If England really wanted someone to play that role of sitting in front of the back 4 they should have taken Carrick. I think he does it better than Gerrard and even for the majority of football fans that wouldn't have that hes certainly the best option to stand in should Gerrard get injured. Im not sure Roy was desperate for a player to do that role, he just allowed Gerrard to do it as that is where he is limited to playing now.
Agreed. Mostly I like the squad we took, but if it has a weakness it's that some positions are overloaded and some under-represented. Hodgson's been unable to resist the temptation to bring all those talented AMs and WAMs - Lallana, Barkley, Chamberlain, Welbeck, Sterling etc etc - but that's left gaps elsewhere.
We have just
one RB, Johnson, despite most people having known beforehand that he would be a weak link - someone like Clyne should have been brought as an alternative option.
And we only have one player capable of playing a more defensive midfield role, Gerrard, and even he isn't actually specialised in that role. Lampard should have been left out - Gerrard, Henderson and Wilshere are all comfortably better options for the more attacking CM partner these days - and Carrick included as back-up for the more defensive job. Hell, even Gareth Barry - who for me was the very worst thing about our 2010 team - would have been a sensible inclusion if he wanted to pick based on recent form.
If Gerrard gets injured, our midfield is an open door. We'd have to throw caution completely to the winds and play Wilshere-Henderson, or do something awkward and makeshift like putting Milner or Jones there.