England’s Squad: Our Predictions

May 31st, 2010 | by: Ethan Dean-Richards |

SOCCER ENGLAND CAPELLO

I agree with Ethan…or maybe Rob…or maybe SoccerLimey…or maybe Matilda…

Yesterday Fabio Capello told us that he knew who his final 23 were and tomorrow he will tell us exactly who they are. Here at the England World Cup blog though, we think we think we already know: the only problem is, we “know” different things! Never mind, here are our predictions of who will make the England squad, who won’t, and who should’ve:

Rob Thinks

Goalkeepers
Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green
Defenders
Leighton Baines, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson
Midfielders
Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Theo Walcott
Forwards
Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney

Which would leave no room for: Michael Dawson “because we’re unlikely to see an uncapped player taken to the World Cup”. Steven Warnock “because he didn’t play in the friendlies”. Scott Parker “for the same reason as Warnock: he didn’t get a chance to prove he can cover Barry so we can assume he’s going home”. Tom Huddlestone, “after his utterly unconvincing performance yesterday”. Adam Johnson: “He’s only had five minutes so far: he’s the future, but not the immediate future”. Shaun Wright-Phillips ”has plenty ahead of him in competition for the right wing berth”. Darren Bent: “no England goals: doesn’t link up with Rooney: no chance”

His Predicted Lineup:

Rob's lineup

He reckons Capello will switch between a target man up front (with Rooney moving deeper, Gerrard moving wide and Joe Cole moving to the bench) and Gerrard or Joe Cole behind Rooney. He thinks Capello will start with Lennon, but would personally start with Walcott. If Barry’s not fit, he’d put in Michael Carrick in his place. As for the goalkeeper, he likes Hart, but thinks that he’s too inexperienced and believes that Capello will go for Green, mainly for his penalty-saving prowess and reliability

SoccerLimey Thinks

Goalkeepers
Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green
Defenders
Leighton Baines, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry,
Midfielders
Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Theo Walcott, Adam Johnson
Forwards
Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney

Which would leave no room for: Michael Dawson, Matthew Upson, Steven Warnock, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Tom Huddlestone, Scott Parker or Darren Bent.

His predicted lineup:

SoccerLimey is sure we need a target man and favours Crouch. Interestingly he also thinks that Joe Hart, after impressive displays all season and in the second halves of both recent friendlies should and will start.

Ethan (Me!) Thinks

Which would leave no room for: Michael Dawson, Matthew Upson, Steven Warnock, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Tom Huddlestone, Scott Parker or Darren Bent.

That’s exactly the same as SoccerLimey’s I hear you cry. Well, yes, I too think Capello will follow several other World Cup coaches in naming only seven defenders (Matthew Upson missing out, allowing Adam Johnson to travel) because, whilst King and Ferdinand are prone to injuries Jamie Carragher serves both as a centre and full back. Upson hasn’t featured in the friendlies, which is telling. Other than that I think most of the decisions are relatively obvious – for all the reasons Rob gave.

Ethan’s (or should that be: “my”?) lineup:

Ethan

I would be interested to see Rooney behind Gerrard, with Joe Cole on the left following his impressive performance on Sunday (as Rob predicts) and like Rob, I also think Capello will try both that and a target man system. However, in the big games (if we get there) I think he’ll start with Rooney behind Heskey. Why Heskey and not Crouch as the target man? Well, because although Crouch scores more goals, based on the Mexico game I actually think it’s a misconception that he links play well (he just looks like he should be able to). I’m increasingly confident that Gareth Barry will be fit, AT LEAST for the second group game and that allows Capello to pick the eleven he went most often for in the qualifying campaign. Finally, I’ve guessed David James will start in goal, but it could easily be either of the other two (I actually think they’re all playing well.)

Matilda Thinks

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Rob Green

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner

Forwards: Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney

Which would leave no room for: Stephen Warnock, Matty Upson, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Sean Wright-Phillips, Tom Huddlstone, Emile Heskey

For a play-by-play of Matilda’s thought process in these selctions, just pop on over here. (Yes, that was just because she was too lazy to type it all out again. Judge as you wish.)

Her predicted lineup:

Rob's lineup

So yes, that is the exact same line up that Rob picked, but wait she has different things to say about it! She’s sticking with Green in goal, The back line basically picks itself (if England had a right back who could actually defend, she would pick him). Despite John Terry and Rio Ferdinand’s unconvincing performances this season, they remain the best in the land in the centre. Pushing Gerrard forward to sit just behind Rooney seems to Matilda to be the best way to utilize all of England’s best players without making them redundant. Joe Cole has definitely earned a place on the pitch based on his recent performances for both England and Chelsea. Barry has been proven the best we have in the centre, more through everyone elses’ incompetency than his own merit. Lampard of course walks into the squad. The Gerrard-Rooney connection is very different from what we used in the qualifiers, but this is a formation that both players have used (and thrived in) at their clubs, so she can see it working out very nicely for all parties.

Mainly, following disappointing performances in the warm up games, we seem to agree on who to cut and who to start. What do you think?

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http://england.worldcupblog.org Ethan Dean-Richards

Oh look, I’m a comment.

