England Squad for 2014 World Cup in Brazil

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Ben Foster, Fraser Forster

Defenders: Glen Johnson, Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard, Jack Wilshere, Frank Lampard, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Ross Barkley, Adam Lallana, Raheem Sterling, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Strikers: Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck, Rickie Lambert

My Starting XI



My Opinion:

Roy Hodgson opted to go for a more youthful approach which I believe was the right way to go. There is a good blend between the more experienced players and the prosperous younger talent. People will question why Ashley Cole, who was most notably left out of the squad, as well as Michael Carrick. However, I think Roy made the correct decision to leave out both of them. Cole has hardly featured for Chelsea at all this season whereas Baines and Shaw have both shone throughout their very strong campaigns. Carrick was part of a very poor United team and has been overlooked once again for the likes of Gerrard, Lampard, Henderson and Wilshere who think are the better options to have. There was competition for places between the strikers but I'm really glad that Lambert got the nod ahead of Defoe and Carroll as he really deserves his place on the plane. What a story it would be if he came off the bench to score a winning goal in one the matches.

I think the defence pretty much picks itself and there won't be many disagreements on who should be in the starting eleven. However, there will be different opinions on how England should play offensively. I agree with Paul Scholes on this subject and suggest England try and replicate the attacking style that Liverpool have adopted and benefited from so well. This means that they should pick more Liverpool players who are already comfortable playing in that fashion. Thus, I've gone for Sterling ahead of Welbeck on the left whilst Henderson to play alongside Gerrard in a deeper role. Lallana is a classy player who should start as he is great on the ball and is capable of producing a bit of magic in front of goal. I would rather see Rooney play behind Sturridge as he should be looking to get more involved and create more opportunities. This should leave Sturridge to be the main focus point up front and should be looking to score the majority of England's goals. 

The cover on the bench is pretty decent but inexperienced. Hopefully, we'll see the likes of Shaw, Barkley and Sterling shine and come into their own as they may be called upon if injuries start to creep into the squad. I'm feeling optimistic about England's chances and believe they will progress out of the group stages. The draw for the last 16 is favourable as the Ivory Coast look to be the biggest threat England could face and I would expect them to move into the Quarter-Finals. However, that's where I think England will be knocked out. Potential opponents include Brazil, Spain and the Netherlands. Now they have much stronger squads and will be far superior favourites to beat England. Yet, on their day, England could beat anybody and you just never know. Unfortunately, past World Cups suggest that England will be knocked out in the Quarter-Finals on penalties. Hopefully, this time we can progress further, whether it's via penalties or not, but I'm sure it's going to be an extremely tense watch if England manage to make it that far. 

Follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mattaylott

Feel free to leave a comment below!

International Friendly: England 0 v 1 Germany

England 0 v 1 Germany Mertesacker (39)
First Half: Rooney looping header lands on roof of the net. Jagielka heads over from close range. Mertesacker header denied by great save from Hart. Goal! 0-1, Mertesacker heads into the far corner from Gotze's cross. Gerrard long range strike flies just over the bar.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Kroos fires over the bar from long range. Reus has a shot saved. Townsend hits the far post with a long range strike. Gotze shot denied by a great save. Sam chips over both the keeper and the bar. Townsend blasts an effort high and wide.
Full Time: 0-1.



My Opinion:
My man of the match was Bender. England showed plenty of intent but lacked any real creativity in front of goal. It was another chance for some of the fringe players to impress but nobody really shone. A disappointing defeat at the hands of Germany but it does reinforce what a tough test the matches in Brazil will prove to be. Germany were controlled and collected throughout. They put out their reserve team but it was still a very classy team. Ultimately, the game demonstrated Germany's strength in depth and England's lack of strength in depth.

Internatonal Friendly: England 0 v 2 Chile

England 0 v 2 Chile Sanchez (7, 90)
First Half: Jones header from Lallana free kick denied by a good save. Goal! 0-1, Sanchez header from centre of box to near side corner. Beusejeur shot pushed away from Forster. Lampard long range free kick tipped over the bar. Wilshere driven shot parried away. Medel heads over the bar from a corner. Jones puts an effort just wide of the post from a corner. Lallana shot deflected wide of the post. 
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Johnson fires over the bar from long range. Goal! 0-2, Sanchez through on goal and neatly chips the ball past Forster inside the near post. Rooney curls an effort wide of the far post. 
Full Time: 0-2.



