I've still got my boots in the loft somewhere!!! Failing that there is that bloke at ManU who's not bad - Ferdinand I think he's called
Got to agree with this. Thought Roy would be his own man but still the FA & JT control things. Never want England to lose but this could bite Roy on the bum big time. Our journo's will already be writing headlines now if things f*ck up. Richards, although young has England experience, has been playing well etc. If JT had failed with his hamstring I wonder who Roy would have called up.
Fair enough for me. The reason for not picking Rio who can't play two games a week still stands. Richards is a disgrace who would be lucky to ever be picked again given his refusal to be on stand by. Kelly is an integral part of the 21's, can play right back and centre back, is a very good player and desperately wants to play for his country. I even understand the initial omission of Richards. You're always one pick short with 23, particularly when you need to take additional attack options due to the weakness in that area and your one class striker being suspended. You have Johnson as your attacking full back and Jones to give you the more defensive option. Richards was dropped after poor form at the backend for Zabeleta. He still has concentration problems from what I can see. He blew it when he had a poor game against Holland. Kelly is picked with a view to 2014 which is sensible as we'll be lucky to get out group this time given the number of first choice now injured. Smalling would have probably edged him out if he'd been fit but he isn't. Too easy for the armchair fans for me. The bloke is clearly hamstrung by a fatigued squad picking up injuries and bad luck in Cahills case, and also prima donnas like Richards and Carrick who think they have a devine right. I wouldn't take those types as they will crack under the pump in big games.
If Richards hadn't acted like a pampered prima donna he would have been on the plane to Poland right now. Carrick is the same. Anyone who has their attitude would never be picked for England again if I had my way, regardless of their ability.
Neither Terry or Ferdinand should be going. Both too old. Might as well use this tournement to bring the young players through. Not saying I would of picked Kelly, but calling up a 33 year old who wouldnt have been able to play in all the games vs a young player would have been a bad move imo.
I'd go Cahill (prior to injury) and Lescott. But I do like Jagielka and he would be a close third. Cahill has been easily the best England centre back in international games. Threat on corners too like Lescott. In the league those three have been streets ahead in the 2nd half of the season. If Smalling or S Taylor had been fit I'd have taken those ahead of Terry or Ferdinand too. They've had their time now.
I was taking into the account the Cahill injury, if you read previous posts of mine on the squad, Cahill & Kyle Walker were the 2 I was really hopeful of having great tournaments. I'd have started with Cahill & Jagielka, but that was never on, without Cahill, i'd have Lescott next in line, after a superb season, and in the knowledge of their understanding at Everton.
Walker another massive blow although I have been very impressed by Glen Johnsons progress defensively this season. One of the few to perform consistently well at Liverpool. Full backs tend to get better with age as they learn the positional side of the game. Not always been his biggest fan but credit where its due. Walker still first choice because he just looks top class. Him and Cahill are very comfortable in possession, the future of our defence. Roy is getting a rough ride but we'll always be like this prior to major tournaments while we still have such a high intensity league without a mid season break.
