Gerrard Johnson and Hendo. Hendo is better than Barry, no matter what everyone thinks. On the other hand, Sturridge/Crouch>Caroll and Johnson>Downing.
ahh okay... Isn't Kelly considered a right back though? In a weird way the injury to Lampard, the suspension of Rooney and the snub of Rio is a good thing for England... Forces Roy to utulise the younger options.
Never ever been impressed by Barry, he is a poor mans Lucas. Does literally nothing for the team except pass sideways and back. At least Hendo has some creativity and skill even if it is limited :L
Yeah Kelly is played at Right back mostly, but he actually came through the ranks and into the first team as a Cb. He is as good in both positions but better at Cb imo. Yes it is strange and hopefully the risk pays off. For liverpool anyway, more players at the euro's is a good thing, as they won't play in the olympics so we have more players available for preseason.
I don't like Bary but he does keep the ball moving and gives far more to a team than Henderson has. He wouldn't still be in the City team otherwise. Henderson gives one good ball every 3 games otherwise is anonomous.
Henderson is a different kind of player to Barry in my opinion. Barry gets flack, but he can't be too bad to have had so many managers playing him week in week out. He's a tidy player, disciplined. City have toned down his game, and he now does nothing but the simple stuff.. He used to be a beast at Villa. Sturridge is selfish, doesn't have the right attitude in my opinion. Pleased he's not there. Crouch has been good for England, but it makes more sense long term to use Carroll ( who has an England future) Johnson's attitude is poor which takes away from his talent. Downing may not be as good, but he'll put in a decent defensive shift, whereas Johnson wouldn't. Considering England will spend almost every game with less possesion this could be important.
Shouldn't worry too much it will only be for 3 games max. Played off the park by Belgium last night..Omg what has it come to?
Kelly is just as good as Jones. I always wondered why he was so hyped and Kelly got ignored. I think they're both average now, both with bright futures - this Euro's can only be good for us with all the injuries to the older players. Henderson...different player to Barry. Barry is fine in a 4-2-3-1 system where he has to do nothing other than get the ball and give to someone better. But honestly, 90% of players could do that role. He's a flat player. Henderson likes to look up for forward passes and although they don't always come off, he's at least trying. He also keeps the ball fairly well, underrated at that aspect. In England's 4-4-2, Barry would be useless. Play Parker/Barry and we get no attacking play, play Barry/Gerrard and we get poor defensive cover. Parker/Gerrard has a nice balance. Henderson/Parker equally would be a decent balance. Carrick should have gone but he was 'too good' for a backup role. Hence, Henderson goes.
Kelly, Henderson, Gerrard and Johnson do. Seeing as Kelly and Hendo didn't think they were too good for the back up list, unlike Carrick and Richards...
Zzzz, same old cliches about sideways and backwards. Yawn. To begin with, if Lucas has just won possession back with one of his many successful tackles and passes backwards or sideways to a teammate how is that A Bad Thing? Secondly, Anfield 25/10/09 - Lucas plays a forward pass to Kuyt, Kuyt sideways to...hang on, it's Lucas just bombed past Evra and taken that pass to play another forward pass to Ngog who slots it past Van der Sar. Two forward passes and a muppet. Guess which one you are? I suggest you go back to look at England under McLaren. Poor results from the World Cup onwards in the Euro qualifiers. Awful. Then something happened and results turned around. Can you guess what it was? McLaren dropped Lampard and put in Barry with Gerrard. It worked and worked very well to the point we were able to qualify with one game to go: Croatia. And what happened? McLaren put Lampard back in and we failed. Just like you have. It was no coincidence Rafa became interested in Barry after that. Barry also scored twice as many goals as Alonso. Just saying.
I'm pleased for Kelly, however do wonder what Micah Richards has done not to be included in any of these squads. Looked such a talent, then faded but seemed to be getting back to his best this season. Also noticed lots of media have been moaning that Ferdinand hasn't been included and it's disrespectful to him, yet these are the same people 2 years ago calling a complete overhaul and getting rid of the "golden generation" and bringing in younger players. Well, only really Terry & Cole & Gerrard are left from that group now so how can they still be complaining.
Apparently Richards(like Carrick)wanted assurances that he'd play and not be a benchwarmer,and he decided not to be considered for selection. As for Ferdinand,his argument should be with those who omitted him(the FA and Hodgson)but he goes crying on twitter and turns it into a farce.
He's been demanding to know the 'reasons!!!!!!' he was omitted from the squad on twitter. I'd have thought he'd place some of the blame on Fergie for informing Hodgson that Ferdinand isn't capable of playing a game every 4 days etc,but he's sticking to the conspiricy theory that its totally down to the FA siding with Terry over Anton's race case.
Bit of sympathy for Roy but he should have had more balls. FA letting a 2nd manager hang out to dry over this issue. Roy was going to get crucified every which way no matter what he decided. 1) no call up for either Terry or Ferdinand. Result: Terry supporters saying a currently innocent man denied his place due to false accusations yet to be proved. Rio supporters saying he is being punished for the misdemeanors of another player & for being loyal & principled. Media complain general that there is no experience at the back & if results aren't good scream about it ever more loudly. 2) only select one: see above for individual in question. 3) select both: there is an even worse atmosphere at the event that could implode because for all that these two are supposed to be professional. Terrys behaviors & Rio constantly opening his mouth beg to differ that they could work together & worse draw others into it. So I understand Roy's reasoning: Terry all sweetness & light proclaiming innocence says he has no problem working with Rio. Rio may or may not say the same but his public declarations say different. He chooses the supposed easier scenario. Personally I'd have gone with taking neither, stating 1) you wanted pace at the back and being honest 2) you wanted no political hassle which you hold no opinion on other than a refusal to interfere with the team dynamic due to the shortness of preparation time & tenure. The 23 players are more important than 2. You'd have still got heckled but at least you'd look like a strong leader.
Totally agree with not taking either of them, it'd probably buy you a bit of time aswell if you took Lescott and Smalling (I know Smalling is injured but as an example) and say you are building for the world cup in Brazil which you don't envisage Terry or Ferdinand playing in.
If you were England manager and had a choice between an up and coming fit youngster who can play right back or centre back , or an ageing injury prone centre back who won't play with Terry because he might have called his cousin a nasty name. Who would you go with?
