England Squad to face Holland

[Daggers]

Oi! Pack that in. If you kill off their hopes now there'll be bugger all to laugh at during the tourno.

[Guest MattP]

To be honest, Haydos, given you generally come across as a pretty smart lad I'm a tad surprised you're so baffled by Matt's stance.

Do you not find watching your side struggle against Slovenia, the USA, Algeria, Wales, Montenegro and Switzerland just that tiny bit embarrassing? The Germans walked to a 100% record in a much tougher group, doing so whilst bringing through exciting prospects like Gotze and Reus and playing some cracking football.

And you look through their league system and you can see why, German players making up the mainstay of the Bundesliga - a league in stable, economic condition.

Then you look home at your domestic game, bankrupting itself to bring it foreign super stars in a desperate bid to maintain this Sky Sports image of the world's greatest league? Completely starving young English talent of good opportunities until clubs like United and Arsenal run out of mega bucks to pump into transfers and so have to "make do" with the Cleverlys, Wilshires and Smallings of this world and then they get exposure.

Then what do you end up with as a national team? You're old enough and smart enough to know that beating Spain in one friendly is an irrelevance, especially when you've been otherwise dogshit in competitive competition for the last eight years or more.

England is football mad and, despite clichés about "little" bull-dog Britain, actually has a reasonable population in the context of the European footballing community. You should be producing much better players and much more often than you are. And it's not just an excuse to take pot-shots at England, twist the knife because Wales are too shit to qualify. You can laugh it off as such if you want but I'm actually proud of our effort and endeavour, our players always turn up and give it 100% and if we just too shit we're just too shit, we're practically a micronation.

You lot? Perpetual let down.

Beautifully written post.

[Finnegan]

Oi! Pack that in. If you kill off their hopes now there'll be bugger all to laugh at during the tourno.

Shit! What was I thinking? I reckon this is Rooney's year. Golden boot nailed on!

[Corky]

To be honest, Haydos, given you generally come across as a pretty smart lad I'm a tad surprised you're so baffled by Matt's stance.

Do you not find watching your side struggle against Slovenia, the USA, Algeria, Wales, Montenegro and Switzerland just that tiny bit embarrassing? The Germans walked to a 100% record in a much tougher group, doing so whilst bringing through exciting prospects like Gotze and Reus and playing some cracking football.

And you look through their league system and you can see why, German players making up the mainstay of the Bundesliga - a league in stable, economic condition.

Then you look home at your domestic game, bankrupting itself to bring it foreign super stars in a desperate bid to maintain this Sky Sports image of the world's greatest league? Completely starving young English talent of good opportunities until clubs like United and Arsenal run out of mega bucks to pump into transfers and so have to "make do" with the Cleverlys, Wilshires and Smallings of this world and then they get exposure.

Then what do you end up with as a national team? You're old enough and smart enough to know that beating Spain in one friendly is an irrelevance, especially when you've been otherwise dogshit in competitive competition for the last eight years or more.

England is football mad and, despite clichés about "little" bull-dog Britain, actually has a reasonable population in the context of the European footballing community. You should be producing much better players and much more often than you are. And it's not just an excuse to take pot-shots at England, twist the knife because Wales are too shit to qualify. You can laugh it off as such if you want but I'm actually proud of our effort and endeavour, our players always turn up and give it 100% and if we just too shit we're just too shit, we're practically a micronation.

You lot? Perpetual let down.

But Frazier Campbell is in, so we'll be fine.

[Nick]

To be honest, Haydos, given you generally come across as a pretty smart lad I'm a tad surprised you're so baffled by Matt's stance.

Do you not find watching your side struggle against Slovenia, the USA, Algeria, Wales, Montenegro and Switzerland just that tiny bit embarrassing? The Germans walked to a 100% record in a much tougher group, doing so whilst bringing through exciting prospects like Gotze and Reus and playing some cracking football.

And you look through their league system and you can see why, German players making up the mainstay of the Bundesliga - a league in stable, economic condition.

