Euro 2012, who to take?

As Roy Hodgson settles down in his new England office, after throwing out all of Steve Pearce’s good luck charms which surely littered the room, his attention will then turn to the squad for Euro 2012 Championships. After an unpredictable season, there are several key decisions to be made. As football fans up and down the country will be busy telling anyone who will listen that Danny Simpson deserves a shot, we thought we’d throw in our two-pence worth with our Euro 2012 Squad Selections:

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Goalkeepers

Joe Hart
Ben Foster
Robert Green


After the obvious choice of Joe Hart, who has cemented himself as England’s number one by consistently putting in outstanding performances, England’s goalkeeping options are a bit light. However Ben Foster could be persuaded by his old boss to come out of retirement to warm the bench, and USA’s favourite Rob Green, who’s performed brilliantly…against Championship opposition, probably deserves to go – even just to make up the numbers.

One of the few world class players in the England side

Defence

Right Back

Micah Richards
Kyle Walker

No contest here, both these players have been outstanding this season. Micah Richards has held down the right back slot in a team so flush that they can afford to buy a £30million replacement when ever they like. In Kyle Walker England have a raw talent whose game can only benefit from some international experience. The young player of the season would be my second choice behind Richards, but has certainly earned his spot.

Left Back

Ashley Cole
Leighton Baines

Again, a simple choice. We’ve got no-one better than Ashley Cole, who is consistent as he is annoying…very. In Leighton Baines, England have a willing and able understudy, who is good enough to stop complacency from creeping in.

Centre Back

Joleon Lescott
John Terry
Gary Cahill
Rio Ferdinand

The trouble with English centre backs is, at the moment there are so many nearly men. The only consistently excellent player has been Lescott, who is an obvious choice. John Terry, while nobody’s best friend, is probably the best of a bad bunch. His relationship with Ferdinand may prove to be a stumbling block though, after all given a choice between a stupid, violent racist and Rio Ferdinand, who would you pick? If Rio and Terry can stand to be near each other for the tournament I’d take them both, with Gary Cahill, who has looked decent, in places this season, making up the numbers.

Midfield

Defensive Anchorman

Scott Parker
James Milner

While Parker does not keep things classy like his position suggests, he is easily the best anchorman that England posses. The Writers’ player of the year 2010/11 is a master at breaking things up and playing nice sharp passes, his marauding runs can inject life into the game where needed. I’ve included James Milner here too because defensively he is very capable and his versatility could come in very handy.

Deep Lying Playmaker

Paul Scholes
Frank Lampard

Old Mother Time is an unforgiving mistress and these two would be the first to admit it. No longer the box to box threat they used to be, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes have adapted their games well to suit a deeper role. Picking up the ball in deeper positions and playing intelligent passes to the flanks or front line would be their main role, both have exceptional passing ability but for me Scholes’ re-introduction to the Manchester United team has shown that the old boy can still cut it. His runs from deep, though less frequent, still have the ability to worry defences. Lampard too is a player who suits this role down to the ground, he’s rediscovered his form and the end of this season and for what is likely to be his last competition in an England shirt certainly deserves a spot. 

There's life in the old dog yet

Wingers
Aaron Lennon
Adam Johnson
Theo Walcott
Ashley Young

As a nation, we’re not blessed with many outstanding wingers. In fact we’ve got a lot of average players, Stuart Downing – I’m looking at you. However, in Lennon and Walcott there are two pacey, dangerous wingers who can cause defences all sorts of problems. Lennon has started to rediscover the form that caused left backs all over England to wake up in a cold sweat; his final delivery is improving too. Walcott is a frustrating player, one of the only players who makes it look like the ball is dribbling him. He can be breathtaking, or invisible. England will hope his recent Arsenal performances are a sign of things to come and his injury problems stay away.

The left wing is more problematic, it has always been England’s weak spot. However I am a big fan of Adam Johnson, criminally underused at Manchester City and in need of a move during the summer. He has a burst of pace and enough skill to worry the opposition and is good with both feet. The same can be said about Ashley Young, plus he’s good for one penalty at some point.

Forwards

Wayne Rooney
Steven Gerrard
Grant Holt
Andy Carroll 

Ok, so as I’m playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, it leaves room for a centre forward and support striker. Wayne Rooney, an obvious choice for support striker is out for the first two games, and so Gerrard – in his favoured position – would fill the space between the two lines. Up front I’ve gone for Grant Holt, controversial maybe, but his 13 goals this season – his first in the Premier League - is an impressive return. His movement and ability to bring others into play makes Holt a decent shout for a call up. Andy Carroll has shown glimpses this season of the player he could be; hopefully his confidence will start to grow as he has potential to become a great England number nine.  The attacking options are furthered more by Walcott's ability and apparent want to be used as a Striker.



Will he be showing of his nipples for England?

Final XI:
GK - Hart

RB - Richards

LB - Cole

CB - Lescott

CB - Terry

CM - Scholes
CM - Parker

RM - Lennon

LM - Johnson

SS - Gerrard / (Rooney)

TS - Holt

Owain

Read who Josh Coull and Dave Nicholls think Roy should take to €2012 here and here.