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FIVE West Ham players who deserved more England caps

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Dean AshtonClub football takes a break for a week, as international football takes centre stage, as England take on Norway and Switzerland.

In what has been described as one of the worst England teams in recent times, I take a look back at players past and present who can count themselves unlucky not to receive the phone call all English born players dream of.

Whether these players have received that call before and maybe deserved more or whether these player never received that infamous call before, I will delve into the archives to see those West Ham players who could, and probably should, have played for England.

At 1. It is West Ham legend Billy Bonds- Bondzo made a club record 663 league appearances for the Hammers, known for his intelligence and tough tackling nature. His passion wouldn’t have gone a miss at international level. England often lack leaders and during a time just after England had won the World Cup, England notoriously disappointed on the major stage after their success, and as we all know you need at least three West Ham players in a World Cup squad to win the thing!

At 2. Phil Parkes – Phil Parkes joined the Hammers for a then world record fee for a keeper at £565,000. Parkes went on to become a legend at West Ham making 344 league appearances. He was unfortunate to be battling with Peter Shilton for the number one jersey, had he been around now, he would be sure to be number one, his agility and shot stopping was second to none. He made only one England appearance a crying shame for such a talented keeper.

At 3. Alan Devonshire – He may have been before my time, a lot like the above two, but some of the stories I have heard about this man are legendary. His flair and skill in the few clips I have seen make me wish I was around to see him play. He reminds me of an English Paolo Di Canio, someone who could get you on the edge of your seat. A player who isn’t your typical English player, a player that England would be crying out for. It is a crying shame he only went on to make eight appearances, when you think players like Aaron Lennon has made 21 appearances.

At 4. Dean Ashton – At a time when England were crying out for a natural finisher, along came Dean Ashton, on the cusp of making his England debut, nightmare struck for the Hammers number nine. During the training camp, he went down after a heavy tackle from Shaun Wright-Phillips. As we know now Deano never recovered and was cruelly force to retire. Tipped to be the next Alan Shearer he would have gone on to make a number of International appearances.

Last but not least At 5. Trevor Sinclair – Another personal hero of mine at West Ham, he did live the dream and travelled with England under Sven in 2002. But only went on to make twelve appearance for England. He scored the odd wonder overhead kick, and his crossing was second to none, he made Di Canio’s wonder goal against Wimbledon with his pinpoint cross. Unfortunately for him he came through at a time where a number of talented players came through.

Who will be the next man to pull on the Three Lions from the West Ham squad, a lot are crying for Mark Noble to be called up, I personally believe it will be Stewart Downing but that’s just my humble opinion.

Come on you Irons!

Tweet me @bowdenwhu

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1 comment

  • Bubs says:

    Don’t agree with dean Ashton at the moment mark noble will struggle to get in to our team who do you choose to play make ,zarate, song, downing,poyet,you already have a new enforcer
    Who can be covered by song or poyet i would play 2 song and kotoute which leaves no place for Nolan or noble with 4 flair players above

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