Another England squad announcement. Another in-form West Ham player overlooked by the increasingly ignorant England manager.
For months we have been banging the ‘Mark Noble for England’ drum and, regardless of whether you agree with it or not, his stats compared to the likes of Fabian Delph, Jack Colback and Jonjo Shelvey have been so much better so far this season.
But, given the injury Noble picked up to rule him out of the loss at Manchester United last week, you can slightly understand why he wasn’t selected this time around. Although rumours today have emerged that he’ll be back in the starting line up for the visit of QPR on Sunday. So it’s still a fairly contentious decision to leave him out again.
But the biggest outrage today is the exclusion of Stewart Downing. Downing did admit last week that he believed being picked for England while Roy Hodgson was in charge was very unlikely. But that’s not enough of an excuse to overlook him for Andros Townsend, who has played just over an hour of football for Spurs all season. Townsend is technically a reserve player for Spurs, yet still gets picked to play international football. Mind boggling.
Downing has been superb all season. He has created the most amount of chances in the Premier League so far this season (20) and has flourished in a new role as a free-roaming midfielder, predominantly in the middle of the park. Even the neutrals believe his form deserves a call up.
Yet, despite Roy Hodgson witnessing that first hand in the 3-1 win over Liverpool, he still isn’t considered. And, quite rightly, the fans are pissed off about it…
WHAT PLANET ARE YOU ON, ROY!? #COYI #WHUFC pic.twitter.com/Q0JFFJvBz5
— WestHamWorld.co.uk (@WestHamWorld) October 2, 2014
Stewart Downing has created more chances than anyone in the Premier League so far this season. No call up. Presumably because he’s a Hammer.
— James Jones (@ByJamesJones) October 2, 2014
https://twitter.com/HarryWalder/status/517717276272132096
https://twitter.com/CharlieRichMFC/status/517707199477727233
If Hodgson is picking his England squad on performance, why has he picked Townsend over the likes of Dyer, Routledge and Downing?
— Philip Williamson (@phil203249) October 2, 2014
Just got home and saw the England squad. Disgraceful how Townsend is even considered for a spot. What more does Downing have to do?! #WHUFC
— Iron Q (@TheIronQ) October 2, 2014
No Premier League player has created more chances this season than Stewart Downing (20). Left out of England's squad. pic.twitter.com/MPASFIYJx4
— John Arne Handeland (@JAH_UptheIRONS) October 2, 2014
Townsend shouldn't be in the England team based on form, Downing deserved it way more. Lambert shouldn't be in either.
— MCD (@MachiaDuck) October 2, 2014
Downing wasn'tin the England Squad yet he's created 16 more chances then any English Winger in the Prem so far with the most assists! #WHUFC
— Jack (@Stoneey__33) October 2, 2014
This is why people have lost faith in the England team… Downing has to be the most in-form English player going at the moment, surely?
— Tom Wells (@TomWellsLSF) October 2, 2014
