England's World Cup Year 2014.

[Webbo]

Wilshere's lack of game time might mean he's fresher than some others in the squad, not so burnt out.

[Bert]

Wilshere's lack of game time might mean he's fresher than some others in the squad, not so burnt out.

It could also mean he's rusty. But I do agree to some extent. Won't be long until we find out I imagine. Wilshere is a good player but he needs to start developing from his potential into the player that potential has promised.

[Guest ttfn]

Based on what?

I wouldn't rule out Milner starting either.

I think there's a good case for him starting if we play a diamond or a genuine 4-3-3 but I don't think he's good enough to play in a central 2 and I'm not sure he's skillful enough to play on the wing unless we are up against a side with incredible wingers (Argentina for example).

[Langston]

We're a centre half away from a very, very decent starting eleven, for me.

[Dan]

I'd be tempted to go something like this to bring a bit of pride back to the shirt. Not the most gifted 11 we could put out but it'd be the one that would do it's damned best.

 

 

Hart

Flanagan Cahill Jagielka Baines

Barry Gerrard 

Sterling Sturridge Wilshere

Lambert

 

Good gracious me.

 

Two players there are in positions they never play in.

[Dan]

I think there's a good case for him starting if we play a diamond or a genuine 4-3-3 but I don't think he's good enough to play in a central 2 and I'm not sure he's skillful enough to play on the wing unless we are up against a side with incredible wingers (Argentina for example).

 

Milner? He's a pretty steady player. I wouldn't be against playing him against someone like Argentina either. I think we really would have to play counter-attacking stuff against them.

 

The main focus is Italy at the minute. That will be a very tough game as it always is against them but they aren't unbeatable.

We're a centre half away from a very, very decent starting eleven, for me.

 

I agree. I've picked up more faith in England recently. It probably co-incides with the fact we haven't played in ages.

[Grandad.]

Ok then let's leave one of our best midfielders at home 

 

Milner never plays for his club and he's not as good as Wilshere.

 

Wilshere has to go if fit.

 

Simple.

 

He's too good not to go.

 

I can't wait for the response to this question.. 

 

Please tell me bright spark how on earth you have come to the conclusion that Jack Wilshire is one of our best midfielders? He isn't on this season, sorry to burst your bubble but right now Wilshire wouldn't get in his own club side let alone playing for England. Wenger won't start him over Ramsey, Flamini, Arteta, Cazorla or Ozil, and don't even bother replying if you suggest he would, right now he isn't good enough and isn't fit enough to be in contention to go to the World Cup let alone start for England.  

 

I'd be tempted to go something like this to bring a bit of pride back to the shirt. Not the most gifted 11 we could put out but it'd be the one that would do it's damned best.

 

 

Hart

Flanagan Cahill Jagielka Baines

Barry Gerrard 

Sterling Sturridge Wilshere

Lambert

 

My God, thank God you will never be in any form of management. That is quite embarrassing really. I'm not even going to ask you what prescription your doctor has given you, a trip to the nut house is the next step for you. 

 

I don't know what is worse, Gareth Barry starting in the centre of midfield, Jack Wilshire on the left wing or Lambert starting upfront? 

 

But he will be for the World Cup.

 

How do you know this? 

 

There is being fit enough to play and then there is match fitness, you can't just stick the lad in the England side after not playing games for 3 months and say "Go boss the midfield v Italy will you Jack" it isn't going to work. Friendlies v Peru, Ecuador and I can't even remember the other side aren't going to fully prepare him for a World Cup either, not fare to even expect Wilshire to have an impact on this World Cup. The chances of Wilshire playing a full 90 minutes before the Italy game are slim to none. 

 

---

 

Anyway, in reply to Lawro's post at the top about how he would break it down I think it will be broken down into three goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 8 midfielders and 4 strikers, I would rather see a defender sacrificed and take an extra striker though. Simply because I wouldn't take a second right back, I don't think Kyle Walker is good enough to be playing for England, not had a great season for Spurs and I think Phil Jones and Chris Smalling will be third and fourth choice centre backs and have played right back for club and country before and I would do the same with the World Cup squad. Go out there with 5 strikers, not that we have anything to rave about except for two and one of them is debatable. 

