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defence and strikers seem fairly easy with a reasonable pool of players

what confuses me is midfield

Lampard, gerrard, parker and barry

as far as i can tell we have no back up players for these 4 at all?

Great point, theres no-one, we will miss Wilshere big time.

Personally, I think Parker is overrated. Hes a great leader but apart from that his main attribute seems to be blocking shots. Saying that, he probably still gets in my team if Lampard isn't firing/fully fit.

Barry is crucial. Wish we had someone younger in the Sandro/Tiote/Song mould aswell. Huddlestone never really threatened to be good enough.

Think we may have to take Carrick because of the lack of options that you've highlighted, so the 11/8 with coral on him making the squad could be big.

Guess Phil Jones can fill in if things get desperate.

But thats not really what you are looking for at a International Competition, someone who has placed the position about 4 times.

scholes? if they ask him, he will go

Probably should

good shout. carrick is going fo sho. maybe we'll see him make a forward pass.

Aren't those four enough ?

I always thought, in simplistic terms, that a 23 man squad meant 2 players per position, with an extra keeper.

The more worrying thing is that I really don't see any of the four playes mentioned actually being able to force an international football match when it really counts.  They all 'do a job', but are not really the impact player from midfield that often makes the difference in these competitions.

Scholes has to go imo.

Hands up if you have backed Paul Scholes to captain England in the first game at the Euro's at an average of about 230/1  :)up

Those four listed above really show how far behind we are and the fact we all thinks its a given that a once retired footballer should deffo get in the England squad shows how poor out lot are., and prob shows how daft I am to have backed him to be captain!

Chelsea won the FA cup yesterday so we had to watch & listen as John Terry wallowed in his own racist muck.

I am not a violent person ,however the very sight of his smug face and high pitch "its all about me" voice just makes me want to projectile vomit and smash up my own TV.

Rather than undermine the whole of The England camp Roy Hodgson should stamp his authority  and tell him he wont be going to the Euros.


PS.... Anybody got a cheap TV for sale ?
 

I posted this on The John Terry thread this morning...If he does go to the Euros I sincerely hope Roy doesnt re instate him as captain

Gerrard seems the obvious (only) choice to me , with Parker as vice

--------------------hart
walker----richards------terry-------a cole
-------------------parker--------------------
---------lampard----------gerrard----------
chamberlain-----------------------downing
------------------welbeck-------------------

- rio is pretty shocking too, maybe cahill in for richards, as terry and him developing good relationship now
- parker been off form, but barry doesn't have the pace to play at international level
- lampard back in form
- gerrard not really sure about, dunno how joe cole is doing. would love scholes there.
- young been way off it since november, and walcott is just tez

Gerrard wayyyy past it, as yesterday cleary showed, would be a liability in the team

carrick > gerrard atm. gerrard did fuck all in his peak, now hes past it.

It surely can't be Lampard, Gerrard, Barry and Parker.

4 central midfielders and none of them creative?

Lampard and Gerrard have proved on many occasions they can't play together.

Who is better though?

Johnson?
Ox?
Young maybe?

Gerrard did fuck all at his peak?

rotflmfao

lol Pleno has officially lost it.

Basically even beginning to think what team England will put out proves to me that we have virtually no shot at winning.

for england..

downing?!?!

i'd rather play carroll than welbeck by himself.

At least the expectation levels will be lower than usual, and less of the patriotic bias from the media telling everyone the 30/40/50 years of hurt will soon be over.

Any midfield featuring the likes of Parker, Lampard, Gerrard, Scholes, Barry or even Carrick will be completely over run by the more skillfull players and players with pace.

Just look what a proper class midfield did to us in the Germany game at the world cup, Ozil, Khedira Schwienstieger and the other guy that I cannot remember were truly different class.

Starting the comp without our one quality striker too and the best two c defenders when fit will barely talk to each other even if they are selected, we are a truly shocking price to win it.

It's time for Roy to make some decisions and some crucial ones too.

Lampard should go, but I just do not rate Gerrard at all, but he will get the nod I am sure.

We have one world class player and he is banned for 2 games. We will grind out a couple of results to get past group stages, then we will be out in the KO round.

Just don't take Terry.

He's nowhere near the player he was 5 years ago.

And only a truly world class player (I'm talking about Ronaldo/Messi class) is worth taking as a risk when he's as divisive as Terry.

yes, I personally wouldnt take him. The prob with almost all the experienced players is none of them are as good as they were 5 years ago and they weren't good enough then either. I would rather see Ashley Young and Walcott in the team esp if Carroll is going to play when Rooney is out.

carroll is a complete donkey, doubt he will be even in the squad.

downing is quality. disappointing that no one signed up adam johnson, him playing regularly in the last couple of months would have been good.

It will never happen obv, but I would like Hodgson to leave virtually all the old guard at home.

Gerrard, Lampard, Parker and Rio as well as Terry.

I'd prefer Downing to Walcott if Carroll is going to start.

The man has a point, which was obv what he meant.

Milner over the old boys for me.

Reading that people rate Carrick ahead of Steven Gerrard actually brought a tear to my eye. This is Steven Gerrard ffs. Everything about the guy on a football pitch is top class and his playing record is beyond reproach. Anybody thinking about leaving the 90 cap Liverpool captain at home should erase those thoughts from their heads and move on. Also I would be abs amazed if Andy Carroll made the squad after misfiring all season and being low on confidence. I hope and think stats mad Roy will plump for Crouchie in that target man role. His record is incred at international level and obv he's got them robot moves in the locker.

hes not misfired though, he hardly got a game he isn't the player who plays for 20 minutes. He has also stepped up on the big occasion, semi final, final of fa cup etc.

Carroll has scored 1 in 5 this season and Crouchie has scored 1 in 3. Crouchie has scored 22/42 for England and AC has 1/3. And I agree PC has had much more playing time this season than AC. Hence there is no real reason why we would take AC over the robot man.

Gerrard can't pass more than 5 yards accurately. He can huff and puff at club level with the best of them but at I'nternational level he has always been found wanting.

Lol at the idea of Paul Scholes being included - are you people real. If he goes he'd be around the 64th best midfielder on show - wayyyyyyyyyyyyy past it.

Young - Lampard - Barry - Chamberlain

Gerrards main strength which he showed again on Saturday of pushing the ball past a defender in the box then running past the defender and flicking out his leg so he makes contact then throwing himself to the floor would come in handy at a major finals. The way the game is these days he could be used as an impact player off the bench that could come on and repeatedly cheat late in the game when we are losing and desperate for a goal.

crouch has played 90 minutes more or less every game.

gerard was always a liability at international level especially with this 65 raking passes that 3 times out of 4 give the ball away something you just can not do at that level

now he arguably is not as fit can not cover the ground he once did i would not have him anywere near the squad

I would have thought a 2 holding midfielder formation would give the back 4 the protection that it has lacked in previous tournaments

Those 2 holding midfielders?

