UEFA Euro 2012 Group D (UKR/SWE/FRA/ENG)

[theTROOF]

Suspension of Rooney, racism involving Terry & the scared **** Black Brits of Eastern-European football hooligans will doom this squad. Ultimately Sweden has the best player in the group & France best team




1. Sweden
2. France
------------
3. England
4. Ukraine

[Foye]

1. France
2. England
3. Sweden
4. Ukraine

[5DOM]

Pretty boring game between England and Belgium. Very Chelsea-like performance from England too - defending well, riding their luck, and scoring a good goal. They just need their Drogba in this tournament.

[Slava]

I actually liked how England are shaping up. Once Rooney returns the opposition will be pushed deeper and that makes space for Gerrard, Young and Ox to attack. Even if one of the midfielders sits much deeper they will have 4 or 5 players who can play interchangeably in the attacking positions.

[treiz]

Pretty boring game between England and Belgium. Very Chelsea-like performance from England too - defending well, riding their luck, and scoring a good goal. They just need their Drogba in this tournament.

[treiz]

I actually liked how England are shaping up. Once Rooney returns the opposition will be pushed deeper and that makes space for Gerrard, Young and Ox to attack. Even if one of the midfielders sits much deeper they will have 4 or 5 players who can play interchangeably in the attacking positions.

This, I think the potential interchange in the final third between Ox, Young, Rooney and Gerrard could make England exciting to watch. That game England seemed really cautious and it really seems they were holding back against Belgium. At least that's what I'm hoping for.

Like I said in another thread, with Lamps going down this could've been the perfect opportunity to bring in Carrick and play a midfield 3 of him, Parker and Gerrard further forward. Especially with Englands trouble with retaining possession. This could've been Carrick's tournament IMO.

Lastly, if Cahill doesn't make it, Micah Richards better be in. I know they said Martin Kelly is on stand by but that would be a horrible decision. Literally, everything is falling in place for him and he deserves to be there.

France
England
Sweden
Ukraine

[5DOM]

Martin Kelly in. What a joke. Mertens

Expecting Jonjo Shelvey to replace Parker after he injures himself in training

Rio Ferdinand ‏@rioferdy5
What reasons?????!!!

Emmanuel Y Frimpong ‏@Frimpong26AFC
Lol England Wooow If I am Jonjo shelvey I should Cancel my holidays and wait patiently For Not soo Suprised England Call up #liverpool

[bryant08]

Martin Kelly in. What a joke. Mertens

Expecting Jonjo Shelvey to replace Parker after he injures himself in training

Rio Ferdinand ‏@rioferdy5
What reasons?????!!!

Emmanuel Y Frimpong ‏@Frimpong26AFC
Lol England Wooow If I am Jonjo shelvey I should Cancel my holidays and wait patiently For Not soo Suprised England Call up #liverpool

Absolutely ridiculous that Kelly gets in. Hodgson

[MaliBrah]

ahaha frimpong is hilarious

[treiz]

I can't believe this England team has 6 Liverpool players

I think Hodgson is trying to get Liverpool fans to like him again after his spell, I actually wouldn't mind seeing Rio called up for Cahill, they say it was for football reasons and right now I think it's obvious that isn't the case.

[bryant08]

^Even Micah Richards would've been fine, I mean it's not like Kelly can play CB can he?

[MaliBrah]

spearing is next ahahah

how in all honesty have micah richards and now ferdinand in cahills place not been picked.... beats me

[5DOM]

IIRC Richards ruled himself out after finding out he would only be on the standby list. If he simply accepted the offer then, he would be on the team possibly playing a significant role.

Ferdinand one is unfortunate because he's actually been wanting to play in the tournament.

[Next Coming]

LMMFAOOOOOOO! Jay Spearing is definitely next. C'mon you scouse!

[5DOM]

Matt Lawton ‏@Matt_Lawton_DM
Capello, Mancini and Hodgson all clearly have their doubts about Richards. Throw in a poor attitude and why would u want him at Euro 2012?

[Slava]

Richards has been excellent for City in terms of attitude. He even took a lot of leadership along with Kompany. Those issues were like a season ago.

Also Rio hasn't even refused a reserve role like Carrick and Richards have and instead Martin Kelly comes in for a central defender. This is just insulting for a player like Ferdinand. He should just issue international retirement now.

[MitchellUK]

Richards has been excellent for City in terms of attitude. He even took a lot of leadership along with Kompany. Those issues were like a season ago.

Also Rio hasn't even refused a reserve role like Carrick and Richards have and instead Martin Kelly comes in for a central defender. This is just insulting for a player like Ferdinand. He should just issue international retirement now.

I'd love to hear the genuine reasons for his exclusion. My assumption (and I'm guessing most peoples') is the John Terry situation, and if that is the case, I wish Hodgson would just tell people straight up instead of insulting our intelligence by using "footballing reasons" for the selection of someone like Martin Kelly. Even if Hodgson wants to argue that he is taking Kelly in order to start getting some younger players tournament experience it doesn't add up - both Kyle Naughton (if he insisted on replacing Cahill with a full-back) and Steven Caulker have had decent seasons playing regularly in the Premiership this year and are better options than Kelly. I don't see Kelly as a future international at all, and this basically reeks of Hodgson being appointed too late, not feeling like he's got extensive enough knowledge of the English players' ability and form, and going for the comfortable pick of someone he's seen play on a regular basis, even if they aren't very good.

[5DOM]

Even Malouda's been playing very well for France last few games. They look ready

[treiz]

Malouda's playing well?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXU8w336oGs[/youtube]

[b-ball forever]

Malouda's been solid recently on the national team, but he's playing as a central midfielder as opposed to his usual left winger spot. Might be a smart thing for him to move to that position more often at club level since he isn't as quick as he used to be during his Lyon days anymore...

For now, the starting lineup for France until M'Villa recovers (and replaces Diarra) should be :

----------------Lloris
Debuchy-Mexes-Rami-Evra
---------Cabaye-Diarra
------------Malouda
Nasri--------------------Ribery
------------Benzema

Nice to have a fullback that can play wide and help out up front (Debuchy) since offensive wing play has been a weak area for the French team in recent years.

Mexes is in bad physical shape coming off an injury riddled season, I hope Koscielny (who's been playing very efficient defense) replaces him in the starting lineup starting if he doesn't get rolling soon.
Evra has been suspect on the left as well and might lose his spot to Clichy.
Nasri has been rather mediocre during the preparation games and could lose his spot to Ben Arfa.

Laurent Blanc should do a lot better than Domenech, will be interesting to see what decisions he'll make with the pressure of international competition on.