Agree totally Terry - But Townsend has played 2 games in 5 months and gets his spot automatically! I hate the England squad. Have since the days of Phillips when he got completely ignored despite being the best striker in Europe. Seems to be the same every time. Johnson has no heart for the game any more and I firmly believe that's down to England - he was, at the announcement of the friendly last year, the best English winger by a country mile at the time of the announcement - but got completely overlooked. He said himself he was in the best form of his career then and he didn't get picked - yet when he was playing for City and getting 20 minutes football a month he got picked straight away
I've seen Cattermole enough times mate, obviously not as often as some of you lot but enough to gauge what he does best. He's great at stopping attacks and knocking it about in the centre circle but I've seen him attempt to spray it bare times and lose possession. He's a brilliant DM, a cracking pass% rate for a DM but not good enough for a holding mid. If you have a look at Squawka that your man used and fairly compare Colback and Cattermole instead of selectively picking attributes I'd bet Colback's stats for creating will be much better, just over the two games we're talking about. Maybe you can take it back to January and compare him with Barry if you like, the guy had a brilliant season for Everton and was an unsung hero in the HM role. I really rate Cattermole at what he does, I had this convo with Bri 2 days ago, he's a brilliant DM enforcer but I've got reservations about his suitability to pull the strings as a HM.
That's a good point mate, can't argue with that, the Milner call up fascinates me as well if it's based on just the two games. I think it's safe to say Roy doesn't have a clue what he's doing.
On the bright side 2 Sunderland academy products in the England team. This despite Greg Dyke highlighting us as a problem for English football. twat On the dark side, one of the two is a bang average, ungrateful judas prick. Have to say though, if Colback is getting in the squad, surely it's a matter of time for Catts.
Anybody watch Wilshere for Arsenal last night? I know you lot had a match on but just wondered if anybody watched the CLQ? Wilshere was absolutely brilliant in his role, if he can keep up that level of performance then we can all start to get excited about him again.
I do rate Wilshere, seem to be one of the few who do Just realised possibly the best thing about this England squad.... NO TOM CLEVERLY!
This must sting you mackems quite a bit. So once again: Jach Colbachhhh for Ingelund! Tbh none of these guys are remotely good enough to play for england. They're about as good as Barton was in his prime and that should tell you all. Jack Wilshire, don't make me laugh. What's he ever done?
That's not good enough though, he's claimed they were impressed with Colback last season, surely that means he watched more games? If he has he would know Cattermole has had a fantastic 2014. Fact is he didn't. He saw the hype around Colback because of the move & because Adrian Durham called him the ginger Pirlo. He's a ****ing knob
Have to disagree with that mate he looks pretty much clued up on the ball to me please log in to view this image
Regardless of the catts/colback argument as someone mentioned earlier this is the worst squad I have ever seen and I said this just prior to the world cup. Hodgson and the fa are quite clearly clueless with no imagination. Squad is embarrassing. We must be third tier in terms of world football?
I think that would have been a real tragedy mate if he was included! He once bossed Barcelona's 'unstoppable' midfield aged about 19. He then fell off and got a load of injuries and became a bit of a dick, last night was the first signs I'd seen of his old self. What have you ever done, out of interest?
But this is where he is improved markedly mate, he's been a different player altogether last 12-15 games, Colback always played more advanced than Catts so his creativity stats SHOULD be considerably higher, Bri can find them, they won't be. Catts knocks the ball long and wide a lot now, even the stat v Colback of his average pass length being 2 yards further, sounds little, but over a number of passes it becomes hugely significant. A holding midfielders job is to protect the back 4, win balls, and distribute it to the more technical players, Catts is exceptional at this. Barry would be compared to the 'middle' midfielder, the CM, so Rodwell, not to Catts, Colback would go in with those 2 also.
I never knew there was a difference - Colback was give much more free reign last season and Cattermole was there to hold the midfield and cover for out of position or pushing on defenders - This year he has been fantastic and easily worthy of a call up. Colback's chance creation would be better as he was playing higher up the field - although I don't remember him making that many chances of note - he didn't seem able to pass a ball forward a great deal and his legs went to jelly in the final third against anyone except Newcaslte. If you put Cattermole and Colback in the same position in games, Cattermole is streets ahead of COlback - but he's a different type of player - he's also scored this season - more than the entire Newcastle team have in the league which says it all really. Also - for a player who is taking corners and free-kicks around the area - chance creation is a myth as every time you kick the ball in those positions you create a chance as long as it gets into the box - and Colback's job this season is exactly that
Mate you know I can chat with you all day, but I'm arguing with you about one of your own players who you've seen a lot more of than I have. I think them stats can't be manipulated to make Cattermole look a great/better creator though. Historically Barry was an old fashioned CM but last season at Everton he firmly adopted the holding role and not many done the job better, he was far better than the 'deep lying Captain Fantastic' we all had to hear about every five minutes.
I am not a big fan of the squads Hodgson has picked so far, but it seems, if the quotes below can be believed, that Roy was watching Colback last season and it is because 3 players retired during the summer, and 3 spaces have opened up, that he is now being considered and not because he is now playing for Newcastle -despite what some newcastle fans would want us to believe. I have no dont know why Catts isnt being considered, but he plays a different role to Colback and I guess hodgson doesnt want to play a traditional DM - at least I cant see anyone who plays Catts role in this new squad Hodgson has high hopes for the “very talented” 24-year-old midfielder ahead of next Wednesday’s friendly with Norway and a European Championship qualifier against Switzerland a week on Monday. He said: “I spoke to someone who knows (Colback) well and he called him The Ginger Pirlo (after Andrea Pirlo), and it would be nice if he turned out like that. “I was impressed with him last year and he has an awful lot to offer. He is a very talented player. “Suddenly we have lost Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick. “Jack plays in a position where vacancies can quickly arise, and we will see how he gets on.” http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport...ger-pirlo-s-england-call-up-hodgson-1-6810108
I'm not certain that set pieces are counted as chances created mate, we'll have to wait for Bri to confirm that. The difference for me between a holding mid and a defensive mid is in the word, one holds the other is simply an extension of the defence. As somebody who has to hold the ball, allowing for others to get into positions and methodically pick passes, I'd probably highlight Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets, Mikel Arteta, Yaya Toure (in the first half of matches), Michael Carrick. As a defensive mid who has to break up play and retrieve the ball, and 'get rid' of the threat I'd highlight Jon Obi Mikel, Nemanja Matic, Cheick Tiote, Abou Diaby, Lucas Leiva or the main man Makalele. If I'm wrong then all it means is I've been watching football the wrong way for quite a long time!
Sterling, Wilshere and Chamberlain are certs for the euro's 2016, they would get in any team, but Johnson, Rodwell, Catts could get their chance. What happens if Rodwell or Johnson score 3 or 4 goals at QPR on sat ? it could happen. And on another note, why is the Norway friendly at Wembley ? should have been maybe old Trafford or SOL would have been packed to see any one of our players, but even being a season card holder I doubt I would get a ticket !
Not that I purport to be any form of expert, but what would you make your general England starting XI? I'd go with this like. Barkley and Sturridge would be my go-to subs. Think the balance of youth, experience, pace, trickery, heart would be there. Not the greatest pool to choose from, but I do believe that team would give most a run for their money come the Euros in 2 years time. ------------------------------------------Hart Chambers--------------Shawcross-----------Cahill----------------Shaw ---------------------------------------Cattermole ---------------------Henderson--------------------Lallana Sterling---------------------------------------------------------------Johnson ----------------------------------------Rooney
