England squad...

[Royal Rother]

Only saw the 2nd half.

Wish I hadn't bothered.

[cmonurz]

We won. 6 dull victories will do us.

[TBM]

Good news people

Gareth Barry is ruled out of Euro 2012 because of a groin injury


Phil Jagielka is his replacement

[Alan Partridge]

Fantastic news!!

[Hoop Blah]

At least it wasn't Henderson.

Probably moves Jones into consideration for a slot in midfield, although I still think it's going to be Gerrard playing in front of Lampard and Parker.

[winchester_royal]

Massive blessing in disguise, the guy is awful at international level.

[Big Foot]

Buzzing for that news

[TBM]

At least it wasn't Henderson.

Probably moves Jones into consideration for a slot in midfield, although I still think it's going to be Gerrard playing in front of Lampard and Parker.

Dont reckon Lamps will play tbh - he will use Young as the number 10 role behind Carroll with Downing and Walcott on the wings

[Hoop Blah]

Yeah you could be right, I just don't think Gerrard/Parker will be enough defensively against France and so he might go with the 3, especially with the form Lampard showed towards the end of the season.

I don't think Downing did enough to push for a start on the left either, but you never know, he's going to have to make a decision when Rooney is back in the fold anyway.

[southbank1871]

Delighted with this news.

[Silver Fox]

Not as pleased as andy townsend, he's just avoided accidentally naming gareth bale as his one to watch

[Maguire]

Still remember him miscontrolling on the edge of the German box leading to their crucial third in 2010, then getting completely skinned for the fourth. Carthorse.

[Big Foot]

^^ Agreed Mags

Used to rate Barry and thought he offered some balance in the middle with being left footed. However, that PATHETIC run after Ozil for their 4th goal in 2010 is burnt into my eyes forever. Simply unforgivable.

[southbank1871]

He was so slow he couldn’t even take him out

[Ian Royal]

Yeah you could be right, I just don't think Gerrard/Parker will be enough defensively against France and so he might go with the 3, especially with the form Lampard showed towards the end of the season.

I don't think Downing did enough to push for a start on the left either, but you never know, he's going to have to make a decision when Rooney is back in the fold anyway.

If we're going to go with three central midfielders, one to play the attacking role. I'd far rather we go with one of Gerrard or Lampard and then have Milner & Parker.

I'm just so tired of seeing Gerrard and Lampard in the same team being utterly mediocre and getting in each other's ways.

[Extended-Phenotype]

Feel sorry for Barry really. He did help create a lot of balance, and he was the only player who put in the donkey work. When Lampards fake injury took him out of selection in the 2006 quals, Barry stepped in and our results went from 0-0 draws to back to back 3-0 wins. It was McClaren’s stupid idea to suddenly switch from a fairly successful 4-4-2 formation to a 4-5-1 with everybody in midfield and poor Barry having to act the watercarrier for headless chickens Lampard, Gerrard and Beckham. It was just too much for him.

Likewise in the World Cup, he was the only player sitting deep while Gerrard roamed out of position on the left and Lampard strode forward and lumped away possession. He’s not a holding mid by trade and while he can do a job there, he does need support.

Not the best player by a long shot, but as I said – I do feel a bit sorry for him with the criticism he gets – it’s a difficult job he’s been lumbered with.

Now we are back to what? Lampard or/and Gerrard in a deep role? No thanks. Barry everyday of the week, regardless of what happened in Germany and the Euro quals.

[Maguire]

He was so slow he couldn’t even take him out

tbf he wasn't fit and shouldn't have been playing (like Milner v USA). Does my head in when managers pick unfit players just because they want to play a certain system or get the name on the teamsheet.

Still a shambolic attempt to get to the ball. He was so far from Ozil like you say, he couldn't even begin to think about diving into the tackle.

[Handsome Man]

He was so slow he couldn’t even take him out

tbf he wasn't fit and shouldn't have been playing (like Milner v USA). Does my head in when managers pick unfit players just because they want to play a certain system or get the name on the teamsheet.

Still a shambolic attempt to get to the ball. He was so far from Ozil like you say, he couldn't even begin to think about diving into the tackle.

He was nearer than John Terry though.

Who told him to start playing centre forward when we were only 2-1 down

[Hoop Blah]

The difference with Lampard for me right now is that he's played a deeper more orthodox midield role for Chelsea since AVB was booted out. It's almost as if he's realised he can't do what he used to do and is playing within himself and becoming a bit more creative, and disciplined, albeit at the expense of a few goals.

[Big Foot]

When Lampards fake injury took him out of selection in the 2006 quals, Barry stepped in and our results went from 0-0 draws to back to back 3-0 wins.

Gareth Barry didn't play in one 2006 Qualifier - please come back when you're accurate and can be taken seriously.