The Official English National Football Team Thread

Perhaps this will get locked or very few replies, but especially with the WC coming up, shall we have a thread where we can just discuss the national team continuously, rather than only when match threads come up?

If so, lets get the ball rolling, Gary Neville to anyone? With the LB problem, we may have both Neville's returning \o/

If this thread gets going, I will edit it to put the standard OP information!

Would help if was in the correct forum

Should be in the Football forum.

And the last thing I want to see is both Nevilles in the national team.

Bloody hell, don't know how I put this in the wrong forum! Was convinced I was in the FF when I made this. Can a mod move this please?

Sorry!

Makes sense to have one.

So.. England's Number 1. David James? Case Closed.

Makes sense to have one.

So.. England's Number 1. David James? Case Closed.

Yep England's holding midfielder Hayden Mullins? Case Closed.

Joe Hart tyvm

Yep England's holding midfielder Hayden Mullins? Case Closed.

Well Pardew did play him ahead of Mascherano, so he must be good.

Yes! We do need an England thread.

Well Pardew did play him ahead of Mascherano' date=' so he must be good. [/quote']

World Cup 11?

David James

Callum Reynolds

James Hurst

Luke Wilkinson

Joel Ward

Tommy Smith

Jamie O'Hara

Hayden Mullins

Michael Brown

Danny Webber

Paris Cowan-Hall

I think it was about time you guys had an English national team thread, hopefully other national teams will have threads too eventually (right now I think Brazil is the only other national team that has a thread).

Even Tevez was left on the bench ffs.

Joe Hart >> Green >> James.

Don't think we've got a chance of winning it mind.

Joe Hart >> Green >> James.

Don't think we've got a chance of winning it mind.

Oh recent form James should be well abov Green.

Not exactly looking great at the moment.

We have one player on form, the rest are either injured, out of form, and then there's the Terry situation.

Oh recent form James should be well abov Green.

That would be a totally un-biased opinion?

That would be a totally un-biased opinion?

Umm yeah of course, no connection with James what so ever

Even Tevez was left on the bench ffs.

Best Manager around, just ask MLG

I'd have Gary Neville over Wes Brown like a shot. Loved watching him roll back the years on Wednesday night

Come on Fabio, you know it makes sense.

I would be quite happy if G. Neville got back into the England team, now with Johnson and Brown injured, surely he is the next best option. His cross on Wednesday night for Rooney's header was brilliant and I think that he could offer alot at the World Cup.

I'll be very disappointed if Tony Hibbert isn't on the plane.

I hate Gary Neville so keep him away from the squad at all costs.

Oh and we won't win the WC

Oh and we won't win the WC

Sadly the general public don't accept failure. Realistically the team should make the Semi's, unless we got someone like Spain in the Quarters, then I'd expect to go out.

I reckon Neville has a decent shout at being included. Has a proven track record for England and is a reliable fullback.

Hope Gary Neville isn't included, but his experience could prove very useful around the camp in South Africa.

Phil > Gary, added play-everywhere-ability. Gary is too slow for my liking, only thing going for him is the fact he'll probably be a better crosser of the ball than the right wingers we'll actually play in SA

But G. Neville is guaranteed to produce one good cross a game. The rest of them usually go out of the stadium but if that one cross reaches the head of Rooney then we are laughing.

But G. Neville is guaranteed to produce one good cross a game. The rest of them usually go out of the stadium but if that one cross reaches the head of Rooney then we are laughing.

I agree with this, G. Neveille always manages atleast one good cross a game. The only problem is that when he goes forward he requires somebody to cover his position at right back until he gets back, Fletcher did this well on Wednesday but I don't know how the England team will manage.

Shame about Neville's pace, as technically and mentally he is streets ahead of Johnson or Brown. Also, unless you are a Liverpool fan, I really don't get the Neville hate? Not the most naturally talented player, but he worked his socks of to become one the best right backs in the world, was outstanding before his injury problems.

As for goal, I would love Hart to be no1, but obviously looks like Green. Hopefully Hart can be number one for the Euro 2012 qualifiers. There are a lot of worries for the rest of the team with injuries etc- btw I'm very glad Carrick is playing well, he could well be a very useful player for us, along with Milner, as the first players to come in for any subsitutions, injuries etc.

