England Squad vs Holland

[DogsOfWar]

THis, Lescott has been very, very good this season, playing for one of the best defensive teams in the country.

He should be in before most of the others tbh.

I agree. In my opinion he's been the best English CB all season.

He's shown intelligence in his game which, combined with the usual English physicality, makes him my first choice. It also means you can stick almost anyone next to him and he's got the brains to play off them.

 

[carpediem991]

You can't pick a national team only on some players form

That is what Germany knows to do. Stick nearly to same squad even in friendlies.

The players have to learn where they have to run on the pitch with the others. And to learn that they need lot of time because national team meetings are not often. So they have to take every chance to play together to become a team.

Surely you can make some changes but you can't pick "playerA" because he is on form, next game "playerb" because at the moment he is better.
consistency...

 

[talkshowhost86]

You can't pick a national team only on some players form

That is what Germany knows to do. Stick nearly to same squad even in friendlies.

The players have to learn where they have to run on the pitch with the others. And to learn that they need lot of time because national team meetings are not often. So they have to take every chance to play together to become a team.

Surely you can make some changes but you can't pick "playerA" because he is on form, next game "playerb" because at the moment he is better.
consistency...

I think that's fair, but I suspect the issue that some people have is how long you give that squad to 'gel' together and get some consistency. The core of the England squad has been the same for the last 4-6 years but there's been no consistency at all and yet we've stuck with them.

I think the new manager has a chance to put together a new young squad as the Germans and Spanish did and then trust them to come good with time, but there are elements of this squad that hark back to the last era (the Downings and Bents for example).

The problem is, that not many of the yoof are any good at the moment so haven't earned a place in the squad.

Fundamentally there aren't very many good English players at the moment either old or young so the England manager is on a hiding to nothing either way.

 

[Spurrific]

Frimpong isn't English, or anywhere near international quality.

 

[Rocksuperstar]

I wonder if Pearce is aware of this stat

According to Opta Sports, Theo Walcott has found a team-mate with just 14 of his 103 crosses from open play in the league this season.

And, once again, he's in the team for what reason? :shrug:

 

[teddy_sheringham_125]

The fact that Pearce has picked Downing is alone enough to tell me that he will never, ever be up to the job, no matter how well he has done with the youngsters.

 

[SpurSince57]

I cant see why the likes of Downing (crap), Walcott (ditto), Johnson (Richards and Walker have been better than him, why do we need a 3rd RB?), Bent (Not good enough) Green (No explanation needed), Cahill (An average PL player, IMO Owen Coyle's greatest achievement is to convince the wider public that this guy is actually any better than that), Campbell (Needs to show some form for more than 2-3 games) and Young (Good August, been mediocre for the rest of the season) are in this squad.

Would much rather have seen some younger, or more unfashionable names given a chance to stake a claim.

Given the steady decline in quality of international football over the past 10 years or so, I'd say he's plenty good enough. He might not be able to do a whole lot else, but he can certainly put the ball in the back of the net. I'm pretty sure that only Rooney has outscored him over the past two and three-quarter seasons.

I thought Downing got a lot of unfair stick on here when we were linked with him in Jol's day, but he has been rubbish at Liverpool. Mind you, the fact that he has no assists could be explained by Carroll, Kuyt and Suarez' finishing. Walcott has seven assists, but of course on the odd occasion that one of his crosses is on target, the target's usually RvP.

 

[DogsOfWar]

Frimpong isn't English, or anywhere near international quality.

Frimpong can play for us or Ghana (he's already represented England at U16).

And, no, he isn't international quality which is the whole point of sticking in a bunch of kids in the squad. If they do develop to that level in the next couple of years then they already have a head start.
He's about one of the only young, combative midfielders I could think of.

 

[Yid121]

Downing/Walc**t > Lennon, Campbell/Bent > Defoe, Cahill > Dawson winds me up, a lot.

Seems like the sort of squad Capello would pick to me.

 

[tototoner]

listening to Pearce today I would say it is nailed on Scott Parker will be the captain tomorrow

 

[Kingellesar]

Well he would deserve it. Been a great year for him:

-Pretty much confirming his legendary status with West Ham with his heroic performances
-Football Writers Player of the year
-Move to Tottenham and becoming a key part of a title challenging team
-England fans player of the year
-Captain of England?

Love the bloke, shame we didn't get him sooner.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Bad news if Scotty is captain

 

[spursandbarca]

hes a mororn just do what joachim low has done or what del bosque has done. Pick the same spine and then intergrate young players.

hart, Walker, Lescott, Dawson, Cole, a Young, Parker, Gerrard, Lennon, Defoe, Rooney would be my first 11.

 

[SEANSPURS1975]

I think with everyone fit this should be the team for the summer:-

Hart​

Walker Cahill Terry Cole​

Parker ​

Wilshere Gerrard (c)​

Lennon Young​

Rooney ​

For the Holland friendly I'd go:-​

Hart​

Richards Cahill Lescott Cole​

Parker Jones​

Gerrard (c)​

Sturridge Young​

Welbeck​

 

[spursfan77]

THis, Lescott has been very, very good this season, playing for one of the best defensive teams in the country.

He should be in before most of the others tbh.

Agree. I think hes been consistantly good, which is important. He'd be my first choice at centre back

 

[tototoner]

Van Bommel and Van Persie doubtful

still think Holland will win by at least 2 clear goals

 

[talkshowhost86]

I really hope Parker doesn't play more than 45 minutes tonight. There's no way he can play in three games in a week.

It really is a stupid stupid time for a pointless England friendly.

The wife is out tonight, I've got the flat to myself, and I think I still won't watch the football. A complete waste of everyone's time.

 

[donny1013]

Parker is suspended for Utd game so I reckon he will play the whole 90

 

[RichieS]

I really hope Parker doesn't play more than 45 minutes tonight. There's no way he can play in three games in a week.

It really is a stupid stupid time for a pointless England friendly.

The wife is out tonight, I've got the flat to myself, and I think I still won't watch the football. A complete waste of everyone's time.

Isn't he suspended for Sunday anyway?

 

[talkshowhost86]

Isn't he suspended for Sunday anyway?

Good point. But I still don't want him to play for England.

My rage stands.