The England thread

[Winrew]

Portsmouth veterans David James and Sol Campbell have been included in the 28-man England squad for the friendly against Germany next Wednesday.

Goalkeeper James, 37, and Campbell, 32, have not been selected in any of Steve McClaren's England squads since he took charge after World Cup 2006.
Newcastle's Steven Taylor is in the senior squad for the first time. John Terry, Owen Hargreaves, Michael Owen and David Beckham are included despite questions over their fitness.

England squad:
Robinson (Tottenham), James (Portsmouth), Carson (Liverpool, on loan at Aston Villa), Richards (Manchester City), Brown (Manchester United), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Terry (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Campbell (Portsmouth), Taylor (Newcastle), Neville (Everton), Shorey (Reading), Beckham (LA Galaxy), Gerrard (Liverpool), Lampard (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Carrick (Manchester United), Barry (Aston Villa), Downing (Middlesbrough), Dyer (West Ham), Hargreaves (Manchester United), Smith (Newcastle), Owen (Newcastle), Crouch (Liverpool), Bent (Tottenham), Johnson (Everton), Defoe (Tottenham).

BBC

[all_funkt_up]

This isnt official and I doubt an announcement will be made until later today, but I'm sure Owen Hargreaves has pulled out of the squad. That's to go with Steven Gerrard who has already said he wont be playing. Beckham didnt look fit the other day during the Galaxy's 5-4 defeat and so that leaves us somewhat short in midfield.

Christ, when you look at the bare bones of that team, it makes you realise that we're nowt special.

Out of our front line, only Andy Johnson has been getting a regular game, either due to injury or manager preference. I would imagine SWP would fit in on the right, with Downing preferred by the Ginger, Manc, Smog monster to fill the gap on the left flank.

I reckon they'll shape up something like this:

.....................Robbo
Brown....Ferdinand...Terry...Cole
SWP.....Lampard....Carrick....Downing
..............Crouch...Johnson.............

Doesnt look that special does it?

I wonder what injury problems Germany have though? We cant be the only ones cursed with a inept manager and an injury ravaged team.

[all_funkt_up]

Interesting snippet from today's Guardian

Steve McClaren will be forced to field a makeshift midfield for England's friendly against Germany on Wednesday after Owen Hargreaves became his latest injury casualty. The midfielder made his Manchester United debut yesterday and afterwards Sir Alex Ferguson said he is still suffering the effects of tendinitis.
"Owen Hargreaves is painful in his knees; I don't think he'll be available,"Ferguson said. "He'll probably report for the game but I don't think he'll be near fit enough to play. He'll need a few days to recover and hopefully we can get him fit for the Tottenham game [on Sunday]."


Steven Gerrard also ruled himself out after Liverpool's draw with Chelsea. "I looked fit today because I had a pain-killing injection to play," he said. "I need to rest to be ready for the England qualifiers. If the x-ray tomorrow shows the crack has healed, I'll be playing for England. But I can't see it because three days ago I had an x-ray and I'd broken a toe."
David Beckham is uncertain if he will be fit either after making his first MLS start on Saturday, playing 90 minutes as Los Angeles Galaxy lost 5-4 at the New York Red Bulls ground. LA scored two in five minutes early in the game - both assists from the former England captain - but lost to a last-minute goal from the former Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel.

Beckham could be seen limping on his left ankle at times and afterwards he admitted he would wait and see. "Only time will tell," he said. "It's swollen up at the moment but that was always going to happen. I'm travelling to London to meet up with the team and hopefully I'll be playing some sort of role on Wednesday."

Miroslav Klose, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira have withdrawn from Germany's squad. Klose, the top scorer at the 2006 World Cup with five goals, misses out after being forced off with a knee injury incurred during Bayern Munich's 4-0 win over his former club Werder Bremen.

Schweinsteiger has a back problem and the 20-year-old Khedira, who plays for the champions Stuttgart, has injured his right foot. David Odonkor of Real Betis and Gonzalo Castro of Bayer Leverkusen have been called up as cover.

[crowie]

Gonzalo Castro of Bayer Leverkusen

Good solid German, that lad

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Amazing that is if Crouch starts. Cant remember a time before when an England striker who starts the game wasnt a regular in his club side.

Us Scots have been used to it happening to us for years. Sign of things to come for England?

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

I also think Beckham is threatening some long term damage to himself by continuing to play.

I feel he has been rushed back from injury in the States due to the publics demands to see him play. Ankle injuries dont heal that quick and he definately is struggling with it.

There was no chance he was going to pull out of the England squad either.

[all_funkt_up]

Johnson Injured



"You make me feel, mighty real............."

Right, well Jimmy Summerville is out for the game tonight. So with AJ sidelined, I would put money on Crouch and Owen up-front. Give Owen 60 minutes or so to get injured and then stick Alan Smith on to run around kicking people for the last 30 or so.

Brazil, its just like watching Brazil.....

Rohan's revised line-up:


.............Fat Useless Robbo
Brown......Ferdinand.....Terry.....Cole
SWP......Fat Lampard.....Carrick....Downing
...............Owen......Crouch...........

[all_funkt_up]

Oh I didnt put Beckham in the starting line up, though I suspect he might get a game at some point. I know he is desperate to reach his 100 caps and all, but I think the guy needs a break. He has been struggling now for 2 months with apparently a straight forward ankle injury. To echo what Kiko said, he needs to make sure he doesnt do himself permanent damage.

[all_funkt_up]

Today's En-Grrrrrrrrrr-Land gossip:

England boss Steve McClaren will turn to Newcastle for the friendly against Germany because he has run out of fit strikers - so Michael Owen, who is short of match practice, and Alan Smith, who has also been used as a midfielder, are set to be in the team. (The Sun)

McClaren has pinned his hopes on midfielder David Beckham saving England's Euro 2008 qualification hopes and the England manager's job. (Daily Mirror)

England keeper Paul Robinson is facing a battle to keep his place for the Euro 2008 qualifiers in September, with the Tottenham player coming under pressure from recalled veteran David James. (Various)

BBC pundit Gary Lineker says England must turn the Wembley arch into a symbol of fear for opponents when they take on fierce rivals Germany. (The Sun)

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Well McLaren - how many more chances do you want to give Robinson. The most overrated goalkeeper around.

He needs to be taken out the starting 11 now otherwise these mistakes will continue happening!

[Kop66]

He could of given Scot Carson a start tonight that's for sure

[ONEDUNME]

No doubt James will start the second half.

I think England have played well and Richards has been immense.

Actually looking forward to the second half of an England game for the first time in years and can see them scoring the next goal

Probably a 2-2 draw

[all_funkt_up]

Cunt.

Robbo is SO SO SO over rated. I posted up a thread a while back that had Robinson as one of the Premiership's worst players. Statistically, his errors cost Spurs in the region of 12 points last year. I think the lack of a decent keeper is the only thing that's kept him in the team for so long.

[ONEDUNME]

Well nothing's changed there man. If James is the answer then the question fuckin scares me to death.

[keemanan]

Anyone else like Barry?
Coles done ok so has Micah