My Opinion:
My man of the match was Sanchez. This was a challenging match for England but it was a good test against a very well drilled team. The manager gave some of the fringe players a game and it was good experience for those new to the national side. Ultimately, it was a weary performance from England who will now look to bounce back against Germany in the next friendly. Chile were impressive and deserved to win. Sanchez was the best player on the pitch and proved to be the major difference between the two sides. After that victory, Chile will prove to be a tough draw in the World Cup. 

Best Goal: Sanchez (2)

World Cup Qualifier: England v Montenegro

England rally to victory in second half

England 4 v 1 Montenegro Rooney (48), Boskovic (og,62), Damjanovic (71), Townsend (78), Sturridge (pen,90)

England stay on track to top the group. The first half was largely dominated by England as Montenegro were happy to sit back. However, England were unable to make their pressure count in the opening 45 minutes after spurning numerous chances. Welbeck blazed high and wide from long range before Rooney had a shot that deflected just wide of the post. Welbeck failed to convert two more times after having a shot saved at the near post before putting another effort wide with his shoulder. Gerrard was next to be denied after his whipped long range shot was saved before having another tame effort saved comfortably. Townsend's low shot was parried but Rooney could only put his rebounded shot into the side netting. Welbeck had a shot deflected wide whilst Sturridge sliced his shot wide just before half time.

Rooney calmed everyone's nerves early in the second half to put England ahead after slotting home Welbeck's parried shot. Hart was called into action soon after but managed to save the header. England went 2-0 up as Boskovic turned into his own net trying to clear a dangerous Welbeck cross. Jovetic then struck the bar with a thunderous long range screamer before Lampard blazed over from the edge of the box. Gerrard had and effort saved before Welbeck had a shot saved from close range. Montenegro did manage to pull a goal back and reduce the deficit to one after Damjanovic scored with a low shot into the far corner. However, Townsend soon restored England's two goal advantage with a long range screamer which went in via the inside of the post. England capped off their victory with a late penalty as Sturridge was fouled inside the box before slotting from the spot himself.

My Opinion:

My man of the match was Townsend who impressed on the right wing. A dominant show from England who deserved to win but Rooney's goal straight after half time was crucial to how the evening unfolded. Once the first goal went in, the game opened up as Montenegro chased the game. Montenegro had a few moments where they looked dangerous but overall it was a poor performance from them. Very pleased with the win for England and my nerves have reduced in the hope that England can beat Poland at home. 

Best Goal: Townsend

World Cup Qualifier: Ukraine v England

England held to a draw in Ukraine

Ukraine 0 v 0 England



England were held to a draw in Ukraine after both sides failed to create any real chances. It was a very tentative affair as both teams knew the importance of the result of this match. Ukraine may feel they were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty as Gary Cahill brought down an attacker in the penalty area but the referee chose not to award anything. England were very poor going forward but ensured they went home with a point after a dogged defensive display. England lead the group by one point and need can qualify top of the group by winning their remaining two games at home.

My Opinion:

It was a job done by England to get a draw but that was about it. A very poor game with hardly any chances to write home about but the result was all that mattered. England have their own fate in their hands and need to win their last two games against Montenegro and Poland at home to qualify. Gary Cahill was fortunate not to have conceded a penalty as it was a very dodgy tackle inside the box. Nevertheless, the referee luckily didn't award a penalty and England survived a tricky test.

World Cup Qualifier: England v Moldova (Wembley)

Lambert scores again as England cruise to victory

England 4 v 0 Moldova Gerrard (12), Lambert (26), Welbeck (45,50)



England eased to a dominant victory over a poor Moldova side. The game started well or England who scored early on to ease the nerves as Steven Gerrard's low driven shot went in off the post after a good lay off from Frank Lampard. Rickie Lambert then doubled the lead for England to continue his great form for his country by heading in from close range after Walcott's effort was saved. England made it 3-0 just before half time as Lambert chipped the ball through the Moldova defence which Welbeck latched onto and rounded the goalkeeper before tapping in. Only five minutes into the second half, Welbeck got his second goal of the game after slotting into the back of the net from close range with his left foot. England continued to pressurise and attack Moldova's goal but the game finished 4-0.

My Opinion:

My man of the match was Rickie Lambert for another very impressive performance and deservedly capped it with a goal. Another bright light for England was the performance from Jack Wilshere who showed creativity and injected pace into the English midfield. Danny Welbeck will be pleased with his two goals whilst Steven Gerrard scored a typical goal from long range. Everyone expected England to beat a poor Moldova team but the real test will be the next game away to Ukraine.

Goal of the Day: Steven Gerrard