The next generation to dominate!

[cmonurz]

On the centre-backs, I’m not sure there are any other real contenders at this stage, nor do we really need any if those four can all stay fit for more than a couple of weeks. Micah Richards should also come into contention, and those 5 should imho sew up the centre-back slots for a few years (and probably right-back too). Of the rest, it’s going to be difficult for the likes of Caulker and Martin Kelly to become England regulars imho. Looking forward to seeing Bertrand push Baines for the left-back slot once Ashley Cole makes way.

I think on his form this season, Jonjo Shelvey has an outside chance of making the squad, you can see Gerrard is his idol in the way he plays, very direct, loads of energy, arguably a better passer than Gerrard.

I like Tom Ince, but can’t see Hodgson going into the Championship for a player.

To finish this post off, I was going to write that every time I watch Leon Osman, he impresses me and that he might force his way into the squad – didn’t realise he was 31!

[TBM]

If he continues the way he did against Man City, then i can see Carl Jenkinson getting a call up very soon

[Hoop Blah]

To finish this post off, I was going to write that every time I watch Leon Osman, he impresses me and that he might force his way into the squad – didn’t realise he was 31!

Agreed. Like Tony Hibbert, he's been one of those pretty consistent club players who always does a half decent job but there's always been a few better players in his way.

In terms of Caulker. I think he and some of the other young defenders out there, such as the young lad at Chelsea (Chabaloua or something), have a great chance of progressing in a few years time. Go back 5 years or so and not many people were talking about Lescott or, more specifically Cahill, as long term successors to Terry and Ferdinand (although Lescott was obviously earmarked as a youngster and then got in the squad for a bit under McClaren).

Jenkins is an interesting one too TBM. He looked awful last season but looks like a different player now. With Walker and Richards, plus Kelly and Johnson as right backs I think he's got his work cut out getting in a squad but he's certainly heading in the right direction.

I'd be interested to know how McEachran is getting on at Middlesborough as well. Long term he's got to be one of those that should be getting into the England team, but it all depends on how he kicks on.

[BR2]

If he continues the way he did against Man City, then i can see Carl Jenkinson getting a call up very soon

As you obviously watched that game did you notice that once again Milner didn't start?
It looks as though he and Lescott will be part of the next clearout.
Interesting that Cahill and Lescott could be the England centre-back pairing;two players who,if things had worked out differently with our supposed offers for the two of them,might now have been our own centre-back pairing.

As Hoop Blah says Jenkinson has to get past a lot of contenders whereas on the left-side there is nowhere near the same competition and in a couple of years' time somebody like Wisdom from Liverpool might be fast-tracked to take over from Cole.

[TBM]

Jenkins is an interesting one too TBM. He looked awful last season but looks like a different player now. With Walker and Richards, plus Kelly and Johnson as right backs I think he's got his work cut out getting in a squad but he's certainly heading in the right direction.

You're right but with Kelly out for the season, Richards not playing its really only Walker and Johnson he has to get past.....

[cmonurz]

Jenkins is an interesting one too TBM. He looked awful last season but looks like a different player now. With Walker and Richards, plus Kelly and Johnson as right backs I think he's got his work cut out getting in a squad but he's certainly heading in the right direction.

You're right but with Kelly out for the season, Richards not playing its really only Walker and Johnson he has to get past.....

Smalling and Jones, when fit, would also play ahead of him at right-back, imho.

[TBM]

But they're not fit - so my point is still valid

[cmonurz]

But they're not fit - so my point is still valid

[Hoop Blah]

As Hoop Blah says Jenkinson has to get past a lot of contenders whereas on the left-side there is nowhere near the same competition and in a couple of years' time somebody like Wisdom from Liverpool might be fast-tracked to take over from Cole.

I think Baines, Bertrand, Gibbs and perhaps even Robinson or Flannigan from Liverpool will be good options once Cole has gone. Another who's looked very good at a lower level and could perhaps make the jump up in time (ala Baines or Shorey) is Cresswell at Ipswhich.

I can't see Wisdom, a right footed centre half I think, being much of an option for left back though.

[Hoop Blah]

Jenkins is an interesting one too TBM. He looked awful last season but looks like a different player now. With Walker and Richards, plus Kelly and Johnson as right backs I think he's got his work cut out getting in a squad but he's certainly heading in the right direction.

You're right but with Kelly out for the season, Richards not playing its really only Walker and Johnson he has to get past.....

Yeah possibly. I'm thinking long term options here though, otherwise Glenn Johnson would be in your list I assume, and you'd have to assume that Richards and Kelly will both will get back to playing consistently at some point in the next couple of years.

[TBM]

Jenkins is an interesting one too TBM. He looked awful last season but looks like a different player now. With Walker and Richards, plus Kelly and Johnson as right backs I think he's got his work cut out getting in a squad but he's certainly heading in the right direction.

You're right but with Kelly out for the season, Richards not playing its really only Walker and Johnson he has to get past.....

Yeah possibly. I'm thinking long term options here though, otherwise Glenn Johnson would be in your list I assume, and you'd have to assume that Richards and Kelly will both will get back to playing consistently at some point in the next couple of years.

Johnson is in my list

I'm just saying that if he continues to develop like he has and puts in more performances like he did against City then he can't be ignored

[Reading4eva]

Mexico... you heard it here first

[Royalist]

Once China stop taking sports nobody cares about so seriously and put as much effort into football it'll be them.

[Victor Meldrew]

As Hoop Blah says Jenkinson has to get past a lot of contenders whereas on the left-side there is nowhere near the same competition and in a couple of years' time somebody like Wisdom from Liverpool might be fast-tracked to take over from Cole.

I think Baines, Bertrand, Gibbs and perhaps even Robinson or Flannigan from Liverpool will be good options once Cole has gone. Another who's looked very good at a lower level and could perhaps make the jump up in time (ala Baines or Shorey) is Cresswell at Ipswhich.

I can't see Wisdom, a right footed centre half I think, being much of an option for left back though.

Sorry,senior moment re-Wisdom who looks like Micah Richards,jumps as well as Micah but IMHO has better distribution.
In time I reckon he could prove to be less frantic than Richards who Capello thought,lacked awareness and positional judgement.

[TBM]

lol

England manager Roy Hodgson is planning a shock call-up for 20-year-old Arsenal right-back Carl Jenkinson.
Full story: Daily Star

[Hoop Blah]

He must be reading TBM!

Hi Roy...

[Hoop Blah]

Apparently Jenkinson was training with the squad over the weekend!

[TBM]

Apparently Jenkinson was training with the squad over the weekend!

If Walker continues the play like he did on Friday, then i can see him getting a game soon, too

[Hoop Blah]

The suggestion I heard was that he might well get a run out in the next friendly, which I guess is partly to stop him getting his head turned by Finland.

[Starfish]

The suggestion I heard was that he might well get a run out in the next friendly, which I guess is partly to stop him getting his head turned by Finland.

He would still be allowed to declare for Finland after though.