Lions are Out!

Hodgson

New England coach, Roy Hodgson swung into his first major action by releasing the 23-man England team that will be on the plane to Poland/Ukraine Euro 2012. The list entails:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Man City), Robert Green (West ham), John Ruddy (Norwich).

Defenders: John Terry (Chelsea), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Phil Jones (Man U), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Man City), Leighton Baines (Everton).

Midfielders: Stephen Gerrard (Liverpool), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Gareth Barry (Man City), James Milner (Man City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Man U), Scott Parker (Tottenham).

Strikers: Wayne Rooney (Man U), Danny Welbeck (Man U), Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermaine Defoe (Tottenham).

No Ferd

My take? The squad selection is fair, and as usual there are some surprise omissions and inclusions. Some of the surprise omissions in defense are Rio Ferdinand, Micah Richards, and Phil Jagielka. Rio had a fair season, undermining his persistent back problem. In the absence of Vidic, he was able to hold the Man U defense together, pairing well with the young defenders like, Smalling, Jones and Evans. I felt he would have made the squad. But Hodgson said that for footballing reasons he chose Jones ahead of Rio, to cover up the right back position when needed, due to the absence of Walker. Walker had a very good season, but was unfortunate, as late injury ruled him out from selection. Micah Richards as always, is unfortunate again. His average performance has not been enough to earn him the ticket. Jagielka’s introduction to the English team was a good revelation, but was also omitted form the 23-man selection. Hodgson must have his reason.

Going to the Midfield, Lennon was a surprise omission for me. His performance was brilliant enough to have earned him the call-up, but I think Walcott’s assists to Van Persie being the highest goal scorers of the season, must have played against him.

In the striking role upfront, Sturridge and Crouch’s omission also raised eyebrows. Crouch’s wonder goal against Man City could not hand him the England Shirt; moreover, Sturridge, joint highest goal scorer (premiership goals) with Lampard in Chelsea could not also make the team.

The Ox

Moving on to the shock inclusions, Oxlade-Chamberlain will quickly crop to all eyes. Yes, he contributed significantly to Arsenal’s season (in his first year), but not many of us saw him making the team. That was a pleasant surprise for me, especially as an Arsenal fan *wink wink*. I hope he doesn’t get carried away or burnt out before next season. Phil Jones was another surprise inclusion for me, but I guess Walker’s injury gave him the edge. The other BIG unexpected inclusion is that of Stewart Downing. He refused to score a goal in the premiership this past season- even when he was gifted a penalty in their game against Chelsea, he struck the post. He failed to replicate the brilliant performance that brought him to Liverpool from Aston Villa. But we find his name in the squad! Maybe he benefitted from a soft feeling that Hodgson may have for his club, Liverpool. That may also go for Andy Carroll, who only started showing signs of brilliance in the last couple of games, after struggling most part of the season. I would have picked a Crouch or Sturridge ahead of him.

Hodgson’s selection of Gerrard as the Captain of the team was no surprise. He’s a born, proven leader and I believe he always delivers, and will again on this occasion. Terry was stripped of the captaincy because of his pending case against Anton Ferdinand. I am convinced Gerrard will receive Terry’s full support, as I see them as professionals. Parker would have been good alternative, but I go with Hodgson’s choice.

Fair team overall…it’s just a 23-man squad, so there must be omissions. Let’s see what England can offer this time around.

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