A lot of attention is being placed on Roy Hodgson's squad announcement today as he prepares to announced an experimental squad for Wednesdays friendly. Experienced players such as John Terry, Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson and Joleon Lescott could be among those left out for the match. The likes of Chelsea duo Daniel Sturridge and Ryan Bertrand, plus Manchester United's Tom Cleverley and Birmingham goalkeeper Jack Butland, could be in line for a call up. I feel that as captain, Gerrard will still be included in this annual poorly timed friendly. I also expect Carroll, Henderson and Kelly to be included. This could cause annoying distraction to our last minute prep. But with two qualifiers next month, Hodgson needs this time with the players. Hopefully as a former PL manager he understands the issues with this friendly and plays some caution. I will post the squad when it is out.
I agree Gerrard will probably be in there and for good reason (although not great for us). I hope our younger players get gametime though as they are fit enough to handle the no of games but will benefit from match fitness. We should hit the league running with the likes of Suarez and Gerrard alreading playing games - not many West Brom players will have genione match fitness.
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Jack Butland (Birmingham City), John Ruddy (Norwich City). Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Tottenham Hotspur), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur). Midfielders: Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Jake Livermore (Tottenham Hotspur), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Jack Rodwell (Everton), Ashley Young (Manchester United). Forwards: Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Theo Walcott (Arsenal). Experimental was the right word. No Gerrard, Kelly or Henderson. It mostly effects Spurs and United.
No idea. What nations are playing? Would expect Skrtel, Agger, Allen, Lucas? (Hope not), Borini, Suarez and Coates if the respective clubs are playing.
---------Hart---------- Baines-Jag-Cahill-Walker ------Rodwell---------- Oxlade--------Johnson ------Cleverly-------- ---Carroll-Sturridge--- 4-1-2-1-2 Best experimental side, if he's true to his word.
The players may be very experimental but Hodgson still seems very stuck in his ways (Thats not a criticism, he's done well so far). -------------Hart--------------- -Walker-Cahill---Jagielka-Baines- -Milner-Carrick--Lampard-Oxlade- --------Carroll--Sturridge--------
