If the Euros were starting tomorrow.....The Spanish, Germans, Dutch, French, Italians, Portuguese etc could all name their starting 11's today.
Where as we have no clue who is first choice apart from one or two positions. Joe Hart is probably the only cast iron starter.
Defence
We have played 20 odd different combinations at centre back recently. Rio seems to be out of favour. Nobody knows what exactly is going on with Terry. Right back is a similar story. Johnson, Walker and Richards all appearing in last 4 or 5 games. Left back....In the past Cole would be certain to start. Although he isn't that player anymore.
Midfield
Parker, Barry, Lampard, Gerrard, Milner have all played lots. God knows who will be playing in summer. Wilshere still to come back and possibly Carrick on recent form.
Wingers
Downing, Young, Walcott, Johnson have all played. None have places sewn up.
Forwards
Rooney obviously is the best English striker but he's going to miss two games. Welbeck and Sturridge are talents but still raw. Bent is now injured. Frazier campbell being called up this week shows how short we are in this department.
I'd pick:
------------------------------------------Hart
Richards----------------Terry-----------------Rio-------------------Cole
----------------------------------------Parker
------------------Gerrard (cpt)----------------------Wilshere
----------Sturridge-----------------Rooney-------------------Young
--------------------------------------(*Welbeck)
* Welbeck to play whilst Rooney is suspended.
4-4-2 is a dead formation at Int level it would seem. No coincidence that the Spanish, Dutch, Germans, Brazilians and Argies etc don't play 4-4-2.
England don't know their best 11
posted on 1/3/12
--------------------------Hart
Richards------Cahill--------Smalling--------GJohnson
-------------Wilshire------Parker
----------------------Rooney
---Sturridge-------Welbeck-------Young/Johnson
Use that in the Euro's. I know it looks odd, but we have a pretty terrible team and we might aswell try something new.
Having Rooney play as more of a CM, rather than just behind Welbeck should make it easier to keep hold of the ball in midfield which is always a huge problem for England (i know Rooney wouldn't like that - but it would be a cover until another young midfielder starts to establish himself e.g. Cleverley, McEachran - at which point Parker would also be at the end of his International career).
It's also a young team with an average age of just over 24.
posted on 1/3/12
I miss the days when we had properly top class players across the first XI
What we have now looks like a B team
posted on 1/3/12
-----------------Hart
Richards--Lescott-Smalling--Baines
-----Ox-Carrick-Scholes-Young
-----------Rooney
---------------------Wellbeck
That's the team I'd love to see, but it'll never happen!
posted on 1/3/12
Might aswell just go for the whole 11:
-----------------Amos
Jones--Rio--Smalling--Fryers
Cleverley--Carrick--Scholes--Young
-----------------Rooney
----------------Wellbeck
posted on 1/3/12
"4-4-2 is a dead formation at Int level it would seem. No coincidence that the Spanish, Dutch, Germans, Brazilians and Argies etc don't play 4-4-2."
But we still play it here and I don't agree we should adapt to the European style to compete. In fact, it won't work; we'd be compromising our strengths and making it easier for them to defend. Maybe we should go with what we know and make it harder for other teams to adapt to us instead.
"What we have now looks like a B team"
And is it any wonder? We should be blooding the youngsters in the England team more often, get them up to speed before we end up with a team of geriatrics that have been called up since Graham Taylor was in charge.
And so what if we have a couple of years struggling? The Dutch did it, so did the Germans and the Italians are doing it now. So should we. And we should support them instead of letting the media crucify them before they even get going.
posted on 1/3/12
darkphoenix's team is the one id choose, with Ox young n welbecks places depending on form
posted on 1/3/12
....also I don't think Germany can pick their best 11. imo they need to fit gotze in their team and face the dilemma of whether to stick with the trustworthy Klose or replace him with the onform Gomez
posted on 1/3/12
England have the players to play a techincal game with the direct English style incorporated. It is a matter of recognising this.
Hart, Richards, Parker, Rooney, Wilshere, King all pick themselves.
Smalling is our next best CB and should play.
You need workrate and talent on the wings and Young and Milner offer that.
Baines is a very potent LB with a great cross, good pass and astounding set piece.
Welbeck can hold up play, finish, link up with Rooney and more. he's a very well rounded forward.
Hart
Richards-Smalling-King-Baines
Wilshere-Parker
Milner-Rooney-Young
Welbeck
posted on 2/3/12
Wellbeck simply isn't good enough. I agree with Robbie Savage at that. How the hell can frazier get into the England team?
-----------------------------Hart------------------------
Johnson-----------Jones------Ferdinand------------Cole
------------------------------------Parker------------------------
Walcott--------------Gerrard---------Wilshere---------Young
-------------------------------Strurridge/Rooney--------------
posted on 3/3/12
Why isn't Welbeck good enough? Complete fallacy.