 

I think the definite's are.. 

 

Goalkeepers 1/3 - Hart

 

Defenders 5/8 - Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Jones and Baines. 

 

Midfielders 5/8 - Gerrard, Milner, Sterling, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lallana. 

 

Strikers 3/4 - Rooney, Sturridge and Welbeck. 

 

So that leaves 7 places, I think Henderson will go, even though I completely disagree I also think Wilshire will go and Townsend will take the other wingers spot. I think Smalling, Cole and again I don't think he should go but Walker will make up the other 3 defender spots. Then it is a toss up between Carroll and Lambert for the 4th strikers spot, I personally would take Carroll over Lambert but I am unsure on who Roy the Boy will take. 

 

Going to be interesting who Hodgson takes as his 23 and who the other 7 will be on standby. 

[Stadt]

Jones will probably go because he covers 3 positions (even though he's shit at all of them)

[kingcarr21]

Wilshere quite simply doesnt deserve a place on the plane. At the moment we have better options in midfield.

 

Gerrard

Chamberlain

Lallana

Sterling

Milner ( Cant argue with versatility. Ideal sub. Would certainly not be starting 11)

Barkley

Henderson

Barry ( Some may dispute but he has been instrumental at Everton this season and can see him as backup for the holding midfield role.)

 

Wilshere is a good player but i fail to see what he has done to be automatically given a spot on the plane when half fit ahead of the players above.

 

For me Townsend hasnt done enough this season but for England he has been decent so im sure Roy will want to take him maybe ahead of Barry

 

Im sure i will get slated for this post now

 

It also depends what formation Roy plays.

 

2 holding mids will mean Barry ahead of Townsend for me

 

1 holding mid  id go Townsend ahead of Barry

 

 

[RowlattsFox]

If Wilshere is fit I will take him, some of players mentioned in this thread are not in direct competition with Wilshere.

 

For me:

 

Keepers: Hart plus 2 of Forster, Ruddy and Foster. Has Foster come out of international retirement? No real other options.

 

Defenders: Would say Johnson, Baines, Cahill, Jagielka (if fit) are certainties. Then its 3 or 4 of Jones, Smalling, Lescott, Cole, Shaw, Walker, Flanagan. Can't think of anybody else of top of my head, maybe Steven Caulker but I reckon thats unlikely. It depends whether Hodgson wants to go with 7 or 8 defenders, if he goes with 7 he has to take one of Jones or Smalling to cover right back and centre back and leave Walker out. Also a decision over Cole and Shaw, tough one but I think I'd just about take Cole.

I'd probably stick with 7 defenders to allow and extra attacking player and take Jones, Lescott and Cole.

 

Midfielders: Would say Gerrard is only certainty but on current form Henderson would have to go. I would take 3 central midfielders so Gerrard, Henderson and then it's one of Wilshere, Lampard and Carrick for me. I think Wilshere will get the nod if fit.

 

attacking midfieders: Would go Sterling, Lallana, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Barkley. All offer something different and can play wide or central.

 

Strikers: Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck and Lambert. Welbeck is limited but offers something different with his direct running and is capable. Lambert over Carrol for me. Not sure how Defoe is doing in MLS but he's only other competition.

 

Don't think it's a bad squad, but has previously highlighted, central defence will be our downfall and I'm also worried by the lack of a good ball winner in midfield to play alongisde Gerrard.

[kingfox]

Hart

 

Johnson - Jagielka - Cahill - Baines

 

Gerrard - Henderson

 

Sterling - Rooney - Lallana

 

Sturridge

[Dan]

Same team as me bar one player - for some reason I keep missing Ross Barkley & Everton play. If he's as good as he's being hyped up to be then is he not worth a shot?

 

I'd rather try a youngster who's showing genuine quality than persist with the inconsistent yet seemingly undroppable Rooney.

