Laura Coombs of Manchester City during the The FA Women's Super League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. Andrew Yates / Sportimage
England head coach Sarina Wiegman has announced her first squad of 2023 for the upcoming Arnold Clark Cup, with Laura Coombs getting a call-up along with goalkeeper Emily Ramsey.
Several key players are returning from injury but players such as Hannah Hampton, Nikita Parris, Jordan Nobbs, Beth England and Gabby George miss out.
What has Wiegman got right and wrong and who would you have liked to see called up?
The squad for me is same old, same old in a way, no real shocks.
Sarina is very conservative that is for sure, she hates change it seems.
For me Millie Bright shouldn't be there, and really Leah Williamson has done naff all for Arsenal really this season, both are seemingly there based upon their names, rather than what they have done this season.
Chelsea can't seemingly stop conceding goals, not a good look for a CB really is it?
Arsenal were very poor v City in the WSL, and Leah was very lucky not to get a red card in the cup game.
I wouldn't have picked either for the Arnold tournament, as by doing so, you are rewarding poor performances, and saying to certain players, that no matter what you do, or how you play, you will get picked regardless, that to me isn't right at all, no one should be getting a free pass.
Hannah Blundell, and Millie Turner have been playing very well, yet no call ups for them, talk about double standards, they are part of the best defence in the league, what more do they have to do to get a call up??
Sarina has does wonders for the national side, no doubts about that, and I will always have a soft sport for her, due to the Euro's, but that shouldn't mean we can't question her decisions.
I love Sarina for her sheer apparent ruthlessness, and the simple fact that with the Lionesses she has a record of 26 played, 22 wins, zero defeats. She's always got it right, basically, no matter what we may think. She's also rather spoiled for choice, a phenomenal number of aspiring Lionesses out there now. Or maybe there always were, but now they're getting more limelight and attention :)
Where is the ruthlessness when it comes to dropping players who are out of form?
If she did show some tiny degree of ruthlessness, then neither Bright nor Williamson would be in the squad, so I am yet to see this ruthlessness that is spoken about with regards to her.....
a bit late in the game to be giving out first caps with only a handful of opportunities before the roster is announced. is it 6 matches total between now and flying to NZ/AUS?
its a very young forward line without much experience beyond the Euro's between them. clearly that is great experience to have, but it's a very young forward group relative to what i think you'd ideally have before heading to their first WC across the board in that grouping.
Really curious to see how they line up across the backline in these games too. Are Charles and/or Le Tissier going to get a shot to start one of these? should be interesting regardless.
I think there's a solid mix. Some of the young players are young, but they do have experience of winning, many of them played key roles at the Euros and I think the exciting depth in attack now with James, Park and Salmon is incredibly exciting, but I take your point.
Back line I don't think there will be much change in the starting four. Charles it feels is almost taking the Daly role of being someone there to cover multiple positions and Le Tissier is definitely viewed as the future.
Roebuck has looked very unsure of herself, I remember that moment at Stoke for England, where she let the ball roll under her foot, for almost an own goal, her concentration seems off, and she doesn't seem the same sort of goalkeeper of a few years ago.
Ramsey is I would say having a much better season on a personal level, and I would have her as Earps' number two.
There is no reason to think Roebuck should get a free pass into the squad or the side.
Surprised at George's omission, if there's one position in the England team I'm not convinced about it's Daly at LB. She's proven this season (if she needed to prove it) that she'd add much more to England by playing her up front.
Don't disagree. It will be interesting to see if she continues that form where we're at in April. Sarina may still be waiting to give it more than a month.
The squad for me is same old, same old in a way, no real shocks.
Sarina is very conservative that is for sure, she hates change it seems.
For me Millie Bright shouldn't be there, and really Leah Williamson has done naff all for Arsenal really this season, both are seemingly there based upon their names, rather than what they have done this season.
Chelsea can't seemingly stop conceding goals, not a good look for a CB really is it?
Arsenal were very poor v City in the WSL, and Leah was very lucky not to get a red card in the cup game.
I wouldn't have picked either for the Arnold tournament, as by doing so, you are rewarding poor performances, and saying to certain players, that no matter what you do, or how you play, you will get picked regardless, that to me isn't right at all, no one should be getting a free pass.
Hannah Blundell, and Millie Turner have been playing very well, yet no call ups for them, talk about double standards, they are part of the best defence in the league, what more do they have to do to get a call up??
Sarina has does wonders for the national side, no doubts about that, and I will always have a soft sport for her, due to the Euro's, but that shouldn't mean we can't question her decisions.
I love Sarina for her sheer apparent ruthlessness, and the simple fact that with the Lionesses she has a record of 26 played, 22 wins, zero defeats. She's always got it right, basically, no matter what we may think. She's also rather spoiled for choice, a phenomenal number of aspiring Lionesses out there now. Or maybe there always were, but now they're getting more limelight and attention :)
Where is the ruthlessness when it comes to dropping players who are out of form?
If she did show some tiny degree of ruthlessness, then neither Bright nor Williamson would be in the squad, so I am yet to see this ruthlessness that is spoken about with regards to her.....
a bit late in the game to be giving out first caps with only a handful of opportunities before the roster is announced. is it 6 matches total between now and flying to NZ/AUS?
its a very young forward line without much experience beyond the Euro's between them. clearly that is great experience to have, but it's a very young forward group relative to what i think you'd ideally have before heading to their first WC across the board in that grouping.
Really curious to see how they line up across the backline in these games too. Are Charles and/or Le Tissier going to get a shot to start one of these? should be interesting regardless.
I think there's a solid mix. Some of the young players are young, but they do have experience of winning, many of them played key roles at the Euros and I think the exciting depth in attack now with James, Park and Salmon is incredibly exciting, but I take your point.
Back line I don't think there will be much change in the starting four. Charles it feels is almost taking the Daly role of being someone there to cover multiple positions and Le Tissier is definitely viewed as the future.
Do u think the fact that Sarina called both Ramsey and sandy up is an indicator that it is a shoot out between the 2 of them for the 3rd GK spot
Very possibly. I think Earps and Roebuck are set in stone and with Hampton seemingly out of the picture, it looks to be between those two.
Roebuck has looked very unsure of herself, I remember that moment at Stoke for England, where she let the ball roll under her foot, for almost an own goal, her concentration seems off, and she doesn't seem the same sort of goalkeeper of a few years ago.
Ramsey is I would say having a much better season on a personal level, and I would have her as Earps' number two.
There is no reason to think Roebuck should get a free pass into the squad or the side.
Surprised at George's omission, if there's one position in the England team I'm not convinced about it's Daly at LB. She's proven this season (if she needed to prove it) that she'd add much more to England by playing her up front.
Guess Sarina has made her mind up about that...
Same, she's had a very good season and offers cover in two areas. She was one I thought would be in but defence is a very strong area of the team.
Can’t believe England not included. Out and out poacher, amongst a raft of wide players - excluding Russo.
Don't disagree. It will be interesting to see if she continues that form where we're at in April. Sarina may still be waiting to give it more than a month.