Your England 1st XI

[idontgetit]

Following on from today's fairly average performance against Germany, who would you like to be starting for England come our first match of the World Cup next year?

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Miles
Walker- Dawson- Stewart- Rose
Carroll- Livermore
Townsend- Kane- Lennon
Defoe​

 

[idontgetit]

I don't see the point in us going out to the world cup and trying to dominate sides as we're simply not as good as the likes of Germany, Spain, Brazil etc in midfield nor do we have the 'continental' style of centre backs to play a high pressing game. I think we should play to our strengths which are that we have some solid backs to the wall English centre backs and a bucket full of fast as fuck wide forwards. We should therefore sit deep and hit teams on the break with our pace. It does require a classy distributor of the ball playing in the deep to start the counter attacks and very controversially I would say that the person to do that could actually be..........Tom Huddlestone He's only 26 and will have a whole season of game time to find his form. At his best he's one of the best passers in the league and playing a counterattacking game with two other midfielders to protect him we wouldn't be too vulnerable.

I reckon Townsend may find himself pushed out to left wide forward for us so as to accommodate Lamela and he might actually thrive there meaning that he can also play there for England and Walcott can come back in on the right. We'd then have Chamberlain, Lennon, Lallana, that Liverpool guy etc etc as cover. Wilshere and Gerrard are both suited to playing a counter attacking game as they have good distribution, are willing to support attacks and are yet tenacious in defence. Would be interesting

edit: Maybe Caulker in one of the CB slots

Case in point for why we need a player like Hudd at the World Cup:

 

[UncleBuck]

I don't see the point in us going out to the world cup and trying to dominate sides as we're simply not as good as the likes of Germany, Spain, Brazil etc in midfield nor do we have the 'continental' style of centre backs to play a high pressing game. I think we should play to our strengths which are that we have some solid backs to the wall English centre backs and a bucket full of fast as fuck wide forwards. We should therefore sit deep and hit teams on the break with our pace. It does require a classy distributor of the ball playing in the deep to start the counter attacks and very controversially I would say that the person to do that could actually be..........Tom Huddlestone He's only 26 and will have a whole season of game time to find his form. At his best he's one of the best passers in the league and playing a counterattacking game with two other midfielders to protect him we wouldn't be too vulnerable.

I reckon Townsend may find himself pushed out to left wide forward for us so as to accommodate Lamela and he might actually thrive there meaning that he can also play there for England and Walcott can come back in on the right. We'd then have Chamberlain, Lennon, Lallana, that Liverpool guy etc etc as cover. Wilshere and Gerrard are both suited to playing a counter attacking game as they have good distribution, are willing to support attacks and are yet tenacious in defence. Would be interesting

Ok, bang on with everything apart from cole and daws, who wouldn't get picked if there was a 'national centre half strike'....

 

[dontcallme]

It's depressing at the moment in terms of player talent but at least with the likes of Terry no longer playing I can at least support the players a bit more.

All my life (I'm 31) however good England have been they have always had good centre backs. Smalling, Cahill, Jagielka and Jones just don't look good enough. Hart isn't a great keeper and Walker and Johnson aren't particularly good either.

In Townsend, Rooney and Sturridge we have something going forward but it's so predictable.

Hart
Walker Jagielka Jones Baines
Carrick Wilshere Cleverley
Townsend Rooney Sturridge

 

[Gbspurs]

Gk - Hart is a good as we have as long as he stays on his line. Back-up is irrelevant as all as shit as each other.

RB - Walker not good enough, but neither is anyone else. Would like Clyne to have a chance but won't now.

LB - Sadly, I still think Cole is our best player. Happy with Baines as backup.

CBs - Caulker should be getting groomed now. Best hope of a decent defender in the next 5 years. Cahill and Jagielka deserve their places but Caulker should be next. Then Daws. Jones makes squad as utility man.

In midfield Cleverly and Henderson shouldnt be anywhere near the team. Gerrard, Carrick, Wilshere should be the main 3 with Lampard on the bench and Barkley/Morrison taking the "gifted youngster' spot. I actually don't mind Milner in the squad, puts in a shift.this is our weakest area by miles. What was wrong with Leon Osman?

Wingers - Theo,Andros,Lallana, Ox. In that order.

Forwards - Rooney, Sturridge, Lambert. The rest are shit but probably Wellbeck as on his one good day a year he is decent.

 

[King of Otters]

Hart

Walker Cahill Jagielka Cole

Carrick Gerrard

Townsend----------------------- Walcott

Rooney

Sturridge

​

 

[gushayes11]

Hart
Walker jagielka Cahill Baines
Wilshere carrick
Gerrard
Walcott Rooney
Sturridge

Best team available unfortunately. When you look at what the Germans have at their disposal, this team is average IMO.

 

[14/04/91]

Funny that most of us go for a midfield 3. And Carrick who is pretty much the only English player capable of retaining any kind of possession.

How on earth Hodgson thought 442 could work against Germany is, franky, shocking. This bloke is stuck in the 70's and is as bad an appointment as Capello.
Lee Dixon's half time analysis was spot on. He highlighted us having the ball in defence or deep midfield and the complete lack of options - it was pathetic.

I honestly think we're unlikely to get through our group. We'd need to get lucky & draw Switzerland (seeded) Costa Rica and Algeria.

