Carrick's been picked because of a lack of experience in midfield post Gerrard and Lampard. Few retain and pass the ball as well. Huddlestone might have been picked on this basis, but Carrick it is. Smalling is going to be persevered with until he succeeds. He has all the physical attributes needed to be an international defender. But even his biggest fans must be losing patience. Berahino has been promoted on the back of 7 PL goals for WBA and some good displays for the U-21s. With Sturridge injured, Lambert gets picked because who else is there unless Hodgson picks another untried youngster like Kane? Apart from the strikers who did well in the Championship last season - Ings, Austin, Nugent - I'm hard pressed to think of another English striker who's been overlooked.
Well no because only Rooney was in last time, and you mention Carrick but its not like Walcott has done anything of note either.
I can't argue with the keepers that have been selected, but there are problems with virtually every other position, in my opinion. Chambers, Smalling and one of Gibbs or Shaw should've been left out of the defence. Probably the Man Utd left-back. Bertrand's been better and Shaw could easily slot into the U21s instead, as could Chambers. Creswell's impressed for the Spam, too. Burnley's Trippier has had a decent start to the season and he's played for all of the youth sides, so he might be considered for right-back. The usual suspects miss out at centre-half. Shawcross, Davies, Dawson, etc. Barkley and Townsend are just back from injury and I'd have liked to have seen the Evertonian in the U21s, anyway. Carrick's been poor, but Downing's definitely earned his recall and he might've been joined by Noble, too. No steel in there, so someone like Livermore or Huddlestone would've given the squad better balance. Has Barry retired? Nathan Dyer's another strange, long-term omission. Walcott's barely set foot on a pitch for months, so he shouldn't be anywhere near the squad, as I'm sure most Goons would agree. Silly to risk so much rehabilitation on fixtures like this. Berahino should've been allowed to continue his good form for the U21s and Lambert's done nothing to merit his selection. Charlie Austin's shown that he can score in the Premier League, though his fitness and assault charge probably keep him out. Not a lot to choose from up top, though. Fraizer Campbell? Thought not.
Agree about Walcott and Chambers but in no way should Gibbs be left out. if anything I'd play him over Baines who's never been anything but useless for England One of the few Arsenal players I still rate
You weren't one of the ones abusing Monreal on Twitter during his Q&A, were you? Harsh stuff, but that's the way that social media goes, unfortunately.
Just to continue the Chris Smalling love, apparently Utd have won none of the league games that he started this season and lost none of those that he didn't!
Cricketers are often selected on the basis of natural ability or appitude before they have proved their worth. Smalling is football's equivalent of the young fast bowler who gets picked on the basis of "raw talent" because they are 6'6" tall and have a good action, but then proceeds to take 0-100 in 20 overs every innings. Many come good eventually, but I'm not holding my breath over Smalling even if his height, pace and mobility indicate that with the right coaching and experience, he should have what it takes.
I have absolutely no problem with Smalling getting picked for the England cricket team Being tall and with a bit of pace, like Smalling, only goes a short way in football. If Smalling wasn't at one of the big clubs he wouldn't even be considered. He and Welbeck are absolutely nicking a living at this level.
Oh and for what it's worth, Townsend is a rare breed that actually seems to play better for England than he does for his club. Crouch is probably the last player that you could say that about.
