Because Rickie is not the sort of player he wants in his team. He wants young, fast players. He doesn't want the best english striker i.e Lambert. He never speaks with much warmth about Rickie and always references the fact that he wouldn't be playing if everyone else was fit. I don't really like that personally.
You haven't heard what is being reported today then? "He might surprise us and add a third goal to the fairytale but if he doesn't I still think he's going to be a player going forward that England will get some use out of.", amongst other glowing praise.
Team announced formally now... ENGLAND: Hart; Walker, Cahill, Jagielka, Cole; Gerrard, Lampard; Walcott, Wilshere, Milner; Lambert.
Nope I hadn't. Thanks for that. Still not convinced by Hodgson's feelings about Rickie. Fair enough if he means it.
He also said that people had overlooked Lambert in the past, including himself, but that he was wrong to have done so. Could just be trying to give him a confidence boost ahead of an important game of course, but he seems to be saying a lot more than he has to to commit himself to picking him again in future. No surprises there then. Hope Walker looks more solid than he did against Moldova(!) - he'll have his hands full with Konoplyanka.
Are you surprised he was picked? Hodgson was always going to pick Milner for his defensive abilities.
I'm not a big fan of Milner either but Young has been injured a lot recently - wouldn't have picked him either.
I would choose Milner over Young for this. I don't think Young is any great shake either. Milner offers work-rate and tracking back, which may prove important in a tough away tie.
If Milner is seriously our best option in that position, then nobody needs to investigate why England won't contend at a major tournament.
Much though I find Milner to be a thoroughly unappealing option as an international, he's the physical embodiment of the concept of "solid role player" at this level, and England kinda needs that for this match.
I really rate Milner. He's versatile and works hard, and he's technically much better than most people are willing to acknowledge. Great crosser of a ball. Perhaps not incisive enough for every occasion but I think he might have played tonight even without all those players who are unavailable. Also, I would strongly consider playing him on the right to give Walker some back-up against Konoplyanka, that right-wing pairing of Walcott and Walker looks very vulnerable indeed.
Welbeck, Chamberlain... You're not doing any different to the other fans we consider ignorant. Who say... "Rickie Lambert - is this the best we've got?!". Well no. We have Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck - all of whom are unavailable. So Rickie gets a shot and will give it his all. Same for Milner.
