England Squad For Euro 2012 Announced – Ruddy, Terry, Carroll & The Ox Get The Nod

By Chris Wright

Roy Hodgson has just completed his first order of business as England manager, announcing the names of the 23 stout Englishmen he wishes to accompany him to the European Championships.

The list, as they say, looks a little like this. In fact, it looks exactly like this…

England Euro 2012 Squad: Joe Hart, Rob Green, John Ruddy; Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, John Terry, Joleon Lescott, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines; Theo Walcott, Stewart Downing, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Steven Gerrard, Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard, Scott Parker, Ashley Young, James Milner;  Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Andy Carroll.

Stand-bys: Jack Butland (GK), Phil Jagielka, Jordan Henderson, Adam Johnson, Daniel Sturridge

UDPATE: Gerrard has now been announced as captain. Make of that what you will. Nothing, probably.

So that’s no Sturridge, no Micah Richards, no Michael Carrick (how on God’s green Earth is Henderson on the stand-by list ahead of him?), no Peter Crouch, no Kyle Walker (injured), and no Rio Ferdinand.

First thoughts: Extremely happy to see John Ruddy given the nod, though his missus is likely to be so chuffed as he’s going to have to postpone his wedding/honeymoon in order to travel out. We’re not kidding ourselves into thinking he’ll play ‘minute one’ in Polkraine, but he’s deserving of the spot and the gesture is a welcome one.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s inclusion is intriguing. He’ll make a good impact sub for sure; fast, direct and energetic.

Bit of a shame that Crouch won’t be going but, deep down in our heart of hearts, we knew he wouldn’t. With Carroll being preferred, here’s hoping Roy doesn’t alter England’s long-standing ‘solely reliant on corners, wide free-kicks and panicky deep crosses’ gameplan too much – it’s exactly the kind of service the Geordie battering ram will require.

Thoughts?

See how Roy’s selection compares to Pies’ 23 here should you wish.

Posted in Euro 2012, Featured, International football

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47 Comments

  1. SL says:

    Its a bad squad, Downing? Carson? Lampard? Terry?

    Our best hope is for the refs to fall for one of Youngs oscar winning dives every game.

    Hodgson has also set himself up to look mighty stupid should terry be convicted a couple of days after the euros end.

  2. JustMe says:

    Biggest shock being downing!! biggest load of shite, A.johnson all the way

  3. BallToHand says:

    FYI Its Green for keeper not Carson

  4. Panda says:

    BBC Sport reckons its Rob Green ahead of Scott Carson.
    Which is right?

    • Chris says:

      @Panda: Yep. That’s a mind bubble on my part. Typing too fast, thinking too slowly. It’s Rob Green.

  5. Ross says:

    Downing? Henderson on stand by?!
    Adam Johnson is a better player than both of those, has more goals to his name this season than Downing and Henderson even though his appearances have been mostly from the bench.

  6. Archbishop Betty Snagcock says:

    Downing???

    WHAT.THE.FUCK.

    honourable what the fucks to carrick and sturridge

  7. Mr Sensible says:

    Henderson ahead of Carrick (along with Barry easily England’s best central midfielders this season) on standby!

    Really?!

    Johnson ahead of Richards?

    Gerrard in the squad, how many games has he even played this season?

    Downing (0 goals 0 assists) ahead of Adam Johnson?

    Carroll ahead of Crouch (proven at International level and a far better season at a lesser club)

    This might seem like a dig at Liverpool, it isn’t. I’m just confused at these calls.

    You just know Gerrard and Lampard are gonna start, have we not learnt a fucking thing in 10 years!!!

