England squad...

[Hoop Blah]

Why do people not like Glen Johnson? Always a good performer. Better than Richards.

He was appalling at the last World Cup (not that he was the only one of course) and there are better and younger alternatives in his position. Unfortunately Walker picked up an injury to rule him out, but in a position where we have a lot of options it seems a shame to stick with a player that hasn't performed.

He's still a reasonable player, I'd give him that, but I'd much rather see Richards there than Johnson, Jones, Smalling or anyone else apart from Walker.

[Big Ern]

Why do people not like Glen Johnson? Always a good performer. Better than Richards.

He was appalling at the last World Cup (not that he was the only one of course) and there are better and younger alternatives in his position. Unfortunately Walker picked up an injury to rule him out, but in a position where we have a lot of options it seems a shame to stick with a player that hasn't performed.

He's still a reasonable player, I'd give him that, but I'd much rather see Richards there than Johnson, Jones, Smalling or anyone else apart from Walker.

I think it is a fundemantal problem when a defender can't defend.

[who are ya?]

Always a good performer.

Ghey

[NTRoyal]

No Carrick, Johnson over Richards, Carroll instead of Holt or Crouch, Downing??

I was atleast hoping for a fresher squad. Never mind.

What would have been 'fresh' about Carrick or Crouch?

Carrick has bever had much of a shout with England, I've always thought him and Gerrard would be an excellent midfield given the chance. Johnson is better than Downing, Richards is better than Johnson. What about guys like Sturridge, Cleverley, Smalling?

These guys have had many chances, and totally blew it every time. Why give them another try? We had a decent group of young players coming through, giving some of them a shot won't hurt will it? I will still support England, but I won't really expect anything at all.

[Big Ern]

No Carrick, Johnson over Richards, Carroll instead of Holt or Crouch, Downing??

I was atleast hoping for a fresher squad. Never mind.

What would have been 'fresh' about Carrick or Crouch?

Carrick has bever had much of a shout with England, I've always thought him and Gerrard would be an excellent midfield given the chance. Johnson is better than Downing, Richards is better than Johnson. What about guys like Sturridge, Cleverley, Smalling?

These guys have had many chances, and totally blew it every time. Why give them another try? We had a decent group of young players coming through, giving some of them a shot won't hurt will it? I will still support England, but I won't really expect anything at all.

Has Cleverley even played a full game for England?

[Hoop Blah]

I think it is a fundemantal problem when a defender can't defend.

Which one can't? None of them are out and out defenders, it's just not the job spec anymore.

It's just that modern fullbacks aren't quite as responsible for defending as they used to be isn't it? The use of two defensive midfielders free's them up a bit, rightly or wrongly.

[blindedbythelights]

Richards has been exceptional this season and part of the best back 4 in the league the last 2 seasons running.

Johnson is terrible, I'd be gutted to see us sign him

[Schards#2]

Downing

Premiership goals 2011/12 - 0

Premiership goal assists 2011/12 - 0

Why is this bozo within a million miles of the squad?

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Richards has been exceptional this season and part of the best back 4 in the league the last 2 seasons running.

Johnson is terrible, I'd be gutted to see us sign him

[blindedbythelights]

I've stated my opinion. I refuse to enter into further debate with the worst username on here. Sorry.

[winchester_royal]

No Carrick, Johnson over Richards, Carroll instead of Holt or Crouch, Downing??

I was atleast hoping for a fresher squad. Never mind.

What would have been 'fresh' about Carrick or Crouch?

Carrick has bever had much of a shout with England, I've always thought him and Gerrard would be an excellent midfield given the chance. Johnson is better than Downing, Richards is better than Johnson. What about guys like Sturridge, Cleverley, Smalling?

These guys have had many chances, and totally blew it every time. Why give them another try? We had a decent group of young players coming through, giving some of them a shot won't hurt will it? I will still support England, but I won't really expect anything at all.

Carrick has 22 caps. More than enough of a chance.

- Cleverley's been out for the majority of the season and as a result has only played 10 league games, most of which have been off the bench, and has done nowhere near enough to warrant international selection
- Chris Smalling is injured
- Micah Richards is a bit of a liability. There's a reason Capello didn't trust him, and why Mancini doesn't seem to either. Certainly not better than Johnson IMO.
- Adam Johnson has hardly featured for City over the last few months, can't justify including him. Hasn't been particularly good in the few games he's played this season. Would probably have preferred him to Downing, but can see Roy's thinking.
- Sturridge is a good player, but selfish. Probably wouldn't fit into the team ethic that Hodgson is trying to create.

