As one of the most exciting seasons in recent memories draws to a close, all eyes after today for most are on Euro 2012. England as we all know are not gonna win it, no chance prone to putting in a poor shift at tournaments and with the appointment of Roy Hodgson as manager, many are even more sceptical about England’s chances.

Whereas we’re not amped enough to believe England will win the tournament, there is hope that with the right squad selection, football philosophy and starting line-up, they can get as far as the semi-final. Hodgson names his provisional squad at some point over the next couple of days so the brothers thought we’d chime in with our own choices of who we’d take to the Euros and what formation/starting line-up we’d go with.

GOALKEEPERS

JC’s picks: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Robert Green (West Ham), John Ruddy (Norwich)

“The concept is simple, the best, the experienced, the rookie. Hart is undoubtedly England’s number 1 so that’s a no brainer, with Robinson and Foster retiring, Green is the next best experienced pick. Ruddy has been one of the top 3 keepers this season (Krul and Vorm being the others), I’d cap his season with a call up”

Don Kwelu’s picks: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Scott Carson (Bursaspor), Robert Green (West Ham)

“Hart is a no brainer for the number 1 jersey and is considerably better than his rivals. The only worry for England is if he is injured who do you put in goal. I would go with Scott Carson and Rob Green based on experience.”

The Yak’s picks: Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich), Ross Turnbull (Chelsea)

“With a line of retired keepers and others being quite average its about time England turned to their younger hands in this department, plus since Hart is a robocop who never gets injured it will be good to prepare the other two for the future”

Maverick’s picks: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Robert Green (West Ham), John Ruddy (Norwich)

“These are the best three keepers outside of retirement that England have to offer”

DEFENDERS

JC’s picks: Kyle Walker (Tottenham) Micah Richards (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea), Gary Cahill (Chelsea) Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United) Joleon Lescott (Manchester City) Ashley Cole (Chelsea) Leighton Baines (Everton)

“Kyle Walker has been the best right back this season and if Mancini didn’t rotate so much, Richards was heading towards that accolade. Sorry Glen, you can’t defend. I really wanted to include Shawcross but I think experience wins here, Rio and Terry have heart/positioning while Lescott and Cahill have more pace and have improved playing alongside better defenders. Left-Backs = No Brainer.”

Don Kwelu’s picks: Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Gary Cahill (Chelsea)

“Not too surprising here with the only notable absentee being Glen Johnson. Kyle Walker has earned his place in the squad and Micah Richards gets the nod over Glen; 1) because he has had a better season 2) Can also play at CB. Phil Jones can do the same but I think at this stage in both their careers Richards would be the better choice and Jones has been shaky at times this season. I worry about England’s CBs at this competition and think they should all train and the most in form get the 2 places on merit. Terry and Ferdinand can no longer expect to be 1st choice anymore for differing reasons.”

The Yak’s picks: Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham) John Terry (Chelsea), Phil Jones (Manchester United) Gary Cahill (Chelsea) Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)

“The defenders are a good mixture of youth, experience and strength, plus Jones and Richards are versatile and can play two positions which means not too many CBs are needed”

Maverick’s picks: Micah Richards (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham) John Terry (Chelsea), Phil Jones (Manchester United) Gary Cahill (Chelsea) Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)

“I selected Jones as he’s shown real versatility, having played as a defensive midfielder which could prove valuable to England if they were to go a man down, they could just bring him on and have him sit infront of the defence. Also he’s proved he’s capable of getting a few goals too, Gibbs to me is the next man in line.”

MIDFIELDERS

JC’s picks: Aaron Lennon (Tottenham) Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal) Scott Parker (Tottenham) Michael Carrick (Manchester United) Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) Joe Cole (Lille) Ashley Young (Manchester United) Adam Johnson (Manchester City)

“Finally England can say they have an abundance of out and out wingers, I think they should be used. Lennon may be one-dimensional but I think his pace works, Young has proven himself a threat and despite Oxlade-Chamberlain’s inexperience and Johnson’s lack of games, they provide an exciting, skilful and fearless option on the bench. I’m not a big fan of Carrick but he’s as close a player to Xavi-Alonso that England have and unlike Gareth Barry he has some type of use on the pitch can actually provide a killer ball. Gerrard is a leader and only came back from injury early this year so he has an engine. Joe Cole has been brilliant in France and despite everyone’s incessant need to put him on the wing, a playmaker is his true calling. If only Jack Wilshere was fit.”