  8. BallToHand says:

    Goals for 2011/2012 season

    Stuart Downing: 0

    Tim Howard: 1

  9. bear says:

    I think it’s a good squad. A shame that Kyle Walker (and Jack Wilshere) has missed out through injury, but I’m not surprised to see Carrick, Crouch and Sturridge missing. Carrick will be 31 this year, so it’s pointless having him on the bench, as the spot would be better given to a player that will see more game time in the next 4 years, it’s just sad that Henderson is considered good enough to be on the standby list. Sturridge’s selfish performances probably held him back, but who knows someone could still get injured.
    The only real shock for me is Downing, why is it that he is always selected, regardless of the manager? Does he have a dossier on the FA’s top members, containing blackmail material? Reminds me of Cygan’s time at Arsenal. Just strange.
    Hope Parker is fit, and The Ox manages to get some game time.
    Let’s hope we can see them at least progress past the group stages. Come on England!

  10. mikeyj47 says:

    The thing I always love about any England squad announcement is the uproar it generates with fans moaning about the ‘shit’ players selected and putting forward their equally shit suggestions. Let’s be honest, Roy should have selected Hart, Ashley Cole, Baines, Gerrard, and Rooney and put everyone else’s name in a hat and pulled them out at random.

  11. Al says:

    @ Mr. Sensible – it is a dig at Liverpool, just like all your other comments, I’m suprised you haven’t shoe horned something about Luis Suarez in there.
    Comments on Downing and Carroll are fair enough but questioning why Gerrard and Johnson are in the squad just shows your utd bias. Richards should be in there but not at the expense of Johnson, clarly he should be going instead of Jones who has looked fairly ropey in the last few months.

  12. Mr Sensible says:

    @bear

    Parker and Gerrard are 31 and Lampard is 33. On top of that Carrick has had by far the better season of the 4 and is exactly what England need (someone who can keep possession, play for the team, has good discipline, great positional sense).

    I also hope Chamberlin gets some minutes, his performance in the middle against Milan a few weeks ago was incredible.

    I’ve also realised Lennon isn’t in the squad, not had an incredible season but still a hell of a lot better than Downing.

  13. Dick van Kundt says:

    captain?
    stevie g? fat frank? prolly should be hart to keep all the pundits from foaming at the mouth but would love to see scotty lead them out the tunnel again.

  14. Mr Sensible says:

    Gerrard was a great player but has done absolutely fuck all this season except for a couple of good games, players do not deserve to be in the squad based on their reputation.

    I’ve never said Jones should be in the squad, I think the boy has a lot to learn and can only assume he is in the squad because of his versatility.

    Liverpool have been appalling this season, how can you honestly justify Henderson over Carrick, Johnson over Richards, Downing over Johnson or Lennon, Carroll over Crouch.

    Please, I would love to know.

  15. bear says:

    @Mr Sensible

    Yes, I am aware of their ages; Lampard and Gerrard have been a large part of the England set-up for quite some time now, and were always going to picked. Parker has had a good season, and played well when selected for England. I agree that Carrick has had a better domestic season, but that isn’t the only thing taken into consideration (else Defoe and Carroll certainly would not be on the plane). It’s a shame he has missed out, I would have liked to see him go, although I doubt he would have started any games.

    I just wonder who wouldn’t have been selected if Wilshere was fit; Oxlade-Chamberlain or Downing? I guess we’ll never know.

    Looking forward to seeing Roy’s first 11.

  16. Nick says:

    The one thing that truly separates Hodgson from most coaches in the EPL is his structure, and rigid adherence to that structure. For him, players must be able to perform the job that is required of them without deviating to their own plans.

    Two of the players that people seem to be up in arms about are Richards and Sturridge, neither of whom have been able to demonstrate that kind of tactical discipline at club level. Which is precisely why both of them tend to be ditched by their club managers for the big games. Zabaleta gets the nod for crunch games at City, and Sturridge is routinely left out of games against stronger, more disciplined opposition.

    Would I have Downing in my team? Probably not. I don’t like basing all my decisions solely on stats, but it’s hard not to argue with his 0 goals and 0 assists return this season. But what he will do is stick to a system. Hodgson wants his wingers to stay where they are on the flanks, and Downing & Walcott will do that. Even Adam Johnson tends to go walkabout which I assume is why he is also jettisoned from the squad.

