The England football team- perennial underachievers or victims of mass media over-hype? England is known as the homeland of football and the birthplace of the world's oldest football club, Sheffield FC.

It is home to one of the world's most successful clubs in Manchester United as well as a number of other clubs credited with revolutionary concepts that we take for granted today, such as substitutes, player numbers and manger dugouts.

Yet despite all this rich footballing heritage, the team that represents this great nation has won just one trophy in its entire history. It's a triumph still talked about with great fervour, the World Cup of 1966. It was in many ways, the perfect cup win. England were the host nation playing at Wembley against a country they had been to war with twice in the previous 50 years in Germany.

50 years on, and the cycle seems to repeat itself over and over again. Early exit turns to outrage in the media and mass scapegoating. Outrage in the media and mass scapegoating turns to picking up the pieces ahead of the approaching qualifiers for the next tournament. Picking up the pieces turns to blooding in youngsters and getting rid of those the media say are too old. Blooding in youngsters turns into initial success. Initial success turns into qualification. Qualification turns into excitement ahead of the next tournament. Excitement turns into cries of "this is our year!". Cries of "this is our year" turns into an early exit and so on and so forth.

In a story that's created a frenzy in the English media, Roy Hodgson has left England following a row with FA Chairman Greg Dyke, midway through the qualifying stages for Euro 2016.

England are once again in disarray as 54 million pairs of eyes turn towards the bookies and their favourites for the vacant position...

THE FAVOURITES

David Beckham (20/1)

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The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy and PSG star retired in 2013 and has so far made no indication of whether or not a return to the game is on the cards. However, the former England captain could be persuaded if the call the manage his country comes along.

Harry Redknapp (15/1)

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There were calls for Redknapp to replace Fabio Capello following England's disastrous run in the 2010 World Cup. He was made the bookies favourite to take over once Capello finally left in 2012, and could well be in the running to replace Roy Hodgson this time around.

Alan Pardew (13/1)



The current Crystal Palace manager is one of the most respected names in modern English football. He counts Newcastle United, Southampton and West Ham and is now one of very few English managers with an established place in the top flight.

Jose Mourinho (10/1)

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The Portugese manager is now well acquainted with the English game and its followers, and is in his second spell in charge of Premier League outfit Chelsea, where he has won three league titles. Elsewhere, he has also won league titles with Porto, Inter Milan and Real Madrid as well as Champions League titles at Porto and Inter. The 'Special One' could be well worth putting your money on, especially given the FA's tendency to hire foreign managers.

Massimiliano Allegri (13/2)

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A long-shot at first glance but it makes sense. With the FA's aforementioned foreign manager policy and Allegri's youth and recent success, the current Juventus boss could be the perfect match for the England job. One stumbling block however could be whether or not he'd be willing to leave a club on the edge of glory for a national team with no honours for 50 years.

Ron Gregan (3/1)

The bookies' favourite comes as a massive surprise. The 45-year-old has no previous managerial experience yet has been reported in recent days to be in talks with the FA regarding the role. He does hold a Pro Licence and he has played for England before, but could this be a step too soon for such an inexperienced coach?

2016-05-24 20:40#232349 DavidBeckhamsBarber : 50 years on, and the cycle seems to repeat itself over and over again. Early exit turns to outrage in the media and mass scapegoating. Outrage in the media and mass scapegoating turns to picking up the pieces ahead of the approaching qualifiers for the next tournament. Picking up the pieces turns to blooding in youngsters and getting rid of those the media say are too old. Blooding in youngsters turns into initial success. Initial success turns into qualification. Qualification turns into excitement ahead of the next tournament. Excitement turns into cries of "this is our year!". Cries of "this is our year" turns into an early exit and so on and so forth.

When has that ever happened to England. This year is ours for sure, or if not it will all clearly be the fault of one player. Anyway good luck trying to change it

2016-05-24 22:03#232354 ninjaskill :

2016-05-24 20:40#232349 DavidBeckhamsBarber : 50 years on, and the cycle seems to repeat itself over and over again. Early exit turns to outrage in the media and mass scapegoating. Outrage in the media and mass scapegoating turns to picking up the pieces ahead of the approaching qualifiers for the next tournament. Picking up the pieces turns to blooding in youngsters and getting rid of those the media say are too old. Blooding in youngsters turns into initial success. Initial success turns into qualification. Qualification turns into excitement ahead of the next tournament. Excitement turns into cries of "this is our year!". Cries of "this is our year" turns into an early exit and so on and so forth.

When has that ever happened to England. This year is ours for sure, or if not it will all clearly be the fault of one player. Anyway good luck trying to change it

We shall soon see shan't we?

ENGLAND APPOINT GREGAN

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The FA have announced that Ron Gregan has been appointed as the new head coach of England.

Gregan is best known for his seven-year spell at Wolves between 1993 and 2000, where he was made captain at the tender age of 21. He also made his England debut during his time in the Midlands, in 1996 and he played in the 98 and 2002 World Cups. He also played for Everton from 2000 to 2002, Sunderland until 2005 and Tottenham until 2008.

Since then, his career has been made up of coaching roles, notably at Wycombe Wanderers, Portsmouth, Ipswich and QPR. He lacks any real managerial experience, but as manager of our national team, this journalist wishes him the best of luck

Don't see many national team stories, lets see if you can finally give England a trophy they deserve

GREGAN ANNOUNCES 23-MAN SQUAD

Ron Gregan has unveiled his first 23-man squad to play in the Euro 2016 qualifying matches away at Slovenia and Switzerland.

Goalkeepers

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Joe Hart (Manchester City)

The Man City goalkeeper was always likely to be selected, having been England's trusted number one for nearly six years.

