The squad announcement today by Fabio Capello has raised eyebrows as Theo Walcott missed out along with Adam Johnson and Scott Parker. All three of which I think should have been taken, especially the latter two. Joe Cole does make the plane as does the injured Gareth Barry.
Theo Walcott has been poor of late and so in some respects it is not a surprise decision. However leaving out Adam Johnson and Scott Parker (below right) is baffling as both have proven they derserve to be there. Johnson gives you that something different, hes left footed and perfect cover if Gerrard is moved into his rightful position in the middle of midfield. Also he was brought by Manchester City in January and replaced Shaun Wright-Phillips in the team.
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| What more did Parker need to do? |
So how can Capello pick Wright-Phillips over him. A further problem with Wright-Phillips is that of quality, Theo Walcott is frustarating however this is bacause we know he has the ability on the world stage (as shown against Croatia) however Wright-Phillips does not and for me has not shone this season. He is incredible lucky to be there, his form has been poor also all year. I agree that Walcott has been poor however I would have taken him.
Then there is Scott Parker. Michael Carrick has had a woeful year and Gareth Barry is a injury prone. Parker single handedly galvanised West Ham this year and was back to his best. This is a man voted player of the season, after playing with the team who finished bottom of the league. His absence is baffling.
For me the midfield is weak. There is nothing there to worry anyone, all we have is Steven Gerrard. Joe Cole is off form while the likes of James Milner and Michael Carrick offer little in terms of an attacking threat.
The strikers again strike little fear. Wayne Rooney is the only hope as Emile Heskey and Jermaine Defoe certainly won't be worrying any international defences. Darren Bent is unlucky to as what more can he do. They say he has not done it at international level but neither has Jermaine Defoe, I would not want a chance falling to Defoe as he has shown all year he is so irractic. I like Peter Crouch as he offers something different so glad he is in the squad.
The central defenders are all the same, big and slow, as Mexico proved any nibble footwork and England will be cut to shreds. Our performance against the Mexicans worried me greatly as the Germans and the Spanish are far superior to them. As a result if we get through the groups and draw the Germans which is possible we will lose comfortably 4/5-0. I have no doubt about that.
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| England's future number one |
In goal, for me, Capello must pick Joe Hart (left). Experience is vital as a goalkeeper however he has had a fantastic season and both Robert Green and David James are prone to errors that could cost us. He must pick Hart from the first game. Hart will be England number one for years to come I am sure.
Also with Gareth Barry and Ledley King you could easily lose two players early on in the tournament through injuries so do not understand why they have been taken.
As a result I fear for England's chances and can not see us progressing far. The opener against the USA is vital as I think England will seriously struggle. Dempsey is the danger man for the USA. A fit Steven Gerrard linking with Wayne Rooney is our only hope however they can not cover the weaknesses of the team. I fear more disappointment for us England fans. This squad is wrong and we will win nothing with it. I am not saying if others were picked we would win it but I like to think we are going into a tournament with the strongest possible squad of players and quite frankly we are not. We are in trouble before we have even left England.
As a result I fear for England's chances and can not see us progressing far. The opener against the USA is vital as I think England will seriously struggle. Dempsey is the danger man for the USA. A fit Steven Gerrard linking with Wayne Rooney is our only hope however they can not cover the weaknesses of the team. I fear more disappointment for us England fans. This squad is wrong and we will win nothing with it. I am not saying if others were picked we would win it but I like to think we are going into a tournament with the strongest possible squad of players and quite frankly we are not. We are in trouble before we have even left England.
Full England squad:
| Goalkeepers | |
| Robert Green | West Ham United |
| Joe Hart | Birmingham |
| David James | Portsmouth |
| Defenders | |
| Rio Ferdinand | Manchester United |
| John Terry | Chelsea |
| Ashley Cole | Chelsea |
| Glen Johnson | Liverpool |
| Stephen Warnock | Aston Villa |
| Jamie Carragher | Liverpool |
| Ledley King | Tottenham |
| Matthew Upson | West Ham |
| Midfielders | |
| Steven Gerrard | Liverpool |
| Frank Lampard | Chelsea |
| Aaron Lennon | Tottenham |
| Shaun Wright-Phillips | Manchester City |
| James Milner | Aston Villa |
| Michael Carrick | Manchester United |
| Joe Cole | Chelsea |
| Gareth Barry | Manchester City |
| Forwards | |
| Wayne Rooney | Manchester United |
| Emile Heskey | Aston Villa |
| Jermain Defoe | Tottenham |
| Peter Crouch | Tottenham |