Then you look home at your domestic game, bankrupting itself to bring it foreign super stars in a desperate bid to maintain this Sky Sports image of the world's greatest league? Completely starving young English talent of good opportunities until clubs like United and Arsenal run out of mega bucks to pump into transfers and so have to "make do" with the Cleverlys, Wilshires and Smallings of this world and then they get exposure.

Then what do you end up with as a national team? You're old enough and smart enough to know that beating Spain in one friendly is an irrelevance, especially when you've been otherwise dogshit in competitive competition for the last eight years or more.

England is football mad and, despite clichés about "little" bull-dog Britain, actually has a reasonable population in the context of the European footballing community. You should be producing much better players and much more often than you are. And it's not just an excuse to take pot-shots at England, twist the knife because Wales are too shit to qualify. You can laugh it off as such if you want but I'm actually proud of our effort and endeavour, our players always turn up and give it 100% and if we just too shit we're just too shit, we're practically a micronation.

You lot? Perpetual let down.

Maybe there's the love of it, the dream, the unconditional faith, the underlying hope that it just might happen - you know, the way perhaps you feel about your football club maybe wining an FA Cup match against Premier League opposition........

That may have been beaten out of you, time and time again in a Pavlovian fashion in reference to your 'micronation' where seemingly the shit doesn't stick because you expect to lose.

Yes we don't have a Premier League full of English players but don't forget its also what makes it the most competitive League in the World and where the majority of players want to play and not just for cash.

I see your point and 'England Expects' is a transitional term probably pointing downhill with very hot brakes, however though what you write has weight, the realism is kept in check by unconditional love and I know you know what that is.

Point out the facts but its too much to expect a change in the old guard.

[Simo86]

I would say both Richards and Lescott will not be replaced for sure.

Now Kolo Toure is back from the AFCON, how long before he is playing at the back with Kompany? One mistake and Lescott is outta there!

[Wycombe Fox]

The money in the game is turning us into minnows of the international footballing world.

Carson, Green, Downing and Frazier Campbell???

[davieG]

To be honest, Haydos, given you generally come across as a pretty smart lad I'm a tad surprised you're so baffled by Matt's stance.

Do you not find watching your side struggle against Slovenia, the USA, Algeria, Wales, Montenegro and Switzerland just that tiny bit embarrassing? The Germans walked to a 100% record in a much tougher group, doing so whilst bringing through exciting prospects like Gotze and Reus and playing some cracking football.

And you look through their league system and you can see why, German players making up the mainstay of the Bundesliga - a league in stable, economic condition.

Then you look home at your domestic game, bankrupting itself to bring it foreign super stars in a desperate bid to maintain this Sky Sports image of the world's greatest league? Completely starving young English talent of good opportunities until clubs like United and Arsenal run out of mega bucks to pump into transfers and so have to "make do" with the Cleverlys, Wilshires and Smallings of this world and then they get exposure.

Then what do you end up with as a national team? You're old enough and smart enough to know that beating Spain in one friendly is an irrelevance, especially when you've been otherwise dogshit in competitive competition for the last eight years or more.

England is football mad and, despite clichés about "little" bull-dog Britain, actually has a reasonable population in the context of the European footballing community. You should be producing much better players and much more often than you are. And it's not just an excuse to take pot-shots at England, twist the knife because Wales are too shit to qualify. You can laugh it off as such if you want but I'm actually proud of our effort and endeavour, our players always turn up and give it 100% and if we just too shit we're just too shit, we're practically a micronation.

You lot? Perpetual let down.

But one of the key aims/claims of creating the PL was that it would make the England team world class/winners don't you know .

[Haydos]

To be honest, Haydos, given you generally come across as a pretty smart lad I'm a tad surprised you're so baffled by Matt's stance.

Do you not find watching your side struggle against Slovenia, the USA, Algeria, Wales, Montenegro and Switzerland just that tiny bit embarrassing? The Germans walked to a 100% record in a much tougher group, doing so whilst bringing through exciting prospects like Gotze and Reus and playing some cracking football.

