Baines and Osman get England call-up

Lyndon Lloyd , 14 March, 14comments | Jump to most recent

Leighton Baines and Leon Osman have been called up by Roy Hodgson for England's forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro this month.

Osman was an unused substitute in the Three Lions' friendly with Brazil recently so still awaits his second cap, while Baines continues his battle with Ashley Cole for the first-choice slot at left back.

Phil Jagielka, another Everton regular in the England set-up, misses out as he continues his recovery from a badly gashed ankle.

Quotes or other material sourced from Liverpool Echo

Reader Comments (14)

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Kevin Hudson
1 Posted 14/03/2013 at 18:27:22

I'll be in Podgorica for the Montenegro match..Hope they both get selected.

Patrick Murphy
2 Posted 14/03/2013 at 18:26:59

I am one of Osman's most ardent fans but even I struggle to see how he can be called up to the England squad based on his form this year.

Tony J Williams
3 Posted 14/03/2013 at 18:41:35

I'm with you on this one Patrick, he looks shot and needs a rest not more games.

Rob Smith
4 Posted 14/03/2013 at 19:26:25

If only he was shot and not just looking like he was, would only need a rubber bullet, he goes down easy.

Phil Davies
5 Posted 14/03/2013 at 22:48:30

If I'm being completely honest, neither of them should be included, Baines hasn't looked interested in the last couple of weeks and Osman is simply not good enough.

Fran Mitchell
6 Posted 14/03/2013 at 22:55:09

Osman is running on empty, and to be honest he's a good player when the team around him plays well. However, if they don't play well, he just play's awful. He needs to be dropped, but of course dropped for who? Fact is we don't have anyone who plays in his position, unless we throw lundstom or someone in. Yet it could be destroying for a youngster to come into the team when any mistake they make will stand out due to the poor form of everyone around them.

Baines is also running on empty. I'm pretty sure the lack of signings in January really fucked us over, and probably pissed the squad off too.

Osman shouldn't be in the squad, Baines should but i'd like him to get some rest.

Ian Hollingworth
7 Posted 15/03/2013 at 07:33:53

Osman in the England squad...... really???
Maybe he is really good at peeling oranges and carrying water bottles?

Kevin Jones
8 Posted 15/03/2013 at 08:50:54

If Leon Osman Plays for England so can I
If Leon Osman Plays for England so can I
If Leon Osman Plays for England
Leon Osman Plays for England
if Leon Osman Plays for England so can i

Ralph Basnett
9 Posted 15/03/2013 at 14:54:44

Just shows how shit England are when Osman gets picked on his current performances.

Si Cooper
10 Posted 15/03/2013 at 15:17:46

"Fact is we don't have anyone who plays in his position,"

I for one don't think our midfield has been utilized to the players' appropriate strengths for a large part of this season. A formation that worked early on has been persisted with despite it having been effectively neutralised by teams who are powerful through the centre of the pitch, and increasingly so as some of our players have flagged since Christmas.

We have the personnel (even though transfer window reinforcements would have been preferable) to compete if the formation is re-jigged and fringe players get some game time to save the legs of those who can patently not deal with the full 90 minutes.

Mike Powell
11 Posted 15/03/2013 at 16:30:09

Osman for England? The way he has been playing, he would not get in our local pub side.

Ross Edwards
12 Posted 15/03/2013 at 20:28:32

It's sad looking at the decline in English talent because if Woy had better midfielders to choose from, Osman would be nowhere near the squad. As many of you have rightly said, he is completely shot as doesn't need to be playing in pointless games, particularly at San Marino, I would also say the same about Bainsey as well, the last thing we need is him possibly being injured playing a pointless match.

Ross Edwards
13 Posted 15/03/2013 at 20:32:28

Fran, you say, "he needs to be dropped but of course dropped for who?"
Barkley?

Andy Meighan
14 Posted 15/03/2013 at 20:47:02

I take it old turkey neck hasn't been to many Everton games lately and I don't go with that line either. He's tired, he looks shot. How the fuck can playing one 90 minute game of football a week make these so called athletes tired?

No, the truth is he's just not good enough and never has been. Then again, he's one of the Finch Farm mafia, isn't he... so his place is watertight

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