England Squad

[Vision]

One of the hugely disappointing things is that Lescot who is probably as good anyone as a back up to Cahill/Jagielka can't get a game for man City yet had the chance to get game time in a World Cup year by moving to West Ham in January and turned it down.

Pretty much every part of that above sentence sums up what is wrong with English football and it's players in the current climate.

[Hoop Blah]

I didn't realise Lescott had the chance to move in the end. Interesting that he didn't as I think he's the most suitable partner for Cahill.

It's a bit of a come down from Terry and Ferdinand, but Lescott has usually done pretty well when he's played centre half and I think he had a good Euro's there alongside Terry, and he and Kompany were at the heart of a very good back four for City when they won the league.

It seems he doesn't quite convince the right people at City though.

Totally agree with the annoyance at players being happy not to play though. How many players have ruined their careers recently by chasing the money and the big moves.

[Royalclapper]

Ashley Young FFS, he was absolutely fcuking abysmal at Euro 2012. I would never take a player who performed as badly as that to another tournament - typical inclusion because he plays for one of the big clubs, you know he wouldn't be going if he was at Norwich/West Brom etc.

Adam Johnson or Jarvis ahead of him for me. Nolan instead of Carrick, Agbonlahor instead of Defoe, Jay Rod instead of Lambert.

[soggy biscuit]

One of the hugely disappointing things is that Lescot who is probably as good anyone as a back up to Cahill/Jagielka can't get a game for man City yet had the chance to get game time in a World Cup year by moving to West Ham in January and turned it down.

Pretty much every part of that above sentence sums up what is wrong with English football and it's players in the current climate.

I remember hearing at the time that Man City had agreed with West Ham that Lescott could go there but only if City brought in the player they wanted as his replacement but they never got that person.

[TBM]

What bout Nathan Redmond?

He's probably one of our bright stars for the future, why not give him time over Ashley Young?!

[Vision]

One of the hugely disappointing things is that Lescot who is probably as good anyone as a back up to Cahill/Jagielka can't get a game for man City yet had the chance to get game time in a World Cup year by moving to West Ham in January and turned it down.

Pretty much every part of that above sentence sums up what is wrong with English football and it's players in the current climate.

I remember hearing at the time that Man City had agreed with West Ham that Lescott could go there but only if City brought in the player they wanted as his replacement but they never got that person.

I'm not sure City were too fussed either way but the quote from Allardyce at the time when asked about Lescott was "we couldn't persuade him".

[Hoop Blah]

To be fair to Lescott, he had probably just played against them in the 9-0 agg beating so perhaps he had some good reason for turning it down.

[Hoop Blah]

Ashley Young FFS, he was absolutely fcuking abysmal at Euro 2012. I would never take a player who performed as badly as that to another tournament - typical inclusion because he plays for one of the big clubs, you know he wouldn't be going if he was at Norwich/West Brom etc.

Adam Johnson or Jarvis ahead of him for me. Nolan instead of Carrick, Agbonlahor instead of Defoe, Jay Rod instead of Lambert.

Fair comment on Young, he's possibly the biggest loser over the last couple of years. He was excellent for England in the build up to the Euro's but since then he has been pretty toilet.

Redmond probably has too much to do to win a first place in a squad over the other wingers available, but post-World Cup he might be one in with a shout.

[gazzer, loyal royal]

Tom Cleverly must be the best trainer, as he never ever performs for England Or Man utd

[TBM]

As expected Shaw is in (Barry isn't though)

[soggy biscuit]

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster, Ben Foster, Joe Hart, John Ruddy;

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Steven Caulker, Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker;

Midfielders: Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Raheem Sterling, Andros Townsend, Jack Wilshere;

Forwards: Jermain Defoe, Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Daniel Welbeck.

[soggy biscuit]

Jermaine Defoe - not good enough to start for his PL team, scored 1 league goal this season and will now spend his time before the WC playing in competition which is the standard of the Chanpionship, if not worse.

[MouldyRoyal]

How has Cleverly made it in? Surely Barry or Osman would be better picks?

[Pepe the Horseman]

Yep, or even someone like Huddlestone.

[Tredder]

As expected Shaw is in (Barry isn't though)

Are you a robot?

[TBM]

As expected Shaw is in (Barry isn't though)

Are you a robot?

[Royalclapper]

The Defence

Agger and Bendtner might even get a goal.

[Hoop Blah]

No Lescott? Seems a bit odd really.

I'm surprised that Adam Johnson didn't get the call up as well. That could mean his previous involvement has been enough to make up Hodgsons mind about him for this summer despite his recent good form.

No Carroll as well. Another one I'd have expected to be included.

As for Cleverly, he's done well in the past but has been pretty woeful of late. I can't see him making the final 30 let alone the final 23 for Brazil.

[TBM]

[11.30 from paddington]

What exactly has Andy Carroll done in the last two seasons to warrant a place at the World Cup?
Everything that is wrong with the England team is neatly summed up by virtue of his inclusion.

Been the most potent big man option available to play for England (when fit)?

The next best would be Lambert, who may go ahead of him but I'd probably take Carroll if he's fit because he's a bit more different than Lambert and he causes more genuine panic for defenders when he plays.

Who would you take instead? Rooney and Sturridge will, fitness allowing, be our first choice front two. Welbeck will go as back up to them and as a more defensive/hardworking alternative to Sturridge, plus his ability to play as one of the wide forwards. Who next for something different?

Delayed response this but - my issue is less with Carroll, but more the point that one of our options is still "hoof it up front to the big man and hope something happens."

At that level of football teams like Italy and Uruguay will let Carroll win the header, whilst they pick up the second ball and keep possession for the next ten minutes, whilst England chase after them in the humidity.

For what its worth, I'd probably go for Lambert over Carroll as he seems to hold the ball and uses it a little better. I also think he's played better than Carroll over the last two seasons and has earned his place.

Obviously, now I've said all that, Carroll will end up winning the Golden Boot as Italy, Spain and Brazil crumble after cross after cross gets hit into their penalty box.