Our starting eleven isn't that bad. Of course Terry and Cahill can hit it off, they're clubmates and each possesses qualities the other lacks. We have one of the world's best left-backs in the shape of Cole, and with Hart in goal, the only defensive concern is right-back. I don't like Glen Johnson.
I'd like to see Oxlade-Chamberlain given a start in the tournament itself; he's an unknown quantity for many of the teams and his youthful exuberance will give us a real attacking zest. With Ashley Young's guile and Walcott's pace (if he decides to show up in form), then we've got options going forward. Throw in Parker and one of Lampard or Gerrard (it'll be the latter) and we've got the experience to get out of the group stages. Wilshere's a miss, he's a player that can really pull the strings in the middle.
As for the strikers... Eh. I'd start with Welbeck and Defoe. Jermaine has a decent goalscoring record for us, whilst Welbeck's just the better option when placed up against Carroll.
Including Downing in the squad is ludicrous; yeah, he has a left foot - but the guy's USELESS. Take Lennon or Sturridge or ANYBODY other than him.
As for my expectations... Yeah, I'd go with the quarter finals. We aren't as good as the three favourites, but we're in amongst that group of three or four teams that could, with luck on their side, crawl into the semis. I don't see us making that big an impact with the likes of Downing and Carroll providing our attacking threat.
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