This weeks International matches thread

So the window is closed and we now have no game until Sun week

We do however have the joys of International matches with Euro qualifiers on Friday followed by another set of matches next Tuesday.

Lots of interest for us Saints fans with hopefully Rickie starting against Moldova! Boruc for Poland etc

Let's hope all our players come back unscathed.

Have to say for once I'm really looking forward to the first England match!

 

Sign of the times that the majority of our first team squad are away on international duty. It was only a couple of years ago we were playing league matches on international weekends, now we couldn't field a team!

 

Yes shows how far the club has come and certainly gives a bit more interest.

 

So many internationals in the squad says a lot about us, but is also a curse. I suppose the remaining first teamers have to be kept motivated whilst training with some drafted in Academy players.

Not sure about Rickie starting. I think his strength is from the bench. Playing from the beginning and being found out for speed could actually be detrimental to his England career. Luckily, I don't think he will start.

 

I can't see him starting really, though I'm sure he'd do just fine if he did.

 

If he can at least get a goal in one of the two matches hopefully he'll have done enough for Brazil. If not I fear Carroll will be back in.

 

Well Rooney is out and Sturridge is doubtful. Rickie should get some time on the pitch now.

 

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/england-debuts-await-for-saints-pair-1035186.aspx?#

 

[video=youtube;Cg2pVkgej1o]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg2pVkgej1o[/video]


We need to get this boy having some digs from free kicks. His shots have so much more curl and pace on them than anyone else in this video.

 

From long range I think we are better off letting Lambert take them, from close up (like the one against Sunderland) I think JWP should take them, horses for courses.

 

Good point. This will be a new feeling. Saints haven't had this many internationals in the squad for many a year, so for the present day players it will be a new experience. But then again, they've had be in different dressing rooms, playing different games against different teams and players throughout their careers, be they professionally short or long. I'm sure they're old enough/good enough to just get on with it and perform.

 

Slow motion:-


[video=youtube;ghxCOUqa3Ek]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghxCOUqa3Ek[/video]

 

Just remembered I now have BT Sport so can see the u21 match. JWP and Shaw had better feature

 

Sturridge has been confirmed as heading back to Liverpool for treatment, looks like Rickie may actually start.

 

England teams I would play tonight and tomorrow:

U21s: ​

Seniors:​

Butland ​

Hart​

Robinson ​

Walker​

Wisdom​

Jagielka​

Stones ​

Cahill​

Shaw ​

Cole​

Chabolah​

Gerrard (c)​

Ward-Prowse​

Lampard​

Hughes​

Wilshere​

Zaha ​

Walcott​

Wickham ​

Lambert​

Redmond​

Welbeck​

Assuming Sturridge isn't quite fit. Both 4-3-3.

 

Calum Chambers will start and captain the England U19s tonight. IMO, he can count himself very unlucky not to be playing for the U21s.

 

BBC and The Times report that Rickie Lambert will start for England tomorrow night against Moldova, at Wembley Stadium.

 

Confirmed now by the FA, Rickie will start!

 

Excellent! I'm actually really looking forward to an England game!

 

Assuming that Walcott/Welbeck start alongside, I'm interested in seeing Rickie playing with a couple pacey wide forwards in a frenetic style.