OUR columnist ALEX WHITE explains why the England squad could learn a lot from the boys from Selhurst Park...
WELL that was massively disappointing wasn't it! England crash out at the group stages failing to win and picking up one point. The pressure on our players to perform is huge but that doesn't condone some of the mistakes we have made. It hurts to see a former Palace junior and all round nice guy Roy Hodgson fail but there is no sentiment in football. Arguments could have been made from so many clubs for some many players to get in that England squad but I genuinely believe we could have had three players in that World Cup 23 man squad. When you see constant abysmal performances from players like Glen Johnson, it just makes me cringe in my skin seeing him constantly selected over players like Joel Ward and you could even make a claim for Nathaniel Clyne. The stats don't lie and in Johnson's case he should never have been picked over Ward. You even look at Phil Jones getting a chance at right back in the Costa Rica game and I thought to myself, in the last two seasons what on earth has he done to deserve a place in that squad? But the answer is simple, he plays for Manchester United. In no other country in the world would a player who has been totally out of form like Jones be selected over statistically the Premier League's best right back last season. Jason Puncheon put himself in with a shout after game-changing goals and performances against the world's best in the Premier League last season. Our strongest claim for an Eagle in the England squad for me was Scott Dann, the guy was sensational for us and played a huge part last season. His form for us was far superior to the likes of Chris Smalling who was also not surprisingly picked as a 'safe-bet' by Mr Hodgson. Unfortunately I can never see this culture changing anytime soon but if the England side could have a fraction of the spirit we as a club had last season I genuinely believe we would still be in Rio. I think that time is up for Roy and massive restructuring is needed at the FA. I better be careful in writing this because, even though he is Welsh, our man Pulis should absolutely be in contention.
WELL that was massively disappointing wasn't it! England crash out at the group stages failing to win and picking up one point. The pressure on our players to perform is huge but that doesn't condone some of the mistakes we have made. It hurts to see a former Palace junior and all round nice guy Roy Hodgson fail but there is no sentiment in football. Arguments could have been made from so many clubs for some many players to get in that England squad but I genuinely believe we could have had three players in that World Cup 23 man squad. When you see constant abysmal performances from players like Glen Johnson, it just makes me cringe in my skin seeing him constantly selected over players like Joel Ward and you could even make a claim for Nathaniel Clyne. The stats don't lie and in Johnson's case he should never have been picked over Ward. You even look at Phil Jones getting a chance at right back in the Costa Rica game and I thought to myself, in the last two seasons what on earth has he done to deserve a place in that squad? But the answer is simple, he plays for Manchester United. In no other country in the world would a player who has been totally out of form like Jones be selected over statistically the Premier League's best right back last season. Jason Puncheon put himself in with a shout after game-changing goals and performances against the world's best in the Premier League last season. Our strongest claim for an Eagle in the England squad for me was Scott Dann, the guy was sensational for us and played a huge part last season. His form for us was far superior to the likes of Chris Smalling who was also not surprisingly picked as a 'safe-bet' by Mr Hodgson. Unfortunately I can never see this culture changing anytime soon but if the England side could have a fraction of the spirit we as a club had last season I genuinely believe we would still be in Rio. I think that time is up for Roy and massive restructuring is needed at the FA. I better be careful in writing this because, even though he is Welsh, our man Pulis should absolutely be in contention.
