A few more provisional squads... SPAIN Goalkeepers Iker Casillas, David de Gea, Sergio Rico Defenders Sergio Ramos, Gerard Piqué, Dani Carvajal, Jordi Alba, Marc Bartra, Cesar Azpilicueta, Mikel San José, Juanfran Midfielders Bruno Soriano, Sergio Busquets, Koke, Thiago Alcântara, Andrés Iniesta, David Silva, Isco, Pedro Rodríguez, Cesc Fábregas, Saúl Ñíguez Forwards Aritz Aduriz, Nolito, Álvaro Morata, Lucas Vázquez FRANCE Goalkeepers Benoît Costil, Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda Defenders Lucas Digne, Patrice Évra, Christophe Jallet, Laurent Koscielny, Eliaquim Mangala, Jérémy Mathieu, Bacary Sagna, Raphaël Varane Midfielders Yohan Cabaye, Lassana Diarra, N'Golo Kanté, Blaise Matuidi, Paul Pogba, Moussa Sissoko Forwards Kingsley Coman, André-Pierre Gignac, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Anthony Martial, Dimitri Payet Stand-by list: Alphonse Aréola, Hatem Ben Arfa, Kévin Gameiro, Alexandre Lacazette, Adrien Rabiot, Morgan Schneiderlin, Djibril Sidibé, Samuel Umtiti CROATIA Goalkeepers Danijel Subašić, Lovre Kalinić, Ivan Vargić , Dominik Livaković Defenders Darijo Srna, Vedran Ćorluka, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Strinić, Gordon Schildenfeld, Šime Vrsaljko, Tin Jedvaj, Duje Ćaleta-Car Midfielders Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, Ivan Perišić, Mateo Kovačić , Milan Badelj, Marcelo Brozović, Alen Halilović, Domagoj Antolić, Marko Rog, Ante Ćorić Forwards Mario Mandžukić, Nikola Kalinić, Andrej Kramarić, Marko Pjaca, Duje Čop UKRAINE Goalkeepers Denys Boyko, Andriy Pyatov, Nikita Shevchenko Defenders Artem Fedetskiy, Mykyta Kamenyuka, Olexandr Kucher, Yevhen Khacheridi, Yaroslav Rakitskiy, Vyacheslav Shevchuk Midfielders Denys Garmash, Oleh Gusev, Oleksandr Karavayev, Viktor Kovalenko, Yevhen Konoplyanka, Maksym Malyshev, Ivan Petriak, Ruslan Rotan, Serhiy Rybalka, Serhiy Sydorchuk, Taras Stepanenko, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk , Yevhen Shakhov Strikers Pylyp Budkivskiy, Artem Kravets, Andriy Yarmolenko, Roman Zozulya
FRANCE Stand-by list: Alphonse Aréola, Hatem Ben Arfa, Kévin Gameiro, Alexandre Lacazette, Adrien Rabiot, Morgan Schneiderlin, Djibril Sidibé, Samuel Umtiti Jeez, Louise. I think they'd all make our squad.
Not impressed with the turkeys v Turkey The problem is the failure of the manager to pick a team rather than a collection of individuals. Potentially key players like Vardy and Alli (both of whom have excelled this season) weren't allowed to play in the same position/role which they have done effectively for their clubs. And what does Sterling offer in a team which needed someone with composure and the ability to hold the ball in midfield?
We could have a team to give this tournament a go. We don't have the best players but it's about clever management to cover our weaknesses and exploit our strengths. So, basically, we're ****ed!
England's defence scares me. It's just like United's. Statistically, it appears a match for any team, but you know that it folds under pressure and the next calamity is just around the corner. I don't know how the players available to play in the front six positions slot together. Whoever is picked, I can't see how you get the best from the players available in any formation.
It's not helped by how we're supposed to buy the idea that John Stones is the second coming Bobby Moore, yet that idea's been pushed hard by the media for a couple of seasons and is clearly influencing his England selection.
I agree. England's defence is chaotic. The problem is, where are the options? Smalling? Not a bad athlete, but lacks a brain. Cahill? Never been convinced about him, Stones? Positional sense is not good and currently low on confidence. But a good footballer. Maybe in the near future, but a real risk now. Jagilelka? I still remember what happened to him at WC 2014! No thanks! Shawcross? No way would most European refs tolerate his antics. There ain't much to choose from nowadays...
Continuing the list... Jones? See Stones Dier? Plays in midfield Tomkins? Card magnet Terry? **** the **** off with that talk
If you are playing a DM (Dier etc) - which seems a must with the likely CBs, then that means a front 5.
Gareth Bale is 50/1 (with William Hill) to be top goalscorer at Euro 2016, each way is 1/4 odds for first 4. Not bad odds considering Bale will be Wales` main goal threat, and will be on penalties and free kicks also, the main concern is Bale may only get 3 games if Wales fail to progress past the group. Might be worth an each way dabble for a small stake. Harry Kane is 16/1.
Harry has played pretty much every game this season and now looks like he's going to play in both friendlies so far. Come the start of the Euros some bright spark might comment that he looks a bit tired. I get the argument that it's important for the starters to get some game time together as a team but (1) I'm not sure a lot of the starting XI against Australia will be the starting players against Russia and (2) it's irrelevant that they all play together if they're knackered, so on balance I think he should get a rest!
Can someone tell Lee Dixon that Dier is essentially a Centre Half, not a midfielder helping out in defence. Unfortunate own goal, but doesn;t make him a poor player.
Yes.And in a squad of 23, it's better we have potential game changers rather than reserves who have no chance of playing except in the event of an injury epidemic.
BBC rated Clyne at 7 and says he's probably ahead of Walker now. What? On an average / above average display against Australia? Basically if there's not much to choose between them, then pick the guy who'll be playing with four of his club team FFS.
