West Ham fans have been quick to criticise Roy Hodgson this season in particular, for ignoring players like Mark Noble, Aaron Cresswell and Andy Carroll.
Noble has been getting praised heaped on him recently after showing some real consistency in the Irons midfield, particularly in 2016.
Now here is the problem. England aren’t rich in any position especially, but in central midfield players like Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Jack Wilshere are ahead of him at the moment. Maybe this isn’t right, but with Jonjo Shelvey, Fabian Delph and Danny Drinkwater all to compete with, it is going to be tough for Noble to break in. Despite the fact that he should’ve had a look in ahead of the majority of them (especially in front of players like Ryan Mason) competition is incredibly fierce in central midfield for the England national team.
Onto Aaron Cresswell. Along with Noble, Cresswell’s consistency has made him a ever present in the West Ham team. He has been instrumental down the left, and it is difficult to fault him. However, Left back is again an area where England have many options. Baines is likely to be first choice, Bertrand has played well, Gibbs gets in there for some reason and Rose is having a good season. Cresswell does deserve his chance, but with some decent defenders with more experience in his way, Cresswell is finding opportunities hard to come by.
These two deserve a chance for their country. But Roy Hodgson would argue that there are other players that deserve their chance just as much. It seems likely unfortunate timing for the two West Ham stars.
Andy Carroll is spending too much time injured. He is behind quite a list of attackers now, and would need something special to make the team. He has been playing well recently before and after injury, so shouldn’t be ruled out. Tomkins has impressed with some versatile performances as well.
The one West Ham player that deserves a chance in the next England squad, and could actually be likely to get it, is Michail Antonio.
The summer signing has put in some real performances recently, he works so hard every game, and is starting to get noticed by pundits after 3 months of impressing.
Antonio got the winner on Saturday against Sunderland and his celebration has actually helped him get the recognition he deserved. Everyone on social media was talking about the crazy celebration, suddenly people took more notice of him than any of the other players. Jamie Redknapp actually got something right when he said that he has been living in Payet’s shadow, and it’s hard not to, but Antonio has been a stand out performer for months.
In terms of breaking into the England side, who have England got on the wing that is playing better?
In recent England squads, Sterling has been starting most games. Sterling missed two sitters and nearly cost his team the Capital One Cup final on Sunday. He has been poor most of the season and one hat-trick doesn’t change that fact.
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott have both been destroyed on social media by their own fans this week. Arsenal fans want both Ox and Walcott to leave the club after poor performances for some time. If they aren’t playing for their clubs, why should they play for England over players that are in form?
Andros Townsend hasn’t played regular football for two seasons, but is finally starting to with Newcastle. He has a good England record, but unless he starts to perform regularly why should Roy take him to France?
Lallana and Lingard have been included, but neither of them have been consistent or have shown enough to quality to cement a place in their respective sides, let alone England.
If Roy Hodgson says that he is going to pick players on form, then surely match-winner Michail Antonio would be top of his list alongside Marc Albrighton. Picking stale players who have performed well in years gone by is not a successful way of managing at International level, and with no significant competition keeping him out of the side, Antonio would be unlucky to not feature in the squad at the end of March.
He has versatility, pace, strength and he runs all game long. He works stupidly hard for the team and has also showed he has a finishing touch.
I’m not saying Antonio should be starting for England at the Euros, but if Hodgson is true to his word, then we should be seeing a call up soon for our summer signing.