Parker and Wilshere if and when Wilshere is fit, Barry until then

Then 3 attacking midfielders  Ox (give it a year) - Gerrard - A Young, playing Gerrard where he doesn't have to track back so much, doesn't have to try and run the midfield and can support the one up top, that's his main role

Rooney up top and whoever you like from Welbeck, Defoe, Sturridge, Bent etc until he isn't suspended



Something like


               Hart

K Walker   Cahill Ferdinand   A Cole

                 Parker    Barry

   Walcott     Gerrard        A Young

                Welbeck

Until Wilshere, Rooney available properly, and Oxlade Chamberlain is ready

Then you pop someone into Gerrard/Ferdinand's spots for WC2014

barry is far far far too slow, he got destroyed in Germany, he has managed at city because he's next to Yaya, but he will get destroyed against some of these teams.

Again Welbeck upfront by himself? Seriously?

Think saying Gerrard has always been a liability at international level is ridic. In 2007 he was voted England Player of the Year. Same year he was named in the PFA team of the year, UEFA team of the year and the FIFA World XI, as well as being named 6th best player in the world. Even in 2009 he was voted 8th best player in the world. Despite being shunted around the England midfield throughout his international career he has returned a decent 1 goal every 4 games. His individual honours playing for a club never to win the league are among the best in world football. The Euros are a tough comp and playing someone of Gerrard's calibre and experience in the hole behind Rooney is a no-brainer. Incidentally Michael Carrick has won zero individual honours throughout his career playing for the multiple league champions. However, he did get a nomination for First Division Team of the Year 2003-2004.

carrick has played most games this year and been in great form for the 2nd best team in the prmeiership who will finish on level points with the best team  in the premiership, gerrard has been very poor in a team who will do well to finish 9th.

looking at stats from 2007 seems pretty stupid, shall we just bring gazza back too? Heard he had a good world cup once.

I would fcking love to bring gazza back

gazza and scholes ldo

GERMANY

Goalkeepers
Manuel Neuer (FC Bayern München), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Tim Wiese (SV Werder Bremen), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover 96)

Defence
Holger Badstuber (FC Bayern München), Jerome Boateng (FC Bayern München), Benedikt Höwedes (FC Schalke 04), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (FC Bayern München), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal FC), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund)

Midfielders
Lars Bender (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Sven Bender (Borussia Dortmund), Julian Draxler (FC Schalke 04), Mario Götze (Borussia Dortmund), Ilkay Gündogan (Borussia Dortmund), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (FC Bayern München), Thomas Müller (FC Bayern München), Mesut Özil (Real Madrid), Lukas Podolski (1.FC Köln), Marco Reus (Borussia Mönchengladbach), André Schürrle (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (FC Bayern München)

Forwards
Cacau (VfB Stuttgart), Mario Gomez (FC Bayern München), Miroslav Klose (Lazio Roma)

Goalkeepers: Erwin Mulder (Feyenoord), Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Maarten Stekelenburg (Roma), Michel Vorm (Swansea City), Tim Krul (Newcastle United).

Defenders: Wilfred Bouma (PSV Eindhoven), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (Malaga), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Jetro Willems (PSV Eindhoven), Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Erik Pieters (PSV Eindhoven), Nick Viergever (AZ Alkmaar).

Midfielders: Vurnon Anita (Ajax), Mark van Bommel (AC Milan), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Siem de Jong (Ajax), Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia), Adam Maher (AZ Alkmaar), Stijn Schaars (Sporting Lisbon), Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan), Kevin Strootman (PSV Eindhoven), Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham Hotspur), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven), Urby Emanuelson (AC Milan).

Attack: Ibrahim Afellay (Barcelona), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Schalke), Ola John (FC Twente), Luuk de Jong (FC Twente), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Jeremain Lens (PSV Eindhoven), Luciano Narsingh (Heerenveen), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich).

lol @ people saying barry

guy is the worst player to play for england in centre midfield since carlton palmer

Almost exactly what I'd be doing.

I would stress I am not happy with Barry as a DM, but struggle to find a better alternative in there in the absence of Wishere

Nor Welbeck, but again not enthralled by any of the non rooney alternatives


Definitely want to set up like the Germans who play Khedira and a second holder in behind Ozil and protect those lumbering centre halves

Gerrard hasn't been poor this year, he was very poor in the FA cup final but had a great game at Norwich, played well vs Everton in the cup semi and scored a hat trick vs Everton not long ago.

Barry has been excellent for City too, an absolute yardstick, absolute must start player in the big games for England.

Even Camel and Bobby started abusing Terry!!! Our best current centre back by miles. I don't get it, I played centre back for over a decade. His positioning, tackling, heading, talking are all class.

Lets just give them all a break. We're not very good but they should all clearly be in the team

                                   Hart

Richards/Walker    Terry    Cahill/Lescott    Cole
                                                                  
                                Barry                          
                                                                   
                                     Carrick/Parker      
                              Gerrard                              

  Walcott                                           Young                                        
                          Rooney


I despair for when Rooneys not in the team. I hate the guy but I really do question whether Wellbeck/Sturridge are good enough. I'd put Carroll or Crouch in there and maybe play Lampard instead of Carrick/Parker in those games but I wouldn't be too confident.

FERDINAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ABOVE TERRY/LESCOTT.

WHAT IS THIS!!!!!!!

ITS NOT 2003

Gimme a break Tighty/Baron

i would not be all together shocked if hodgson gave barry the armband

one of the few players in that squad with a zero ego and has developed under mancini and has been playing really well the last ten weeks or so

Very much this!

Terry wouldn't go near my squad for Camel's reasons above. I wouldn't take Terry and Ferdinand anyway but with Terry gone Ferdy gets on the plane. I'm not sure anyone is an automatic choice for CB. I agree with all of the above, our squad is awful.

With Terry, I can't dislike someone week in week out, hate everything he stands for, and then support them for England. He's the epitomy of why I've fallen out of love with the England team (along with a few others) If Terry goes I'm supporting Ireland.

I'd take Lescott in the XI over Ferdinand, fair enough

I really struggle with terry, not just for the stuff I don't like him for on the field, but I really feel he's lost more than a yard this year, is on the decline and this will be a major champs too far for him


Whoever we pick at the back, I don't think we've got sufficient quality to compete at the business end of the event anyway

            Hart
Walker  Ferdinand  Cahill      Cole
         Parker    Lampard
              Scholes
Walcott                          Young
               Carroll

Three in midfield for me, Parker to tidy up and Scholes to just do what he does and link the midfield to the forwards/ always available to get the ball. I think the Walker Walcott side could be a bit of a gem as given the way they both attack it will force the oppo to react in their game plan. Hopefully that might give the middle of midfield a little respite .Lampard under strict instructions to help out the Young side when we don't have the ball

I read a great price in the I paper this week that hinted that Hodgsons favoured idea is to attack down one flank and make the other side solid, that way the oppo need to defend your strong attacking side and you stop them down the other flank. Maybe a defensive minded left midfielder instead of Young if you wanted to be a little tighter but not sure we have a perfect fit in that role.

dont you remember what germany did to Barry, as a centrasl midfielder who played there for 10 years, I can guarantee that he will get tortured if he is next to lampard/gerrard.

yes he looked slow and unfit compared to them

looks a lot fitter this season imo and in the game against man united he showed a rare turn of pace

i would not have him in there with gerard or lampard

+1 he is only about 1/50 to beat me in a race let alone a top class midfielder. Only way he can possibly be of value is if you stick him in front of the back 4 and tell him not to go anywhere, if you are gong to do that then you might aswell just play an extra defender.

he was against scholes ffs

germany

ozil/schweinsteiger/mueller

spain

silva/fabregas/iniesta


we need to have somebody young/mobile or we're fucked.

