The Boar Sport’s England Euros XI

Imagine you’re Roy Hodgson. Granted, that’s not a phrase you hear often and there are probably many people you would rather be than the 68-year-old England boss. Yet every time a major tournament is on the horizon, every football fan in the country assumes the role of England manager as they debate and dissect the decisions of the man at the helm. Four Boar Sport writers did exactly that as they named their preferred starting line-up for England’s first Euro 2016 game against Russia. Here’s what they came up with…

Niall Johnson

England XI: Hart; Clyne, Cahill, Smalling, Rose; Dier, Drinkwater; Wilshere, Alli; Rooney; Kane

A somewhat predictable squad has seen the intriguing and somewhat controversial inclusion of prodigal son Jack Wilshere. I believe the inclusion of Wilshere to be a forward-thinking one that could help England, especially if we make it out of the group stage. For our first game against Russia I’m favouring solidity and structure. I have gone for a 4-2-2-1-1 formation (extravagant, I know). Utilising false wingers in the form of Wilshere and Delle Alli means play can go wide when necessary but also enables packing the midfield to open up the game in behind for Rooney and Harry Kane.

My omission of Jamie Vardy is to maximise his ‘impact ability’; I believe that bringing him on as a substitute at international level will cause problems for defences and is likely to increase the tempo of the game, which will only benefit England as the tournament goes on. Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana are all excellent players who can change games from the bench. I hope that both the management and England fans understand the importance of tactics throughout the match and recognise that being named as a substitute is not being shunned, but allowing the player to be utilised in a different way.

Su Collins

Hart; Clyne, Smalling, Cahill, Rose; Noble, Dier; Lallana, Alli, Milner; Kane

Infamous penalty-taking maestro Joe Hart is in goal and captains my team. I think Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling are our strongest centre backs, while Nathaniel Clyne takes the right-back position to link up with Lallana and secure the right side. Mark Noble has arguably been the greatest snub by Roy – his form and consistency with West Ham United this season has earned an inclusion in my squad. Going forward, Dele Alli takes the centre-attacking midfield position, with Mr. Reliable James Milner on the left and the unstoppable ‘HurriKane’ up front.

Will Harry Kane be leading the line for England this summer? Image: Wikipedia/enviro warrior

Tom Holmes

Hart; Walker, Cahill, Smalling, Rose; Dier, Drinkwater; Lallana, Alli, Milner; Kane

We need to send out a strong team against Russia, and other than saving our more defensive full backs Ryan Bertrand and Nathaniel Clyne for the Wales game, this is England’s best XI. Dier, Alli and Kane pick themselves but with seven goals and 14 assists this season, not to mention a higher defensive work-rate than Sterling or Townsend, James Milner starts on the left. Adam Lallana has been excellent since Christmas and also offers crucial defensive cover. This is important as I’ve chosen the two more attacking full-backs; Kyle Walker and Danny Rose. Danny Drinkwater’s energy, strength and fitness levels means he is favoured ahead of Jordan Henderson and Jack Wilshere, who are arguably more technically gifted. This is a team prioritising the team; defensive effort over individual flair. I have deliberately chosen multiple Liverpool and Spurs players because they play similar high intensity systems, allowing more cohesion within the team.

Danny Thompson

Forster; Walker, Smalling, Shawcross, Rose; Barkley, Dier, Alli; Townsend, Kane, Vardy

For me, Fraser Forster gets the nod over Joe Hart. Possibly controversial, but Hart is rarely challenged for his position, which I believe makes him susceptible to occasional lapses in concentration and silly mistakes. I have gone for the Tottenham pair at full-backs – both proper athletes who can do it both ends of the pitch. Chris Smalling has contributed to making United one of the dullest teams around and defensively that can only be a good thing. Ryan Shawcross is unlucky to be both no nonsense and at an unfashionable club, so is always overlooked. I’ve picked three midfielders to stop us being swamped. Eric Dier will sit deep as he does for Spurs, allowing Delle Alli and Ross Barkley to pull the strings going forward. Alli can also add bite to the midfield, as long as he doesn’t punch anyone.

Andros Townsend was a rare bright spark at relegated Newcastle and is always looking to get to the byline or come inside and shoot. Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy can swap positions thanks to their versatility, and both are good at cutting in from the left, particularly Kane. More than half of my team come from the two standout Premier League sides this year – I feel it is ideal to capitalise on the positive energy around these teams and hope their club form transfers onto the international stage.

Combined XI

Hart; Clyne, Cahill, Smalling, Rose; Dier, Drinkwater; Lallana, Alli, Milner; Kane

Our writers were in agreement in some areas but divided in others. Six players were chosen in all four teams, while eight different players were selected in the attacking positions alone. Interestingly, England captain Wayne Rooney was picked just once. Only time will tell whose team was most accurate – it’s eighteen days and counting until England kick off their Euro 2016 campaign.