Football 2011-2012

[strummer77]

You need good control of the ball at international level though and carrol does not have that.

[eFestivals]

You need good control of the ball at international level though and carrol does not have that. Crouch has good control but perhaps he doesnt use his height to his advantage.

Do england need a big striker though, england have been launching long balls for years with no success.

To win anything, you need good players. We don't have them.

But what we do have is players who might deliver if everything falls into place for them - the likes of Carroll and Walcott.

The normal average England players will not have us winning the final, so if we want to try and win we need to gamble on a few players.

It very probably won't work out, but all that gets to mean is that we come home without the trophy which we would do if we don't gamble. So there's not a lot to lose by trying that gamble.

[kaosmark2]

I don't see Defoe as a different type of player. He's a Rooney replacement, but well short of having the same impact IMO. I've found him unconvincing for all of his career - and aside from the bit of 'Arry-love, it appears that most managers have too.

[kaosmark2]

Reports eking through that Carroll's been picked along with The Ox. Delighted by the latter, adds another dimension for both wing and central-mid and shows that we're looking to the future.

Definitely one of the few exciting players available and great he's going.

Edit: Apparently Hodgson's spoken to Joe Cole as well. I'd be really interested to see him play. Supposedly he's had a really good season in the French league, and he'd be a wildcard.

Edited May 16, 2012 by kaosmark2

[Kyelo]

England squad for Euro 2012:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Man City), Rob Green (West Ham), John Ruddy (Norwich)

Defenders: Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Man United), John Terry (Chelsea), Joleon Lescott (Man City), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton)

Midfielders: Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Man City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Ashley Young (Man United), James Milner (Man City)

Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Man United), Danny Welbeck (Man United), Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham)

Standby Players Jack Butland, Adam Johnson, Daniel Sturridge, Phil Jagielka and Jordan Henderson.

Edited May 16, 2012 by Kyelo

[kaosmark2]

Only 7 defenders, looks like Phil Jones is cover at both centre-back and right-back. I'd have taken Jagielka over Terry comfortably as well.

Amazed Downing's going, surely Lennon should have gone over him? Or Joe Cole if prepared to truly gamble.

No room for Carrick, not even in the standby squad.

Sturridge only in the standby surprises me. Definitely better than Defoe... Only 4 strikers seems worrying though, unless we only play 1 up-front by default.

[Benj]

Only 7 defenders, looks like Phil Jones is cover at both centre-back and right-back. I'd have taken Jagielka over Terry comfortably as well.

Amazed Downing's going, surely Lennon should have gone over him? Or Joe Cole if prepared to truly gamble.

No room for Carrick, not even in the standby squad.

Sturridge only in the standby surprises me. Definitely better than Defoe... Only 4 strikers seems worrying though, unless we only play 1 up-front by default.

[kaosmark2]

Jagielka is shit

I'd have taken Hibbert over Downing, he's got 3 more assists this season.

[eFestivals]

I don't think there's any chance of coming home with the trophy regardless.

I never did do, and now I've seen the squad I think that even less.

[eFestivals]

I'd have taken Jagielka over Terry comfortably as well.

you sure? He's been dreadful in the little I've se4en him play recently. It's a shame, cos he's a player I've generally liked.

Amazed Downing's going, surely Lennon should have gone over him?

agree with that, if there's no one better?

Sturridge only in the standby surprises me. Definitely better than Defoe... Only 4 strikers seems worrying though, unless we only play 1 up-front by default.

It's Woy. One up front Woy.

I'd have taken Sturridge before Defoe, easily.

[lost]

I wouldn't say jags is shit, he's shit when he isn't fit which sadly is most of the time now, he played well against Spain with lescott. Stuggling to understand downing instead of lennon and carrick missing too

[Benj]

So's Terry. But Jagielka can't be as much of a c**t and is less liable to get sent off.

Edited May 16, 2012 by Benj

[strummer77]

Downing is the only bad choice I think.

[Benj]

I wouldn't say jags is shit, he's shit when he isn't fit which sadly is most of the time now, he played well against Spain with lescott. Stuggling to understand downing instead of lennon and carrick missing too

[kaosmark2]

I never did do, and now I've seen the squad I think that even less.

[kaosmark2]

True, he's better than Terry and not a c**t. There must be better than the both of them out there though.

Looking at that squad, England are Truly shit aren't they! There's not many changes I can think of either. Johnson for Downing is a cert, other than that though there's little I can think of changing.

[lost]

It's not a coincidence Everton's form picked up when he got injured. Heitinga and Distin are miles better.

Lennon can't play on the left.

[Steve P]

Downing - well lets hand it to Roy, he's certainly not just picking the players that the press are calling for. An amazing decision, truely woeful all season and yet he's going. Really does highlight how weak the pool of players is that England have to draw from if he's going. Plus how is Jordan Henderson even on the standby list?!?!

Pleased for The Ox though.

[LondonTom]

Well we're going to clearly have some exciting games with that squad!! I am thinking we will scrape past the group stages with the most mediocre football ever, then the media will spice things up with a private story about good old John Terry just before we get knocked out

Good to see Green in the squad, been somewhat consistent recently for us to.

Edited May 16, 2012 by LondonTom

[kaosmark2]

Well we're going to clearly have some exciting games with that squad!! I am thinking we will scrape past the group stages with the most mediocre football ever, then the media will spice things up with a private story about good old John Terry just before we get knocked out

[eFestivals]

Joe Cole would be my preference. Definitely talented and supposedly had a good season abroad.

I looked up how he'd been doing about 2 or 3 months back, and he'd been failing to set the world alight. You sure he's had a good season?

[Benj]

when he went off injured against Bolton the defence collapsed, he was then shit when he first came back but picked up towards the end, I'd say peanut had more to do with the pickup in form

[kaosmark2]

I looked up how he'd been doing about 2 or 3 months back, and he'd been failing to set the world alight. You sure he's had a good season?

[strummer77]

Downing - well lets hand it to Roy, he's certainly not just picking the players that the press are calling for. An amazing decision, truely woeful all season and yet he's going. Really does highlight how weak the pool of players is that England have to draw from if he's going. Plus how is Jordan Henderson even on the standby list?!?!

Pleased for The Ox though.

[LondonTom]

Get through the groups? With Rooney suspended and games against France, a home nation and our bogey team that includes Ibrahimovich? Be lucky to get 2 points let alone 4+