 

Pointless discussion anyway as we all know he'll start every game regardless of performance.

[Richard]

Hart

Johnson

Jagielka

Cahill

Baines

Henderson

Gerrard

Sterling

Rooney

Lallana

Sturridge

[Simmo86]

Hart

Johnson

Jagielka

Cahill

Baines

Henderson

Gerrard

Sterling

Rooney

Lallana

Sturridge

[Grandad.]

Connor Wickham can't force his way into the squad in the next three games for Sunderland can he? 

 

I say this as there was a number of people discussing it on Twitter yesterday and I heard someone ring on TalkSport to say the same thing.

[AKCJ]

Connor Wickham can't force his way into the squad in the next three games for Sunderland can he? 

 

I say this as there was a number of people discussing it on Twitter yesterday and I heard someone ring on TalkSport to say the same thing.

 

 

I think there will be a striker spot up for grabs.

 

 

Probably between Carroll, Defoe, Agbonlahor, Wickham, Ings and maybe even someone like Crouch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When is the 30 announced?

[kingcarr21]

Connor Wickham can't force his way into the squad in the next three games for Sunderland can he? 

 

I say this as there was a number of people discussing it on Twitter yesterday and I heard someone ring on TalkSport to say the same thing.

no chance surely

 

Scoring some important goals but certainly doesnt deserve a place for the world cup. Then again he could be the future for England and Welbeck not done much recently.

 

For me id say sorry Wickham maybe next time

[Danno]

Rather have Welbeck than Wickham.

[Grandad.]

I think there will be a striker spot up for grabs.

 

 

Probably between Carroll, Defoe, Agbonlahor, Wickham, Ings and maybe even someone like Crouch.

 

When is the 30 announced?

 

Ings and Defoe are not in contention, neither is Agbonlahor. It all depends on whether Roy takes 4 or 5 strikers to the World Cup. If he opts for 4 then its Sturridge, Rooney, Welbeck and Lambert/Carroll. 5 then I think he takes Lambert and Carroll. 

 

30 man squad is announced the Monday after the FA Cup Final, all the players will know the 23 then though as Hodgson doesn't want players at the Portugal camp knowing if they're not going to Brazil or not. Right thing to do. 

[GingerrrFox]

The Liverpool game against Chelsea was a perfect example of how sometimes you need a striker on the bench with immense aerial ability to scrap you back into a game. Liverpool could have done with bringing a striker in the Andy Carroll mould on as Chelsea had all 11 men behind the ball at times. I would take Carroll for the bench and in extreme circumstances bring him on to try and get you back in the game.

[Dan]

If any team is going to set up against us the way Chelsea did then it'll be Costa Rica. I'd probably agree that another option is needed and Liverpool were crying out for a big forward to head one in yesterday but I can't see it being used too often. I'd fancy us to put Costa Rica to bed without really struggling.

[ScouseFox]

Ashley Cole proving if you want a defender to defend he's our man.

[Guest ttfn]

Why not take 3 left backs and 1 right back? Everybody seems to be agreed that we are ridiculously strong at left back and pretty weak at right back.

 

Given that Azpilicueta has this season become the latest in a long line of right-footed right-backs filling in and excelling at left back (see also Irwin, Dennis) I don't see why the reverse shouldn't be a possibility with a left-footed full back playing right back, particularly in an age of inside-out wingers where defenders are often forced onto their weaker side.

 

Ashley Cole in particular would be an option, given that he offers more defensively than going forward, and I think it's probably the attacking rather than the defending which suffers from having a wrong-footed full back.

[RowlattsFox]

Cole at right back is not a bad shout actually, should probably have been tried before now though.

[ScouseFox]

could be a good theory but again putting theories into practice needs to be done over a season/qualifying/friendlies etc and not in the actual world cup imo. 

 

my point was with england, like it or not, to get anywhere in this world cup we're probably going to have to "do a chelsea" against italy, uruguay and any other half decent team we face, and in that situation ashley cole >>>>>>> baines and shaw put together.