    I wouldn’t expect Gerrard to start in this team. Captain marvel (and i’m a huge fan) has never exactly been able maintain a shape, preferring to run around after the ball being all things to all men, but a little bit headless. I expect Hodgson will prefer Lampard in that role, and to be fair it’s hard to argue that he hasn’t had a better season, injuries to Gerrard notwithstanding. Young might also struggle with his tendency to cut in all the time, and not track back.

    As for Carroll, I’d take him. He may have had a terrible time of it, and I sure would’t start him, but if he’s up for it and confident he’s one hell of a handful as an impact substitute. If we’re 1-0 down against the Ukraine with 15 minutes left and we’ve got nothing left in our locker except lumping it, I’d rather have Carroll up there than Crouch.

  17. Nick says:

    Or he’ll give Gerrard the captaincy. Sigh. Scratch that part of the last post. :)

  18. Blake says:

    Well, there’s always Brazil 2014.

  19. Milkchew says:

    Hodgson has clearly gone for a selection of players that can play in different positions i.e. Phil Jones at centre back or full back, Downing on either wing etc.

    Although yes I agree, as a Liverpool fan, Downing and Henderson = WTF! But Defoe over Sturridge is one of the biggest WTF for me.

  20. Mr Sensible says:

    @bear

    Surely that mentality will always hold us back, just because Lampard and Gerrard have been part of England in the past doesn’t mean they should now, but I actually have no problem with Lampard being in the squad, I think he’s a very good player with a brain. Anyway what have we achieved with having both those players for the past 10 years?

    What other things should be taken into consideration? How they perform for England? Pretty sure Carrick was our MOTM last time England won a competitive game. Experience? Carrick has played more European football than the others over the past 5 years. Being a winner? Carrick has won more than the others over the past 5 years as well.

    There really is no reason not to take him. It is a shame Wilshere is injured, I would have loved to have seen him play, great player.

    Sorry for all these posts, I’m bored at work and really can’t understand this squad.

  21. Toz says:

    Should have gotten rid of half of those prima donnas but at least Rio is not going and I guess If theirs something one can be happy about, it’s that.

  22. Eeny says:

    Jordan Henderson is utter toilet, I would rather have my Nan on standby.

  23. Wolf Haley says:

    I agree with Nick, Woy likes consistency and discipline. I think he’ll build the team around Carroll playing the role Bobby Z did for Fulham when Woy was there.

  24. Drags says:

    Lennon and sturridge, MUST BE! One wonders wether the manager even looks at performances or if hes just told who to pick?
    Rooney and welbeck in england shirts together could do some damage though! Though im sure we’ll all be as shocked when we see a team selection for a game! BLEGH… Germany to win it in my books

  25. Mr Sensible says:

    @Nick

    I hear what you’re saying and that sounds good but the words discipline and Gerrard just don’t go together?

  26. Anonymous says:

    @Mr Sensible

    Precisely. I’m a touch surprised by his choice and I wonder if it would have been Parker had he not been carrying a knock that could yet limit his involvement.

    Gerrard’s tendency to play his own game irrespective of tactics can sometimes be jaw-droppngly incredible(Istanbul), but sometimes subvert what the coach is trying to achieve. In a 4-4-2 there is no place for one of the central 2 to be as free as that, and Hodgson almost exclusively employs a 4-4-2.

  27. jon says:

    Gerrard will be in the hole. Barry and mooby lampard in the middle.

  28. Inno says:

    Not even a stand by slot for Fraser Forster, who’s set records for clean sheets this season with Celtic?

  29. Stewps says:

    I also agree with Nick. Even about Carroll in that role – (when he’s up for it and throwing himself about like a loon).

    Downing must be absolutely incredible in training.

    But you know what? Such is the random nature of life and football that it would sort of suit the Gods who wrote the Premier League ending to write a little hat-trick for the boy.

