Quite happy with it, except I would have taken Drinkwater and Townsend and left behind Henderson and Milner.

I know Milner was always going to go, but you have to ask, whats the point?

He wont be in the team, isnt the best player in any position, and isnt a game changer if the game is going tits up.

So what does he offer?

Surely you dont pick a player, at a tournament this big, just because the can be bang average in two or three positions?

And Henderson I just dont rate. Not sure what he offers. Even Liverpool fans would be happy to see him go.

But at least the flair players are all in the squad, and its young enough to move forward afterwards.

Stones, Barkley, Wilshire, Ali, Dier, Kane, Rashford give us hope.

Proper shame for Drinkwater. Why do 'big club' players always get the nod regardless of form, fitness or ability?

Fully agree with both posts above. Seems like playing all season and being a contender for POTY hadn't helped Drinkwater. I've said before for me he should be first name on team sheet in midfield, does all the simple 'unseen' and unselfish things very well for the team.

Have seen many people saying he was shit against Australia and the BBC gave him 5 out of 10. When he went central in second half he was almost faultless in breaking up play and his simple keep ball passing and 1/2's. Unlike Henderson who runs about a lot like a headless chicken, 2nd touch is a tackle and 2 out of 3 passes are either straight to opposition or out of play.

But hey what do I know

Well at least that's just one instead of the whole team in 2012.

I think the selection of henderson and Milner is a nod to Liverpool, like PIN says above. Just a nod tothe big teams.

Cant see any other reason for it.

I dont know of any person that would pick Milner, yet he is highly rated by the all knowing football establishment.

I listened to a very worrying and sad debate about the england team the other day.

It went something like:

"We will have to leave Vardy out of the team as we need an extra defensive midfielder in the team to protect the defence, otherwise the oppositions flair players will destroy us."

Not one person countered:

So, as usual we leave our flair players out, because we are more worried about the oppositions flair players? Wouldnt it better to give theirdefenders something to worry about instead?

It makes me want to vomit.

Totally agree - it's no surprise that he was playing out of position first half and then in his preferred position second half. It was completely pointless trying him out on the side of a diamond.

Just play people where they are naturally the best at and it will heed results. Oh and Roy, for the love of god, please stop trying to make this diamond work. It doesn't, and it never will.

Drinkwater literally couldn't have done anymore this season and it's complete bollocks that he didn't get a call up. Henderson is massively overrated and Sunderland were laughing all the way to the bank when Liverpool paid that much for him. I'd have taken Drinkwater and Townsend over Henderson and Sterling.

Sterling is a one trick pony and is very weak, Towsend offers a lot more with the same amount of pace. I fully expect Milner to be playing every game though.

Please tell me that a joke

According to UEFA, Milner is the 5th best player

Sadly and has been the case forever really, successive England managers send the message that you have to play for big clubs to get call ups for England (as a general rule). Which is why players like Delph, who has barely played all season, is on standby list yet an ever present for the Champions is binned

If rashford was a Leicester player he wouldn't be going. Scores a couple for man u and straight in the England team. We will never learn picking players because of the size of the club. We will once again be outshone by teams with a bit of spirit. Wales will probobly course us problems this time.

Thats because you have clowns like McClaren whose main aim in a game is to keep a clean sheet, they go on and on about it all the time.
Much rather have a Keegan type whose aim is to outscore the opposition by using flair players who like to entertain.

Carroll should have been ahead of Rashford in the pecking order. All the forwards going to the Euros are the same type of player. We dont have anyone who can come on and change our style up front.
The Leicester example is a good one, how long did it take Vardy to get anywhere near the England squad, yet Rashford gets in almost as soon as he leaves the pitch after his Man Utd debut!

It's always been the case though, if you're english and played a few decent games for either Man Utd, Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool or Arsenal then you are considered for England. I don't think this mentality will ever change which will always hamper our chances in major tournaments.

It is bollocks to say there should be a pecking order.

You pick your best squad, then your best 11. Thats what the best teams do. Thats what successful teams do.

Some of the stuff I have read on here and somewhere else about Rashford is bizarre, and is clearly just anti man u.

He is immensely talented, and might prove to be a match winner at the Euros this time around.

You dont get to play for Van Gaal or Man U for that matter, if you dont have something about you.

It wouldnt concern me in the slightest if he got a start.

As for picking Carroll? Words fail me.

That's not the point though if rashford was playing for Leicester or Southampton and came on had a little bit of potential he would not be going to the euros. He does it for man u and the lad is straight in.

Man united have had some awful players but people forget about that because most of the time the rest of the bankrolled team takes the heat of them.

The media play a massive part in it also, you score a few goals for Man Utd and you are labelled as the next Pele. Federico Macheda is a perfect example of this.

Drinkwater signs for man united next year he will be an England regular immediately.

I think Hodgson has achieved a pretty good balance with the squad selected - his weak area is the defence, it ain't good enough but pretty well selected itself anyway.

