GK: Hart, Carson, Ruddy Defence: Richards, Walker, Cahill, Lescott, Smalling, Terry, Baines, Cole Midfield: Gerrard, Parker, Milner, Lampard, A. Johnson, Young, Lennon, Chamberlain Strikers: Sturridge, Welbeck, Crouch, Rooney.
Smalling has been ruled out for the Euro's apparently. Good shout with Lescott, I missed him out, whoops.
I would take Andy Carroll, cos he's a beast and might upset a few defenders. Going by the choices so far we take 23 players? If so: GK - Hart, Carson, Foster D - Baines, Ashley Cole, Lescott, Gary Cahill, Jagielka, Micah Richards, Glen Johnson M - Phil Jones, Barry, Rodwell, Adam Johnson, Ashley Young, Carrick, Lennon, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott F - Carroll, Rooney, Defoe, Crouch This is my choice then, the aim was to bring lots of versatility along with pace and youth. I've left out Parker due to his archilles issue, and I've decided to leave behind the older dudes like Lampard, Gerrard and Terry to bring in a new era. No Milner as he's never looked international class to me. I'm sure Hodgson will see my list and like it!
Not for the England squad but as a playmaker I rate him. Rumours are that Hodgson is looking at Bent which is a bit of a gamble but surely he has to take Rooney, Welbeck and Crouch anyway. Sturridge is a possible.
If they two groups are categorised on stats alone please ignore what I've got to say next and sorry! However if those are your personal "negative" list of players then you've got to be bonkers! Richards is the best english right back since neville and by far and away the best in the prem not to mention his ability to play centre back being invaluable in a tournament environment. Baines is an understudy that most countries would be happy to have as their 1st choice. James milners workrate and adaptability is vital to any team. Gareth Barry is the one I may agree with you on although I think he's far better than people think and he's become a bit of a scapegoat. Gerrard is getting some stick on here but people just do not realise how much he cares in an england shirt barring ashley cole and recently joe hart he has been by FAR our best performer and certainly a player who would kill for the shirt. Ashley Young is a diver. This I hate about him. However he has undoubted class and would get into almost any national side plus he can play anywhere across a front 3.
This is who I would take: GK Hart, Foster, Stockdale DF Johnson, Richards, Cole, Baines, Cahill, Lescott, Ferdinand, Jagielka MF Parker, Barry, Carrick, Milner, Walcott, Lampard, Young, A Johnson ST Rooney, Welbeck, Crouch, Sturridge However, I do not think the three in red will go and we may take Carson, Terry and Bent instead. I just hope we don't take Gerrard but I know deep down he will probably go as may Kyle Walker. All three of our right backs are a bit suspect defensively but I think he is the worst of the bunch that way, just look against Villa last week. I also think Young and Johnson are one trick ponies but Young has come into form recently and has had a better season than Downing whereas Lennon is too injury prone. I like Oxlade-Chamberlain but I think this tournament has come just too soon (wouldn't be unhappy him going) and he will be with Pearce at the Olympics. Lescott and Cahill have been the best English defenders this season and could work nicely as a pair but I wonder if Rio will be picked.
Yep, statistics alone. Based on how well the team did when they were in action or not over the course of the season. Agree with what you say about Gerrard. I love the lad, but sometimes love can be blind, I fear. His problem, perhaps, as an older player, is that he hasn't quite recovered what he had before his long term injury at the start of the season. He may just find a groove again, who knows? City's figures all improve when Barry, Milner and Richards are out. Richards only marginal, but Milner's make for nasty reading. I also like Young as a player, but he hasn't nailed down his place at United and you have to ask why - their figures improve without him ( although he has done well for England ). With regard to Baines, his set play delivery gets him noticed, not sure what stands out beyond that. Ashley Cole's figures are fantastic, and Gibbs ( his understudy ), not far behind him. Actually remember Young and Gibbs having a very good thing going down the left side in one England game. It's not an exact science, but it does help to get a bigger picture. You know how fickle some football fans can be, only noticing the great pass or goal. Or with regard to keeping goal, the one howler. There's a lot more to the game than the highlights, I feel.
I have liked Gerrard and liked him playing for England as he did show heart etc. But his age and the amount of injuries he has had hsve finished the Gerrard we knew.
I'm really surprised at some of these opinions. As odious an individual as he is John Terry has been one of the best CB's in the world for the past 8 years. Hugely influential and as brave as any other footballer, while also a superb passer and all-round technical player for a defender, not to mention the amount of goals he scores. Just because he had a bad game at Liverpool the other night doesn't change any of that. As a centre back who plays as a decent level myself, i'll remember him as the finest of his generation. Can't begin to comprehend the thinking behind putting Shawcross, Caulker(!) and Jagielka ahead of him in the pecking order. My Squad: Hart, Foster, Butland (might as well give it someone young as 3rd choice is never gonna play) Richard, Walker, Terry, Ferdinand, Lescott, Jones, Cole, Baines Walcott, Gerrard, Parker, Lampard, Carrick, Barry, Young, Oxlade-Chamberlain Rooney, Crouch, Sturridge, Welbeck I think Milner and Johnson are good enough but can't justify selection when they've played less than half the minutes of the rest of the squad. A small price to play for earning a ****load at City.
Terry has been good for 7 our of the past 8 seasons, however this season he has been DIRE and if we're going to win we need to pick players on form not on reputation.
I saw Butland at Roots Hall this season as they played my local side (Southend if you didn't guess!) Seen him a couple of times before and never seen what the hype is about! In the most recent game vs Southend he was at fault for all 4 goals if I remember correctly. I know he's only young and that was one game, but he was abysmal. Absolutely all over the place! Can't say I have ever seen him turn in a show-stopping performance!
I think the fact that he's set the bar so high in his career serves to make any mistakes all the more noticeable. Add that to the fact that he's constantly reminding us what an utter prick he is off the pitch and it's no wonder the public revel in any opportunity to doubt his credentials. **** his private life, he's the best natural leader, and most passionate player in that squad by a mile. Not to mention how invaluable previous experience of international tournaments is. He'd be first on the plane for me along with Rooney and Hart. Who are your four Centre backs out of interest?
I think as much as its easy to say his private life has nothing to do with his form the fact everyone knows what a ****er and foul presence he is might bring the dressing room down rather than up. My centre backs would be Lescott, Ferdinand, Cahill and it would have been Smalling but now i'd say Jones. He'd be a good 4th choice just because of his versatility, i'd bring Richards who could play centre back as well.
I wouldn't take take Terry or Young. Terry - he is a good defender but his off field problems have let him down a lot and I will always despise him. He is but worth the trouble! Young - again, a good player when he stays on his feet, but the problem is he doesn't. He hate divers and I hate cheats and he is part of the problem and until he gets banned I will always hate him too.
