England Squad

[Simster]

On the basis that we looked like a TEAM against Croatia with the players who were picked all playing in their correct positions, I really couldn't give a toss that he's not picking Young, Owen and Agbonlahor - all players I would have in my final 15.

The reason is that England ought to be good enough to qualify from this group with the crop of players we've currently got, and I think we will (providing he has the guts to leave Gerrard out of the starting XI) and start with more-or-less what was a winning team. Football is a team game, and he needs to nurture a team spirit rather than listen to critics who would rather he would tinker with what he's got.

 

[sten_super]

The thing with Downing is that he looks good for Middlesbrough; it's just that for England he is always, without fail, completely gash.

Jenas I think actually normally does pretty well in an England shirt, and after setting up a goal against Croatia deserves his place in the squad.

Young should be in there, I'm not sure what he has to do. It's not like Upson has a long term future as an England centre back is it?!

Defoe has a habit of looking toothless in an England shirt. Crouch has some international pedigree. Owen has bucketloads. On that basis, I'd have Crouch and Owen in the squad ahead of Defoe.

 

[Silent Bob]

read in the paper the other day that fab is reluctant to pick players who are playing in sides that are struggling as there confidence may be low

could explain owens absence - not that it is much excuse, when he is blatantly in form and the only natural goalscorer we have. still, he got it spot on against croatia with a massive gamble, so got to have faith

That doesn't explain Jenas however - Tottenham are doing worse than Newcastle, and Jenas has never and will never be very good.
There's also David Beckham, LA Galaxy are doing very badly in MLS.

I think the sad truth is Owen's face doesn't fit. This reason is weak, last time he said Owen wasn't fit. Now he's playing and Capello says this. I've no idea why, as I agree with everyone in the world except Capello that he is worth a place in the squad at the very least.

I can't understand the logic of the selections of Jenas, Lescott, and Downing, these players have never been more than average and if you asked fans of their clubs they'd tell you they're having bad seasons so far. Personally I don't rate Beckham or Defoe either (and am unsure about James) but at least there is some logic in their selection.

 

[JJ McClure]

Much as I dislike Defoe, he's on fire at the moment so has to be in there.

The omision of Young is a strange one as is the inclusion of Lescott who is playing utter pony for Everton at the moment.

 

[Les Biehn]

England 23-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Belarus.

England squad: James (Portsmouth), Green (West Ham), Carson (West Brom); Brown (Manchester United), Johnson (Portsmouth), Terry (Chelsea), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Lescott (Everton), Upson (West Ham), A Cole (Chelsea), Bridge (Chelsea); Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Walcott (Arsenal), Barry (Aston Villa), Jenas (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Downing (Middlesbrough), Wright-Phillips (Manchester City); Heskey (Wigan), Crouch (Portsmouth), Rooney (Manchester United), Defoe (Portsmouth).

Owen left out again, will he ever get another cap ?

Don't get Lescott or Upson, Curtis Davies is left footed, can play full back and looks better than them at the moment. Bridge can't get in at Chelsea so not sure why he is there. Beckham is a joke as he offers nothing. If you want him for his experience bring him in as an advisor. Jenas is not doing great things at a club that are bottom and Downing is just average.

I would bring in Young for Downing, Shorey for Bridge, Agbonlahor for Beckham. I know Spurs are doing crap but I would bring in Woodgate, or maybe Wheater. I would also bring in a youngster to the central midfield area instead of Jenas such as Michael Johnson or Mark Noble.

 

[Silent Bob]

To be fair to Bridge he is comfortably England's second best leftback. It does irritate me slightly how happy he is to take the money and be Ashley Cole's understudy at Chelsea though.

 

[Les Biehn]

To be fair to Bridge he is comfortably England's second best leftback. It does irritate me slightly how happy he is to take the money and be Ashley Cole's understudy at Chelsea though.

Totally agree, which is why I would drop him. He is better than Liverpool's leftbacks and better than the other England candidates (Shorey, Warnock, Taylor, Konchesky, Baines, Robinson, Harding)

 

[HP Seagull]

From what I saw on MOD Curtis Davies had an absolute nightmare yesterday against Chelsea, and although Lescott may be out of form, he does have international experience and I can understand why Capello included him. I do think though that Woodgate should have been included though as bar King he is surely our third best centre half.

Bridge and Jenas both warrant their places in the squad as Bridge is the second best left back in the country and Jenas is decent and did a job against Croatia.

Also I know Beckham has his doubters but I would personally always have him in the squad, if not in the team. He can do things with the ball (not just in set piece situations) that no other player in this country can with his range of passing, and can win you a game or get you a goal from a free-kick or corner. Walcott has done brilliantly recently but I'm not sure if he yet has the consistency to hold down a regular England spot on the right wing, so I think it's right that Beckham was included.

