England squad...

[Z175]

When's the Olympics squad announced?

Well I can tell you one thing we know now...

Alex McCarthys in Team GB

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Stewart Downing. Seriously?

The man with Zero goals or assists for a whole season.

[super darren caskey]

Would have picked Crouch over Carroll.Apart from that its a good squad

[Hoop Blah]

My remaining big question is: Who exactly is in Rio Ferdinands 'camp' and why don't they just come and say what they think?

[@sonkimarsson]

Squad is pretty uninspiring but not Roy's fault given what he's got to pick from. Injuries considered only changes I'd make are downing, jones out for Johnson and Richards. Maybe Milner for carrick. Get to the quarters and I'd be happy to be honest.

[Simon's Church]

Wow, can't believe he's left out so many world class players. Shambles.

[southbank1871]

I look forward to Rio's ghostwritten autobiography being serialised in The Sun.

[RFCSPACE]

GK: Hart is goal is a given, therefore the new inclusion of Ruddy is irrelevant.

RB: Glen Johnson is poor and has been all season, the only other option is Jones (who I do rate) is not a right back.
CB: Pretty standard, and although I despise JT, doesn't surprise me he's included.
LB: As expected.

CM: Well, there's 5 of them (including Milner) and yet a space is wasted in the back-ups for Henderson. Lampard and Gerrard same old story, not good enough and frankly not at all creative. Sideways passing until they're within shooting range and then blast it and see what happens. Barry will be consistent, but hardly what we need given the striking options. Parker would be first choice, but given he's injured, what's the point? Milner is a utility man, I rate him, but not as a creative player.

Wingers: Downing - no. Walcott - good sub. Oxlade-Chamberlain is in for the shock, but really he isn't going to play ahead of Ashley Young.

Strikers: Welbeck - overrated IMO. Carroll will be good if his form can continue. Defoe good, but not as a lone striker.

I've lost interest in ranting about this now. Totally uninspiring selection and if we get past the group stage I will be amazed.

[winchester_royal]

Right, now we've seen the squad..time to nail your colours to the mast.

I think we'll have a really good tournament, and get to the Semis at least. Carroll to give all the poncy European centre-backs a good kicking ending up with > or = 3 goals, and Downing will end up with at least 2 assists.

Who's with me?

[The Prisoner]

Milner in. Carrick out?

Lampard? Gerrard? Terry?

[cmonurz]

Who else should we have picked?

There are arguments for the likes of Britton, Cleverly, Holt or whoever, but also arguments against them.

One things for certain, this will be a final hurrah for the likes of Lampard, Gerrard and Terry, I expect a new look squad entirely for the World Cup qualifiers.

[No Fixed Abode]

Right, now we've seen the squad..time to nail your colours to the mast.

I think we'll have a really good tournament, and get to the Semis at least. Carroll to give all the poncy European centre-backs a good kicking ending up with > or = 3 goals, and Downing will end up with at least 2 assists.

Who's with me?

Nope. We'll get beaten against France for sure. And I think we might get beaten by Ukraine or Sweden and possibly not get to the knockout stages.

[Z175]

Stewart Downing. Seriously?

The man with Zero goals or assists for a whole season.

Adam Johnson is better I think - 26 games ,6 goals from 35 shots, 2 assists. Downing has 0 goals from 35 shots, 0 assists from 36 games.

BUT on attacking Wingers - Walcott has 8 goals and 8 assists from 35 games, Young has 6 goals and 7 assists so are correct to be included at the expense of Adam Johnson and Aaron Lennon (3 goals, 5 assists).

Downing is a very different player. His ball retention and passing are far superior to the above players, none of whom have set the world on fire this season anyway. As manager Roy wants horses for courses and hence the inclusion of Downing and Milner as squad players. If we are winning and need respite holding up the ball, or if we are struggling to get a foothold in the game and need time on the ball, thats when these two will be used. If we are need goals then we will use the Ox.

hodgson >>>> twitter!

[winchester_royal]

Right, now we've seen the squad..time to nail your colours to the mast.

I think we'll have a really good tournament, and get to the Semis at least. Carroll to give all the poncy European centre-backs a good kicking ending up with > or = 3 goals, and Downing will end up with at least 2 assists.

Who's with me?

Nope. We'll get beaten against France for sure. And I think we might get beaten by Ukraine or Sweden and possibly not get to the knockout stages.

Quoted for historical record.

You shall be the next Irving Fisher.

[pea]

Forgot about Carrick.. He's been class this season.

He has? Better than Henderson for sure but I've always though Carrick is vastly overrated. He can barely tackle, never scores and doesn't retain possession nearly as well as he should.

Crazy statement mate, he has the third best passing stats in the Premier League this season. Only bettered by Yaya Toure and one other...

[soggy biscuit]

Thought Downing got his first assist of the season few weeks back?

[LWJ]

My head says we will struggle in all 3 group games, and will most probably be looking at the end of our tournament early on.

My heart says, the team will combine, Downing will be top of the assist chart, and we will get through to the semis at least.

[LWJ]

Thought Downing got his first assist of the season few weeks back?

It was in one of the cups.

[Spirit of Elm Park]

My remaining big question is: Who exactly is in Rio Ferdinands 'camp' and why don't they just come and say what they think?

This x1000

[LWJ]

Gerrard is captain