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Jack Butland (Stoke City)

More of a regular for the Under 21s, Jack Butland steps up in place of injured backup Fraser Forster. He has one senior cap already, and will be on his toes looking to add to it should anything happen to Joe Hart.

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John Ruddy (Norwich City)

Perennially a fringe player for the national team, Norwich shot stopper John Ruddy is more than capable of stepping up to the starting XI should the need ever arise.

Defenders

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Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool)

The Liverpool right-back has only recently broken into the side, with four caps under his belt. Former Southampton man Nathaniel Clyne will be hoping to add to that tally during the international break.

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Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

With more experience than his fellow right-back, Kyle Walker is still a relatively new addition to the England lineup with nine caps to his name. His debut came at the end of 2011 in a 1-0 win against then World Champions Spain.

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John Stones (Everton)

The Everton defender is an emerging young talent, and a talent that hasn't gone unnoticed by the England coaching staff, having already been capped at senior level. He can play at either right or centre back and will be looking to given Sloven and Swiss forwards nightmares.

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Gary Cahill (Chelsea)

The 29-year-old Chelsea centre-back has been handed the armband by Ron Gregan and will be looking to repay the faith shown in him. He has represented England at Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup and will be looking to get in amongst the names for Euro 2016.

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Chris Smalling (Manchester United)

The Manchester United centre back has been named as vice-captain by Ron Gregan and for a 24-year-old, he has a lot of international experience, with Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup already under his belt. He will be a surefire favourite to make the squad should England qualify for next summer's competition.

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Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur)

Danny Rose steps up looking to make his England debut. The Tottenham left back has played all four of their opening games in the Premier League, and even has an early assist to his name.

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Aaron Cresswell (West Ham

A surprise call-up but a deserved one nonetheless. Aaron Cresswell has wowed fans at Upton Park since his arrival from Ipswich Town last summer, and will be champing at the bit to get his first cap.

Midfielders

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Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur)

Although Eric Dier is normally a right-back, he has been named amongst the midfielders presumably with a view to playing him in his equally preferred holding role, although he can do a job at right-back should the need arise. He could also make his debut for England.

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Lewis Cook (Leeds United)

The biggest shock has come with the inclusion of Leeds United's 18-year-old midfielder Lewis Cook. Although he has more than shown he has the ability to play at the top level for his boyhood club, the youngster hasn't even played for any of England's youth sides, and it remains to be seen how he copes in the deep end.

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Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle United)

On a day of surprise inclusions, this is another one although his form with the likes of Liverpool, Swansea City and Newcastle United demonstrates that he is more than capable at this level.

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Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City)

The Leicester City midfielder has made a bright to the season and has impressed in the first few competitive games of the season. He is yet to make his England debut, so it will be interesting to see if he plays.

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Ross Barkley (Everton)

One of the more experienced players in this young England line-up, Ross Barkley currently has 14 caps to his name, and will be looking to build on that during the international period.

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Ryan Mason (Tottenham Hotspur)

Ryan Mason is another of many Tottenham players to make the England squad and could be set to get his first cap.

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Ravel Morrison (Lazio)

Often overlooked, Ravel Morrison could be finally in line to make his England debut. The winger is on loan at Lazio from West Ham, and will be looking to boost his chances of first team football for when he returns to the London outfit for next season.

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Aaron Lennon (Everton)

Although he doesn't have many caps, Aaron Lennon has one of the earliest debuts in the whole squad and is one of only three players in the squad to have played for England since Sven Goran-Eriksson was in charge.

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Ashley Young (Manchester United)

Not heavily favoured by previous manager Roy Hodgson, Ashley Young returns to the England lineup. The Manchester United winger has played at Euro 2012 and made 30 appearances for his country.

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Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Theo Walcott is England's second longest serving player, behind Wayne Rooney. Walcott is remembered for selection controversy as being too young to have been included in the 2006 World Cup squad and then too good to have been left out of the 2010 World Cup squad.

Forwards

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Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Rooney is England's longest serving player and until recently, the England captain. The striker's captaincy snub has been cause for one of many controversies surrounding the England team in recent days and it will be interesting to see how it affects his performance.

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Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion)

The young striker scores for fun for West Brom and despite mounting speculation, Berahino still remains a Baggies player. He's impressed for the Under 21s but has no senior caps to his name, so it will be interesting to see if he gets a chance.

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Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

The young striker has really made a name for himself in the past year or so, and has been on fire for his club. His value is estimated at around £30m, and with the freedom with which he scores his goals, it's easy to see why. Watch this space.

Great start fella, would recommend centring the smaller images in the future though!

Some rather odd selections in there that I wouldn't take myself. Good luck!

SEPTEMBER QUALIFYING MATCHES

Ratings vs Slovenia

Joe Hart 6.7
Nathaniel Clyne 6.9
Chris Smalling 7.6
John Stones 7.2
Aaron Creswell 8.4
Lewis Cook 6.9
Danny Drinkwater 8.3
Ross Barkley 6.6
Theo Walcott 8.6
Harry Kane 7.8

Eric Dier 7.6
Wayne Rooney 6.7
Ryan Mason 6.8

Ratings vs Switzerland

Joe Hart 6.6
Eric Dier 7.1
Chris Smalling 7.0
John Stones 7.5
Aaron Cresswell 6.8
Danny Drinkwater 6.8
Ross Barkley 7.2
Theo Walcott 6.6
Ashley Young 6.8
Wayne Rooney 6.7
Harry Kane 6.9

Aaron Lennon 6.6
Danny Rose 6.6
Jonjo Shelvey 6.4

A good looking squad mate, shame about ashley young but thats down to personal preference

Poor result against the Swiss, I wanted to do this save as a side story so I guess I will just follow you instead haha!