Well it's taken him two years to do so but he's finally taken a leaf out of Stuart Lancaster's book. All we need now is for him to take Andy Farrel and Graham Rowntree as assistants and the Cup's as good as ours.

Am I allowed to say I'm a bit baffled by any football fan who can't summon some interest in the World Cup once every 4 years? It's far better than the European Championship and supporting England is only part of the fun - it's a chance to see African national teams, Asian teams and of course the brilliant South Americans. And its in Brazil! Maybe with a few Blatter effigies burnt at anti-capitalism demos!

As for the England squad - well done Hodgson for generally going with the younger players. At least there's a chance we'll be able to show Johnny Foreigner a bit of power and pace and not conk out after 70 minutes with heat exhaustion.

And the opening game with Italy will be a 1-1 draw. The Italians always play the percentages in the group games.

This is probably the squad most people would pick, give of take the odd player here n there.

Players have been picked on form - lallana, lambert, sterling

And not on reputation - carrick, cleverley, Defoe




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Because he is skillful, scores goals and runs his ass off, Next

Agree with Mr Dawes and the evil mad john.

I love the world cup.

And in a perverse way, its more enjoyable when there is no expectations of england doing well.

But Woy has gone up in my estimation with this squad.

Looking forward to watching Brazil Argentina Spain, Chile, and Scotland.

Where's that Townsend fella....the couple of times I've saw him he was very good and exciting!!!!

He's injured.

He was actually pretty shit for Spurs as the season went on as well after he did so well in those England games.

Oh well....he was the only England player who excited me for ages aswell!!!!

I always end up watching the WC (Euros too) so I guess that means I do summon up interest. Having said that, it's not entertaining for me unless there's ambience. I couldn't sit and watch it at home for four weeks.

I'm not sure what you've got against Milner, is he an elite ex Dyke House pupil?

Very underrated player for me, I've seen him have some very good games this season. One against a little known German team called Bayern Munich away in the Champions League when he was superb and his team won. He generally seems to do very well when he gets on the pitch. The last two managers who won who've won the League at Manchester City seem aware of his value withing a squad for certain matches.

He can play in at least four positions across the midfield and even do a job at right back and plays at consistently high level against good players. He might not be an overly exciting flair player who gets you off your seat but you can't win games with a squad full of those. He's one of the most obvious picks in the squad for me, maybe not start every game but I can see him starting the Italy game at least.

Happy with the squad, i feel were a right back and centre back away from a very good side.

Can't wait now for the World Cup

Come on England

I can't wait for it to start either!!!!

Two shiny shites unable to be located in order to be donated.

Of course he can do a Job, and can have some decent games.

Not sure he is as good as you claim mind.

The fact that he can fill in, in a number of positions serve a purpose, in a way.

But would you pick him in your team?

I doubt it, and doubt anyone else would either.

Being average in a number of positions isnt a good enough reason for me.

That said, he is in, so no further discussion is needed.

And if he gets on the pitch, I hope he plays well and scores.

I don't think James Milner will ever win us a World Cup, but then neither will a lot of our players, but he might help us sit on a lead, or put in a shift on during extra time.

I certainly had higher hopes for him than that when he was 17 n broke on the scene


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Milner is a good player and a no brainer to be included, it's just lazy to claim he's shite

He's not shite, obviously, but he's not amazing, I don't think going to man city has been the best move for him, I think he needs to play more.

If we are 2-1 up against Italy on 70 mins I think well see him coming on


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Personally Roy's comments regarding Milner in the last tournament pissed me off. He said he picked him as a winger because he was good defensively. How many managers pick wingers because they can defend. Extremely negative attitude IMO. First and foremost wingers should be selected on there attacking ability.

Squad player at best and if he starts v Italy I won't agree with it. Can't lie. I agree with the points made regarding his fitness levels but is much rather see lallana and sterling get the majority of the game time.

If your playing proper wingers you can't look any further than starting lallana n sterling.

Oxlade a close back up.

I hope his experient playing Sturridge left wing against Denmark showed Roy that's a non starter.

He does like wellbeck left wing mind but he has had a poor season n I think others have jumped ahead of him.


