World Cup 2014, Brazil.

Yes, I'm surprised he isn't anywhere in the 30. He did make a couple of errors earlier in the season which directly turned into goals, but apart from that he's been way more solid than Glen Johnson. I think he'll be vying for the Euro squad next season.

 

Yes. My thoughts have turned to Rickie in this thread, and how I would love to see him feature in Brazil.

 

I think the point about Clyne is that he doesn't necessarily need to be ahead of Flanagan, as I think Flanagan is a better full back than Glen Johnson. Annoyingly, despite their woefulness in defending, Jones and Smalling are versatile enough to be played as both full backs and centre backs, and so I can see why they have been picked.

In truth, I think Cork would be fantastic for England. Ok, I am may be slightly biased, but I honestly think he is a far better player than Jack Wilshere will ever be, and also Lampard is a bit old these days. I think he is lucky to be in there.
I actually think Tom Huddlestone from Hull had a good case to go in CM. He has been in form, comfortable on the ball, and, despite his lack of goals, can strike a good ball. The GKs are fair enough, and I would have probably taken Cole, but that is because I'm not a big fan of Baines. Shaw deserves his place, as he provides a bit of energy down the flanks.

 

Agreed on Rickie. I am happiest for him.

 

Well that is a fair point. Jones and Smalling are so similar it's sort of perplexing that they have both been taken. I think I would have picked Jones for his ability to play in midfield in a pinch, and left Smalling at home. It's not a position at which we're blessed with great depth though. Maybe Curtis Davies instead of Smalling, he's had a good season.

I think I would have taken Stockdale instead of Foster, and Carrick instead of Lampard (in future maybe Cork can supplant Carrick in that role).

 

I am absolutely delighted for Rickie, it is the culmination of a fantastic career, and I just hope he gets some decent playing time to show what he can do. And we shouldn't let the uncertainty over their futures cloud our happiness for Adam and Luke, either. Like Rickie, they are there purely on merit, with no big-club bias having a part in Roy's decision. If there is a time this summer when all three of them are on the pitch together it will be a very proud moment for Southampton Football Club.

 

Stockdale is a good keeper, and I wouldn't have objected to his inclusion. I can't agree on Carrick though. He has had a terrible season.

 

He hasn't been great, but he fulfils a requirement that no-one else really does. Gerrard is the deep-lying midfielder in the team, but he doesn't have the defensive discipline that Carrick has. Who else in the squad can play that role? Henderson? Not really, he's more forward-thinking. Lampard? No. Wilshere?

 

Agree with all the delight for Sir Rickie. I'm getting ahead of myself here but imagine if he does score in Brazil! The feeling and emotion I felt when he scored vs Scotland was amazing, after the journey he has been on and all he has done for us. You just know what it means to him and that just made it all the more emotional.

 

Wilshere? No, never. He can get lost.

 

Jack Cork. Roy has really missed a trick. Cork is the obvious answer but doesn't seem to get noticed.

 

Basically confirmed, congrats to all 3.

 

Well, maybe. With Carrick apparently out of the frame and Gerrard not getting any younger, he might get an opportunity some day.

 

With the keeper situation I was surprised to see Stockdale is a year older than both Hart and Ruddy. Don't know why but I always assumed he was younger! Assuming the 3rd keeper will not have to be used (fingers crossed the 2nd choice doesn't either) then you could take a younger one along for the experience of being in a world cup.

That leads me to thinking about who our up and coming keepers are?! Jack Butland doesn't seem to be held in such high regard as he was a year or so ago, Jonathan Bond of Watford I always thought could be a goodun one day. I guess the keeper situation is different in that they can continue to play for longer, thus giving us more time for a replacement to come along.

 

Keepers I reckon will be Hart, Foster and Forster.

Jack Cork should be in the 30.

Lallana, Shaw and Lambert all but confirmed in the 23.

Congratulations to all!

 

Confirmed now. Congratulations to all 3.

 

The back up list looks really ****ing bad.

 

So when does this 2pm conference start..?

 

the guy at reading is getting a lot of attention at the moment.

 

Yeah, Alex McCarthy. I like him.