England Euro 2012 Squad Predictions (part1)

Bored now. There not being any (men's) footy is fine for a couple of weeks but after some time there is only a lot cricket, tennis & athletics that you can care about.

I suppose I could pass my time enjoying things like the sunshine, going out more, possibly a tiny small tiny little bit of golf, but for a geek like me those sorts of thing don't cut the mustard.

So, to pass the time, & to keep away from facing up to the doleful reality of not having a life, I have been having a think about the team Fabio Capello may pick in Euro 2012 (ought to England get there).

Team first, then the justification:

GK: Joe Hart

FB: Micah Richards

FB: Ashley Cole

CB: John Terry

CB: Rio Ferdinand

LM: Ashley Young

CM: Steven Gerrard

CM: Jack Wilshire

RM: Theo Walcott

ST: Wayne Rooney

ST: Darren Crooked

Squad: Rob Green, David Stockdale, Glen Johnson, Leighton Baines, Michael Dawson, Chris Smalling, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, James Milner, Stuart Downing, Andy Carroll, Danny Wellbeck

 To make something clear, this is not the squad I would take. This is the squad I think Capello would take. Evidently, if it was the squad I would take then there would be a place for me.

Goalkeepers

Capello must be counting his lucky stars they has Joe Hart because without him, England may as well play 11 outfield players. Ben Foster & Paul Robinson have taken themselves out of the walking, Scott Carson will be out of the way in Turkey next season & Robert Green has yet to move out of the Championship. More due to the whole absence of other candidates than his own ability, I think this might be the season David Stockdale moves up a level, in the event that they can secure first team footy somewhere. & for the necessity of somebody else, Green will probably hold onto his place in the squad.

Defenders

Other than right back, the defense still picks itself. Subject to injuries (which are a huge query mark for both centre backs) it will still be Ferdinand, Terry & Cole. For the fourth spot, I think this is the year Capello will start to recognize Micah Richards' abilities at right back. Under Mancini's guidance, his defending has improved significantly & the experience they will gain in the Champions League ought to be to warrant a chance.

Leighton Baines & Glen Johnson are the obvious choice backups at full back. Chris Smalling could find himself ahead of Rio for club & country if Ferdinand's body continues to deteriorate but for now I'll put him on the bench. The other reserve centre-half will probably be Michael Dawson who Capello seems to rate, even in the event that they are not having the same overall talent as Phil Jagielka. Gary Cahill (ought to they leave Bolton) & Phil Jones will both generate at a higher level next year but they will probably must wait until Brazil 2014 for their chance at a huge match.