The Midfield Pairing That Never Works (And Might Still Get One Last Go)
England have put their faith in the combination of Gerrard and Lampard at every tournament since the 2002 World Cup. GET THE MEMO. It doesn't work. It's dreamy FIFA managing, get over it.
But Gerrard can do that. So he's cool. However, Lampard is so far past his best it's not even funny. England should instead look at Jordan Henderson, who if not for the ludicrous rule that lets Hazard contend for it every year (granted this year will be his first win) would have Young Player of the Year locked up, or at least be up against Sterling for it. That, combined with his chemistry with Gerrard clearly shown this year, should make him a starter in the World Cup, especially given that Jack Wilshere probably won't be fit in time to start in their opener against Italy on June 14th.
The Right Midfield Conundrum
There's such a ridiculous amount of winger options, not just at Right Mid, especially now that Walcott is injured, but on the left too. Any combination of Adam Lallana, Raheem Sterling, Danny Welbeck, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Andros Townsend, Ashley Young (lol jk), others... even Ross Barkley can play in an attacking midfield role if Hodgson decides to go that way.
Personally I'd probably go with Lallana and Welbeck, but that's unfair to Ox and Sterling. It really depends on the tactical approach Hodgson decides to go with. If he wants to dominate possession and put pressure on the opponent, Welbeck and Lallana are the right choices. If he wants pace, it's Oxlade and Welbeck, maybe Sterling. Tough choice here.
The Out of Form (And Possibly Injured) Leading Man
Wayne Rooney hasn't properly turned up at an international tournament since the 2004 European Championship. While he's still probably the only World-Class player left in the England Squad, he really has something to prove here. If he gets injured again, or shows up out of form, Hodgson needs to have the balls to drop him. I hope he does well, though.
The "Goalkeeper"
Joe Hart. Jesus. He's been in the doghouse for close to 2 years now. He may have looked good in the last couple of weeks of the Premier League season, but the Citizens' defense tightened up so much down the stretch, that even Joe Hart quipped that fighting his way through the City supporters who stormed the pitch was "the most work I've done in the last month." Forster might be a better choice. Either one will have to earn it, in any case.
Put The Dans Together
Sturridge
Sturridge doesn't need to be talked up, he's been fantastic this season.
Welbeck
Welbeck, on the other hand, catches a lot of stick, but his England performances deserve a lot better. 8 goals in 21 appearances doesn't seem like a lot, but if you only take his stats since Euro 2012 (which you maybe ought to), he's got 6 in 15 appearances, while playing on the left wing for most of those. It's also important to remember his chemistry with Rooney, who'll be on the pitch one way or another.
Unfortunately the only way this partnership will happen will be if Hodgson has the balls to play 3 attackers, which he probably doesn't.
Formation
As he's a classical English manager, the only formations that should be expected are either that 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 hybrid or a classic 4-4-2, like:
World Cup Prediction –
I'd rank them as late top-10 in the world, like #9 or #10, but despite all the question marks, England still have a classy squad. However, they've been given a nightmare of a group to try to qualify through to the knockout stages from. I think they have it in them to pull it off, and then after that they have some chance of making at maybe the Quarterfinal, 2nd round definitely for me.
