Twenty Three Lions – Who is on the plane, and who is waiting in vain?

Article by Robert Wake

England’s recent friendlies against Chile and Germany, may have bought two defeats for the team, but which players enhanced their reputation, which players took a step back, and could there still be some surprise inclusions in Roy’s final selection for Brazil?

GOALKEEPERS

Celtic’s Fraser Forster started and finished the game against Chile, and could not be faulted for either goal. It seems though that Joe Hart remains the undisputed number 1, and though he made two or three smart saves against the Germans, he also showed vulnerability in decision making when once again rushing from his line unnecessarily during the second half.

Norwich’s John Ruddy was inexplicably not used in either game, which must leave a question mark over his inclusion in the squad for Brazil. West Brom’s Ben Foster could yet be included at his expense.

DEFENDERS

Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka are clearly Hodgson’s preferred partnership in central defence, while Kyle Walker, Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole and Leighton Baines seemed sure of their places barring injury.

That just leaves one or two places up for grabs in the back line. Both Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are capable of covering multiple positions, which is always a useful attribute for a Manager to call upon. Jones ability to play in midfield may give him the edge of the two.

The fact that none of Cahill, Cole, Smalling or Jones are guaranteed first choices for their clubs must be of some concern to Hodgson, though they may have the advantage of being fresh come the tournament.

Michael Dawson has been in good form for Tottenham and would certainly merit consideration.

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MIDFIELDERS

Hodgson has recently been using a 4-2-3-1 formation. Personally, I don’t feel it suits the personnel available to him, and I go into greater detail about this below. However, it is unlikely that he will change the formation now, so my views will be based on the above formation.

Steven Gerrard as Captain will be on the plane. The choice alongside him in the ‘double pivot’ would appear to be between Michael Carrick, Jack Wilshere and Frank Lampard. Two of those three will make the trip, but should Hodgson include Phil Jones, he may feel that he has sufficient cover to leave one at home.

Neither Jordan Henderson nor Tom Cleverley did much to enhance their claims and may have to be content with being on the standby list.

Ahead of the ‘double pivot’, Andros Townsend appears a nailed on starter, Theo Walcott’s pace should ensure his place in the squad, while James Milner’s versatility has been highly valued by successive England Managers.

Of the others, Adam Lallana impressed in the recent friendlies, and is likely to compete with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Lennon for squad places. Ross Barkley looks a highly accomplished young player, but this World Cup may be a little soon for him, as may also be the case for West Ham’s Ravel Morrison.

FORWARDS

For the purpose of this piece, I am classing Wayne Rooney as a forward, though he is likely to be in ‘the hole’ off a lone striker. Rooney is a shoe-in. His United team-mate, Danny Welbeck also seems likely to make the squad. Again, Welbeck may be utilised on the left side in Hodgson’s favoured formation, and like a modern day Emile Heskey, his value to the team may be greater than his individual talent.

Jay Rodriguez did little to catch the eye against Chile, and may be added to the list of one-cap wonders.

Of the remaining candidates, Daniel Sturridge seems certain to be included, which may leave Jermaine Defoe and Rickie Lambert chasing the last forward place. Much as I admire Lambert’s attitude, I would favour Defoe of the two, as he is a natural finisher, and could be useful off the bench.

FORMATION

As I alluded to earlier, I do not think that England’s current crop of players are ideally suited to the 4-2-3-1 formation currently favoured by Roy Hodgson. For me, it places too many square pegs in round holes, notably Welbeck on the left, or indeed in the team at all! I believe England would be better balanced playing 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2.

One combination I would like to see tried is Ashley Cole at left back, with Leighton Baines ahead of him in a midfield four. Hodgson has said there is little to choose between them, so why not include both. Cole is generally regarded as the better defender, while Baines is more comfortable going forward, and gives the added ingredient of his dead-ball delivery which could make all the difference in tight games. Andros Townsend playing ahead of Kyle Walker on the right makes sense to me, with Wilshere partnering Gerrard in central midfield.

The central defence does concern me, but I would stick with Jagielka and Cahill, though Dawson has legitimate claims.

Up front, Rooney off Sturridge seems the most potent strike force on current form while I wait for Welbeck to prove me wrong.

MY 23 FOR BRAZIL

GOALKEEPERS – Joe Hart, Fraser Forster, John Ruddy

DEFENDERS – Kyle Walker, Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Michael Dawson, Phil Jones.

MIDFIELDERS – Steven Gerrard, Jack Wilshere, Michael Carrick, James Milner, Andros Townsend, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Adam Lallana.

FORWARDS – Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Jermaine Defoe, Danny Welbeck.

STANDBY LIST – Ben Foster, Chris Smalling, Ross Barkley, Frank Lampard, Ravel Morrison, Aaron Lennon, Rickie Lambert.

STARTING XI IN 4-4-1-1 FORMATION

Hart

 

Walker, Cahill, Jagielka, Cole

 

Townsend, Gerrard, Wilshere, Baines

 

Rooney

 

Sturridge

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