67 replies to this topic

[Zomp]

Reports that Hodgson HAS to choose between Rio and Terry because of what happened with Anton and Terry.

He can't pick Terry, can he?

[teddykgb]

A Rio and Lescott pairing has to be one of the most hideous looking CB pairings in the history of football.

Terry is clearly more trouble than he's worth, at this point. Half the damn locker room has a problem with him, and the ongoing drama of whether or not that is true can't help them much. I'm not certain that either player should be in their starting XI, but I think you have to choose Rio and his lower level of drama.

[DLew On Roids]

Rio.

Defense in major tournaments is about not making mistakes. Terry gets left lying on the turf every few weeks now, and he's more likely to get red carded. Rio is smart, can still do it, and won't fuck things up. This is a no-brainer.

Love the Neville appointment, by the way. Joey Barton had a point when he said the England squad was full of self-congratulatory dipshits ("We're shite, buy my book" was the full quote, I think). Neville won't put up with that and he has the credibility to back it up.

I just praised two Man U players in one post. I may break out in hives.

Edit: I'm beginning to be more positive about the Hodgson appointment than I was originally. With the opening of the English version of Clairefontaine, St. George's, the England manager is going to be more involved in the development of an overall program. That's ideal for someone like Hodgson, who is a real football geek. What's more, I think he'll let the players play their game, not try to become Spanish or Italian. England doesn't have many technical or tactically astute players. It does have big, strong center backs and midfielders, and a high level of fitness (English players, who knew?). They can park the bus, win tackles, and attack through the air in the box through getting onto crosses. That should be enough to get to the quarters of any major tournament, and let luck take it from there. But you have to let them do what they're best at, not try to match a Platonic ideal of how the game should be played.

Edited by DLew On Roids, 15 May 2012 - 04:11 PM.

[Zomp]

I had to check the name on the post again.

[cjdmadcow]

Count me in as another quite happy with the appointment of Neville G. For too long the England setup has been too cosy, too comfortable, too average, so the opportunity to mix things up a bit and maybe ruffle a few feathers is fine with me. It can't be any worse than we've had for the last few decades, can it?

Another Scouser praising the Mancs? WTF is going on?

Just to spoil the happy-clappy feeling Zomp might be feeling, early newspaper reports from tomorrow suggest Rio will NOT be in Hodgson's provisional Euro squad.

[mikeford]

Supposedly Rio, Walker and Richards are all out and Andy Carroll is in.

[Zomp]

Just to spoil the happy-clappy feeling Zomp might be feeling, early newspaper reports from tomorrow suggest Rio will NOT be in Hodgson's provisional Euro squad.

I actually wouldn't mind if Hodgson didn't call up any United players. Less chance of an injury.

Yeah it looks like Rio is out and Terry is in. With Rio it could be a fitness concern, but its still a mess. John Terry is not a very nice person, and unlike with Chelsea he won't have his bubble that he can stay in Picking him is a mistake, in my opinion.

[cjdmadcow]

Walker broke a toe, I think, at the weekend so he's out which is a shame as I could see him really shining, Micah Richards I think will be in as he can play in a number of positions, including right back.

I'd much rather take Rio over Terry as well but it wouldn't surprise me if Terry isn't in either.

[Zomp]

Rumors of Crouch being left off and Carroll being included. Big call by Hodgson if true. Carroll had a few good games at the end of the season and really needs good service from the flanks to flourish...not sure if England will play like that.

[DLew On Roids]

I'm not at all surprised to see Carroll. England doesn't have that many strikers and he's in form. He's lost a ton of weight, too.

[OilCanCoulter]

Carroll is a must in this squad. Plus, it will keep him out of the pub this summer. For a bit at least.

[Snakebauer007]

I dont get Carroll at all, he's had a good half? Is everyone injured?

[cjdmadcow]

England squad for Euro 2012:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Man City), Rob Green (West Ham), John Ruddy (Norwich)

Defenders: Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Man United), John Terry (Chelsea), Joleon Lescott (Man City), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton)

Midfielders: Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Man City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Ashley Young (Man United), James Milner (Man City)

Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Man United), Danny Welbeck (Man United), Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham)

Edited by cjdmadcow, 16 May 2012 - 07:12 AM.

[teddykgb]

I'm not sure Carroll matters, he'll probably be a sub not named Defoe when Hodgson wants to break up the Rooney/Welbeck pairing that will likely start all the time.

It's really not an impressive team on paper, to me. It's all the same usuals who have failed time and again. I have no rooting interest in England in the Euros but I hope that they're smart enough to get Oxlade-Chamberlain on as much as possible, he's already basically a better version of Walcott in my opinion. I have no idea what the center midfield pairing is, I just hope Barry doesn't play much because I don't want him to get injured.

