England National Football Team Thread

[treiz]

I'm just glad Walcott's not there, even more surprised Antonio couldn't even make the 26.

Delph shouldn't even have been anywhere near as well. Even Wilshere to a degree considering that he hasn't played until this weekend, I'd be surprised if Roy deems him to be match ready by the time the tournament starts considering his fitness history.

Surprised Rashford even got the call up to begin with too, thought they would try and progress him slowly, even Roy said as much.

[Baphomet]

I'm just glad Walcott's not there, even more surprised Antonio couldn't even make the 26.

Delph shouldn't even have been anywhere near as well. Even Wilshere to a degree considering that he hasn't played until this weekend, I'd be surprised if Roy deems him to be match ready by the time the tournament starts considering his fitness history.

Surprised Rashford even got the call up to begin with too, thought they would try and progress him slowly, even Roy said as much.

I would be happy for Rashford to prove me wrong, but I don't think he's ready for a major tournament like this. He's fed off scraps all season at United and I don't see it being any better for England. That said, I doubt he'll make the final squad when it's cut down to 23. I'm just gutted for Defoe, he's been phenomenal for Sunderland and really deserves this. And like you said, Antonio would be a great pick as well for a winger option (surely over Delph...)

Heck, I'd even take Andy effing Carroll over Rashford.

[No_20]

What's the problem with Carroll? He is a great plan B when you are a goal down in a QF.

Cresswell is also easily better than Bertrand and Noble is better than Delph. I think the problem is that Roy Hodgson doesnt like West Ham. Fair enough.

[Baphomet]

What's the problem with Carroll? He is a great plan B when you are a goal down in a QF.

Cresswell is also easily better than Bertrand and Noble is better than Delph. I think the problem is that Roy Hodgson doesnt like West Ham. Fair enough.

There's nothing wrong with Carroll, in fact he's been quite good this season. He just has a reputation for being a donkey, so it's almost a surprise to myself that I'm advocating picking him for England.

I don't disagree with the latter either. I think Antonio was an even bigger miss than those two.

[treiz]

I would be happy for Rashford to prove me wrong, but I don't think he's ready for a major tournament like this. He's fed off scraps all season at United and I don't see it being any better for England. That said, I doubt he'll make the final squad when it's cut down to 23. I'm just gutted for Defoe, he's been phenomenal for Sunderland and really deserves this. And like you said, Antonio would be a great pick as well for a winger option (surely over Delph...)

Heck, I'd even take Andy effing Carroll over Rashford.

Oh no doubt, but as of now he's in line to be one of the first definite cuts from the 26, which makes me question why Roy even brought him up in the first place. Maybe something similar like what happened to Januzaj a couple of years ago is happening here.

Agree with Defoe, it's such a shame that his work this season for Sunderland couldn't be rewarded, he at least would've provided some decent competition to Sturridge. Carroll to a degree too, he might be a good plan B but we don't have any one in the squad who's particularly good at crossing, maybe Milner at best. With the team largely built around what Roy has done since his hiring which is high pressing, lots of movement, on the floor football, it would've been difficult to justify taking Carroll. Actually a bit surprised Jagielka and Baines wasn't taken, not because of their season but because Roy trusted them.

Like you said too I feel West Ham has been hard done by, with Antonio my main gripe. He could've been a nice winger to be direct with and he also has a decent aerial presence should we need it. I like Cresswell, but Bertrand is a better all around LB IMO and can fill in at CB should need be (if Roy decides to experiment with a back 3). I feel with Noble despite him having a great season, there's too many midfielders like him in the team already and I don't think Roy was gonna leave behind trusted players like Hendo/Wilshere. Wouldn't be surprised if they start the opening game.

What would your XI be? Right now mine is:
Hart
Rose-Cahill-Smalling-Walker
Dier
Drinkwater-Wilshere
Alli
Vardy-Kane

[No_20]

What's the problem with Carroll? He is a great plan B when you are a goal down in a QF.