               Hart

Walker    Cahill    Jones    Cole
                

Ox cham  Parker Scholes  Young
                
                Gerrard
 
             Bent/Sturridge

                       Hart
Walker   Jagielka       Lescott     Cole
           
            Milner          Jones

Sinclair           Osman              Young
               
                   Roonaldo

Next in line for positions - Richards, Terry, Baines, Parker, Carrick, Oxo, Gerrard, Carroll, Welbeck
Not travelling - Ferdinand, Johnson, Walcott, Crouch

anyone know how joe coles doing in france?

He is on the bench for Lille today, featured in 28 league games for them this season, scoring 4 goals with 2 assists, he actually has more yellow cards than assist so far.

everyone knows how to use wikipedia.

meant has anyone actually seen him play in their european games etc

lol. my apologies for answering your question.

Must try harder to guess what you mean next time.

Thoughts on doing similar to Germany and taking nobody over the age of 30 ?

With the exception of Klose this is what Germany did for 2008 and 2010

I have heard worse ideas

We where a joke in SA and could probably go as far as saying we've been poor in every comp since Euro 96. They've had there chance and failed miserably, we know we have no chance of winning so lets think to the future and give younger players the experience.

Some decent midfield options in there...

            Hart

Walker    Cahill    Lescott     Cole

                Parker

Johnson   Barry    Lampard    Young

              Walcott

re joe cole

he started very very well and looks comfortable.. he missed a few games injured and has not really got back in the side since mainly due to the form of jelen who is a superb winger he has played some key moments from the bench in the second half of the season

personally i would take him in the squad experience of other leagues is key and not enough players from these shores even try it.

his knowledge of the french players will certainly be valuable

its more the arrogance of the media in this country i heard this discussed earlier in week and some old journo said cole cant even get into lilles team so should not be anywere near englands team....

unless i am wrong there are likely to be 8-10 players in the squad that do not play every week anyway

Why are people wanting to take Ferdinand.. He's absolutely horrible nowadays.. Well past his best.. Would rather have terry by miles

You couldnt get a better example of why John Terry shouldnt be in the Euro squad then the first 20 mins of this game.

Make that 25 minutes.

henderson > barry

y do u want a team with no strikers?

henderson is a diff player to barry. both are sh1t.

puyol and villa out for spain?

set to be announced 16th may...

Here my two pennies for what it is worth.

I quite honestly would do away with a lot of the 'old guard'. I mean what do we know about these players other than they have been there before and done what?
I would like to see an England team going into this competition that is possibly (with the odd inclusions later on) going to be together for the next 3 or 4 tournaments.
Yes, this would mean we would not really stand a chance this time around but do we really?
I think there is a lot of very good young English talent out there and they should be given a chance to perform as a team up against the best that Europe has to offer.

So I say no to Gerrard, Lampard, Terry, Ferdinand, Carragher, Scholes(I know he is retired from internationals but there has been shouts for him to be called back), Downing, King, Upson, James, Heskey, Defoe, Crouch, J Cole, Carrick etc

ROFLS

I know but just in case!!

When you think of some of the players who have not been picked and he got the call.... :o

parker is now doubtful. huge spanner in the works

with respect why?

a very very gutsy and decent premiership player and a good leader how he ever won a player of the year award of any kind is still beyond me

his ball retention is not good enough for international football, he would be fine if we had other midfielders who could hold the ball for the majority of the game but we dont

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been excluded from new England manager Roy Hodgson's Euro 2012 squad to be announced tomorrow.

The paper says "a dismayed Ferdinand is convinced it is directly linked to his issues with [John] Terry and the potential divisions that might have been caused" within the squad over Terry's upcoming trial where he faces charges of allegedly racially abusing Rio's brother Anton during a match.

The Guardian also claims that Stoke striker Peter Crouch and Man City right back Micah Richards have been told they are being left out.

Judging by the BF market it looks like Walker isn't going either

Walker is out yeah, toe injury is worse than thought

Think guardian were wrong about Richards though, hes 1.8 to lay.

This suggests that Terry goes? FFS what does a guy have to do to be excluded from representing his country, rape a granny? Firebomb an orphange?

hahahaha

Just off the phone to a mate who is the manager of a C,oral shop.

Some geezer wanted £5000 in cash on Defoe to make the squad at Evens.

(Bonus point if you can guess how much they laid before chopping the price to 1/3)

£50????

On a similar note I see Skybet have a market on where Junior Hoilett goes this summer.....now who can get on with Skybet???

No Richards?

Zamiora goes?

Joke if true

How can Richards not go if Walker doesn't ?

Close.

£200.

I'd take a 1 legged blind donkey over Glen Johnson

I thought this said frimpong an orphanage lol comedy

My mate who works for gibraltAr coral just told me that one punter came in wanting to bet 3k on Gary neveille going as a player cosh now that Richards and walker aren't going. Odds been slashed in gib to 1/4

lol. incred.

Pretty late for an April fools Pads.

why isn't richards going?????????

This - I despise the guy, if Chelsea win Saturday, which I hope they do, I just prey that despicable excuse for a human being doesn't collect the trophy, horrible, horrible man on every level

Usually only take 1 RB or 1LB and somebody doubles up so that you can take 5 strikers. I thought it might mean Baines missed out and Lescott covered LB but maybe if Lescott is first choice he doesn't want his CB's disturbing so Jones will cover it.
That and some people think his positioning isn't great. I always thought he had the pace to make up for mistakes and improved a lot and not fully convinced by Johnson but Roy obv disagrees.

Alan smith was excluded from an england squad for throwing a paper cup back into the crowd..and before he was found guilty or not he was not allowed in...one rule for one...

Sammy Ameobi is the betfair list!

john ruddy and carroll going i hear?

I always support Eng teams in Europe but him and a couple others are such huge twats, him especially, that I hope Bayern win.

 rotflmfao

No Shola ?

I'd like to see Joe Cole, Cleverley, and Chamberlain go, but I doubt that will happen :(

I think the Ox goes

I don't know why Rooney doesn't play the Olympics instead of the Euros.

I assume his ban wouldn't count for that and Team GB has a much bigger chance of winning than England does at the Euros.

Hardly anyone cares about football at the Olympics and Fergie wouldn't let him play anyway.

I think the football will massive at this Olympics.

Beckham, Giggs, Bale all playing.

He'll never have the chance to play a major tournament in his country apart from this.

I don't understand Downing>>>>>>Johnson/Lennon or basically anyone, he's abs terrible. Very suprised Lennon doesn't go.

Richards isn't even in the 5 back up players, bizarre.

Carroll is a good decision, could have huge summer.

Henderson is the back up player for midfield, Carrick nowhere to be seen?

Who is reserve RB if Johnson goes down? Phil Jones?


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)

Birmingham keeper Jack Butland is among the list of five standby players, which also includes Manchester City winger Adam Johnson, Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge, Everton defender Phil Jagielka and Liverpool midfielder JordanHenderson.

His ban would of been served ny then anyway if he missed the euros but no way on.this planet would Ferguson let him play am under 23s comp

This is just as strange a decision as Downing, Henderson has had a terrible season, strange.

