England's Clean Slate 11

[Alioune DVToure]

My heart sank when Ballsackface was interviewed earlier and said his first move as England manager would be to call up Paul Scholes. What is wrong with the big scrotum-headed, quivering wideboy?

This got me thinking. If we were to clear out the deadwood, the past-its, the hangers-on and the injury prone as well as giving other players more of a chance, what would your team, bench and squad for Euro 2012 look like? No prejudice or anti-club bias allowed (as far as is possible). This is also hypothetical, so current injuries and suspensions are out of the window.

Mine:

-------------------------Hart

Richards-------Jagielka---Lescott-----------Cole

-------------------Parker---Barry

Milner---------------Wilshere--------------Young

-----------------------Rooney

Subs: Ruddy, Baines, Cahill, A.Johnson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Bent, Defoe.

Rest of squad: Foster, Walker, Smalling, Carrick, Sturridge.

I honestly like the look of my squad. Lescott and Jagielka were immense against Spain and have never let England down. Ruddy and Chamberlain should be given their chance to show that they're squad-quality. Terry, Ferdinand, Gerrard and Lampard offer nothing these days and have to go. The only players from the old guard who are automatic picks are Cole and Shrek.

If it's too late to get some of these players playing together before the Euros (and I don't think it is), then I'd definitely go this way for the first WC qualifying game. Barry or Parker as captain.

[BalotelliFC]

My squat would be:

---------------------------Hart----------------------------
Richards---------Terry--------Lescott---------Baines
Milner-----------Parker------Whilshere-------Young
------------------Rooney-----Sturidge---------

[citytilidie]

................Hart.............
Richards..Terry..Lescott..Cole
.......Parker....Milner..........
Oxlade....Gerrard......Young
............Rooney...........

[Dingus McDouchey]

Wrong! Neither of you have mentioned Phil Jones, Danny Welbeck, or Cleversley. The future of English football.

[Alioune DVToure]

Wrong! Neither of you have mentioned Phil Jones, Danny Welbeck, or Cleversley. The future of English football.

Were I manager, I'd be willing to give all three of them a chance. I think they're all borderline squad quality at the moment. They just play in positions that you wouldn't want to experiment with in big games. You definitely can't play rookie centre-halves (or keepers) at international tournaments.

I'd also consider including Jack Rodwell.

[bobby brows]

Think you've got it almost bang on Alioune! Phil Jones deserves to be in the squad and argubaly in the starting 11. Welbeck prob hasn't got it at international level but I'd have him over Bent, but he's fast, big and willing to work. Cleverley needs to play more domestic games first

Just make one of those city players in the starting 11 the captain.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

His team will be:
Hart
Walker,Dawson,Smalling,Cole
Scholes,Parker
Lennon,Defoe,Rooney,Wellbeck

[gillie]

My heart sank when Ballsackface was interviewed earlier and said his first move as England manager would be to call up Paul Scholes. What is wrong with the big scrotum-headed, quivering wideboy?
That tells me he is'nt the man for the job ffs thats goin backwards.

[Alioune DVToure]

Think you've got it almost bang on Alioune! [highlight]Phil Jones deserves to be in the squad and argubaly in the starting 11.[/highlight] Welbeck prob hasn't got it at international level but I'd have him over Bent, but he's fast, big and willing to work. Cleverley needs to play more domestic games first

Just make one of those city players in the starting 11 the captain.

He probably would be a good member of the squad with his versatility but I wouldn't have him in the starting eleven. He could plug the odd gap here and there (CB,RB,DM) from the bench.

Also, be prepared to have people jump down your throat for even making the suggestion in the first place!

[Alioune DVToure]

His team will be:
Hart
Walker,Dawson,Smalling,Cole
Scholes,Parker
Lennon,Defoe,Rooney,Wellbeck

And yours? I think we can safely assume Barry and Milner would be in there, right?

