http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27362447 The world cup squad has been announced. I think he's pretty much made the right decisions. It's a shame players like Townsend, Walcott and Walker were injured as I think these could've added some real extra pace to the team. I would've taken 1 other DM instead of Lampard though either Carrick or Huddlestone but other than that I think it's pretty hard to argue against. Possibly would've taken Stones but perhaps a little bit too early for him. I was fairly confident we might surprise a few people this summer but with injuries to Walcott, Townsend and Walker I'm not as confident, particularly as players like Wilshere, Rooney and Jagielka are coming back from niggling injuries. I have been pretty impressed with Hodgson so far though, best England manager we've had in a while!!
TBH... The squad almost picks itself with the injuries to Walcott, Walker & JR etc. The one week spot is RB, Glen Johnson is not very good IMO. I would rather go with the untried Stones than take that donkey.!
Johnson would probably benefit from people getting off his back. He's a long way from a donkey. No surprises, picked it almost to a man, only slight one is that Cleverley misses out. I do feel for some players (Ruddy particularly) that it's only every four years and you have to be bang in form at that time.
Yes the RB spot does worry me, don't rate Glen Johnson that highly particularly defensively. Have to say I do worry about us slightly defensively, Jagielka is decent enough but I think him being in there shows how few other options at CB we have, a few years ago this was our strongest position now I'd say it's one of if not the weakest. Cahill can at times look like a World Class CB but then I always feel he's got a howler in him, he can look outstanding for 89minutes and then lapses. I rate Smalling and particularly Jones to become good CBs but currently they haven't progressed as well as they should've. I also worry if Gerrard gets injured, we don't have another genuine DM which is a worry particularly with the attacking midfielders we have as I said I'm surprised Carrick didn't make the cut instead of Lampard.
I personally don't think we will get out of the group stage, its bloody difficult and i think this squad is for the future apart from the token experience guys.
Can't really argue with the selection.. I wouldn't have taken Lampard but those others behind in him in the pecking order are hardly banging down the door to get in so going for a 'experienced head' is probably a smart move I am a bit disappointed Wellbeck made the cut, I do like him as he is a good athlete but he isn't in the squad based on form.. Even Wickham scored more than him this season. I feel sorry for Jay Rodriguez who would have been a shoe-in in my opinion, great season playing in a successful team and offers a little more class on the ball and would love to see us take 5 strikers as that's the position that gets changed 9 times out 10 during matches.. but again no one behind Rooney, Sturridge and (to an extent) Lambert have been pulling up any trees to force their way in
problem with wellbeck is that he hasn't really played in his best position for manure, nearly all the while being stuck on the wing. Lampard will be used as an impact sub when we are behind and chasing the game i reckon.
IF and I mean IF we manage to stumble our way out of the group the first knock out game will be on 28th June which is the same day as my neice's wedding! I just hope they have got a TV in Whitton Church!
Think we have a really strong XI. Hart Johnson / Cahill / Jagielka / Baines Townsend / Gerrard / Henderson / Sterling Rooney / Sturridge ------- And there are one or two options, just starts to get a bit ropey further down the pecking order. If we have three or four injuries the team starts looking ugly!
If they did have a tv in Whitton church you can bet ya bottom dollar it wouldnt stay there for more than a few minutes!!
If this happens, we'll be getting pasted by the minnows! Forster Johnson / Smalling / Jones / Shaw Milner / Wilshere / Barkley / Ox Lambert / Welbeck
In that case, I don't like the balance of the side before we've even kicked a ball. I'd put Milner that side I guess. :/
not being funny, the TV would be no good because some ****er will have nicked the tiles of the roof and the rain would have damaged it.
