Agree with this

not just / particularly about Sturridge - I think it sums up Hodgson more generally. The basic selection strategy seems to start by looking at the benches of the big clubs for anyone English. Found one? He's in.

After that - you got picked for Team GB in the Olympics, and didn't f*ck anything up too badly? You're in.

Only after that - still a few gaps in the squad? Anyone English in the premier league that's got a mention or two from Shearer or Hansen on MotD? OK, you'll get a go in a friendly at some point. Maybe.

Holt was exactly right - just on strikers, people like him, Danny Graham, Lambert seem to be so far down the list, God knows what it would take before Hodgson would look at them.

(There does seem to be one exception to all this, in that if you play for Everton, you have a chance of getting picked a bit earlier.)

Just seems like Hodgson doesn't actually *watch* any club matches...

Posted By: Tricky Hawes, Nov 15, 11:49:45