...::[The Footy Desk]::... (Part 1)

[Domeux]

If Kenny does go it will count as Stuart Downings first assist of the season.

Genius.

[AndyGanteks]

I just watched the german play-offs Fortuna Dusseldorf vs Hertha, boy that was a madness. Herta lost 1:2 at home, got to a 2:2 in 80th minute, then chased the 3rd goal. 7 minutes of extra time, but Fortuna fans invaded pitch after 5 when Petrovic missed. Game stopped until the stands were cleared, but Hertha players were not sure whether to return and play those last 2 minutes or not. Eventually they did, but nothing happened, so it stayed 2:2, and Fortuna goes to Bundesliga next season. I can't imagine what would've have had happened if Hertha had scored in those remaining 2 minutes.

[Waddy]

Looks like Rio is dropped from the Euro team, along with Crouch, Jags, Richards...and Walker pulled out.

 

Carroll deffo in though!

[Seddo]

 

I just watched the german play-offs Fortuna Dusseldorf vs Hertha, boy that was a madness. Herta lost 1:2 at home, got to a 2:2 in 80th minute, then chased the 3rd goal. 7 minutes of extra time, but Fortuna fans invaded pitch after 5 when Petrovic missed. Game stopped until the stands were cleared, but Hertha players were not sure whether to return and play those last 2 minutes or not. Eventually they did, but nothing happened, so it stayed 2:2, and Fortuna goes to Bundesliga next season. I can't imagine what would've have had happened if Hertha had scored in those remaining 2 minutes.

I heard that a fan was digging up the penatly spot with 5 minutes left of the game .

 

Has the squad been picked yet or is that just Twitter talk? Shame for Walker to miss due to injury. Micah Richards isn't getting picked? thought he had a decent season. That only leaves Johnson for RB and he can be a bit of a cripple.

 

I wonder if we may see Scholes come out of International retirement.

 

Good for Carroll, put some decent shifts in recently but still lacking goals, 'spose he may be a decent option in the last 10-15 minutes if a game isn't going well, may work well with Wellbeck/Rooney (after the first two games).

[Waddy]

I think Corroll can do a job as a target man for sure, no problem with him being in the squad, either him or Crouch anyway.

Shocked about Rio, experience counts in the big tournaments. Its twitter talk but its coming from Henry Winter who is the footy guy for the Telegraph, he wont make sh*t up and look stupid tomorrow.

 

I had hoped Hodgeson might do something a bit different and take players who have deserved it...

[KilnerLUFC]

I think Corroll can do a job as a target man for sure, no problem with him being in the squad, either him or Crouch anyway.

Shocked about Rio, experience counts in the big tournaments. Its twitter talk but its coming from Henry Winter who is the footy guy for the Telegraph, he wont make sh*t up and look stupid tomorrow.

 

I had hoped Hodgeson might do something a bit different and take players who have deserved it...

Seems to have made a few other sites/newspapers now, so I'm led to believe this could be real. As you said, it's a shame to see Rio being left out of the squad. The last I heard, he was a maybe anyway due to the tension between him and Terry, but I think that was just gossip back then.

 

Found this on The Guardian:

 

 

Rio Ferdinand's broken relationship with John Terry may have ended his England career after Roy Hodgson decided to sacrifice the Manchester United defender from his Euro 2012 plans.

 

Hodgson contacted Ferdinand on Tuesday to inform him that he would not be including him in his squad for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine next month. The England manager then travelled to Chelsea's training ground where he met Terry for the first time since taking the job and spoke at length to him and the club's other England internationals about his plans for the competition.

 

Hodgson also rang Peter Crouch, the Stoke City striker, and perhaps most surprisingly Micah Richards, the Manchester City right-back, to let them know that they were also being left out.

[Crokey]

If it is true, then I can't work out why he's leaving Richards out of the team, it makes no sense, he's fit, strong, gets up the wings when needed and can cause a bit of grief in the box on a few occasions.

[SIKKS66]

I think Corroll can do a job as a target man for sure, no problem with him being in the squad, either him or Crouch anyway.

When I suggested Carroll a few months back for the same reason you shot it down and asked "is there another Andy Carroll you're talking about?"

 

But yeah, if Walker's out they must surely take Richards. The guys a monster and can play both RB and CB. I'd play him at RB over Johnson or Jones.

 

A shame Rio is out but I'm glad from a United perspective.

[OchyGTA]

Andy Carroll? Andy 'the donkey' Carroll?!?!

The guy plays well in one game so is picked ahead of Crouch, the best international striking record for England and has been pretty consistent this season. If Richards fails to make the squad then its a farce. I have a feeling I'll e very disappointed with tomorrows announcement. Such a shame as I was quite happy when Hodgson got the job.

[Der_Don]

I just watched the german play-offs Fortuna Dusseldorf vs Hertha, boy that was a madness. Herta lost 1:2 at home, got to a 2:2 in 80th minute, then chased the 3rd goal. 7 minutes of extra time, but Fortuna fans invaded pitch after 5 when Petrovic missed. Game stopped until the stands were cleared, but Hertha players were not sure whether to return and play those last 2 minutes or not. Eventually they did, but nothing happened, so it stayed 2:2, and Fortuna goes to Bundesliga next season. I can't imagine what would've have had happened if Hertha had scored in those remaining 2 minutes.

That was great entertainment. I had so much fun during the last minutes! Glad Düsseldorf got promoted in the end.

 

 

I heard that a fan was digging up the penatly spot with 5 minutes left of the game biggrin.gif.