It's an odd one

Micah Richards, Sturridge, Lennon maybe, A Johnson, Carrick can all feel hard done by

I do think I would have liked to have seen a much younger squad (no Barry, moving on from Lampard etc) and prepare for future champs but I don't suppose Roy felt he had the luxury of that

Looks like 4-4-2 then?

Hart
Johnson Terry Cahill Cole
Milne/r Gerrard Barry Young
Welbeck Carroll


Quarter Finals as a target IMO

Team v France ?

Hart
Johnson
Terry
Lescott
Cole
Parker
Gerrard
Lampard
Young
Barry/Carroll
Defoe

                    Hart

Johnson Cahill Lescott Cole

            Parker Barry

Walcott/welbeck/Milner (pick one) Gerrard  Young

              Carroll


for me until Rooney is available. I can't have that Terry is better than Lescott these days, and I want two holders in front of the back four.


Not too enthused by prospects.

its uninspiring to say the least.

Stewart 'One assist all season and no goals' Downing goes ahead of Adam Johnson, ridiculous. Tim Howard has scored more and more assists ffs.

Carroll gets in on 2 good games - Crouch has played well all year and has proven ability to score for England.

Wellbeck is shit and Sturridge is good but Wellbeck goes.

Henderson!!!!! is a reserve, he's full on awful.

I'm a huge Johnson fan and would've took him but think he only really has himself to blame, went to City knowing he'd spend a lot of time on the bench so can see why Hodgson wouldn't take him.

I'd definitely have took Richards/Carrick/Lennon though.

Chin up lads, bad state of affairs if you're missing Carrick from the squad!

supporting a team with terry and defoe in is going to be tricky; may rethink my travel plans

seriously...  Stewart Downing? i don't know a single person who thinks hes decent and i know quite a few liverpool fans.

I think Lampard will start and Gerrard would be on the right if that was the formution used. Expect Defoe>>>Carrol to play "the little man" up front as Rooney obv comes straight back in.

What's wrong with Defoe ?

You going over ?

richards >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> johnson

Possible the Richards exclusion is related to Terry going as it is said he good friends with both Ferdinands as well as Bridge.  If true I would rather have had Richards above Terry anyway.

Gutted for Holt, but I understand the decision.  
How Downing has made the squad is beyond me.

I hoped for so much more, but the squad is about as inspiring as I feared.
Won't stop me having loads of false hope and expectation.

                   Hart
Johnson   Cahill   Lescott   Cole    
                  Parker
            Young    Barry
                    Gerrard
             Defoe  

What is it about Liverpool shirts?

Simply putting one on seems to give you this magic aura which renders uselessness invisible to an England manager.

might struggle starting with 10!

Looking at our Midfield is pretty scary, doubt any one of them gets in the squad of Germany/Spain.

All in I'd say probably three of our players make Spains 23, wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.

England CB's v France

Terry/Cahill 8/11,

Terry/Lescott 15/8,

Cahill/Lescott 7/1,

Terry/Jones 14,

Cahill/Jones 20,

 Lescott/Jones 25

 @bet365

ffs, I detest John Terry.

Very disappointed Sammy isn't going.  Never seen him play or heard anything about him really (other than being Sholas brother) but how much worse could he be than the shower we are taking?

Confidence boost for the lads, they can do it with 10....

Missed Carrol off next to peanut head.

I'd probs take him over Downing, not even kidding. He would at least hit the target with one of his 100 shots.

As a smoggie I obviously like Downing and know what he has the ability to do but even I couldn't justify taking him on this years form.  In fact to be honest the only Liverpool player I would have taken would have been Carroll.

I thought he was decent at the Boro, how he's on the plane though I have no clue.

Abs Hilarious Squad!

gg Hodgson - you are going to get slaughtered by the press!

Did he decide on Carroll because of the price tag?

Milner, Downing and Walcott?!?!?!!?!? - has he watched  a premiership game this year?

its wlacott time, he gonna be sick

downign is in because carroll is in and unlike kenny we may actually play to his strengths, we cant beat germany/spain at football, so fuck them up (hard midfielders) and get lots of crosses in.

Gimme 3 names instead of Milner,Downing,Walcott please outragous.

I think Carroll is a no brainer really, how many target men are there in front of him and he has looked far fitter and sharper later in the season, maybe Pleno called it spot on earlier, he just needed the games and a bit of confidence. I think he will be a real handful in the Euros, just look what he did to Terry in the Pool v Chelsea game.

Lennon>>>>Walcott
Johnson>>>>Downing
Carrick>>>>Milner

How is Robert Green the obv #2 over Ruddy ?

Pretty intersting and honest response to what he thinks about our opponents, " I haven't thought about it yet"  ;carlocitrone;

Quite a short press conference no ?

apart from the fact that he's generally terrible the Judas is not best liked in my part of london, he didn't leave charlton on good terms

it's ok though, just realised I won't be out there til ukraine v england and rooney's back for that so defoe won't get a look in

You going to the game ? You there until the end of the tournament ?

Jealous.

people are dreaming if they think JT wont start for england. We're an absolute million to win this tournament

after the first 2 games we must play, young, rooney and welbeck

                  Hart

Jones Terry Cahill  Cole

       Parker Gerrard

Walcott                  Young
             Lampard

             Carroll

for me.

Gerard as a defensive mid? U on drugs pleno?

Crouch. He's been unplayable this season, a lot.

i'll have a pound on?

Don't know about unplayable Tom, maybe a bit of Stoke bias there.

We will probs be out by then so it won't even matter.

honestly, he never lost an aerial challenge for about 10 games. A few teams gave up trying to beat him and just tried to cover where the knock ons went, so he started bringing it down and passing it through em. He really has been far better than Carrol, who still can't link play or shoot very well.

edited fyi

only the one game planned atm but could potentially extend it if we get 2nd in the group as that'd mean england staying in donetsk for the quarters and semis. donbass arena is walking distance from my brother's house

ok, I think Carroll is better but I do like Crouch too.

My own team would've been...

                   Hart

Richards   Jones  Cahill  Baines


Lennon  Chamberlain Cleverly (if fit) Johnson
 
                     Young
                
          Carroll(Rooney replaces)

Nobody 30+ in the squad.

fyp.

You have Albert and Howey wrong way around, noooooooooob. Other than that....

LEGOOOOOOOOOOOO

I won't accept Milner bashing. If you watched the season review thingy at the end of MOTD I was amazed how prevalent he was in the build up for a lot of City's most important goals this season (particularly in the first half of the season).

He can play any position, is the ultimate professional and would never let you down. David James & Joleon Lescott have both said he is the best trainer they have ever seen. And the lads even has a three lions tattoo so clearly it means the world to him.

What sort of line up do we expect the French to have?

Pleno expecting a couple of Newcastle players to make the starting XI?

Surely Hodgson is going to name his team depending on his best fit v the French

This

What do you think is his best position ? Personally I don't think he's good enough to be at City but clearly Mancini thinks different. Maybe deserves his place in the squad due to his versatility and the fact he lovesthegame, but I just don't think he's that great in any position he plays.

Since I'm not taking anyone >30 he'd easily have made my squad but would be on the bench.

