After our players heroics for Scotland and the Republic last night it got me thinking. We can almost field an entire international side now (with a couple of England & Spain U21s to make up the numbers and a couple of subs). (Caps are reliant on Wikipedia accuracy!) (GK) RUDDY (ENGLAND 1 cap) (LD) GARRIDO (SPAIN U21 (9)) (CD) Russell MARTIN (SCOTLAND 5 caps) (CD) BASSONG (CAMEROON 15 caps) (RD) WHITTAKER (SCOTLAND 18 caps) (LW) PILKINGTON (REP.OF IRELAND 1 cap) (CM) TETTEY (NORWAY 14 caps) (CM) HOWSON (ENGLAND U21 (1)) (AM) HOOLAHAN (REP.OF IRELAND 6 caps) (RW) SNODGRASS (SCOTLAND 10 caps) (FWD) VAN WOLFSWINKEL (HOLLAND 2 caps) Subs :- (GK) RUDD (ENGLAND U21 (1)) (CD) Ryan BENNETT (ENGLAND U21 (2)) (CM) BUTTERFIELD (ENGLAND U21 (1)) Star studded eh!
The starting eleven looks pretty tidy. And well balanced, too. 4 defenders, 4 mids, two of whom play wide naturally and Wes in the hole behind Rip van Winkle. Nice
And of course, this isn't including Dani Ayala (Spain U21) and the recently departed Kei Kamara (Sierra Leone), Simeon Jackson (Canada), Lee Camp (N.Ireland)
Hevvy, so how close do you think Holt was to getting an England cap ????. I once said that if Holt ever played for England I would bare my arse in the centre circle at Carrow Road, never did,never will.
Certainly last season, he must have been in Hodgson's mind although never quite in the squad! There was plenty of discussion of it (and not just on this site!). This season its more about Rickie Lambert (who I don't think will win a cap either!).
Holt was never really close to the squad. It was mentioned that he was the highest scoring Englishman behind Rooney etc, but he was never really considered a serious contender for the England squad. He was just one of a long list of names that included Defoe, Bent, Carroll, Sturridge, Welbeck, Rooney, Lambert, Crouch and even Zamora.
I wouldn't disagree with that, as for the first game starting line up, I'd think that rather depends on who you're playing...can Van W play defensive? He won't see many games in a Hughton team if he can't!
Yeah of course Im sure our players would be petrified of facing some third rate Championship side. Im glad that rather than throwing you lot a bone we are doing the pre-season properly.
We are doing a pre season tour of America and I think Mexico. I think we are playing LA Galaxy and a few others. The hot weather is supposed to help the fitness of the players prior to the premier league season starting. It is also to help develop interest in our club abroad.
Did we not sign some kind of deal with an American media company earlier this year? I can't remember the details - or benefits to NCFC, but I'm sure something occurred along these lines?
