Phil Jones and Adam Johnson for World Cup?

craptakular · 17 Apr 2010 at 13:41

manic111 said:
Johnson yes, Jones no.

I know this is slightly OT, but Joe Cole has to go if fit as well. He's got better technique than the rest of our team combined (possibly with the exception of Rooney).

oh yes I agree with that. Phil Jones for 2014 though? Maybe even 2012? Provided he keeps playing and progressing?

I'm just concerned that we will have a squad full of cripples and oldies.

Tummy · 17 Apr 2010 at 13:47

I'm going out on a limb, but I wouldn't start Gerrard in a wide postition if J Cole / Lennon are fit.

Lampard has showed he's good in the middle with Barry.

I wouldn't take Jones, and probably not Johnson, I don't think he's ready for a World Cup yet, Euro's ? Maybe.

m0r94n · 17 Apr 2010 at 14:47

drunkenmaster said:
He helped keep Utd and Chelsea at bay at home for Blackburn, really does look very good, if the English have learnt anything, its not to put a huge load of pressure on a kid for no reason. He's not experienced, he's played well with one of the best home form teams this year, but the fact that England won't do anything in this world cup, added to the likelyhood of him getting games, IE none, means all the media crap won't do him any good, though unlike Walcott he's actually talented at what he does, still stupid to put pressure on him when he won't even be played.

Agree with everything there. The decent thing about Jones is that he seems very grounded as a player, and I'd like to think that as a Rovers player he won't be exposed to as many distractions as say, a United player would.

He's looked fantastic for us since the Chelsea game (his second appearance and first PL I think) and is keeping Ryan Nelsen out of the team at present! Its worth remembering that this guy is only 18 as well, by far the youngest of the defenders previously mentioned in this thread.

Not sure I'd want him to go to the world cup though, as DM has said "the media won't do him any good". If we take him and don't play him, he'll become a scapegoat just like Walcott did a few years back. Young talent needs to be nurtured, not immediatley thrust in to the spotlight.

As for Adam Johnson, I'd take him. I think he's stepped up reasonably well this season and given the fact he's not a household name, I feel he could take some teams by surprise.

manic111 · 18 Apr 2010 at 16:05

Oxy said:
oh yes I agree with that. Phil Jones for 2014 though? Maybe even 2012? Provided he keeps playing and progressing?

I'm just concerned that we will have a squad full of cripples and oldies.

Yep, absolutely - I didn't mean "no, never" with Jones, just that he's far too inexperienced at the moment to play at centre back in a World Cup - if he plays two seasons and continues to do well, then there's no reason not to take him. That said, if Terry keeps playing like he is, we may as well take Jones :rolleyes:

Before anyone says that Johnson is also inexperienced, I'd argue that you can get away with it a little more playing on the wing, especially if only used as an impact sub.

EDIT: Wait, did the guy above me just agree with DM?