I also refer you to my earlier post:

I have to say I don't understand the complaints about this England squad being 'stale' and it being the same as always.

Ruddy and AOC both are completely uncapped
Andy Carroll and Phil Jones have 3 and 4 caps respectively
Danny Welbeck is another one with only 4 caps
Players like Parker, Walcott and Hart weren't included in the World Cup

Some people will always find a reason to have a good moan, but I'm quite excited by this squad.

Plenty of new-ish faces in this squad. Hardly full of the 'old guard' as some are so eager to suggest.

[LWJ]

I've stated my opinion. I refuse to enter into further debate with the worst username on here. Sorry.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

I've stated my opinion. I refuse to enter into further debate with the worst username on here. Sorry.

That's a shame. I thought you would love to tell me how Cummings, or even Micah Richards, is better than Glen Johnson.

[Big Ern]

I've stated my opinion. I refuse to enter into further debate with the worst username on here. Sorry.

That's a shame.

You Go Girl!!!

[NTRoyal]

Has Cleverley even played a full game for England?

Don't think so. Even just being in the squad would be a step in the right direction, instead we are giving fat Frank another summer of free food, Parker/Barry/Milner can play the same role. Why not take someone like him for example?

[Maguire]

France always beat us and even though the scoreline didnlt refelct it, played us off the park in their 3-2 win at Wembley

Sweden, always a draw

Urkraine, home nation and only team to beat us during qualification for the World Cup.

As mentioned, will go into the last game with high hopes and needeing a won only to put on a dire performance and go crashing out at Group Stages.

It wouldn't be a great surprise to see us go out but i'm not sure i'm behind the science of your argument ("Sweden, always a draw")

We totally stank out the last World Cup and didn't make Euro 2008 so i'm going to apply some weird science of my own and say it's time we overachieved.

[winchester_royal]

Has Cleverley even played a full game for England?

Don't think so. Even just being in the squad would be a step in the right direction, instead we are giving fat Frank another summer of free food, Parker/Barry/Milner can play the same role. Why not take someone like him for example?

Frank Lampard this season: Apps 46 Goals 16 Assists 10

Tom Cleverley this season: Apps 15 Goals 0 Assists 2

[TBM]

Hodgson has ignored Richard’s form, talent and hunger, and opted to go for reputation with his choice of right-back in Glen Johnson – the man who has helped Liverpool to their lowest-ever Premier League finish.

[Hoop Blah]

- Micah Richards is a bit of a liability. There's a reason Capello didn't trust him, and why Mancini doesn't seem to either. Certainly not better than Johnson IMO.

He's not a liability at all. He occassionally switches off or gets caught out, but much less than most other defenders and much much less than he did a few years ago when his form really suffered..

As for Mancini not trusting him, he's played him as his first choice right back for the majority of the season (when fit) and the only thing that kept him out of the starting line up over the last few games was excellent performances from Zabaleta. Even then, Mancini used Richards off the bench when looking to protect leads so he must trust him.

This is also a player that Mancini has given the captains armband too, so I'm not sure where this myth of him not trusting or rating him has come from.

- Adam Johnson has hardly featured for City over the last few months, can't justify including him. Hasn't been particularly good in the few games he's played this season. Would probably have preferred him to Downing, but can see Roy's thinking.

I'm a big fan of Adam Johnson but I'd agree with the fact he's not played enough to warrent selection infront of the others. Although left footed he's also played on the right more often than not and, unlike Downing, looks better out there cutting in and scoring goals than being on his natural side and getting balls in the box.

He could probably do with leaving City if he can't hold down a place in the side otherwise he's going to get left behind.

- Sturridge is a good player, but selfish. Probably wouldn't fit into the team ethic that Hodgson is trying to create.

Probably agree. I think he's ruffled a few feathers at Chelsea and Hodgson said he wanted good tourists in his squad. I think perhaps that might've gone against him a bit too. As much as I see him as an England player of the future there's only so many places in the squad and others probably just pip him unfortunately.

[soggy biscuit]

Sky appear to be the official Gary Hooper supporters channel. They seem to not bd able to understand how Hooper did not make the squad quoting goal stats etc

I didn't even know who Gary Hooper was until they just started banging on about him