Joe Hart - great young shot stopper, no denying that and at 6 foot 5 with good reactions you'd expect him to be. Decision making however is often very flawed, not particularly commanding with the aerial ball and his distribution lacks so much imagination it's actually painful to watch.
Glen Johnson - wretched right back, he is simply a right midfielder without sufficient talent to be relied on as the sole attacking player. He gets the odd decent cross in but when you find yourself stood 3 yards behind the right midfielder for the whole game you're bound to get one or two in a game. Generally lazy and shows very little will do defend.
Phil Jagielka - bright star in England's defence, if he played for a bigger club or had a bigger ego he'd be a mainstay. Been very unfortunate with injuries but he's a very mobile defender with good tackling ability. Adequate in the air with good distribution from the back.
Joleon Lescott - reasonably fast and gets the job done alongside someone who can drag him out of jail, makes a lot of errors and often struggles with the flight of the ball but usually does enough to get him out of jail. Deserves to be at least 3rd or 4th choice in the set up but you'd be slightly worried if he was the best England have to offer.
Leighton Baines - great left back, very attacking orientated but carries it off unlike fat Glen on the other side, his crossing ability is second to none as shown by many of the very, very impressive assist and key pass stats he comes out with every season. Free kick specialist in a team with no real experts in that area. Can actually take a penalty as well which is extremely unusual for an England player.
Frank Lampard - matured sensibly and realised he can't always be stood on the end of the box slapping deflected shots on the goal, he did a good job for Chelsea in deep lying midfield at the end of last season and I can see that being where his career peters out.
Steven Gerrard - basically now at a level which can only be compared to Charlie Adam, lumbers around the midfield smacking hollywood passes vaguely into the direction of the attackers. When the game is going his way he can be effective when he gets on the ball but as shown against Arsenal he is now a bit over the hill and can't really influence a game against a well organised and skillful midfield.
Oxlade Chamberlain - exciting but there's still a long way to go, as much as he looks excellent when he's jetting round the pitch it concerns me that not much always comes of it, he's a young man though and his experience will influence his decision making and with his raw talents England could really have a mainstay on the wing for many years to come.
Tom Cleverley - he reminds me of that bloke you see in work who's always talking a lot, the bosses love him, everyone loves him, but he never sells anything or does any work. He always looks busy with his little flicks and he is reasonably comfortable on the ball but realistically I think he could play 70 caps in the number 10 role he's playing at the moment and only score 10 goals.
James Milner - now he reminds me of a ham sandwich, it's always there, it's the thing you choose when you're put on the spot, but no-one is ever really happy after having a ham sandwich for lunch, and no-one can honestly say they're favourite food is ham sandwiches.
Jermaine Defoe - well there's not much you can say that hasn't already been said, nippy little player, smacks a great low shot in from 20 yards and he will almost definitely deliver a decent performance everytime he puts the shirt on, he'll get a few goals but he isn't the future of England.
Tell me what you think of my little summaries and discuss.
This England team, my opinions.
posted on 11/9/12
Your number 10 - doh!!!
posted on 11/9/12
Fairly sensible summary but it serves to highlight just how weak our national side has become.
Not really impressed with The Ox but then he is a typical hyped young English player so he'd have to be perfect to live up to the hype. I think he can improve very well if he keeps getting starts, though.
posted on 11/9/12
So to summarize, you're an Arsenal fan with a soft spot for Everton............
posted on 11/9/12
Don't think I was particularly biased, if there's something obvious I'd appreciate you pointing out something you disagree with!
posted on 11/9/12
Well, basically the only person who has a future in the side is Ox, and Baines/Jags are ok. Everyone else is rubbish or past it. Or did I miss something?
posted on 11/9/12
I've just seen the number 10 is Cleverly, Not so Cleverly if you ask me. Awful player! Baines is very odinary. Jaglielka is awful. I think Biglaa is quite close in his summary.
posted on 11/9/12
My friend Cleverly again! Get him off and put Lampard or Gerred more advanced!
posted on 11/9/12
Never rated Lescott, don't know how he's first choice at City. Cleverley has been shocking, he's not good enough for United or England.
posted on 11/9/12
Cleverly would struggle to get in our side
And if he did he would be no where near the England squad let alone team
Same with Sturridge and Welbeck too
The best X1 IMO with everyone availible
Foster
Johnson (still awful) Terry Lescott Cole
Carrick Britton (or someone who can actually pass a ball)
Oxlade-C Rooney Walcott
Crouch
posted on 12/9/12
I think it is a very balance analysis tbh, quite a good read. There is no denying that Cleverley's finishing was atrocious today, but the fact that he read the play and got into those positions is heartening. I liked his passing play and darting runs. Provided he can stay fit for a sustained time and work on his finishing I can see him being a goalscoring mid like Lampard