Englands 23 man squad

[Guilbert]

After two stunning performances against Mexico and Japan I think this is the 23 man squad Capello will announce on Tuesday.

GK: James, Green, Hart

D: Glen Johnson, Carragher, Ferdinand, Terry, King, A Cole, Baines

M: Walcott, Lennon, S W Phillips, Lampard, Gerrard, Carrick, Barry, Milner, Joe Cole

F: Rooney, Crouch, Defoe, Bent

The reason I picked those 23 is:

Barry is injured but will be picked.

Apart from Barry four of the 30 man squad did not play a single minute of those two games: Dawson, Warnock, Scott Parker and Upson (surprisingly).

And I cant believe he would do that to any player (who was fit) he was not going to take, so they are out.

Adam Johnson of Man C only came on for 5 minutes against Mexico so he wont go. He is young and his time will come.

And Heskey only came on for 13 minutes of the match against Japan. So I think he is out also.

That leaves one more player. I think it will be a midfield player (we could not go with one less defender or striker), either S W Phillips, Carrick, or Huddlestone.

Due to his lack of experience I went for Huddlestone over the other two (even though he played for part of each match).

It was difficult and it could just as easy be Carrick or SW Phillips (taking Walcott, Lennon and SW Phillips does give us 3 right sided wide players, although Walcott can be pushed up front.)

Mind you he could pick any 23 from the 30 and I dont think we have a hope of winning the World Cup.

[Jonesy]

On the performance against Japan, I honestly believe England have NO CHANCE of winning

[Sam Slater]

Sounds about right, though I think he'll still take Heskey over Bent. Neither player fills me with optimism. I wonder how long Walcott can live off that hatrick? I'd prefer A Johnson over SWP.

In similar news, England's U-17s won Spain 2-1 to become European Champions. First time the youths have won anything since 1993 when Scholes, Neville and Butt came through.

[spunkie]

"After two stunning performances............."???? Er hello?? I could pick a side from my office to have beaten England yesterday! Dreadful!

[Bob Singleton]

spunkie wrote:

> "After two stunning performances............."???? Er hello?? I
> could pick a side from my office to have beaten England
> yesterday! Dreadful!


Obviously a tongue in cheek remark that you failed to pick up on!



Why does Capello seemingly stick rigidly to a 4-4-2/4-4-1-1 formation? I think a 4-3-3 would probably work far better. Gerrard and Lampard in a midfield anchored by Barry if fit and Parker if not. Parker reminds me of Nobby Stiles (yes I'm old enough to remember him)... a no-nonsense player who will harry anyone with the ball. I'd rather see Parker than Carrick, who looks bereft of confidence and has lost his ability to pass a ball more than 3 yards without giving it to the opposition. Up front Rooney partnered by Joe Cole and Lennon would give a good mix of hard work, pace, creativity and finishing.

I'm concerned regarding cover for the back four. Ferdinand has hardly played due to injuries and King has to be wrapped in cotton wool (and looked ponderous against Mexico). If both have problems (which becomes ever more likely as the tournament progresses), you're left with Carragher in the middle and no cover for Johnson. As for left back, while Ashley Cole is one of the best full backs in the world, Baines and Warnock are pretty average (and that's being kind)

On his recent performances Walcott doesn't deserve a place, but will probably go, and nor should Heskey or Bent but one of them will.

In spite of his lack of experience compared to the other two keepers, I'd start with Joe Hart in goal... he's had the most consistent season in the league and has looked far more comfortable than either Green or James in the last two friendlies. He commands the area better than the other two, doesn't loose his head as James is still prone to doing, and hasn't even made any small mistakes like Green has.

My starting XI

Hart

Johnson Ferdinand Terry A Cole

Gerrard Barry Lampard

Lennon Rooney J Cole

Remaining squad members:

James, Green, Carragher, Baines, Upson, King, Parker, Milner, SWP, Walcott, Crouch & Defoe

[planeterotica]

I share spunkies view that England dont stand much of a chance in the World Cup but lets remember that the last two games were only friendly's therefore they wasnt going to exert themselves to much and risk injury prior to a major tournament, and i will be cheering them all the way i just hope they get through the first round !footie!

[Sam Slater]

I agree with nearly all that, Bob. Think A. Johnson doesn't give the ball away half as much as SWP, though. Despite form I'd still have Carrick in over Parker (just for the experience in big games).

Rooney looked more comfortable with J. Cole upfront, don't you think? There was a little smirk from Joe when the interviewer asked if he liked playing alongside Rooney. We knew that was a fully loaded question!

[Bob Singleton]

Sam Slater wrote:

> I agree with nearly all that, Bob. Think A. Johnson doesn't
> give the ball away half as much as SWP, though. Despite form
> I'd still have Carrick in over Parker (just for the experience
> in big games).
>
> Rooney looked more comfortable with J. Cole upfront, don't you
> think? There was a little smirk from Joe when the interviewer
> asked if he liked playing alongside Rooney. We knew that was a
> fully loaded question!
>


Regarding Carrick and Parker, my choice was based on current form. Carrick has been woeful all season, whilst Parker has been consistently good in a struggling team. I also get the feeling that (like Joe Hart) nothing fazes him, whilst Carrick needs someone to put an arm around his shoulder all the time.

Regarding Joe Cole, he could well be Old Trafford bound. I just hope the gossip that we've put in a bid for Benayoun as his replacement is unfounded... last thing we need is a crap 30 year old that's not good enough for an automatic starting place for the Scousers!

[Jonesy]

Bob Singleton wrote:

> Sam Slater wrote:
>
> > I agree with nearly all that, Bob. Think A. Johnson doesn't
> > give the ball away half as much as SWP, though. Despite form
> > I'd still have Carrick in over Parker (just for the
> experience
> > in big games).
> >
> > Rooney looked more comfortable with J. Cole upfront, don't
> you
> > think? There was a little smirk from Joe when the interviewer
> > asked if he liked playing alongside Rooney. We knew that was
> a
> > fully loaded question!
> >
>
>
> Regarding Carrick and Parker, my choice was based on current
> form. Carrick has been woeful all season, whilst Parker has
> been consistently good in a struggling team. I also get the
> feeling that (like Joe Hart) nothing fazes him, whilst Carrick
> needs someone to put an arm around his shoulder all the time.
>
> Regarding Joe Cole, he could well be Old Trafford bound. I just
> hope the gossip that we've put in a bid for Benayoun as his
> replacement is unfounded... last thing we need is a crap 30
> year old that's not good enough for an automatic starting place
> for the Scousers!
>
>

I always felt Joe will stay in London Bob, my money is him joining Harry at Spurs, and not many Chelsea fans would begrudge that. A top pro, and a decent lad off the pitch as well

[Sam Slater]

Fair points. I just think international tournaments are slower paced, like the Champions League, and Parker is more of an unknown in that respect.

As for Benayoun, I think he's been one player that's stood out for Liverpool these past 2 years. I don't know why Rafa kept him out of the side so much. You're right though. Replacing Joe Cole with Benayoun seems a little odd. But then Ancelotti's no mug.