Thoughts On The England Squad

[James 5,332]

This English squad is young. 26 years young to be precise. This is England’s second youngest squad only being beaten in youth by the squad of ’58. Is this a good thing? Probably. England’s golden generation was a miserable failure. Once world class players like Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Paul Scholes and even Michael Owen have long since played their last matches for England. Only a few stragglers are left behind. Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and the contentious Wayne Rooney are seemingly all that remain from the golden generation. But as the old guard dies a new England team emerges, featuring teenagers and players that no one would have even expected to be at the World Cup five years ago. This is maybe a sign that players are now being chosen on their current form and merit rather than reputations. Rickie Lambert, an easily relatable 32 year-old ex-factory worker is an example of this new feel squad. Lambert was playing in the English League One during the last World Cup. Let that sink in. Maybe I’m the only one but I get the feeling that a man like Rickie Lambert may play with a lot more passion for the white shirt than some of the other more ‘entitled’ superstars of the English game. His compatriot and team captain Adam Lallana is also another exciting player to be included. Flair, grace and silky technique is not something often attributed to the players of England but it’s applied to Lallana. The antithesis of the stereotypical English ‘hoofball’, Lallana is hopefully a sign of things to come for England. Not always rough and tumble but sometimes graceful and clever.

Two teenage prodigies: Luke Shaw and Raheem Sterling give hope to the future. An explosive Left-Back and a tricky winger give new dynamism and hunger to England, something that the English team has been missing since a mercurial Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene over a decade ago. But the teenagers aren’t the only youthful hope for England. This squad boasts no more than nine players under the age of 25. Chris Smalling (24), Phil Jones (22), Jordan Henderson (23), Jack Wilshere (22), Ross Barkely (20), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (20), Daniel Sturridge (24) and Danny Welbeck (23). These players are possibly the spine of England for the next decade.

While this isn’t the greatest team to ever have been assembled nor is it likely will this team run away with the World Cup. It does provide some hope for the England faithful; maybe a sign of things to come that the future is maybe a little sunnier than previously thought in the country of rain and clouds. A touch of flair, a touch of experience and a bunch of youthful exuberance make an optimistic team. Personally I haven't been this excited for an English team for a long time.

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[Tomo 21,751]

Am i the only one who doesn't rate Baines?

He's another full back hiding behind his attacking, infact from the Everton games i have seen last season i actually think Oviedo is better.

[iseah100 5,612]

Meh. Not an England fan or admirer but I think they are relatively weak and don't merit their ranking. Honestly believe Ecuador, Honduras, and even Costa Rica can beat them.

[José1893 89]

I think England will fail miserably. Hope Germany can put everything together properly..

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Stan Collymore mad an interesting point the other day (no guys, hear me out on this one..)

Now I loath the guy as much as the next person coughwifebeatercough but he made the point of.. Does anyone really see Hodgson actually playing any of these kids? Is he taking them to actually give them experience of the match or is he taking them along to simply give them an experience of going to an international cup?

Sven, I'd like to think, properly set precedent when he called up Theo Walcott who'd barely featured in for Arsenal that season as part of his 23. Yet how much did Walcott play, the magnificent number of 0 minutes. Not even one substitute appearance. What was his point? That we do have a younger generation? That his current crop were so bad he sent a message? Only Sven will know. His gamble did open doors.. Walcott was given limelight and Wenger nurtured him to be that guy Sven saw. It's then unfortunate Walcott is yet to feature in a world cup match.

The point I make here is, it's only worth it if these kids play. What you're essentially saying here is Shaw will play ahead of Baines, Lallana will play ahead of Sterling, Barkley will play ahead of Wilshere, Sturridge will be in there when Rooney is always England's hope and dreams.

Collymore see's England setting up like this;

Hart

Johnson - Cahill - Jagielka - Baines

Milner - Gerrard - Wilshere - Henderson

Rooney

And I unfortunately don't disagree with him. We're coming up against Italy and Uruguay. Teams who are a lot stronger than us and I simply don't see Roy playing Shaw and Barkley at least ahead of the older players. He'll defend this, he'll say he's "protecting" them, or he doesn't want to "thrust them into it".

If Roy really believed in playing the youth then why didn't he play Shaw & co in our last friendlies? Is he really going to be this gutsy and use World Cup 2014 as a warm up to Euro 2016? I just don't think so.

[The Skipper 20,609]

If a more forward thinking manager had control over the England team, it wouldn't actually be that bad. Especially if that manager someone got JT involved again to restore that JT - Cahill partnership.

Here's England's best team in my opinion, with everyone fit + JT:

Hart

Johnson* - Cahill - JT** - Shaw

Gerrard - Wilshere

Walcott*** - Rooney - Lallana

Sturridge

*interchangeable with someone like Kyle Walker.

**can replace w/ Jagielka.

***obviously not fit - someone like Ox or Sterling to start ahead of him.

It's a very forward going team but it's still a very good team that could get pretty far with a manager who can manage that sort of team. If a more conservative approach is needed in midfield you could simply swap Gerrard or Wilshere with Henderson.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

If a more forward thinking manager had control over the England team, it wouldn't actually be that bad. Especially if that manager someone got JT involved again to restore that JT - Cahill partnership.

Here's England's best team in my opinion, with everyone fit + JT:

Hart

Johnson* - Cahill - JT** - Shaw

Gerrard - Wilshere

Walcott*** - Rooney - Lallana

Sturridge

*interchangeable with someone like Kyle Walker.

