the squad as well. With Rooney suspended for the first two games, Roy might see who else could play a Gera role behind a target man, and Adam Johnson might be the best option for that (either him or Young, perhaps). I agree that Crouch and Rooney are likely to be the first choice strikers (Roy tried signing Crouch at the start of our Europa Final season, I think), and Carroll's last game and a half have put him in contention, possibly moving him ahead of Welbeck. I doubt Bent will be fit in time, so the fourth strikers spot is up for grabs with Welbeck and Defoe the most likely in my opinion. I wasn't surprised by today's rumours that Roy is going to leave Terry out. Roy's always been big on character as well as ability. It's debatable if Terry is able to consistently display the same quality he used to; it's far less debateable to say that he isn't the character that Roy goes for!
I think Crouch is a good club player. His scoring record is good, but it does have to be noted that they were against; Hungary Jamaica Trinidad & T Greece Andorra Macedonia Estonia Austria Croatia Ukraine Egypt Mexico France Only two or three are strong teams, although I do appreciate you can only score against what's in front of you. Crouch is well suited to the qualification rounds, but the teams in the main tournament are stronger and I don't think he is at that level. Beyond Rooney it's quite weak really.
The state of attacking quality in England must be dire if Bent is being considered for a call up. Not doubting that he's a good striker but he's missed half the season and really won't be fit enough to participate in the Euro's. No wonder the FA pushed so hard to reduce Rooney's suspension, the first two games could see an unfit Bent and an out of form Carroll starting up front. I can see France shuddering from here.
On the evidence of the last game and a half, Carroll is in blinding form. Granted, that's hardly a prolonged run, but at least it's good form.
I find it very worrying that we could even consider someone for inclusion in an England squad because he has shown a bit of form for the last 135 minutes on the pitch. In general I'm not actually sure he is International quality. You couldn't compare Carroll & Messi, or Villa, or Aguero, or Suarez he's just not in that league in terms of quality, skill, creativity, finesse. He's a good Premiership player (on Newcastle form) but then so is Danny Murphy, Kevin Davies and Nathan Dyer (who has scored more Goals than Carroll and from midfield) and there is no discussion about these guys. Of course, they don't play for the right teams or are too old in Murph's case but even so it is interesting and depressing that players from the top few clubs are always instantly England picks regardless of their actual form or ability - Mcmanaman at Real Madrid - couldn't get a game for them but was a regular England pick because he was a Real Madrid player so must be good. Notice the difference with Spain who dropped Torres when his form went off - alright, they don't have quite such a lack of talent, but it was brave yet supported by their press. God knows what would happen over here if Roy tried the same thing with a £50 million striker regardless of how well he was playing. Personally I'd leave Carroll behind and take someone else. I'd certainly put Welbeck ahead of him or a new talent to emerge this year, an unlikely pick, anyone almost but the poney-tailed one.
On the last game and a half Torres has looked like good value for money. Only if you forget the 50 odd games before that though.
the worry with Crouch is fouls too often at Int'l level. I'd play him over Carroll. On the basis of the season I beleive Crouch has played better without being outstanding. No calls for Bobby Zamora - surely if we are talking Crouch and Carroll you can't rule him out...or can you?
I'd rather have Grant Holt than Crouch or Carroll. Carrick is also a must in the squad of not the first XI. No clue how he always gets overlooked for the England team as he's one of the few English players that can actually pass a ball. He's been a mainstay in a United team that's won 4 league titles and a champions league since he's joined.
He's overlooked because he's slightly overweight and plays for unfashionable Norwich. He is what Billy Sharp was at Doncaster.
A very good point! Bandit's point about Torres is also valid, although both players have managed more prolonged spells of great form in previous seasons. If Welbeck is fit, I would expect him to make the squad, but with Rooney suspended for two games, I don't think Roy will want to use up any other striker slots on players who aren't 100% (hence no room for Bent). As for Danny Murphy, if he was three or four years younger, he'd have a great chance of being selected, particularly as he would help the team to adapt to Roy's methods, but now he's just not up to the schedule of a modern international tournament. Shame.
Roy is not a man to take risks, he will stick with experience. Stepping up to International level is difficult enough - even a seasoned premiership player like Baynes made a nervous/dodgy start to his England career - but the Euro finals are something again, which is why I believe he will go for Crouch. Another outsider, Chris Smalling, has been ruled out - http://www.soccerway.com/news/2012/May/11/smalling-out-of-euro-2012/
I'd like to see Holt go to the Euro's, I don't particularly like Crouch's style of play and I don't rate Carroll at all. Both of them are one dimensional strikers who can only do one job, that's not good enough for England. Rooney is England's best player because he can play many roles. Here's a name to consider for strikers: Rickie Lambert.
I think Crouch has got to go. He's been consistantly alright this season and is an experienced international. I can see Welbeck going to give a different option, and the fourth slot is anyone's guess.
Some surprises here- Downing ahead of Adam Johnson? Can understand why he has taken Terry, although he is a scumbag.
Whatever we think of him as a person John Terry does deserve his place. He's had a couple of dodgy games lately but was good earlier this season. Overall I like the look of roys squad despite some strange decisions (downing sticks out and henderson ahead of carrick in the reserves). Also think Lennon is actually unfortunate to miss out but im excited by the Ox for sure.
He gets overlooked because he told Roy that he wasn't interested in being a squad player. He's not going to start ahead of Gerrard & Barry/Milner, so he doesn't go at all. I'm disappointed that Carrick isn't prepared to do whatever it takes to play for his country. But then, he is a modern footballer.
Yeah that annoyed me. Originally I was really disappointed for Carrick whos had an excellent season, but when we're talking about going to the Euros for England the fact he won't be starting is a poor excuse to decline a place. Similarly annoyed me Foster and Robinson took 'early retirement' from internationals.