And you look through their league system and you can see why, German players making up the mainstay of the Bundesliga - a league in stable, economic condition.

Then you look home at your domestic game, bankrupting itself to bring it foreign super stars in a desperate bid to maintain this Sky Sports image of the world's greatest league? Completely starving young English talent of good opportunities until clubs like United and Arsenal run out of mega bucks to pump into transfers and so have to "make do" with the Cleverlys, Wilshires and Smallings of this world and then they get exposure.

Then what do you end up with as a national team? You're old enough and smart enough to know that beating Spain in one friendly is an irrelevance, especially when you've been otherwise dogshit in competitive competition for the last eight years or more.

England is football mad and, despite clichés about "little" bull-dog Britain, actually has a reasonable population in the context of the European footballing community. You should be producing much better players and much more often than you are. And it's not just an excuse to take pot-shots at England, twist the knife because Wales are too shit to qualify. You can laugh it off as such if you want but I'm actually proud of our effort and endeavour, our players always turn up and give it 100% and if we just too shit we're just too shit, we're practically a micronation.

You lot? Perpetual let down.

Trust me, I'm at a loss to understand why we continually under perform considering the popularity of the game here and the success of English clubs historically.

It wasn't Matt's stance, only the inconsistency and expectation that was an issue. For starters, the Spain friendly, I'm not taking much from it but one thing is that we did beat them and we can. With an apparently awful set of players. I don't know why.

Secondly the PL. Again, I'm not really taken in by the 'Sky Sports Effect' but I do enjoy the league and have always done. The fact is we have had good success in Europe and consistently 4 competitive teams for a long while now and Matt has jumped on the failure this season straight away. Now that may be an indictment of the way he thinks 'English' football is heading and if that's the case then fair enough. I think the PL had peaked and maybe in a short state of decline but I don't think it will be that long before we have clubs performing again. I will say I am jealous of German football more than any though, great league with some great football on display and Germany are my favourite international team to watch by far.

Basically, I don't disagree as such. I just have a slightly less negative opinion when it comes to the PL and as far as the England team...I have gotten used to the mediocrity I guess.

[AyewJoking]

Who selected that squad?

If Fraizer Campbell is in there, you may as well give him 90 mins because its a waste of his and everyone elses time otherwise.

[BlueSi13]

To be honest, Haydos, given you generally come across as a pretty smart lad I'm a tad surprised you're so baffled by Matt's stance.

Do you not find watching your side struggle against Slovenia, the USA, Algeria, Wales, Montenegro and Switzerland just that tiny bit embarrassing? The Germans walked to a 100% record in a much tougher group, doing so whilst bringing through exciting prospects like Gotze and Reus and playing some cracking football.

And you look through their league system and you can see why, German players making up the mainstay of the Bundesliga - a league in stable, economic condition.

Then you look home at your domestic game, bankrupting itself to bring it foreign super stars in a desperate bid to maintain this Sky Sports image of the world's greatest league? Completely starving young English talent of good opportunities until clubs like United and Arsenal run out of mega bucks to pump into transfers and so have to "make do" with the Cleverlys, Wilshires and Smallings of this world and then they get exposure.

Then what do you end up with as a national team? You're old enough and smart enough to know that beating Spain in one friendly is an irrelevance, especially when you've been otherwise dogshit in competitive competition for the last eight years or more.

England is football mad and, despite clichés about "little" bull-dog Britain, actually has a reasonable population in the context of the European footballing community. You should be producing much better players and much more often than you are. And it's not just an excuse to take pot-shots at England, twist the knife because Wales are too shit to qualify. You can laugh it off as such if you want but I'm actually proud of our effort and endeavour, our players always turn up and give it 100% and if we just too shit we're just too shit, we're practically a micronation.

You lot? Perpetual let down.

And? So England are criminal underachievers when all things are taken into account, just like our beloved Leicester City, does it mean we should all just pack up and go home then? I haven't met an Englishman in ten years who thinks we are going to win a major tournament any time soon, doesn't mean we won't stop supporting them. Little doubt you feel the same about Wales.

