Lambert has been the best English striker for a while now. He'd have been starting in Euro 2012 for us if I was manager..
well no but no but ... he can't suddenly be worse than 2 other left backs .... oh maybe he can .... Oh Fran why are you always so right!
Hopefully as many City players as possible are involved this week. Also we need Ivory Coast to beat Nigeria on Sunday, so that Kolo and Yaya won't be back. I never knew England were playing Brazil until now, which probably sums up my attitude to the match.
I've realised it's much less frustrating supporting Poland. Does anyone agree with me that Leighton Baines is now a better left back than A Cole?
With all the transfers going on I hadnt really noticed this England squad announcement. Not at all impressed. - Only 2 goalkeepers. I thought you had to have 3? Anyone else think Ben Foster deserves a call up? Definantly ahead of Jack Butland anyway. - To include Joleon Lescott is a joke. Hardly played and ****e when he has. Why not give someone who is playing and in form a chance e.g. Shawcross? Dawson? - Not overly impressed with Chris Smalling. Would of prefered Phil Jones from United. - As much as I like to stick up for our own, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain doesnt deserve his place. Someone like Adam Johnson has been better or Stirling if after pace - Jermain Defoe is on an aweful run of form and definantly doesn't deserve a call up. Rather give Rickie his chance or even Crouchy if wanting some experience. - I can understand Daniel Sturridge & Daniel Welbeck being in the team as both have looked dangerous when playing lately but still expect more to deserve a cap. With regards to Saints players... If Lallana hadn't picked up that injury then he would have more than deserved his place in that current squad. Also back up what alot of people say about Rickie deserving a chance. If you dont try you never know and his form deserves it. In the future I would also expect Shaw and Clyne to start making the squads, more than likely after Brazil once Cashley retires and Glen Johnson hits one of his inevitable drops in form! All in all very dissapointing to see Hodgeson stick with a number of players that are either hugely out of form or getting little to no game time.
There's no logical need to play this game, it won't be useful preparation for our two qualifying games this season, away at San Marino and Montenegro. Far more sensible would be a short training camp. But Wembley has to be paid for, and that's why the "big" names are there.
As pointed out, you have to remember that this friendly is nothing more than an way for the FA to claw back some of the money they spent on Wembley and they know tickets are more likely to sell if you have a chance of seeing England's 'big names' against Brazil.
TSS, you can not post such obsceneties on this forum.. whatever next! He did do ok. Ps. Parcel on way to you... busy week. Should arrive Monday/Tuesday.
Of course Rickie would do well and I wouldn't take his non inclusion as any sign that Hodgson doesnt rate Lambert. Whilst I don't necessarily agree with it there is some logic to not including Lambert, Hodgson will be using friendlies to develop the younger talent for Englands future whilst trying to maintain continuity with the current squad, Rickie's selection satisfies neither of these criterea, at 30 years age he isnt the future, and neither is he a part of the present set up so as sad and unfair as it seems there is logic in leaving him out. By the above logic I would say that perversely he is probably more likely to be selected for a meaningful competitive game where an experienced in form striker may edge out a future potential who isn't currently showing good form. However I don't hold out much hope of that scenario either!
