To expand, I wish people would stop crying over Carrick not being in the squad, he told the FA this year that he doesn't want to play for England again.

Personally, I'd of took one of the Swansea central midfielders, probably Leon Britton. One if England biggest problems is ball retention, and he is excellent at that.

Good shout

Ecstacy to agony.

Lampard ruled out of Euro 2012 with injury.

Jordan Henderson called into squad.

I'd even have preferred Michael Carrick, but he's yet another England player who's decided he has better things to do and/or is too important to be a squad player.

Do people really care about the England squad anymore? Lampard, Henderson, Downing, whoever, they are all average and won't be beating down any of the European giants.

Arguably the most under-rated player of the last 10 years??

While everybody cites Moyes' acheievement of 10 years of over-acheiving at Goodison, its no coincidence that Osman has been at the heart of those 10 years of football.

I've heard him amusingly described as the English 'Iniesta' (mostly by tongue-in-cheek Everton fans), but there is a similarity in that both are very under-stated and simple in their work, which often leads to both being ignored in comparison to more flamboyant team mates....I must state though that I accept the Spaniard would be my first choice though if given one...

I don't particularly. I just find it funny that United players seem to be immune to criticism. Welbeck, only scored 9 goals in 33 games this season for a team who finished joint top yet he's a cert to go apparently. At least Crouch scored a worldy.

I really don't rate Welbeck, btw.

i think it United players 'immunity' from criticism over the years that has resulted in a lot of them being completely cba about england

#hangingeffigy #booed@wembley

edited for accuracy

People who say things like 'Barry is awful' are annoy me somewhat.

I'd sooner read stuff like that, rather than people saying "if England just do this then they'll win this, that and the other". Barry is a solid if unspectacular player. He doesn't really do anything great and he's limited athletically. England have so many flaws that it's pointless pointing out just one, they aren't a good team and the players are average individually if you look at them truthfully.

Henderson in the England squad? It's so unsulting to the other midfielders they ignore because they don't play for the glamour clubs. Try explaining to the likes of Allen, Britton and Osman as mentioned what they've failed to do that Henderson did. He was absolutely anonymous for Liverpool this season. I'm not saying he was terrible, he just didn't do anything of note despite playing pretty much the whole season. He's not an international player and whilst those others mentioned probably wouldn't normally be either, they are better than Henderson and played better throughout the season.

I would pay a few grand to have a good, candid conversation with Hodgson about why he's picked the likes of Downing, Henderson, Carroll and Wellbeck. Do performances throughout the season not count for anything?

In a nutshell.

£38m for Hulk to Chelsea!

Another class signing. Makes you wonder where they'll fit them all in. Torres, Hazard, Mata and Hulk in one team may work if they sign some quality midfielders.

Love it when you post.

Welbeck 9 in 23 starts
Racist 11 in 29 starts.
Carol 7 all season.

Welbeck has also scored more than any other striker in the squad apart from Rooney. Questioning the goal return of a 21 year old striker who has alot to learn after only two seasons, when your own team has two strikers who cost a combined £58 million who are biz, is awesome. As for people not wanting to play for their country?

Jamie Carragher anyone?







Priceless.

Not sure that one counts seeing as he was never actually good enough to play for his country

So you're not counting substiute apperances then? He can score once he comes on you know. 9 goals in 30 appearances. Comparing Suarez and Carroll isn't really a good comparison. Your team finished second, he should of scored more goals than he did, alot more. We finished seventh, hardly a comparison is it.

Like I said, I'm not really that bothered about England, just pointing out why Carrick hasn't been chosen to those who are asking.

I don't rate Henderson that highly, but some of the flack he's been getting is pretty harsh. His game is still growing but the lad has potential, he's got a bit of everything and he's more gifted athletically than a lot of the recent midfielders we've produced (Carrick, Lampard, Barry etc.). Some others might have deserved a place more (can't comment on Britton and isn't Allen Welsh?), but Osman is an average player at best. I'd rather see England take a young player like Henderson, give him the experience and hope it helps him by the next world cup, than take a plodder like Osman who won't play and won't play at the next world cup.

Henderson has potential to be a pretty decent player one day, he has attributes but he's still limited and hasn't quite found his role. I'd much rather see the national side give younger players a chance than waste their time with dross.

Typical biased Red She-ite. You really do not have a clue.

FWIW, as a Scot, I am delighted Henderson has been called up. He is utterly -flaps.

Steady on Rob Roy. Whilst I too, cannot see Henderson as any great shakes, the reality is, he is one of a few English young players to be available. Look at the central midfield for England; all thirty plus. In two years time Henderson may have established himself a more defined role at Liverpool which would push him forward in the England reckoning. It is hardly like we have an embarassment of riches, is it.

We should have taken Joey Barton.

League placing means absolutely nothing in terms of goals scored? Surely it would be chance conversion rate? I'm sure you will know that Welbeck get's asked to play outwide from time to time as well. How many did Danny Graham score? 12 goals? Must be better than Suarez then. Surely Suarez should be scoring more in a team that finished 7th. Classic LTS.


Keep posting.

Carrick should have been playing more regularly but the media obsession with joe-average players like Scott Parker has led him to play less games than he should have done, which is why he cannot be bothered. They did the same to Scholes when they refused to split up fat Frank and Gerrard.

Henderson is awful and the picking of players like him show exactly why England will not be dining out at the top tables for quite some time.