West Ham fan Ray Winstone thinks England have a chance at this summer's UEFA Euro 2016
West Ham supporter Ray Winstone is hopeful for England’s chances at this summer’s UEFA Euro 2016, however he believes Roy Hodgson’s side would be better off with Hammers skipper Mark Noble in the squad.
Though the Three Lions have not included any of Slaven Bilic’s team in their 23-man squad, four West Ham players will be going to the tournament with other nations.
Dimitri Payet, James Collins, Angelo Ogbonna and Darren Randolph have been included in the France, Wales, Italy and Republic of Ireland squads respectively, and Winstone thinks the Club’s skipper should have joined them in France.
He said: “For me, I’m a bit gutted Marky Noble never went. I think he’s had a wonderful season in midfield. Yeah, I’d take [Jack] Wilshere as he’s one of our better midfielders, but there are other people who haven’t had a full season and I think Marky Noble would do a better job.
“His passing is immaculate, he runs about and I think he learned from Scott Parker about the work-rate he puts in. I’ve seen Mark’s work-rate has gone up and he gives 120 per cent every game.”
Despite England manager Roy Hodgson deciding on other midfield options for his squad, 59-year-old Winstone fancies the Three Lions’ chances in France this summer.
“I think you’ve always got a chance and I’m always an optimist with England anyway,” the actor continued. “We’ve come very close in the past and I don’t think we’ve got the credit for that.
Though the Three Lions have not included any of Slaven Bilic’s team in their 23-man squad, four West Ham players will be going to the tournament with other nations.
Dimitri Payet, James Collins, Angelo Ogbonna and Darren Randolph have been included in the France, Wales, Italy and Republic of Ireland squads respectively, and Winstone thinks the Club’s skipper should have joined them in France.
He said: “For me, I’m a bit gutted Marky Noble never went. I think he’s had a wonderful season in midfield. Yeah, I’d take [Jack] Wilshere as he’s one of our better midfielders, but there are other people who haven’t had a full season and I think Marky Noble would do a better job.
“His passing is immaculate, he runs about and I think he learned from Scott Parker about the work-rate he puts in. I’ve seen Mark’s work-rate has gone up and he gives 120 per cent every game.”
Despite England manager Roy Hodgson deciding on other midfield options for his squad, 59-year-old Winstone fancies the Three Lions’ chances in France this summer.
“I think you’ve always got a chance and I’m always an optimist with England anyway,” the actor continued. “We’ve come very close in the past and I don’t think we’ve got the credit for that.
“You know, the semi-finals and quarter-finals when it could have gone either way, against the Germans with Lineker and Gascoigne, the hand of God; they just had a little fat geezer in an Argentinian shirt!
“I do worry about our defence, though. But maybe that will come. Sometimes in tournaments, people gel, and if you’re lucky enough to get through those first three games, things can happen.
“Are we as good as some of the other teams? We’re not, yet. But what we have got, who I like up front, and I would definitely play them together, is Vardy and Kane. And I’d put Rooney in behind them.”
Another Hammer Winstone believes deserved to be in with a shout was Andy Carroll, who has not played in an England shirt since 2012.
“I think Carroll would bring something. Rather than take Sturridge who is injured and is hit and miss, I would put Andy Carroll there to bring on.
“I don’t know a defence in Europe who would be able to deal with Andy Carroll smashing you about. It’s just another option if you need it when you’re 1-0 down. I’d have loved to see him going, from a personal point of view.”
“I do worry about our defence, though. But maybe that will come. Sometimes in tournaments, people gel, and if you’re lucky enough to get through those first three games, things can happen.
“Are we as good as some of the other teams? We’re not, yet. But what we have got, who I like up front, and I would definitely play them together, is Vardy and Kane. And I’d put Rooney in behind them.”
Another Hammer Winstone believes deserved to be in with a shout was Andy Carroll, who has not played in an England shirt since 2012.
“I think Carroll would bring something. Rather than take Sturridge who is injured and is hit and miss, I would put Andy Carroll there to bring on.
“I don’t know a defence in Europe who would be able to deal with Andy Carroll smashing you about. It’s just another option if you need it when you’re 1-0 down. I’d have loved to see him going, from a personal point of view.”