SEMTEX Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Half the squad aren't even first choice at their clubs Cole, Lampard, Milner, Welbeck. Who else? Barkley Cleverley Smalling are in and out and not first choice. Defoe up until now, AOC, Townsend. Guess it depends upon your definition of first choice. Cleverley has appeared 19 times this season, Barkley, Smalling & Townsend all 20 or over, despite Barkley being injured at one point IIRC. AOC has been injured half the season and has performed well when fit. Defoe is obviously leaving to go to a team where he'll play every week. But obviously yeah, he wasn't first choice at Tottenham (and is shit). I personally wouldn't say that half of the squad aren't first choice. Perhaps more importantly, the majority of those players are younger players working their way into playing every_single_game, so I wouldn't let that stop me calling them up to a squad that we know is going to be young. Once again, Defoe is the exception (and is shit). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leffe186 Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Half the squad aren't even first choice at their clubs Cole, Lampard, Milner, Welbeck. Who else? Barkley Cleverley Smalling are in and out and not first choice. Defoe up until now, AOC, Townsend. Guess it depends upon your definition of first choice. Cleverley has appeared 19 times this season, Barkley, Smalling & Townsend all 20 or over, despite Barkley being injured at one point IIRC. AOC has been injured half the season and has performed well when fit. Defoe is obviously leaving to go to a team where he'll play every week. But obviously yeah, he wasn't first choice at Tottenham (and is s***). I personally wouldn't say that half of the squad aren't first choice. Perhaps more importantly, the majority of those players are younger players working their way into playing every_single_game, so I wouldn't let that stop me calling them up to a squad that we know is going to be young. Once again, Defoe is the exception (and is s***). Plus we're coming up against the usual issues. People complain that we're shit, then complain when we can't beat other teams. They complain that our players are all rubbish, then complain when we pick rubbish players. They complain that young English players don't get enough PL games because of all the imports, then complain when we pick young English players who aren't first choice PL players. We can't have it both ways. We're bang average, with one or two truly world class players and a host of mediocre players and young players who are developing. We generally perform as well as can be expected. There's an interesting discussion to be made around the fringes of the squad, but the majority is going to be predictable, and fair enough. I just can't see why people get so worked up about it any longer. Defoe is presumably getting the nod because at least he has some experience. Cleverley presumably because he's young and decent, although surely there's someone better somewhere? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ujpest doza Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Thoughts are that there is a distinct lack of centre backs in that squad and Caulker is picked on the back of a 4 nil howking but Williamson isn't after a sublime display against Villa. I also thought Defoe was injured?? I also think Andros Townsend is a crock of shit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest taps01 Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Apart from the fact that there are four goal keepers and only three centre backs i think that squad is alright. Our options look good at left back, out wide and centre mid. Its up top and at centre back where we are lacking in quality...in fact id go as far as to say as this is the worst group of centre backs we have had to chose from as far as i can remember. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest taps01 Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Thoughts are that there is a distinct lack of centre backs in that squad and Caulker is picked on the back of a 4 nil howking but Williamson isn't after a sublime display against Villa. I also thought Defoe was injured?? I also think Andros Townsend is a crock of s***. Im surrounded by spurs fans where i live and 95% of them prefer Lennon over Townsend which tells you everything you need to know about Townsend. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incognito Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Thoughts are that there is a distinct lack of centre backs in that squad and Caulker is picked on the back of a 4 nil howking but Williamson isn't after a sublime display against Villa. I also thought Defoe was injured?? I also think Andros Townsend is a crock of s***. Im surrounded by spurs fans where i live and 95% of them prefer Lennon over Townsend which tells you everything you need to know about Townsend. Townsend looked bright for England and that's why he's in. The first choice thing is bollocks because the top 4-6 teams rotate anyhow. Glad to see Shaw in and hope he gets a trot. Would obviously have liked to see Cleverley fucked off maybe for Livermore who's been excellent of late. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Froggy Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 You just don't understand Cleverley's Spanish style. