Some comments from him that may interest some Saints fans. On the World Cup, speaking on talkSPORT he made the following points... - He is cautious about naming 5 or 6 young players, in the event of injuries to the more senior players - He will name a 30-man squad for the trip to the USA for the warm-up games - It will most likely be entirely made up of 30 players who have represented England in the qualifying campaign or friendlies - There will be 23 out of the 30 guaranteed a place in the squad for the World Cup in Brazil - The other 7 will be considered 'standby' players in case any of Roy's main 23 have to drop out, but will train and be involved - This avoids having 30 players and several on an even keel with a 'will they/won't they make it' situation in the media so close to the start of the World Cup DTLW
Carroll will injure himself in the next few games and then Rickie will have any remaining pressure off him. Mind you, I think Rickie's form has improved since Carroll returned to the West ham team.
Welbeck and Cleverly will go because they play for Man Utd and have scored about five goals in two years. Rickie I don't think will make the final 23, Carroll will score one more header and his selection will be confirmed. Lallana is basically a key regular now for this changing team. Shaw - think it depends largely on Cole's form (however e never plays...). Rodriguez - I think he might go, really depends on the last few games this season.
I think Rickie and Adam are going as it stands, with Jay and Luke as two of Roy's 7 stand-in players.
Here's a very nice, well written article about Adam Lallana that has been hidden between all the transfer speculation: http://gulfnews.com/sport/football/adam-lallana-a-saint-s-tale-1.1314540
Having listened to Roy on Talksport, it was going so well and agreed with a lot of what he was saying and then...depressing! Confirmed that regardless of whether a player couldn't get into his team or not, he would still be picked as he has done the business for England in the past so will be picked regardless. "Cole doesn't need to be playing for Chelski as I know what he can do". So form or just got too old will be ignored. The squad will be the same old list of under achieving has been with one or two squad places available for the likes of Adz to fill the bench
Er....Hodgson has said he almost certainly won't be picking anyone who hasn't been in the squads for the friendlies and qualifiers.
It's a travesty that Clyne, Chambers and Flanagan won't get a look in considering that Johnson and Walker are ****ing terrible Also, that article about lallana is quality. He is fast becoming my favourite ever saints player to be honest. In my 24 years as a saints fan I can't recall a player that encapsulates the club we are striving to become so well. He is a magician, but mostly he is hard working and loyal. Plus the best first touch I have seen from a saints player ever, bar none. Most of the take-downs he does are absolutely ridiculous. It has taken a little while for his confidence and self belief to catch up with our premier league journey, but now that it has we are so lucky to have him. I just hope he knows how much the fans want him to stay.
Walker especially. Johnson's been getting a tad better. Early last season I said I'd be happy to sign Walker. I've changed my mind.
There was one moment in the Championship or League one seasons, when he pulled a Kelvin Davis long, high kick out of the sky as it came over his shoulder. He cushioned it on the top of his boot and took it in his stride. It was ridiculously brilliant. The ref should have blown his whistle so the whole ground could have clapped. There are so many words that can describe Adam.... I'm going to start a thread.
Lallana's nailed on I think. There isn't a two footed English player who can offer the all round skill set Adam can boast. Those who are saying Hodgson's selection policy will be the same old same old are doing him a disservice I think. He's shown his willingness to experiment, and he's been to St Mary's probably more times than he's been to Old Trafford in recent weeks.
Yep, but you sound surprised? Every England manager is the same, they pick players based on the name and who they play for rather than stuff like form and game time. That's not likely to change any time soon.
It will be interesting to see which young players he picks, and also what he classes as young. 2 that spring to mind that should be on the plane for me are - Shaw and Sterling.
Very true PL but we can live in hope that one day an England Manager will do something different rather than follow the same path to certain disaster..."if you always do, what you have always done, you will always get, what you always got". I know footballers and therefore managers are not always blessed with the finest minds but you would think that sooner or later one of them would catch on Can live in hope!
PL - it is a famous quote very often used in the numerous management courses I have attended over the years and one of the few that stuck because it is so true. Someone much cleverer than me on this forum will recognise it and let us know who originally said it
