ENGLAND MANAGER ROY Hodgson has spoken out against a petition signed by 10,000 people calling for him to drop Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley from his squad.
Cleverley, 24, has been the target of criticism over his performances for United this season, but he remains a mainstay of the England squad and has been selected for their friendly against Denmark later on Wednesday.
His most recent call-up prompted one fan to create an online petition calling for the 24-year-old to be “banned” for the World Cup, asserting that the central midfielder does not possess “any genuine qualities”.
However, Hodgson, who has awarded Cleverley 13 caps, feels the criticism is unhelpful and misguided.
“That petition does not impress me, I must admit,” Hodgson said.
“I’m disappointed that Tom, as a sensitive young man, has got to bear that burden, but I know one thing — he will come through it and when he does come through it and Manchester United start winning again, and he’s starting to get praise for his performances, he’ll be stronger for it.”
Cleverley recently claimed that he had been made a “scapegoat” for United’s poor form, but Hodgson says that he remains a valued member of the England squad.
“The fact is Tom Cleverley, from the moment the Euros (Euro 2012) ended, has been a part of the England set-up, he’s played some very good games for us, he’s been a very useful member of our group,” said Hodgson.
“Quite frankly, I saw no reason, when selecting a larger group of players here (for the Denmark game), to leave him out of the team because, perhaps at this moment in time, his team isn’t doing well and he’s receiving criticism for it.”
Meanwhile, Hodgson has revealed that left-back Leighton Baines will be rested for the Denmark game, with Chelsea’s Ashley Cole and uncapped Southampton teenager Luke Shaw competing for the right to start in his absence.
“I’ve spoken to Leighton and he won’t feature tomorrow (Wednesday), unless we get an incredible number of injuries,” Hodgson said on Tuesday.
“All three of them want to play, but even with substitutions I can’t fit in three left-backs.
“It’s the right moment in this game to look at one of or both Luke and Ashley Cole, as Leighton has been playing regularly for us. The two I need to look at in an England shirt are Ashley and Luke.”
England should keep Cleverly and always play him. It’ll be great to watch…..as an irish fan!
As u obviously support Liverpool who are an English team y wud u want England to lose when you support their league
I bet that racist wouldn’t stand in a pub in liverpool with gerrard on his back and cheer for Demark ?we love Liverpool no you Don’t news flash its in England!!!
Because supporting a team in the league and supporting the national team are not the same thing. Pretty obvious really
People in England support Ireland they don’t hate the Irish you lot who hate England are the one’s with the problem ?
David, it’s because Irish Barstoolers are often infected with a rare mental disease, known as ‘Cognitive Dissonance’. It’s very humiliating for Ireland and the Department of Health needs to do more to address this epidemic that is sweeping across our country.
How are supporting a club and supporting a country similar beliefs? Clubs have players from all nationalities so are completely different from national teams. Guarantee you if someone stood in a city pub in Manchester wearing a united jersey there would be issues regardless of which national team they were supporting. And to bring it closer to whom for the holier than though LOI lads, what would happen in a Rovers pub in Tallaght to some Irish supporter wearing a Bohs/Shelbourne jersey.
It only take one to spark it off.
Panda a Man U fan?
In fairness how cleverly is in the squad and Gareth barry isn’t is some joke
Not a fan of Cleverley. But in many ways I can’t agree with that. Barry hasn’t much to offer england anymore at this stage of his career whereas Cleverley will be around for the next ten years maybe.
“Cleverley will be around”
That quote sums up Tom Cleverly’s performance in every game he has ever been involved in.
“and man united start winning again”
you’ll be waitin a while so
10 days ! Not that long to wait …
Ahhhhhh!
Matthew I’m glad to hear that you have no ambition of winning this weekends game so, save yourselves for the visit of Liverpool.
Ted That was clearly aimed at willy , of course I would expect them to win this weekend
I honestly don’t.West Brom I think is it? Been takin points off bigger teams lately,though I suppose United aren’t considered a big team these days :)
Not a big club ? Why have they not won a league title for 20+ years or something
He mightn’t be the best player around but he’s still not the worst player. Having perditions like that and singling out one player is really unfair!