England World Cup 23's

Poolman SG

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.

Poolman SG

Any fans of England’s camp , how ? U like the squad ?

Poolman SG

Absolutely disgusted for the inclusion of Theo Walcott , he don't deserve the call-up , not fair for Jermaine Defoe , who has been playing well for England and Spurs , yet in the line behind the untested Theo Walcott , what is this .

Other than that ..... what ? Shocked David James , again ?

No Heskey leh .

edi_77777 SG

It's such a shame players like defoe n bent make way for walcott.. a young talent but untest at EPL level, let alone international scene..

is SGE that despo? or he just plain gone bonkers?!

is england so dependent on a player? (in this case rooney)

if thats the case i believe they wun go far..

T.Ryousuke SG

Why not wait and see what this young man can do on the field.
Many Super star start at this age, those who CMI are the one over age.
If you are damn good you surely kana mark, if ppl duno you its easier for you to play.

RSP SG

I agree that based on merit, Theo Walcott don't deserve to go to the World Cup.

What has he done? He has nvr played for Arsenal. Only a BIG FAT PRICE TAG on him. He is all word, no action yet. Unproven. and a BIG gamble. so BIG that it's illogical.

There are tons of others that deserve the place more.

Darren Bent....he must be thinking what else must he do to get a call up. Scored so many goals in the EPL this season.

Talk about Pace, Jermaine Defoe has the pace too what .He scores goals even when mostly deployed as a subsititute striker.

Even Andrew Johnson and Robbie Fowler deserve to go more than Walcott.

Of cos, I might be too harsh on Theo, he may turn out to be the superstar wonderkid this June for all i know...but until then, my stand is that Sven must be out of his mind.

incredible SG

i think Theo walcott will be an excellent secret weapon of england.
If he comes on in the last 20min, I am sure he will run riot.

if u see the goals he score for southampton, u will be amazed by his speed..
if u think defoe is fast enough, wait till u see Theo in action.

By saying sven is crazy, you guys are indirectly implying wenger is mad to pay such a hefty price on an unproven talent.

I just want to remind you guys...wenger is no fool. likewise, sven is no fool.

age is no barrier to good footballing skill. if u r good, u r good. lets give tt boy a chance.... who gave pele a chance last time when he conquer the world at age 17?

monoslayer SG

y didnt wenger himself gamble on walcott on his quest for the CL spot?? walcott is unproven yet n its not fair 4 players like defoe n bent.. i really feel pity for the both of them... the WC is not a stage to test ur players, it is a competition where only the elites of each country gather to compete for the holy grail of soccer.. well, i hope england go out in the 1st rd n erikkson become the laughing stock for generations to come... Evil or Very Mad

dragg SG

his skill and speed is amazing.

i think england will only use him as a surprise selection.

Aveme SG

well it has already being decided.

So just have to let his action prove that if he is really ready.For one,you guys cannot deny that wenger is the best manager in EPL in spotting real talent.SGE will also not be some dumbo to just take wenger's words that he is good,he will surely have done his homework and seen him play.

So if he turn up to be some supersub kinda player whose goals are critical for the win,i am sure you guys will then even cheer him

If he flops,it is not too late to bomb him

Aveme SG

so tell me,are you a England supporter?

If you are one,it tells how much you really support them,that only if the manager does things according to what you think,you will support them if not you hope for them to bomb.

www SG

nice to see SWP being excluded from the selection.
just hope liverpool aint serious about buying him.

it would be exciting and entertaining to see what walcott is capable of when england is trailing by a goal in the last 20 minutes.

JLennon SG

It was interesting to read how the English press reacted to Eriksson's selection especially in relation to Lennon and Walcott.

The press regarded the inclusion of Lennon as fair on the basis of his current form and abilities. On the inclusion of Walcott, quite a few columnists regarded that as a masterstroke by the England manager. Walcott will bring extra pace to the England set-up and hopefully terrorise defenders in the last 20 minutes of a game (as some of you have pointed out). Its true that on the basis of merit and achievement, this young lad cannot be compared with Bent or Defoe but Walcott can be a trump card in turning the game round.

Eriksson and Wenger are no fools but we will all await with bated breath at England's first friendly against Hungary to see if the choice was justified.

incredible SG

I have to agree with u on this.

JLennon SG

Was there a need for Wenger to gamble when he had more or less secured a CL spot? As much as I share your despair at England's chances for this World Cup, I for one will not be hoping that they go out in the first round. If you support England through and through, elimination is the last thing on your mind. As for whether Eriksson becomes a laughing stock is immaterial.

RSP SG

PLEASE...how can u compare SVEN and ARSENE WENGER..

Do you see Wenger throwing Theo into first team action straight away?
NO.

What does SVEN do?
CALL him up for the WORLD CUP.

The world cup is not some mickey mouse cup competition.

Sven is crazy..that's all i can say.

Secret Weapon? Yah...the one that backfires.

Yes, he deserves a chance...but so does Defoe, Bent and the rest. So what justifies the selection? Merit.

Pele was already scoring goals in the Brazillian League when he got his debut Same thing with Owen and Rooney.....tell me...what has Theo Walcott done?

JLennon SG

The fact that Walcott has done nothing at the highest level would have provoked some serious thought processing by Eriksson knowing full well the repurcussions of this huge gamble. We can argue till the cows come home but nothing can influence any change in the selection. Let's wait for the results to speak for themselves....

incredible SG

simply bcos wenger is playing with 1 lone striker upfront in CL matches and simply bcos wenger got fit strikers available.

feel pity for defoe and bent? why should u? arnt they given their chances to shone in england friendlies? have they taken their chances to such an extend...it caught the eyes of many pundits? simply NO.

I agree defoe and bent are good players. but they are not class players. If class players are left out to accomodate walcott, dan i will say Sven is crazy. But defoe and bent? I bet you have seen them pulling on the 3 lion white shirt for England...you think they have did remarkably well for England consistently when they are on field? you think they are class players? Do you anticipate either defoe or bent to be able to make a difference or impact in this world cup? Well....I dont think so.

Walcott is different. He is new. The world does not know abt him. Sven and Wenger know how fast he can be. So obviously sven feels he can be a secret weapon. thats y he decides to bring him to WC.

Put it this way....if england is chasing the game, I would rather Sven puts in Theo for the last 20 min dan either defoe or bent in. Simply cos... I think defoe and bent arnt that Class to change the game.... but Theo being unknown...be prepared for the surprises....esp with his lighting pace.

I am a Hardcore Diehard England Fan. Mr. Green

edi_77777 SG

not that we r saying wenger is mad.. if walcott is that good, y he has yet to play for them? y just name him on the bench n not even mayb a 15min appearence?

yet wenger said he is good enough for england.. well, u tell me!

monoslayer SG

sorry. i m no england supporter.