 

[michaelden]

Hart
Walker Caulker Dawson Baines
Rodwell
Gerard Carroll
Lennon Rooney Oxalade​

Subs: Archer, Jag-yell-Ka, Barkley, A.Cole, Wiltshire, Obika, Lallana

 

[SteveH]

Hart
Walker Cahill Terry Cole
Gerrard
Wilshire* Rooney
Walcott*.............................Lallana
Sturridge
​

If fit*

 

[poc]

Hart
Walker Cahill Jagielka Baines
Gerrard
Walcott Rooney Wilshere Sturridge
Lambert

Subs: Cole, Jones, Barkley, Townsend, Oxlade, Lallana, Carrick

 

[dontcallme]

Some pretty attacking line-ups being put up.

We aren't inventive or creative enough to try to outscore other teams and our centre backs are so average that I feel they need to be protected.

 

[mpickard2087]

Someone really needs to get through to Sturridge that passing to a team mate isn't to be avoided at all costs, he also needs to stop trying that move where he attempts to beat his man in about a yard of space on the byline. It might work against the mighty PL teams of Sunderland and Norwich, at the World Cup things will be different.

Wilshere is another who seems to refuse to do anything simple and is regressing as a footballer. Looks like he is feeling the pressure and trying to hard to make an impression. If there is an easy pass on then use it.

Townsend looks by far the most dangerous player since he came into the team, which sums up the dearth of quality. I don't think Woy can drop him after what he has shown.

Lallana looks an intelligent player and I would have him in the squad, but Welbeck works hard to be fair and I think he will get his place back. We aren't going to outclass teams, so will have to be busy ****s.

No thanks to the likes of Milner, Henderson, Cleverly etc...

I dunno what to do in defence. Jagielka and Cahill seem nailed on picks. Smalling I thought did reasonably well last night apart from the goal. Dawson is no worse than any of these but doesn't look like getting in. Jones is average at best and I would honestly prefer someone like Caulker. After this I am struggling to think of options... At fullback, Walker ahead of Johnson for me, although wouldn't rule out someone like Clyne and at left back I wasn't impressed at all with Cole last night and would pick the superior attacker.

Hart
Walker Cahill Jagielka Baines
Gerrard Carrick
Townsend Rooney Welbeck
Sturridge​

 

[poc]

Some pretty attacking line-ups being put up.

We aren't inventive or creative enough to try to outscore other teams and our centre backs are so average that I feel they need to be protected.

Agreed,

I do have a defensive line up in mind but honestly our chances of scoring is just horrible

 

[dontcallme]

Agreed,

I do have a defensive line up in mind but honestly our chances of scoring is just horrible

It's almost like we need to go all out defence, get Beckham back to take set-pieces and hope for a 1-0.

 

[Lufti]

England can't pass through teams, their best chance is on the counter attack, and as such they should set up to try and absorb presssure. For me:

Hart

Walker - Cahill - Jagielka - Baines

Carrick
Gerrard - Wilshere

Townsend ------------- Lallana

Rooney
​

Everyone is saying Lallana didn't do enough in the last two games but I genuinely believe he's England's best player (mostly because he doesn't player like an Englishman). Just because he's not scoring a goal or slicing the opponent's defence in two with passes every 2 minutes, it doesn't mean he's not playing well. He was efficient with the ball, didn't use it wastefully, moved around the pitch well and did his bit defensively. If Welbeck gets the LW slot back then it will be a disgrace.

 

[idontgetit]

England can't pass through teams, their best chance is on the counter attack, and as such they should set up to try and absorb presssure. For me:

Hart

Walker - Cahill - Jagielka - Baines

Carrick
Gerrard - Wilshere

Townsend ------------- Lallana

Rooney
​

Everyone is saying Lallana didn't do enough in the last two games but I genuinely believe he's England's best player (mostly because he doesn't player like an Englishman). Just because he's not scoring a goal or slicing the opponent's defence in two with passes every 2 minutes, it doesn't mean he's not playing well. He was efficient with the ball, didn't use it wastefully, moved around the pitch well and did his bit defensively. If Welbeck gets the LW slot back then it will be a disgrace.

The good thing about that line-up is even though we can use it defensively against good sides, the players are still the type who can go out and dominate a weaker side all over the pitch

 

[Mr Pink]

Someone really needs to get through to Sturridge that passing to a team mate isn't to be avoided at all costs, he also needs to stop trying that move where he attempts to beat his man in about a yard of space on the byline. It might work against the mighty PL teams of Sunderland and Norwich, at the World Cup things will be different.

Wilshere is another who seems to refuse to do anything simple and is regressing as a footballer. Looks like he is feeling the pressure and trying to hard to make an impression. If there is an easy pass on then use it.

Townsend looks by far the most dangerous player since he came into the team, which sums up the dearth of quality. I don't think Woy can drop him after what he has shown.

Lallana looks an intelligent player and I would have him in the squad, but Welbeck works hard to be fair and I think he will get his place back. We aren't going to outclass teams, so will have to be busy ****s.

No thanks to the likes of Milner, Henderson, Cleverly etc...

I dunno what to do in defence. Jagielka and Cahill seem nailed on picks. Smalling I thought did reasonably well last night apart from the goal. Dawson is no worse than any of these but doesn't look like getting in. Jones is average at best and I would honestly prefer someone like Caulker. After this I am struggling to think of options... At fullback, Walker ahead of Johnson for me, although wouldn't rule out someone like Clyne and at left back I wasn't impressed at all with Cole last night and would pick the superior attacker.

Hart
Walker Cahill Jagielka Baines
Gerrard Carrick
Townsend Rooney Welbeck
Sturridge​

Without doubt that should be the team, by a county mile as well. Only positions which should be contested in that line up..is either Cole or Baines, and Walcott or Townsend. But I'd pick the exact same eleven you have.

 

[Blake Griffin]

if i had to predict a lineup, i'd say:

hart
johnson cahill jagielka cole
gerrard carrick wilshere
walcott rooney welbeck​