England News 24/7Writer: Rug 
Date:Sunday June 3 2012
Time: 11:47AM
UK time is: 12:11:29
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Euro 2012 - Your thoughts (Rug)
With Euro 2012 just around the corner, and Vital England always keen to gain membership participation, it is question time with you, the Vital England members, asked to give the answers.
Next up is Rug, so without further ado here are the answers given...
1) Are you looking forward to Euro 2012?
Indeed I am, in all honesty until fairly recently I had not really thought about it too much but the closer it gets the more excited I am - several weeks of football, usually two games back-to-back, most days is heaven!
2) Poland & Ukraine, good selections for the finals?
It is always nice, and good, for new countries to be awarded finals but if things really are as bad in the Ukraine as the Panorama documentary portrayed then I worry and would have to say no.
My sister-in-law is from the Ukraine, and whilst admittedly we rarely talks about the country, I had no idea it was as it is portrayed - but hey you cannot tar everyone with the same brush can you.
3) Is Roy Hodgson the right man to lead us into battle this summer, and in the next few years - if not who did you want?
Admittedly he was not my first choice to get the job, but then again I am not sure who I had as my first choice!
He has a wealth of experience, at various levels and in various countries, so that is not an issue. Tactically he seems pretty sound and usually has his sides playing decent football so lets at least see what he can do before judgement is case too much.
You never can, and I never would, 'write off' a tournament but I think that we will really see what Hodgson can do in the years after Euro 2012, but lets have the added bonus of doing well this summer though eh!
4) What about the final 23-man squad, happy?
All in all it is not too bad. It was a real shame that some of the younger midfielders, the likes of Jack Wilshere and Jack Rodwell were forced to miss the finals through injuries as they are exactly what we could have done with but hey ho.
I would have taken Adam Johnson instead of Stuart Downing, but the Liverpool man had the advantage of playing regularly and Johnson was not. That said 'if' Downing can 'have his day' then he could surprise us, I thought he was decent enough in the opening half an hour or so against Norway the other week. Micah Richards could be a miss too as he could fill in at fullback and in central defence, but again he suffered from not playing enough in the latter stages of the season I reckon.
Andy Carroll has raised some eyebrows but to be fair he ended the season really well, he is in form so if he takes this into Euro 2012 this could prove a masterstroke by Hodgson.
Wayne Rooney has that spark about him, and is a quality footballer, but that 'maybe' he should have been left behind debate will rage on - but we know what he can do. That said what kind of message does it send out of those that play the opening two games play really well and get the results then one of them is left out in place of him?
5) Who do you see as being the 'key man' for England?
Ashley Young looks like he has a big part to play, and if Andy Carroll can continue his end of season form then he could be a real handful this summer. James Milner could be quite important as well and I have this feeling that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 'might' just make an impact.
But I will go for Scott Parker. I am a big fan of his and how he holds that midfield together could make a lot of difference as to how well we actually do this summer. He CANNOT dive in like he has at times during the warn-up games as that will bring him bookings, if not red cards!
6) Which player - injured or just left out - would you most have liked taken, and why?
Jack Wilshere is a big miss, I was relishing the chance of him at a major tournament on the international stage with England but it was not to be - although he has plenty of time ahead of him hopefully.
7) What about the player in the final 23 that you would have most liked left out, and why?
I do not have a lot of time for John Terry but, more often than not, when you need that someone to put their body on the line he will do that. Stuart Downing, and arguably Andy Carroll, were slightly fortunate to get in - if I could change it I think I would have taken Adam Johnson in place of Downing but will give Downing the benefit of the doubt.
8) How far do you reckon England will progress this summer?
The fact that there is little expectation on England is something that I have constantly said for a number of weeks, if not months, could work in our favour.
It is by no means certain we will get out the group stages but if we do anything is possible! When you get to the semi finals you want to go all the way but if we made it that far I do not think too many could judge that as a 'disappointing' performance could they, so I would accept that...
9) If it's not England who do you think will win Euro 2012?
I honestly have no idea, I will simply be hoping that England win it. Spain will again be a decent bet but I would like someone different to win this time if not us pretty much anyone just not Germany!
Many thanks to, well myself lol, Rug.
Previous interviews...
BeastishKing - here.
garyshawisthelaw - here
To take part drop me an email (england@vitalfootball.co.uk) with your answers and please include your username as well and I will publish.
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