I've hardly ever noticed him since his first season at Newcastle when he was terrible, but I've got a Newcastle-supporting mate who really rates him so I was just going from that. I'm sure you know what I mean from those examples though, there are players all through the leagues that other teams fans don't notice (usually defenders or centre midfielders) but are really rated by their own. For example I can't say I've really noticed James McCarthy's contribution to Everton this season but going from their fans they love him. I agree that neither Caulker nor Davies should really be going to the World Cup, what Caulker does have on his side though is that he's still young and chances are will improve over the next year or two and a bit of World Cup experience will stand him in good stead. As Tuckin says, assuming Roy chooses to take Smalling and Jones primarily as centre backs (I wouldn't myself) then they've both played plenty of football at right back. Kyle Walker has hardly had a season that means you can't leave him at home either. If Jon Flanagan had been in this kind of form all season and not just the last 15 odd games I'd probably take him as right and left back cover and only take Baines and Johnson.
If Flanagan had played more than a mere sprinkling of games and been in the England squad before I'd take him. I'd try and keep newer additions to the squad as low as possible, taking only the most special, and I wouldn't take a single player who hasn't ever featured in the squad yet, specially if they're young. I'd take Ashley Cole ahead of Luke Shaw too. Not because I think he's better but because I think he will be more stable and reliable. He's been there and done it many a time before and until recently was widely regarded as the best left back in the world. He's not turned to **** over the space of a year or two. I'm 99.99% certain Hodsgon will make the same choice too.
Nothing will stop me supporting England as I'm fairly patriotic, Hodgson has ****ed up with some of his selections though.
Woy Hodgson is a complete wang ker and has gone against all that he said in the first place. He will pick his bum chums and not the form players. With JT retired only GARY CAHILL is a better defender(c/h) for England on form this season.
I do wish John Terry would waive his retirement for one last crack at a World Cup. Those pair have been a formidable defensive barrier for Chelsea this season a d having them make up our central defence at the World Cup would certainly give me a lot more hope. I do think we'll do alright though. How long is Terry out injured for anyway?
If Smalling gets picked then I've had it with England until Hodgson goes. I'm better than Smalling. Tickles is better than Smalling. I f**kING HATE CHRIS SMALLING. He is utter, utter, utter, utter dog shizer.
But only since they haven't been doing very well? Will you start to watch/care again if/when we get good again? It's not just you. Loads of people say similar things so I don't want to look like I'm singling you out but I think it's a weak as **** stance. People who lose interest in their club when they start losing have the piss taken out of them, so why is it OK to do the same with your country?
Nope not just since we have been poorer. Said it for years. I am proud as about athletics and cycling at national level so not like I don't get behind my country. I do think it's different at club level though. Maybe because its more local. Guess I am Hull first then Yorkshire then English then British. Where football is concerned anyway.
For me it's like a protest, i'm sick of seeing England squads be a closed shop, it's like a clique,and some players from the big clubs are an absolute certainty to be picked regardless of form, or the fact other players have performed far better. I hope as much as anyone else, we win the world cup, but we so ****ing won't, i absolutely guarantee we will not progress beyond the group, and frankly we don't deserve to.
I like that, I'm the same. In fact I hardly care about being 'British' as well as English at all. I think it's too easy though to mock the national team. With clubs a lot of fans are proud of how **** their team is but with England people seem to want to hate the current team and not support them.
I identify with Yorkshire more than Britain, I guess it's because the culture of Yorkshire is rich and vibrant, of course all counties have a history, but ours is better. Obviously.
You know what it is. It's that it could be so much better. Better run from the top down. Managers are chosen cos their face fits. Pick the players who are the best not because they play for big clubs. No other sport does that at a national level. We are happy being mediocre. So as long as they are happy being half as good as then can be why should I care. I don't mock them. I am meh.
I really don't believe the manager picks anyone based on who they play for. Hodgson, like any England manager, could become a hero with a final appearance. After so long getting knocked out in the quarters, we wouldn't even need to win it, even a semi-final appearance would generate massive excitement. He isn't going to throw that away by picking players just because they play for Man U. I think Smalling is **** and I wouldn't take Carrick either but if Hodgson does it's because he knows better than me and he's seen something I haven't. Not because they play for Man U. Players like Gerrard, and Terry when he was playing would do anything to win a major tournament for England. These guys couldn't be more committed to England, and most of the squad follow suit. All this 'they only care about their clubs' is nonsense. I really don't think anyone involved is happy being mediocre. Not the players, manager or even the FA. City have had players in the last few years (1st PL stint in particular) who were happy being mediocre, I don't think England do. The competition is too great, they'd just be dropped for someone more interested.
I don't get too concerned about the manager picking players from the top clubs either - there's a reason these players are regularly playing champions league football and winning premier league medals, it doesn't just happen by chance.
Everton showed again today that they're a good team - but it was worrying that their worst performer by a country mile was Jagielka. He needs to get his act together over the next four weeks.
Ive aways said, even though hes an utter ****, Ashley would be one of the first names on my team as he is a very good footballer