I would have to say that James would be my choice for #1. Green always seems to make stupid mistakes and I don't think that Hart really has enough experience.

Hart will get his chance, remember he's still young in goalkeeping terms, the WC is a bit too early imo.

Give him a few games in friendlies after the world cup then stick him in as our #1 for the Euro Qualifiers.

Aaron Lennon struggling to regain fitness - Redknapp

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp admits winger Aaron Lennon is "quite a way off" being fit with the start of the World Cup less than three months away.

Lennon suffered an setback last month, having already been sidelined for two months with groin muscle tears.

Asked on BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek programme if Lennon was a World Cup doubt, Redknapp said "I hope not.

"I hope he's going to be okay. I hope he'll play for us before the end of the season. He's desperate to get fit."

Redknapp, whose side have made light of Lennon's recent absence by going fourth in the Premier League table, added: "It must be frustrating for Aaron, we just can't get him right.

He's had a few goes and broken down. He's been back to the specialist. We're taking our time again, building up his strength in the groin area.

"He works every day with the physios and hopefully he will be working back outside shortly but he's not ready to join the group again. He's quite a way off.

"He could suddenly see a bit of light and come back and if he does then he could be ready [for the World Cup]. Four or five weeks, we'll have to wait and see."

England coach Fabio Capello is already contemplating the possibility of travelling to South Africa without first-choice left-back Ashley Cole, who is recovering from a broken ankle.

Oh, and apparently all the FAs are meeting tomorrow to decide the order of the Euro 2012 fixtures.

I presume Fabio will want to try and get the Bulgaria/Switzerland aways out of the way in Sept/Oct.

I'd like to see Gary Neville on the plane to SA. Best backup to Johnson and Brown that we've got. Yes, he's not the quickest player in the world, but he can deliver some killer crosses!

I'd have James as #1 too, with Hart 2nd choice. Hart is a good keeper, no doubt about it, but he hasn't been to a major tournamet before and won't be as prepared mentally as David James will.

I'll be very disappointed if Tony Hibbert isn't on the plane.

He'll be there and he'll score the winner in the final

Oh and Hart is a really good keeper. Really hope he doesn't go back to Citeh and sit on the bench. If I were Capello, I'd give Hart a chance in the friendlies before the WC and if he does well, then take him along to South Africa.

I'm glad this thread appears to be of some use! Have always thought we needed one, just whenever I wanted to speak about England, with no match threads around.

What's everyone's thoughts on Micah Richards?

Was always in the squad when the wolly with the brolly was in charge but never gets a look in anymore. Haven't really seen much of him to comment tbh.

His tactical awareness has been poor whenever I've seen him.

Athletic but thick.

Booked a holiday yesterday to Ayia Napa. Leave on July 10th, World Cup final July 11th, how cool would it be watching England lift the cup in a Cypriot bar?

I want this.

Micah Richards (he's exactly what brett said) has to do something special to get on the plane, think its a cert that the right backs will be Johnson and Brown

I really wouldn't be surprised to see G Neville on the plane. Especially seen as the player ahead of him in the squad (Brown), is behind him in the United team.

I think Neville will be third choice, so will miss out if Johnson and Brown both get back fit and playing. Still more worried about LB tbh - NOTW reporting today that there's no chance of Ashley Cole playing for Chelsea again this season

Worth adding though that Chelsea have apparently refuted the story.

Just thought i'd post in here that we might want to forget any participation on the part of Beckham at the WC. He got what looked like a pretty serious injury tonight against (the mighty) Chievo.

I think Neville will be third choice, so will miss out if Johnson and Brown both get back fit and playing. Still more worried about LB tbh - NOTW reporting today that there's no chance of Ashley Cole playing for Chelsea again this season

Cole and Rooney are the only players who actually can replicate their club performances with the National team

I don't know how the usual PL dolts think that either Baines or Warnock can replace Cole in the WC

Just thought i'd post in here that we might want to forget any participation on the part of Beckham at the WC. He got what looked like a pretty serious injury tonight against (the mighty) Chievo.

Who's gonna save England now from Gerrard's FKs? Does Milner take FKs?

ffs Beckham

hmm, not great, at least its not somebody who would have started regularly, shame for Becks though, won't get another chance