World Cup 2018

(17-05-2018 05:49 )hotfuzz1981 Wrote:  what a shit England squad I can't believe Chris Smalling got left out for Phil Jones when Chris Smalling has had a better season then Phil Jones , Phil Jones gets injured a lot I don't know why Trent Alexander-Arnold got picked I have never hered of him Gary Cahill has had a shit season for Chelsea Jordan Henderson should never play for England he is shit I don't know why Ruben Loftus-Cheek picked I would of picked none of those players England won't go far with that squad then Southgate will get the sack after the world cup

Think Cahill and Jones are there for experience and the fact jones can also play defensive midfield postion. smalling was always a liabilty. i it wasnt for them then would be playing a very inexperienced back 4 which could be a blessing or a curse depends

Alexander Arnold has had a good season for Liverpool including playing for them all the way to the Champions League final so I would say his place has been well earned

Actually looking at the squad it's interesting to see that this is a team that has got some decent Champions League experience in it, Spurs unfortunately pushing their way into the top four and having a few of these players has helped change things a bit as well as Leicester's stint last season

surely a fit wilshire should go right?

Definitely, I wouldn't expect him to start but he should be part of that squad

Maybe his reputation as a Jack the Lad Wilshire has done him too much damage

(17-05-2018 11:15 )terence Wrote:  surely a fit wilshire should go right?

I think it's the difference between fit and match fit, in form and playing regularly in a top side with proven winning mentality. Look at the teams all Southgate's outfield choices play for, and have played for fairly regularly this season, all finished in the top half.

I don't think Wheelchair enamoured himself by pulling out of the last friendlies either.

(17-05-2018 05:49 )hotfuzz1981 Wrote:  I can't believe Chris Smalling got left out for Phil Jones when Chris Smalling has had a better season then Phil Jones

Those decisions couldn't have been a surprise to everyone, as Jones was 1/3 with the bookmakers to be included in the squad, with Smalling at 9/4.

The bookmakers are usually pretty close with these squads, usually only 1 or 2 players out, but this time 5 players who were odds-on to be included didn't make it. That's Hart, Wilshere, Lallana, Tarkowski and Bertrand.

I'm shocked Tarkowski hasn't been picked. I think Shelvey and Bertrand are unlucky to miss out and I'd have taken Wilshere if fit.

I don’t understand Lallana's omission - if he's considered fit enough for standby then he has to be in squad surely (if not the team).

(17-05-2018 11:15 )terence Wrote:  surely a fit wilshire should go right?

But Southgate must have doubts about his fitness, despite him playing 38 games this season. The fact that he isn't even on the standby list seems to demonstrate this, as it's very hard for anyone to argue that Jake Livermore (who did make the standby list) is a better footballer than Jack Wilshere.

Must admit I didn't realise it was that many. Starts in the league were less easy to come by though. That's the thing with him and players like him. It's a perception thing.

He's looked pretty lightweight when I've seen him in the flesh for England. The glass ankled sort. He's come out in the papers saying he was fit and strong "all season" and yet he pulled out of the friendlies earlier this yeat with an "injury". And Wenger for all his apparent backing of him after last summer when he couldn't find another club (who are reported to have had the same old doubts about him) - even he often prefered others to him still.

Phil Jones has just Utd a goal and he's lucky to still be on the pitch.
He doesn't look internation class. I hope that Southgate hopes to have him as a replacement and not a starter.