[fletcherpost]

I'm not impressed with the Squad. But then over here there ins't the same expectation for England that there has been in recent tournies. There's a hope more than an expectation England can make the Semis but that squad isn't very creative at all. really shows up the fact that most of the wow players in the EPL are not English. Cole is still a good player, Rooney is still world class. Not sure what Gerrard has got left in the tank. I wonder how much playing time Oxlade --Chamberlain will get. Be Shocked if this team/sqaud get past the Quarters.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

They took Ruddy from Norwich which is good. But no Holt?

A bit surprised Green got the nod again given his screwup in the World Cup. It's not fair to say one screwup and you're out, but they'll never let him forget that one.

[teddykgb]

I'm not impressed with the Squad. But then over here there ins't the same expectation for England that there has been in recent tournies. There's a hope more than an expectation England can make the Semis but that squad isn't very creative at all. really shows up the fact that most of the wow players in the EPL are not English. Cole is still a good player, Rooney is still world class. Not sure what Gerrard has got left in the tank. I wonder how much playing time Oxlade --Chamberlain will get. Be Shocked if this team/sqaud get past the Quarters.

No Adam Johnson and no Micah Richards. I have no idea why Hodgson is signing up for the Glen Johnson experience again, you'd think he'd have had enough. I like the way you describe it, that squad is just bereft of creativity.

[cjdmadcow]

I'm not sure Carroll matters, he'll probably be a sub not named Defoe when Hodgson wants to break up the Rooney/Welbeck pairing that will likely start all the time.

Rooney is banned for the first two group games so I can actually see Carroll starting on his own or with Defoe. It will be interesting to see how they use the warm-up game, given Rooney's absence early on.

[teddykgb]

You're right, I forgot about that since the League spent the entire year drumming into me that Rooney is such a class player that he never even gets a single card.

I find myself more and more amused by this squad every minute. If you're a Liverpool fan, how mad are you that your team can't finish top 4? This is practically Liverpool's starting XI with better central defenders and Rooney

Edited by teddykgb, 16 May 2012 - 08:14 AM.

[fletcherpost]

I think England really miss not having a player like Sir Edward of Sheringham to play off of an out and out Striker. He had international class. I hope Wellbeck has a good showing. I hate Downing. Not as a man but surely somewhere there's an English player who can cross the ball well, take a player on and get a goal. Downing isn't that guy. Not even close.

Prediction, England get the the Quarters play a half decent team, Rooney gets sent off through sheer desperation trying to take the game by the scruff of the neck and play every position and will make a rash challenge born of frustration. Or it goes to penalties and England miss every one in a show of solidarity.

EDIT; I would like to see England V Holland; Kuyt gets a hatrick and on the 3rd goal lifts up his shirt to reveal a tea-shirt with the words "Fuck you Kenny" written in the comic sans font.

Edited by fletcherpost, 16 May 2012 - 08:35 AM.

[Zomp]

Wow. Where to start?

He picked Terry over Rio. I can see the logic in it but Hodgson said in his press conference that the reason he didn't pick Rio was because he's only played for England once in the last year. His new captain has played 33 minutes for England in the past 19 months.

I honestly don't have a problem with Gerrard as captain, but to me your captain should be playing every game. Unless Hodgson plans on playing a 4-4-2 I can't see Gerrard starting once Rooney gets back as they play the same position. But I guess thats the dilemma, the only English players that will play every game are Hart (who I suppose you could give it to), Ashley Cole (cunt), and Rooney (suspended for the first two games).

Stewart fucking Downing!? Jordan Henderson on stand by? No Michael Carrick?

Even as a Phil Jones fanboy, he was sluggish in the second half of the season after playing an unprecedented number of minutes. I'd have gone for Micah Richards.

Crouch over Carroll for me as well.

[Billy R Ford]

Stewart Downing?! (His Wiki page was amusing a few minutes ago:)

Stewart Downing (born 22 July 1984) is an English footballer who runs around for Liverpool and inexplicably the England national team...

I get the whole "Downing can cross the ball in for Carroll's headers" theory, but considering this didn't actually work for an entire season, what makes Hodgson think it will work at Euros?

Adam Johnson is just a better player, including for that role: quicker, better 1v1, also a decent crosser, can actually score goals.

[teddykgb]

He picked Terry over Rio. I can see the logic in it but Hodgson said in his press conference that the reason he didn't pick Rio was because he's only played for England once in the last year. His new captain has played 33 minutes for England in the past 19 months.

And aside from losing more frequenlty, how is playing for England different from playing in his league? They've got a new manager with a presumably new system, so prior England experience actually means literally nothing in his instance.

[LTF]

When you consider their ages, this has to be it for a lot of these guys, right? One final crushing disappointment from the likes of Gerrard, Lampard, Cole, Terry, etc.? I'm sorta anticipating the obituaries for the "golden generation" when they inevitably crash out in the quarterfinals.

[PedroSpecialK]

Downing is the worst choice in the group - after a season of utter futility I am stunned to see his name on the list.

