England squad discussion

[Uppercut]

Admittedly I haven't seen a lot of Shaw, but I'd be very surprised if he was better than Kieran Gibbs. Think Gibbs has been really hard done by with his England opportunities. It obviously doesn't help that he plays where England are arguably at their strongest, but still. Just wish he would stay fit.

It's very difficult to compare them. Shaw will probably go because he's younger and less likely to break down. I think that's fair enough.

 

[NUFAN]

I've done my squad with Sky, I'm hoping this is a reality TV type-thing and I'm picking the side for real, based on votes.

I must admit it's rather evaporated my slight optimism, 1 decentish 'Keeper in the country, no good right-backs two decent centre-halves, I've picked Caulker FFS. It also makes me shudder that actually Phil Jones (for his ability to be **** in many positions, we always have one of these at a WC, it's a great tradition), and possibly Smalling will almost certainly go. Depressing.

Noble robbed OBVS because he's not in the options.

I like your squad. The only changes I have are Jones over Caulker and Barry over Crouch. I actually think the English squad is pretty exciting, especially with all of the good options in the midfield.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Yeah, I think we'll only take 4 specialist strikers with the Ox and Raheem able to fill in in extremis & one of them will quite likely be Andy Carroll, who'll be part of the largely mythical "Plan B" from the bench with Fat Frank.

& the nature of tournament squads means quote-unquote "utilities" seem to have a perceived usefulness beyond their actual efficacy, so, as much as it pains me, Phil Jones is likely to be in there too.

FWIW:

Gk: Hart, Foster, Ruddy
Def: Baines, Shaw, G Johnson, Jones, Cahill, Jagielka, Terry
Mid: Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling, Ox-C, Wilshere, Barkley, Milner, Lampard, Llanana
For: Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck, Carroll

If the rapprochement with Captain Racist doesn't happen (and one still suspects the tentative courting process hasn't been fully played out) young Stones at yer Toffees is a potential bolter, given the mediocrity of the other centre-half options.

 

[GIMH]

Isn't Terry injured?

 

[Uppercut]

Only for a week or two.

 

[Cevno]

Squad Selector | FIFA World Cup 2014 | Sky Sports

This, i guess right now.

 

[Nate]

Because lol.

Squad Selector | FIFA World Cup 2014 | Sky Sports

 

[King Pietersen]

My Squad. I went with Stones ahead of Caulker, mainly because of bias, but also because since Jagielka got injured he's been superb at centre back, certainly a better option than Jones. I also added Barry to the midfield ahead of Crouch. I don't want us to pick Crouch, or Carroll, as if either actually get a game, which they shouldn't, we'll resort to playing **** football. Barry could be useful against the top sides, but realistically, he's unlikely to get a go. My XI would be:

--------------------------------Hart--------------------------------------
--Johnson------Cahill--------------Jagielka--------Baines----
-------------------Henderson-------Gerrard------------------------
--Sterling----------------Rooney-------------------Lallana--------
----------------------------Sturridge--------------------------------------

 

[Uppercut]

Because lol.

Squad Selector | FIFA World Cup 2014 | Sky Sports

If he leaves Welbeck out of the squad to take Carroll they need to get the firing squad ready.

 

[Cevno]

What's with the hate for Jones ? I guess Everton game is fresh in everyone's memory.

He might not be ready to start by any means right now, but is a very good talent/young and can play multiple positions.

Despite United's poor form and struggles he has been pretty decent this year overall. Been halted bit by injuries.

 

[sledger]

He's gash.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Better than Smalling, at least.

Low bar as that obviously is.

 

[sledger]

Better than Smalling, at least.

Low bar as that obviously is.

Possibly, but I don't think there's a lot in it. But like you say, damning with faint praise really.

 

[grecian]

He isn't very good, prone to be out of position, prone to make mistakes. No-one knows what his position is coz whenever he ****s up, they say that's not his proper position.

However he does remind me a bit of Sol Campbell when he came into the Spuds team (and was hated by supporters, which I often wondered played a part in his judas-defection). It could all click and he may still become a decent player, but at the moment he's not International class*, IMHO.

*Awaits Uppercut's rant.

 

[Cevno]

They are the best defensive talents England have along with Stones who is just breaking through at the top level and still remains to be fully tested. And it's not like the starters in Cahill or Jagielka are sm great players either. (Though Cahill has stepped up this season with Mourinho.)

Jones' biggest problem is that he doesn't have a fixed position yet. His best position for me is in midfield right now probably where he is given a job to be a nuisance and harraser while being decent on the ball and man mark sm1 like Bale, Fellaini, Ronaldo, Ozil etc.. as he has done in last 2 seasons.

As a CB/RB he is still positionally suspect and prone to costly errors though they have reduced this season whenever he has been fit Did a good job defensively against Ribery playing at RB for example.

 

[BoyBrumby]

They are the best defensive talents England have along with Stones who is just breaking through at the top level and still remains to be fully tested. And it's not like the starters in Cahill or Jagielka are sm great players either. (Though Cahill has stepped up this season with Mourinho.)

Jones' biggest problem is that he doesn't have a fixed position yet. His best position for me is in midfield right now probably where he is given a job to be a nuisance and harraser while being decent on the ball and man mark sm1 like Bale, Fellaini, Ronaldo, Ozil etc.. as he has done in last 2 seasons.

As a CB/RB he is still positionally suspect and prone to costly errors though they have reduced this season whenever he has been fit, though with his playing style he gets injured a lot. Did a Decent job defensively against Ribery playing at RB for example.

If you mean centre-half wise you may be right, sad indictment of our stocks as that may be.

If you're talking defence per se tho, I'd say Shaw, Gibbs and Flanagan are way ahead just now.

 

[Cevno]

If you mean centre-half wise you may be right, sad indictment of our stocks as that may be.

If you're talking defence per se tho, I'd say Shaw, Gibbs and Flanagan are way ahead just now.

Yeah, i meant centre - half wise though i personally think Jones is just below potential wise is up there with anyone. (Can see why others would disagree right now.)

On a sidenote, Flanagan doesn't belong to that category either and is being overrated for bursting on the scene and doing decently at a team on a high. He's okayish player otherwise.

 

[sledger]

Yeah, i meant centre - half wise though i personally think Jones is just below potential wise is up there with anyone. (Can see why others would disagree right now.)

On a sidenote, Flanagan doesn't belong to that category either and is being overrated for bursting on the scene and doing decently at a team on a high. He's okayish player otherwise.

So what's enough to make Jones a player of great potential is enough to condemn Flanagan to being overrated? ITSTL.

 

[Cevno]

So what's enough to make Jones a player of great potential is enough to condemn Flanagan to being overrated? ITSTL.

The same way Wilshere is a bigger talent than a Joe Allen. Even probably Henderson though he has been outperformed by Henderson easily this season. (Let alone on par.)

 

[sledger]

The same way Wilshere is a bigger talent than a Joe Allen.

No, it's nothing of the sort.

You've basically just said Flanagan must be crap because he plays for a team that is doing well, which is a facile proposition.