England squad for Euro 2012 - who would you take?

[Bleep]

GK Hart, Carson, ?

DF : R Ferdinand, P Jones, J Lescott, M Richards, K Walker, A Cole, L Baines, G Johnson

MF : Gerrard, Lampard, Parker, Barry, Milner, A Johnson, A Young, S Downing

FW : Rooney, Carroll, Walcott, Bent


No place for Welbeck unless Bent is ruled out through injury. I'd take Richards over Cahill in the centre of defence and Walker over Smalling. G Johnson's attacking qualities needed I think for Euros. Big question mark over both Barry and Milner in midfield, but cannot think of players more suitable to replace them. Wouldn't take Downing normally but he provides cover for Young on the left.

I'd probably opt normally for Michael Owen as he brings huge experience but he's injured.

[Geezee]

I'd probably opt normally for Michael Owen as he brings huge experience but he's injured.

I'm generally with you but Owen is not injured - just shit.

[Bill Thrills]

Assuming the Ox isn't injured I take him and not Downing.

[Geezee]

Either way, it's an absolute joke that Hodgson is naming his Euro squad next week already. Such a critical decision, without having had the chance to speak to/meet the vast majority of the critical players. At least Terry's performance against Liverpool might solve one of the headaches by itself.

[The G Experience!]

GK Hart, Carson, ?

DF : R Ferdinand, P Jones, J Lescott, M Richards, K Walker, A Cole, L Baines, G Johnson

MF : Gerrard, Lampard, Parker, Barry, Milner, A Johnson, A Young, S Downing

FW : Rooney, Carroll, Walcott, Bent


No place for Welbeck unless Bent is ruled out through injury. I'd take Richards over Cahill in the centre of defence and Walker over Smalling. G Johnson's attacking qualities needed I think for Euros. Big question mark over both Barry and Milner in midfield, but cannot think of players more suitable to replace them. Wouldn't take Downing normally but he provides cover for Young on the left.

I'd probably opt normally for Michael Owen as he brings huge experience but he's injured.

I agree with your squad apart from one quibble which I'll get on to. It's not the most inspiring of squads frankly, but England are where they are. It's going to be a transitional tournament whatever happens.
I wouldn't take Downing though, he's simply had too poor a season and his confidence seems shot. I'd maybe go for a wildcard selection as cover -Scott Sinclair or even Oxlade -Chamberlain.

[Thesiger]

It's a pity that Paul Scholes can't be persuaded for one last hurrah. And I can't see a case for picking Downing. I also think that Crouch may still be worth a punt.

[the masked man]

It's a pity that Paul Scholes can't be persuaded for one last hurrah. And I can't see a case for picking Downing. I also think that Crouch may still be worth a punt.

I agree with all your points. Crouch is often disregarded carelessly, despite an impressive scoring record (22 goals in 42 appearances; by comparison, Rooney only has 28 goals in 73 appearances). Given England's limited striker options (some believe that Grant Holt should be considered...I mean, for goodness' sake), it seems a no-brainer that the lanky one should be in the squad. I cannot understand why Andy Carroll should be picked ahead of Crouch.

[Geezee]

and as much as i'd like to see a last hurrah for scholes (and i would actually think that Hodgson is one of very, very few managers who would be able to potentially persuade him), i think it's been a long (half-)season for him, and it's definitely shown in the last few games - he's been essentially overrun in midfield. yes, he's actually Man Utd's top scorer from midfield, but i don't think it was ever meant for him to be a regular starter when he came out of retirement...i think it would have been better to have him as a nice back-up and bring him on as and when needed.

[Tapiocahead]

GK Hart, Carson, ?

DF : R Ferdinand, P Jones, J Lescott, M Richards, K Walker, A Cole, L Baines, G Johnson

MF : Gerrard, Lampard, Parker, Barry, Milner, A Johnson, A Young, S Downing

FW : Rooney, Carroll, Walcott, Bent

I would take Cahill ahead Glenn Johnson - your squad is a bit full back heavy I think.

Lennon ahead of Downing and Defoe instead of either Walcott or Bent depending on fitness.

Sturridge ahead of Carroll

I'd leave Gerrard out too if there was anyone half decent to replace him.

[Bleep]

I forgot about Lennon. Yeah, definitely him over Downing.

[Diamond Dog]

It's a pity that Paul Scholes can't be persuaded for one last hurrah. And I can't see a case for picking Downing. I also think that Crouch may still be worth a punt.

I agree with all your points. Crouch is often disregarded carelessly, despite an impressive scoring record (22 goals in 42 appearances; by comparison, Rooney only has 28 goals in 73 appearances). Given England's limited striker options (some believe that Grant Holt should be considered...I mean, for goodness' sake), it seems a no-brainer that the lanky one should be in the squad. I cannot understand why Andy Carroll should be picked ahead of Crouch.

Scholes is a no no. We aren't going to the Cup so why waste time bringing back a 37 year old, who isn't going to be around in 2 years time?

