The England Thread

[beats1]

What's the problem?

He's made some poor decisions, like every England manager in history, but he's not doing that bad a job considering what he has to work with. He's given Alli and Dier opportunities, he's played experimental teams in friendlies that have given young players opportunities, he's carefully introduced Kane onto the international scene.

We nailed the qualifiers for the European Championship, and looked like we were starting to become a team. He's annoyed me in the past, but I'm happy to see what a manager can do with the team when given sufficient time.

TBF the only reason Dier or Alli were called up was because of big injuries that they had at CM. Otherwise it would be the usual shit

In terms of bringing the young generation through he has done a poor job imo and the reason there are so many young players in the team isn't because he planned for them but rather the old guard have been so poor

He has issues with his selections with regards to which club they come from(the old top 4) and hype. The fact some players like Kelly, Cleverly, Flanagan, Chambers, Gibbs and etc.

Yet players like Dier, Rose, Austin(when he was top scorer), Zaha and etc have struggled to get on the pitch whilst a player like Lingaard who had a poor loan in the championship, started completed only one league match for united and had already got a call up

The england set up from U17's to the national team is in the dark ages

 

[Marty]

TBF the only reason Dier or Alli were called up was because of big injuries that they had at CM. Otherwise it would be the usual shit

In terms of bringing the young generation through he has done a poor job imo and the reason there are so many young players in the team isn't because he planned for them but rather the old guard have been so poor

He has issues with his selections with regards to which club they come from(the old top 4) and hype. The fact some players like Kelly, Cleverly, Flanagan, Chambers, Gibbs and etc.

Yet players like Dier, Rose, Austin(when he was top scorer), Zaha and etc have struggled to get on the pitch whilst a player like Lingaard who had a poor loan in the championship, started completed only one league match for united and had already got a call up

The england set up from U17's to the national team is in the dark ages

The selections for the March friendlies and for the Euros will be the true test of Roy's tenure IMO. If he reverts to type despite the performances the new guys in the squad put in against Spain and particularly France he will destroy his credibility as a manager.

Yes, the French players were not at the races for obvious reasons, but the way England played against France has to be the blueprint if they are to succeed at the Euros.

 

[tiger666]

So Dyke reckons we can win the World Cup "soon"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35238689

 

[Tucker]

So Dyke reckons we can win the World Cup "soon"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35238689

I wish he would keep his mouth shut. It's not as if our players need MORE pressure on them than there already is. Every time there's an international tournament coming up, there's always a tonne of false expectations put on the team and suddenly everyone thinks we are going to win. Which for me is part of the reason we always choke when it comes to the summer tournaments.

The worst thing is, I don't think we will ever learn.

 

[tiger666]

Gareth Barry is "one of the best English players ever" says Martinez

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35247911

Hmm...

 

[hughy]

Gareth Barry is "one of the best English players ever" says Martinez

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35247911

Hmm...

Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker... Gareth Barry.



It's got a nice ring to it.

 

[Insomnia]

Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker... Gareth Barry.



It's got a nice ring to it.

yeah suffer ring

 

[aliyid]

50 years of hurt... never stopped us dreaming...

 

[Mouse!]

Butland;
Walker, Smalling, Stones, Baines;
Alli, Dier, Barkley;
Sturridge, Kane, Vardy.

Subs: Hart, Cahill/Jones, Rose/Shaw, Henderson/Mason, Lallana, Sterling, Rooney.

Others: Forster, Clyne, Carrick, Walcott.

 

[RichieS]

Butland;
Walker, Smalling, Stones, Baines;
Alli, Dier, Barkley;
Sturridge, Kane, Vardy.

Subs: Hart, Cahill/Jones, Rose/Shaw, Henderson/Mason, Lallana, Sterling, Rooney.

Others: Forster, Clyne, Carrick, Walcott.

Rose instead of Baines in the starting lineup and I agree.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

At the moment, this would be my initial 30-man squad for the Euros (before it is cut down to 23). Thoughts?:

Hart
Butland
Forster

Clyne
Walker

Smalling
Jagielka
Stones
Jones
Cahill

Shaw/Baines
Bertrand

Dier
Carrick
Alli
Wilshere
Milner
Henderson
Barkley
Delph
Lallana

Sterling
Walcott
Oxlade-Chamberlain

Sturridge
Welbeck
Rooney
Kane
Vardy
Austin

 

[michaelden]

Butland;
Walker, Smalling, Stones, Baines;
Alli, Dier, Barkley;
Sturridge, Kane, Vardy.

