Jimmy Bullard in the England Squad

[Basil Fawlty]

That has totally shocked me, but it is a great move by Capello. Still aint sure why he doesn't like Crouch.

 

[Safe.]

I said he would be.

 

[Manthorpee]

Zac Knight.

i always thought his name was Zat Knight

 

[Spider]

Still can't believe that Owen is not in the squad. I know some would accuse him of being deadwood, but his record alone says to me that he at least deserves to be part of the 23. Even if you don't think he should be in the starting team I don't think there's many sane people that would truely rather see Heskey, Walcott or Defoe coming off the bench than Owen. Hope he scores a hatful this season and reclaims his place as I really think he's a proven performer for England.

Good to see Bullard in the squad, though I'm not sure he'll actually play.

 

[Marshy]

the ommision of Owen and Young is laughable

 

[Scotty Mac]

we arent going to get goals - effectively three strikers are going as walcott is more of a wide man, and the other threes records are poor

 

[SNOOBS]

How can Micah Richards be injured when he played on Thursday and today ? Should definetly be in the squad, maybe Brown too, but he shouldn't be in the starting XI

I thought Carson made a few good saves yesterday when watching MotD, and well he can't be to blame for all three Croatia goals

"Portsmouth defender Glen Johnson is included as cover for Wes Brown at right-back with Micah Richards, who was originally chosen for the Under-21 side, another injury victim. "

 

[BensGrandad]

I think that Bullard is an ordinary workmanlike player that will offer nothing more to the side than a bit of passion I would sooner have a bit of skill but then I dont expect him tostart above Barry Lampard Cole or Bentley

 

[Vatican Citys No.2 Keeper]

How does Rooney manage to blag his way into every squad? I seriously think he is the most overtated player the country has.

And i tottaly agree, he has not warranted a start for many years and still does not now.

 

[sod1]

And i tottaly agree, he has not warranted a start for many years and still does not now.

that makes three of us !

 

[Hockley Blues]

I think that Bullard is an ordinary workmanlike player that will offer nothing more to the side than a bit of passion I would sooner have a bit of skill but then I dont expect him tostart above Barry Lampard Cole or Bentley

Whilst I'd tend to agree, passion is exactly what the media (and fans) have been crying out for since our last few matches, and they've got their wish.

Whether this tactic will pay off or not, who knows, but I'm hoping he shines on the international stage.

 

[Uncle Buck]

i always thought his name was Zat Knight

Right ho.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

Green
James
Robinson
Bridge
A Cole - wanker
Ferdinand - overrated plug
Johnson
Terry - utter wanker
Brown
Lescott
Upson
Barry
Lampard - wanker
Bullard
Beckham
Jenas
Bentley
J Cole
Downing
Walcott
Rooney
Heskey
Defoe

 

[Hannibal smith]

This looks like absolute madness to me. Going without Owen but with Heskey? What’s the point in that? The whole point is that Heskey is a good foil for Owen to work with. If no Owen, surely we have proved by now that Crouch is a better bet of the 2 (and is playing alongside Defoe at Club level). Beckham. How on EARTH can we justify picking a show pony who plays in the Gatorade Sunday Soccer League over say Ashley Young? He even said himself that Beckham hasn’t done anything ‘dangerous’ for England since he picked him. How many more chances? Thanks for Greece 2001 Dave but that was a long time ago. Time for change and I’ll bet half the squad are thinking this as well.

I’ll grant you that Bullard is a good shout – Exactly the type of player the side has been missing and I have grudging admiration for Capello picking a team which at the very least has his own stamp on it. If, though, we get turned over by Croatia I’ll be first in the queue to be suggesting that he is clueless. If Mclaren had picked this squad the press would have gone potty. Because Capello is Italian and we don’t know much about him, we seem to think he knows what he is doing. We will find out in under 2 weeks if he does.

 

[Brovion]

This looks like absolute madness to me. Going without Owen but with Heskey? What’s the point in that? The whole point is that Heskey is a good foil for Owen to work with. If no Owen, surely we have proved by now that Crouch is a better bet of the 2 (and is playing alongside Defoe at Club level). Beckham. How on EARTH can we justify picking a show pony who plays in the Gatorade Sunday Soccer League over say Ashley Young? He even said himself that Beckham hasn’t done anything ‘dangerous’ for England since he picked him. How many more chances? Thanks for Greece 2001 Dave but that was a long time ago. Time for change and I’ll bet half the squad are thinking this as well.

I’ll grant you that Bullard is a good shout – Exactly the type of player the side has been missing and I have grudging admiration for Capello picking a team which at the very least has his own stamp on it. If, though, we get turned over by Croatia I’ll be first in the queue to be suggesting that he is clueless. If Mclaren had picked this squad the press would have gone potty. Because Capello is Italian and we don’t know much about him, we seem to think he knows what he is doing. We will find out in under 2 weeks if he does.

I agree with every word of that. The best strike combination we have at the moment (best in terms of statistics and results) is Owen and Heskey; they make a good TEAM. Whereas you can make a case for including Owen on his own or perhaps with someone like Crouch (who've both been left out) there are about ten strikers who are individually better than Heskey.

Bullard cannot possibly be any worse than Gerrard (in an England shirt). Also Bullard plays for an unfashionable team and might have a point to prove? After all the most effective players in our failed Euro qualifiying campaign where probably Heskey, Barry and Richards; again all players not in the comfort zone at big clubs.

 

[Hannibal smith]

Bullard cannot possibly be any worse than Gerrard (in an England shirt). Also Bullard plays for an unfashionable team and might have a point to prove? After all the most effective players in our failed Euro qualifiying campaign where probably Heskey, Barry and Richards; again all players not in the comfort zone at big clubs.

What I like about Bullard is that he seems to be down to earth. Started in the non league (Gravesend if memory serves), Like’s fishing rather than roasting page 3 birds and plays football like he enjoys it. Maybe he will inject some realism to the squad and the conversation might turn to football rather than Bentleys, How much money I’m on at Chelsea, the latest football autobiography by a 23 year old and how shit the hotel we are staying in is.

 

[BensGrandad]

Putting journeymen like Bullard in the national team is another kick in the teeth for skilful players and demonstrates why we are no longer a world force.

 

[sten_super]

Putting journeymen like Bullard in the national team is another kick in the teeth for skilful players and demonstrates why we are no longer a world force.

Rubbish. Bullard almost single-handedly saved Fulham from relegation last season, and looked very good previous to that before his injury. The so-called 'skillful' players have been shit for England for far too long. Putting Bullard in the squad shows players outside the 'top 4' that if you play well for your club, you will get a chance for England. For too long now it seems to have been the case that if you are a squad member for one of the top four then you are guaranteed a place in the England squad.

 

[BensGrandad]

We must agree to disagree as he is just another Ray Parlour all heart and energy and very little skill although it could be argued that we had the same in Brian Horton so perhaps every team needs a worker. What we need and havent got is another Paul Ince or young Paul Scholes.

 

[DJ Leon]

Rubbish. Bullard almost single-handedly saved Fulham from relegation last season

Go find a Fulham season ticket holder and ask them if that's true. The answer will be no.