 

[Les Biehn]

From what I saw on MOD Curtis Davies had an absolute nightmare yesterday against Chelsea, and although Lescott may be out of form, he does have international experience and I can understand why Capello included him. I do think though that Woodgate should have been included though as bar King he is surely our third best centre half.

Bridge and Jenas both warrant their places in the squad as Bridge is the second best left back in the country and Jenas is decent and did a job against Croatia.

Also I know Beckham has his doubters but I would personally always have him in the squad, if not in the team. He can do things with the ball (not just in set piece situations) that no other player in this country can with his range of passing, and can win you a game or get you a goal from a free-kick or corner. Walcott has done brilliantly recently but I'm not sure if he yet has the consistency to hold down a regular England spot on the right wing, so I think it's right that Beckham was included.

Would it not just have been easier to post 'The opposite of what Les said'?

 

[sten_super]

as Bridge is the second best left back in the country and Jenas is decent and did a job against Croatia.

As others have said, this is what makes the situation at Chelsea all the more annoying. I would drop him, just to send the message that he needs regular football to be in contention. I wouldn't be happy throwing him in for a big game for England, in the knowledge that he's played no football this season.

Shorey has always (for me) looked out of his depth with England, maybe that won't be the case now that he's at Villa, we'll see. Failing that, I noticed that Baines was playing at LB for Everton yesterday, after hardly playing last year, so maybe he can play himself into contention.

Beckham can't cut it any more. As someone earlier said, have him as a coach if you want him involved. Having Beckham in the team requires a major shuffle of personnel and formation/tactics, which I don't want to see. SWP, Young and Bentley should have enough between them to cover that position (assuming Cole plays on the other wing).

 

[Napper]

the people moaning about Owen's exclussion are no doubt the same people that moan about certain players only included for their reputations.....exactly why Capello will never get an easy ride.

Facts are the forwards he's picked are the most in form. End of !

 

[Silent Bob]

Totally agree, which is why I would drop him. He is better than Liverpool's leftbacks and better than the other England candidates (Shorey, Warnock, Taylor, Konchesky, Baines, Robinson, Harding)

Fair enough, I do hope he moves on at some point.

 

[SULLY COULDNT SHOOT]

Think the squad looks fine. Young did not play well at Chelsea and I've seen Newcastle's last two games and Owen did not shine.

 

[HP Seagull]

Would it not just have been easier to post 'The opposite of what Les said'?

I do agree with you on Downing, Woodgate, and Ashley Young, and I've got know idea why Upson is in the squad as we've got countless players i the squad who could cover at centre back if needed. I would include Agbonlahor instead of him.

I didn't disagree with everything you said.

 

[Hatterlovesbrighton]

I suppose the main question will be who will replace Joe Cole. Does Gerrard come straight back in?

 

[Mellotron]

At the end of the day (cliche) I trust Capello. He knows far far more about football than any of us. He's not always going to pick all our favourite footballers but I'm certain he knows how to create a TEAM.

 

[sten_super]

I suppose the main question will be who will replace Joe Cole. Does Gerrard come straight back in?

Please no.

 

[Scotty Mac]

That doesn't explain Jenas however - Tottenham are doing worse than Newcastle, and Jenas has never and will never be very good.
There's also David Beckham, LA Galaxy are doing very badly in MLS.

I think the sad truth is Owen's face doesn't fit. This reason is weak, last time he said Owen wasn't fit. Now he's playing and Capello says this. I've no idea why, as I agree with everyone in the world except Capello that he is worth a place in the squad at the very least.

I can't understand the logic of the selections of Jenas, Lescott, and Downing, these players have never been more than average and if you asked fans of their clubs they'd tell you they're having bad seasons so far. Personally I don't rate Beckham or Defoe either (and am unsure about James) but at least there is some logic in their selection.

yes, jenas is a strange one - he has been gash for england in the past, but i dont think he has done too badly since fab took over - scored against switzerland, came on when it was only 1-0 in croatia - if he is going on what he has seen in an england shirt, then jenas is worth a place

beckham shouldnt be in there - end of. he is playing in a joke league, in a joke team. downing is understandable due to the injury to joe cole, but it just highlights the complete lack of left sided players we have - not sure what young has to do to get a chance

 

[sten_super]

not sure what young has to do to get a chance

Take some compromising pictures of Fabio in a clinch with two high-quality Italian prostitutes?

 

[crodonilson]

The team for the forthcoming games should be........

............James
Brown, Ferdinand, JT, A. Cole
Walcott, Lamps, Barry, Stevie G
.........Rooney, Heskey

6 points from these two games and we've got one foot on the plane to the Promised Land of South Africa 2010.