Cresswell is also easily better than Bertrand and Noble is better than Delph. I think the problem is that Roy Hodgson doesnt like West Ham. Fair enough.

There's nothing wrong with Carroll, in fact he's been quite good this season. He just has a reputation for being a donkey, so it's almost a surprise to myself that I'm advocating picking him for England.

I don't disagree with the latter either. I think Antonio was an even bigger miss than those two.

Who cares if he is a donkey. Remember his header against Sweden 4 years ago? Or when he bullied Arsenal. That's what he brings. The other strikers are too similar.

[WorldBeFree]

No Antonio but delph.... Nice Job.

[Baphomet]

Oh no doubt, but as of now he's in line to be one of the first definite cuts from the 26, which makes me question why Roy even brought him up in the first place. Maybe something similar like what happened to Januzaj a couple of years ago is happening here.

Agree with Defoe, it's such a shame that his work this season for Sunderland couldn't be rewarded, he at least would've provided some decent competition to Sturridge. Carroll to a degree too, he might be a good plan B but we don't have any one in the squad who's particularly good at crossing, maybe Milner at best. With the team largely built around what Roy has done since his hiring which is high pressing, lots of movement, on the floor football, it would've been difficult to justify taking Carroll. Actually a bit surprised Jagielka and Baines wasn't taken, not because of their season but because Roy trusted them.

Like you said too I feel West Ham has been hard done by, with Antonio my main gripe. He could've been a nice winger to be direct with and he also has a decent aerial presence should we need it. I like Cresswell, but Bertrand is a better all around LB IMO and can fill in at CB should need be (if Roy decides to experiment with a back 3). I feel with Noble despite him having a great season, there's too many midfielders like him in the team already and I don't think Roy was gonna leave behind trusted players like Hendo/Wilshere. Wouldn't be surprised if they start the opening game.

What would your XI be? Right now mine is:
Hart
Rose-Cahill-Smalling-Walker
Dier
Drinkwater-Wilshere
Alli
Vardy-Kane

Hart
Clyne - Cahill - Smalling - Rose
Drinkwater
Milner - Barkley
Alli
Vardy - Kane

I like this midfield quartet. Pace, power, work rate and hard graft. Milner isn't a flashy player but I think he would bring necessary leadership to midfield, and I believe him to be the best crosser of the ball in our entire squad. He's also not afraid to get stuck in if need be. Barkley has been really poor for Everton in the second half of the season, but I think of him as a unique presence in this squad, he has a hell of a shot on him and is something of an x-factor, despite his tendency to disappear.

Dier has struggled greatly in recent weeks, so I would start Drinkwater over him as the holder. I understand that Ranieri plays him and Kante as more of a paired unit for Leicester, but for England we lack anyone with Kante's qualities. I like the idea of him playing as part of a fluid quick transitional style, feeding Milner/Barkley/Alli or launching straight up to Kane and Vardy, which I think would be more natural if we're going 4-4-2. Though Milner can play out wide, I like the idea of him staying central as a facilitator, with Clyne and Rose providing the width and support from full-back as I think they're the hardest working pair. Walker is too error prone to be relied upon at international level, imo.

Of course this is all a pipedream because Roy thinks of us as a more possession based team. At best, we're a very **** version of Spain when we play like that.

By the way, I'm really glad this thread has been active, I was expecting it to die on the first page. Good going lads.

[treiz]

It's a nice midfield quartet but I do worry about Barkley though, I know that Martinez tried to get him to play deeper for Everton especially in the latter parts of the season to terrible effects, I'm just not sure if I could trust him performing that all action style needed for the CM, if he was told by Roy to just stay in the no.10 role and at most press the opposing DMs then I'm cool with that, but Alli is a better for that position IMO, I just don't trust him to help out the defence if need be.

