O/T England World Cup thread

[Opinionated]

Can't read to much into that performance to be honest. Strange line up which doesn't reflect the team which will start against the USA. Interesting to hear Capello say he will choose the 23 he expected to and that performances over the last two matches haven't changed his mind.

Todays awful performance may be a good thing. Four years ago our last match before the World Cup was an easy thrasing of Jamaica. All was good and Peter Crouch was dancing, this time we have our feet firmly on the ground.

[heysham_mfc]

Think the USA game will be difficult people think that we should be beating them but they have some good player can't see more than one goal between the two.

[Opinionated]

Think the USA game will be difficult people think that we should be beating them but they have some good player can't see more than one goal between the two.

Aparently they have sold more tickets than us as well

[heysham_mfc]

Think the USA game will be difficult people think that we should be beating them but they have some good player can't see more than one goal between the two.

Aparently they have sold more tickets than us as well

Yes but England fans are much better at making more noise

[shrimper]

Think the USA game will be difficult people think that we should be beating them but they have some good player can't see more than one goal between the two.

Aparently they have sold more tickets than us as well

Don't worry we'll outnumber them massively like we do every team we play.

And, I repeat, don't read too much into friendlies.

[Plain Peter]

And, I repeat, don't read too much into friendlies.

Like not relying on our benevolent opposition scoring all our goals

[marky No.1]

Joe Hart has certainly thrown his hat into the ring. Shrewsbury will be itching for him to get a full cap

[Opinionated]

Breaking news:

Walcott and Bent - OUT!

Joe Cole is IN

Reports suggest Adam Johnson is OUT and SWP is IN!!!!!

[Aspers]

The combination of Lennon and Rooney rather excites me.
Walcott great player he is hasn't lived up to his hype.
I still rate him.
I thought the starting line up against Japan looked excellent

[Opinionated]

Baines is OUT! Bit of a shock, Capello seems to like him. Must mean Warnock is in.

Theo Walcott: Gutted



Only has himself to blame after being given plenty of chances.

Official announcement of England's 23 man squad due at 3pm

[halftimeresults]

Rumour going round that King is out and Dawson in

[Opinionated]

Rumour going round that King is out and Dawson in

Don't understand that decision either. Capello is a fool until July 11 when he wins us the World Cup

[Opinionated]

Early indications show the seven players to miss out are:

- Leighton Baines
- Tom Huddlestone
- Scott Parker
- Michael Dawson
- Theo Walcott
- Darren Bent
- Adam Johnson

Still an uncertainty over which of the Tottenham centre backs will be boarding the plane.

[Ntini]

Rumour going round that King is out and Dawson in

Early indications show the seven players to miss out are:

- Leighton Baines
- Tom Huddlestone
- Scott Parker
- Michael Dawson
- Theo Walcott
- Darren Bent
- Adam Johnson

Still an uncertainty over which of the Tottenham centre backs will be boarding the plane.

These two played together against Mexico and, in my opinion, were too slow, got turned too easily, and were the wrong side of their men. you can't do that in international football as it gives them a free run at goal.

I think that's why they'll be out (if they are!) and I wouldn't grumble with Fabio's decision there.

I would, however, argue that Walcott has more to offer as an impact sub than Carrick ever has in an England shirt. I rate both of them for their clubs and agree neither should be in the starting line-up, but for me I think Walcott can do more damage and can offer England more.

P.S. It ain't half dragging on! Apparently Fab can't get through to one of the 7 casualties!

[Opinionated]

Rumour going round that King is out and Dawson in

Early indications show the seven players to miss out are:

- Leighton Baines
- Tom Huddlestone
- Scott Parker
- Michael Dawson
- Theo Walcott
- Darren Bent
- Adam Johnson

Still an uncertainty over which of the Tottenham centre backs will be boarding the plane.

These two played together against Mexico and, in my opinion, were too slow, got turned too easily, and were the wrong side of their men. you can't do that in international football as it gives them a free run at goal.

I think that's why they'll be out (if they are!) and I wouldn't grumble with Fabio's decision there.

I would, however, argue that Walcott has more to offer as an impact sub than Carrick ever has in an England shirt. I rate both of them for their clubs and agree neither should be in the starting line-up, but for me I think Walcott can do more damage and can offer England more.

P.S. It ain't half dragging on! Apparently Fab can't get through to one of the 7 casualties!

According to SKY King will be going with Dawson missing out.

Official announcement at 4pm - guaranteed this time!

