A catch-all thread for the Euros.

Just watched France-Germany.

I don't know how strong that Germany team was. But France looked very impressive going forward. They found a lot of space and moved the ball with a mucho confidence. Good pace and movement.

France are in England's group. They're going to put a lot of stress on England's midfield.

A catch-all thread for the Euros.

Just watched France-Germany.

I don't know how strong that Germany team was. But France looked very impressive going forward. They found a lot of space and moved the ball with a mucho confidence. Good pace and movement.

France are in England's group. They're going to put a lot of stress on England's midfield.

The team Germany fielded was half of their backup squad.

We were missing Podolski, Lahm, Müller (until the 45th min), Gomez, Schweinsteiger, Mertesacker, and Neuer. Some due to injury, some just didn't get the call or start. Granted Löw likes to go between Klose, Cacau, and Gomez, but Gomez is the striker on form so he'll probably get the tip.

We also have others like Götze available for call up.

The nice thing is that he fielded a very young team tonight minus Wiese and Klose (and Cacau when he subbed on). I think Löw was looking to round out the rest of the 23-man squad for the Euros.

I will say that France looked much better than they have in recent years. They are on the rise.

Thanks for the Germany info, Arq. I had a feeling that wasn't their best XI.

Anytime, cheers.

Only 4 teams have a shot at winning this tournament. Spain, Germany, Holland, France,

Sweden won 3-1 away to Croatia, only their 2nd loss in 10 years I think - England the only ones managing to beat them as well.

I'd say we've got a big chance of making it out of our group to be fair, especially if Zlatan keeps his form up and with Guidetti coming in!

Andreas, there's a good chance Sweden can make it out of their group. It's harder now with France looking a lot better.

Not that it really matters as part of me has hoped for a while that JT would just tell the FA to go f**k themselves. However we know he won't.

The fail have restarted their JT hate campaign... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2141547/John-Terry-crisis-Roy-Hodgson-set-ditch-Chelsea-captain-Euro-2012.html

I'm not wound up by it like I used to be. However it's laughable and a blatant ploy to put pressure on Hodgson.

Definitely a ploy. Well timed too after the Liverpool loss.

Bunch of media pricks.

I struggle to even care any more, tired of the press' agenda with all things England. They're saying Carroll has a nailed on place because he played well against us (despite us having severely weakened defences, despite one of his goals being a bit of a gift), there are strikers who've earned a place far more than he has.

I'll feel for Terry if he didn't get a place, one of the things even the press can't deny is that he's probably the most committed player to put on an England shirt for the last 4-5 years. Especially compared to Gerrard who without fail gets a 3 day injury everytime a friendly comes around.

So Rio hates Terry. Grow up. Some of the greatest England sides have had players who hate each other team up.

I hear Australia has a good shout of winning it this year.....

Or not, whatever.

Anyone want to wager on Roy's 23 (or at least preliminary squad) before he announces it on the 16th?

Saw Malouda made the preliminary French squad, but I would think his lack of playing time this season would probably see his name crossed off the list. Hope so, if we're going to sell him this summer we don't need him picking up a knock.

Can anyone tell me exactly why Terry is apparently not going to be selected?

If it came to a straight decision between Rio and JT, there is no comparison. Rio will be lucky if he can stay fit for four weeks, that's before you take into account the fact that Terry is about the only player in the team who remembers he has a pair when he puts on the England shirt.

For mine ace, the squad should be:

GK: Hart, Foster, Stockdale

DEF: Richards, Walker, Terry, Cahill, Jagielka, Jones, Cole, Baines;

MID: Lampard ©, Parker (vc), Carrick, Gerrard, Milner, Young, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lennon, Walcott;

FW: Rooney, Carroll, Welbeck.

Of course it won't be anything near that. I'd expect Ferdinand to get picked, and of course that useless slow Barry. Carrick gets a lot of heat, but he is twice the player Barry is. Danny might even go, though with his lack of defensive discipline I wouldn't take him.

One of Englands best players over the last 10 years and he get's a LOT of unfair stick about being over-rated and the media seem to write him off every year. At the start of the season he was written off and use more as a sub in the latest games. We all know this isn't true! We love our lamps and I personally hope to see him as captain or vice if terry makes it.

