Conversation with PTC on the predict a score thread got me thinking it's time to start thinking about this. I believe it's a 23 man squad so assuming all are fit I'd go for: Hart Ruddy Foster Walker Johnson Cahill Jageilka Lescott Caulker Baines Cole Carrick Lampard Gerrard Parker Cleverley Barkley Milner Walcott Townsend Rooney Welbeck Sturridge I don't fancy Wilshere, Young, Smalling, Jones, Lambert and I have gone for just three forwards because there is plenty of cover with the attacking wide players coming into the middle and Milner, Gerrard or Baines playing out wide in the unlikely event that all the forwards are crocked (I fancy Walcott and Townsend to get goals over Defoe, Lambert or Bent).
I would go that squad minus Carrick, Lescott & Parker and put in Jones, Smalling & Wilshere. I really can't get all the fuss about Michael Carrick, in the second half last night he didn't hold the ball well enough and i have seen it also on plenty of other occasions. He also has the turning circle and speed of a paddle steamer. Jones could play midfield or defence, smalling could also fill in at RB and wilshere could gives us the energy in midfield we need.
Safe pair of hands Guru. I think Smalling proved last night he can't fill in at right back against an average side let alone a top class one. Whatever Wilshere's potential, do we really want to take a volatile, injury prone player to the World Cup?
Parker!!!!! He's slower than me FFS! Gareth Barry is far better in that role. Although I don't particularly rate Wilshere he is better than Cleverley! And you haven't even mentioned Oxlade-Chamberlain!
The Ox doesn't really cut it if the others are all fit JWM but if we lose a couple before the tournament he comes into contention for a place in the squad probably behind Ashley Young. Wilshere may be better than Cleverley, I'm not arguing that. But Wilshere like Cleverley would be down the pecking order after Carrick, Gerrard and Lampard and if he isn't fit or comes on and does something stupid on the pitch it's a waste of a place on the plane. We have plenty of energy in other places to change the game but you want players who can come into central midfield, keep possession and be a safe pair of hands and for me Cleverley is a safer bet, simple as that. Similarly with Parker, in those tournaments and with such a young squad you want players who are going to lead and keep their heads.
The Ox doesn't really cut it if the others are all fit JWM but if we lose a couple before the tournament he comes into contention for a place in the squad probably behind Ashley Young. Wilshere may be better than Cleverley, I'm not arguing that. But Wilshere like Cleverley would be down the pecking order after Carrick, Gerrard and Lampard and if he isn't fit or comes on and does something stupid on the pitch it's a waste of a place on the plane. We have plenty of energy in other places to change the game but you want players who can come into central midfield, keep possession and be a safe pair of hands and for me Cleverley is a safer bet, simple as that. Similarly with Parker, in those tournaments and with such a young squad you want players who are going to lead and keep their heads.
The Ox doesn't really cut it if the others are all fit JWM but if we lose a couple before the tournament he comes into contention for a place in the squad probably behind Ashley Young. Wilshere may be better than Cleverley, I'm not arguing that. But Wilshere like Cleverley would be down the pecking order after Carrick, Gerrard and Lampard and if he isn't fit or comes on and does something stupid on the pitch it's a waste of a place on the plane. We have plenty of energy in other places to change the game but you want players who can come into central midfield, keep possession and be a safe pair of hands and for me Cleverley is a safer bet, simple as that. Similarly with Parker, in those tournaments and with such a young squad you want players who are going to lead and keep their heads.
The Ox doesn't really cut it if the others are all fit JWM but if we lose a couple before the tournament he comes into contention for a place in the squad probably behind Ashley Young. Wilshere may be better than Cleverley, I'm not arguing that. But Wilshere like Cleverley would be down the pecking order after Carrick, Gerrard and Lampard and if he isn't fit or comes on and does something stupid on the pitch it's a waste of a place on the plane. We have plenty of energy in other places to change the game but you want players who can come into central midfield, keep possession and be a safe pair of hands and for me Cleverley is a safer bet, simple as that. Similarly with Parker, in those tournaments and with such a young squad you want players who are going to lead and keep their heads.
The Ox doesn't really cut it if the others are all fit JWM but if we lose a couple before the tournament he comes into contention for a place in the squad probably behind Ashley Young. Wilshere may be better than Cleverley, I'm not arguing that. But Wilshere like Cleverley would be down the pecking order after Carrick, Gerrard and Lampard and if he isn't fit or comes on and does something stupid on the pitch it's a waste of a place on the plane. We have plenty of energy in other places to change the game but you want players who can come into central midfield, keep possession and be a safe pair of hands and for me Cleverley is a safer bet, simple as that. Similarly with Parker, in those tournaments and with such a young squad you want players who are going to lead and keep their heads.
