Same Old Same Old

Alex Ferguson was once famously told "You'll never win anything with kids"....we all know what happened next. If you don't give untested players the opportunity to shine they never will. As the saying goes: if you don't bet big, you won't win big.

In my opinion the England squad selection shows a lack of bravery, but more importantly a lack of planning and ambition for the future. In the same way people choose an iPhone, or kids pick the new Nike boots, Hodgson has picked the same old trusted names even though there are better options available. I am not criticising Hodgson as a manager, but I think he could have made a statement of intent in his selection.

Many people will raise eyebrows to certain names being included, and more will raise their eyebrows to players who were excluded, but it feels as though Hodgson has taken the easy way out. Players such as Gerrard and Lampard have been fantastic servants for England and have played in numerous international tournaments, albeit in a disappointing fashion, but have they performed better this season than Britton or even Carrick?

Graham and Holt are the archetypal number 9; big, strong, good in the air, with good hold up and link up play. But both players have done something Carroll hasn't this season and that's score goals. If these players were at a more fashionable club would they have been selected?

England are unlikely to win the Euro's so maybe Hodgson could have had an eye on the next World Cup and given some more young players some experience at an International tournament. Germany did it at the last World Cup and they surprised everybody.

Only time will tell how the Euro's and ultimately Hodgson's England career will turn out. I just hope he doesn't make the same mistake as countless other managers and picks the best players for his system instead of building a system around England's so called best players.