[Guest MattP]

The fact is we have had good success in Europe and consistently 4 competitive teams for a long while now and Matt has jumped on the failure this season straight away. Now that may be an indictment of the way he thinks 'English' football is heading and if that's the case then fair enough. I think the PL had peaked and maybe in a short state of decline but I don't think it will be that long before we have clubs performing again. I will say I am jealous of German football more than any though, great league with some great football on display and Germany are my favourite international team to watch by far.

Last year our sides were pretty awful in europe as well, United just got to the final as they were given the easiest route to a champions league final I can remember.

You are so right about German football, it's absolutely fantastic, I've done 6-7 Hamburg, 2 Munich's and one Unterhaching game(s) and it annoys you when you come back to Filbert Way in the difference in the way you are treated.

[Finnegan]

And? So England are criminal underachievers when all things are taken into account, just like our beloved Leicester City, does it mean we should all just pack up and go home then? I haven't met an Englishman in ten years who thinks we are going to win a major tournament any time soon, doesn't mean we won't stop supporting them. Little doubt you feel the same about Wales.

I'm not saying you should ever stop supporting England, quite the opposite. I never understand English people who claim to not care about the national side, its country before club every time for me.

But I think the truly patriotic, the truly fanatical, the true supporters are those standing up and saying "enough is enough," "this isn't good enough" and demanding better. Happy clapping gets you nowhere.

Support the players on the pitch, sure, and accept that they have their limits? Definitely. Getting upset because Frank Lampard and Theo Walcott aren't winning you world cups is tragic and delusional.

But being upset that the above are the best your country can produce and taking a stand against the bigger picture? Totally justified.

[Wycombe Fox]

I'm not saying you should ever stop supporting England, quite the opposite. I never understand English people who claim to not care about the national side, its country before club every time for me.

But I think the truly patriotic, the truly fanatical, the true supporters are those standing up and saying "enough is enough," "this isn't good enough" and demanding better. Happy clapping gets you nowhere.

Support the players on the pitch, sure, and accept that they have their limits? Definitely. Getting upset because Frank Lampard and Theo Walcott aren't winning you world cups is tragic and delusional.

But being upset that the above are the best your country can produce and taking a stand against the bigger picture? Totally justified.

[Corky]

I'm not saying you should ever stop supporting England, quite the opposite. I never understand English people who claim to not care about the national side, its country before club every time for me.

But I think the truly patriotic, the truly fanatical, the true supporters are those standing up and saying "enough is enough," "this isn't good enough" and demanding better. Happy clapping gets you nowhere.

Support the players on the pitch, sure, and accept that they have their limits? Definitely. Getting upset because Frank Lampard and Theo Walcott aren't winning you world cups is tragic and delusional.

But being upset that the above are the best your country can produce and taking a stand against the bigger picture? Totally justified.

Correct Finners.

I don't expect us to win tournaments but always end them thinking "we didn't show what we can really do".

I want to see us playing good football and go out to a better side, not limp through before being taught a lesson.

[Salieri]

I'm just scared that now Pearce has come out and declared himself available to take the helm for the Euro Championships that the F.A will be stupid enough to give him the gig.

[dave the caveman]

Then you look home at your domestic game, bankrupting itself to bring it foreign super stars in a desperate bid to maintain this Sky Sports image of the world's greatest league? Completely starving young English talent of good opportunities until clubs like United and Arsenal run out of mega bucks to pump into transfers and so have to "make do" with the Cleverlys, Wilshires and Smallings of this world and then they get exposure.

Then what do you end up with as a national team?.

Whats your stance on Spain? They have the world's best national team, and yet their domestic league is just as if not more financially absurd than ours.

