if parker and johnson get injured - very possible - then you've only got jones covering both. or you play jagielka well out of position at rightback. or perhaps worse, someone like milner there. hodgson's not covered his bases here. and again you end up with gerrard as one of the two sitting midfielders, something he's simply not a specialist at.

I've think if any of our 'key' players get injured we've had it, Hart, Cole, Johnson, Parker, Young, Rooney (if he gets more than one game). I'd even include Gerrard, Lampard and Carroll on that list. If we are to stand any chance, everyone needs to stay fit.

Capello was of the same mind about Richards, the suggestion is he's just not quite focused enough.

Someone has mentioned Gerard's unsuitability, I thought it was just me that thought this way. He just spills the ball too easily, and at this level that is ruinous. Dare I say it but there is one other acclaimed player that does the same, or at least did in SA.

Personally, these are the doubts I have over both Gerrard and Rooney, but then again look at what they do creatively!

What can you do? but they are technically poor.

Capello was of the same mind about Richards, the suggestion is he's just not quite focused enough.

Someone has mentioned Gerard's unsuitability, I thought it was just me that thought this way. He just spills the ball too easily, and at this level that is ruinous. Dare I say it but there is one other acclaimed player that does the same, or at least did in SA.

Personally, these are the doubts I have over both Gerrard and Rooney, but then again look at what they do creatively!

What can you do? but they are technically poor.

wouldn't go so far as to say that they are technically poor but they are your two players who generally make most stuff happen. so you play them closer to the opposing goal than your own where a stray pass can't do as much damage. which is why playing gerrard in a midfield 2 in a flat midfield line of 4 is stupid. always has been. play a 4-2-3-1 with 2 holding midfielders and gerrard off rooney (when the berk is allowed to play again) and you have goals and a bit of solidity behind it.

At the moment England only has one key player that most teams will beware of and even he has not been at his best for a few months.

Goals win games and sadly we really don't have an out and out goalscorer,even Rooney is not in that category.

God help us....i suppose we can win the tournament without actually scoring in the games and then rely on Joe Hart ...funny!

Capello was of the same mind about Richards, the suggestion is he's just not quite focused enough.

Someone has mentioned Gerard's unsuitability, I thought it was just me that thought this way. He just spills the ball too easily, and at this level that is ruinous. Dare I say it but there is one other acclaimed player that does the same, or at least did in SA.

Personally, these are the doubts I have over both Gerrard and Rooney, but then again look at what they do creatively!

What can you do? but they are technically poor.

wouldn't go so far as to say that they are technically poor but they are your two players who generally make most stuff happen. so you play them closer to the opposing goal than your own where a stray pass can't do as much damage. which is why playing gerrard in a midfield 2 in a flat midfield line of 4 is stupid. always has been. play a 4-2-3-1 with 2 holding midfielders and gerrard off rooney (when the berk is allowed to play again) and you have goals and a bit of solidity behind it.

Yes a very good posting and I hope Hodgson does this. What I mean about Gerrard is that sometimes he just literally gives the ball to an opponent, he did this against Norway in a very deep position, and Rooney sometimes needs a metre or 2 to bring the ball under control, at least in SA he did.

At the moment England only has one key player that most teams will beware of and even he has not been at his best for a few months.

Goals win games and sadly we really don't have an out and out goalscorer,even Rooney is not in that category.

God help us....i suppose we can win the tournament without actually scoring in the games and then rely on Joe Hart ...funny!

Carroll?

Yes a very good posting and I hope Hodgson does this. What I mean about Gerrard is that sometimes he just literally gives the ball to an opponent, he did this against Norway in a very deep position, and Rooney sometimes needs a metre or 2 to bring the ball under control, at least in SA he did.

gerrard plays best when he isn't tied to a job in the team and can play free. same for rooney really. england might as well line up with 8 plus them 2. maybe young and sturridge as the other 2 up front/wide. but play 2 defined defensive midfielders behind that.

Yes a very good posting and I hope Hodgson does this. What I mean about Gerrard is that sometimes he just literally gives the ball to an opponent, he did this against Norway in a very deep position, and Rooney sometimes needs a metre or 2 to bring the ball under control, at least in SA he did.

gerrard plays best when he isn't tied to a job in the team and can play free. same for rooney really. england might as well line up with 8 plus them 2. maybe young and sturridge as the other 2 up front/wide. but play 2 defined defensive midfielders behind that.

Sturridge aint there, mate!!

Another misjudgement by Hodgson,

I fear the worst in this tournament, Too many players who are coming back after injury, will leave them too stretched. They wont concede too many, but they wont score many either, Be lucky to get through the first round

Yes a very good posting and I hope Hodgson does this. What I mean about Gerrard is that sometimes he just literally gives the ball to an opponent, he did this against Norway in a very deep position, and Rooney sometimes needs a metre or 2 to bring the ball under control, at least in SA he did.

gerrard plays best when he isn't tied to a job in the team and can play free. same for rooney really. england might as well line up with 8 plus them 2. maybe young and sturridge as the other 2 up front/wide. but play 2 defined defensive midfielders behind that.

Sturridge aint there, mate!!

