YOUR 23 for Brazil

[uptheos]

Ok, so we’ve watched the Premier League all season and probably had a better look at more players than our beloved England manager (cough cough). Soon he will need to pick what he considers the best (most appropriate) players to represent England in the World Cup.

So the aim of this is not just to say who you think he should pick, but also who do you actually think he will pick. Whoever he picks our stout yeoman will not let us down.

This is a combination of who I think should go and who I think will go.

Let’s see your squad, plus three wild cards.

Joe Hart, Ben Foster, Fraser Forster.

Glen Johnson, Kyle Walker, Luke Shaw, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones, Leighton Baines,

Adam Lallana, Steven Gerrard, Jack Wilshere, Raheem Sterling, Steve Caulker, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Michael Carrick, Jordan Henderson, Ross Barkley

Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Ricky Lambert. Daniel Sturridge,

Wild Cards. Frank Lampard, Jermain Defoe, Andy Carroll.

Edited April 27, 2014 by uptheos

[StevieH]

weak at centre back and question marks over the goalkeeper. i think that squad is probably about right give or take ashley cole instead of shaw and possibly a milner. hodgson loves a milner.

there's enough talent in that squad to do something worthwhile at this world cup. but they won't be allowed or encouraged to because the manager is an idiot.

[uptheos]

I think he should call time on Cole, we are strong on the left. I really hope he doesn't take Lampard, but I can't help thinking that he just might. Milner can be useful at times but wouldn't be my first choice, thought about adding him as a wild card though. As you said, not the greatest England manager.

[Macclad]

I think your squad is more or less spot on.....at least for 21 out of the 23 names.

I reckon Hodgson will go for Andros Townsend and James Milner at the expense of Caulker and,quite possibly,Wilshere.

Wild cards will then be Caulker,Wilshere and Defoe.

[StevieH]

i think milner's a really smart footballer, handy bench option if you are looking to close a game out. but then that would involve roy having gone looking for the win first.

if you've got an attacking front four of sturridge, rooney, sterling and lallana and you don't look to go out and win matches in the first half you need your head examining.

[uptheos]

I think your squad is more or less spot on.....at least for 21 out of the 23 names.

I reckon Hodgson will go for Andros Townsend and James Milner at the expense of Caulker and,quite possibly,Wilshere.

Wild cards will then be Caulker,Wilshere and Defoe.

Interesting, I think Wilshire is a certainty.

What I've seen of Caulker I like very much, he's only 22 and I think quite a good prospect.

Townsend has gone off the boil for me, but a distinct possibility.

Funny how Defoe seems to hang around......is it the Hodgson factor?

[StevieH]

i like the look of caulker too. defoe seems to stay on the scene simply because of a lack of poachers, there's not really another english penalty box striker other than sturridge.

townsend is just braindead. get the ball, run fast with it, shoot when teammates are better placed.

[uptheos]

i like the look of caulker too. defoe seems to stay on the scene simply because of a lack of poachers, there's not really another english penalty box striker other than sturridge.

townsend is just braindead. get the ball, run fast with it, shoot when teammates are better placed.

Doesn't understand he's not Bale.

[uptheos]

This is the WC I would have expected the likes of Jack Rodwell to be groomed for........what's going on with him City fans?

[Chicog]

Pick all you like and blame the manager if you will, but England does not have enough talented, professional players to get out of that group.

[uptheos]

Pick all you like and blame the manager if you will, but England does not have enough talented, professional players to get out of that group.

You been eating those sour lemons in Chiang Mai?

[carmine]

i think milner's a really smart footballer, handy bench option if you are looking to close a game out. but then that would involve roy having gone looking for the win first.

if you've got an attacking front four of sturridge, rooney, sterling and lallana and you don't look to go out and win matches in the first half you need your head examining.

I agree, this teams capable of goals with those players but Roy is unlikely to go for it.

Tony Pulis would have done a better job with that squad this world cup than Hodgson.

[carmine]

Pick all you like and blame the manager if you will, but England does not have enough talented, professional players to get out of that group.

You have a fair point but the biggest threat in that group is the horrid climate conditions and no one wanted that draw to play in Manaus

[jellydog]

i think milner's a really smart footballer, handy bench option if you are looking to close a game out. but then that would involve roy having gone looking for the win first.

if you've got an attacking front four of sturridge, rooney, sterling and lallana and you don't look to go out and win matches in the first half you need your head examining.

I agree, this teams capable of goals with those players but Roy is unlikely to go for it.

Tony Pulis would have done a better job with that squad this world cup than Hodgson.

Speaking of Pulis, what are the chances that a bigger club could come calling ? Unlikely I suppose, but I wouldn't think it would be out of the question.

[carmine]

i think milner's a really smart footballer, handy bench option if you are looking to close a game out. but then that would involve roy having gone looking for the win first.

if you've got an attacking front four of sturridge, rooney, sterling and lallana and you don't look to go out and win matches in the first half you need your head examining.

I agree, this teams capable of goals with those players but Roy is unlikely to go for it.

Tony Pulis would have done a better job with that squad this world cup than Hodgson.

Speaking of Pulis, what are the chances that a bigger club could come calling ? Unlikely I suppose, but I wouldn't think it would be out of the question.

