Fabian Delph - Signed for Manchester City

[OCD]

Cleverley doesn't merit a place in the England squad, so let's not use that as a reason for Delph to be in there.

Trying to be impartial for a moment, Delph must be in Hodgson's thinking but probably more with the Euro's in mind than the World Cup. He's maturing and getting better but there are times where he's a little raw (e.g. the mistake against West Ham).

I thought Westwood was excellent today too. For me it was between Delph and Westwood for MoTM.

[not3bad]

Delph looks like he has the bit  between his teeth now and I think he could really drive the Villa midfield forward in this last part of the season.

[ciggiesnbeer]

If the likes of Tom Cleverley can get in the England squad, then there's no way Delph shouldn't be there.

He should be on the plane. Hodgson doesn't like the Villa though and won't pick any of our lot.

Correct. happily he will be out of a job after the summer so Delph will get his chance with a better England manager

Who?

Harry?

I have no idea. Hodgson has one redeeming feature, he pissed off the press when he was picked ahead of Harry. That feature has worn a but thin now and assuming England have a bad world cup (that is my assumption) he will be replaced. That is an opportunity for Villa players, Hodgson does not like Aston Villa, I cant even remember the last time he came to villa park to see the team play.

[rob_bridge]

If the likes of Tom Cleverley can get in the England squad, then there's no way Delph shouldn't be there.

He should be on the plane. Hodgson doesn't like the Villa though and won't pick any of our lot.

Correct. happily he will be out of a job after the summer so Delph will get his chance with a better England manager

Who?

Harry?

I have no idea. Hodgson has one redeeming feature, he pissed off the press when he was picked ahead of Harry. That feature has worn a but thin now and assuming England have a bad world cup (that is my assumption) he will be replaced. That is an opportunity for Villa players, Hodgson does not like Aston Villa, I cant even remember the last time he came to villa park to see the team play.

Great. When and where has he stated he doesn't like Aston Villa or our ground?

Which Villa players currently merit a place in his sqaud? And who is being excluded due to his dislike of Villa?

And who will his replacement be? And which Villa players currently will be included in the England sqaud when this mythical Villa liking (or rather non hating Villa) England coach takes over? Guzan, Vlaar, Benteke?

[supertom]

Delph is adding goals to his game now. There's more end product now. He's got to be knocking pretty loudly on the England door now. West Brom connections or not, Hodgson can't ignore him too much longer.

[rob_bridge]

Delph is adding goals to his game now. There's more end product now. He's got to be knocking pretty loudly on the England door now. West Brom connections or not, Hodgson can't ignore him too much longer.

Tom - Albion are irrelevant - if Delph has a great final 10 games, steers clear of injury, he has every chance of being included. One of the others will be injured. He has to make it his though.

[supertom]

Delph is adding goals to his game now. There's more end product now. He's got to be knocking pretty loudly on the England door now. West Brom connections or not, Hodgson can't ignore him too much longer.

Tom - Albion are irrelevant - if Delph has a great final 10 games, steers clear of injury, he has every chance of being included. One of the others will be injured. He has to make it his though.

I don't think there's anything to the Albion thing really, though I do believe Hodgson certainly has his favourite clubs to pick from.
It's too late for the World Cup for Fab to be honest. He might make the provisionals in the friendlies between now and the tournament.
But yes, if he keeps his form up for the last games, then he's got to get his chance.

[ozzjim]

If the likes of Tom Cleverley can get in the England squad, then there's no way Delph shouldn't be there.

He should be on the plane. Hodgson doesn't like the Villa though and won't pick any of our lot.

Correct. happily he will be out of a job after the summer so Delph will get his chance with a better England manager

Who?

Harry?

I have no idea. Hodgson has one redeeming feature, he pissed off the press when he was picked ahead of Harry. That feature has worn a but thin now and assuming England have a bad world cup (that is my assumption) he will be replaced. That is an opportunity for Villa players, Hodgson does not like Aston Villa, I cant even remember the last time he came to villa park to see the team play.

Great. When and where has he stated he doesn't like Aston Villa or our ground?

Which Villa players currently merit a place in his sqaud? And who is being excluded due to his dislike of Villa?

And who will his replacement be? And which Villa players currently will be included in the England sqaud when this mythical Villa liking (or rather non hating Villa) England coach takes over? Guzan, Vlaar, Benteke?

I have deduced it from his interviews post games with us previously and the fact he has had 3-4 opportunities to select Villa players who have been way more in form than some of the media darlings and he has not done so. I also find him quite a waspish fella, that I reckon could hold a big old grudge. I may of course be wrong but I don't think he is any different to previous managers in that he will pick a shit united player over in form other players because they play for united. Cleverly and Wellbeck are good cases. Wellbeck has done ok for him, but his selection in the first place is baffling to say the least on talent and form. Cleverly is inexplicable.

[Monty]

Every cell of Roy Hodgson just radiates caution, if caution can be radiated. His formation? 4-4-2 or variant. His style? Deep defensive line and minimal short passing to make sure that they don't give the ball away in a bad position. His selections? Famous players who are famous because they play for famous clubs, and he knows he won't get much criticised for that. He's just cautious in every single way.

[Clampy]

Never mind Cleverley, I still don't get the Jordan Henderson love in either. He's ok, but that's about it.

[ozzjim]

Never mind Cleverley, I still don't get the Jordan Henderson love in either. He's ok, but that's about it.

He is a decent club player. But not an international. Fair play to Rodgers for getting what he has from him, but it is in a very particular style of play.

[Rancid custard]

I remember Del Piero and Giggs both scoring like that, but they were both about 2 yards out, has anyone ever scored like that from further away?

[Villafirst]

Most important thing is for him to sign a new contract. Current deal expires in 2015 thus making him a free-agent in January.o

[Smirker]

I remember Del Piero and Giggs both scoring like that, but they were both about 2 yards out, has anyone ever scored like that from further away?

Ronaldo scored a back flick that was near the edge of the penalty area for Madrid last season but not exactly the same sort of goal.

[supertom]

Never mind Cleverley, I still don't get the Jordan Henderson love in either. He's ok, but that's about it.

If Henderson was still at Sunderland I don't think he'd be playing for England.

I just wonder if Villa, becoming more of a solid mid-table outfit, might help Delph's cause. If we're persistently struggling it's hard for a player to stand out to some extent. We're not home and dry yet, but we're all but there. We look well on course for a comfortable finish now. If Hodgson genuinely is ignoring Delph because he's a Villa player and based off his previous club gig, then he shouldn't be managing England. All I'll say in fairness is, Hodgson has been to a couple of Villa games this season and Delph underperformed. Off the top of my head I can't remember which.

More and more players and people from outside of Villa are noticing Delph though. Sooner or later, Woy can't ignore it. He'd also offer pace and drive in midfield, which England sorely lack. If we're putting tidy passers in the midfield to aspire to be Spain, that won't work. We can't do it. What Delph might not have in Cleverely's ability to almost always find a man in the same shirt (often by going sideways) he makes up for in determination, drive, skill and pace.