England 1XI

[seagulls99]

What would be your starting 11 for the first WC game against Italy?

Hart
Walker
Cahill
Jagielka
Baines

Gerrard
Henderson
Wilshere/Lallana

Sterling
Sturridge
Rooney

 

[ali jenkins]

I dont know because there is still a lot of games to play before then and form will play a big part

 

[Luke93]

I'm not convinced with Henderson, I would start Carrick instead. That will also give Steven a bit of freedom to get further forward.

 

[stripeyshark]

Hart,
Walker Jagielka Cahill Baines,
Gerrard Wilshere,
Sterling Lalana Chamberlain,
Sturridge

 

[maltaseagull]

I'm not convinced with Henderson, I would start Carrick instead. That will also give Steven a bit of freedom to get further forward.

Gerrard was rubbish at the start of the season in a more forward role. Now he is playing deeper, he is playing much better. Henderson is on form at the moment and would play him.

 

[joeinbrighton]

Hart

Johnson
Jagielka
Cahill
Baines

Oxlade-Chamberlain
Gerrard
Lallana

Sterling
Rooney
Sturridge

 

[Drimble Wedge]

Hart

Johnson
Cahill
Jagielka
Baines

Gerrard
Wilshere
Oxlade Chamberlain

Sterling
Lallana
Sturridge

 

[Perkino]

Any team without Carrick shows a lack of football intelligence.

 

[Albion 4ever]

Hart

Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines

Gerrard, Carrick, Wilshere

Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck

 

[joeinbrighton]

Any team without Carrick shows a lack of football intelligence.

Normally I'd agree, but Carrick's distribution this season has been quite some way short of his usual standard and that could be a problem playing against Italy.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

main concerns for me are centre back and right back. Don't feel like we have anyone particularly convincing there. Jagielka and Cahill are both decent enough but really it would preferably be one of them alongside a commanding behemoth. As for right back, both Johnson and Walker are quick and offer alright options going forward, however their attacking attributes are nowhere near good enough to mask the fact that neither of them are good enough defensively.

Hart

Johnson Jagielka Cahill Baines

Gerrard Carrick Wilshire (or Lallana if Wilshire is unfit)

Sterling Sturridge Rooney

 

[sten_super]

Any team without Carrick shows a lack of football intelligence.

I've got friends that trot similar lines out as well, but I don't buy it. We're shit with him in the team, I struggle to believe we could be much shitter with him out of the team. Yes he's quite good at keeping possession in an unoffensive way but he's not mobile (so doesn't present great coverage of the back four) doesn't tend to pick out offensive passes and has a tendency to slow the speed of play down (which I don't think plays to England's strengths). I certainly think having him and Gerrard (playing more defensively than previously) in the same team would lead to our midfield sitting too deep and not being mobile enough.

 

[seagulls4ever]

I'm surprised how many people have Wilshire in their team. I've watched him carefully this season and he's been very poor.

 

[muzzledseagull]

Hart
Walker Jagielka Cahill Baines
Ox Gerrard Carrick Lalanna
Sterling Sturridge

 

[WhingForPresident]

Hart

Johnson
Cahill
Jagielka
Baines

Oxlade-Chamberlain
Gerrard
Wilshere
Lallana
Townsend

Sturridge

 

[Brighton Breezy]

Tend to think Wilshire is a bit over-hyped to be honest. Talented player, but not as influential as some make out. If Arsenal had a fully fit squad I am not even sure he would be a certain starter at The Emirates when you consider he would be competing against Ramsey, Arteta, Flamini, Walcott, Ozil, Cazorla, Rosicky and Oxlade-Chamberlain for the five positions behind Giroud.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

We desperately need at least a draw against Italy, losing would be a complete disaster and put us on the back foot against Uruguay.

Hart
Johnson Jagielka Cahill Baines
Gerrard Carrick Lallana
Sterling Sturridge Chamberlain

But I'd be tempted to have Milner play just to make us tougher to beat.

 

[WhingForPresident]

We looked a different (much improved) team when Rooney came off v Denmark. Roy would never have the bollocks to drop him though unfortunately.

 

[keaton]

Hart

Johnson
Jagielka
Cahill
Baines

Gerrard
Henderson

Lallana
Rooney
Welbeck


Sturridge

 

[FRYG]

Hart

Johnson
Shawcross (probably get slated for this)
Cahill
Baines

Gerrard
Henderson
Stirling
Lallana

Rooney
Sturridge

Based on form, would be half tempted to drop Rooney because he never does well for England and seems to drag the whole team down.