The England Squad For The Euro'S

[SantiSuk]

why this obsession with pace? it's keeping possession, dictating games and being able to pick apart deep-lying defences that wins international tournaments.

Why this obsession with possession it is not even positively correlated in the US. And look at our results against say City.

Absolutely. Arsenal nearly always have top possession! The most staggering stat I saw was that we had 69% possession in the 1st half of the Cup tie against Sunderland, looked like we thought the goal was on both sides of the pitch and lost the half 1-0.

[rijit]

In fairness to Pearce he gave a really good interview today,cant find a link but it was on 5lives daily podcast, i thought he handled the press, recently, as well as ive heard anyone, barring redknapp.

And this was a quote from defoe gave an idea what he's about with the squad, no bad thing

"Stuart Pearce phoned me and said that senior players would not be in the squad and that he would pick players from the Under 21 squad, because it was the last opportunity for whoever the new manager is to have a look at them.

After listening to the interview I must admit he's grown in my estimation, but I still don't think that he's anywhere near ready to take the full squad.

Edited February 24, 2012 by rijit

[MrRed]

In fairness to Pearce he gave a really good interview today,cant find a link but it was on 5lives daily podcast, i thought he handled the press, recently, as well as ive heard anyone, barring redknapp.

And this was a quote from defoe gave an idea what he's about with the squad, no bad thing

"Stuart Pearce phoned me and said that senior players would not be in the squad and that he would pick players from the Under 21 squad, because it was the last opportunity for whoever the new manager is to have a look at them.

After listening to the interview I must admit he's grown in my estimation, but I still don't think that he's anywhere near ready to take the full squad.

Yes it was a good interview,a few Spurs boys will be hoping Harry does take the job if offered it? the likes of Walker,Dawson and Defoe.....Parker has played his way in with Barry as the holding midfielders.

Still when you look at the squad he picked who would you really add to it of the senior players that have been capped before.....not many is there?

[spongeman]

Stuart Pearce screwed up the u21's , he should be nowhere near that job. Its scary that he should be allowed to put his name forward for the Euros. England always had the right players but not the manager, last good manager ye had was Bobby Robson and he was ran out of the job.

[rijit]

In fairness to Pearce he gave a really good interview today,cant find a link but it was on 5lives daily podcast, i thought he handled the press, recently, as well as ive heard anyone, barring redknapp.

And this was a quote from defoe gave an idea what he's about with the squad, no bad thing

"Stuart Pearce phoned me and said that senior players would not be in the squad and that he would pick players from the Under 21 squad, because it was the last opportunity for whoever the new manager is to have a look at them.

After listening to the interview I must admit he's grown in my estimation, but I still don't think that he's anywhere near ready to take the full squad.

Yes it was a good interview,a few Spurs boys will be hoping Harry does take the job if offered it? the likes of Walker,Dawson and Defoe.....Parker has played his way in with Barry as the holding midfielders.

Still when you look at the squad he picked who would you really add to it of the senior players that have been capped before.....not many is there?

No only foster terry Ferdinand lescot lampard , and if fit jagielca..admitedly campbell was showing vv good scoring form b4 he was injured and I know he's bac with a bang but IMO 3 /4 games and a few goals dont warrant an England call up. So ATM ide put Defoe well b4 Campbell. but hey ho we will see.

Edited February 24, 2012 by rijit

[salty]

Scott Parker England Captain for tonight's friendly. Oh the excitement zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Sorry I must have dozed off.

[MrRed]

salty are you English?

[smokie36]

salty are you English?

He's Irish. Good decision on the captaincy I reckon. Parker will do an excellent job for ya!

[MrRed]

Anyone is better than sperm face.....even Rooney!

[salty]

salty are you English?

As smokie said I'm Irish. I enjoy the way England tie themselves in knots regarding the captaincy, and Sky Sports all excitement wondering who the next anointed one was going to be.

[rijit]

I suppose as a spurs fan I should be pleased that Parker's been picked as England capt, but frankly i'm not, for me the best player should be England capt, over the last decade barring injury gerrards been amongst the worlds best midfielders, his goals and truly stunning displays have won 100's of games, perhaps a slight exaggeration but not by much, and cups for his club and games 4 his country, And as much as i've admired parkers team displays for spurs, hand on heart ive never came away from watching a game thinking he's won it for us? ive thought that's a good display but that's it. Nah, parkers a solid dependable 100% committed midfielder but for me that dont/shouldnt make an England capt, But hey ho pearce is only here for one game, thankfully.

