OT: England starting XI

[RamBamFan]

Now we know the final squad for our majestic national team, I'm curious to hear my fellow Derbarians starting XI's for the Euros.

Mine would be:

Hart
Walker - Smalling - Cahill - Rose
Dier
Rooney - Milner
Alli
Kane - Vardy

Think we've looked best with a narrow diamond and all our wide players are out of form. Not sure who to play in midfield. Milner has had a great season but wouldn't be fussed if he was swapped for Henderson, Wilshere or Barkley.

Whatever the case I'm optimistic about our chances, which hardly ever happens. If we play to our strengths then who knows...

[ManxRam]

Decent shout that RBF. I'd personally play Stones but think those two will start and though I'd probably not chose Milner to start I think Roy will, he's a big fan of him. We look to have a decent squad with some depth though not for the first tournament the centre halfs worry me. In my opinion we will need to score at least two to win the game. Belgium squad is phenomenal.

[RamBamFan]

Decent shout that RBF. I'd personally play Stones but think those two will start and though I'd probably not chose Milner to start I think Roy will, he's a big fan of him. We look to have a decent squad with some depth though not for the first tournament the centre halfs worry me. In my opinion we will need to score at least two to win the game. Belgium squad is phenomenal.

I wouldn't mind Stones. Him pinging balls to Vardy could be our secret weapon if the opposition lack pace.

I agree centre halves are a bit of a concern. Smalling is quality but whoever he's paired with it's a far cry from the days of Terry and Ferdinand.

[ManxRam]

I don't think Smalling is quality. If the forward drops deep he has a tendency to follow and leaves huge gaps in behind.

[AdiSalisbury]

Totally agree with that starting line up RBF, spot on. Rooney has to play midfield now, hopefully keeps his head. And don't think Stones is as good as he thinks he is.

I'm annoyed with the squad selection though, Drinkwater and Townsend have been in good form, so why take sicknote Wilshire and out of form Barkley? Same could be said for Sturridge who's unfit, would rather have had Wellbeck.

[triz]

I think if we play the diamond we are in trouble, not enough protection for a weak back 4 and we'd get over ran in midfield, you just can't get away with that on the international scene. Anyway mine would be

Hart

Clyne Smalling cahill Rose

Dier Milner

Alli Rooney Sterling

Kane


Like others I'd be tempted by stones but he's had a poor season snd I can see him making too many mistakes but I certainly wouldn't be gutted if he starts. Also I'd think about putting vardy in for sterling, I know people will say he's wasted out there but I don't see him starting as a main striker over Kane and we have rashford as an impact striker so it'd see vardy getting more game time. Either way, I think this formation is essential in order to have 2 DCM's to protect a shoddy defence.

[eddy779h34]

Decent shout that RBF. I'd personally play Stones but think those two will start and though I'd probably not chose Milner to start I think Roy will, he's a big fan of him. We look to have a decent squad with some depth though not for the first tournament the centre halfs worry me. In my opinion we will need to score at least two to win the game. Belgium squad is phenomenal.

I wouldn't mind Stones. Him pinging balls to Vardy could be our secret weapon if the opposition lack pace.

I agree centre halves are a bit of a concern. Smalling is quality but whoever he's paired with it's a far cry from the days of Terry and Ferdinand.[/quote]

Smalling is quality.

Thats the funniest quote of the year !!

[roger_ramjet]

Agreed Eddy Smalling is something ending in "ity" but its not "quality" - more likely "liability".

I prefer the more conservative approach in Triz's team for this reason. if we had a more reliable pair of centre backs then we need not have the 2 DCM line up, but we don't. I am therefore surprised that Drinkwater has not made the squad as he can also play the DCM role. This suggests Hodgson isnt going for a Triz lineup.

Personally would have left Rodney at homeas he is being shoe horned into a position which isnt really his forte. if he is not good enough to start as a striker, why take him?

[vanderlaans_header]

With the talent available a semi final place is a minimum requirement. Don't have much faith in Hodgson though. He recently stated that players who were in form and fit would be selected. he then leaves out PL winner and foxes regular Drinkwater and finds a place for Wilshire, who has hardly played and is a serial sick note?? Bizarre decision making.

[triz]

Semi is a minimum requirement? So we're in the top 4 teams in Europe? I'd say Germany Spain France and Belgium hold those places