England Squad - Same old story?

England's pitiful loss to Iceland at the Euros has all but been forgotten about (fortunately). With the clueless Hodgson gone it's up to 'Big Sam' to strut his stuff come England's World Cup Qualifier against Slovakia on September 4th. The selection features the likes of Antonio and Walcott whilst the likes of Barkley and Noble miss out:

Will Hart stay England's number 1?

Those I wouldn't include but have made the squad 

Those I would include who did not make the squad

Goalkeepers:

Fraser Forster (SOT) Joe Hart (MC) Tom Heaton (BUR)

Defenders: 

Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw (MU) John Stones (MC) Phil Jagielka, (EVE) Danny Rose, Kyle Walker (TOT) Nathaniel Clyne (LIV) Gary Cahill (CHE)

Midfielders:

Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana (LIV) Michail Antonio (WHU) Theo Walcott (ARS) Raheem Sterling (MC) Dele Alli, Eric Dier (TOT) Wayne Rooney (C) (MU) Danny Drinkwater (LEI)

Attackers: 

Jamie Vardy (LEI) Daniel Sturridge (LIV) Harry Kane (TOT)

Those who didn't make the cut:

Ross Barkley, Leighton Baines (EVE) Jack Wilshere (ARS) Mark Noble (WHU) Jermain Defoe (SUN) Marcus Rahsford - Selected in U21 squad (MU) Saido Berahino (WBA)

Those out of contention through injury:

Ryan Bertrand (SOU) Aaron Cresswell, Andy Carroll (WHU)

My Changes:

Jordan Henderson --> Ross Barkley 

The Everton man is much more creative and poses a greater goal threat than the Liverpool midfielder. Barkley already has a goal and an assist to his name this season whereas Henderson has very little to brag about, it's surprising the latter was included in the squad especially with Drinkwater and Dier proving solid midfielders in that position. Where England struggled against Slovakia last time round was breaking them down, everyone called for Ross Barkley then, so why not now?

Daniel Sturridge --> Marcus Rashford 

When both players are at their peak Sturridge gets the nod indefinitely. However Sturridge is far from 100% fit having played just 67 minutes thus far and being deemed surplus to requirements vs Tottenham. Rashford has shown on a number of occasions his desire and ability to beat players - something that could prove crucial against a stubborn Slovakian side, especially if utilised off the bench.

Most probable line up: (4-1-2-1-2) 

Big Sam will be wary of playing a formation too similar to the 4-1-2-1-2 that England opted for against Iceland. The difference in this set up is that the 2 in front of Dier are wingers, most likely Sterling and Walcott but potentially Antonio, whereas at the Euros these spots were largely occupied by a rotation of Rooney, Wilshere, Lallana and Alli who tucked in rather than playing as out and out wide men. The new boss will more likely than not decide to start out with Sterling and Walcott given the two's form, both have recorded goals and assists in the opening Premier League games. The full back slots are not certain either, personally I would opt for Shaw and Clyne as they are more profound defensively when compared to the Tottenham duo of Walker and Rose. It will also be interesting to see which of the trio of Stones, Smalling and Cahill start - Smalling is practically a guaranteed pick and it may depend on the severity of Stones' injury against West Ham. The final talking point is the men up top, England look rather bare since their options include a man who hasn't scored in 12 competitive games and another who struggles for game time! As a result Vardy appears a certain starter, it's a question of how desperate Big Sam is to play two up top.

On the other hand...? (4-2-3-1)


The introduction of Danny Drinkwater for England's second striker could help restore balance to the team. The Leicester midfielder is renowned for his simple playstyle consisting of lofted through balls and tireless running. In fact no player had more touches, made more passes or ran further than the 26 year old in Leicester's 2-1 win over Swansea. I would prefer to see this line up simply because of England's abysmal options up top but I feel Kane's reputation and Golden Boot from last season will precede his current woeful form. Drinkwater would come in ahead of Henderson, a midfielder criticised indefinitely (most of all Liverpool fans) and Alli (who would play further forwards) but has endured a feeble start to the new campaign.



Prediction: 0-0

An uninspiring start for England but neither disastrous. The new boss will need more than a week to implement his new ideas. It is England after all!