Thread: Provisional England World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: Robinson (Tottenham), James (Manchester City), Green (Norwich)
• Defenders: G Neville (Manchester United), R Ferdinand (Manchester United), Terry (Chelsea), A Cole (Arsenal), Campbell (Arsenal), Carragher (Liverpool), Bridge (Chelsea)
• Midfielders: Beckham (Real Madrid), Carrick (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jenas (Totenham), Downing (Middlesbrough), J Cole (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham)
• Forwards: Rooney (Manchester United), Owen (Newcastle), Crouch (Liverpool), Walcott (Arsenal).
• Standby players: Scott Carson, Luke Young, Nigel Reo-Coker, Jermain Defoe, Andy Johnson.

Walcott???

"Asked how he decided on his selection, in particular leaving out the likes of Bent and Defoe, Eriksson said: 'Probably not too logically, sometimes you do it on feelings as well and I am excited about Theo Walcott. "



How many million does he get paid?
He better win the bloody thing

Why not pick names out of a hat?

Must say that rather surprised me as well. I don't think he has played yet for the Arsenal team, only the reserrves.

God help us! We're doomed! Doomed, I say!

I agree with both of the above comments.
witht he odds of both Owen and rooney both playing a full part why pick Walcott. I heard Ericsson saying he has pace. But so too have Bent and Dafoe. They may not be world beaters but at least they have experience.
To pick someone who has not even played EPL says alot about "the talent" on offer in England and also of Ericsson

Wot, no Kieron Richardson????

So Englan will probably be playing their first game in the world cup with the terrifying line up of Crouch and Walcott up front - Brazil must be worried!

No Jermaine Dafoe too

Originally Posted by cantona

No Jermaine Dafoe too

I think you meant no Jermaine Dafoe either!

As much as I dislike Sven, I hope Walcott actually makes the grade!
Over the years conservatism has dominated the English team's selection and taking a risk doesn't seem so extreme when you think of the likely replacements.
Bent, Johnson, Dafoe, Vassell or as one pundit suggested Heskey!!!!!

Originally Posted by Bob

I think you meant no Jermaine Dafoe either!

I think you meant no Jermaine Defoe!

Originally Posted by NickA

think you meant no Jermaine Defoe

OK, I'm not a fokin TEFL English teacher like you

I think this selection is Sven's last 2 finger salute at England,a thank you for being teated so well for the last few years.

Originally Posted by Troubled

• Forwards: Rooney (Manchester United), Owen (Newcastle), Crouch (Liverpool), Walcott (Arsenal).

A suprise is one thing, but an unheard of player is another. Why wasnt he given a shot by Arsenal? Food poisoning turned out to be their lucky stars.

This was one wierd selection. If you dont support Arsenal had you heard of Theo Walcott?

His signing by Arsenal from Southampton was massive news.
Many Southampton fans were predicting that he was an outside shot for the World Cup squad.

As a gooner I reckon Sven's on the right track with Walcott. Sure, the likes of Bent and Defoe have proven themselves and you know what you're going to get but they're nothing special. If it were a league or we just wanted to make sure we don't go out before the semis then take them but if you want to beat the likes of Brazil then you need players who can do something a bit special. Walcott is safely faster than Henry and can pull off some spectactular stuff.

Anyway, you can afford to take a risk up front. If a defender makes a silly mistake due to inexperience then you can lose the game but you don't have the same problem with a striker.

^ So if Walcott's so good, can i take it that we can expect to see him play some part in the Champions League final?

Because if he isn't good enough to at the very least be coming off the bench in that game, then there is no way he is ready to be playing in the World Cup.

He was on the bench against Real Madrid, Juventus and Villareal but won't be for the final as Wenger let him meet up with the England squad instead.

In Europe Arsenal only play one up front and he picks himself. In the premiership, where they have dropped far too many points losing out physicaly, it makes sense to use a big powerful player like Adebayor over a boy like Walcott. Sure, Robin Van Persie gets the nod ahead of Walcott from the sub's bench but Sven would choose him over Walcott if the Dutch didn't mind.

Also, as part of the transfer fee with Southampton, Arsenal have to pay them 50 grand per appearance up to a certain number but only have to pay them for England games when he's played 20. Until the new stadium is ready Arsenal are very short on cash.

If he can't get in the side ahead of Adebayor then he's not ready. He's not even been given one appearance. You can't tell me Arsenal can't afford 50 grand until their new stadium is officially opened. Weak excuses.

Have you ever actually seen Walcott play, and i don't mean a few highlights?

He's only ever played against Championship defenders in a competitive match, and a handful of games at that.

Don't get me wrong, i hope he takes the tournament by storm now that he's been picked, but it is a ridiculous and unnecessary gamble particularly when taken in the context of the other strikers named in the squad.

Originally Posted by Fast Eddie

If he can't get in the side ahead of Adebayor then he's not ready. He's not even been given one appearance. You can't tell me Arsenal can't afford 50 grand until their new stadium is officially opened. Weak excuses.

Adebayor and Walcott could barely be more different players and Adebayor is much more suited to what Arsenal needed in the Premiership but sure, I doubt the 50 grand had too heavy an influence.

Have you ever actually seen Walcott play, and i don't mean a few highlights?

No, not a full competitive game. I have only seen highlights and training but had heard a lot of good things about him before he joined Arsenal and some great stuff more recently.

Sure, taking him is a big gamble but personnally I think it is one worth taking especialy considering that neither Bent or Defoe have anything special to turn a game with.

He's gone now so we'll just have to wait and see how things go. I just hope he does well and doesn't do anything stupid a la Beckham '98 because if he came home vilified by the nation at his age it would be terrible.