The England thread

[Dingle]

Surely something happened with Richards in the England squad because this doesn't make sense at all. With Capello, people just thought he simply didn't rate him highly, but now with a new manager he gets overlooked as well? It's not like Kelly has consistently played this season either.

We've discussed it a couple of times recently here but the prevailing belief is that for both Capello and Woy, Micah is far too much his own man and doesn't stick to the tactics set out by the manager.

So he picks Phil "get the ball and run 40 yards with it leaving a massive hole in the defence" Jones? That's not knocking Jones by the way, he's a good player but he's similar to Richards in that regard.

This is a very valid point and needs to be brought up more often because I thought I was only one who noticed it.

This is why I want Jones as a CDM and Cahill/Terry at the back.

[MJB]

Surely something happened with Richards in the England squad because this doesn't make sense at all. With Capello, people just thought he simply didn't rate him highly, but now with a new manager he gets overlooked as well? It's not like Kelly has consistently played this season either.

We've discussed it a couple of times recently here but the prevailing belief is that for both Capello and Woy, Micah is far too much his own man and doesn't stick to the tactics set out by the manager.

So he picks Phil "get the ball and run 40 yards with it leaving a massive hole in the defence" Jones? That's not knocking Jones by the way, he's a good player but he's similar to Richards in that regard.

This is a very valid point and needs to be brought up more often because I thought I was only one who noticed it.

This is why I want Jones as a CDM and Cahill/Terry at the back.

Not much good as a DM if he goes wandering.

[Dingle]

I'd be playing two DM's >_>.

[MJB]

Him alongside Parker could work. One striker I presume?

[Dingle]

Yep. Of course the 'easier' games would allow for a less defensive approach, but against Spain we stayed solid and narrow and were able to get a win. But against France we'd need speed up front (Walcott/Young/Oxlade) and a firm defence. Cole/Terry/Cahill did it against Barca (first leg anyway).

But aye, alongside Parker or Barry, whoever is looking sharpest because Parker picked up a knock didn't he?

[Matt]

My team vs. France would be:

GK: Hart

LB: Cole

RB: Johnson

CD: Cahill

CD: Terry

LM: Young

RM: Ox

CM: Parker

CM: Milner

ST: Carroll

ST: Defoe

Jesus, that looks fucking awful.

Edit: Actually probably move Milner on the right and play Lampard in the middle. Not that that looks much better.

[MJB]

I'd go for: Hart, Jones, Cahill, Terry, Cole, Parker, Barry, Gerrard, Walcott, Young, Carroll.

That doesn't really look any better to be honest :/

[Dingle]

All teams must include Gerrard by the way guys, since he's our glorious leader.

I actually don't worry as much as you chaps with our potential team sheets, although I certainly wouldn't include Defoe in my starting 11.

Hart, Cole, Terry, Cahill, Johnson, Barry, Parker, Gerrard, Young, Walcott, Carrol.

[Pesci]

My team is the same as Jouzy's team. Possibly Welbeck ahead of Carroll because when Rooney's back I would ultimately want to play him and Welbeck together. But probably Carroll since France is our toughest game and then maybe start Welbeck in the games after.

[Matt]

All teams must include Gerrard by the way guys, since he's our glorious leader.

I actually don't worry as much as you chaps with our potential team sheets, although I certainly wouldn't include Defoe in my starting 11.

Hart, Cole, Terry, Cahill, Johnson, Barry, Parker, Gerrard, Young, Walcott, Carrol.

The other alternatives are playing Carroll up front or playing Carroll/Welbeck. Welbeck up top on his own sounds disastrous.

I know Gerrard is captain but there's no chance in hell I'd have made him captain; never does it against the top sides for England, has had one good game this season. I'm not even sure I'd have taken him.

[Dingle]

Agreed with not taking Gerrard and agreed with wanting to play Rooney and Welbeck together, although I don't think they are the most formidable duo quite yet, but they know each other better than any other striking combination.

Still, Matt, we have to include Gerrard because he will be included by Hodgson, so we have no choice .

[Matt]

Fine, drop Ox, Milner out wide and Gerrard in the centre.

The Rooney/Welbeck idea is all well and good, but I'm not sure we'll be in the competition by the time Rooney's back

[Dingle]

Fine, drop Ox, Milner out wide and Gerrard in the centre.

The Rooney/Welbeck idea is all well and good, but I'm not sure we'll be in the competition by the time Rooney's back

Eliminated before the group games are over? I admire your pessimism .

[Matt]

Fine, drop Ox, Milner out wide and Gerrard in the centre.

The Rooney/Welbeck idea is all well and good, but I'm not sure we'll be in the competition by the time Rooney's back

Eliminated before the group games are over? I admire your pessimism .

It's possible to be eliminated after 2 games, I expect to lose to France... Sweden I have no idea how we'll fare against.

[Dingle]

Fine, drop Ox, Milner out wide and Gerrard in the centre.

The Rooney/Welbeck idea is all well and good, but I'm not sure we'll be in the competition by the time Rooney's back

Eliminated before the group games are over? I admire your pessimism .

It's possible to be eliminated after 2 games, I expect to lose to France... Sweden I have no idea how we'll fare against.

Yeah, but we still have to play the final game silly.

[Matt]

Well yeah but it'll mean as much as Saturday's game

[Asuka's Gonna Kill You]

Hart

Johnson, Cahill, Terry, Cole

Parker, Barry

Walcott, Gerrard, Young

Welbeck

I'd play Welbeck all day long in the first two, but I'm confident that wont happen and we'll likely go with Carroll and possibly even Defoe alongside him. Wouldn't mind Ox on the right at some point instead of Walcott. Johnson at RB because we have hardly any choice, the Richards decision is truly baffling. I wouldn't of minded seeing Sturridge in the squad too, while he didn't have the best second half to a season for Chelsea, he could still of been a good option.

[METALMAN]

I'd play Welbeck all day long in the first two

you'd just tire him out :/

[Lineker]

BBC Sport exclusive by Richard Conway: Goal-line technology to be tested at Wembley Stadium during England v Belgium friendly, 2 June. More on the BBC Sport website soon

[Adam]

Although it's not actually going to be in use for the game, just a trial run with the system in place. Still it's good news.