England Team Thread

[prinnysquad]

I'd like to see Jenas and Downing excommunicated from the England set-up forever. Jenas is a backwards-obsessed nonentity, with Hargreaves, Barry and Carrick able to do his job a million times better, and Downing takes the concept of a winger, spits on it, crumples it up and passes it infield. Ashley Young *shock horror* runs down the wing.

[Baseley09]

Too right on both counts, Downing isnt even upto Sinton standards, and Jenas, well, what is he?

[Jebus]

Never been a fan of Jenas and I think Downing should be a last resort...

[toythatkills]

I'd like to see Jenas and Downing excommunicated from the England set-up forever. Jenas is a backwards-obsessed nonentity, with Hargreaves, Barry and Carrick able to do his job a million times better, and Downing takes the concept of a winger, spits on it, crumples it up and passes it infield. Ashley Young *shock horror* runs down the wing.

Leaving players out based on their name and your prior impressions is as bad as picking a squad based on names and reputation, we've seen how well that works for the last five years. Surely the best 11 players should always be picked, and if Downing or Jenas are showing incredible club form then they'd deserve a place.

Downing hasn't made the squad this time anyway

[prinnysquad]

But they aren't showing incredible club form. I base my judgements on present impressions. As far as I've seen this season, Jenas is an extremely negative player, and Downing can't deliver a decent cross due to getting a nosebleed when forward, so used to passing infield is he.

If I based it on prior impressions, then I'd have Downing in like a shot. He was superb at Sunderland, a roving, adventurous winger unfraid to cross the ball. Downing is a player in steep decline, and shouldn't get a look in until he proves his worth. Jenas has a style of play that is completely unsuitable for the international level - he tries to play a technical, possession-based continental style, but doesn't have the skill to do it.

I'd like to see a team based on attitude and quality. We've also seen over the last few years how constantly tinkering with the team and making wholesale substitutions bringing on 'form' players right up until the group stages of major tournaments results in a team who play like strangers, with no chemistry and understanding. All quality players go through dips in form, if you picked the best 11 every time you'd have a team with no continuity or on-the-field development.

[toythatkills]

But they aren't showing incredible club form. I base my judgements on present impressions.

My point was that you seem happy to kick the players out of the England squad and close the door forever based on your "present impressions." Doesn't seem like the best way of doing things.

[prinnysquad]

Maybe I should have added 'in their present state', (though I thought that was obvious - if they suddenly became garrincha and beckenbauer then they'd be a shoe-in) though I can't see a majestic rise to world-class quality on the horizon from either of them. They should be left out now because they're crap, and it sends out the wrong message to include them. My point was they should close the door to toss forever, not names. If they improved dramatically, fair enough. I made very explicit reference to their style of play - if this changed, then 'welcome back'.

[On The Edge of Insanity]

To be fair, I've never been a fan of Jenas, but he has been brilliant for us in the last few weeks and is certainly worthy of a place in the squad based on his performances since Capello has started watching English football.

[toythatkills]

Agbonlahor out of the squad then, replaced by Defoe. A real shame that, I really want to see Agbonlahor for England

[PH]

Jenas is an interesting one. If you read any of the Spurs forums he is the player who splits opinions the most.

What i will say though is that he has flourished under Ramos. Purely on the games that Capello has watched Spurs he defitnely deserves to be in the squad.

[EJG1980]

IF Jenas can keep up his current form, then he should definitely be in the squad every time. I think Jenas gets more stick than he deserves, but even I can see that since Ramos has come in his game has gone up an extra level or two.

He's been outstanding recently, and not just against lesser teams, he's been playing blinders against the likes of Man U and Arsenal. Fingers crossed that he can keep it up

[Baseley09]

The problem is with Jenas for england - he's never going to start, and isnt an impact player so won't be brought on, he's neither defensive or attacking enough to do the required job. No point in squad place.

[rmoxon]

I dont really understand why people are complaining about Downing saying he cuts inside too much, Joe cole will probabaly play on the left and cutting inside is all he ever does too. Plus at least downing is actualy left footed unlike every other attacking player in the team, so hes probabaly more likley to go wide and put crosses in than anyone else whos actualy in the squad playing on the left.

Though im sure Wayne Bridge would have a go getting forward and putting crosses in too if he can prove his worth over Ashley cole.

[Jebus]

Personally it's because Downing plays like he's a right foot on the left wing (as you say, just like Joe Cole cuts in onto his right)...Downing is left footed, I want a left footed winger to take a man on and whip a cross in...not cut inside and do **** all.

[vanpeebles]

To be fair to Downing he used to do that but McClaren coached it out of him, its taken Southgate (a good man) a season just to unprogram a lot of the Boro players such was the negative style drilled into them.