Doubt it. He might wear the club shop but i doubt he's views as much more than a competent member of the brit old school. I think he's a very effective manager, but i've never liked any aspect of his football.

[StevieH]

Pick all you like and blame the manager if you will, but England does not have enough talented, professional players to get out of that group.

simply not true. johnson, baines, gerrard, wilshere, sterling, rooney, sturridge would all walk into the uruguay side, which is pretty much suarez and cavani + 9.

this is the weakest italy side in many a year as well.

if this group of england players was managed correctly by a progressive coach they would be capable of playing some great football.

[uptheos]

Pick all you like and blame the manager if you will, but England does not have enough talented, professional players to get out of that group.

simply not true. johnson, baines, gerrard, wilshere, sterling, rooney, sturridge would all walk into the uruguay side, which is pretty much suarez and cavani + 9.

this is the weakest italy side in many a year as well.

if this group of england players was managed correctly by a progressive coach they would be capable of playing some great football.

And if Hodgson bombs out with this lot, there's every chance the FA would appoint David Moyes!

[Chicog]

Pick all you like and blame the manager if you will, but England does not have enough talented, professional players to get out of that group.

You been eating those sour lemons in Chiang Mai?

Seriously, there's no point in debating this.

England are 8/5 to get out of that group, if you think it's a winner put your money where your mouth is.

But obviously I'm not talking about betting in Thailand, because that would be illegal.

Edited April 27, 2014 by Chicog

[uptheos]

Pick all you like and blame the manager if you will, but England does not have enough talented, professional players to get out of that group.

You been eating those sour lemons in Chiang Mai?

Seriously, there's no point in debating this.

England are 8/5 to get out of that group, if you think it's a winner put your money where your mouth is.

But obviously I'm not talking about betting in Thailand, because that would be illegal.

So every time someone makes a comment or passes an opinion, they need to back it up with a wager?

You don't half talk a load of <deleted> at times.

[Mojomor]

Reality check ---- a team from Europe has never won the World cup in the Americas.

So pick any 23 you want and enjoy the holiday.

[Chicog]

Pick all you like and blame the manager if you will, but England does not have enough talented, professional players to get out of that group.

You been eating those sour lemons in Chiang Mai?

Seriously, there's no point in debating this.

England are 8/5 to get out of that group, if you think it's a winner put your money where your mouth is.

But obviously I'm not talking about betting in Thailand, because that would be illegal.

So every time someone makes a comment or passes an opinion, they need to back it up with a wager?

You don't half talk a load of <deleted> at times.

No, but I didn't actually hear any kind of erudite response to what let's face it was an unequivocal statement.

In fact I heard the grammatically and geographically incorrect "You been eating those sour lemons in Chiang Mai?", which seems nothing short of a pointless response from someone who hasn't actually got a meaningful opinion to offer. Or does it have some kind of hidden meaning that I'm not seeing?

So if you can't actually come up with a decent argument as to why you disagree with me, then put your money where your mouth is. Or S T F U.

Simples really.

[Chicog]

Reality check ---- a team from Europe has never won the World cup in the Americas.

So pick any 23 you want and enjoy the holiday.

The 10 day holiday.

[jellydog]

Looks like that CM holiday did Chicog a lot of good.

[SantiSuk]

Touch of the MERS today - mad erratic ranting style

[smokie36]

i think milner's a really smart footballer, handy bench option if you are looking to close a game out. but then that would involve roy having gone looking for the win first.

if you've got an attacking front four of sturridge, rooney, sterling and lallana and you don't look to go out and win matches in the first half you need your head examining.

He'll play 4-5-1 if he's feeling adventurous....but 4-4-2 is gonna be the rule.

I'm really looking forward to this world cup!

[Chicog]

Sorry to call it the way I see it - as per norm.

(P.S. - I'm not sorry at all).

[StevieH]

i think milner's a really smart footballer, handy bench option if you are looking to close a game out. but then that would involve roy having gone looking for the win first.

if you've got an attacking front four of sturridge, rooney, sterling and lallana and you don't look to go out and win matches in the first half you need your head examining.

He'll play 4-5-1 if he's feeling adventurous....but 4-4-2 is gonna be the rule.

I'm really looking forward to this world cup!

4-4-2 with those players would be mental. 4-2-3-1 or diamond and you get the best out of them. Sterling and Lallana hugging the flanks would be such a waste.

[smokie36]

Yes and we know...but does that old fool?

[P45Mustang]

Ups squad looks about right.

Madness not to take Wilshere imho.

Townsend is out injured so not available I think?

Milner? Guess he's the sort of player Roy might want. I wouldn't.

I think we can get out of the group stage with this lot.

Inspirational manager would increase our chances.

[Mojomor]

Unfortunately for Northern European teams, the work-rate philosophy of football does not really work in the tropics.

The running off ball has to be curtailed.

It's all about sublime passing ability.

For example, a team like Brazil, will roll up the pitch, with their samba drums, knocking the ball about.

Suddenly a forward player will make a run of 20 metres, and if he receives the ball, he might make a quick pass or strike himself ----it conserves energy. The only teams in Europe that can play like this (IMHO) are Italy and Spain.