Places up for grabs? I doubt it.

As long as big names like Rooney, Lampard, Ferdinand, Gerrard and Barry are
available for selection, they will walk into the team. There is no way anyone else will
get in ahead of them, regardless of form.

Kevin Nolan has come off two very good seasons, and for 2010/11 at least, is
probably on better form than Lampard. If Jonas Gutierrez was good enough to play
for Argentina whilst Newcastle were in Division 1, I don't see why Nolan shouldn't
merit consideration too.

But he hasn't even gotten a sniff at all. Yet, turds like Gareth Barry and James Milner
continue in midfield.

Heck, I would even like to see Joey Barton in there, at least to give it a shake up
and inject some much needed bite. Or least punch a teammate that is not putting
the effort in.

With other countries, even big names like van Nistelrooy, Raul and Ronaldinho
gets dumped on the scrapheap when they're out of form. Such things don't happen
with England, and these rich stars become complacent.

It has become a reputation-based monopoly. And one that is greatly hindering their
chances of success.

I also lament the dearth of talent in the striking positions. Wayne Rooney and Andy
Carroll aside, there's no one else that constitutes a world-class striker in England's
ranks.

Bent, Defoe, Crouch and Carlton Cole are good, but they flatter to deceive and are
nowhere near the likes of Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham or the
former Michael Owen, in terms of reliability to score goals.

Ashley Young was probably the only bright spot for England vs the Swiss

For the record, the recent goals that Switzerland scored were not down to Joe Harts
goalkeeping. It was poor defensive play from Milner and Ferdinand. Two complete utter
peices of sh*t that don't deserve to be in the England squad.

United States to win the next world cup...:))

^i'd still have paul robinson in over joe hart

wilshere seems to be our brightest star right now

and as much as i hate him, ashley cole is one of the best left backs in the world

so one CM and LB is sorted. the rest of the places are all up for grabs

The main problem for the England team in recent years is that the players are often
picked based on reputation and past glories, and not on current form.

This often makes them complacent. The likes of Lampard, Rooney, Gerrard,
Ferdinand, etc, know that they'll walk into the England squad each and every time
as long as they're fit. It has become routine, rather than a rare honour to represent
one's country.

Seeing a situation like this may also demotivate those on the fringes of the squad,
or those coming up from the youth ranks. For they know that no matter how hard
they work or how well they play, the big names will always have preference
regardless.

The goalkeeping line up at the 2010 World Cup was a good example. Neither David
James nor Robert Green truly merited inclusion. And this was proven by the latter's
howler in the first group game, which I feel, was the moment England's World Cup
campaign went to hell.

Had he not let that shot squirm between his hands and into goal, England would
probably have won that match, and gained a good confidence boost from the start.
And further on, avoided the ill-fated clash with Germany.

But as it turns out, that draw agaist the USA knocked their self belief and created
huge pressure. They were gripped by fear of elimination and simply wilted after that
against Algeria, and barely scraping past Slovenia.

At the time, Paul Robinson would have been a much better choice between the
posts. But he didn't even make the squad, later retiring from international football
probably because he knows it's futile in trying to stake a claim for a spot ahead of
Capello's pets.

no team out there will surpass RM's 9 european titles. NEVER!!!

@ adami: keyword in there is team. Just because two players are good doesnt mean
they will do well when put together. In my opinion both Lampard and Gerard are
way past their prime, and were so in the WC. Also, from a tactical standpoint you
cant have both on at the same time, because they are too attack minded for midfield
players, England had no true playmaker during the WC. Capello did a very poor job
of putting a proper squad together, and just put the biggest names in England. Im
not too familiar with how deep England is at midfield, but that seems to be the area
where they have the most problems (I know about the gk gaffes). The ones they
have right now are either too old, or too young.

Ill give you a few examples of what I mean by playmaker:

Spain: loaded with these Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Silva...
Germany: Ozil, Muller
France: Gourcuff
Portugal: Meireles
Japan: Honda
Ghana: Asamoah
Cameroon: Eto'o
Netherlands: Sneijder, Robben and to a lesser extent VDV.
Brazil: Kaka, Nilmar

@clemo85

haha ok so there is the odd exception, but come on man. you know what im talking about.
the ones that are pretty milk the crap out of it. even some of the uglier footballers end
up on tv or on the front of magazines. rooney has been in adds.

@ emma

thats exactly what its about.. the struggle the climb up the ladder. the history and heart
ache. its about a true connection with the fans that pay for the tickets. its about
loyalty and humble beginnings. these teams dont start in the championships. they start
out as nobodies. and over the years they earn their fame and glory through hard play and
team spirit. and its those two things that are being replaced by an insatiable want for
media based fame and extreme wealth. teams no longer evolve. they are brought and built.

if a team isnt doing so well, some one buys them, then they spend alot of money buying the
very best players at the very peak pprices and then they wade through to victory. when i
was a kid most of the players in derby county where from derby and the surrounding areas.
not any more.

its not a sport any more, its just a big money business. just the price of players shows
this.. premier ship players can cost upto 20 million pounds and more. thats just rediculous.

i will never ever be a hardcore fan. but i will always check out how my home team are doing.