England's Squad for Euro '04

[Jim138]

Nice to see we can't even get a goalkeeper from the top half of the Premierships these days!

Why the hell are Joe Cole and Owen Hargreaves in the squad? I'd much rather see Scott Parker (someone who isn't afraid to tackle), and Alan Smith (ditto, nor afraid to score).

I think there's the impression J Cole has been built up solely by the southern press. I've never spoken to anyone who really rates him. And how match-fit can he be anyway? At least the legend Nicky Butt will start in front of him...

[DJ Rhodes]

Joe Cole's been great for Chelsea when he's been playing this season, and he's a great 'super sub'. The best creative player in the Chelsea squad. He is about 100* better than Veron.

Scott Parker is good but England have Gerrard, Hargreaves and Butt who do his job better at the moment. Still, would rather have Parker than Keiron "Injured and Overrated" Dyer.

Hargreaves is excellent and flexible.

Would much rather have Alan Smith than Heskey though.

Ideally, I'd have:
Martyn
Wright-Phillips
Ferdinand
Campbell
Woodgate
Ashley Cole
Beckham
Gerrard
Lampard
Owen
Shearer

[Miltos]

Heskey should be dropped like the toxic **** he is. Heskey works well with Owen though, while Beattie hasn't work with him yet.

Wright-Phillips should have been picked. Amidst the carnage at Man City he was the one bright spot.

Owen
Scholes
J.Cole Gerrard Lampard Beckham
Bridge Carragher Campbell G.Neville
Robinson

That'll be my starting 11, with Rooney as a super-sub replacing one of the 5-man midfield if goals required in a hurry.

[Dino310]

I think Phil's been a bit of an unexpected revelation for Man U in midfield, he's not anywhere approaching world class but he's getting the nod for the same reason as Carragher, with those players you don't get a great player in any one position but you get a good player in 3 or 4. If the injuries kick in towards the end of the tournament (hopefully England 'll still be there) that type of player can be invaluable

James
Neville Campbell Terry Bridge
Beckham Lampard Gerrard Cole
Owen Shearer

[Paris]

One thing about England that I always find curious is how the entire team bar the centre backs are basically **** in the air (maybe Heskey, but he'd probably stumble over his own feet). Since Shearer left, Beckham's crosses have to aim for the rather diminuitive front pairing of Owen/Rooney.

But why do I care? Holland looks like a nice little team these days (RVN probably won't make the starting line up. Old warhorses like Davids, Kluivert,Seedorf and Stam mixed in with the ridiculous young talent of players like Van der Vaart, Sneijder and Robben. But I suppose it'll be another semi final exit on penalties...

James
Neville Campbell Terry Bridge
Beckham Lampard Gerrard Cole
Owen Scholes

[Dave132]

Sven cant pick a decent squad to save his life mine would be from performances over the season, not his **** where he will pick same old team for years unless theres an injury
Robinson
G. Neville Campbell Terry Bridge
Beckham Gerrard Butt Lampard
Scholes
Beattie
with Owen & Rooney on the bench as super subs cause they'll be even more deadly if they *** on running at tired defences, whereas Beattie is more of an all-round striker in stead of those 2 who can't head the ball to save their life n Owen's really only got pace, his finishings bin poor all season, he doesnt deserve to start the way he's played for his club, and in my opinion if you can't perform at club level you shoudnt have the chance to perform at international level