England starting line up in the summer

comment by BlueJ2 (U4630)
posted 1 minute ago
I'm amazed at how many people include Barkley in their team. To me he's like Joe Cole - lots of ability but with absolutely no brain. It's possible at any moment that he will do some fantastically skillful thing, but much more likely that he will follow that up by then failing to do the simple and obvious thing. Not nearly good enough for me.
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Agree, he's a pretty overrated player. Did I hear someone say he's better than Alli as well?

The good thing for Roy, is that I think he has decided on the spine of his team. These players are nailed on to play:
Hart (although I personally like Forster too)
Smalling
Cahill (although he's been mostly rubbish this year)
Dier (finally there's a decent English holding midfielder)
Alli
Kane

I think almost everyone agree on these players:
-----------------------Hart--------------------
---------------Smalling---Cahill------------
------------------------Dier-------------------
-------------------------Alli------------------
-------------------------Kane---------------

My concern is that Hodgson will push Alli out wide to accommodate Rooney and slow the team down. Alli has great pace and energy, and so do a number of our other attacking players like Welbeck, Sterling, Lallana, Vardy, Sturridge. But we lose that energy and speed of movement if we include Rooney.

Are we ruling Townsend out of the squad completely?

Just scored his 4th goal in 10 starts for Newcastle, and has performed for him previously. Bang in form, and fresh as a daisy

I think almost everyone agree on these players:
-----------------------Hart--------------------
---------------Smalling---Cahill------------
------------------------Dier-------------------
-------------------------Alli------------------
-------------------------Kane---------------

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If we had an alternative to Cahill, I'd leave him out. Maybe Stones, but his form has been equally as bad. Cahill is VC though, so he's likely to play, especially if there is a question mark over Rooney starting.

comment by Poster McPostface (U15867)
posted 33 minutes ago
I think almost everyone agree on these players:
-----------------------Hart--------------------
---------------Smalling---Cahill------------
------------------------Dier-------------------
-------------------------Alli------------------
-------------------------Kane---------------

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If we had an alternative to Cahill, I'd leave him out. Maybe Stones, but his form has been equally as bad. Cahill is VC though, so he's likely to play, especially if there is a question mark over Rooney starting.
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Agreed. Even as a Chelsea fan I have to say that Cahill is not good enough. He's consistently underwhelming. He's just less of a risk than other players like Stones - who has much more ability and potential, but can also be a liability. Cahill gets in by default. Amazing that England have so many good options upfront, and so few options at the back. So unlike England.

To be fair, Eric Dier is probably the best bet for both positions.

It's a leftfield shout, but what about Carrick at centre back? He has played there for club, and he is sound on the ball. He and Smalling play together for club too. With Dier in front you are guaranteed that protection

Hart, smalling, and kane are the only true unanimous starters without question

all the other positions are open for discussion or debate

HRH Carrick is definately not a good center back.

Carrick is more forward thinking then Dier as well.
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/01/05/chris-sutton-says-eric-dier-is-not-as-good-as-a-passer-as-michae/page/1/

While I am a fan of Carrick, it is clear Dier is the standout player in that position now. He may not have Carrick's range of passing, but he beats him hands down on age, fitness, strength on the ball, defensive discipline.

He is playing in a side that dismantled Carrick just the other week, and who are not only above them but playing good football. Dier is the platform for that