You're pretty much giving ISTPLT ammunition to destroy your own argument. Your point their is what exactly? "We've had crap players in the past, instead of avoiding this in the future we should continue it by bringing in players that are far from ready."?
I think it's amazing that in the same discussion there's one person saying ISTPLT isn't taking enough kids because he wants to keep Lampard etc in the squad, and at the same time there's another saying he's taking too many kids because the likes of Jones would benefit more from playing in the Olympics than sitting on the bench at the Euros.
Darren Bent could be throwing a spanner in the works - will one game be enough for him? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17783573
He's basically just a decent club player - but in this era that's almost good enough. (Remember when we had Shearer and Sheringham, and players of immense class like Wright and Fowler couldn't get a look-in?) I think it comes down to a choice between him and Defoe. He's not as talented as Defoe, but he has more physical presence. For me, Defoe wins every time.
I think he's a bit better than decent - he's usually right up there in the goalscoring charts, and it's always for a bottom half side.
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Rob Green, John Ruddy Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Joleon Lescott, John Terry Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young, James Milner Forwards: Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck On Standby: Jack Butland, Phil Jagielka, Jordan Henderson, Adam Johnson, Daniel Sturridge
I don't see why he makes it in there either. Would have chosen Aaron Lennon instead (unless he's injured of course).
Adam Johnson, Sturridge and Richards get the nod ahead of Glen Johnson, Welbeck and Downing for me. Richards was already ruled out yesterday though - is he injured?
Definitely would have had either him or Johnson. Pretty much any winger can play on either side, but they all play better on one. We're essentially taking three left wingers and one right. (Suddenly Chamberlain is a left winger?)
He is, but there's two ways it could have gone: Name Parker, see how he gets on. If he can't make it bring in Henderson, who's on standby. or.. Name Henderson and rule out Parker 100%. I know which one I'd rather do.
Can see why he's picked Downing, as he's naturally left footed, something we don't have much of in that squad, and he's always played well for England. Would have gone with Sturridge in his place, and would have had Micah Richards in for Johnson but apart from that I quite like that squad.
Whoever he picked he would have come in for criticism, that's what we english do best. At the end of the day everyone in the 23 man squad has had a good season and have either hit form or continued good form through to the end of season (apart from maybe Downing). It's a balanced squad, it's what we've got, so why don't we get behind Woy and see what happens! At least we're not going there thinking we are one of the favourites, the pressure is off and if we get out the group anything can happen in tournament football.
I agree Boothferry, get behind the manager, we aren't going to win the tournament so lets just enjoy the football. Bit disappointed that Milner and Downing were selected but if thats the best we've got then what can the manager do, Milner might be a good stand-in cdm just hope he doesn't end up on the flank again, was painful to watch in Germany.
I would take Johnson over Downing every single time. Also Jagielka over Terry, the other thing is that no matter who manages England Lampard & Gerrard can't play together, unless Roy is a genius!