Don Kwelu’s picks: Ashley Young (Manchester United) , James Milner (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

“I struggled to put Frank Lampard in this list but it would be criminal not too. AVB didn’t use him and thought Chelsea would be a better outfit as a result and it ended up with him getting his p45 and a plane ticket back to Portugal in time to watch the Euros on sky. He has played a major role in Chelsea’s revival under Di Matteo so if Gerrard goes then so does Frank in my opinion.”

The Yak’s picks: Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Manchester United), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Muchael Carrick (Manchester United)

“I picked Chamberlain because he has a football brain and can play just behind Rooney if needed and if they are chasing a game (which I assume will happen in every game past the group stages. Lampard has been the best English midfielder over the last month so deserves a place amongst the regulars“

Maverick’s picks: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Milner (Manchester City), Carrick (Manchester United), Lampard (Chelsea)

“I selected Lampard due to his experience, football has proved time and time again that experience is priceless especially at the big stages”

FORWARDS

JC’s picks: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Darren Bent (Aston Villa), Peter Crouch (Stoke), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea)

“England seem to struggle these days with an out and out goalscorer, to this day I don’t think anyone has filled the place of Michael Owen…he is the only striker that delivered when it counts. No word of a lie if he played at least 5 games this season I would take him. Alas he hasn’t but I think these 5 provide a good dynamic. Walcott is a striker, I repeat Walcott is a striker, this whole wing forward position is not his calling. Unfortunately the 4-4-2 formation is rarely used, if it was, him and Rooney would be a perfect partnership. Defoe is a goalscorer who doesn’t require too many chances like Welbeck and if Bent is deemed unfit then he’d go straight in; and Sturridge is a skilful striker, something England don’t really have”

Don Kwelu’s picks: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea),  Darren Bent (Aston Villa), Peter Crouch (Stoke)

“Simply the best four England can choose from in terms of dynamics (Sturridge) and goal-scoring records for club (Rooney and Bent) and country (Crouch)

The Yak’s picks: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Peter Crouch (Stoke), Jermaine Defoe (Tottenham)

“Best four. Simples.”

Maverick’s picks: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Darren Bent (Aston Villa), Peter Crouch (Stoke), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea)

STARTING LINE-UPS

JC’s team

“Terry and Cahill seem like a good pairing to me and Walker provides more drive and agility as a right back. I’d have Parker and Gerrard holding but give Gerrard opportunities to drive forward when England are on top, like Yaya Toure for Manchester City. Cole, Young, and Lennon will give England pace, flair and a chance to interchange as they can play in positions across the midfield. I’d play Walcott in the first two games up front and give him passes upon passes over the top and through the middle. Rooney will then come in from third game onwards.”

Don Kwelu’s team

“This is one I think should be set up to defend and break fast and attack. I think its time to stop pretending England have a national team that can play keep ball effectively against the top teams. With that as the case Richards plays RB to add more solidity to a potentially shakey cb pairing. Michael Carrick is included and will be used sparingly with Barry and Parker as holding midfielders with those players along with Young and Walcott key to England counter attacking football. The OX is my wildcard and if he gets a chance could add further pace in the hole to make England a scary prospect on the counter”

The Yak’s team

“Richards is accomplished going back and forward, my first choice any day. Terry and Cahill have heart, one thing England probably have over their opponents. I would have Lampard and Gerrard playing for experience, form and energy. In the first two games Crouch can hold up the ball whilst, Young and Walcott play off him.”

Maverick’s team

“I’m heading an Arsenal revolution here up front. Pace, skill and finishing”

Those were the BWNG picks, which squad/team do you agree with? What would you do if you were in Hodgson’s position? Leave your squad/team choices in the comment section!