Name your 'initial' England Squad

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real_darlo_85
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Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by real_darlo_85 » Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:36 pm

This would be my choice of squad based on form and fitness-wise:

Goalkeepers

James
Green
Foster

Defenders

A Cole
Bridge

Johnson
Richards

Upson
Terry
Ferdinand

Midfield

Walcott
Lennon

Lampard
Gerrard
Beckham
Carrick
Barry

Wright-Phillips
Milner

Forwards

Rooney
Defoe
Crouch
Heskey


Obviously there is the rest of the season to go and things could change, but I would like to know other people's opinions. :thumbup:
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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by tdk1 » Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:41 pm

I think you've got four right wingers in there, I'd wait and see how Downing comes back from injury and also put Carlton Cole in there - he's a totally different option to the other strikers in there. I'd probably leave Wright-Phillips or Beckham out, depending on form and fitness come about April/May.

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by Santino » Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:49 pm

Can't argue with much of that, only I'd have Hargreaves and J Cole, provided both were fit. So I'd probably have your squad but with Carrick and SWP removed and the two I mentioned included.

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by StevieMardenboro » Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:50 pm

Hargreaves is the kind of player the squad lacks at the moment. A midfielder who breaks up the play and closes down space well.

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by real_darlo_85 » Wed Oct 14, 2009 11:12 pm

Oh I definately would consider Hargreaves in my selection, if he was fit - the only negative is the amount of games he has played in the last year or two, which is why he wouldn't be in my selection.

This is the purpose of my thread though, to guage other people's opinions, and I respect those. :thumbup:
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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by BUSHEAD » Wed Oct 14, 2009 11:58 pm

Goalkeepers

Hart
Green
Foster

Defenders

A Cole
Bridge

Johnson
Richards

Upson
Terry
Lescott

Midfield

Walcott
J.Cole

Lampard
Gerrard
Beckham
Cattermole
Bullard (just for the team craic)

Wright-Phillips
Milner

Forwards

Rooney
Defoe
Crouch
Owen
Think before posting

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by RH79 » Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:02 am

real_darlo_85 wrote:Oh I definately would consider Hargreaves in my selection, if he was fit - the only negative is the amount of games he has played in the last year or two, which is why he wouldn't be in my selection.

This is the purpose of my thread though, to guage other people's opinions, and I respect those. :thumbup:

I agree, if Hargreaves is fit he should be in there. I just dont think he will be fit.

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by Darlo_H » Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:16 am

Goalkeepers

Foster
Hart
James

Defence

A. Cole
Bridge

Johnson
Ferdinand
Terry
Richards
Upson (though replaced with G. Cahill if he keeps up his good form)

Midfield

Walcott
J. Cole

Lampard
Gerrard
Barry
Beckham
Hargreaves

Milner
Wright-Phillips (very close between him and Lennon).

Forwards

Rooney
Defoe
Crouch
Owen (Depends on how much he plays, otherwise one from Agbonlahor/Cole.)
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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by hodgie1 » Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:05 am

keepers

green
foster
james

defenders
johnson
brown
a cole
bridge
ferdinand
terry
upson
lescott

right wing

beckham
milner

left wing

j cole
downing

central midfield

gerrard
lampard
hargreaves
carrick

forwards

rooney
crouch
agbongalor (shite spelling i know)
walcott

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divas
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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by divas » Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:38 am

so let me get this right hodgie1, you wouldnt take gareth barry, emile heskey, aaron lennon & jermain defoe to the world cup, barry who has played in every game under capello bar one, and heskey who has also played the majority of the qualifiers. they may not be automatic starters, but not to take them :wtf:

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by hodgie1 » Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:57 am

on 2nd thoughts id take barry instead of hargreaves and defoe instead of walcott - i still wouldnt take lennon/heskey milner/crouch offer far more

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by Breedon » Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:23 am

GK:
David James (first choice)
Robert Green
Ben Foster

LB:
Ashley Cole
Wayne Bridge

CB:
John Terry
Rio Ferdinand
Matthew Upson
Joleon Lescott

RB:
Glen Johnson
Micah Richards

LM:
James Milner
Joe Cole

CM:
Steven Gerrard
Frank Lampard
Gareth Barry
Michael Carrick

RM:
Sean Wright-Philips
David Beckham

ST:
Wayne Rooney
Peter Crouch
Gabriel Agbonlahor
Jermain Defoe

My starting line up would be:

James (GK)

Ash Cole (LB)
Terry (CB)
Ferdinand (CB)
Johnson (RB)

Gerrard (LM)
Barry (CDM)
Lampard (CAM)
Wright-Philips (RM)

Rooney (ST)
Crouch (ST)

That would be my squad if I had to name it now, but the likes of Lennon, Walcot and others could change my mind over the rest of the season. I dont see how Heskey can go when he's not even getting off the bench at Villa.
Last edited by Breedon on Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:26 am, edited 1 time in total.