Subs: Hart, Cahill/Jones, Rose/Shaw, Henderson/Mason, Lallana, Sterling, Rooney.

Others: Forster, Clyne, Carrick, Walcott.

seen the last 3 Utd games and Smalling is shocking! How on earth he isn't giving away penalties with all his shirt tugging and pushes. In a continental match he'd be off before the 3rd corner was taken

 

[0-Tibsy-0]

At the moment, this would be my initial 30-man squad for the Euros (before it is cut down to 23). Thoughts?:

Hart
Butland
Forster

Clyne
Walker

Smalling
Jagielka
Stones
Jones
Cahill

Shaw/Baines
Bertrand

Dier
Carrick
Alli
Wilshere
Milner
Henderson
Barkley
Delph
Lallana

Sterling
Walcott
Oxlade-Chamberlain

Sturridge
Welbeck
Rooney
Kane
Vardy
Austin

Wilshere and Sturridge would be very lucky to be considered at this stage.

 

[nightgoat]

Wilshere and Sturridge would be very lucky to be considered at this stage.

And Welbeck.

 

[0-Tibsy-0]

And Welbeck.

Given his injury track record I can at least see Wellbeck managing to have a prolonged run of fitness at the tail end of the season, unlike the other 2. But you're right, I hadn't considered his lack of football as well.

 

[L-man]

At the moment, this would be my initial 30-man squad for the Euros (before it is cut down to 23). Thoughts?:

Hart
Butland
Forster

Clyne
Walker

Smalling
Jagielka
Stones
Jones
Cahill

Shaw/Baines
Bertrand

Dier
Carrick
Alli
Wilshere
Milner
Henderson
Barkley
Delph
Lallana

Sterling
Walcott
Oxlade-Chamberlain

Sturridge
Welbeck
Rooney
Kane
Vardy
Austin

Pretty much agree. Although not sure how Wilshere should be in the squad but we all know Hodgson will still pick him. Surely the likes of Mason, Barry and Shelvey are performing better than him, hell, even Mark Noble

Would drop Carrick, Austin, Welbeck, Sturridge if not fully fit, Wilshere, Jones. I would drop Chamberlain too but don't think Woy will

 

[Shanks]

And Welbeck.

And Shaw!

 

[Gbspurs]

Defence still a weak link. Roy should have been playing Smalling and Stones together for the last year to build up a connection as I think that's more important than being the best defender. Look how good Daws was next to King for example.

Rb we would kill for a Gary Neville type now. None of the right backs we have went to defend. Every year we see some players from way leftfield sneak into a squad and given the constant issues at TH I wouldn't be surprised to see someone like Sam Byram sneak in if he plays well. Ultimately I suspect it will be one of Walker/Clyne and then they will use Jones/Stones to cover.

LB is surprisingly weak considering years gone by its been strong mainly thanks to Cashley and Baines. Be interesting to see if Shaw can play a part before the end of the season if he comes back in as I wouldn't say anyone has really staked a claim.

Midfield is shaping up now and I think people like Carrick will get left at home with Milner taking the role as elder stateman for the group. Alli, Delph, Henderson and Barkley are all decent prospects and guaranteed to be around. Dier should go but isn't nailed on. Plenty of rooms for other spots though so will be interesting to see who stakes a claim.

AM is looking weak with only Sterling standing out now. Walcott is useless, Ox is having his talent drained, Lallana doesn't have the impact he once did, Andros can't even get a game. If I was someone like Marc Albrighton I would be thinking I have a chance of sneaking in (not that he will get in though)

Forwards look ok with Rooney, Vardy and Kane. Do you take Sturridge? I think he's worth the risk if he can show some fitness late in the season. It's certainly him or Welbeck, not both.

I feel more positive about England than in the run up to the world cup. I hope Woy doesn't fall back on players that never play anymore and let's some of the kids and form players go out to France and have the time of their lives.

 

[Shanks]

I'd take Shawcross over Jones personally.

I'd also go with Andy Carroll (if fit) over Austin.

 

[Firsttouch]

Pretty much agree. Although not sure how Wilshere should be in the squad but we all know Hodgson will still pick him. Surely the likes of Mason, Barry and Shelvey are performing better than him, hell, even Mark Noble

Would drop Carrick, Austin, Welbeck, Sturridge if not fully fit, Wilshere, Jones. I would drop Chamberlain too but don't think Woy will

Anyone for a Danny drink of water? I think he has a small chance of going to the euros