Hard not to like Milner - he had all the fuss about being the youngest this and that and seems to have stayed very level-headed through it all.

Not comparable to Carrick given his versatility and ability to play wide. It's hard to make a strong case for Carrick. I'd have taken him; at his best he's better than Parker, and probably Barry. Hasn't been at his best often enough lately though.

How many games has Richards played this season?  Can't really think of any reasons why he shouldn't be in the squad, unless he's due an operation or something?

I'd have taken Carroll and Crouch.  Wouldn't have Downing or Henderson in the squad (obviously) - Milner better than both of them.

Hope Terry breaks his leg watching the match on Saturday so he can't play for England.

Parks in Disabled bays ,Takes undercover reporters money for tours round Stamford Bridge,,Arrogant,Brainless,Toothless,Racist,Affray,Insults Americans after 9/11,Shags his team mates wife,Lies after Lies from that smug face....and probaly going to be re named England captain.

Whats to detest about him ?

Probably as an "automatic" right midfielder (defend & attack in equal measure) but as that won't find it into our 4-1-2-1-2-1 system and as Carrick isn't in there I guess he is going mainly as a back up to the Parker role which consists of chasing, harrying, blocking, passing and the occasional foray forward in support.

Yeah, I was just comparing those who Guy said shouldn't go and those I though should've.

milner and barry are both superb pros and useful/good enough players

a bit off topic but the ridiculous article in the daily mail when mancini got rid of wayne bridge which was basically insuating he was racist and hated bridge because he was english

he got rid of him because he was not training as well as barry, lescott and milner

He's played enough to not need to be excluded due to not playing for his club.

Hodgson said it was a straight choice between Jones and him and he picked Jones.

Richards v Johnson ?

I'd take Richards.

Problem with that is Milner can't cross a ball. Lennon is also pretty dire in this department but he is much better than Milner at beating a man.

I'd take Richards over Johnson aswell.

He can play CB too and I believe we only have 4 in the squad and Cahill & Jones are not adverse to the odd niggle.

Read an article today which suggested that England camps past and present don't think Richards is good enough positionally and lacks balance.

                  Hart

Jones Terry Cahill  Cole

       Parker Lampard

Walcott                  Young
             Gerrard

              Defoe

My 11.....with the Ox on for Theomif the going gets tough and maybe Caroll off the bench

please no defoe especially from the start

Milner sucks defensively.

Respectfully disagree

I've seen him subbed off twice early doors from left wing because attacking full backs were leaving him dizzy

Having seen them both play for Norwich quite a bit. I reckon Green is a considerably better goalkeeper, though my days of watching him regularly are 5+ years ago.

horrible squad... might have a punt on us to not make it outa groups.

Did you see the Sky report on the local Ultras. Sky said that as few as 3500 English supporters out there so can't see any trouble.

Agree with all of that - he's just not that good at football.

not seen it but heard about it. sounds just like the crap they made before the world cup about how the south africans were going to rob and stab everyone

I'm also in the Milner camp. Think he'd be in my XI no matter who was available. Would probably have him as part of a hard working midfield 3 with a more attacking front 3 looking to nick the odd goal to win games.

Stewart Downing is not an out and out winger but could be England's Iniesta(ish)

Worst level on blonde ever.

Lennon can't cross, has a very weak shot, can't track back or tackle, and has the physical stature of an infant, so don't think he's an international class footballer. Milner is a better all rounder but still meh. Seriously miss goldenballs.

Is this the one you miss?
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6GhbT-zEfc

Ruddy out, Butland in

Should have gone for that Butland bet I mentioned at the start of the thread!

we're seriously taking a league 2 player? unreal

a Birmingham player, on loan

Much like Hart when at Shrewsbury, very highly rated

butland is incred

think it's fair to say he will be a top level keeper but league 2 football is no prep for playing for england at a major championship. taking him along as a non player for the experience would be fine but surely we should have someone in the squad who's played more/higher than 20 games in the 4th tier

meh, 3rd keeper is very very rarely used and butland will probably 1 day be either number 1 or a strong number 2, getting him involved and in training/used to the experience is fine imo.

exactly, take him along and get him used to it. but however unlikely it is that the 3rd choice will play it is still possible and he's not ready

Hodgson not popular with the Celtic fans - as we try to re-sign a 24 year old English keeper who's set a clean sheets record 2 seasons running behind an unsettled defence he's ignored for a league 2 keeper. That'll be him pissing about at West Ham or somewhere next season instead of being tested in Europe.

QPR are planning a £6m move for Birmingham City's England U21 goalkeeper Jack Butland that could lead to current No 1 Paddy Kenny joining Leeds.

have seen a fair bit of butland he is promising

personally the lad who has been on loan at celtic would be for me probably as even second choice.

what is questionable is some experienced journalists on twitter stating butland will be world class. This is just silly playing in league two (were he made a couple of howlers btw as well as some excellent games) in no way shows anybody he will be world class.

yeah, forster is my choice though arguably he's playing at the same level as butland

carson next choice after him

whats wrong with Robinson

retired from internationals

for all the quality of the spl is poor that is going a bit far

has also played a lot more first team games

The level that a keeper plays at is far less important than for other positions - the lesser quality strikers he's up against is compensated by the clumsier defenders he has in front of him.

What is important for a keeper is that he is playing competitive football every week - better to be playing in League 2 than sat on the bench in the Premier League.

that argument makes some sense

however remember cheltenham are a pretty solid and experienced and very well set up side so i would not agree with that to much

It's a pity Ruddy has had to pull out, he has been impressive this season.

you saying he would have put on a ruddy good show?

too Ruddy right! :)up

so that's another vote for fraser forster then

Gone at the game

I think when Gordon came to the prem he said  the difference between that and the SPL were that the shots were harder and faster.

That would worry me.

milner started abs terribly so far. gerrard seems to be forcing it too much, but ashley young/carroll looking good.

hope we see oxlade in the second.

big shock in gerard giving the ball away loads

can't really read much into this game.....

Switzerland 5 - 3 Germany
Netherlands 1 - 2 Bulgaria

but Carroll too slow, good defensive contribution though, and downing, milner, barry are just a trio of clowns.

Looks like playing the chelsea way is what we are going to be doing at the Euro's!

I didn't see any of the game, how did we look and play?

By League 2 I take it you mean the Championship?

I'm a bit confused, who is that question for? neither of the posts you quoted mention league 2

That was Gerrard's England career in a microcosm. Absolute rubbish as a central midfielder, ludicrous hollywood passing coupled with being easily pressed in possession.

He's had an entire career to find his right position and never done it. Hopefully Lampard starts ahead of him at the Euros, but we've given him the bloody armband.

Having Parker who doesn't pass more than 5 yards and constantly pirouettes in the middle of the field combined with Gerrard who is lookin to fizz 60 yard balls is very worrying. Gareth Barry was back to his absolute dog shit standards, he doesn't have yaya next to him to make him look good in this team.

Jones looked really shaky at right back and I think it showed that Roy made a mistake by not taking Micah Richards.

Carroll battled and led the line very well also contributing defensively but the service he got from the very poor Milner and downing meant he struggled to have a threat on goal.

Lescott looked solid to me.