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divas
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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by divas » Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:26 am

James (has to go as he has experience - starting spot is still very up for grabs)
Green (probably the most solid English GK, but lack of big game experience)
Foster (looked error prone but had a decent game last night)

Johnson (defensively suspect but seems to be getting better - threat going forwards)
Brown (selected ahead of Richards due to big game experience)

A.Cole (best LB in the world for me, ALWAYS turns up in big games)
Lescott (can cover LB and also CB - hopefully we dont have to see him in action tho)

Ferdinand (automatic choice but must shake off injuries - needs to play regular for utd)
Terry (automatic choice)
Upson (has looked the most solid backup CB we have so far, again hopefully wont need)

Beckham (keeps defying his critics, needs to move to milan, can change a game)
Lennon (raw pace frightens defenders, final ball is getting better, edges out SWP)
Walcott (can play wide right or as a striker - toss up between him & gabby, walcott edges)

J.Cole (great dribbler of a football but needs to prove fitness)
Milner (great as an impact sub for the last 20 mins, plus extra cover at LB)

Gerrard (automatic choice)
Lampard (again automatic choice)
Barry (can pick a pass for fun, would rotate with Hargreaves depending on opposition)
Hargreaves (if he can get fit he's the only real out and out killer we have in the middle)

Rooney (our number 1 striker - physcologically frightens other teams)
Heskey (not a goalscorer but a good foil for Rooney - take for experience)
Crouch (goals ratio cant be argued - could be very useful in the groups)
Defoe (another impact sub that can come on and get a goal, adds pace to frontline)

The versatility in the squad is immense imo, and we have good cover for all positions except maybe CB and GK.

There's also a nice blend of youth and experience, and some frightening pace, which is what we've previously lacked.

That squad for me covers all eventualities and gives Capello good scope to change dependant on opposition

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Breedon
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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by Breedon » Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:33 am

I agree with a lot of what you said there divas, especially about our versatility. Our problem is usually we have a world class first 11 on paper, but one or two injuries to a couple of those first teamers and we have nothing to back it up with. I'd be happy to see pretty much any combination of players I've named in my potential squad start a world cup game, and not just a group game, a big game against a France or Brazil or Spain. Maybe we wouldn't win, but I really see us having a good go and giving a good account of ourselves this time. Even if its Quarter Finals again, if we play some great football and nail a couple of big results and end up losing in the Quarters/Semi's in a close game against a great side, who can complain? Presuming we can avoid Spain I think we have a very good chance of Semi Finals.

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by divas » Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:36 am

our squad always looks good on paper, but its a different story usually when they take to the pitch, however in capello we have a manager who can get the players heads right and also is a superb tactician, i must admit im looking forward to the tournament more than i have for a number of years

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by Breedon » Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:40 am

Yeah exactly. On paper Joe Cole, Gerrard, Lampard and Beckham in the middle looks superb, but it never worked. Capello doesn't accomadate players in a team if they dont work well together, but uses the fact that Gerrard is versatile and can play anywhere in the middle, and he also spots the potential in players that were never really given the chance they deserved for years before, and also rewards U21's players for good performances by giving them senior caps and a chance to prove themselves on the top level. I'm really over the moon with Capello as gaffer like.

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by walshys_wingman_11 » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:20 pm

James
Robinson
Green

Johnson
Terry
Turner
Lescott
Richards
Bridge
Cole

Lennon
Gerrard
Lampard
Cattermole
Barry
Downing
Wallcott

Bent
Crouch
Heskey
Rooney
Defoe.

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by Hawkeye » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:28 pm

Breedon wrote:Presuming we can avoid Spain I think we have a very good chance of Semi Finals.
Out of interest, when was the last time we played Spain in a major tournament? Was it when we beat them in the shootout in '96? Also, was that the last time we won a shootout?