[smokie36]

I suppose as a spurs fan I should be pleased that Parker's been picked as England capt, but frankly i'm not, for me the best player should be England capt, over the last decade barring injury gerrards been amongst the worlds best midfielders, his goals and truly stunning displays have won 100's of games, perhaps a slight exaggeration but not by much, and cups for his club and games 4 his country, And as much as i've admired parkers team displays for spurs, hand on heart ive never came away from watching a game thinking he's won it for us? ive thought that's a good display but that's it. Nah, parkers a solid dependable 100% committed midfielder but for me that dont/shouldnt make an England capt, But hey ho pearce is only here for one game, thankfully.

You should be looking for the best leader, not the best player. At least he will provide that, where Terry was more into his colleagues wives knickers.

Gerrard has been captain, yes he leads by example but that's not everything. You need a shouter...someone who can inspire others.

[smokie36]

Sturridge for Gerrard...out with the old..in with the new. Good substitution that unfortunately...

[smokie36]

It don't look like Pearce...his body language is all wrong for a start...out of his depth as you say carmine.

Come on England...give it to the special one...!

[smokie36]

Hmmm not one post yet today.....that can only mean one thing.

Lotusbluete can you confirm the scoreline please?

[carmine]

Hmmm not one post yet today.....that can only mean one thing.

Lotusbluete can you confirm the scoreline please?

I keep trying to tell you mate, we don't really care!

[smokie36]

Hmmm not one post yet today.....that can only mean one thing.

Lotusbluete can you confirm the scoreline please?

I keep trying to tell you mate, we don't really care!

[mrbojangles]

Hmmm not one post yet today.....that can only mean one thing

I didn't watch it smokes. Can't be bothered staying up for friendlies.

[smokie36]

Hmmm not one post yet today.....that can only mean one thing

I didn't watch it smokes. Can't be bothered staying up for friendlies.

Wise decision. It was a dire match tbh.

[StevieH]

with apologies to migsy, here is a fine match report on england - holland from when saturday comes.

http://www.wsc.co.uk/component/option,com_kunena/Itemid,73/func,view/catid,27/id,633145/

EXCELLENT ENGLAND ROUT DUTCH CURS SENDING THEM SKULKING ACROSS NORTH SEA BACK TO THEIR LAIR OF DEBAUCH AND DESPOND 2-3

The natural genetic advantages we enjoy over the Dutch, that nation of orange-painted, mountainless, self-arguing-among boat dwellers and underage animal pornography addicts, are too numerous to list in full so let us restrict ourselves to but a few. When we see a cow, our first instinct is not to set up an easel and paint it, but to chop it up into beef cutlets to strengthen our national stock. When we see a tulip, we say to ourselves “Hmm, a tulip”, rather than buy them up in absurd quantities at inflated prices, thereby bringing both our economy and our empire crashing to their knees. When we see a bike, we get upon it to look for work, not simply ride around canal sides upon it in search of pancakes or prostitutes. Our attitude to grass is to play up, play up and play the game upon it, not legalise it. And when we choose our managers, we do not simply employ some random, unheard of grey haired, button eyed nobody whose only ability is to stand in a dugout with his arms crossed, but a man who embodies the red and white spirit of our stoutest yeomen, the sort that has seen is through many a crusade and campaign, unconquered, unbowed.

I refer, of course, to Mr Stuart Pearce, new England manager and true. A shrewd appointment. He has the experience but more importantly the tremendous thighs which are essential to his task, besides which all other qualities are footling. Secondly, like any decent leader, he would not ask his men to run through a solid brick wall until he himself had done so first. Yes, one imagines him, staggering from the collision with cement and masonry, concussed, teeth broken, blood pouring from his split lip, lurching unsteadily to the first man in line on the training field and bellowing at him, “Now, YOU!!” Such are the character building exercises that have ensured England's international dominance. Grit walls of passion, trenches of grit.

The National Anthems marked the schism wider than any North Sea between our two nations. The Dutch effort, a random series of puffs and parps, sounded like a chorus of players attempting to blow out the accumulated phlegm from their wind instruments. As for our own, I had Seppings wheel the bathtub into the television room so that I could both ablute and watch the fixture. As I stood up and saluted for its surging duration, I can proudly report that my manservant received full in the face the upshot of my erect appreciation.

