The General England Euro 2016 Thread

[silkyman]

Delph called up despite him only just making a return to action after getting injured in the last England game... FFS.

 

[Whitechapel]

It used to mean something getting a call up to the England squad, must be so demotivating for the regulars to see someone get called up for no reason after doing bugger all ro earn their place.

Hodgson out.

 

[Harrier94]

Does anyone have a good reason why Gibbs has been called up? 1 start in the last 5 Arsenal games and that came against Sheff Wed

 

[AFCB_Mark]

If he played every week for Stoke he wouldn't get a look in.

 

[Gashead]

Hodgson's comments re: Jamie Vardy show why I can't wait for him to leave. Absolutely ridiculous. Essentially saying that Rooney and Kane are undroppable, and that Vardy should be 'happy just to be in the squad'.

Why is Rooney protected time and time again? The man will do fuck all next year, yet again. And we'll fail. And people will wonder why.

 

[silkyman]

But but but... He's world class.

 

[Harrier94]

If he played every week for Stoke he wouldn't get a look in.

He still wouldn't be good enough. If they were all fit I'd have Baines, Bertrand, Cresswell, Rose and Shaw all ahead of him.

And on Kane at least he's coming into form now there's no excuse for Rooney apart from he the captain so must play. Vardy as the top English scorer this season should really by right be first choice

 

[ArmchairDiehard]

But but but... He's world class.

I know that's sarcasm, but he is a very, very good player. I'm not sure why he gets so much stick from people.

 

[Madejski]

I know that's sarcasm, but he is a very, very good player. I'm not sure why he gets so much stick from people.

When was the last time he delivered in an England shirt when it mattered?

Answer: 2004. 11 years ago.

 

[Super_horns]

Seems strange that Hodgson would slate a player like that - not aware Vardy has said he deserves to start/play up front?

 

[mistermagic]

Looking forward to the friendlies for once.

Deschamps is still not calling Payet up. He must really hate him.

 

[JJ1532]

It used to mean something getting a call up to the England squad, must be so demotivating for the regulars to see someone get called up for no reason after doing bugger all ro earn their place.

Hodgson out.

Sorry, which players are you referring to? Both regular and undeserving?

Hodgson will be damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. You can't select a team entirely on form, you can't select your regulars regardless of form/form players. You have to get a balance. I think he has done that at best he can. No international manager will ever select a squad to suit everyone. I'm a little curious as to which regulars he's slighted by not picking them?

Why is Rooney protected time and time again? The man will do fuck all next year, yet again. And we'll fail. And people will wonder why.

Well it won't be because Wayne Rooney hasn't scored. Are you honestly saying that the reason we fail at tournaments is because of one striker?

 

[Gashead]

Well it won't be because Wayne Rooney hasn't scored. Are you honestly saying that the reason we fail at tournaments is because of one striker?

Of course teams fail when their striker doesn't score! Anyway, that's besides the point. Its not him alone, but he's a symbol of the selection process. Regardless of form some players will be picked, either on reputation or even worse the club they play for. What Hodgson has effectively said this week is that Vardy can end the season top scorer and still not be played up front for the national side. Its the wrong way to deal with it, how are the likes of Vardy meant to break through if they can't after breaking Premiership records? Awful man-management with his media comments too.

I agree with a balance, but the players need to be performing/actually playing for their clubs.

Kieran Gibbs - 23 minutes of Premier League football this season.
Phil Jones - 196 mins of Premier League football this season.
Fabian Delph - 16 mins of Premier League football this season.
Wayne Rooney - 6 goals in last 27 league games.

This is for friendlies too, so its an 'ambitious squad'. What about players who 1) have played, and 2) have played well? Aaron Cresswell has done well for West Ham, Scott Dann for Palace, those are just two off the top of my head.

 

[Whitechapel]

Sorry, which players are you referring to? Both regular and undeserving?

Hodgson will be damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. You can't select a team entirely on form, you can't select your regulars regardless of form/form players. You have to get a balance. I think he has done that at best he can. No international manager will ever select a squad to suit everyone. I'm a little curious as to which regulars he's slighted by not picking them?

Well it won't be because Wayne Rooney hasn't scored. Are you honestly saying that the reason we fail at tournaments is because of one striker?

I meant that the regulars must find it irksome seeing the nippers get a call up so easily. Call up, not starting ahead of.

 

[ArmchairDiehard]

When was the last time he delivered in an England shirt when it mattered?

Answer: 2004. 11 years ago.

One player can't do it all. His record for England is outstanding. Averages around 1 in 2.

 

[JJ1532]

When was the last time he delivered in an England shirt when it mattered?

Answer: 2004. 11 years ago.

