Joey Barton is just as likely to dive for penalties, and even more likely to kick someone's head in down the pub... As for Rooney, if he's in the squad and gets automatic selection for the knockout stages instead of one of the strikers who got England through the group stage, that's going to cause all manner of problems within the squad. But, of course, the tabloids will go on and on about how Rooney is England's guiding light and the rest of their blah blah blah, and make excuses for him when he invariably gets sent off...
He's displayed many years of delusion with the many 'this is our year' lines, so its no great shock he thinks he's up to it.
Personally I wouldn't take Gerrard to the Euro's, especially if he stays injured throughout most of the campaign. Not only do I feel England should be based on merit, not history, I also feel that we haven't seen the best of Gerrard over the past 18 months or so. Funnily enough it's coincided with Liverpools decline. Great player in his hay-day no doubt but I think we need to look to the future while also keeping a bit of experience. I was delighted to see Rodwell selected for the games coming up as I think he's got a great future. My centre mid's for the Euro's will be Lampard, Parker, Barry, Wilshere and Rodwell. Reasons: Lampard - Although like Gerrard his best is behind him, he has a greater goal threat than Gerrard and I think he'll be ideal to have infront of CM pairing of Parker and Barry, especially as we won't be relying on Rooney to help us through the group stage. Barry - City's unsung hero, always thought he was a solid player. Parker - After his form for us so far he surely has his ticket to the Euro's providing he doesn't get an injury. Absolutely top drawer. Wilshere - A c*nt in the highest form but the kid has talent no doubt. Rodwell - In my opinion has more potential than Wilshere, a very "all round" accomplished midfielder. I think Milner will also be on the plane as the utility man of the squad. I'm not his biggest fan but can understand his selection as he can play anywhere in midfield and he's filled in at full back too. So for centre mids, unless an injury is picked up by one of them, I don't think Gerrard should go but it's fair to say Fabio will kiss his a*se and drop Rodwell for him come the Euro squad selection.
I have to agree with HIAG on this one. If you're going to pick someone to play in behind a lone striker, then Lampard and Rooney are better options. The only possible position that Gerrard could fill would be on the right of a 3 in a 4-2-3-1, but how likely is that to happen?
We got through the group stages in S Africa. Wouldn't say any of the strikers (especially Rooney) had earned themselves a guaranteed spot in the knockout stages. Anyone in posession of a place that scores and/or makes a hatful of goals will surely keep their place whether Rooney is available or not?
Don't worry Lidls, I'm sure he'll be in the squad soon. He plays for your mob, so it's an automatic selection.
Completely forgot about Cleverley to be honest mate, another reason as to why Gerrard should be well down the pecking order.
"our only experience is failure" Exactly. Always change a losing game. The last crop of players were miserable when it mattered. Compare the performance of Rooney and Lampard with, for example, Dononvan and Dempsey for the US. No one will claim that the US pair are better players. But in the world cup Dempsey's been excellent and Donovan has been better than that. Lampard was the worst player at the 2006 World Cup (most shots, no goals), and Rooney's still looking for a goal, while behaving like a thug on and off the field. So bring in new players, or ones that have performed well when given a chance. Jones, Smalling, Walker, Baines, Parker, Wilshere, Cleverly, Young, Defoe, Johnson. Something like that. At the least, we'll find out if England can lose in a dire, disgraceful way with new faces. On second thought, leave out Spurs, and add Richards, Rodwell and Agbonlahor. .
we've had the same old failures for the last couple of world & euro finals.i'd like to see almost all new younger players in the team,even if we did'nt get out of the group stages,we probaby won't with the Terry's Fat Frank etc lot either
Rather than the midfield, it's the defence that needs the overhaul: Rio is finished at the highest level, Terry isn't any cop without Makalele or Essien in front of him, and Johnson isn't an international-quality defender. Phil Jones is a must as he can defend but is also comfortable on the ball (as is Jagielka, albeit to a lesser degree), whilst either Dawson or Cahill can replace Terry as the blood and thunder centre back of old - and none of that list is likely to try and overthrow the captain or team coach to placate their own ego during a tournament, either. Ashley Cole is the only one of the back four deserving of their place.
our players are normally tired in tournaments, long consecutive seasons take their toll, if he gets fit and has an injury free second half of the season he'd be fairly fresh for the tournament which would make a change for him. I've always thought he was the best of the 'golden generation.' if he got fit and in form by the end of the season then it'd be hard not to include him.