Our Captain for the day was Scott Parker. An excellent choice, for of him it can be said the following; he is English, and that is basically it, he's English. What further commendation is required? His haircut, of course, which recalls the finest traditions of This England, of Chariots Of Fire and jellied eels, black and white films and amiable gangsters, of inner city London areas that used to be lovely, until . . . Captain Scott. How wrong could anything possibly go? Not for him the impulsive, continental game of one touch football – rather, the more exquisite, English ritual of falling over when caught in possession, then getting a rush of blood to the head and lunging in with a potentially ankle breaking challenge to make up. Ah, Scott. If there is but a tiny flaw in his make-up it is in that name, Scott. An English Scot? Not to be disrespectful to the former leader of the German Reich but it is not unlike calling yourself Jew Hitler. The weasel Scot is our sworn foe and nemesis. Better that he change his name by deed poll, to say, Inger. Inger Parker, middle name “Land”.

(Speaking of the Scots, it is treacherous that prior to such an important fixture as this, Mr Kenny Dalglish insisted on playing Steven Gerrard for Liverpool in a trifling domestic contest for some bauble or other just days before this match. Such insolence. Of Dalglish it has been said that he needs classes in race relations awareness. Quite so. After this calculated slight, it is clear that he needs to be made aware of precisely where, and how far below, the Scottish race stands in relation to the English.)

The game began at a cracking pelt, with England swiftly on the attack and Steven Gerrard, playing with typical imagination from midfield, passing to a series of imaginary forwards. Scott Parker could take sole credit as Ashley Young linked up with Danny Wellbeck to shoot on goal. Gerrard was replaced by Daniel Sturridge and there was Scott Parker again as Sturridge accelerated past two Dutchmen and passed into an empty six yard box. The Dutch insolently attempted to shoot from distance but thanks to Scott Parker, the keeper saved. Thanks again to excellent work from Scott Parker, the referee whistled for half time.

Come the second half and Chris Smalling was carried from the field on his shield following a collision in what would have been a certain goal for Holland had Scott Parker not cleared off the line, which indeed was the case. Smalling was replaced by Phil Jones who puffed and chased like a farmhand anxiously pursuing the local squire's daughter, flying away in a huff after he had ill-advisedly offered her a ride home from the barn dance in his wheelbarrow. He worked hard, and, thanks to Scott Parker, delivered the vital pass that led to England's second goal following Tim Cahill's effort, which was well onside if you take into account that the linesman did not interfere in any way. The Dutch grabbed a late consolation goal thanks to the fellow in their line-up clearly selected because of his resemblance to John Profumo which they hoped would sap English morale. This, however, was clearly a “pity goal”, granted by the English defence on account of feeling sorry for the Dutch over the whole tulips business.

A famous result, then, which should ensure that Stuart Pearce becomes the Ramsey of his generation. Small matter that on selecting a team for Nottingham Forest he once failed to pick a goalkeeper; such a “failing” sets him in excellent stead to manage England, for whom the very act of opting for a goalkeeper is a calculated insult to their back four. One can imagine the Shakespearian, sinew-stiffening speech he gave to the players in the dressing room as, summoning the blood to his thighs he squeaked, “Look, I know I'm the bloke who used to hand you your boots as you came in to get changed, then collected after to take 'em home to polish but, I'm really like your boss today. You call me Mr Cornwell – I mean, Mr Pearce. And you've gotter do what I say otherwise I'll – I'll tell Trevor Brooking!” Such a man will lead us beyond this trifling Harfleur to the Agincourt of Euro 2012.

[oldgit]

I refer, of course, to Mr Stuart Pearce, new England manager and true. A shrewd appointment. He has the experience but more importantly the tremendous thighs which are essential to his task, besides which all other qualities are footling. Secondly, like any decent leader, he would not ask his men to run through a solid brick wall until he himself had done so first. Yes, one imagines him, staggering from the collision with cement and masonry, concussed, teeth broken, blood pouring from his split lip, lurching unsteadily to the first man in line on the training field and bellowing at him, “Now, YOU!!” Such are the character building exercises that have ensured England's international dominance. Grit walls of passion, trenches of grit.

Paragraph 2 is an absolute treat.

Edited March 1, 2012 by mrbojangles
Edited just to include the mentioned paragraph instead of the full article.

[spongeman]

First match is against France. Who beat Germany. No Rooney. Very difficult

Second match is against Sweden. Who beat Croatia. No Rooney. Very difficult.

Could be just a point in the bag going into the Ukraine match ?

[smokie36]

First match is against France. Who beat Germany. No Rooney. Very difficult

Second match is against Sweden. Who beat Croatia. No Rooney. Very difficult.

