Football Banter Archive April 23 2012

23 Apr 2012 22:07:39
Matt Ritchie to Watford for £500,000

23 Apr 2012 19:30:29
I know England are yet to name a manager, but I was just wondering what you all think should be the squad for Euro 2012? I'm Scottish but always like to see England do well at tournaments (probably because we are never there lol). I have my own thoughts on it so would like to know what you all think of them?

I would personally start to phase out some of the older lads (Rio Ferdinand & Frank Lampard etc), as well as the inconsistent players who seemed to get picked with unjustifiable regularity by Capello (Glen Johnson & Stuart Downing in particular). 

I think the best policy is a mix of youth and experience, using some relative unknowns (to the other nations), like Germany did with such success at World Cup 2010. The 'Golden Generation' just haven't got it.

So with all that in mind, my squad would be...

1. Joe HART
2. Kyle WALKER
3. Ashley COLE
4. Steven GERRARD (c)
5. Gary CAHILL
6. John TERRY
7. Ashley YOUNG
8. Scott PARKER
9. Danny WELBECK
10. Wayne ROONEY
11. Adam JOHNSON
12. Chris SMALLING
13. David STOCKDALE
14. Phil JONES
15. Tom CLEVERLEY
16. Michael CARRICK
17. Alex OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN
18. Leighton BAINES
19. Joleon LESCOTT
20. Micah RICHARDS
21. John RUDDY
22. Aaron Lennon
23. Daniel STURRIDGE

I would then go with this starting XI...


(4-2-3-1)


1.Hart


2.Walker 5.Cahill 6.Terry 3.Cole


4.Gerrard 8.Parker 


11.Johnson 10.Rooney 7.Young


9.Welbeck


Joe Hart has been outstanding this season, and is fast becoming one of the world's best goalkeepers, so he is the obvious choice in goal.

Kyle Walker has been very impressive and is more consistent than Richards, which is why I'd go with him at right back.

Gary Cahill & John Terry would be my partnership at centre back, simply because they have built up a good understanding at Chelsea, which if transferred over to International level would provide a strong backbone.

Ashley Cole is still one of the best left back's in world football, so has to play.

I always think a central midfielder should have a 'passer' and a 'runner', which is why I've gone with Gerrard & Parker in there. Gerrard doesn't quite have the legs any longer to be classed as a 'runner', but his passing, shooting and all round creativity is still very much there. Scott Parker has been outstanding for Spurs and his work rate will be vital.

Out wide I would go with Adam Johnson on the right and Ashley Young on the left. Both are good with their two feet and can go outside or come inside and have a shot. Also they could switch over during a game. But just as important, both work hard for the team and that is becoming increasingly important from wingers in the modern game.

Wayne Rooney would play in the hole behind the striker of course. He is England's best player but needs to be given that freedom that he gets at Manchester United in order to bring his club form to the national stage.

Up top I would go for Danny Welbeck. He has been excellent at Manchester United and has a first class attitude and work rate. He and Rooney have started to really blossom as a partnership for United and look to have a great understanding on the pitch. Like with Terry & Cahill, if they take that to the Euros they could be very dangerous and a real threat for England.

Of course, Rooney is suspended for the opening two group matches, so I would play Sturridge just off Welbeck in his absence.

With the likes of Ben Foster and Paul Robinson turning their backs on the national team, I would take David Stockdale and John Ruddy as back ups to Hart. Both are fantastic goalkeepers who have proved they can cut it in the Premier League, and both have great potential to continue to improve.

The likes of Cleverley, Smalling, Welbeck, Sturridge, Walker, Jones & Chamberlain are young and still relatively inexperienced, but all are capable enough to step in and play at a high level. They have each shown this throughout the season at their respective clubs so that's the reason why I would take them. The experience of being there amongst experienced pros like Gerrard, Rooney, Carrick, Terry & Cole could be vital for future tournaments.

Steven Gerrard would be my choice as captain. He has over 90 caps and has been one of England's most consistent performers for a long time now. Scott Parker, for me, hasn't done enough at this level to earn the captaincy. Gerrard has been there and done it and will command respect of all the players.

All England need now is to appoint Harry Redknapp and for him to put a good squad together containing players who are hungry and determined to succeed for England.

Let me know what you all think.

