England- Defoe Out - Walcott in!

[fluke]

What do you think of this???

[Jol's Yid Army]

I cant believe that Defoe is only on stand by and the untested Walcott is in the squad. It rises the question, do wenger and dein run the FA?

I'm delighted that Aaron Lennon is in the squad and he fully deserves it.

[Welsh Spur]

I agree...Lennon is a deserved choice.

I'm not surprised Defoe isn't going, but I am absoulutely stunned by the inclusion of Walcott. He hasn't even played in the Premiership...or in months.

[frank_vdubTHFC]

I think its a f'ing disgrace that a player that can not even get on the subs bench at club can be picked over Defoe or Bent.

Secondly why is campbell going and King not. What if campbell's has another lovers tiff (with whoever it maybe that day) and walks out at half time.

Sven is a joke and I can not wait until 2010 when both him and next manager are gone.

[Welsh Spur]

Yes...another shock, no Ledley King. Shocking...absolutely shocking. He is ten times the player Campbell ever was.

[frank_vdubTHFC]

Even the gooner sitting next to me, has agreed with King should go not Campbell.

[SurreySpur]

Owen hargreaves again??

[Welsh Spur]

how is Hargreaves going to get a game? He sucks.

[Robbo1]

Absolutely disgusted that Ledley isnt going - cannot see any reason for his omission.

Bloody Sven :mad:

[shoot_ffs]

the striker situation is bizarre. to take just four strikers, two with serious injuries to a high tempo competition with matches in quick succession, is downright risky. Then add in walcotts inexperience, also that he has never played 90 mins at the top level, won't understand tactics and the team players around him. Also the fact that we only have one big 6ft target man is very risky. I love defoe, but i still would have taken bent for his size and pace. Walcott's inclusion is a total nonsense, when you are already gambling with the striker selections, to put a complete amateur in one of the other places is totally bizarre. I'd rather he would have taken robbie fowler than him.

[Welsh Spur]

yeah, when u put it like that.....crouch is he only player there who is reliable....how bad is that?

[Hayes Massive]

Yes...another shock, no Ledley King. Shocking...absolutely shocking. He is ten times the player Campbell ever was.
An absolute disgrace!!No Ledley but Owen Hargreaves is in,what has he EVER given England.As for Theo Walcott why?Not one premiership start,not even on Arses subs bench,yet better than Darren Bent or Jermaine Defoe,sorry i dont buy it.4 forwards 2 of whom are injured,Peter Crouch who scores on average 1 in 10 & a 17 year old with no experience at top flight football whatsoever.Its not looking good perhaps this is Svens revenge.Cograts to P Robinson,M Carrick,JJ,& Aaron,but my heart bleeds for Ledley.

[Welsh Spur]

Agreed. Thought he was a dead cert personally. Absolutely gutted for him.

[frank_vdubTHFC]

Yep agree two. I thought he had the holding role

[fluke]

yeah, when u put it like that.....crouch is he only player there who is reliable....how bad is that?

I wouldn't call 6 goals this season "reliable" for a "striker".

If we weren f*cked when Rooney broke his foot, were f*cked now!

[Houdini logic]

Hmm, well I guess King's injury ruled him out..
Jenas got a spot though, which is nice.

Defoe's ommision is a surprise. Walcott is either going to light up the World Cup or prove that Sven is a loon. I mean, he's been taken on hype, Sven's seen him in training, not in a match against World class opposition..

But if anything, at least it shows he HAS actually got balls hidden away somewhere...

[Houdini logic]

Oh, and the full list...

Last Updated: Monday, 8 May 2006, 13:53 GMT 14:53 UK

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Walcott & Lennon in England squad

Walcott (left) and Lennon receive their first England call-ups
Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon are in England's provisional World Cup squad, but Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jermain Defoe and Ledley King miss out.
Walcott is one of only four strikers in Sven-Goran Eriksson's 23-man squad, alongside injured pair Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, and Peter Crouch.

Darren Bent misses out, while Defoe is on a five-man standby list.

Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing and Bayern Munich's Owen Hargreaves are other surprise inclusions.

Chelsea winger Wright-Phillips, an England squad regular this season, does not even make the standby list, which includes uncapped West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker and Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson.

Eriksson admitted he was taking a gamble by selecting uncapped Walcott, who is yet to make a first-team appearance for Arsenal after joining from Southampton in January.

"It's a big gamble, I know it is. I am excited to see him, he's a big talent. And pace in football today is worth a lot," said the England coach, who will step down after the World Cup.

"For me it's a good squad, an interesting squad. There are some new players, some young players and it is an attacking squad with a lot of pace which is necessary in a World Cup."

Asked how he came to the decision to omit the likes of Defoe and Bent in favour of Walcott, Eriksson confessed: "Probably not too logically.

"Sometimes you do it on feelings as well and I am excited about Theo Walcott."