Could be just a point in the bag going into the Ukraine match ?

That's it...think positive.

[carmine]

First match is against France. Who beat Germany. No Rooney. Very difficult

Second match is against Sweden. Who beat Croatia. No Rooney. Very difficult.

Could be just a point in the bag going into the Ukraine match ?

Who cares anyway?

[StevieH]

france are 12-1 to win the euros. might be some value in that.

[mrbojangles]

First match is against France. Who beat Germany. No Rooney. Very difficult

Second match is against Sweden. Who beat Croatia. No Rooney. Very difficult.

Everything doesn't neccessarily hinge on Rooney.

Full article:- http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/article-24010225-why-rooney-loss-shouldnt-affect-england-euro-2012-odds.do

Rooney has 28 goals from 73 games and that represents a 38% strike rate which isn't bad but certainly isn't great either and Rooney's record drops to 31% on neutral venues which is where the games at Euro 2012 will be played. Darren Bent, Rooney's most likely replacement, has 4 goals from 12 games (plenty of those as sub) and his 33% strike rate is not far off Rooney's at international level. During qualifying for Euro 2012 Rooney scored three goals in seven games whilst Darren Bent also scored three goals but that goal tally came from three starts and one sub appearance. On this evidence perhaps the bookies should have shortened England's odds after Rooney's suspension not lengthened them! There is also a question mark over Rooney's temperament, he has now been sent off twice for England and is 7/1 to see red at Euro 2012.

[StevieH]

Darren Bent, Rooney's most likely replacement

whoops.

[mrbojangles]

Darren Bent, Rooney's most likely replacement

whoops.

Yeah, not my view and the author wrote it in November. However, I do agree that Rooney isn't the saviour that many think he is.

[MrRed]

• Where we are at now with the England squad i really am not sure and who will be picking it i am also not sure but the list below is of players picked in the last few games,and the two frendlies we have before the tournament begins.
  

• 
  
• 
  
• Norway vs England
  
  International
  Saturday, 26/05/2012
  Kick off 19:45 BST at Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway
  

• England vs Belgium
  
  International
  Saturday, 02/06/2012
  Kick off 17:15 BST at Wembley Stadium
  
• 
  
• GOALKEEPERS
  
• Scott Carson
  
• Frank Fielding
  
• Ben Foster
  
• Robert Green
  
• Joe Hart
  
• David James
  
• Scott Loach
  
• David Stockdale
  
• DEFENDERS
  
• Leighton Baines
  
• Gary Cahill
  
• Jamie Carragher
  
• Ashley Cole
  
• Michael Dawson
  
• Rio Ferdinand
  
• Kieran Gibbs
  
• Phil Jagielka
  
• Glen Johnson
  
• Phil Jones
  
• Ledley King
  
• Joleon Lescott
  
• Micah Richards
  
• Chris Smalling
  
• John Terry
  
• Matthew Upson
  
• Kyle Walker
  
• Stephen Warnock
  
• MIDFIELDERS
  
• Gareth Barry
  
• Michael Carrick
  
• Joe Cole
  
• Stewart Downing
  
• Steven Gerrard
  
• Jordan Henderson
  
• Tom Huddlestone
  
• Matthew Jarvis
  
• Adam Johnson
  
• Frank Lampard
  
• Aaron Lennon
  
• James Milner
  
• Scott Parker
  
• Jack Rodwell
  
• Theo Walcott
  
• Jack Wilshere
  
• Shaun Wright-Phillips
  
• Ashley Young
  
• FORWARDS
  
• Darren Bent
  
• Jay Bothroyd
  
• Fraizer Campbell
  
• Andrew Carroll
  
• Carlton Cole
  
• Peter Crouch
  
• Kevin Davies
  
• Jermain Defoe
  
• Emile Heskey
  
• Wayne Rooney
  
• Daniel Sturridge
  
• Danny Welbeck
  
• Robert Zamora
  

[SantiSuk]

I personally hope that Jack Wilshere is given the Summer to recouperate. It takes 2 or 3 competitive games to come back from serious injury with any form* and England will only last 3 games in the competition anyway.

*unless you are Bacary Sagna, who came straight back into Arsenal's defence at the top of his already good game.

Edit: and Oxlade-Chamberlain should not go - unless he has some good robust game time in the closing five games and shines like he has on a couple of occasions for Arsenal. If Theo.'s on song O-C would probably get little game time anyway

Edited April 11, 2012 by SantiSuk