By Alan Duffy
Today saw all of the squads for the forthcoming Euro 2012 extravaganza released. As well as confirming their 23-man outfit, England also released the squad numbers to the press and public.
If we were to see the numbers 1-11 as an indication of Roy Hodgson’s prefered first-choice side, then the former West Brom boss is planning to break with convention and actually play Frank Lampard alongside Steven Gerrard in central midfield, with no room for the more defensively-minded Scott Parker. Intriguing to say the least, particularly as it suggests a more traditional 4-4-2, maybe with Rooney (when available) playing behind Andy Carroll? As for what it says about England’s first two Rooney-less games, I’ll leave it up to you to consider that one!
It may well have nothing to do with Roy’s favourite 11 but it’s still worth a ponder –
1. Joe Hart
2. Glen Johnson 5. Gary Cahill 6. John Terry 3. Ashley Cole
4. Steven Gerrard 8. Frank Lampard
7. Theo Walcott 11. Ashley Young
9. Andy Carroll 10. Wayne Rooney
12. Leighton Baines
13. Robert Green
14. Phil Jones
15. Joleon Lescott
16. James Milner
17. Scott Parker
18. Phil Jagielka
19. Stewart Downing
20. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
21. Jermain Defoe
22. Danny Welbeck
23. Jack Butland