Walcott and Peter Crouch the only fully fit recognised strikers in the squad, with Rooney a major doubt.

But Eriksson said: "I think Michael Owen will be fully 100% fit to train with us from Monday. Rooney, it is just to wait and hope and see.

"I don't know exactly when he is going to do the next scan.

"But Joe Cole is a striker as well so in reality we have seven defenders, nine midfielders and five strikers - it is depending on how you use Joe Cole."

Eriksson admitted it had been a difficult task informing those players who had not been selected, but added that the decision to exclude King was based on the Tottenham defender's fitness.

"This morning I talked to those players. It was sad to not pick people but we had to make a decision," he said.

"Ledley King is injured and he can't train. If you talk about centre-halves we are very well covered, so taking another one half-injured when we have so many good ones it is not a good idea."

Eriksson must name his final squad on Monday 15 May, but he has until 24 hours before England's first game on 10 June to replace any injured players.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Provisional squad:
Robinson (Tottenham), James (Manchester City), Green (Norwich); G Neville (Manchester United), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Terry (Chelsea), Cole (Arsenal), Campbell (Arsenal), Carragher (Liverpool), Bridge (Chelsea), Beckham (Real Madrid), Carrick (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jenas (Tottenham), Downing (Middlesbrough), J Cole (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham), Rooney (Manchester United), Owen (Newcastle), Crouch (Liverpool), Walcott (Arsenal).

Standby:
Carson (Liverpool), Young (Charlton), Reo-Coker (West Ham), Defoe (Tottenham), Johnson (Crystal Palace).

Bent not anywhere to been seen is a shocker.
Hell, I would have picked that big Wigan striker over Walcott.

[MarlowSpurs]

But if anything, at least it shows he HAS actually got balls hidden away somewhere...

In Wengers mouth!!!!!!!!!!

[denis-cro]

As this is not a Spurs topic, I feel myself as THE ENEMY here :D ... I will only say that Sven is an IDIOT, cause England without King ( if he will be fit to play ) and Defoe is very weak...and if Croatia will play vs England after group matches, i hope that Sven´s No. 1 will be David James ;)

[spurs61]

I think this is conclusive evidence that Eriksson is an utter idiot. How many other nations do you think will include 4 strikers of whom two won't play and one has never played a top class game in his life.

The inclusion of Campbell once again demonstrates Eriksson's blind devotion to players who are well past their sell by dates and as for Hargreaves.....

[highlander]

i was thinking that Wenger was picking the squad but then i saw the inclusion of Hargrefes so that leaves me thinking its David ****ing Dein picking the squad. bastard

[spurs61]

i was thinking that Wenger was picking the squad but then i saw the inclusion of Hargrefes so that leaves me thinking its David ****ing Dein picking the squad. bastard

I seriously believe that David Dein should be removed from any representative panel other than Arsenal's board, this is a conflict of interest that should not be tolerated in an open society,. Did anyone notice who his guest of honour was yesterday, that's right Peter Scudamore chief exec of Premier League maintaining his impartiality by presiding over the decision not to allow Spurs a postponement from the comfort of an Arsenal hospitality suite, does that stink to high heaven or what?! Wenger has spent the entire season accusing other managers of lying and racism and yet how many charges of "bringing the game into disrepute" has he brought up on? Any other manager/player/coach/chairman making such allegations would find themselves up before the FA and Premier League in a matter of hours, Wenger on the other hand is given the job of picking the England squad for the World Cup (it's the only way I can account for the inclusion of Fagboy, Slag-Shagger and Untried Untested).

[Spur]

Four strikers is wrong. Campbell is wrong. No King anywhere is wrong. Defoe I can understand not being in. But instead of him you have Walcott...? Where's Ashton or Harewood or Bent who scored a load this season? How about Teddy if you want a striker. And Andy Johnson also above all these getting in the reserve list? I don't get it.

I'd have Vassel and Cole above Theo who has done very well in his lifetime scoring 6 Championship goals. Spurs bought a Championship striker last season his name was Rasiak, I hope Walcott turns out to be that good.

Sven is a ****. We went out of the past 2 comps because we took 4 strikers. Now we have 4 strikers, two injured and one Theo. Talk about inexperience.

[onthejazzin77]

Congrats to Carrick, Lennon and Jenas. WTF Walcott, Campbell and Hargreaves. Please please please lock Owen and Rooney in Oxygen tanks. Leaving DEFOE at home is an absolute disgrace. So is leaving BENT. Im not surprised though - Hoddle preferred Rob Lee, Paul Merson and David Batty over GAZZA for France98.

[THE FOX]

perhaps Dien and Arse pulled afew strings they seem to have so much power down the F A your would think it was only run to suit them as and when they like it .I bet dien would have got the arse game called off if they had a bout of what we had

[JJ]

I have no problem taking Walcott if there were 5 strikers. To take only 4, 2 of which are injured, 1 hasn't played a premiership game and the other isnt exactly prolific.