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I would like to see Sterling start against Italy with the remit to get in Pirlo's face as soon as he gets the ball

4-1-3-2 against the Italians should be fine. Gerrard to sit and then lallana barkely and sterling to go at them with sturridge and Rooney up top. Wouldn't mind seeing Henderson play as he's had a great season but barkely could be the spark this team is craving

I really don't rate James Milner. Seems odd taking him when Henderson can do what he does but better, so can Oxlade-Chamberlain. I'm stunned as to why Hodgson's picked Lampard. Barry, Carrick and Delph have all had better seasons, and when you take into account the effect the atmosphere will have on Lampard's style of play, it just seems daft.

Carrick has been dreadful this season!

I can see why you'd take Lampard when you have a lot of inexperience in the squad. He still gets picked by Mourinho in big games.

Think he's picked Lampard to be the old head among the youngsters if Gerrard gets injured/suspended/knackered and needs to come off after 70 minutes. He can also get a goal every now and then. Doesn't make me like the fat rarf any better but picking him makes sense on that basis. If he is planning to start with him and Gerrard in midfield I despair.

So we're assuming Lampard's not going to start? If we need a goal I'd sooner bring on Barkley or Oxlade-Chamberlain who offer more going forward, and he's not the type of player to bring on to sure up the midfield, he's box-to-box. I can just about buy the experience argument, but only five players haven't been playing top flight football for at least three seasons, and two of those are 26 year old Lallana and 32 year old Lambert.

Milner only made 17 league appearances for City this year.

Carrick had an awful season, Lampards wasn't as good as his normal standards, only managed 5 goals, but he is changing his style and mourinho is using him differently.

If I had to pick I'd go lampard as he's good for a goal and takes a solid penalty.

Also with Lampard, Gerrard, Lambert, Rooney they have proved penalty takers for their clubs.

He made appearances in 30 of Man City's 38 League Games.

Barkley isn't even a regular starter for Everton yet, people get carried away with kids and dismiss steadier more experienced players who are probably turning in more consistent performances. I see Barkley as an impact sub.

It doesnt matter about Milner now does it.

He is in the squad so we might as well support the bloke.

I do find it funny though that someone mentioned Gareth Barry.

Now that IS funny.

Has everyone forgotten just how slow he was at the very top level in 2010?

I am sure he wont be any quicker now.

Do you all think Argentina thought that Maradonna was too young and inexperienced when he was 17?

Not saying Barkley is that good, before some daft 'lovely lovely person' makes out that I have, but the point is:

If a player is good enough it doesnt matter how old he is.

And if Barkley offers more than Henderson, which he does in bucket loads, then he should start before him.

Henderson is steadier, more experienced ete etc etc.

But does Henderson excite anyone?

So the two should not be compared.

I think Henderson is lucky to be going.

My team just at the minute but it might change

Hart

Johnson...........worries me
Jagielka.............Puts shits up me
Cahill................not great either
Shaw

Gerrard
Wilshire

Lallana
Rooney
Sterling

Sturridge

If we need options:

Barkley
Oxlaide Chamberlain
Lambert

If we need to defend

Henderson
Milner
baines....though he better going forward

The others:

The two keepers
Jones
Smalling
Wellbeck
Lampard

Are there to make the numbers up and wont play unless there are injuries.

probably not.

But you get the point though.

And Argentina, like you said, won it.

We wont win barely a game with steady away players like Henderson and Milner getting too much game time.

We need all the talent we can get.

I worryingly agree with ADGs starting line up

So you're saying Barkley is as good as Maradona?

yes I fooking am.

And when I was 17 I was even better.

i think Sturridge isn't a certain starter (in Woy's head not my own) first game against Italy he would take a point now so I think he will go with one up front and pick very defensive minded side.

..................Hart................

Johnson....Cahill...Jag....Baines

.........Gerrard.....Whilshire.......
..................Henderson...........
Milner ........................ Lallana
................Rooney................

Not according to the City website

Are you sure it's not 17 starts?

he did start about 17 times.

He went about 10 games on the trot on the bench as well.

When Man City have a full squad available, he rarely starts.

He started against Aston Villa, and was substituted after around 5 minutes with the score 0-0.

Man city then went on to win 4-0

Just saying.

We need good penalty takers

I hadn't even read the rest of the Thread when I posted that....I expected another 6 or 7 the same....it was soooo obvious....disappointed!!!!