Soldato
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How many times have smalling and jones played together?
England Squad Announced
- Thread starter MR_Punk
- Start date
Looking at the make up of the squad, I think it's safe to assume that Richards is in the squad as a CB option.
edit: In fact, Richards has probably played CB (albeit as part of a 3) more recently than Jones has.
That is surprising seeing as he's always flourished up top on his own (at Charlton, early part of one season for Spurs, Sunderland etc). I haven't seen much of him this season though but his goal return says he's found things harder but then when you remove your two best creative players and only bring one in I guess it's understandable.
For Man Utd? 0
For the under 21's? At least 3 times last summer.
I may be wrong but I'd find it extremely odd to see Richards play CB, you might be right he may well be in the squad because of his versatility but he's certainly not a long term solution to the position. I'd be very surprised if it's him and Cahill as the centre backs
I think he's lost a yard of pace if I'm honest.
His strength remains his movement in the box.
Caporegime
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Smalling and Cahill should start at the back imo.
It's difficult to guess what Pearce is going to do. Richards has mainly played RB over the last couple of years however it was Pearce that gave him his debut at City and iirc, he played him at CB. Jones has barely played CB for Utd since early in the season and even Smalling hasn't played CB all the time.
With Johnson and Walker both in the squad and the lack of CB's, it makes me think that at the very least Richards is in the squad to cover CB if not as a dedicated CB.
Soldato
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I would have left rooney out of the squad. Before anyone jumps on me, yes tom im looking at you lol, hear me. We got the euros coming up and he is missing 2 games. I would have used these chances to try new combos up front.
I'd like to see a 4-4-2 with Welbeck/Rooney up front. They are a painfully obvious choice due to the fact they play together fairly regularly at Man Utd. As Rooney will be missing a couple of games, a Sturridge/Welbeck partnership should be given a chance up front as well.
The issue is a 4-4-2 means Walcott would probably have to be used (or would be used regardless) unless someone else like Milner could be employed out wide. Young being the obvious other choice. Actually, Johnson would be a better option than Walcott.
Parker with Cleverley/Gerrard in the middle would be fine I think, and out of the defenders we could probably field a decent enough back four.
Whether that team can remotely take on the likes of Spain, Germany and the Netherlands is the issue though, and unless it plays exceptionally well - it can't.
Alternatively a 4-3-3 system with Sturridge in his Chelsea position could work.
The issue is a 4-4-2 means Walcott would probably have to be used (or would be used regardless) unless someone else like Milner could be employed out wide. Young being the obvious other choice. Actually, Johnson would be a better option than Walcott.
Parker with Cleverley/Gerrard in the middle would be fine I think, and out of the defenders we could probably field a decent enough back four.
Whether that team can remotely take on the likes of Spain, Germany and the Netherlands is the issue though, and unless it plays exceptionally well - it can't.
Alternatively a 4-3-3 system with Sturridge in his Chelsea position could work.
Going on current form my team would be -
Hart
Walker Dawson Lescott Baines
Parker Cleverley Gerrard
Sturridge Rooney Young
Won't happen though. I'm still amazed Lescott isn't even in the squad considering the other defenders that have been picked. The mind boggles.
Hart
Walker Dawson Lescott Baines
Parker Cleverley Gerrard
Sturridge Rooney Young
Won't happen though. I'm still amazed Lescott isn't even in the squad considering the other defenders that have been picked. The mind boggles.
pace has never really been what i'd have rated bent for so i don't think it will hurt to much, whereas his ability in the box seems to be as good as ever, when he has the supply into him.
wouldn't mind him linking up with rooney, as rooney prefers to drop deep/move around.
i think we have more worries than just those 3 teams, and thats even if we play well, without rooney in the group stages i think we'll struggle to get out of it, we'll need Hart to be on top form.
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Move Gerrard out to the right if you need to accommodate Cleverly in the middle with Parker.
Indeed, that would certainly be fine.
In fact it would probably be preferable as it means the full back would have better protection.
Gerrard on the wing has never really worked tho
He wouldn't be a winger really though, just a wide midfielder. I don't see why he couldn't make it work.
Indeed, they were just examples. We should get out of the group stage, our squad is certainly capable enough. Whether they will perform is the issue.
I think the only time I have ever seen Dawson lose his cool is after the Suarez incident, but that's another matter. He is prone to rash decision making, but still, at this present time, I can't think of another English centre half I'd have in there, other than King, but that's far too much of a risk for an international tournament.
Only just seen this reply (ironic seeing as you claim to gloss over what I say) alas from the squad announced...
---------------Hart---------------
Richards--Smalling--Jones--Cole
---Gerrard--Parker--Milner---
Sutrridge---Rooney---Young/Johnson
Alas my point was we both know what you were doing, deliberately ignoring as many Man Utd players as possible. 3 centre backs have been picked in the squad, 2 of them play for Man Utd (meaning there's a good chance at least one of them will play) yet you pick the other one and a RB
I think Jones is too raw, and I'd have Smalling as the first centre back to be introduced after Richards/Cahill. With the amount of fullbacks we have in the mix if you think that's what Richards is there for I think you are mistaken. I'm pretty sure he'll be there as a CB.
I was not deliberately avoiding as many manyoo players as possible. I don't like him, but if Rio was fit he would have been in there as an obvious choice. You'll notice I picked Young when I didn't have to. Do I need to point out why I didn't have Cleverly in there too even though he's hardly played and never (I don't think) at full International level?
I think a Smalling/Jones partnership is madness. Maybe in 5 years when they know each other and actually play together at club level in those positions. Not now though.
That's some chip you have on your shoulder regarding me. Obviously there can't be a reason why I say something other than my dislike of your team. I don't like them, it doesn't affect what I say at England level, get over it.
Gerrard on the wing has never really worked tho
I would do anything to avoid Walcott being there
Jones is very promising but I'd have to side with Gilly in that he's probably a bit too much of a risk against teams with intelligent strikers.
Most of his impressive work has been when he drives forward (not unlike David Luiz), and that just isn't something that would work in the England team. It would leave gaping holes that any half decent side would exploit.
Most of his impressive work has been when he drives forward (not unlike David Luiz), and that just isn't something that would work in the England team. It would leave gaping holes that any half decent side would exploit.