I hope there are more of me to come
hey guys

hey guys, walcott is dreadful. pace, thats it cant see how he can make it in ahead of johnson, ye hes got more expeerience but theres plenty of that in squad already. awful delivery and for me i think johnson beats playrs with a greater ease… whos favourite to start in goal do u know???
http://england.worldcupblog.org Ethan Dean-Richards

I think the fact that all three goalkeepers were named at least once says it all on that front…I guessed James…

As for Walcott, don’t write him off too quickly: he’s always capable of breaking through a defense, even when he’s looked awful all game
chup

Well Ethan, I completely agree with your 23 and I wish that Capello makes the same decisions. Those are the best players England has at the moment (Ok, maybe there should be room for Owen, Hargreaves and Beckham if they weren’t injured) and they have every chance of walking away with the cup in their hands.

I’m glad Joe Cole managed to get back in the squad. He’s a player who can do some real magic.
http://soccerlimeyinamerica.com SoccerLimey

Disagree about our back four. Any defense that has Glen Johnson in it will never be solid. His attacking prowess makes up for his defensive shortcomings. I wouldn’t start Walcott in any of these games assuming nobody gets injured. He’s a man we can bring on to inject some pace into the proceedings, but if you noticed against Japan, he’s lost when he gets double-teamed. Hart will always be my choice, followed by Green. I’m not sure what you’re watching when you talk about “versatility”. I think that’s the one attribute that Capello saw that his squad doesn’t have.
http://england.worldcupblog.org Ethan Dean-Richards

Well, I think Johnson’s improving, but he’s definitely the weak link.
http://england.worldcupblog.org Ethan Dean-Richards

Love semantics
Adamski

I too like the Gerrard/Rooney combination up front and I think Capello will have one eye to this formation as it helps utilise England’s best players in favoured positions.
Rooney’s form this year as a striker and Heskey’s lack of form have persuaded me that this option should be plan A.
I also like J Cole on the left, as he is comfortable in possession and offers something a bit different from England’s other players.
If Gerrard/Rooney was plan A, I would be tempted to take just three out-and-out strikers – Rooney, Defoe and Crouch, with the idea that Gerrard would be mostly playing as a second striker, so further cover would be unnecessary.
So bye-bye Heskey, which leaves room for an extra Midfield spot – Shaun Wright Phillips. Yes I know we already have Lennon/Walcott, but I would be worried about Lennon breaking down and I do not yet see Walcott as a 90-minute player. Other than that, same squad/team as Rob.
Johnny b BAD

SWP > Walcott.

They both have incredible speed which they use to make things happen, but SWP works harder, gets into better positions, has more experience, looks less lost on the pitch, and has better scoring ability (marginally).

Walcott just isn’t ready: he’s infuriatingly one-dimensional.

—

I’m expecting a good goal return from Crouch this World Cup (even if it means shifting Gerrard to the left).
tobias

England has a very good squad with so many options for the coach. there should not be any problem with barry as other players should fill in his void if he eventually fails to make it.
WC_Metro

You all chose different goalkeepers!

I really hope Bent goes. He didn’t play great in the friendlies but he could be useful as a sub.
http://england.worldcupblog.org Ethan Dean-Richards

Bent’s not going. Confirmed

All the other strikers go
Fredo

Hi guys, here (http://www.mixin.com/users/worldcup_england) is the schedule of England matches… they will be great if anybody wants to add some pictures or vidéos^^
http://england.worldcupblog.org Ethan Dean-Richards

Walcott omitted! NOOOOOO!

I’m in shock – does this mean SWP is going?
http://england.worldcupblog.org Ethan Dean-Richards

I feel sorry for Theo
http://england2010andbeyond.blogspot.com lee edmondson

Interesting article, england worry me and always seem too be too cautious and shaky in the final stages of major tournaments, spain are quite rightly favorites but for me the dark horses are germany and unbelievably with some bookmakers in the Uk the 2006 world champions Italy are 16-1 to defend their title..
http://england2010andbeyond.blogspot.com lee edmondson

and on the subject of the squad can you explain to me why stephen warnock has just been confirmed as going on the plane to South Africa??
http://england.worldcupblog.org Ethan Dean-Richards

Baines is homesick supposedly, and has performed poorly in the friendlies.

Warnock is more solid defensively as well
Rob

Still waiting for Fabio to confirm the 23, but I’m gutted he’s left out Theo and taken SWP.
http://england.worldcupblog.org Ethan Dean-Richards

BBC and Guardian both say Walcott’s exclusion is confirmed and SWP’s inclusion is too.

I am also gutted.
http://england.worldcupblog.org Ethan Dean-Richards

King makes it. Joe Cole does too.
Rob

Full squad announced in around 45 minutes. This modern reveal-via-Twitter player-by-player is madness. Just announce the list!
http://england.worldcupblog.org Ethan Dean-Richards

MADNESS!!!
chelsea white

madness I think a man who has experience and is more qualified than you to make decisions for the squad. so go play with your wii.
http://nil buhari

The only player am missing is Theo Walcot, and if care is not taking, Capello as England coach may posibly regret is action, 4rm buhari Nigeria.
http://twitter.com/shenazmiah95 shenaz miah

go on ENGLAND !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11