England squad reaction

You know it's a tough job naming any England squad, but Roy Hodgson has been in the job a little over a fortnight and has already been slated left, right and centre for the inclusions in his Euro 2012 squad. There have been trends on twitter of 'Hodgson out' and it seems as if Hodgson has not flattered the English nation. It seems as if we were destined to moan because that's what we do best, but at this current time.. We certainly have reason with a number of disappointing additions to the squad. Hodgson was never going to have everyone's backing because there is too much division at club level for most to agree at international level.. therefore, every time someone thinks Carrick should be in the squad, there will be three people ready to make the case for Gareth Barry's inclusion ahead of Carrick.

The fact that Hodgson has included two uncapped players in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and John Ruddy has had no-one bat an eyelid but it seemed fitting that the England gaffer would give these two a chance after their performances at club level, with Ruddy catching the eye between the sticks at Norwich City who had a great season back in the top-flight and Oxlade-Chamberlain showing us what an exciting prospect he is in the second half of the season with some excellent performances both on the wing and in centre midfield for Arsenal.

It wasn't the uncapped that people are arguing about, however, and no-one is complaining about the goalkeeping selections and the defending selections are mostly backed. It seems as though, despite having few caps, that Leighton Baines is a nationally renowned player for his reliability in defence and his dangerous delivery at set pieces, and who better to back up current international mainstay Ashley Cole than the PFA team of the year's left back?

Kyle Walker's exclusion was inevitable as it is not believed he will be back from his toe injury in time for the tournament, but why hasn't Hodgson taken Man City right-back Micah Richards? He hasn't played much recently but that's due to the reliability of fellow City defender Pablo Zabaleta, whenever Richards has been called upon (Even captaining City during Vincent Kompany's absences) he has ably performed, not least in the Newcastle match where he threw his body at a goal-ward shot after coming on to shore up and see out the game. Gary Cahill, Joleon Lescott and Glen Johnson's selections are justified as Cahill and Lescott have had impressive seasons, and with Walker out Johnson was bound to be there if not as a first team choice, then as back up in the right full-back spot. Rio Ferdinand's exclusion has been drawn on and the reasoning is apparently 'footballing reasons', this is blatantly a backlash from the decision to include John Terry as the never-ending race row between Terry and Rio's brother Anton has caused yet another rift in the England camp, which Terry seems to have come out on top of as even with his dodgy recent couple of months (being torn apart by Liverpool and his ill-disciplined sending-off against Barcelona) by boarding the plane to the Euros. Phil Jones is a player who many seem as a bit off a loose cannon in defence after an effective start for Man United caved in to some poor performances but he is probably there for the big tournament experience as he may be a dead-cert to go to the World Cup in 2014.

Midfield selections Scott Parker, Steven Gerrard (who is most people's selection as captain on a permanent basis due to his experience), Ashley Young, Theo Walcott, Frank Lampard and uncapped Oxlade-Chamberlain seem justified after all have had impressive seasons. Gareth Barry's season has been up and down for City but ended in a strong fashion as he played outstandingly in City's run-in and if he had not been in most would have called for Michael Carrick who has had a consistent season in the middle of the park for Man United. Stewart Downing's inclusion has had many fans disgruntled as the Liverpool wide-man endured a tough season, racking up no goals and no assists (if this form gets you into the Euro squad then I could go) for the Merseysiders who had a tough season themselves, despite winning the Carling Cup they finished 8th, behind rivals Everton and consequently got Kenny Dalglish sacked. Many fans would have rather had Aaron Lennon in the squad who is not only more of a threat than Downing, but also has a considerably more effective end product. James Milner's inclusion has batted a few eyelids after all, he can't even get into the Man City line-up (which is more than likely what Adam Johnson's downfall was, resulting in him being a reserve) because we can't doubt that both are good players and Johnson's play and delivery cutting in from the right-wing can be devastating, but Milner's versatility and work-rate probably just nudged him ahead of his club colleague.

The strikers were always going to be a huge talking point, some people were deliberating whether Wayne Rooney should even go due to his two-match ban after picking up a silly red card in the final qualifier, but of course we have to take Wayne Rooney, he is one of few world class players in the England squad and leaving out the second highest scorer in the Premiership would be seen as a fatal flaw in Hodgson's plans had he left him out. The problem was always going to be, who would replace Rooney in the first two games? And also, who would Rooney partner when he returns? Andy Carroll was seen as a bit of a joke in the squad after having a disappointing season for Liverpool after having the £35million price-tag slapped on his head but with his end of season form picking up pace, grabbing a few goals on the way and causing defence the problems he used to, Carroll could be the the thorn in opposition sides we need. Danny Welbeck's inclusion was roundly accepted as the young Man United forward had a decent season, partnering Rooney in attack and keeping both Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez out of the team, I think with Welbeck this is again a build of experience to get him to the stepping stone of the World Cup in 2014, who says that Welbeck can't spring a surprise on the way because he is a promising young striker who could become a major part of England's future. Jermain Defoe was a good inclusion by Hodgson in my eyes, he scored 17 goals in 38 games for Tottenham this season and most of those came from the bench as Emmanuel Adebayor took on the role of main Spurs striker and Defoe nearly always came on and did what was needed of him, I'm surprised he didn't start more games for Tottenham as Adebayor's form waved at certain points of the season. The shock exclusion for me in the striking department is Peter Crouch, he is a good footballer who can cause opposition problems with his height and his England scoring record tells its own story, he certainly shouldn't have been overlooked.

Hopefully reserves won't need to be called upon but Phil Jagielka is a sturdy addition as he has been Everton's Mr. Consistent at centre-back and I'm glad he got the nod, even if it wasn't in a more first-team basis. Adam Johnson and Daniel Sturridge's selections as reserves are good additions as both are young and exciting players, but it again begs the question, could have they been included in the first 23? Jordan Henderson's inclusion has also caused many fans to be disgruntled as he is another who has had a disappointing season but seems to have done enough to grab a spot in Hodgson's mind.

Do you think Hodgson's squad is justified? Who would you have taken?