Why Carroll over Crouch? Same reasons as above - he seems to be the future as opposed to the past. And whilst Carroll has had a crap season up until the past month or so, there is potential there. We all know how good Crouch is - and he's not exactly had a blinder for Stoke this season either. It's also worth pointing out that the majority of Crouch's England goals are against poor opposition. I'm not saying take Carroll - but I would certainly take him over Crouch, yes.

There again, I am a bit 'year zero' as regards this tournament. As I stated on a previous thread, I'd use this tournament to groom players for the World Cup in 2 years time. No one expects us to win and it's a brief honeymoon period Hodgson should embrace properly and kick out the old guard.

I'll come back with my squad later.

[Geezee]

It's a pity that Paul Scholes can't be persuaded for one last hurrah. And I can't see a case for picking Downing. I also think that Crouch may still be worth a punt.

I agree with all your points. Crouch is often disregarded carelessly, despite an impressive scoring record (22 goals in 42 appearances; by comparison, Rooney only has 28 goals in 73 appearances). Given England's limited striker options (some believe that Grant Holt should be considered...I mean, for goodness' sake), it seems a no-brainer that the lanky one should be in the squad. I cannot understand why Andy Carroll should be picked ahead of Crouch.

Scholes is a no no. We aren't going to the Cup so why waste time bringing back a 37 year old, who isn't going to be around in 2 years time?

Why Carroll over Crouch? Same reasons as above - he seems to be the future as opposed to the past. And whilst Carroll has had a crap season up until the past month or so, there is potential there. We all know how good Crouch is - and he's not exactly had a blinder for Stoke this season either. It's also worth pointing out that the majority of Crouch's England goals are against poor opposition. I'm not saying take Carroll - but I would certainly take him over Crouch, yes.

There again, I am a bit 'year zero' as regards this tournament. As I stated on a previous thread, I'd use this tournament to groom players for the World Cup in 2 years time. No one expects us to win and it's a brief honeymoon period Hodgson should embrace properly and kick out the old guard.

I'll come back with my squad later.

I've never quite followed that rationale - it's a bit like when people dismiss good goals because the opposition is so bad. the fact is, he has scored the goal(s), and others havent - and plenty of other people have been given the chances, against the same opposition, and have failed. And with someone like Crouch, i'm not even sure he's been given a chance very often against superior opposition. Crouch isn't exactly over the hill either - he could easily be around in 2 years time. and whilst I would definitely agree that it is critical that Hodgson uses the time to develop new players, i think it's also important to include a few elder statesmen who can help develop those players. Rightly or wrongly (considering his disciplinary record) Scholes i think is one of those players alot of the younger ones look up to, and even if just by virtue of his early international retirement he's not associated with so much shit as alot of the other older players are.

[Doctor Jimmy]

Not very inspiring, is it? Even Belgium could field a better team, except we didn't qualify.

[Tapiocahead]

Belgium have some pretty good players at the moment - how did they fail to qualify?

[The G Experience!]

Crouch isn't getting any younger and has always been a quite limited player. Stats only tell one part of the story and I'm struggling to think what he could give England. The likes of Bent and Carroll can also hold up the ball well and play with their backs to goal, assuming Hodgson is going to go with a pretty traditional form of play, which is probably a safe bet.

[Lemon Yoghourt]

Belgium have some pretty good players at the moment - how did they fail to qualify?

We're in the same WC qualifying group as Belgium. I'm very fearful. They are certainly a team to watch over the next few years, I think.

[Doctor Jimmy]

Belgium have some pretty good players at the moment - how did they fail to qualify?

We had Germany in our group. And we missed out on the play-offs by one point because of too much youthful enthusiasm. As a large part of the Belgian squad have matured this season by playing for bigger teams, I have high hopes for the WC qualifiers.

For what it's worth, these would me my 25 for the Euros:

Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea, on loan at Atletico Madrid)
Simon Mignolet (Sunderland)
Jean-François Gillet (Bologna 1909)

Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal)
Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)
Jan Vertonghen (Ajax, probably moving to Tottenham)
Toby Alderweireld (Ajax)
Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit Saint-Petersburg)
Daniël Van Buyten (Bayern München)
Laurent Ciman (Standard Liège)
Guillaume Gillet (RSC Anderlecht)

Timmy Simons (FC Nürnberg)
Radja Nainggolan (Cagliari)
Axel Witsel (Benfica, probably moving to Real Madrid)
Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
Steven Defour (FC Porto)
Kevin De Bruyne (Chelsea, on loan at RC Genk)
Nacer Chadli (FC Twente)
Dries Mertens (PSV Eindhoven)

Eden Hazard (Lille OSC, probably moving to Manchester City)
Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)
Moussa Dembélé (Fulham)
Kevin Mirallas (Olympiakos Piraeus)
Igor De Camargo (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
Jelle Vossen (RC Genk)

[Doctor Jimmy]

Back on topic:

Which partnership should be up front during Rooney's suspension?

[Bleep]

Difficult one that. Carrolll and Bent probably.

[Geezee]

Difficult one that. Carrolll and Bent probably.

England have some of the best forwards around.