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Hodgson Rules Out New Faces
Thursday, 21st Nov 2013 13:47

England boss Roy Hodgson has spoke out on his plans for the squad for the World Cup, which will be good news for some Saints players, but bad news for others.

Roy Hodgson has said he will not be bringing in any new faces for the run in to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the England manager has one more friendly against Denmark in March before he has to name a provisional 30 man squad for the tournament.

Speaking to BBC Sport Hodgson said.

"I've been looking at players for 19 months so I don't think there's too many who will come out and really surprise me,"

"I don't expect in the coming months to be watching games and suddenly find players I have never really thought of jump out at me and prove to be a lot better."

"It's a question of concentrating fully on the players I have already watched and know about.

"I'm trying to make certain I've got a very good grip on those players and where they are form-wise when it comes to picking the squad in May."

This is good news for the three Saints players who featured against Chile & Germany, they are firmly in the sights of the England boss and it now seems to be a case of putting in the performances that will convince him that they should be on the plane.

However it could be bad news for Nathaniel Clyne, James Ward Prowse & Luke Shaw, all three would have harboured hopes of perhaps being surprise call ups for the full squad and although Hodgson hasn't quite slammed the door shut just yet, his words make it quite clear he is concentrating on the players that he has seen perform in an England shirt already, so it would take something exceptional by any player not yet selected by Hodgson to force his way into the squad, or of course a serious injury in a key position, that would very likely open the door for Shaw or Clyne if the likes of Cole, Baines or Walker were to be injured, but possibly not JWP with the plethora of midfielders available to call upon.

Of course there is a long way to go before that provisional squad is selected, but there is every motivation for at least 3 of our squad to keep reproducing their form of late and get themselves into the final squad for Brazil

Photo: Action Images



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Fordy added 14:19 - Nov 21
In truth I think it is probably a little too early for Shaw and JWP. Both good players with huge potential but they don't have a huge number of first team games behind them.

As for Clyne, he clearly prefers Walker and Johnson. He may be 3rd in line whereas Shaw may be 4th in line but Clyne faces the issue that he may well take Smalling as a right back if Johnson or Walker are injured.
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truthfulsaint added 14:23 - Nov 21
How bad was walker at right back anyone?
Don't you feel the team was crying out for some JWP early accurate crosses?
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brady100 added 16:11 - Nov 21
I think what he means is he will only be looking at players on his radar which includes Clyne, JWP, Shaw but does not expect to unearth anyone outside his present scouting group!!
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SaintNick added 11:11 - Nov 22
I would hope that it does include those three, im not to sure though, for me it was a bit of a statement that could be taken several ways
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Zambucco added 16:36 - Nov 22
By the time, we've finished in the top 5, confounding all doubters, qualified for Europe and have the best stats, Mr Hodgson will be filling his squad with all 6 of our current regular, English players, they will form the nucleus of the future world dominating English national team. Southampton will then continue to be the supply line of at least 50% of all English teams for years to come. MARK MY WORDS, WE WILL RULE THE WORLD! NOBODY CAN STOP US, WE ARE A FORCE OF NATURE!! okay the last bit was a bit OTT, but I can dream
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