Another misjudgement by Hodgson,

I fear the worst in this tournament, Too many players who are coming back after injury, will leave them too stretched. They wont concede too many, but they wont score many either, Be lucky to get through the first round

sorry you're quite right - i was thinking he'd picked sturridge but it's walcott isn't it?

squad numbers announced, indicate a 'first' XI. which has flat, insipid 4-4-2 written all over it.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/may/29/euro-2012-england-squad-numbers

If the squad numbers do mean something, and assuming a 4-4-2, the team will look like this:

Hart

Johnson Cahill Terry Cole

Walcott Lampard Gerrard Young

Rooney Carroll

Are there any surprises really? The obvious flaws are Frankie Jr and Gerrard together in midfield (but i'm sure I read somewhere Hodgson wants another roll of that dice) and the lack of a holding midfielder(s).

Not forgetting the biggest flaw Carroll

Not forgetting the biggest flaw Carroll

Personally, i'm withholding judgement on him for a while. It's an almost certainty he'll be playing, and as he's the only player of his type in the squad, he needs to be given a chance. We'll see.

Not forgetting the biggest flaw Carroll

He is our main weapon with Rooney out first two games, it will be hoof it up to Carrol nod down to walcott or young 1-0 england then defend defend defend, it might just work be dull and boring but heck England always have been so nothing new.

Not forgetting the biggest flaw Carroll

Personally, i'm withholding judgement on him for a while. It's an almost certainty he'll be playing, and as he's the only player of his type in the squad, he needs to be given a chance. We'll see.

I have a funny feeling Andy Carroll might be one of the few English plus points to come out of this tournament

His profile cannot get any worse Carms....so i agree!

His profile cannot get any worse Carms....so i agree!

I think Carroll has finally found a bit of form towards the latter part of the season. Its generally better to play form players I think.

He is a handful...and should do well against European teams. Liverpool should be grateful he is getting some experience there anyway.

When on his game he's as frightening to defend against as any of the big name forwards.

Bu$$er, the old Euros-R-Coming magic dust just got sprinkled on me

When on his game he's as frightening to defend against as any of the big name forwards.

Bu$$er, the old Euros-R-Coming magic dust just got sprinkled on me

I just hope there is some attractive stuff played this time around. It is supposed to be entertainment first and foremost...some countries seem to have forgotten that!

When on his game he's as frightening to defend against as any of the big name forwards.

Bu$$er, the old Euros-R-Coming magic dust just got sprinkled on me

I just hope there is some attractive stuff played this time around. It is supposed to be entertainment first and foremost...some countries seem to have forgotten that!

Whereas the Scotland v Auld Enemy encounter, which happens all to rarely these days regrettably, is supposed to be about all-out-bloody-warfare. Kids these days have no idea what football rivalry means

When on his game he's as frightening to defend against as any of the big name forwards.

Bu$$er, the old Euros-R-Coming magic dust just got sprinkled on me

I just hope there is some attractive stuff played this time around. It is supposed to be entertainment first and foremost...some countries seem to have forgotten that!

Whereas the Scotland v Auld Enemy encounter, which happens all to rarely these days regrettably, is supposed to be about all-out-bloody-warfare. Kids these days have no idea what football rivalry means

That is a good point. There's nowhere near enough pent up anger and frustration in Scotland any more...and there will be even less after the referendum!

I have a funny feeling Andy Carroll might be one of the few English plus points to come out of this tournament

think you could be right, he had a good back end to the season and is showing some form. do though also think that with hodgson's tactics he could end up really isolated with lots of long balls pinged up at him.

I just hope there is some attractive stuff played this time around. It is supposed to be entertainment first and foremost...some countries seem to have forgotten that!

no it isn't.

I have a funny feeling Andy Carroll might be one of the few English plus points to come out of this tournament

think you could be right, he had a good back end to the season and is showing some form. do though also think that with hodgson's tactics he could end up really isolated with lots of long balls pinged up at him.

I just hope there is some attractive stuff played this time around. It is supposed to be entertainment first and foremost...some countries seem to have forgotten that!

no it isn't.

It is if you have my nationality!

I have a funny feeling Andy Carroll might be one of the few English plus points to come out of this tournament

think you could be right, he had a good back end to the season and is showing some form. do though also think that with hodgson's tactics he could end up really isolated with lots of long balls pinged up at him.

I just hope there is some attractive stuff played this time around. It is supposed to be entertainment first and foremost...some countries seem to have forgotten that!

no it isn't.

It is if you have my nationality!

I think Scotland are one of the most entertaining sides in world football.

Yeah we played some good stuff when we last beat you at Wembley.

I think Scotland are one of the most entertaining sides in Scotland.

I think Scotland are one of the most entertaining sides in Scotland.

Now don't go overboard

I think Scotland are one of the most entertaining sides in Scotland.

You haven't seen Motherwell recently then?

Yeah we played some good stuff when we last beat you at Wembley.

Smokes, that was in the '70's mate!!!

Yeah we played some good stuff when we last beat you at Wembley.

Bagpipes? or was that Rod Stewart

Yeah we played some good stuff when we last beat you at Wembley.

How old were you when this momentous occasion took place?