The England thread

[MDK]

I dunno, Crewe reserves can be quite tasty.

I don't see the problem with playing players that are in form. So what if Holt isn't doing good this season, that is why you pick players when they are in form at the time. And again, its San Marino, I think if I had a 30 minute run out against them I'd bag a goal from right back.

[Colly]

That's kind of what I mean, that probably wouldn't gauge how suitable you were for the Montenegro game would it?

Cahill out, Stevie Taylor in. Yay!

Edited March 19, 2013 by Colly

[Matt]

I don't see how being out of form for a top team, surrounded by the best players can possibly mean you should get picked over an in form player for a mid table team surrounded by average players.

[Colly]

Form is temporary, class is permanent.

To be honest I don't really want to push the argument, simply because I agree with you entirely in principle that the trend towards England managers watching and picking from the top four teams (I don't think Capello ever made the trip to SJP) is damaging to the domestic game and England team, with players happy to sit on the bench at good teams to make the squad.

But I just don't see this as the 'why isn't Matt Le Tissier getting more caps?' situation, despite the similarities in style. I see this more as 'why is Hodgson choosing to put the development of a young player with great potential over a handful of caps for a player older than me with 7 months of top flight experience?', and I know and understand the reasons why he is.

[Lineker]

Everton captain Phil Neville will join the England Under-21 coaching staff for this summer's European Championships in Israel, the Football Association confirms.

[MDK]

Jesus, the comments section of the BBC article about Rio going to Qatar instead of playing for England. Football fans are generally morons, but with access to internet they are megamorons.

[stokeriño]

Jesus, the comments section of the BBC article about Rio going to Qatar instead of playing for England. Football fans are generally morons, but with access to internet they are megamorons.

Fixed.

No, wait.

Jesus, the comments section of the BBC article about Rio going to Qatar instead of playing for England anywhere on the internet. Football fans Human beings are generally morons, but with access to internet they are megamorons.

Now fixed.

[brenchill]

Alan Brazil kept banging on about how traveling to Qatar will be worse for Rio's back than playing and training with England this morning on TalkSport.

[Colly]

In fairness that's possibly true.

[brenchill]

Well, he's not going to be sat in economy class that's for sure.

[TCO]

It's funny how the media and people online are all over this. I'd rather go to Qatar for a break too instead of training for a week and playing a nothing game against San Marino, especially at this point of his career in his physical shape.

[brenchill]

He's in bad shape, but he's not quite as bad as Ledley King was, The Undertaker of professional football.

[MDK]

Or Darren Anderton, lest we forget

[King Ellis]

I think it's a bleedin' disgrace! This guy's on 475,000 pounds a week and would rather line his bank account some more to go and commentate for a bunch of Arabs than play for his country. In my day, we had real men like Sir Stanley Matthews who would sail halfway around the world just to represent this fine nation and then come back and work 72 hours for only 2 bob a week.

[Colly]

Away from the mock outrage I do think its pretty poor from someone who does still want an international career.

[Lineker]

Good 3-0 win for the U21's against Romania tonight. I think we have something like eight clean sheets in a row now.

[Starvinho]

From BBC Sport Twitter;

Arsenal & #England winger Theo Walcott will miss World Cup qualifiers v San Marino and Montenegro after picking up a groin strain #afc

[Kaney]

I really think San Marino can get something from this game.

[Colly]

They can. Eleven to fourteen match worn England shirts to stick on eBay.

[Kaney]

Better than what we'll get. What kind of poof would want to buy wales shirts?