England squad...

[TBM]

Is that why Downing ended up with no assists this season?!

I would query the crossing, not the target man

Likewise, but you said they 'only realised Carroll could head it...', they've been lobbing it his way all season, just not very well.

Yeah, i didn't mean literally - i don't think Liverpool players are that dumb.....i just meant they never did it effectively until the 2nd half of the cup final and then the following league game.

[TBM]

I would've picked Sturridge

I would have done over Wellbeck - but if you had Wellbeck/Sturridge/Carroll/Rooney, it'll mean no experience in the first two games......at least Defoe has been there and knows what to expect etc

It's just a game of football. If you've played in the Champions League then what's the difference?

Ability of player > how many times they're previously failed at an international tournament

Thomas Muller hadn't been to a major tournament before 2010 (when he was only 20) and he ended up with the golden boot. Same with Khedira, went to WC 2010 the same season as his international debut.

But you don't know how they will react and if things aren't going well you need to bring on someone who wont be nervous or trying to impress....i just think Defoe is our "safe" option when Wellbeck/Carroll aren't performing

[southbank1871]

I think Defoe's proven ability to come into a team, either as a starter or a sub, often having not played much recently, and still score goals is why he's in there.

[Hoop Blah]

Liverpool created a bucket load of chances over the season, that was never an issue. Taking them certainly was though, that was down to pretty much every one at the club not just one or two players.

As for England, I think they'll start something like

Hart
Jones, Cahill, Terry, Cole
Walcott, Parker, Lampard, Young
Gerrard
Welbeck

Welbeck in against the French for me due to his work rate, he's essentially the better 'defensive forward'.

[TBM]

With Walcott and Young playing i just dont think he'll have Lampard in the middle.....he'll more than likely go with Barry to sit with Parker and allow Gerrard/Walcott/Young to get forward

[Hoop Blah]

I thought that originally as well, but thinking about it a bit more, and now Gerrard is skipper, I think he might opt for Lampard's extra creativity and mobility over Barry's better defensive work.

50/50 call perhaps, but now he's skipper Gerrard will surely be starting, which I'm a little suprised at.

[6ft Kerplunk]

I think he might opt for Lampard's extra creativity and mobility over Barry's better defensive work.

Mobility, you have seen Lampard this season haven't you? Have to say I'm not a fan of Barry but he's been excellent recently. Although that may be as much to who's around him in the City midfield as anything.

[Maguire]

I think it'll be Lampard and Parker with Gerrard supporting a lone striker (either Carroll or Welbeck, suspect the former).

[Hoop Blah]

I think he might opt for Lampard's extra creativity and mobility over Barry's better defensive work.

Mobility, you have seen Lampard this season haven't you? Have to say I'm not a fan of Barry but he's been excellent recently. Although that may be as much to who's around him in the City midfield as anything.

I've watched a fair bit of both over the last 4 or 5 weeks, and obviously for years before, and there's no doubt in my mind that Lampard is more mobile than Barry yes.

Barry has played very well lately, as has Lampard, but if we're effectively playing 4-5-1 with Welbeck upfront then you need goals in midfield. Lampard has plenty more goals in him than Barry.

[pea]

I think it'll be Lampard and Parker with Gerrard supporting a lone striker (either Carroll or Welbeck, suspect the former).

This if Parker is fit,

If not it will be the tried and tested failure of Barry/Gerrard/Lampard in midfield

[cmonurz]

Personally I blame Wilshere for managing to be out for a whole year with a sprained ankle.

[southbank1871]

Personally I blame Wilshere for managing to be out for a whole year with a sprained ankle.

Of course the strong rumour I've heard from a pretty reliable source is that Wilshere has actually been serving a drugs ban and isn't injured at all.

[Silver Fox]

As the great Bill Shankly once said "If you're fit enough to film a Pepsi Max advert, you're fit enough to play football"

[ZacNaloen]

Personally I blame Wilshere for managing to be out for a whole year with a sprained ankle.

Of course the strong rumour I've heard from a pretty reliable source is that Wilshere has actually been serving a drugs ban and isn't injured at all.

No way the media would keep that quiet

[southbank1871]

That's what I thought, but it's what I've been told, and like I said its from a pretty reliable source. Obviously it wasn't nearly as high profile, but a similar thing happened with Garry O'Connor when he was at Birmingham.

[who are ya?]

We should all ask him on Twitter

[southbank1871]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/se ... ry-oconnor

[southbank1871]

We should all ask him on Twitter

Lol - you'd probably have his lawyers all over you

[Maguire]

I think it'll be Lampard and Parker with Gerrard supporting a lone striker (either Carroll or Welbeck, suspect the former).

This if Parker is fit,

If not it will be the tried and tested failure of Barry/Gerrard/Lampard in midfield

Yep, although at least they won't have them as part of a four man midfield.

[Extended-Phenotype]

That's what I thought, but it's what I've been told, and like I said its from a pretty reliable source. Obviously it wasn't nearly as high profile, but a similar thing happened with Garry O'Connor when he was at Birmingham.

The lad is a teetotaler, and you reckon he's been whuffing chems?