**can replace w/ Jagielka.

***obviously not fit - someone like Ox or Sterling to start ahead of him.

It's a very forward going team but it's still a very good team that could get pretty far with a manager who can manage that sort of team. If a more conservative approach is needed in midfield you could simply swap Gerrard or Wilshere with Henderson.

Flanagan in for Johnson and I agree that's the best England could do. Though my strife with Rooney for England will remain, if he can somehow get this shit together it would be nice.

[Reddish-Blue 2,509]

If a more forward thinking manager had control over the England team, it wouldn't actually be that bad. Especially if that manager someone got JT involved again to restore that JT - Cahill partnership.

Here's England's best team in my opinion, with everyone fit + JT:

Hart

Johnson* - Cahill - JT** - Shaw

Gerrard - Wilshere

Walcott*** - Rooney - Lallana

Sturridge

*interchangeable with someone like Kyle Walker.

**can replace w/ Jagielka.

***obviously not fit - someone like Ox or Sterling to start ahead of him.

It's a very forward going team but it's still a very good team that could get pretty far with a manager who can manage that sort of team. If a more conservative approach is needed in midfield you could simply swap Gerrard or Wilshere with Henderson.

England still lack a quality defensive midfielder...if only Rodwell's career wasn't ruined by injury, he would of been a solid addition to the likes of Wilshere, Gerrard & Henderson

[LDN Blue 7,903]

England still lack a quality defensive midfielder...if only Rodwell's career wasn't ruined by injury, he would of been a solid addition to the likes of Wilshere, Gerrard & Henderson

Tom Huddlestone?

[The Skipper 20,609]

England still lack a quality defensive midfielder...if only Rodwell's career wasn't ruined by injury, he would of been a solid addition to the likes of Wilshere, Gerrard & Henderson

True, Barry's not bad though. No one long term coming through atm though. It will be the next generation before we see a quality CDM coming through (Chalobah, RLC - if they make it).

[iseah100 5,612]

Can't Henderson play a DM role?

[Jase 43,479]

Tom Huddlestone?

More of a passer than a destroyer.

Can't Henderson play a DM role?

Possibly but won't be effective. More of a B2B player and a similar player to Ramires.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

If a more forward thinking manager had control over the England team, it wouldn't actually be that bad. Especially if that manager someone got JT involved again to restore that JT - Cahill partnership.

Here's England's best team in my opinion, with everyone fit + JT:

Hart

Johnson* - Cahill - JT** - Shaw

Gerrard - Wilshere

Walcott*** - Rooney - Lallana

Sturridge

*interchangeable with someone like Kyle Walker.

**can replace w/ Jagielka.

***obviously not fit - someone like Ox or Sterling to start ahead of him.

It's a very forward going team but it's still a very good team that could get pretty far with a manager who can manage that sort of team. If a more conservative approach is needed in midfield you could simply swap Gerrard or Wilshere with Henderson.

Agree with that except for Gerrard. I'd go with Henderson ahead of him any day. And I realise that RB will look regardless of who plays there which is why I'd go with Smalling to at least do the defensive side if the job. Also, Barry is not a bad shout given all the injuries to Wilshere.

[iseah100 5,612]

More of a passer than a destroyer.

Possibly but won't be effective. More of a B2B player and a similar player to Ramires.

They don't really have any options so might as well give it a shot. Also, Gerrard and Lampard shouldn't start.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Agree with that except for Gerrard. I'd go with Henderson ahead of him any day. And I realise that RB will look regardless of who plays there which is why I'd go with Smalling to at least do the defensive side if the job. Also, Barry is not a bad shout given all the injuries to Wilshere.

It really depends on what type of system you're going to play. If you're going to play a predominately possession based system where you're likely to have most of the ball then a Gerrard - Wilshere midfield is probably the most extreme midfield you can put out there, with Gerrard holding. If you need a bit more steel/legs in midfield though you can obviously just take him out and put Henderson in there.

[Jase 43,479]

They don't really have any options so might as well give it a shot. Also, Gerrard and Lampard shouldn't start.

Don't disagree with it but just saying..

[CHOULO19 24,332]

It really depends on what type of system you're going to play. If you're going to play a predominately possession based system where you're likely to have most of the ball then a Gerrard - Wilshere midfield is probably the most extreme midfield you can put out there, with Gerrard holding. If you need a bit more steel/legs in midfield though you can obviously just take him out and put Henderson in there.

True, but if it's anything like the 2012 Euro, I can't imagine England having a lot of possession.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I think England will fail miserably. Hope Germany can put everything together properly..

Meh. Not an England fan or admirer but I think they are relatively weak and don't merit their ranking. Honestly believe Ecuador, Honduras, and even Costa Rica can beat them.

One thing a football fan should always take note of is that you should never write off the English. We're strongest in the face of adversity.

[Jase 43,479]

One thing a football fan should always take note of is that you should never write off the English. We're strongest in the face of adversity.

Really? Don't confuse Chelsea with England here.

[Jype 6,398]

One thing a football fan should always take note of is that you should never write off the English. We're strongest in the face of adversity.

Worked out well for you guys at international level in the last 45 years or so.

Let's face it, England are shit. It doesn't matter if the English clubs (United, Chelsea, Liverpool) have shown great spirit in Europe against some of the top teams in the continent because in addition to having some English players these teams have always relied massively on foreign talent so it's hardly the same thing as the national team.

Saying England are worse than the likes of Ecuador, Costa Rica or Honduras is just ridiculous but there are still plenty of teams better than them in the tournament so I would be surprised if England even make it to the QFs.