[outsider]

Apparently Fab can't get through to one of the 7 casualties!

Would you pick it up if itr rang and Fab's name came up

Taking King is a very big mistake i think

[heysham_mfc]

Official squad revealed in about 5 mins!

[heysham_mfc]

full squad
G Barry
J Carragher
M Carrick
A Cole
J Cole
P Crouch
J Defoe
R Ferdinand
S Gerrard
R Green
J Hart
E Heskey
D James
G Johnson
L King
F Lampard
A Lennon
J Milner
W Rooney
J Terry
M Upson
S Warnock
S Wright-Phillips

[Opinionated]

I don't agree with all of Capello's selections however I have full faith in Capello. I haven't been convinced with Walcott's recent performances but I would have still taken him if only to be used from the bench as an impact player. No Bent despite his fantastic goals record. Do we really need both Crouch and Heskey in the team? No Adam Johnson despite being Englands most impressive winger this season at club level. Lots of pressure on SWP now but I reckon Lennon will get the nod on the right. Massive boost to have Barry in the squad as we don't have another decent defensive midfielder, excluding Parker who wasn't given a chance.

Can't complain too much as time and time again McIlroy makes decisions I disagree with which turn out to be successful.

[George Dawes]

exectly the same squad id have picked apart from id have had Adam Johnson in for SWP for a job on the left-side

[Ntini]

I don't agree with all of Capello's selections however I have full faith in Capello. I haven't been convinced with Walcott's recent performances but I would have still taken him (1.)if only to be used from the bench as an impact player. (2.)No Bent despite his fantastic goals record. Do we really need (3.)both Crouch and Heskey in the team? (4.)No Adam Johnson despite being Englands most impressive winger this season at club level. Lots of pressure on SWP now but I reckon Lennon will get the nod on the right. Massive boost to have Barry in the squad as we don't have another decent defensive midfielder, excluding Parker who wasn't given a chance.

Can't complain too much as time and time again McIlroy makes decisions I disagree with which turn out to be successful.

1. - I agree, just look at the Croatia game.

2. - Fantastic for his club, maybe. Unfortunately he doesn't seem able to replicate his form when he dons the three lions.

3. - This is a simple one for me. Your starting two, for me, are Rooney and Crouch. Then you take Defoe as cover for Rooney, and Heskey as cover for Crouch. Simples!

4. - I think Johnson is "one for the future" and it may be a tad too soon for him. Some people may say the same about Joe Hart, but I think he's had more experience against better opposition and could easily wear the number 1 jersey this summer (and hold onto it, too!).

[shrimper]

Pretty sensible selections - I just think we may have left ourselves very slightly short of variety up front. I'd have taken Bent, Johnson or Walcott and left Upson at home. Carragher can cover at centre back or, if he'd taken Huddlestone instead of Carrick so could he.

Not too bothered though, we're only talking about cover. Heskey's a controversial choice but he has always done well for England and, IMO, has a bit more quality at that level than Bent.

I'd play either him or Crouch with Rooney for the early round games - against the 'lesser' teams but, against the better ones later on (when I'm enjoying the fruits of my bet with Peter) probably Rooney on his own up front with Gerrard or Cole just behind.

So...

Hart
Johnson, Terry, Ferdinand/King, A. Cole

Lennon, Barry, Lampard, Gerrard, Milner/Cole

Rooney

In the 4-4-2 you'd drop Milner or Cole and have an additional striker, with Barry playing more on the left.

Lennon would have the instruction to flog it for 65 minutes, when SWP would come on.

[Posh]

exectly the same squad id have picked apart from id have had Adam Johnson in for SWP for a job on the left-side

I agree. A lot of doubts over Steven Gerrard's fitness and he would be excellent cover. However I would have dropped Upson - there's enough centre backs and cover - and left SWP as cover for Lennon.

[George Dawes]

Pretty sensible selections - I just think we may have left ourselves very slightly short of variety up front

the thing is who else could we have took? we've no world class english strikers apart from Ronney

in order to get the best out of Wayne Ronney id be tempted to do what Man United have done with him this season playing him in a spearhead position with wingers along side of him in a 4 3 3 / 4 5 1

you could then push speed demons Lennon & SWP up there with him and then have Gerrard Barry Lampard behind them

[seasonsinthesun]

What I don't get is this: how many of the 23 can use their left foot to good effect?
Answer: 1 - Gareth Barry.
I rest my case.