[Guest ttfn]

Fraizer Campbell's inclusion is an absolute joke. If you're going to select experimentally, choose somebody who's done something to earn it. He's got 6 goals in 47 Premier League games and now he's in an England squad? Jesus wept. He wouldn't even make my top 10 English strikers:

1) Wayne Rooney

2) Danny Welbeck

3) Daniel Sturridge

4) Darren Bent

5) Gabby Agbonlahor

6) Gary Hooper

7) Jermain Defoe

8) Danny Graham

9) Peter Crouch

10) Bobby Zamora

Then there's the likes of Andy Carroll (eugh), Rickie Lambert, Kevin Davies, Can't Control and Billy Sharp who may not be particular world beaters themselves but have done a lot more over their careers and last six months (even Carroll and Davies) than Campbell to merit a place in the squad.

A waste of a body which could have been used for a genuinely interesting inclusion, such as Oxlade-Chamberlain or Lallana.

[BlueSi13]

Fraizer Campbell's inclusion is an absolute joke. If you're going to select experimentally, choose somebody who's done something to earn it. He's got 6 goals in 47 Premier League games and now he's in an England squad? Jesus wept. He wouldn't even make my top 10 English strikers:

1) Wayne Rooney

2) Danny Welbeck

3) Daniel Sturridge

4) Darren Bent

5) Gabby Agbonlahor

6) Gary Hooper

7) Jermain Defoe

8) Danny Graham

9) Peter Crouch

10) Bobby Zamora

Then there's the likes of Andy Carroll (eugh), Rickie Lambert, Kevin Davies, Can't Control and Billy Sharp who may not be particular world beaters themselves but have done a lot more over their careers and last six months (even Carroll and Davies) than Campbell to merit a place in the squad.

A waste of a body which could have been used for a genuinely interesting inclusion, such as Oxlade-Chamberlain or Lallana.

Gary Hooper better than Defoe, Crouch and Zamora? Proven goal scorers in the Premier League?

[Guest ttfn]

Gary Hooper better than Defoe, Crouch and Zamora? Proven goal scorers in the Premier League?

Sorry they're not in order. Should have bulleted them.

But I think Hooper could be better than Crouch and Zamora. Difficult to compare though. One thing's for sure, he's more deserving of a place in the England squad than Fraizer fookin Campbell.

[LCFC_FAN_1995]

Ruddy from Norwich deserves a call up! Better than Carson Glad Richards is in!

[Corky]

I'm just scared that now Pearce has come out and declared himself available to take the helm for the Euro Championships that the F.A will be stupid enough to give him the gig.

It's looking likely he will be in charge for the finals.

[Finnegan]

Whats your stance on Spain? They have the world's best national team, and yet their domestic league is just as if not more financially absurd than ours.

Finance isn't the only point I'm trying to make, there's a real culture of football being held up for question here, particularly in the way a country develops it's youth. Spain are a great example of a country whose clubs prioritize their own players and whomexcel on developing talented, skilful young players.

Look at Barcelona, the core of that team is a fantastic, talented, Spanish set of players and they work hard to produce their own.

[LCFC_FAN_1995]

My team would be...

Hart

Richards - Cahill - Jones - Cole

Parker - Milner

Young - Gerrard © - Johnson

Sturridge

OR

Hart

Richards - Cahill - Jones - Cole

Parker

Young ------------------------Johnson

Gerrard

Sturridge - Campbell

[Guest MattP]

Finance isn't the only point I'm trying to make, there's a real culture of football being held up for question here, particularly in the way a country develops it's youth. Spain are a great example of a country whose clubs prioritize their own players and whomexcel on developing talented, skilful young players.

Look at Barcelona, the core of that team is a fantastic, talented, Spanish set of players and they work hard to produce their own.

Exactly.

Spain produces football and players like this because of centres like La Masia etc etc

Most kids in the age bracket of 10-12 here seem to be coached by idiots from a local pub on a sunday morning, playing on a full sized pitch with the sort of tactics you would find in a Stoke V Bolton game.

There was a fantastic article in the Times about La Masia a year or so ago, no football over head height, passing the football, the result doesnt even matter until the age of 16-17, it's all about the development of the football.