England squad...

[Wax Jacket]

we're not miles behind them

if we were they'd have qualified for this tournament for a start

they've got a good centre back, a very skillful midfielder in Hazard who's yet to do much, and a supremely lazy Fellaini playing in front of the back four

their first choice striker is one of those naturalised brazilians who everyone thinks is going to be awesome but turns out to be an absolute donkey

if we take the game seriously it's a very good warm-up for the tournament though

[cmonurz]

we're not miles behind them

if we were they'd have qualified for this tournament for a start

they've got a good centre back, a very skillful midfielder in Hazard who's yet to do much, and a supremely lazy Fellaini playing in front of the back four

their first choice striker is one of those naturalised brazilians who everyone thinks is going to be awesome but turns out to be an absolute donkey

if we take the game seriously it's a very good warm-up for the tournament though

+ Dembele and Lukaku. They are getting half-decent.

[Hoop Blah]

I forgot about the Lukaku reference as well. The piece doesn't mention that it was often the English Sturridge that kept him out of the side.

I don't think qualify from one group automatically makes you better than a team that failed to qualify from another, but totally agree that it looks like a good pre-tournament work out.

[Stranded]

Lampard confirmed as out, Henderson called up to replace him.

[Mr Angry]

First Downing and Carrol, now Henderson.....are there any more underperforming Liverpool players left to call up?

[winchester_royal]

Henderson isn't a bad player, he'll be England's Jem Karacan.

Could be another blessing in disguise tbh, as it should mean the Ox will get more playing time in a central role.

[No Fixed Abode]

Henderson played 37 times for Liverpool last season, scoring 2 and getting 1 assist.

[southbank1871]

Feel quite sorry for Lampard actually. He's scored some important goals for England in his time and was coming into this tournament in some good form. This would surely have been his last major tournament too. I bet Carrick is feeling a bit silly now.

[Hoop Blah]

Henderson played 37 times for Liverpool last season, scoring 2 and getting 1 assist.

He's undoubtedly had a poor season, but like Downing, although much less so, his stats look worse for the Liverpool forwards being so poor in front of goal. I think he's got a lot of potential (funnily enough to be the next Lampard style midfielder) but he's not at the level for Liverpool or England yet.

It's amazing how many central midfielders we're missing. Lampard, Barry and Wilshire from the 'established' names, plus Carrick who refused to play. Add to that Rodwell, Cleverly and Huddlestone who are injured, plus perhaps even Muamba if they wanted to dip further into the recent U21s.

[TBM]

Ok - so we have 5 Liverpool players in the squad now, a team that finished 8th in the Premier League.

And people seriously reckon we're gonna get past the group stages.

[winchester_royal]

Ok - so we have 5 Liverpool players in the squad now, a team that finished 8th in the Premier League.

And people seriously reckon we're gonna get past the group stages.

Yep.

Just you wait.

[who are ya?]

TBF I'm loving the lower expectations going into this tournament

[pea]

Belgium have a good side and thats what you get from a league of teams that have to work to produce quality players to make their money rather than just sitting for a wealthy backer to buy the success and stability. But as a team a lot of their big players have underperformed or failed to settle into international football yet. Expect them to be at the WC in Brazil though

[Maguire]

Feel quite sorry for Lampard actually. He's scored some important goals for England in his time and was coming into this tournament in some good form. This would surely have been his last major tournament too. I bet Carrick is feeling a bit silly now.

Agreed on all this.

Massive blow for England, much more so than the loss of Barry.

[Extended-Phenotype]

Why is anyone bothered about losing 'big name' players? How did they get on in the last tournament? Or the one before that?

Form or no form for club, they have been nothing short of hopeless in each tournament. It's clear to anyone club form means f/ck all.

[Maguire]

It's not about him being "a big name", it's about him being a good player.

[Hoop Blah]

Why is anyone bothered about losing 'big name' players? How did they get on in the last tournament? Or the one before that?

Form or no form for club, they have been nothing short of hopeless in each tournament. It's clear to anyone club form means f/ck all.

As Mags said, it's nothing to with being a big player, but it's about him still being better than the alternatives available.

As for being nothing short of hopeless, pretty sure you'll find Lampard got into at least one 'team of the tournament' and was also England player of the year over (I think) a year that included a summer tournament.

He's been a decent player for England.

[soggy biscuit]

TBF I'm loving the lower expectations going into this tournament

+1

The more we are dismissed the more I feel we will be the surprise package

[cmonurz]

Roy Hodgson on Michael Carrick not featuring for England this summer: "The contacts with Michael were conducted before I took the job. It was made clear to me he was not a player who wanted to be considered so he wasn't a player I considered. Michael is a player I have always admired and who knows in the future?"



Actually think Hodgson's gone easy on him, I simply wouldn't pick anyone who has decided they are 'unavailable' for selection, ever.

[Extended-Phenotype]

It's not about him being "a big name", it's about him being a good player.

My point is what difference has that made? He's been a "good player" every season, and walks away with the Bigest Turkey award every tournament.

What exactly is it that Lampard does at a tournament that are England going to miss?