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest taps01 Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Thoughts are that there is a distinct lack of centre backs in that squad and Caulker is picked on the back of a 4 nil howking but Williamson isn't after a sublime display against Villa. I also thought Defoe was injured?? I also think Andros Townsend is a crock of s***. Im surrounded by spurs fans where i live and 95% of them prefer Lennon over Townsend which tells you everything you need to know about Townsend. Townsend looked bright for England and that's why he's in. The first choice thing is bollocks because the top 4-6 teams rotate anyhow. Glad to see Shaw in and hope he gets a trot. Would obviously have liked to see Cleverley f***ed off maybe for Livermore who's been excellent of late. I can't see cleverley going to the World Cup you would have thought Gerrard, Carrick, Lampard, Wiltshire, Barkley and even Henderson on form would all get in before him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leffe186 Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Thoughts are that there is a distinct lack of centre backs in that squad and Caulker is picked on the back of a 4 nil howking but Williamson isn't after a sublime display against Villa. I also thought Defoe was injured?? I also think Andros Townsend is a crock of s***. Im surrounded by spurs fans where i live and 95% of them prefer Lennon over Townsend which tells you everything you need to know about Townsend. Townsend looked bright for England and that's why he's in. The first choice thing is bollocks because the top 4-6 teams rotate anyhow. Glad to see Shaw in and hope he gets a trot. Would obviously have liked to see Cleverley f***ed off maybe for Livermore who's been excellent of late. I'd be surprised, but I'd be proud if that happened. Three academy products, two of whom are real local boys - plus Walker/Defoe/Carrick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucaAltieri Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Nice to see Fraser Forster on the fringes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incognito Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Thoughts are that there is a distinct lack of centre backs in that squad and Caulker is picked on the back of a 4 nil howking but Williamson isn't after a sublime display against Villa. I also thought Defoe was injured?? I also think Andros Townsend is a crock of s***. Im surrounded by spurs fans where i live and 95% of them prefer Lennon over Townsend which tells you everything you need to know about Townsend. Townsend looked bright for England and that's why he's in. The first choice thing is bollocks because the top 4-6 teams rotate anyhow. Glad to see Shaw in and hope he gets a trot. Would obviously have liked to see Cleverley f***ed off maybe for Livermore who's been excellent of late. I'd be surprised, but I'd be proud if that happened. Three academy products, two of whom are real local boys - plus Walker/Defoe/Carrick. I wouldn't have Kyle Walker anywhere near to the squad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incognito Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Thoughts are that there is a distinct lack of centre backs in that squad and Caulker is picked on the back of a 4 nil howking but Williamson isn't after a sublime display against Villa. I also thought Defoe was injured?? I also think Andros Townsend is a crock of s***. Im surrounded by spurs fans where i live and 95% of them prefer Lennon over Townsend which tells you everything you need to know about Townsend. Townsend looked bright for England and that's why he's in. The first choice thing is bollocks because the top 4-6 teams rotate anyhow. Glad to see Shaw in and hope he gets a trot. Would obviously have liked to see Cleverley f***ed off maybe for Livermore who's been excellent of late. I can't see cleverley going to the World Cup you would have thought Gerrard, Carrick, Lampard, Wiltshire, Barkley and even Henderson on form would all get in before him. Never mind on form.....Henderson is a better player full stop. I'd even put Colback ahead of Cleverley. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incognito Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 You just don't understand Cleverley's Spanish style. I'll support the DBry thing but TClev has no fucking chance Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incognito Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Hat trick post wanker or even Grand slam post wanker Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Hat trick post wanker or even Grand slam post wanker YES!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Sorry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Froggy Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 You just don't understand Cleverley's Spanish style. I'll support the DBry thing but TClev has no fucking chance I'm joking like. He's shite. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMTEX Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 People said the same thing about a young Paul Scholes. There are a lot of similarities between the two players iyam. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Spaceman Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 People said the same thing about a young Paul Scholes. There are a lot of similarities between the two players iyam. Good one Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritchie Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Just a case of having low expectations. I'm much happier seeing this squad than seeing us beg Jamie Carragher to come out of retirement again. No doubt we'll do the same with John Terry in the summer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astroblack Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Jon flannagan needs to be called up for the right back spot. He's keeping Glen Johnson out of the Liverpool team yet he's in the team ahead of Flannagan who's been exceptional in recent months. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incognito Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 People said the same thing about a young Paul Scholes. There are a lot of similarities between the two players iyam. If you're talking about Colback..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 I know Henderson scored two at the weekend but prior to that his goal return was pretty poor so he needs to improve upon that before going on the plane IMO. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astroblack Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Henderson, Gerrard and Sterling should be 3/4 of the midfield. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Bit worried about Gerrard defensively in this new role in all honesty. He needs to shield the defence a lot better. Obviously he'll start as he's captain but I've never been a fan of him in an England shirt. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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