[Alioune DVToure]

I think what I've also (subconsciously) tried to do is have a bonfire of the dickheads. Other than Shrek, Cole and Sturridge, all the others in my preferred squad are decent professionals and people.

[Blue2]

Jones- most overrated young England player EVER.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

His team will be:
Hart
Walker,Dawson,Smalling,Cole
Scholes,Parker
Lennon,Defoe,Rooney,Wellbeck

And yours? I think we can safely assume Barry and Milner would be in there, right?

Nope.Mine might be:
Hart
Richards,Jagielka,Lescott,Cole
Chamberlain,Wishere,Gerard,Young
Rooney,Sturridge

Not really sure about Sturridge and Gerard only if he seriously ups his game and proves he hasnt totally lost it.

[halnone]

Jones- most overrated young England player EVER.

Agreed.

He doesn't look special at all. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough.

[Alioune DVToure]

His team will be:
Hart
Walker,Dawson,Smalling,Cole
Scholes,Parker
Lennon,Defoe,Rooney,Wellbeck

And yours? I think we can safely assume Barry and Milner would be in there, right?

Nope.Mine might be:
Hart
Richards,Jagielka,Lescott,Cole
Chamberlain,Wishere,Gerard,Young
Rooney,Sturridge

Not really sure about Sturridge and Gerard only if he seriously ups his game and proves he hasnt totally lost it.

Doug's first press conference as new England manager:

[youtube]v7hEqCdAwjs[/youtube]

[halnone]

------------- Foster
Johnson - Terry - Dawson - Cole
Beckham - Scholes - Gerrard - Young
------------- Rooney
-----------Andy Carroll

[Douglas Higginbottom]

His team will be:
Hart
Walker,Dawson,Smalling,Cole
Scholes,Parker
Lennon,Defoe,Rooney,Wellbeck

And yours? I think we can safely assume Barry and Milner would be in there, right?

Nope.Mine might be:
Hart
Richards,Jagielka,Lescott,Cole
Chamberlain,Wishere,Gerard,Young
Rooney,Sturridge

Not really sure about Sturridge and Gerard only if he seriously ups his game and proves he hasnt totally lost it.

Doug's first press conference as new England manager:

[youtube]v7hEqCdAwjs[/youtube]

Close :) Not actually 4.4.2 though but I would leave it looking like that on paper to bemuse the demented ones

[Buffalo Soldier]

----------------Hart
Richards-Lescott-Jagielka-Cole
---------------Parker
--------Milner-------Wilshere
Sturridge-----------------Young
----------------Shrek

Subs: Ruddy, Oxlade Chamberlain, Barry, Baines, Cahill, A. Johnson, Bent

[halnone]

My previous team was a joke for those who might think I'm serious.

What I really would have:

-----------------Hart
Richards --- Lescott -- Baines
-------Barry-------Parker-------
Walcott--- Wilshere ----- Ox
---------Studge
------ Roonpig


Maybe a little too attacking.

Edit: Would rather have Walcott on the right over Milner.
fuck, now I have 3 arsenal mids.

[1950]

Nope.Mine might be:
Hart
Richards,Jagielka,Lescott,Cole
Chamberlain,Wishere,Gerard,Young
Rooney,Sturridge

Not really sure about Sturridge and Gerard only if he seriously ups his game and proves he hasnt totally lost it.

I seriously seriously doubt that Gerrard can play in a midfield two anymore. He's shot as a midfielder imo & should be played in the hole, if at all.
Wilshere would have to do all the work in that midfield which is a bit optimistic.

Robert Green should be number 2.

Not sure about Young. I know that most City fans are very critical of AJ, but Young has been shocking for yonks, even before his injury.

GK

Hart
Green
?

DF

Richards
Walker
Jagielka
Lescott
Cahill
Smalling
Cole
Baines

MF

Barry
Parker
Wilshere
Carrick
Milner
Rodwell
Gerrard

FW

Rooney
Welbeck
Sturridge
Johnson
Oxygen
Young
Lennon