Still Spain during their period of utter domination and confidence (pre confederations cup). They played a very strong XI too and we weren't exactly at full strength. Not sure you can belittle the achievement based on that. He hasn't had the opportunity to show he can do it on a competition stage...he can only keep clean sheets in games that he's asked to play in!
yes, I am being harsh. However, how many times do England look good in a friendly or qualify well and then don't deliver when it matters. My point is that we won't be taking a top, international CB to the World Cup. . And to add, is this the 1 nil v Spain..... if so, that is even funnier as we were pants that day ... yes we won one nil, but I thought Spain trained really well in that game and once or twice they let us have a touch
I posted this a couple of days ago but what the hell, Will Britt got a call up for Gibraltar, for their match against Estonia. The other GKs are in the Gibraltar league so he might even have a chance. http://www.gbc.gi/news/3190/gfa-reveals-squads-for-upcoming-friendlies
Almost amazing that not one poster mentioned Adam Johnson for the squad - he's in electric form, can play either wing, beats a man, good at set pieces, creates and scores goals and I would be very suprised if he isn't in the next England squad. Not saying I would chose this lot but reckon Woy will go with: Hart, Ruddy, Forster Walker, Johnson G, Jones, Jagielka, Cahill, Smalling, Baines, Shaw Barry, Carrick, Milner, Gerrard, Wilshere, Lallana, Henderson, Johnson A Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck, Lambert For what its worth, I think Southampton have been producing quality players for years and are currently showing how it should be done, but never in a million years is Oxlade Chamberlain a better footballer than Adam Johnson
There are so many players in our squad that could go to Brazil: Lala is the obvious pick, but Lambo, J-Rod, Chambers, Clyne, Shaw, JWP and Cork have all been mentioned at one point or another this season. I can't recall a time when we had so many potential England players in contention. What a time to be a Saints fan!
Johnson is a very selfish player at times and with Sturridge in the side already we can't afford another. Add to that he has been hot and cold throughout his career and never really performed for more than a month or 2 at a time. He is really in the same boat as players like Lennon, Townsend etc. They are players that do well for a spell then are dire for a longer spell. Chamberlain would have to play a blinder for Arsenal IMO to be on the plane after his lay off. He is however much more of a team player.
Remember we sometimes forget about good aerial centre halves... spent an entire game against QPR making Samba look world class. Shawcross was awful against Sweden and only looked good against us because we played to his strengths
This is what I think the squad will be, in brackets are the players i'd prefer: HART, FOSTER, RUDDY (BUTLAND) WALKER, JOHNSON, JONES, JAGIELKA, CAHILL, SMALLING (TERRY), BAINES (COLE), SHAW CARRICK, HENDERSON, GERRARD, WILSHERE, CHAMBERLAIN, BARKLEY, LALLANA, STERLING WELBECK, ROONEY, STURRIDGE, CARROLL (LAMBERT)
Squad I'd probably pick: Hart, Forster, Ruddy Walker, Clyne, Cahill, Jagielka, Dawson, Baines, Shaw, Jones Gerrard, Barry, Wilshere, Cork, Henderson, Lallana, Oxlade-Chamberlain Rooney, Sturridge, Lambert, Rodriguez, Welbeck Squad Roy might pick: Hart, Forster, Ruddy Walker, Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Smalling, Jones, Baines, Shaw Gerrard, Carrick, Wilshere, Henderson, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lallana, Sterling Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck, Lambert/Carroll
If those players played then Sturridge would lead the line with Rooney behind him, Rodriguez on the left and Lallana on the right.
I think both have gone off the boil a little bit this season, however, I do believe that Baines is now the better of the two. Hmm. Well, to be fair, their alternative LB doesn't have to be English. No, me neither. Early in the season he was showing great form. This season seems to be playing into the hands [perhaps that should be feet] of Luke. When Hodgson says he has to make a decision, this is the one of the ones he's really bothered about. Thankfully, he's not an utter twerp like Sven Goran Eriksson, who took Theo Walcott pretty much as a mascot, so he should at least make a half-decent decision, rather than have a rush of blood.
Must say that most have Johnson in thier squad, yet Flanagan is keeping him out of the team or Johnson is a real injury risk now. For me Flangan is the rightback in form right now probably followed by Walker and Chambers. Townsend has fallen off the map as well which leaves that whole right side up for grabs
I know why people would pick Baines and he looks so good against lesser sides, but you watch him against goods sides, e.g. Chile and he has poor defensive lapses. Cole has the experience and sometimes players who have not played much have epic international tournaments e.g. Greece. Baines may just need more games under his belt but I would still plump for Cole currently.
