Pick your England team for the Euro's

[stu1]

----------------------Hart
Clyne---Cahill---Smalling---Bertrand
---------------Dier------Deli Ali
--------------------Barkley
Walcott--------------------------Sterling
------------------------Kane


I'd go for a young team. Players like Milner, Jakielka etc have had their chance and come up short (although they'd both be in my squad). Personally I'd use the opportunity to start blooding some of the younger players in major tournaments in the hope come 2018 & 2020 we have a spine which is use to playing with each other.

Realistically Hodgson won't drop Rooney, but on form he doesn't even deserve to be in the squad. A few people will probably dig me out for selecting Walcott and Clyne but I think we will need to play on the counter and Walcott perfect for that game plan. Whilst there aren't many other options are right back and Clyne was class for Southampton.

I haven't included players like Strurrige and Wilshere as despite their obvious ability their fitness record just doesn't hold up. Henderson is also unlucky to miss out, but unfortunately Deli Ali looks the real deal to me.

[warp]

where's the steel coming from?

[stu1]

where's the steel coming from?

I don't think 'steal' is necessarily a major component in international football these days, except at centre half. I'd argue technical ability and pace are far more important.

However that being said aprrt from the CB's, Dier is a presence as is Kane. Whilst Barkely is physically strong and Deli Ali although not the biggest, isn't afriad to put it about.

[szola]

I'd like to see Gerard and Lampard in the team.

[fjthegrey]

I don't like Dier as a DM. He's not enough of a ball player.

[stu1]

where's the steel coming from?

Just had a look on Wiki and both Deli Ali and Barkley are apparently 6ft 2. I'm slightly surprised by that, but even if not 100% correct, it's safe to say that apart from the 2 full backs and 2 wingers the rest of the team are at least 6 foot if not 6foot 2.

[sutts07]

Basically needs to be built around Tomkins, Noble and Carroll.

Think Moses has a lot to offer and would definitely go with Cresswell and Jenkinson at full back (you believed me right up until Jenkinson didn't you!)

[stu1]

I don't like Dier as a DM. He's not enough of a ball player.

He seems to be doing a decent job for Tottenham in my opinion. In my team he would also have a good understanding with Ali. I'd also hope the rest of the front 6 would have enough about then to break down opposing teams.

Who would you suggest instead? Carrick?

[kippaxcockney]

I'd like to see Gerard and Lampard in the team.

But can they play together?

[fjthegrey]

Think Moses has a lot to offer.

So does Payet, Lanzini, Collins, Ogbonna. Lets get them all in there.

[sutts07]

Can't we play Nigerian players for England in the Euros then??

[fjthegrey]

He seems to be doing a decent job for Tottenham in my opinion. In my team he would also have a good understanding with Ali. I'd also hope the rest of the front 6 would have enough about then to break down opposing teams.

Who would you suggest instead? Carrick?

Could do. Think that in European matches that position needs more of a ball playing type skill set. It's that position that often sets the tone for your performance. You need someone cultured in there. Won't see many teams going into games without someone who can provide a playmaking edge, unless they are literally setting up not to lose and nick something.

[stu1]

Could do. Think that in European matches that position needs more of a ball playing type skill set. It's that position that often sets the tone for your performance. You need someone cultured in there. Won't see many teams going into games without someone who can provide a play making edge, unless they are literally setting up not to lose and nick something.

That's a fair point, but do we have anyone that fits that bill? Only Carrick who will be what 34 or 35 by the summer. The next best option I can think of is probably Noble, but that won't happen. I can't actually think of any other English DM's of any real quality.

Barry - too old
Cattermole - no reason needed
Wilshere - injury prone and not a DM
Henderson - best attribute is his engine, so wouldn't be suited to a DM role.

As an outside I bet Stones might be decent there as he seems very good on the ball. However he doesn't play there for Everton, so it would be a big ask for him to adjust his game playing at that level.

[Rust]

I would adopt a similar system Liverpool used when they came 2nd a few years ago, high pressing and just go for it.

Hart

Clyne
Smalling
Cahill
Baines

Henderson
Carrick
Milner

Sturridge/Rooney
Kane
Sterling

[sendô]

Injuries dependant, as well as noticeable changes in form second half of the season, but for me the squad would be something like this:

GK
Joe Hart
Jack Butland
3rd keeper

DL
Ryan Bertrand
Keiron Gibbs

DR
Nathaniel Clyne
Kyle Walker

DC
Gary Cahill
Chris Smalling
Phil Jagielka
John Stones

MC
Dele Ali
Jordan Henderson
James Milner
Jack Wilshere

AM
Raheem Sterling
Theo Walcott
Ross Barkley
Alex Oxlaide Chamberlain

ST
Harry Kane
Daniel Sturridge
Andy Carroll
Wayne Rooney

Some of those positions pick themselves due to lack of real alternatives.

[WestHamIFC]

4-3-3:

----------------Hart
Clyne-----Cahill----Stones-----Baines

---------------Carrick----------
--------Barkley------Henderson

---------Walcott-----Vardy
----------------Kane---------

[sutts07]

On current fitness and form...

------------------- Hart -------------------
Clyne Stones Smalling Bertrand
-------- Henderson Milner -----------
---------------- Barkley -----------------
Walcott ---------------------- Sterling
---------------- Rooney -----------------

In contention...

GK - Can only see Butland getting a game if Hart gets injured or suspended.

RB - Walker is only really a back up to Clyne due to lack of options and I can't see him getting picked ahead of him. Would actually rather play Smalling there.

LB - Cresswell should really be pushing for the LB spot due to the fact he is playing week in week out, but he is still a bit raw for that level. I expect Baines to get fit and push for a place though and Gibbs seems to be considered even though he never plays.

CB - At the start of the season I would have said that Cahill and Jagielka were nailed on but neither are a patch on Smalling or Stones so far this term. I can see Cahill getting his place back. Jones is way down the list for me now and shouldn't get a look in.

DM - Dier and Carrick both have just as much to offer as holding player really and both will surely be pushing for a place. There is a strong argument for playing Dier over Milner and build for the future.

AM - Very close call for the kind of free role in the middle... Lallana, Alli and if fit Wilshere can all push Barkley. Alli is the obvious option pushing very hard right now.

W - Out wide I would say it is only really Oxlade-Chamberlain pushing for a place, but for me, the front three all have to play.

CF - Up top, for me Rooney plays and is captain. As for Kane, Sturridge, Welbeck, Carroll and Vardy... all decent sub options so I would take four of them.

[sjb958]

Find myself completely agreeing with your squad Sendô

[stu1]

CF - Up top, for me Rooney plays and is captain. As for Kane, Sturridge, Welbeck, Carroll and Vardy... all decent sub options so I would take four of them.

Would you really chose Rooney over Kane for CF? Or is that selection simply because you know Rooney will play?

[Mexico29]

GK - Hart
RB - Clyne
CB - Stones
CB - Smalling
LB - Bertrand
DM - Dier
CM - Ali
CM - Barkley
RW - Sterling
CF - Kane (Sturridge if fit)
LW - Walcott