Having got a whiff of the international football scene, Jack Wilshere slightly interests me because he's considered the great white hope of English international football. Why..? He does a lot of dynamic running around and charging into usually well-timed tackles, with attitude, but it doesn't amount to much in the end. There's no particular vision skill that he has, or any special ability with the killer pass. Added to that, he's a little fragile, though I think his frame and strength may have seen him through that now, but I'm still a little confused as to why I should be getting overly excited about the lad. Oh, and someone kick Rooney in the head again. I want Rickie playing. At least I'll maintain my interest then.
Wilshere needs to get his form and fitness back (and lay off the ***s ), he's playing well below his capabilities at the moment. The fact he's still good enough to play week-in-week-out for the premier league leaders tells you something I think.
Well, I didn't say that! He's not going to win us the world cup on his own. I do think he's a very good prospect though and a good example of the kind of player we need to fill the national team with if we are to have a chance of winning anything (good attitude, work rate etc but also technically proficient).
For me, he's a footballer who is well on his way to believing his own publicity. In this country we have an innate ability to make a player hit a band of comfortable mediocrity. By building them up, so they think they've already arrived, and damning them when they fall short. Personally, I don't think Wilshere requires any extra attention. He has little about him that I would consider truly outstanding, as yet, and should be left to quietly improve himself.
I think Gerrard has still got something to offer for England and should keep his place in midfield. Think we all agree Lambert will be on the bench but what will be the best chance of him getting game time. For example to get on in the last 20mins are we better off England winning convincingly and Roy resting players for the Poland game or scores being level and needing a change
Gerrard is good for assists. Lampard is a better player though, despite being what some people would call "ancient".
Agreed. Gerrard has lost a lot of his quality and dynamism in the last couple of years. There was a time when he was easily the better player of the two, but not now.
Gerrard used to be brilliant at scoring with daisy cutters, but his recent goal was the first for a long time. Gerrard and Lampard are good players, but should have been replaced by the next generation by now. Not their fault that they haven't been, but shows the dearth of talent coming through.
-------------Forster Walker Cahill Jagielka Baines -------Gerrard Lampard ----Milner Rooney Welbeck -----------Lambert I'd drop Hart. Forster has proven to me he's a better keeper with his performances over the past year or so in Europe. Welbeck has played well for England. Forget his club form. He deserves to be in the team on his England performances. It surprises me than Hodgson is rumoured to play Wilshere over him on the left. Welbeck has given a very good defensive contribution of the left along with the goals he's got. England missed him against Ukraine. I'm not dropping Lambert to the bench after how he's performed for England so far considering Sturridge has proved nothing in Europe or at international level. I expect Hodgson will play -------------Hart Walker-Cahill-Jagielka-Baines --------Gerrard-Lampard -Milner-----Rooney---Welbeck/Wilshere ------------Sturridge
Wonder what will happen if England fail to win tomorrow. Will he cghange it around for Poland or stick with the old guard. How great would it be if we needed a late goal to beat Poland and Rickie came on and scored it!
And why is that? I really don't get your country's obsession with midfielders scoring goals. For example, Pirlo almost never scores from open play. Luka Modrić hardly ever scores a goal, and he's one of the best there is at the moment.
and tbf he scored on Saturday. I think we all like midfielders who can get a few goals though. Takes a bit of pressure of the strikers!
Lambert wont start if others are fit - he's simply not high enough up the pecking order. I think Roy will end up using him as a modern day "David Fairclogh". [older viewers will know what I mean]
Wilshere's first goal in the PL for a few years, I believe! It's not necessary but it does help. Juan Mata in 11/12 did everything but score consistently, in 12/13 he added a lot of goals to his game. Even Iniesta and Xavi get about 5-10 a season and they're more known for their vision and passing.
I do. Great player coming on as a sub for Liverpool. Crap when starting. Hence, he was the first Super-Sub.
Gents, I have decided that I think Clyne should not just be in the England squad, but a starter. My glasses may be rose-tinted, but the lad has it all. He is certainly better than Johnson and Walker for me. In terms of team for tomorrow, the back five picks itself, and you can't leave out Rooney or Sturridge. I think Milner on the right over Townsend is the sensible option, and he has been playing well. On the left wing... That only leaves welbeck. maybe Milner left wing, wilshere right wing then.