Do you think he will get a starting spot?

If woy uses a 4-4-2 I expect this to be the line up

- Hart-

Walker - Terry - Cahill - Cole

Johnson? - Gerrard - Lampard - Young

- Rooney - Welbeck -

Obviously the whole lampard / gerrard thing will come up again if both are played. Maybe frank can take a more deeper role like he's been doing lately?

I am head of the Frank Lampard fan club on here, and I think that we've seen when the big moments arrived against Barca, Lampard was there executing as usual, He pretty much showed those that doubted him during the year (most notably Andre Villas Boas) to be idiots. I can't see how Woy can leave him out. Matter of fact I think he will be strongly considered to be JT's replacement as captain, particularly with Parker struggling with injury.

I've seen media articles (I know, I know...) going on and on about Hart being the only choice for captain.

I think Lamps not only deserves a place on the squad but should be at the front of the line to wear the armband. I very well could be biased, but if JT really doesn't have a place I think Frank has proven that he's more than capable to play for and lead England.

I agree, Lampard is my favourite player of the last decade and would love to see him as captain. However, I have a feeling that he's gonna give it to someone else like Gerrard.

Edited May 14, 201214 yr by Teritus

As it has been well documetned the Lampard/Gerrard partnership just does not work (even though on paper it would be the best CM partnership we have had as an England team (and could have been Chelsea history if it wasnt for those scummy scousers)). If Woy chooses Gerrard ahead of Lampard I still think the latter deserves to be part of the squad and will be bitterly disappointed if super Frank is not (at the very least) part of the squad.

Can anyone name an english CM who has done better this year?

Guys

I want to put it out there, who will be on the plane for the Euro's?

Will Roy take Terry? Does Ferdinand actually warrant a place?

Will Roy try to get the Lampard/Gerrard partnership to work?

Who will play up top in light of Rooney's ban for the first two games?

I have been trying to put down on paper well MS Word who will go. I must admit I cannot see many surprises, Holt should go on performances but he is at an unfashionable team and I just cannot see Roy taking the gamble on him.

Looks like Parker and Walker could be out but if both fit feel they should be in the squad.

And who knows who the captain is going to be... I cannot see it going any further past Gerrard if i am honest. Frank has had the better season and would do a good job in the role.

I am still putting my finishing touches to my guess of who will be in there but will be good to see what my fellow Chelsea fans think.

Look forward to seeing who you guys come up with and see if you have any surprise call ups.

Can anyone tell me exactly why Terry is apparently not going to be selected?

I don't get this either. Apparently it's because of his form but other than the Liverpool game last week he has been in a fantastic run of form. If it's because of the impending court case could The FA or Hodgson not come out and actually say that. For me the centre backs should be JT and Cahill. When they have actually been on the pitch together this season they have looked comfortable along side each other. They've only played together 5 times against Stoke, Spuds, Fulham, Arsenal & Barcelona but have only conceded 1 goal (Fulham).

Edited May 14, 201214 yr by TomW

Paul Scholes has been great since his return. Gerrard hasen't impressed much this season. Scholes and Lampard could make up the midfield possibly

Really depends on what formation Woy is going for. He is a 4-4-2 man so thats my best guess.

As it has been well documetned the Lampard/Gerrard partnership just does not work (even though on paper it would be the best CM partnership we have had as an England team (and could have been Chelsea history if it wasnt for those scummy scousers)). If Woy chooses Gerrard ahead of Lampard I still think the latter deserves to be part of the squad and will be bitterly disappointed if super Frank is not (at the very least) part of the squad.

Can anyone name an english CM who has done better this year?

I think it's because they are both attack minded players and if both going up frequently, it often leaves us weak at the back, but if England played a 4-3-3 with Parker as the anchor man, then Lamps and Gewward can have more licence to both go forward. Gewward feeding Wooney and Lamps feeding the wingers and then run from deep?

It will be the same sh*t as every tournament, lets face it England are sh*t and we'll have more success at the Olympics so save your support until then!

Looks like JT is in the england squad, Rio being excluded.

thoughts?

Maybe if he wasn't such a drama queen over the last year, winding up the sh*t, it might have done his international career a few favours.

First thing Hodgson has done right!