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by PJPoolie » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:34 pm

walshys_wingman_11 wrote:James
Robinson
Green

Johnson
Terry
Turner
Lescott
Richards
Bridge
Cole

Lennon
Gerrard
Lampard
Cattermole
Barry
Downing
Wallcott

Bent
Crouch
Heskey
Rooney
Defoe.
Who else read through that squad and thought 'Thank fook Fabio Capello is England manager and not this bloke' :lol:

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by walshys_wingman_11 » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:34 pm

When was the last time we beat or got beat by Spain in a finals ? The only two I can remember both ended in draws. ( Espana 82 and Euro 96)

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by divas » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:35 pm

spain used to love bottling games as much as us, but they seem to have a bit of steel about them now

both our last tournament game against spain and our last pen shootout win were in euro 96

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by divas » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:37 pm

walshys_wingman_11 wrote:When was the last time we beat or got beat by Spain in a finals ? The only two I can remember both ended in draws. ( Espana 82 and Euro 96)
1980 - england won 2-1

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by comeondarlo » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:39 pm

James
Green
Robinson

Johnson
Terry
Ferdinand
Lescott
Richards
Bridge
A. Cole

Lennon
Gerrard
Lampard
Hargreaves
Barry
Becks
Wallcott
J. Cole

Crouch
Heskey
Rooney
Defoe.

Looks like a World Cup winning squad to me
Last edited by comeondarlo on Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by comeondarlo » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:42 pm

PJPoolie wrote:
walshys_wingman_11 wrote:James
Robinson
Green

Johnson
Terry
Turner
Lescott
Richards
Bridge
Cole

Lennon
Gerrard
Lampard
Cattermole
Barry
Downing
Wallcott

Bent
Crouch
Heskey
Rooney
Defoe.
Who else read through that squad and thought 'Thank fook Fabio Capello is England manager and not this bloke' :lol:


PJ, You've obviously never encountered WW_11 before, trust me you eventually get used to him.

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by Breedon » Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:43 pm

Hawkeye wrote:
Breedon wrote:Presuming we can avoid Spain I think we have a very good chance of Semi Finals.
Out of interest, when was the last time we played Spain in a major tournament? Was it when we beat them in the shootout in '96? Also, was that the last time we won a shootout?
Yeah, Euro 96 when we decked them on pens. Not only was that our last penalty shootout win, it was our only one!

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by Spyman » Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:10 pm

Foster
Green
James

Johnson
Bridge
Cole
Ferdinand
Terry
Upson
Lescott (King if he can stay fit for the season, which he won't)

Lennon
Beckham
Barry
Lampard
Gerrard
Hargreaves
J Cole
Milner

Walcott
Rooney
Defoe
Crouch
Heskey

Looking at my choice, I think we're covered everywhere. Walcott is a good 5th striker as he can play on the wing. Milner offers cover across the midfield and also can fill in at right-back if Johnson is out. A good mix of central midfielders, all with their own attributes, plenty og goals in Rooney, Defoe and Crouch, and Heskey can be the battering ram.

btw - I pissed myself at Walshy's squad. I hope he was after a bite, rather than genuinely thinking that is our best squad.
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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by comeondarlo » Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:22 pm

We only disagree on Upson/Lescott and Foster/Robinson, none of whom would play anyway.

I reckon WW11 was after a bite, so here goes.
FFS he's got Turner in there instead of Ferdinand, Turner's not impressing at Sunderland at the moment

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by PJPoolie » Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:24 pm

comeondarlo wrote:We only disagree on Upson/Lescott and Foster/Robinson, none of whom would play anyway.

I reckon WW11 was after a bite, so here goes.
FFS he's got Turner in there instead of Ferdinand, Turner's not impressing at Sunderland at the moment
Also Downing and not Joe Cole :shock: :lol:

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by Breedon » Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:26 pm

PJPoolie wrote:
comeondarlo wrote:We only disagree on Upson/Lescott and Foster/Robinson, none of whom would play anyway.

I reckon WW11 was after a bite, so here goes.
FFS he's got Turner in there instead of Ferdinand, Turner's not impressing at Sunderland at the moment
Also Downing and not Joe Cole :shock: :lol:
Also why take the world level experience of Beckham and Ferdinand when you can have the undoubtably world class Turner and Cattermole :shock:

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Re: Name your 'initial' England Squad

Post by PJPoolie » Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:27 pm

We know as well that Lee Catermole is better than Michael Carrick :o :lol:

He's either on the wind up or a total barmpot.

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