England's best hope is to score more than the opposition - think Kane and Vardy will start with Rooney in midfield, and it's great to have potential game changers like Sturridge and Rashford on the bench.

And when England do go out, I'd rather they were well beaten in normal time than sit through another penalty shootout - see the one in the Madrid final on Saturday? No way our boys will get anywhere near that level of accuracy and coolness under pressure.

In defence of Rashford, the lad scored a fair few goals, and impressive/important ones at that, at just only 18 years of age. Then scored on his international debut to back it up. Regardless of who he played for, I believe Hodgson would have looked at him anyway. He's a special talent that I'm glad has been selected.

Also in terms of Drinkwater, unlucky not to be selected, but the only midfielder I'd have dropped him for is Henderson (who is absolutely gash). In reality Drinkwater being selected or otherwise will not have a significant impact on where we as a team come in this tournament. So I'll be shedding no tears.

I also don't think he's that good anyway, watched him a lot for Leicester this season, he gives away the ball needlessly far too often to be successful at international level. I think it speaks volumes about our midfield that he was even considered to be honest.

Absolutely spot on. It sort of highlights the mentality of english football fans. Wwe all want fair play and a fair chance given to those that have had good seasons, even though football at the very highest level is on a whole different level to the premier league.

I would have taken Drinkwater but he wouldnt be in my team, wouldnt come on as a gamechanger, so he would be back up at best.

Henderson isnt even back up for me. Neither is Milner.

To have any chance we have to play players that have that extra bit of quality. Fuck fair play and pecking orders.....this isnt the school fair play trophy.

Too many times England have played players that have had good seasons only to see them get absolutely hammered. Gareth Barry was a prime example against Germany. Had a great domestic season but was nowhere near international class.

Its time England showed what they have got, and not shit themselves that everyone else is a god, and we cant compete.

Vardy and Kane will terrify teams. And they wouldnt enjoy marking Rashford and Sturridge either.

Not taking Drinkwater could come to bite Woy in the arse, especially if Dier gets injured.

I'd have taken Drinkwater (for Henderson) but performing in a crazy Premier League season is a little different to lining up at international level and facing Germany or Spain.

Isco didn't make the Spain team this time around- puts a bit of perspective on the quality available for England, especially since we are lugging a centre mid who has only played 141 minutes this season.

Can't imagine any of the other big guns going for it at the Euros this year would do that...

I'm indifferent to Rashford's call up, having watched him against Australia, he wasn't a standout player. If we're taking Sturridge he must be expected to be fit, which makes 3 players ahead of Rashford for two positions(assuming we're not going to play strikers out wide and Rooney will be in midfield).
With football as televised as it is these days, there's no such thing as an unknown Premiership player but Rashford is as close as it gets and an 18/19 year old should play without fear.

As for the rest of the squad I've of taken Drinkwater over Henderson also and I'd of found a way to take Townsend even if it meant dropping Barkley.
Anyone who wouldn't take Milner hasn't seem him regularly over the past few months.

Apart from that I think Roy has shown people he isn't afraid to take a chance, I'd be surprised if it wasn't his last tournament and he might have done his successor a favour in picking a young squad.

I'd be completely pissed off if I was either Drinkwater or Townsend and that useless twat Sterling was going instead of me

I mentioned Carroll as he is the only English born centre forward who could realistically be considered should they need to play more direct with a target man. None of the players selected can play that role.

I'm happy enough with the squad. It's difficult to argue how he could have significantly improved it.

I think the comments about Drinkwater are fair enough too. The lad's had a good season but who on earth would Hodgson leave out to accommodate him? It's similar to Mark Noble getting annoyed that he wasn't picked after an admittedly good season for West Ham. Would the majority of people really prefer to see him in the squad over Wilshere?

Agreed. Drinkwater is a tidy player but is not going to light the place up. Wilshere has a terrible injury record but has that extra bit of attacking quality I'd rather see in the England team, especially if we have Dier in there already to do the dirty work.

As an aside, just how shit are Germany right now? Getting turned over 3-1 at home off Slovakia is not exactly perfect preparation. Makes our 3-2 win look poor...

I was thinking that too about Germany, I genuinely fancy France for this tournament. I'm also quietly optomistic about another team but not going to jinx it.

I think it's evident Smalling will cost us goals, what does anyone see in him?! Pulls attackers shirts every time they get the better of himm, which is worryingly frequent.
Alli's temperament is a cause for concern.
Can no one but Kane take a corner?

What an absolutely appalling foul by the Portuguese lad. If a Suarez nibble warrants a ban for several months, what's a blatant and deliberate flying kick to the head going to result in? My money is on a 3 game ban after the Euros.
Harry Kane is a very lucky lad he didn't make that much contact.

Well that wasnt very good last night,well not until Wilshire came on, and we suddenly had a player who looked like he could unlock a defence.

I think we have a decent chance this summer, but that could be fucked up, if we really have a manager that thinks James Milner is a world class midfielder and is better than Jack Wilshire.

