Some of the oldies in the Euro squad got me thinking about what we do in preparation for 2014 and beyond? After the Euros, what team would you pick? -------------------Hart------------------- Richards---Jagielka---Lescott---Baines ------------Rodwell---Jones------------- Chamberlain----Rooney---------Young ------------------Carroll----------------- The back 5 IMO pretty much picks itself. Lescot/Jagielka is the best partnership and with some more time, it could be even better. Neither are especially young, but both will be young enough for 2014, after which we'll need to start thinking about another pair. Baines is in because Cole isn't getting any younger. I've chosen Rodwell and Jones because both have the energy and the willingness to run and support both attacking and defensive phases of play. With Rooney playing as a very attacking midfielder, the 2 behind him will need to cover a lot of ground. If Wilshere can prove with Arsenal that he's still the player he was before the injuries, there's definately a place for him. Chamberlain and Young are the 2 best wingers IMO. They're interchangeable though if you disagree. I'm not a fan of Rooney in an England shirt, but I'm also resigned to him being picked and I think just behind the striker would be his best role. I guesss having him is motivation for others to get around him as he'll probably kick someone if he's isolated. Carroll doesn't deserve some of the stick he gets. Remove the stigma of the ridiculous pricetag and he''s a big striker who hassles defenders and has good strength on the ball. Having a striker with that ability is useful even if you don't play the long ball game.
That team is horrific. Hart has to be the goalkeeper, although Butland could start to challenge him. Keep Cole for as long as possible, with Baines as deputy. Richards at right back and either Lescott or Terry partnering Cahill. Wilshere and Carrick in midfield, with Rodwell in reserve. Cleverley in the hole with Young and Johnson out wide; Chamberlain needs to prove himself a bit more before we can definitely say he'd be first choice. Rooney up front with Sturridge in reserve.
I would go for Hart Richards Jagielka Lescott Gibbs Parker Wilshere Chamberlain Rooney A.Johnson Walcott Jagielka and Lescott is englands best CB pairing. Wilshere has to be included, and Walcott's pace could cause people issues. Gibbs is Englands long term future at LB, so i'd throw him in at the deep end, he's going to be a top player (if he can stay healthy)
-------------------Hart------------------- Richards---Jagielka---Lescott---Baines ------------Rodwell---Jones------------- Chamberlain----Rooney---------Young -----------------Welbeck----------------- I cant see AC being any good, so swapped him for Welbeck (for now)
Bertrand is better than Gibbs. Gibbs is only so highly rated because he looks a bit like Ashley Cole.
He looks nothing like Cashley, he plays nothing like Cashley. Bertrand is pretty handy though, i'll admit i completely forgot about him.
Cole is good, but personally I don't tink he's as irreplaceable as some people would have you think. Terry is old, slow and past it now and in 2014 he'll be older, slower and more past it. Lescott and Jagielka are the best partnership. Jagielka might not be the strongest individual, but paired with Lescott it just works. I'd be pleased if you could elaborate on why its horrific.
Jagielka is a good reader of the game, and it helps him that lescott is a big physical prescence. Thats why it works so well.
442, uninspiring midfield pair, Carroll up front, two wingers that like to cut inside rather than get to the byline to whip in crosses for Carroll.
Rooney in the hole, he's not an out and out striker any more, have you seen how deep he plays for ManUre?
I do not think Jagielka is a) international standard nor b) at 29, the future. All I can remember from his England performances is a lax, silly ball into midfield in a Spain friendly that cost a goal. Surely Gary Cahill is ahead of him at 26, at the peak of his powers and regularly now mixing it in Europe? If we're honestly going for a future side, I would suggest Jones or even Smalling at their natural CB positions are better options than Jagielka.
Biased I know but what about Caulker? He had a great season at Swansea and I think we may see him push on and establish himself as a quality player over the coming year, much like Walker did. I feel like Jones and Smalling wouldn't be talked about so much if they weren't involved in big money moves to United as neither were particularly impressive this season. Overall I don't think there will be any drastic changes straight after the Euros and the likes of Terry, Lampard and Cole gradually being phased out to the fringes as well as possibly Gerrard, Barry and Parker being at risk if they can't stay fit or if their form drops. Downing, Walcott, Defoe and Carroll will have to fight hard and improve their club form to stay in contention for a squad place in the future too.
It's pretty depressing to see OP's team because it's pretty much the best we can do. Carroll upfront... urgh. However, Oxo and Hart, to an extent, came out of nowhere so hopefully a world-beater striker comes up from League 1 in the next 2 years.
Should the same not apply to AOC who's in your squad despite being at best a squad member at Arsenal? Or Gibbs, or Wilshere, or Walcott? You're assuming they will come good despite the fact that Walcott has never played at a high level as a striker, Wilshere who has been out for a season, Gibbs who's struggled to stay fit, get into the first 11 or even play particularly well when he does get in the team.