I'm looking forward to Euro 2012 and hope it doesn't prove to be a let down. I wish England all the best and will be sticking £20 on them (great price @ 8/1).


Steven.

Johnson inconsistent? liverpool have been inconsistent but not thanks to johnson, he has had a good season and remember that liverpool havent conceded many goals with him in defence. defo better than walker and richards. with a great deal more experience to boot.

Ashley cole is losing it i would go for a younger player then its about good

Your Scottish?u sure?

Good post and decent team, not much i would change either personally.

23 Apr 2012 19:18:50
i wish, we were close to signing him in 2009 from barnet. Been very impressive for bristol city would be a brilliant player for watford we have nothing nearly as good, other than sean murray.

23 Apr 2012 16:56:32
Got out of work early so will be able to go to the match tonight. Hoping we can finish the season on a high starting with a win against fat sam and condemning him to the play-offs! Even a draw will be enough to see saints up!

My prediction: City 2......West Ham....... 2

Come on you foxes!!

LeicesterLad

I'm with you LL.......COYRs

IS THAT A HIGH draw at home that,s why your where you are all money & no hope

More like west ham 6 foxs 2 with morgan in the team yes

Put your reading glasses on a read the original post a bit slower!

It clearly says "HOPING" to end the season on a high starting with a win!

2-2 was my prediction not the score i want obviously!

Go back to school and learn to read!

Blue Army!

LeicesterLad

I'll go for a foxes win....3-1

Mr.Roller Coaster

Looking forward to watching it!
3-3 ...

maximus

Awful performance tonight West Ham by far the better side!

Just hope saints dont get mugged off saturday!

Seriously Pearson need to make a lot of changes if we are to improve next year!

LeicesterLad

Leicester are rubbish, its a shame they will always be a nothing club

PNE Rule

Could someone please inform us exactly what it is that PNE rule ??

Coming from a mid table league 1 side? ur a joker & guarantee every1 on here that reads your crap comments takes one look at PNE Rule at the bottom & p****s themselves!

"Nothing club"? erm lets see

more successfull, bigger stadium, bigger fan base, better players & better history!

Why dont you try remembering all the above in future instead of writing stuff that simply aint true

League 1 again next year ha ha ha ha

LeicesterLad

I think pne rule means that there up and coming derby matches with bamber bridge ,that they are the better team..?

maximus

23 Apr 2012 15:40:53
How is James Coppinger going to play for all these teams next season?

Who ever pays him most ?

23 Apr 2012 15:24:06
As a Reading fan, can't see us making half the signings we want to make, as we never throw our money around. We will have perhaps 1 high profile player, with the rest of our signings being leftfield, no doubt we will look to Scandanavia, Ireland etc for some bargains that go on to be very good signings, that's what we always do. Would like to see Matt Phillips come in though...The big spend will be when we reach our second premiership season.

23 Apr 2012 14:18:18
The southampton fans on here who conveniently seem to forget that they were in the same position a few years back are in for a nasty shoock

23 Apr 2012 12:40:19
Portsmouth are all but dead, Face it
you Pompey fans no creditor will be stupid
enought to finance you any longer, the
club has now got what it deserves,No
player will want to join a sinking Debt ridden
club, the players you have now will go in the summer
leaving you with your acadamy, LG2awaits
or go out of business what ever comes first

Good luck in the prem you need it ;)

Have you got a life? alot of hate there to type all that

Have you got a life, you just sat there and read it and replied.

23 Apr 2012 12:21:39
i have heard that Stoke are interested
in Jonny Wilkinson , had a great time playing for England he will be a great signing for Stoke in my opinion.... THIS IS TRUE

Wrong sport?

Probably better at tackling than huth less red cards aswell

23 Apr 2012 11:24:07
Ashley Young's thinking of retiring early and becoming an Olympic diver alongside Tom Daly.

23 Apr 2012 08:21:41
brentford are looking to hv jake bidwell and adam forshaw for season hope david moyes agrees; also traying to get stuart beavon sinmon jackson on lone from norwich. charlton wants to buy leaon legge and. everton intrested samsaunders

23 Apr 2012 01:50:00
Reading FC RCB-Connolly LCB- ? LB-Cresswell CM-Mullins CM-Butterfield WING- ? CF-Rhodes CF-?