The World Cup 2018

[gratziani]

Any one of the three for the keeper

Walker , Stones , Cahill , Rose in defence

Dier and Hendo in front
Tempted to play Alli with them for some creativity

Kane Sterling and Rashford as a three

[Dirk07]

Any one of the three for the keeper

Walker , Stones , Cahill , Rose in defence

Dier and Hendo in front
Tempted to play Alli with them for some creativity

Kane Sterling and Rashford as a three

Shame we pissed Zaha off as he would have been an excellent option instead of Rashford

[danperkins]

It's the most bang average England world cup squad I have ever seen.

[gratziani]

It's the most bang average England world cup squad I have ever seen.

It does seem that way but for the first time seems more like a team

Don't expect much to be honest but City and our players have proved the English contingent do have some good players in there if used properly

Just depends if Southgate can do that

[Red_Polo]

Is it though?

Stones, Walker, Delph and Sterling all started and played a lot in a Man City team that just broke 100 Premier League points. Henderson we know. Kane and Vardy scored 50 goals between them. Add in Sterling with another 18.

Taking club loyalties aside now, I think there is goals and a good attacking threat in this England team. I worry about the defence though. Id have probably just tried to plonk in the Burnley defence plus one other.

Southgate has shown he has got more ideas beyond the normal boring England style of play too. He might not be Pep or Klopp. But at least he isnt Sam Allerdyce.

Really?! I think it's an embarrassing squad packed to the rafters with mediocre technically inept players. Walker, Kane, Hendo and Sterling aside I'll be looking at almost every player that could start thinking, wow, really can't do any better than that?

[Tee]

Firmly putting my support behind Salah and Egypt, followed by Bobby and Brasil

[Phoenix07]

I'm with Alex on this one.

It's a decent squad, and Southgate has a plan for it. Fine, it may all fall apart, but it's been a long time since England have had a squad without expectation to win, and a manager with some sort of plan.

I also agree with Exiled_red in that it's an unbalanced squad. It doesn't help when Lallana has been missing with injury, and Oxlade-Chamberlain gets an injury in the back end of the season.

Overall, it looks average, but it's nowhere near as average as some are making it out to be (from footballing fans in general).

[Deano]

No lols at 15 goals in 37 appearances.

Please don't take this the wrong way - But - **** off !

There is absolutely no excuse to pick Welbeck............Thats a **** big Chris vs Firminho argument ....

[Deano]

Most of the players you mention are too **** to be expected to make any difference tbf

I'd agree, but Welbeck and Delph plus several other full backs is woeful - too many Jack of all trades as opposed to specialists.

Shelvey and Lallana would have changed that squad.

[Deano]

. But say what you want about Southgate, but hes been good for England and the U21s. The teams play some nice football too. Not Klopp nice. But sort of better than anything since Eriksson.

Disagree - Boring at Boro and even more so at E21 - Considering U20's and U18's all won something and he didn't, speaks volumes.

Hopefully proved wrong, but i reckon he's another Coleman in disguise but without the luck

[Exiled_red]

Really?! I think it's an embarrassing squad packed to the rafters with mediocre technically inept players. Walker, Kane, Hendo and Sterling aside I'll be looking at almost every player that could start thinking, wow, really can't do any better than that?

They are pretty much the best players England have, you can argue there are a few injuries but I don't believe that any of those would increase the quality of the side significantly. I think that alot of people are under estimating alot of the players probably because they aren't getting the hype of players of the past but they aren't bad players

[Deano]

They are pretty much the best players England have, you can argue there are a few injuries but I don't believe that any of those would increase the quality of the side significantly. I think that alot of people are under estimating alot of the players probably because they aren't getting the hype of players of the past but they aren't bad players

For me he's gone jack of all, master of non - He could have taken a risk on two players instead of packing it with full backs and defensive midfielders.

He's taken Delph, Rose and Young for the LFB spot, because none of them is getting a LW spot on a midfield spot either unless there are tons of injuries.
Surely Rashford, Kane, Vardy are all ahead of Welbeck for the front spots ?

[Exiled_red]

For me he's gone jack of all, master of non - He could have taken a risk on two players instead of packing it with full backs and defensive midfielders.

He's taken Delph, Rose and Young for the LFB spot, because none of them is getting a LW spot on a midfield spot either unless there are tons of injuries.
Surely Rashford, Kane, Vardy are all ahead of Welbeck for the front spots ?

I said the same about jack of all trades and too many fullbacks, the squad isn't balanced IMO. Presumably he has a team and formation in mind but I'm not sure what happens if there are injuries or suspensions

[Deano]

I said the same about jack of all trades and too many fullbacks, the squad isn't balanced IMO. Presumably he has a team and formation in mind but I'm not sure what happens if there are injuries or suspensions

For me its far to functional - No creativity whatsoever in that team. - He's ****ed if Delle Alli gets injured IMO - Christ, I'd take Rooney FFS.

[Tatterdemalion]

Just strikes me as giving some different names for the sake of it.

I think im alone in thinking this might be one of the best England sides in about 10 years (2002 WC being the previous peak probably)

Its more like a club side than its ever been. Less superstars, but I dont think anyone really wants that.

Think we will do well.

Bizarrely I think we will too. No real optimism from me though, as generally I don't give a toss about England. If they make it to the semi's I'll give it a shout.

Yup, fairweather England fan all over.