Green is as ways very shaky and I'd make sure we wrap hart up in cotton wool as of he gets injured were fucked.

Roy's got a lot of work to do.

Tbf if an England manager actually played Gerrard in his best position he'd be fine for England. He just hasn't ever had a run of games there.

great post by pleno

a mix of parker or barry and gerard just will not work

as pleno says parker does not pass the ball well enough full stop (even five yards) and gerard even when playing just can not resist a 60 yard cross field pass that almost certainly ends up on a full backs head..

tbf barry was obviously struggling with an injury soon after coming on tonight and is better than that.

For me it would be cahill and lescott at centre back but as it stands lescott would be a more than adequate cover, personally i would have him as cover for ashley cole as well as baines looks very nervous to me at this level ( i think he is a good player it is hard to perform well when you have no chance of starting i guess)

Jones agree again he is not a right back and for all glen johnsons weaknesses at least he plays there week in week out. Green was very lucky that corner did not fizz otherwise that would have been his last game in goal for england.

Gerrard is world class, vbol proving otherwise.

I said it before the Norway game and I still think it now, Ashley Young is a huge player for England, he is our main man.

Milner is shit, not sure how anyone can disagree with that,

Downing, mwuhahahahahahahaha.

Specifically, what is Gerrard's best position do you think? Is it the same in international matches as it is in prem games?

Should we be selecting a team around Stevie G in his best position? Or is it too late for that?

Wherever he plays Gerrard is capable of game-changing efforts.   pmsl at anyone who wants FatFrank in the team instead.

It's the AM role just off the strikers. Unfortunately for LFC our midfield is so bad he's now a CM again, if we had the likes of Alonso and Mascherano I wouldn't let him near CM ever again. It's too late now. Being honest we're 4 years past Gerrard's peak. Young looked v good where he played so you either play Gerrard CM or you play him RM (Which is not ridiculous in games where Carroll plays) or you don't play him at all - which I don't think Hodgson will do to his new captain. I wouldn't move Young. Gerrard has shown this season that he can do it there still though when playing off Suarez (vs Norwich is the best example).

Previous England managers did the same to Scholes to accomodate Lampard which is equally ridiculous as to how Gerrard has been positioned for his country.

My philosphy would be to build around one off players like that. England managers seem to think that becuase they're better than the others they can adapt to LM or whatevs.

Italy rarely used to play Totti and Del Piero. Spain in 2008 didn't play Senna and Alonso. In 2010 Fabregas wasn't shunted out to LM to get a game because he's too good to sit on the bench.

He was abs dirt yesterday met. No world class cm would have given the ball away like he did yesterday especially against a terrible opposition. I seriously think in 1000 games xavi would play as poor less than 5 times. Gerrard being world class is a myth he tries these 60 yard passes every time and we see one good one on motd and are like omggg, being a world class players isn't about being able to do a good pass it's about knowing when to do the pass and what separates xavi and Gerrard.

Parker and Barry and Parker and Milner both wouldn't work being they are too slow and static and have no penetration. Our defence looks ok, I'm not worried about our attack so much but we really need to work on the midfield.

Do we have anymore games before the euros?

i think when the other big clubs came in for gerard a few years ago he should have gone.
preferably to another country.
even if just for a year.
the experience would have helped him.

Not sure I agree - Gerrard's best form ever was after he stayed at Liverpool. In 2006/2009 he was probably one of the very best (ie 2 or maybe 3) midfielders in the world. When we beat Real 4-0 in the CL Zidane came out and said he was the best. The issue now isn't his ability, he hasn't become bad, it's his age.

Gerrard was poor yesterday but he didn't play in Liverpools last few matches of this season and clearly wasn't fully fit.

Slightly too early to rule him out after a friendly against Norway!

Being unfit has nothing to do with passing though, getting overrun or not getting box to box yes, but being able to pass to another blue shirt is just simple, especially for a world class midfielder. Gerrard is good at hustling, bustling, driving through the middle and penetrating teams, it just doesn't wrk at international football.

One positive was our set pieces, we have a really bg, strong team and I we get a good delivery then we can seriously threaten it of these teams. If Downing is so shot why not play baines in front of cole?

agree with the baron as mad as it sounds i would have gerard on the right wing if anywere

i remember when benitez persisted in playing him there for liverpool and the press had a hissy fit (how could an unknown Spaniard called alonso move golden boy out wide) and i believe he had his best ever return in terms of goals and assist?

for those who state gerard is world class can they name five or even three games he has dominated at international level for england in his numerous caps?

Yeah he scored 23 that season and basically won us the FA Cup on his own.

Again, agree with your last sentence but how many times has he been on the left, or employed as a DM/deep lying CM etc etc.

Yep I agree too, especially of Carroll leads the line.

a fair few times but he has had more than enough times were he hasn't and still has not performed to a world class level.

again i feel a few years ago he could get away with it to a degree as if he gave the ball away he had the physical edge to get the ball back something which appears to have gone a bit now

FWIW Champions League >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> International Football imo.

Pleno what midfield lineup/formation would you play, you seem to think none of the players are good enough but dont offer any alternatives.

I think fitness is connected to form. Many players need to play themselves back into form after returning from injury even if they are fully fit. Getting into a flow, feeling the rythmn, or 'seeing' the game doesn't just snap happen for every player returning from injury. Very happy Gerrard is captain and he would be one of the first names on the team sheet for me, and no doubt he will be for my man Roy as well. Already getting into my man Roy's stewardship and think he will do just swell.

Full fit I'd go for

             Parker
        Cleverly wilshire
              Young
 
     Rooney.   Carroll

Making it young and Rooney wide depending on game flow, can also move wilshire to left, young to the right and Rooney behind Carroll. Lots of options with that team. I'd have Richards and coke as full backs.

No point in this. Use his squad. What team would u play? Personally I wouldn't start with Carroll. Think he's better off the bench

Caroll is really bad off the bench imo.

I'd play..


 Walcott  parker Lampard  Young

                  Gerrard
                 
                  Carroll

carroll can nod down to gerrard, Lampard has been really disciplined this season and been impressed with him defensively too. Young/Walcott would provide alot of pace and energy on the wings. We could put young on the right and baines infront of Cole.

Other option would be to play Defoe off Carroll which I think would work very well, but we would probably need to play baines/young on the wings as it would be too attacking.

Anything but gerrard/parker as a pairing in the middle.
                   

     

Agree here except the Ox as he's a beast, Walcott from the bench.

Jagielka in, Barry out


Parker and Lampard behind Gerrard?

I had wondered what the point of Saturday's game against Norway was. Then I read this :-) http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18232535

Barry out!

cant believe carrick isnt in this squad

Why? he openly said he doesn't want to be considered.

Not sure SG's best position is in the hole, I'd rather seem him running into space from middle of the park, where he can also rake the ball around.

I'd go for the 4-5-1.  3 of them in Midfield, 2 wide players that stay high and wide, Rooney up front. 

Gives Rooney the space to roam like he likes to do, but also be the target man in the middle. He likes the high energy game.

Gives the wide players, Walcott, Ox, downing (to less of a degree) licence to attack the full backs high up and spread the play
Packs the midfield against teams that play through the midfield (general European football), whiel at the same time give the likes of Gerrard and Lamps the freedom to push forward to give options going forward/support Rooney with the safety of Parker, who on his day is one of the best defensive midfielders in the business.