Assisted Sturridge's goal against Italy in Brazil despite being played on the wing and then scored against Uruguay. That counts as delivering for me. Or is a goal and an assist in 2 games not enough? We certainly didn't go out in Brazil because of him.

When was the last time Gerrard or Lampard truly delivered in a tournament? Rooney isn't the only one who failed over the last 3-4 tournaments when it mattered. Gerrard for example was far worse than Rooney in Brazil, but Rooney is the one who cops all the flak. The managers too, they have consistently failed to get an England team organised and motivated for a major tournament. Whether it was the preparation, or the tactics, or the squad/team selections, they have failed.

The thing with Rooney is, he's had to carry the can for our scoring over the last 10 years. Nobody has stepped up and eased the pressure on him. Our forward depth over the last 10 years has been a disgrace.

But Rooney's record in major tournaments isn't as bad as many make out. 2006 he wasn't fit, so seems harsh to judge him on what he did or didn't do in that tournament. Yeah, I know he got sent off against Portugal, but still. 2010, he was partnered with Emile Heskey in games 1 and 2. Oh and he was supported by a midfield of Lampard, Gerrard and Milner in game 1. Gerrard, Lampard and Barry in game 2. Are we honestly blaming Rooney for not performing with that lot providing service for him? Everything about that tournament was a shambles, from the preparation, to the squad choices, to the garbage tactics and and selections made by Capello. Again, hard to single Rooney out there.

2012, he was suspended for the first 2 games. Yes, that's on him for being suspended, but you can't criticise him for not delivering when he wasn't on the pitch to deliver. Scored in game 3, his first after suspension. Didn't score against Italy, but did score a spot kick.

As for Brazil, he scored 1, assisted another. 3rd game, he came off the bench, but we were out so who cares? The failures in that tournament were nothing to do with him.

So as far as I can tell, 2006 was a write off because of his injuries. 2010, yeah he didn't deliver, but again, were our failures really down to his lack of goals? Or Capello's garbage decisions? 2012, he played twice and scored 1. 2014, 1 goal and 1 assist in 3 games despite only starting 2 and only 1 of those was on the wing. Not that bad for me, or at least not as bad as people make out. 2010 was his only shocker.

And let's be fair, usually when we've gone into these tournaments, he's been the only striker worth selecting. Sturridge in Brazil and now Kane are the only options that have made a worthy challenge. Plenty have come and gone with little success. Rooney has, until last season, been the only striker who has maintained reasonable form for both and stayed fit. If you look through the options behind him in the lead up to these various tournaments, there hasn't been much competition.

Look, I don't disagree that given Rooney's struggles and huge dip in any sort of form, he shouldn't be a given in the England starting XI any more. But this "he hasn't performed in a major tournament stuff" is a bit of a myth and not really the main reason why we've gone out of any of those tournaments. But for some reason the blame gets draped around his neck, which I find strange.

 

[Richard Cranium]

A Liverpool player has been ruled out of the squad for a change. Thankfully it's only Milner.

 

[silkyman]

Really not happy with Delph being called up - especially for friendlies. He was injured in pre season and just starting to get back to fitness when he got injured playing for England. So it's clearly wonderful that he should be picked to play for England just as he is starting to get back to fitness...

 

[Stevencc]

Also he is a snake.

 

[Whitechapel]

Also he is shit.

 

[Dave]

 

[JJ1532]

Huh, it's almost like he thinks Spain have a better team than us. Cheers for the insight Matt, keep up the top quality analysis.

 

[Madejski]

You can't really argue against it though.

Struggling to think of an England player who would get into the Spanish team, maybe at the fullbacks (LB especially) we must have players better?

 

[Pagnell]

Far be it for me to defend England, but we have been better than the commentators have made out. Normally it's completely the opposite.

 

[Alty]

Far be it for me to defend England, but we have been better than the commentators have made out. Normally it's completely the opposite.

I thought Clive was fair in his assessment. Poor start to the half but England have grown into the game and could have got a goal had they shown a bit more composure in and around the box.

Spain still have loads of really good technical players but they look a bit short at both ends of the pitch. Can't see them challenging for the Euros.

 

[Whitechapel]

This team is poor. Delph being the worst, then Lallana. Both getting into the team because of who they play for.

 

[Master D]

Barkley again, far too many needless touches of the ball and rolling his foot over the ball thinking he's Zidane or someone. I just don't see it with this lad, he plays brainlessly.

 

[Whitechapel]

Oh and Sterling. Madness that £50mil gets you a one footed player who's this bad.

 

[Whitechapel]

England are just crap without Wilshere basically.

 

[Super_horns]

Spain the better team and having most of the ball as you might expect.

Kane getting a few half chances up front.

Not keeping the ball that well.

Its a friendly though so not sure how much the players are putting in plus its not the strongest side we can field.

Spain just gone in front with a very good goal - great vision and volley over the shoulder!