Hahaha yeah that had me in stitches, what an idiot

[Waddy]

 

I think Corroll can do a job as a target man for sure, no problem with him being in the squad, either him or Crouch anyway.

When I suggested Carroll a few months back for the same reason you shot it down and asked "is there another Andy Carroll you're talking about?"

 

 

I have always been a fan of Crouch for England, he has done a job, I rate him and Carroll about the same anyway. Either should be able to do the same job. Its still a huge risk though, him and 2 others look to be getting their club manager the sack, lets not hope the choice dosent cut Roys job too!

 

Joe Cole being touted as in the squad...

[Banks.]

It's a shame Rio is out and that knobhead John Terry gets to go.

 

Andy Carroll is a meh for me. He has a few good games and everyone jumps on the Andy Carroll bandwagon, there has been strikers that have played well throughout the season who probably deserve to go more than him.

 

I can see him working well with Welbeck in the first couple of games though.

[Prometheus]

Joe Cole being touted as in the squad...

Joe Cole?! I can't believe this.

[Vercetti27]

I'd pick jordan rhodes ahead of Caroll ffs

[Domeux]

Dunno who to support for the Euros.....maybe it would be Northern Ireland, but because of their ability to be consistantly sh*t at everything, I usually always go for the Republic (As does about 99% of Ireland). However...if RoI go out, I get to refer back to some of my German roots

 

It'll be either Spain, Germany or the Netherlands who will win the Euro 2012, I reckon.

[Banks.]

I'd pick jordan rhodes ahead of Caroll ffs

Rhodes plays for Scotland

 

So the 23 man squad is announced at 1PM. This will be interesting.

[Vercetti27]

I'd pick jordan rhodes ahead of Caroll ffs

Rhodes plays for Scotland

 

So the 23 man squad is announced at 1PM. This will be interesting.

I'd still pick him above carroll

[AnotherDave]

Carroll's hit a bit of form at the right time, so having him in the squad makes more sense that going with somebody who has more goals, but isn't scoring now (I'm not hinting at anyone in particular). And Crouch has a fantastic record and international level. He and Joe Cole could be just the kind of player we need in the squad - the "average" players that Roy has done so well with in the past.

[Canoxa]

I hadn't even realized that Rio has never played for the national team. Can anyone elucidate me as to why?

[Seddo]

I hadn't even realized that Rio has never played for the national team. Can anyone elucidate me as to why?

You maybe confused with someone else 'Noxa, Rio has about 80 odd caps for England.

[AnotherDave]

I hadn't even realized that Rio has never played for the national team. Can anyone elucidate me as to why?

He has, many times, just not at a European Championship. Suspension and injury has kept him out of contention for a place in the squads.

[Canoxa]

I hadn't even realized that Rio has never played for the national team. Can anyone elucidate me as to why?

He has, many times, just not at a European Championship. Suspension and injury has kept him out of contention for a place in the squads.

Oh, in the Euros! I read this tidbit in a headline, and assumed it was in any competition. Which was confusing me to no end, because I could swear I that had to be wrong.

 

Shame Roy is cutting him off.

[Waddy]

Hart Green Ruddy GlenJ Jones JT Lescott Cahill Cole Baines Theo Downing Ox Gerr'd Barry Lamps Parker Young Milner Defoe Roo Welbeck Carroll

 

...........

 

DOWNING?! WHAT?!

[Seddo]

 

DOWNING?! WHAT?!

 

Would have liked to see Adam Johnson making the squad rather than sitting on the standby list. Still a shame that Richards hasn't made it when he's just played RB at a title winning team, i know Jones can play there but surely Richards is better than a makeshift CB.

 

Also if Parker doesn't recover then i presume that means Henderson will take his spot?

[AnotherDave]

Downing is a surprise. Chamberlain too, possibly. Seeing the squad written down I can't help thinking the defence looks fragile.

[SIKKS66]

My starting XI for the first game:

 

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

......................................................

...Johnson...Lescott...Terry.....Cole.....

.......................................................

...............Parker........Barry..............

.......................................................

...Oxlade........Gerrard...........Young...

.......................................................

.....................Welbeck......................

 

The lack of Richards and Carrick is pretty bad. Richards is a much more solid right-back and I wouldn't say there's a midfielder in there as good at ball retention as Carrick.

[StellarFish20]

Ox Chamb is a great decision. I'm disappointed with the inclusion of Downing, should've been Adam Johnson. And I'm also surprised about Sturridge and Crouchy.

 

Edit: SIKKS66, I'd put Cahill in for Lescott

[Seddo]

 

My starting XI for the first game:

 

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

......................................................

...Johnson...Lescott...Terry.....Cole.....

.......................................................

...............Parker........Barry..............

.......................................................

...Oxlade........Gerrard...........Young...

.......................................................

.....................Welbeck......................

 

The lack of Richards and Carrick is pretty bad. Richards is a much more solid right-back and I wouldn't say there's a midfielder in there as good at ball retention as Carrick.

I like that look of that, Rooney will slot in there beautifully.

 

On paper that teams doesn't look to bad but of course football is played on grass and England don't turn up for big games.

[Canoxa]

No Carrick?

 

[SIKKS66]

Edit: SIKKS66, I'd put Cahill in for Lescott

I dunno, Lescott seems to offer more than Cahill. Played more games and had a steady season, unlike Cahill who's switched clubs and had injuries and suspensions.

 

Think Carrick could have brought an extra passing dimension to the midfield, would offer more than Barry. Oh well.