I thought Drinkwater could be useful going forward, he's got decent passing range and a shot and is a tireless worker, so pushing him up next to Wilshere is ideal, although I wouldn't be opposed to switching Milner for him. Wilshere who despite being an absolute mong does have that X-factor in him. He can drop deep or support the attack. I do hope he is fit since the 2 CMs in this diamond system is IMO the most important positions in this lineup. I thought with Dier effectively playing as a 3rd CB would allow Rose-Walker to bomb forward. I agree with the notion that Walker is error prone which is why I thought Dier would be necessary for that, and Walker is just much better going forward. But at the same time Cahill-Smalling isn't exactly Vertonghen-Alderweireld.

[Next Coming]

Mark Noble making the team is a trophy in itself.

[HIF]

Wilshire should be the first player on the XI board. Dude is great talent.

Average and below average since his return.

Seemed to be giving the ball away so much in that last game.

hasn't proven his fitness - shouldn't be seen on the pitch in the euros.

[WorldBeFree]

Still cant believe delph and rashford are on this team. Defoe was soooo good! I am really sad for him and Antonio

[HIF]

Defoe was good on some occasions but he wasn't consistent and had trouble against certain types of defence.

It amazes me that Hodgson is wasting time naming players who aren't fit and haven't proven anything this year. Past "glories" are irrelevant.

I don't like Harry Kane but the 4 players I hope to see playing for England are Kane and Vardy - both upfront - and Alli and Drinkwater in midfield.

They will cause other teams problems. I sincerely hope he doesn't play possession football with Rooney as his "goalscorer".

[WorldBeFree]

Maybe England should really consider to play 5 in the back so rose and Clyne / walker have freedom. Better wingers then Sterling and Co for sure

[treiz]

Defoe was good on some occasions but he wasn't consistent and had trouble against certain types of defence.

It amazes me that Hodgson is wasting time naming players who aren't fit and haven't proven anything this year. Past "glories" are irrelevant.

I don't like Harry Kane but the 4 players I hope to see playing for England are Kane and Vardy - both upfront - and Alli and Drinkwater in midfield.

They will cause other teams problems. I sincerely hope he doesn't play possession football with Rooney as his "goalscorer".

Definitely don't agree with this, when Sam came in and actually started playing him up front (early in the season Advocaat played him out wide and Sam rolled with Fletcher as his main striker at the start) on his own he was really good, which was surprising since one of the main criticisms he's had throughout his career is that he can't play up front by himself. And from then on, despite receiving limited support he's managed to create a decent amount of chances and showed his finishing prowess.

Quite frankly, I thought he would've been a better addition to the squad than Sturridge despite Sturridge's obvious talent.

Rooney is in the team because he's the captain, I don't think there was anyway he would've not been brought along. Now whether he plays is a completely different story and I agree that the best team is likely to be with him on the bench. But Roy will no doubt play him, especially for possession football where Rooney is better suited to partner Kane than Vardy/Sturridge.

[No_20]

Reminder that England plays against Turkey today. First England game outside Wembley since it was opened in 2007 I'm pretty sure.

Is this the day Turkey will finally score a goal against England?

[Baphomet]

Reminder that England plays against Turkey today. First England game outside Wembley since it was opened in 2007 I'm pretty sure.

Is this the day Turkey will finally score a goal against England?

Don't really care if they do. I expect that Roy will experiment with the line-up.

It's just a friendly after all.

[No_20]

Reminder that England plays against Turkey today. First England game outside Wembley since it was opened in 2007 I'm pretty sure.

Is this the day Turkey will finally score a goal against England?

Don't really care if they do. I expect that Roy will experiment with the line-up.

It's just a friendly after all.

He picked almost his best team.

Hart
Walker - Cahill - Stones - Rose
Sterling - Dier - Wilshere - Alli
Vardy - Kane

[HIF]

Wilshere in and Drinkwater out is a stupid Woy move.

All he needs to do now is put Vardy on the wing in a 4:3:3 to prove he has no idea.

[BUCKnation]

Wilshere shouldn't even be near the squad.