It makes very little sense....but then again, i should have seen it coming with Sven.

[Keanoldinho]

3 main changes I would've made

Hargreaves out Bent in
Walcott out Defoe in
C*ntball out Dawson in

and if Rooney can't go which I think he can't then maybe give Walcott a shot and that's a big maybe

[MarlowSpurs]

Well we could be in trouble with a squad like that, look at the facts

Crouch - 6 foot 8 and still cannot head a ball.
Owen - Not exactly match fit or even looking like his past form
Rooney - Injured just hope he makes a quick recovery
Walcott - Only got picked after Wenger f**ked Sven up the arse.
A Cole - Same as above
Campbell - Same as above, but might go crying home to mummy if he gets scared
Hargreaves - Only good as a german leather clad gimp
James - Please god don't give this muppet a chance

Apart from that not too bad for a swedish tart.
Some quotes from Sven I have found

"Sometimes you do it on feelings as well and I am excited about Theo Walcott." Proves my point about Wenger

"Theo is being given a chance and I think he will take it like other young players have," he told BBC Sport. Something is going on here

Walcott and Crouch are the only fully fit recognised strikers in the squad, with Rooney, in particular, a major doubt as he recovers from a broken metatarsal.

Owen is closer to a full return after also breaking a bone in a foot.

"I think Michael Owen will be fully 100% fit to train with us from Monday. Rooney, it is just to wait and hope and see," said Eriksson.

Eriksson added that the decision to exclude King was based on the Tottenham defender's fitness.


"Ledley King is injured and he can't train," said the England coach. So what the f**k is Rooney upto then apart from gambling, shagging oaps and drinking

Last but not least the only sensible thing to come from that swedes mouth (apart from Urika's tits)
"The reason why Shaun Wright-Phillips is not in the squad is very simple - it is Aaron Lennon

NUFF SAID

[Jol's Yid Army]

I honestly believe Sven is trying to f*ck up our world cup chances on purpose. This is Sven’s final two finger salute to the English press after they made him look a complete **** with that undercover video. After watching the press conference he gave me the impression that he couldn’t care less what people thought. He knows already that Rooney won’t make the WC and there’s a high percentage that Owen will breakdown again with the same injury. No-one knows what he is thinking but the quicker England are eliminated the quicker he can leave the job which has become an absolute nightmare for him. I hope I’m completely wrong and England have a really good WC campaign (semis at least) and Sven’s selections are justified but I can’t see it.

[yiddownunder]

He must be on the same drugs as Arsol Campbell at the moment.

I would have rather have had Teddy back in the England Jersey. At least he has the experience for games like this.

I would not mind Walcott playing if it wasn't for the fact that:

A) He has not even had a first team game for Arse
B) Sven has not even seen him play so how can he make any kind of decision at an international level when he has not seen they boy play at club level???

Has he got a crystal ball or something?

[Keanoldinho]

Well we could be in trouble with a squad like that, look at the facts

Crouch - 6 foot 8 and still cannot head a ball.
Owen - Not exactly match fit or even looking like his past form
Rooney - Injured just hope he makes a quick recovery
Walcott - Only got picked after Wenger f**ked Sven up the arse.
A Cole - Same as above
Campbell - Same as above, but might go crying home to mummy if he gets scared
Hargreaves - Only good as a german leather clad gimp
James - Please god don't give this muppet a chance

Apart from that not too bad for a swedish tart.
Some quotes from Sven I have found

"Sometimes you do it on feelings as well and I am excited about Theo Walcott." Proves my point about Wenger

"Theo is being given a chance and I think he will take it like other young players have," he told BBC Sport. Something is going on here

Walcott and Crouch are the only fully fit recognised strikers in the squad, with Rooney, in particular, a major doubt as he recovers from a broken metatarsal.

Owen is closer to a full return after also breaking a bone in a foot.

"I think Michael Owen will be fully 100% fit to train with us from Monday. Rooney, it is just to wait and hope and see," said Eriksson.

Eriksson added that the decision to exclude King was based on the Tottenham defender's fitness.


"Ledley King is injured and he can't train," said the England coach. So what the f**k is Rooney upto then apart from gambling, shagging oaps and drinking

Last but not least the only sensible thing to come from that swedes mouth (apart from Urika's tits)
"The reason why Shaun Wright-Phillips is not in the squad is very simple - it is Aaron Lennon

NUFF SAID


:D lmfao sven really is a fecking joker

[Welsh Spur]

One rule for Rooney....another for others...

[Keanoldinho]

One rule for Rooney....another for others...

more like one rule for all svens knob jockeys(Rooney, Owen, ****ball etc...) and another for others

[Welsh Spur]

Who's ****ball?

[Keanoldinho]

Who's ****ball?

I'll give you 1 guess

[Welsh Spur]

Judas perhaps...? :D

[Keanoldinho]

Judas perhaps...? :D

the one and only