England Euro 2012 Roster: Assessing Roy Hodgson's Tactical Options

Roy Hodgson has announced his England squad for the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine this summer, and I must admit it's a head-scratcher.

By now, we all know that the former West Brom and Liverpool manager lives and dies by the 4-4-2 formation (or loose variations of it).

On the international stage, it has been widely proven throughout several tournaments over the last decade that the 4-4-2 isn't suitable. However, we're pretty sure he'll stick with it.

With this in mind, let's have a look at what his squad selection means for his formation and how we're likely to see the team instructed.

Striking Options

While I couldn't say who will start up front for the European Championships this summer, we at least know England have viable options on the bench.

Both Jermain Defoe and Andy Carroll have the ability to come and change the game. Defoe's pace could be utilised late on, or Roy Hodgson could turn to Carroll as an aerial battering ram.

When Wayne Rooney is back from suspension, there will be several possibilities for Hodgson to choose from. He could pair the Manchester United duo—Rooney and Danny Welbeck—together to replicate some of the fine offensive work we've seen this season at Old Trafford.

He also has the classic big man-little man combination at his disposal, with the possibility of Carroll partnering with either Manchester United forward.

What he chooses to do is difficult to predict, but we at least know a change is possible if it's not working out.

Surely Not Lampard and Gerrard?

There are plenty of concerns about this England midfield, and the worst thing is that we've had these concerns before.

Frank Lampard can play in a flat midfield four—a four that Roy Hodgson will adopt—but Steven Gerrard has proven he can't.

Fabio Capello showed us that he also can't play wide left, so that pretty much leaves the position he has excelled in at Liverpool for a decade or more—central attacking midfield.

There will be no central attacking midfield slot in this lineup, so to be honest I assumed he wasn't a starter. Then he was named captain.

If Lampard and Gerrard partner up, you'll hear groans all over the country. We've tried it. It doesn't work.

What, so Gerrard and Parker?

This combination also has me worried.

Not only will England be playing a two-man central midfield—one that can be overrun easily by half-decent opposition utilising three men instead—but they may also be using some very slow players there.

If it's not Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, then it might just be Scott Parker and Gerrard who get the nod.

Two more very, very slow players.

England need some mobility and agility in the midfield, and someone like Ramires at Chelsea has proven how invaluable a dynamic player can be when playing against the top sides.

Who Plays on the Right?

Right midfield options are as follows: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Theo Walcott.

If Roy Hodgson tries to utilise Walcott on the right side of a 4-4-2, the consequences will be dire. The Arsenal winger is not comfortable under pressure and cannot flourish without 15 yards of space in front of him.

4-4-2 means compact, and both Milner and Oxlade-Chamberlain are better bets. They're both tidy, quick and sharp on the ball.

Something tells me Walcott will start. It won't work out.

Ideal Starting XI for France

Based on a 4-4-2, here is my ideal and strongest starting XI for England to use against France: Joe Hart, Glen Johnson, Gary Cahill, John Terry, Ashley Cole, James Milner, Frank Lampard, Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Andy Carroll, and Jermain Defoe.

For me, Johnson's defensive shift isn't good enough. If Micah Richards isn't there, Milner will put in a covering shift worth its weight in gold.

I like club partnerships, and Spain showed that pairing Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique is incredibly effective. We might as well use a UEFA Champions League finalist defensive pairing, right?

I can't trust Welbeck to score goals on the highest stage just yet, but I can trust Defoe to bag a crucial one.

Gerrard will start as captain, but it won't work. I'd rather take Lampard along with a mobile partner in Jones. That way, England's midfield won't look like the Titanic avoiding an iceberg when it turns around.