Is there anyone out there that can explain to me what Milner actually offers?

All I see is a bang average footballer running around like a headless chicken, fouling now and again, being very run of the mill, pedestrian, and dull.

Vardy and Kane had no chance with that midfield three. Vardy needs balls played between the full backs and the centre backs, so he can use his best weapon, his pace.

Spent all game running back defending, whilst our one paced midfield didnt go anywhere quickly with the ball.

We actually looked a bit better with Sterling and Lallala on, though that was against 10 men obviously.

Walker played very well, as it did Rose.

Deli Ali also suffered because of the one paced nature of the team. he likes to get in alongside the strikers but the ball wasnt going forward quick enough.

Rooney was decent but was also guilty of running around a lot in areas he wasnt influencing the game,again slowing things up too much. I would prefer Ross Barkley in there.

Square pegs round holes. For example Deli Alli is not a midfield player really, not in a 4-3-3 he's a number 10 who can cleverly buzz around a front 2.

We have 2 bang on form strikers, probably our greatest asset, play them together up front with Alli behind and Vardy told to play on the shoulder of the defense to use his pace.

If you are going to play Dier you can use this system as he also isn't a box to box midfield player he's a Centre half who is decent on the ball who sits in front and protects the back four.

Stick Wilshere and another in midfield 2 and use the full backs for width. I realise that team doesn't include Rooney but it puts Vardy, Kane, Alli and Dier in positions they are most effective and gets Wilshere in the midfield who can create things

Yes but not on last nights showing, I wouldn't argue he should start ahead of Wilshire but he deserves to be in that squad from what I've seen of him for Liverpool.

I wouldn't and as he's barely featured in the 3 friendlies I wouldn't expect Roy to select him much. He's had an awful season and is lucky to be in the squad. He has really impressed in the past but for me Rooney offers much more, in particular a goal threat, which is what this team has to be set up for as we can't rely on the defence.

Alli played out of position. Diamond formation used.

Is anyone surprised we didn't look very good?

Dont think the formation was the issue. It was the selection.

Without a play maker it was always going to look poor.

As well seemingly telling the two strikers to track back. Which is a bizarre tactic.

So what is it that Milner does that impresses you?

I just see a player thats not an expert in any position but can adequately play in a number of positions. A typical english utility player. I can think of at least three players better in every position than Milner.

That's the problem with the diamond formation. So easy to play against. Push your full backs up and it forces the strikers to drop back. There will be plenty of 0-0s and 1-0s in England games if he continues with that formation.

The strikers arent forced to track back. They must have been told to do it by Woy.

There were times when it looked like England had three upfront with rooney at the centre. Maybe thats Woys formation.

He really wants Rooney up there but dared pick him there but lets it happen naturally. Thats what seemed to be happening.

What worries me is that Woy seems to trying to find a way to get Rooney in the team.

Vardy needs to be cleverer though if he wants a start.

The formation seemed set up to accommodate rooney, but all it did was put about 5 players out of position.

I dont think roy knows his best team.

Considering we play in 8 days i dont think thats a good thing.

The diamond doesnt work, its too narrow n congested, it stunts too many players, no point sticking 3 strikers on if you have no players to get the ball to them.

Vardy n kane were too far away from the box, rooney was lost, alli was too deep, milner not in his best position, dier looked decent enough n the defence was solid, but it was against 10 men.

Really struggling to be arsed tbh...

It looked more like a 4-3-3 than a diamond formation last night I thought. It was a very unusual 4-4-2 diamond if that's what they were supposed to be playing. All three of Kane, Rooney and Vardy appeared to be in a line high up the pitch for most of the time they were on it.

It is perhaps naïve to expect them to be going full pelt in the last game before the tournament starts, particularly with Portugal flying into challenges as recklessly as they were. Hopefully Hodgson will have realised that he can't start matches with those personnel and hope to gain any sort of initiative. At least he made substitutions that appeared to change the game. We looked a lot more lively after the changes and got a winning goal.

I agree re Milner. The only reason I can possibly think you'd pick him is to bring him on if you're 2-0 up with around 30 minutes to go and you want to close the game down. But surely there are any number of players who can do that?

My team would be..

Hart

Walker
Smalling
Cahill
Rose

Dier
Barkley
Wilshere
Alli

Kane
Vardy


Dier sat in front of the defence with Alli behind Kane/Vardy, bench the likes of Rooney & Barkley and have a bit of faith in the youth.

Think you are being harsh on Barkley there, asking him to play and benching him.

I'd play Ross Barkley but bench the former NBA basketballer Charles Barkley...

I'd also leave Milner on the bench.

Ah right, with you now.

i'd start barkley, bench basketballer barkley, n have gnarls barkley signing in the dressing room

Signing what though? And why?

Signing copies of the memoirs of Alben W. Barkley, the 35th Vice President of the United States.

you had to look that up didnt you?