  30. Nick says:

    @Mr Sensible

    “Anonymous” was me in that instance replying to you…

  31. KKK says:

    I surprised Woy didn’t appoint Downing captain…

  32. JLBK says:

    England will not get through the group stages. FACT.

  33. pray4muamba says:

    glen johnson over micah richards?? what more does the man have to do to prove he’d be great for england!

  34. Anonymous says:

    The inclusion of Downing ahead of anyone including my nan and her webbed feet is absolutely shocking. HE’S SHIT!!!!!!

  35. Rob says:

    I must be the only one pleased that he hasn’t picked Carrick,
    it didn’t even cross my mind that he should be in the squad, I don’t usually realise he’s playing until he gets subbed off.

  36. Anonymous says:

    Pleasing squad for LFC fans with 4 red men getting the nod. Gerrard being a big time player with worldwide respect is justified to be in there and as the captain. Carrol is a supreme player when on song and is the future no9 for england! I like Richards but Johnson shades it with his experience. I also realy rate Adam Johnson highly and think he should of gone as he is a very dangerous and tricky player, but with Downing having a great left foot for team balance also with a shade more international experience and Milner being versitle means he misses out.
    Overall very decent, but would of put Sturridge ahead of Welbeck and agree with others that Carrick is too overlooked

  37. farmanian96 says:

    throw out downing the sucka and include sturridge and adam johnson!!

  38. Terry Shedingham says:

    @Mr Sensible’s first post

    Kudos, my thoughts exactly. I hate it that whoever’s managing England, there are always these ‘names’ that get picked seemingly regardless of how they’re actually playing at the time. Downing is the best example of this, Lampard and Gerrard to a lesser extent.

    Crouch is seemingly an exception, he always seems to get the goals for England, and although Carroll’s season might have started to pick up towards the end, a look at Crouch’s goals-to-games ratio for England shows that he’s the best choice.

    If we get the old bullshit with Lampard and Gerrard in the middle together, we’re buggered from the outset.

  39. Terry Shedingham says:

    @Anonymous

    Blinkered Kopites need not apply.

  40. Papi says:

    – Downing?! What in BLACK HELL was Hodgson thinking? I had a feeling he would leave Johnson out. Johnson at 50% > Downing at 100%.
    – How Hodgson even CONSIDERED Henderson makes me question his sanity. Or he’s just senile.
    – Glen J is one that I am ambivalent about. Richards is a great outlet down the right in attack, but defensively, his positioning is pure and utter shit. At least Richards can hold his own against burlier, faster opponents in a one-on-one, but on the counter, he’s a weak spot.

    I feel sorry for all of you English gents. Same shit every time. It’s a shame, because I always root for England as one of my favorite European teams. Good luck to you English fans, but be ready to rage as soon as your first match starts.

  41. Anonymous says:

    has anyone considered that holt should of gone instead of defoe? surely defoe will only come off the bench if a goal is needed and holt has proven all season he is the man to tuck away goals.

    also id say games 1 and 2 without roo hodgson will play 4-3-2-1.
    Hart
    johnson terry lescott cole
    parker Barry
    walcott gerrard downing
    carroll
    good solid team with decent wide options for carroll and gerrard to run onto with plenty of fire power off the bench. ill call it now england to make the semis

  42. Terry Shedingham says:

    Optimistic stuff there, Anonymous. I can’t see us scoring many goals with that setup. Who will provide for Carroll? Gerrard, maybe Johnson? Walcott and Downing certainly aren’t up to the job.

  43. mike says:

    having seen quite a bit of both Fraser Forster and John Ruddy in the SPL I have to say it absolutely baffles me that Ruddy was called up ahead of Forster.

  44. Joe says:

    Who or what is a Jack Butland? And did David Stockdale do a poo in Roy’s car boot when he went to Liverpool or something? Should be England’s number 2 by a mile (unless Foster was to unretire).

  45. yetinayet says:

    Nice to see Gerard as a captain!!!!!!!!!!!

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