All 3 midfielders have great engines to get up and down too.

he cannot do this, he isnt in the same league as xabi alonso when it comes to this

please dont give gerard even more licence to rake the ball around than he already has

rake ?

spraying the ball around

England's 23 squad numbers for Euro 2012 have been confirmed today after the final squad was submitted to UEFA ahead of the tournament which begins in just over a week's time.

The Three Lions have one more preparation game, against Belgium at Wembley on Saturday, before they kick-off their Finals campaign on 11 June in Donetsk.

For fans also looking to get kitted out in the right colours to support Roy Hodgson's team for their Euro 2012 matches, here’s what they will be wearing for their three Group D games: 11 June v France: White, White, White; 15 June v Sweden: Dark Blue, Light Blue, Dark Blue; 19 June v Ukraine: White, White, White.

The Squad Numbers
1 JOE HART
2 GLEN JOHNSON
3 ASHLEY COLE
4 STEVEN GERRARD
5 GARY CAHILL
6 JOHN TERRY
7 THEO WALCOTT
8 FRANK LAMPARD
9 ANDY CARROLL
10 WAYNE ROONEY
11 ASHLEY YOUNG
12 LEIGHTON BAINES
13 ROBERT GREEN
14 PHIL JONES
15 JOLEON LESCOTT
16 JAMES MILNER
17 SCOTT PARKER
18 PHIL JAGIELKA
19 STEWART DOWNING
20 ALEX OXLADE CHAMBERLAIN
21 JERMAIN DEFOE
22 DANNY WELBECK
23 JACK BUTLAND


Some clues in those squad numbers, perhaps

looks like..

                  hart


johnson   cahill   terry   cole


walcott gerrard parker ashley young

               lampard

               carroll

*sicks up a little bit in mouth* - no one has ever refers to the England team as this.


YES, THIS IS WHAT WE WILL ALL BE DOING IN OUR TWO FRESHLY BOUGHT ENGLAND KITS DOWN AT THE PUB.

The FA just make me sick with their marketing bullshit.

Meh at reading anything into numbers, isn't Downing always 19 :(

why?

Why the blue? What's wrong with the red we won the World Cup in?

(http://www.footballfanweb.com/file/pic/photo/2012/04/ab6e04a4f35ce5c91003df66045a5b75_500.jpg)

And why were we in any sort of changed strip on Saturday?

fyp - agree?

? hope not...not in that position

Butland is still on holiday. WTF?
Not having a go just thought he'd be well eager to get there.

Also in a special VC market Victor picked his starting 11 and I went under 7 correct at 14/1.
Sort of need Terry, Walcott, Young or Parker injured please

Lampard injured, doubtful with a thigh problem this morning

Jordan Henderson stands by.....

That's a phrase I expect to see in Euro 2012 match reports as opposing teams sweep forward.

why is Butler in the team for goodness sake.

I know it will be very bad luck and very unlikely that we will need him, but really he is our 3rd choice? I would have gone for an older option with more experience than this guy, just in case we do have a bit of bad luck.

Also, according the Daily Mirror, Ashley Young is our biggest hope at Euro2012, good god!

Prediction:

Scrape through group, then out in first KO.

Butland, not Butler.

Smith

'I'll get you, Butland'

(http://www.transportxtra.com/files/7643-l.jpg)

One for the teenagers, there.

Lol

Lampard out, confirmed

Step forward....Michael Carrick Jordan Henderson

Lampard, Wilshere, Barry, Huddlestone, Rodwell injured. Scholes & Carrick retired. That's a lot of English midfielders missing Euro 2012

Shame for lamps but chuffed for Henderson. Good experiance for the future which can only be good for all concerned!?

Gerrard / Parker looks a solid enough midfield pairing. Stops the boring discussion around lamps/Gerrard does it work etc.

Looking forward to it all, and think its great that for  the first time in along time we are going into a tournament without the massive hype.

Wow Gerrard and Parker look awful again.

Great finish. If downing had played like oxlade has so far the press would be going wild. He has a good attitude though. Defence looks solid, young looks good but really need to sort the midfield out, Milner and ox can't start on the wings and Gerrard/Parker doesn't work

They look a bit lossed! Neither passing with much coviction or no forward movement of note.

Whole team needed to pass more, with patience but when going forward need to just be quicker more explosive

does young have something which gets him stuck to the ground? awfully slow and slowest turn of pace yet manages to set up a goal.

parker is far too slow and unfit. gerrard looks good though.

Gerrard just got motm

what? i must be watching a different game.

our defence looks good and if we go 1-0 up glglglglg anybody scoring, but if we go 1-0 down could be very desperate times.

giving gerrard mom there sums up andy fucking townsend as a pundit

does not rate hazard because he is to "tippy tappy" and constantly admires players who "get it clear"

i have stated on here and elsewere i am not gerrards biggest fan but i will say when he plays well

how that is worthy of a mom tonight is surely beyond anyone?

Cahill being scanned for a broken jaw. If confirmed, he's out

Terry scan on hamstring, too

Wow, Fingers crossed. Any news on Gerrard, he seems to pull up a little bit, then when subbed, went straight down tunnel with coach

EDIT - "Captain Steven Gerrard was also replaced but the Liverpool midfielder only had cramp.

"It's not a worry," said Gerrard. "It was a really tough game out there. It wasn't a full game but it was the first nearly full game I've played since the cup final.

"So I'll be fine for our first game against France on 11 June, no worries."

portugal 1 - 3 turkey, ronny misses a pen

Getttttttttttttttttttttttttt

Higuain, di maria, messi, aguero all score for argentina tonight, yet still ranked below england, lol

Cahill ruled out. Martin Kelly in.

Martin Kelly.

How is he better than Richards, or Ferdinand?

Can almost field a Liverpool starting 11.

Joke.

Ferdinand would be in if Terry was ruled out. Clearly cannot pick him because of Terry. "footballing reasons" to exclude him isjust bollocks when they call up Martin Kelly who is not even a Liverpool reg.

Richards refused to go on the standby list, that tantrum has lost him a place now

England XI: Injured

Ruddy; Walker, Cahill, Dawson, Smalling; Wilshere, Huddlestone, Lampard, Barry, Rodwell; Bent.

England XI: Snubbed/chose to retire

Foster; Richards, Ferdinand, King, Gibbs; Lennon, Carrick, Scholes, A Johnson; Sturridge, Crouch.

People can keep moaning about Liverpool players making the squad all they want, but it doesn't change the fact that the reason that some players aren't on the plane is ego.

Richards and Carrick have no one else to blame but themselves.
I'm sure if Ferdinand went to Hodgson and said he could play with Terry he would be there also. Not blaming him for the issue but should be able to put his country first.

Robinson, Foster, Scholes could of made the plane as well. Bent refusing to play for Villa at the end of the season, a 1 game runout might of just been enough.

Seems unlikely that is true about Ferdinand...

Rio Ferdinand ‏@rioferdy5

What reasons?????!!!

Also did Richards or Hodgson say he refused to do so or is that from the press ?

richards must of upset someone to be overlooked time after time by more than 1 England manager.

If Ferdinand and Richards were both left out due to Terry I think that's a disgrace.

