**Official England Squad News**

[Rookie]

Good point on the BBC how can SWP go when Adam Johnson isn't considering Johnson took SWP place at City. SWP over both Johnson and Walcott is very strange one for me

 

[Acker79]

Latest reports are that Scott Parker, Tom Huddlestone and Michael Dawson are the last three to miss out, but it's unconfirmed at the moment.


If true the final line up looks like this:

Out
Theo Walcott
Leighton Baines
Darren Bent
Adam Johnson
Scott Parker
Tom Huddlestone
Michael Dawson

In
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green.

Defenders: Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ldley King John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock.

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Shaun Wright Phillips

Forwards: Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney

 

[Giraffe]

"lunchtime" was muted by an FA Spokesman. So about 5pm then.

Not long to go, how incompetent.

 

[Acker79]

Theo Walcott has released a statement on his omission from the World Cup squad. He said: “I am very disappointed not to be included in the squad going out to South Africa, but completely respect Mr Capello’s decision. I would like to wish the team the best of luck and hope they have a really successful tournament.”

 

[Acker79]

Official:

Goal Keepers
Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green.

Defence
Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole,Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock.

Midfield
Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Forwards
Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney


The rumours were true, then. I find it odd that the Keepers aren't listed in alphabetical order, like the rest.

 

[sam86]

Breaking news: The seven England players to miss out on a World Cup place are: Leighton Baines, Michael Dawson, Tom Huddlestone, Scott Parker, Adam Johnson, Theo Walcott, Darren Bent.

Bloody knew that about an hour ago!

 

[The Wizard]

What a farce this has been.

 

[Rookie]

Upson rather than Dawson is just stupid. Don't think Carrick or SWP should be going either.
Are the squad numbers out?

 

[Stevegull]

When are the squad numbers being released?

 

[Acker79]

When are the squad numbers being released?

Don't know.

 

[¤DãŃn¥ §êãGüLL¤]

Carrick :US: :US: :US: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

 

[Easy 10]

Why no Adam Johnson? What other left wing options have we got now who can come on in the dying minutes to run at tired legs and deliver crosses on their preferred foot?!

Has Johnson really done enough to be included though ? He looks reasonably promising, but personally I'm quite happy with the options of SWP / Lennon / Joe Cole on the flanks. Cole has always filled in well for England down the left, and with Cashley marauding down that side as well, I don't see this as a problem.

Its a bit too soon for Johnson imo.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Our first 11 is pretty strong but it's a weak squad overall. Mistake not taking Johnson and Wright-Phillips and Carrick are very lucky to be on the plane.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

I'm pleased SWP is going, him and Crouch have always linked up well together and I guess that is plan B.

Walcott looked so good in that Croatia game, raw but exciting and potentially world-class, its a shame he has failed to develop from that. I'm not sure right wing is really his position though, hopefully he'll get better now and deserve a place in the 2012 squad.

 

[sten_super]

Our first 11 is pretty strong but it's a weak squad overall. Mistake not taking Johnson and Wright-Phillips and Carrick are very lucky to be on the plane.

I don't mean to pick on your post in particular (there have been several others saying the same) but I don't understand this SWP dislike. Whenever I've seen him play for England I've been pretty impressed. Certainly when he came off the bench on Sunday he looked keen, worked hard (I remember him creating a counter attack by doggedly chasing down a couple of lucky rebounds at one point) and was more involved than either Lennon or Walcott had been.

 

[Easy 10]

I don't mean to pick on your post in particular (there have been several others saying the same) but I don't understand this SWP dislike. Whenever I've seen him play for England I've been pretty impressed. Certainly when he came off the bench on Sunday he looked keen, worked hard (I remember him creating a counter attack by doggedly chasing down a couple of lucky rebounds at one point) and was more involved than either Lennon or Walcott had been.

Agreed.
As with Walcott, end-product is often where SWP can fall short (and this is fairly typical of a lot of speedy wingers). But in terms of workrate I think he does a hell of a lot more than Walcott, loads more chasing down and putting the opposition under pressure.

Sometimes his crossing isn't up to scratch, but his pace and workrate certainly occupies people, so for me thats why he just edges it over Walcott. A great option to have coming off the bench.

I'm afraid Walcott has flattered to deceive, and done precious little since that hattrick in Croatia.

 

[¤DãŃn¥ §êãGüLL¤]

Has Johnson really done enough to be included though ? He looks reasonably promising, but personally I'm quite happy with the options of SWP / Lennon / Joe Cole on the flanks. Cole has always filled in well for England down the left, and with Cashley marauding down that side as well, I don't see this as a problem.

Its a bit too soon for Johnson imo.

Agree with you about experience but one exciting wildcard entry is always a must - the unknown element can be a useful weapon against opponents, think Lennon at the last world cup.

Can't see Joke Hole doing much when he's puffed out in the dying minutes of a game, he's got no pace or left foot at the best of times.

 

[Mr Banana]

Carrick going instead of Adam Johnson is as bad as Theo denying Defoe a place four years ago. Theo's a lovely chap and doesn't deserve schadenfreude, but Defoe will almost certainly feel a glint of revenge. There's always one wrong decision. Warnock deserves it ahead of Baines, although that doesn't make Carragher's inclusion any less confusing. Lennon is really wound up at the moment, think he could be the surprise star.

 

[VeronaSeagull]

All a bit irrelevant though isn't it? The squad is not strong enough to win the title, it's the same strength as last few world cups so out we go at the Quarters again

 

[Perkino]

Only a few shocks, but generaly a squad that was to be expected:

Warnock ahead of Baines
Upson ahead of Dawson
Wright-Phillips ahead of Walcott

Walcott is obviously the biggest shock, I thought he would be our first choice right midfielder and without him I've no idea how we will line up against the Yanks.

I would like to see:
Hart
Johnson
Terry
Ferdinand
Cole
Milner
Gerrard
Lampard
Cole
Rooney
Crouch