Who should go to Ukraine/Poland? And who we think should be left behind!
Now
the domestic season is over and Roy Hodgson is in place to lead the Three Lions
into Euro 2012, the focus now turns on who should be on the plane…..and who
should be left grounded at home? Here’s TN5’s
view:
Firstly,
the squad needs to be reflective of the first 11 line up. We believe that a
4-2-3-1 formation is the best way for England to line up and therefore the
squad takes this into consideration.
Goalkeeper:
Joe Hart – Best keeper in the Premier League, and one of the
best in the world. Head and shoulders above the rest as our number 1 and we
will be in real trouble should he get injured. One of our few truly world class
players.
Robert Green – Recovered a little from his World Cup nightmare,
but spent the season in the Championship. A real indication of the lack of
competition for the number 1 spot is the fact a Championship keeper who has
looked a liability at international level is our nearest challenger to Hart.
Scott Carson – Playing in Turkey, he’s dropped off the radar a
little for most people including ourselves. No idea how he has been performing
in Turkey, but assuming he’s doing ok, there is little else to challenge him
for the 3rd goalkeeper spot.
Not
going:
A fairly straight forward selection for
the three keepers. The only other keeper really staking a claim for a place
would be Ruddy, but he has let in
too many “soft” goals and would be found wanting at the top level. With Foster and Robinson in “retirement” and James
well past his best, the only other option would be a youngster such as Stockdale or Loach who have very little top flight, never mind international,
experience between them. Hodgson is unlikely to throw in a youngster – but could
Foster, Hodgson’s keeper at WBA this
season, be tempted to return to the fold for his boss? If so, we would have him
in the squad as the number two with Carson
missing out.
Right Back:
Kyle Walker – Few would doubt he has been the best right back in
the Premier League and justifiable picked up the PFA Young Player of the Year
award, as well as being named in the Premier League team of the season. On that
basis alone it’s hard to argue against his inclusion either in the squad, or
indeed the starting line-up.
Micah Richards – In and out of the Man City side, but for our money
an accomplished full back who defends well and is a real asset going forward. A
colossus of a man, he adds power and pace to the team and is an additional
threat at set pieces. His doubters question his abilities and concentration as
a defender, but in our view this weakness (if it is a weakness) is not as
apparent in Richards as it is in his nearest challenger for the second right
back spot, Johnson.
Not
going:
It’s Glen Johnson who misses out. Hasn’t excelled in a struggling
Liverpool side. His qualities going forward, when he can hit the ball with either
right or left foot, make him dangerous when in possession, but his frailties as
a defender have far too often being exploited especially at the very top level.
Left Back:
Ashley Cole – Seasoned international and solid performer. A very
average season by his standards, Cole has begun to pick up his form a little of
late as Chelsea’s fortunes have improved. It would be a real surprise if he didn’t
make the squad and is almost certain to start, which we wouldn’t disagree with.
Leighton Baines – Picked in the PFA team of the year at left back and
has enjoyed a good season. Set piece delivery is excellent and can cross a ball
superbly. But has he got what it takes to step up to international level? Not
really given the chance to prove he has, and not really done anything to
justify that chance when opportunity has come his way. That’s why he’s likely
to be the understudy rather than first choice at left back.
Not
going:
Gibbs has had an
injury interrupted campaign, just when it looked like he might make an
international claim. Only one with any real claim to going with Warnock falling well out the picture
and a young Bertrand not having
enough games to justify his selection.
Centre Back:
John Terry – Divides opinion at the best of times, and never
more so than at the moment. Many argue his presence might be divisive in the
dress room - remember the World Cup press conference? However, we feel he will
have learnt from that and will be determined to show he is a team man and puts
his country first.
Rio Ferdinand – The other of the old guard. Looked as if his career
was on the way down not so long ago, but in the absence of Vidic has
re-established himself as Man United’s main defender. Past his best? Yes. Still
good enough though? Probably. And that’s why we’d take him.
Joleon Lescott – Probably the English defender who’s had the best
season. Alongside Kompany, they’ve formed the best defensive unit in the
Premier League. Whilst Kompany has taken all the plaudits, Lescott has without
doubt contributed significantly to Man City’s success this year. On form alone,
not only would he be in our squad, but in our starting 11.
Gary Cahill – Mid-season transfer to Chelsea has seen him step up
into the big time on a more regular basis. A steady defender without being
exceptional, he certainly has an eye for goal as he’s proved not only at club
but also international level.
Phil Jones – We’ve gone for a 5th “centre back”,
mainly due to Jones’ versatility, particularly given the formation we would
adopt. We think his best position is centre back, and in the future this is
where he will play most of his football and indeed will be captain of England
in that role. Although he provides cover at centre back and at right back, we
can’t see him playing in this tournament ahead of any of the other four above
or the two right backs. Therefore we think his most likely involvement would be
as a holding midfielder. Although unlikely to start, we’d have him on the bench
to bring on in any number of positions. Passes extremely well and keeps hold of
the ball.
Not
going:
The main contender would be Jagielka, but an injury hit season
means he just misses out. If we were to take him it would be at the expense of Terry if we felt his presence would not
be good for squad unity. Smalling has
a case, but not quite there yet to edge out any of the others. With King and Dawson suffering from their usual injuries, it’s difficult to see
how they would have a case for inclusion.