The Ox doesn't really cut it if the others are all fit JWM but if we lose a couple before the tournament he comes into contention for a place in the squad probably behind Ashley Young. Wilshere may be better than Cleverley, I'm not arguing that. But Wilshere like Cleverley would be down the pecking order after Carrick, Gerrard and Lampard and if he isn't fit or comes on and does something stupid on the pitch it's a waste of a place on the plane. We have plenty of energy in other places to change the game but you want players who can come into central midfield, keep possession and be a safe pair of hands and for me Cleverley is a safer bet, simple as that. Similarly with Parker, in those tournaments and with such a young squad you want players who are going to lead and keep their heads.
Parker?! He's slower than me FFS! I'm going to wake up screaming that Tell I.T. to turn off Star Trek and get this fixed!
Gk- hart Foster Forster Def- Johnson Walker Cahill Jagielka Jones Caulker Baines Cole Mf- Gerrard Carrick Wilshire Lampard Barclay Milner Fw- Walcott Townsend Rooney Defoe Sturridge Caroll or lambert.
Slightly younger squad for me, get them ready for a realistic assault on the Euros in a couple of years next summer; Hart Ruddy Foster Walker Johnson Cahill Jageilka Lescott Jones Baines Cole Carrick Wilshere Gerrard Lallana Morrison Barkley Walcott Townsend Rooney Welbeck Sturridge Lambert
Think it shows we do actually have a fair few options, particularly in attacking positions. For me the problem is we lack quality in DM, I like Carrick but you might need a slightly different type of player in there, and IMO he's an attacking defensive midfielder if that makes sense? I've never overly rated Barry in recent years, he's very pedestrian, him when him and Lampard play for England it's like they're in slow motion and I think Parker might be slightly past if for England, JWM you suggest that Parker is slow which is fairly true but then say bring in Barry instead who I believe is even slower. We do lack young and fresh options in that defensive midfield position. And we also lack CB options and a good defensive RB, wouldn't mind perhaps seeing Jenkinson from Arsenal in there as cover for Walker.
Interesting no one has put Lennon in their squad. For me he's a better played than Walcott. Like JWM I would go for the Ox as I think he's a good player, especially through the middle which is where Roy played him when he came on as a sub a few months ago. Personally I wouldn't take Carrick Barry or Parker. As Gerrad and Lampard have got older theyve learnt how to play that role. Also Barkley is a big shout. He's had a good month in the prem but that's about it, if he can maintain his first form all season then maybe. My 23 Hart Foster Forster Baines Cole Johnson jagielka Cahill Walker Jones Smalling Gerrard Lampard Wiltshire Cleverly Ox Townsend Lennon Redmond or Sterling depending on form. Maybe ince if he moves to the prem in Jan Sturridge Welbeck Rooney Defoe
Interesting no one has put Lennon in their squad. For me he's a better played than Walcott. Like JWM I would go for the Ox as I think he's a good player, especially through the middle which is where Roy played him when he came on as a sub a few months ago. Personally I wouldn't take Carrick Barry or Parker. As Gerrad and Lampard have got older theyve learnt how to play that role. Also Barkley is a big shout. He's had a good month in the prem but that's about it, if he can maintain his first form all season then maybe. My 23 Hart Foster Forster Baines Cole Johnson jagielka Cahill Walker Jones Smalling Gerrard Lampard Wiltshire Cleverly Ox Townsend Lennon Redmond / Barkely or Sterling depending on form. Maybe ince if he moves to the prem in Jan Sturridge Welbeck Rooney Defoe
I've come up with a list, in my opinion, of which players have a CHANCE of going to Brazil. The ones in Bold are the ones that i personally would take based on todays form, and how they will potentially be in 8 months time; GK Hart Green Forster Ruddy Butland Foster LB Baines Cole Naughton Rose Gibbs Shaw RB Johnson Walker Smalling Jenkinson Richards CB Lescott Jagielka Cahill JonesCaulker Mid Milner Gerrard Townsend Wilshere Walcott Osman Barkley Cleverly Oxlade-C Lampard Young Parker Carrick Henderson Lennon Downing Sterling Barry Rodwell For Welbeck Rooney Carroll Sturridge Defoe Lambert Zaha Ravel Morrison I think we could struggle in centre mid - I think both Lampard and Gerrard are way past there best and don't think both should go. Gerrard just gets the edge of Lampard, purely because Lampard plays for Chelsea. In CM i'd like to see Wilshire and Barkley paired together - i think that will be the future England midfield.
My 23 would be this... Hart / Forster / Ruddy Walker / Cahill / Jags / Baines / Cole / Jones / Caulker / Richards Walcott / Milner / Gerard / Wilshere / Barkley / Morrison / Townsend / Ox Rooney / Sturridge / Welbeck / Lambert As you can see quite young...no Lampard.. Definitely no Ashley Young!! for me Milner is as good as anyone in DM and Wilshere is as complete a CM we have.. Also if Morrison & Barkley continue the way they have so far this season you can't not take them and I think going down a different route is the only way we'll achieve any success... I remember Ronney's & Owen's 1st major tournaments and they were a complete unknown so caught oppositions by surprise. If we take the likes of Young, Lampard etc. then we'll just suffer the same fate as we always seem to do
