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Week in and week out , the Premier League delivers on every promise of passionate football. The Rooneys,Lampards,Gerrards and Walcotts(just for the Arsenal fans) provide a spectacle that keeps our pulse racing and eyes popping at the TV sets for a whole 2 hours of non stop action. And then come the Euros and the World Cup and with it loss of pace ,power ,ferocity and drive from our favourite stars . Switch of jerseys and so much is lost in translation .An all too familiar rollercoaster of built up hope and expectation ahead of plummeting, bitter disappointment.
Talent aplenty and time for the charge of the young brigade to bring back lost glory . The best bets…..
Joe Hart
Got the vote of confidence from Mancini for City’s first game and rewarded his manager with a whole”hart”ed performance . Possesses the perfect balance of good hands , a solid kick and the ability to organize defences . Will grow in stature as he gains international exposure..Surely the answer to England’s long standing goalkeeping problems.
Ryan Shawcross
Good strong defender who rarely gets outmuscled and never gets knocked about in the air. Wins nearly every aerial battle and dangerous from set pieces at the other end. Playing the game with that amount of passion comes at a price and his is getting stuck into rash tackles and poor timing occasionally. However, he has time on his side and a good aide in Capello to work with .With the ageing defensive pairing of Ferdinand and Terry , he surely would get a look in soon and some consistent performances could see him on the flight to Warsaw and Kiev at the centre of England’s defense.
Jack Rodwell
His career has flourished under the tutelage of David Moyes. One thing certainly going for him is his ability to raise the bar for the big occasions(something England could do with). His strength is holding the midfield fort whilst either Gerrard or Lampard (only one of them!) burst forward. Good passer of the ball and certainly has an eye for the glorious. Will push Gareth Barry for the central midfield spot sooner rather than later. Can also be effectively utilized as a Centre back.
Andy Carroll
Its official…the son in law of all recent England managers (Emile Heskey) has retired and the slot has opened up for a new best man for Wayne Rooney. The front runner – Andy Carroll, a classic No.9 center forward with good strength to fend off defenders, a powerful shot, and excellent heading ability. Good target man who can hold up the ball and play in his pacy accomplices when he’s not running at defenders himself.
Adam Johnson
One wonders if Capello missed a trick when he left this young ,talented winger at home for the World Cup . Runs at defenders with pace and puts in good balls. Eye catching display against Hungary – switching flanks at will to good effect. Stripped and ready to display his full array of tricks and flicks when called upon.
England’s Line Up for Euros(In my small opinion)
Joe Hart
Glen Johnson
John Terry/Rio Ferdinand*
Ryan Shawcross
Ashley Cole
Jack Rodwell
Steven Gerrard /Frank Lampard*
Milner/Walcott/Lennon*
Adam Johnson
Wayne Rooney
Andy Carroll
* Whoever’s fit mentally and physically and IN FORM!!!!
NOTE: Euros may come too early for Phil Jones and Gareth Barry’s likely to rust at Man City.
Ever wondered why England were called the Three Lions .. Its no more than a song written by David Baddiel and Frank Skinner to cheer the national team on in the 1996 World Cup…Hum to the tune of
Everyone seems to know the scoreThey’ve seen it all beforeThey just knowThey’re so sure
That England’s gonnaThrow it awayGonna blow it awayBut I know they can playCos’ I remember
Three lions on the shirtJules Rimet still gleaming30 Years of hurtNever stoppped me dreaming
So many jokes, so many jeersBut all those oh so nearsWear you downThrough the years
But I still see thatTackle by MooreAnd when Lineker scoredBobby belting the ballAnd nobby dancing
Three lions on a shirtJules rimet still gleaming30 Years of hurtNever stopped me dreaming
I know that was thenBut it could be again
It’s coming homeIt’s coming homeIt’s comingFootball’s coming home(x4)