Shades of Rob Zamuner on Team Canada in '98

Edited by PedroSpecialK, 16 May 2012 - 10:36 AM.

[AlanUK]

Don’t think I've ever been so under-whelmed at a squad announcement in my life. Sure the vast majority didn’t do anything at the world cup and half of them couldn’t even qualify for the 2008 Euros but hell, let’s give these overpaid prima donnas another go around!

[JayMags71]

‏@rioferdy5
Absolutely loved playing for england....to say I'm gutted is an understatement of the highest order...

Edited by JayMags71, 16 May 2012 - 12:59 PM.

[URI]

I just really hope Parker doesn't play much.

[Tony the Pony]

Holland just won the first European Championship of the Summer.

For the third consecutive time (I think) it was a Holland - Germany in the under-17 final. Second straight time the Dutch beat the fascists

[Snakebauer007]

Anyone for a Breakfast with Gazza Euro predictor group on ESPN?

[OilCanCoulter]

Anyone for a Breakfast with Gazza Euro predictor group on ESPN?

We need a Euro Fantasy League, so Apsith can tell us how to feel about our squads when the tourney is over.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

John Ruddy broke his finger in training yesterday, so he's out of the squad.

[DLew On Roids]

His replacement, Jack Butland, is either League Two Cheltenham's starter or Birmingham City's third keeper. England doesn't produce many good keepers.

England's kit reminded me of Liverpool's third kit this past season. That's not a good thing.

[ossie schreckengost]

what about a "euro 2012" sub-forum?

to discuss the upcoming "euro 2012"?

[Zomp]

Still not sure if we'll do a subforum. I'll talk it over at the next board meeting.

Feel free to start threads about the teams, groups, predictions, etc...

If we get a subforum I'll just move all of the topics over.

[DLew On Roids]

Baines will never see a game at left back, but he's one of England's half-dozen best outfield players. I'd like to see him tried on the left side of midfield as long as shitshows like Downing are the alternative.

[SoxFanInCali]

Lampard pulled up in training. Jordan Henderson has been placed on standby.

Henderson and Downing both being in the team after the season they just had would say everything you needed to know about the England squad.

[DLew On Roids]

Welcome to our world, England supporters!

[Seven Costanza]

Lampard just ruled out. Henderson it is.

[Zomp]

So Wilshire, Lampard, and Barry injured. Carrick and Scholes are retired.

Tough for England.

[Seven Costanza]

I can't fathom why the FA doesn't pull out all the stops at trying to convince Scholes to play.

[mikeford]

So Wilshire, Lampard, and Barry injured. Carrick and Scholes are retired.

Tough for England.

Who?

[SoxFanInCali]

Well, when you have a chance to take 5 players from the 8th place team in your domestic league, you've got to do it.

[cjdmadcow]

Well, when you have a chance to take 5 players from the 8th place team in your domestic league, you've got to do it.

Jamie Carragher must be feeling a bit left out seeing as he's the only regular Englishman left in Liverpool. At least there's more of a possibility that Hodgson will play Henderson in his correct position, unlike Kenny.

[Royal Reader]

Noticed that the subforum's subtitle is where England makes it to the knockout round, loses, and everyone laughs at England: is ANYONE really going to laugh at England for losing in the knockout round? I'd be delighted with QF qualification with this rabble.

[SoxFanInCali]

Everyone will laugh if they go out on penalties.

Again.

[DLew On Roids]

The Football Ramble had a look back at Euro 96 this week. I'd forgotten that England have beaten Spain on penalties in the QF of that tournament. Imagine if they pulled that off this time around. I wouldn't be shocked if they did, btw--they're just poor enough that they could justify parking the bus, and many of their players haven't had nearly as many matches as the Spanish players this year. They'd probably have the fresh legs.

Just so we're clear: I AM NOT PREDICTING ENGLAND TO WIN EURO 12. I wouldn't even bet on them at less than 18-1.

Remember, Carrick is technically retired, but only because he announced he was on the Garry Templeton All-Star Game plan: "If I ain't startin', I ain't departin'."

Edited by DLew On Roids, 01 June 2012 - 09:06 AM.

[Royal Reader]

Everyone will laugh if they go out on penalties.

Again.

Going out on penalties is the perfect English thing. Saves progressing further and getting an asswhooping off a really good team that would destroy all illusions, and allow the nation to content itself with the notion that the team was somehow unlucky. Really, all Englishmen know deep down the team isn't, and has never been, good enough, all they want is an excuse to delude themselves otherwise.

[sachmoney]

Ox is starting tomorrow. We'll see how it goes and how it happens.

[MarkInLondon]

Ox is starting tomorrow. We'll see how it goes and how it happens.

8 minutes -Carefully places a shot ten yards wide when it would have been easier to hit the target.

12 minutes - Takes out the popcorn salesman in Row Z with another shot.

25 minutes - Whinges to the referee about one of the Belgians having the temerity to tackle him.

As expected so far then...