Main news is that Hodgson has actually picked a new striker - Rickie Lambert. Zaha is there as well. Goalkeepers: Ben Foster, Joe Hart, John Ruddy Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Jack Wilshere Wingers: James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young, Wilfried Zaha, Strikers: Jermain Defoe, Rickie Lambert, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck Smash the Jocks, lads.
That squad doesn't fill me with much confidence for when we play the better teams (and I can't think of any major players missing). That's probably a reflection of the way our domestic league has relied on imported players. However, it will be strong enough to easily beat Scotland's first XI - which is an even sadder reflection on the current Scottish game.
------------Hart --Walker Jagielka Cahill Cole ------Wilshere Gerrard Walcott Lampard Chamberlain ----------Lambert Only because Lambert is the most in-form striker. Normally i'd choose Defoe.
Great stuff I'm in Spain watching it then. Hopefully there will be loads of pissed up sweaties to laugh at
Is Lescott fit? Surprised he's not in there if he is. It looks like a good squad to me. For once we've got pretty much a full strength team if a bit light up front. How long before the first withdrawal though? On a slightly different note, do we rely too much on Rooney? I'm starting to wonder if we put too much focus on him. He's a good player but we use him as if he's our only good player. He's not consistent enough for that IMO. We've got other players who can hurt teams. We should focus on the quality in midfield and out wide to really open teams up. If we had a 4-5-1/4-3-3 with something like: Gerrard Carrick Wilshere Walcott Rooney Oxlade We should be able to tear teams apart.
**** england, i hope england don't score a single goal And a bonus mcgregor gets to play against a premiership xi before the season starts... And georgey boyd grts some game time to see his potential
Hart Walker Cahill Smalling Baines Gerrard Carrick Wilshere Walcott Defoe Chamberlain I'm guessing Sturridge isn't fit? If he was he would be in for Defoe without a doubt, I would try and mould Cahill and Smalling together as they are the pairing I would like to see in the future. I'd give Ruddy ago at half time too, Hart wasn't brilliant last season.
I was impressed with Lescott at the last Euros. We didn't have enough in midfield to compete in that tournament but our defence was bloody ace hence the shutout against Italy. If he was fit I'd make him and Cahill our CB pairing.
Main issue at the Euros was Lescott and Terry we had the worst pass completion of any defenders in the tournament and they also played the least forward passes of any centre half pairing. Their is far more to defending than just defending these days, and Lescott is far to limited in my eyes. Personally i love Phil Jones and he needs to play as he is going to be our first choice one day so why not play him now.
I think Lescott is injured. His main problem is that he isn't first choice for Man City at the moment. Kompany and Nastasic are the first choice there now. He needs to get out of there and go somewhere like his old club Everton.
Predictable squad imo. Lets try something new and adventurous against the Scots for a change. A front 2 of Lambert & Gary Hooper would be a nice start. Another chance missed by the hapless Roy.
I agree I was impressed, however he didn't get much of a look in last season for Man City which kind of brought him out of my team I guess which is a shame because we need our players to be playing every week.