Don't agree with the idea of putting your country first either, if it is the case that they have said they wouldn't play with Terry I accept their decision. I think somethings are more important than football, I'd include racism as one of those things.

Absolutely disagree with this.

If you put your your principles and values to one side for personal gain well, you are a complete tosser imo.

The squad and first 11 is looking dreadfully thread bare right now. Its an embarrasment.

There is now absolutely no reason ferdinand isnt in the squad

KIck racism out of football, what an absolute joke our FA is really. I hope the Ukrainian version on Panarama does an expose of our disgracefully racist decision makers

Well he can't not be there on ability, nor age. Only excuse is he's injury prone.

Rio playing vs only France>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Kelly being backup in the squad.

Don't think anybody would disagree with Richards>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Kelly either.

So clearly we are missing something.

hodgson out

I think Lescott and Jagielka are better than Rio nowadays anyway.

Think the real shame is the attitude of Richards/Carrick or the behvaiour of the FA towards them (I don't know who is in the wrong here) as they would be awesome to have in the squad now over the likes of Kelly and Henderson.

If Kelly does somehow start a game which I highly doubt, look for an absolutely massive first and anytime goalscorer price on betfair, he got in a lot of positions for Liverpool this season and was unlucky not to score goals and he scored 3 in 6 for the U21s.

(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/kinboshi/photo.jpg)

This. So he's basically picked Jones over Rio. Jones is covering midfield which Rio doesn't do. It's really no big deal.
Rio needs to pipe down imo. He doesn't realise he isn't rated as highly anymore. Lots of caps don't guarantee you more.

"What reasons?????!!!"

Ferguson told MUTV: "You play something like a game every four days. Rio Ferdinand couldn't do that."

has to be lescott and jag for me now

have played over 150 club games together at centre back which is a massive plus

i fear that lescott will be forced to play right centre back as terry wont be moved from left centre back and those two will get caught out for pace (or more likely have to sit so deep it kills the game going forward)

Rio started 37 games for Manchester United this season. He's got 81 caps in a squad where only 4 other players have hit 50. SAF better get shopping for a new centreback if Rio isn't a good footballer.

Also think Joe Cole can count himself unlucky. He played 42 games scoring 9 goals this season including CL football. 56 caps and 10 goals for England.

Would prefer Rio and Cole for Kelly and Downing.

Nail on head.

I agree with people who put club before country at times.

This post is just quality.

It's only a shame that injuries to various people have brought it to light. We've made a joke of a decision over Terry/Ferdinand.

All a bit harsh on Kely imo. He's generally been a better RB than Glen Johnson for the last season and a half. I'm not saying Johnson is incred or anything but Kelly won't let anyone down.

I think hodgson has gone on record stating he's not looking at the Euros but more ahead.

Has had a below par season hos own manager doubts his fitness, obv issues with terry, and played once for england in the lasy year.

Terry been banding around as a racist and awful that rio is being treated badly.

Are we ok with athletes refusing to take drug tests?

 Bring rio gives nothing for the future. Kelly is backup and one for the future without a doubt. Micah is prob wondering what he has does wronging guess yes.

Kelly will be reg in Brazil either as a CB or RB.

Rio has played more football in the last 2 years than the current England Captain and more than Lampard who is the same age as him. I guess Barry, Parker, Lampard and Gerrard and players for the future also?

The argument that Rio is not there for fotballing reasons is simply bollox. The age argument doesn't add up nor does the injuy prone argument.

There are 2 yrs after Euro 2012 to build for the future. We should do our best to win this tournament imo. With two seasoned campaigners like Lampard and Barry leaving an already young squad bringing in tournament experience would make sense. Think all the young players could learn a lot for the future with Ferdinand around for this one. He played 3 games in 10 days a couple of months ago for Man Utd. It's all good looking to the future and that but we don't want England getting bashed up through lack of experience. Terry keeps getting hamstring tweeks and will obv get a red card first match anyway. Think Rio stick Ibrahimovic is better for us than stick Kelly/Jones.

Set up for the other age players I guess but yes you need experiance of course and with the ones mentioned pretty much covered without the need for anyone else.

I should think if we had Barry, lamps, Gerrard, Parker, terry, rio we'd all be saying we look way to old.

I'm chuffed for Kelly, and maybe a lil club bias to see past reasons why Rio should be in.

Drug test refusal remember pretty disgraceful IMO. FA swept that up for him so can't be all bad.

Defoe to miss game 1 (due to fathers death)

So its welbeck and carroll!

Roy is looking into replacing defoe with Nathan Eccleston

the sad thing is I don't even know if that's a joke, it really wouldn't surprise me

good young player, hope he does well...

"If [Jordan] Henderson got in, any Englishman not currently in the squad has to feel aggrieved."

Joey Barton says it how it is - I agree with him! Obviously not on to make them comments but 100% true.

I'd have Henderson ahead of Barton and I'm not a Henderson fan.

The lads a million miles away from spot on. Joey played like he didn't know which team he played for this season. So many passes to the opposition.
Roy gets slated for taking Liverpool players because they were awful this season but aren't Osman and Lennon like the only proper first team Englishmen that hasn't in some way turned down England to miss out that played for a club that did better than Liverpool?

Maybe Rio and Hibbert too but I wouldn't have taken them either (for football reasons)

Osman can feel gutted. Lennon can too but I think he had a fair bit of competition for his position.

Obviously you don't have to have finished high up to be good enough for England but I'm just saying the "How is he in the squad Liverpool were rubbish" argument is crap.

Players I rate more than him bar the injured ones

J Cole
Osman
Cattermole
J Livermore
J Howson
L Britton

Also

Arteta (why not ask him to play for england?)
Scholes (why not ask him to come out of retirement)
Carrick (Hodgson said he didn't even think about approaching him)

Obviously not considering Lennon / A Johnson / N dyer due to their positions. Scott Sinclair can also play CM.

bahahahahahahaahahahahaahahahahaahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaha

Has to be a level

He is awwwwwful

Arteta? Sod off! If we start going down that disgraceful road I stop supporting my country.

Fyp

I promised myself this year would be different and i wouldn't descend into hopeless blind optimism. I failed.

England will win the Euro 2012, i'm certain of it!

Took a while but I just got there yesterday,brill, looking forward to the trophy being paraded already :-)

Just heard on sky sports that they are expecting 3000 to 3500 supporters but ireland have 20,000. Did I hear it right

Yeh Ireland got the cheaper country to go to. I'd expect similar numbers for knock out games - 0 ROFL - in all seriousness the numbers for England will grow for knockout games.

Group games are Ireland's cup final, England fans saving it for when we're in the actual final

Is the Ukraine Expensive gatso?

everyday living/hotels/travel etc?

Yeah this is true.......I have been saving since I was born.

Ridic cheap

the final answer for the france game:

announced just now

Hart;

Johnson, Terry, Lescott, Cole;

Milner, Gerrard, Parker, Ox-C;

Young;

 Welbeck.

Delighted to see the OX and Young in the same team

I love this lineup, should make for an open, interesting game

Really hope the Ox is the star of the tourney.

80-1 Ox to score 2+ PP, £5 banzai bus driver punt.

Bold move by Roy tonight. Carroll and welbeck going to be a handful