Central Midfield:
Scott Parker – Another in the Premier League team of the season and
enjoyed an excellent start to the season culminating in his captaincy for
Stuart Pearce’s caretaker game in charge. The love-in for Parker seems to have
dipped a bit recently, and we thought he was being talked up way above what his
ability and contribution would suggest. Having said that, his battling
qualities are in abundance and he is a definite for the squad.
James Milner – In and out of the Man City team this year, but his
versatility and work rate make him the ideal squad man for a tournament. Can
play left or right midfield, probably best employed as a central midfielder,
but could also be utilised as cover for full backs if required. Perhaps not
quite there for a starting spot, but a must for the squad.
Steven Gerrard – So often the main man for Liverpool and without
doubt one of the best midfielders of his generation in the world. It’s not been
a vintage year for Gerrard and there are suggestions he’s past his best,
perhaps his marauding days are gone and he’d be better employed as a holding
midfielder. We think his quality is so great that you have to take a chance on
him. A match winner without a doubt.
Michael Carrick – Played most of the season for Man United and seems
to have benefited from playing alongside Scholes. Whilst we’re not huge fans of
Carrick, there’s no doubt he can move the ball around the pitch and it could be
argued alongside Parker to do the bulk of the harassing, Carrick could be the
perfect launch pad to initiate England’s attacks.
Gareth Barry – Our last spot would go to Gareth Barry. 2 months
ago we wouldn’t have had him on the plane. He’s been found wanting in many
England games in the recent past, but has put in a real shift for Man City as
they got back in the title race. He’s the player who is sweating most on the 23rd
and final spot in the squad, with many claims for others to take his place.
Not
going:
The injured Wilshire would have been a definite for the squad, but his absence
has given Barry a reprieve. The main
contenders missing out are the old guard of Lampard and the out of retirement Scholes. Whilst both have played their parts in Chelsea’s and Man
United’s season, if England are to go forward, we need to play at a much
quicker tempo than these two can now bring.
Right and Left Midfield/Wing:
Theo Walcott – Vastly underrated, Walcott sets up umpteen chances
for Van Persie at Arsenal as well as weighing in with his fair share of goals.
He scares defenders to death and whilst (Croatia game apart) he’s not found the
net for England as regularly as he’d have liked, he creates so many chances for
other. Yes he fluffs it sometimes, but his delivery is much better than he is
given credit for.
Aaron Lennon – On his day as good as we’ve got but spends too long
on the treatment table. If he can be kept fit, he will provide great
competition for Walcott for a starting position.
Ashley Young – Had some great displays in an England shirt in
recent times and has taken his game on to another level since his move to Man
United. Whilst we wouldn’t say he is world class, he can certainly create
problems for the opposition and has proved he is at home in an England shirt.
With Rooney missing the first two, he might be the one we turn to for that bit
of magic.
Not
going:
With Milner in the squad able to play on either flank, we’d only take
these wide players. That means no room for
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Johnson, Sturridge or possibly most surprisingly, Downing. Oxlade-Chamberlain has made some impressive appearances for Arsenal
but they have been few and far between and he’s not yet ready for the step up. Johnson’s appearances for Man City are
fleeting at best and a promising England career looks to have stalled. Sturridge impressed in his England
debut, but in the latter half of the season his form has dipped as have his
appearances for Chelsea. Downing is
probably the unluckiest to miss out. A poor season for Liverpool has cost him
his place when he looked a definite a year ago. If we were to take one chance
with our squad it would be to take Downing
instead of Barry.
Centre Forward:
Wayne Rooney – We’re far from convinced Rooney is a must. Missing
two games is a massive part of the tournament. However, with the lack of other
options, I think it’s inevitable that he must come along.
Andy Carroll – Taken a huge amount of criticism this season until
a recent late revival. For us he’s a very talented player. His size and
aggression makes him a handful for any defender, but it’s his hammer of a left
foot that sets him apart and is why he’s in our squad. Would lead our line in
Rooney’s absence, but with instruction to the team not to resort to lumping it
up to him as he, and the team, are better than that.
Danny Welbeck – Will probably be the man leading the line, but
wouldn’t be for us. Has had a decent season with Man United without sparkling.
His touch is excellent and could be a danger, but would be used as an impact
player from the bench. Gives another option for one of the wide roles if
required.
Not
going:
Calls for Holt to be included have come from many quarters, but it’s too big
a risk and would require a different approach to the games. Crouch has never let England down and
is unfortunate not to get the nod ahead of Welbeck
and Carroll. The other big absentee
is Defoe who’s frustrating season
with Spurs means there’s no room for him in the squad.
And the starting line up for France?
As
mentioned, 4-2-3-1 is our best chance of success. We have adventurous fullback
who can cause problems, but we need to have cover when it breaks down. Parker
must hold the central midfield position but needs a ball player alongside him.
With Rooney suspended, our line-up would be:
Hart –
Walker, Ferdinand, Lescott, Cole –
Parker, Carrick – Walcott, Gerrard (c), Young -
Carroll
If
it was felt Gerrard is past his adventurous best, we’d slip him back into
midfield, move Young central and bring in Welbeck down the left.
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