Clanregeln » in favour of Drinkwater for recent friendlies. B

CHASKA, Minn. -- Phil Mickelson came to Minnesota this week at the center of the Ryder Cup storm, having been the most vocal of the American players in lobbying for change following three straight losses to Europe.His seat only got hotter after he criticized former Ryder Cup captain Hal Sutton for the way he paired Mickelson with Tiger Woods at Oakland Hills in 2004. So when he stepped to the first tee on Friday morning at Hazeltine, Lefty knew he had to deliver.Given the buildup over the last couple years, the criticism, the comments, what have you, the pressure was certainly as great, or greater, than Ive ever felt, Mickelson said. I could have copped out and asked to sit. That would have been a total weak move, and I wanted to get out there. Put me out there. I enjoy that pressure.After a shaky start Friday morning, Mickelson found his form on the back nine and partnered with Rickie Fowler for a 1-up victory over Rory McIlroy and Andy Sullivan, part of a clean sweep of the morning foursomes by the Americans. His front nine was marred by a tee shot that landed out of bounds on No. 6 that dropped them to 2 down. But a superb wedge on No. 16 put Fowler in position for a birdie putt that squared the match, and Fowlers tee shot on 17 helped them reclaim the lead for good.Certainly I played tight. This guy loosened me up, Mickelson said, nodding toward Fowler, who won a Ryder Cup match for the first time. Thats why I wanted him as my partner. He knows what to say and when to say it. He got some of my best golf out there in the end.Few have more riding on this weekend than Mickelson, who raised eyebrows with a pointed critique of captain Tom Watsons strategy after the Americans were rolled by Europe at Gleneagles in Scotland two years ago. Watson was sitting at the table with Mickelson while he railed at all that went wrong -- in Scotland and for much of the last two decades -- for the Americans in Ryder Cup play.Mickelson also had to apologize Thursday after offering up unprompted a stinging criticism of Sutton by saying the 2004 captain set up Woods and Mickelson to fail by giving them just two days notice that the two would be playing together.Mickelson pushed for the creation of the much talked about Ryder Cup task force, a group including Tiger Woods, captain Davis Love III and Tom Lehman that was dedicated to identifying the problems and giving the players a bigger say in the process.The task force drew snickers from the Europeans, who are 8-2 in the last 10 Ryder Cups and going for an unprecedented fourth straight victory. Lee Westwood didnt pass up a chance to take one more shot on the eve of play.You form a task force and it doesnt go right this week, where do you go from there? Westwood said. Youve done pretty much all you can do.So well see how that goes.It wasnt easy for Mickelson and Fowler, but it worked. They were 2 down after six and again after 14 before winning three of the last four holes to take the tightest match of the morning.The way we stepped up again on the closing of the back nine just like we did on the front nine, hitting some shots that we needed to, it was a lot of fun, Fowler said.Love gave the pair the afternoon off, and they were left to watch as Europe charged back into the fray.Mickelson is the elder statesman on the U.S. team, playing in his 11th Ryder Cup. He will be back on the course with Fowler for foursomes on Saturday morning, facing McIlroy and Thomas Pieters.If Mickelson was kept out of the action for a second straight round, Love may have heard about it.I think we all kind of sensed and had a good feeling heading into today that the morning was going to go well, Mickelson said. We didnt know it would THAT well, but we knew were going to have a good morning. And gosh, the guys just played some incredible golf. Dodgers Jerseys 2020 . The scientists believe the small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown was likely greater than Lynchs famous "beast quake" touchdown run three years ago, which also came against New Orleans during a playoff game. Los Angeles Dodgers Gear . The CFLs leading rusher kept adding to his gaudy numbers this season and scored the winning touchdown with just over two minutes to play. The New Westminster, B.C., native plowed three yards into the end zone for the last score of a heated, see-saw battle between the two teams with the best records in the CFL. https://www.cheapdodgersonline.com/ . The Dane followed up his first European Tour title last weekend with eight birdies and just a single dropped shot on Thursday for a one-stroke advantage over South Africas Allan Versfeld and Portugals Ricardo Santos. Dodgers Jerseys 2019 .Y. -- Canadas Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse have another World Cup gold medal after winning the two-women bobsled race on Saturday in Lake Placid, N. Hyun-jin Ryu Jersey . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night.Roy Hodgson faces a potential selection headache in midfield following the news that Jordan Henderson is a major doubt for Euro 2016 with a knee injury. The England manager names his squad for the tournament in just under five weeks, with their opening group game against Russia a month later.It leaves Henderson, who faces six to eight weeks out after damaging his lateral collateral ligament against Borussia Dortmund, a short window to prove his fitness. Jordan Henderson suffered the injury playing for Liverpool against Borussia Dortmund The Liverpool midfielder had emerged as a key part of Hodgsons plans, starting Englands first six Euro qualifiers before injury, and returning in the 3-2 friendly victory over Germany in March.The impact of his injury on Englands hopes polarised opinion on Sky Sports social media channels, but where does his possible absence leave their midfield options?Recent startersHodgson used a version of the 4-3-3 formation in Berlin, but also experimented with a 4-4-2 diamond.Henderson had been earmarked as one of the two shuttlers in central midfield, using his energy to support attack and defence with Eric Dier in the holding role.The Tottenham midfielder is unlikely to be affected after impressing against Germany, and with few alternatives in defensive midfield, his place is likely assured. Eric Dier scored the winner for England against Germany in March His team-mate Dele Alli looked a good fit alongside Henderson at the Olympiastadion. Both pressed well, with Alli free to roam forward and Henderson and Dier on the cover.He could drop back now, but his best work for Spurs and England has been higher up the pitch. It would seem counter-productive to move him away from the oppositions goal, especially when it would likely limit his proximity to Harry Kane. Dele Alli is among the favourites to start for England at Euro 2016 So James Milner, who many feel most closely matches Hendersons work-rate, may be the biggest beneficiary.The Liverpool midfielder took his club-mates place against the Netherlands and Hodgson clearly values his leadership, handing him the captains armband at Wembley. Judging by recent team selections, Milner is a logical choice. James Milner captained England against the Netherlands at Wembley Meanwhile, those championing Danny Drinkwater may grow a little bolder. He slotted into the Dier position against the Dutch, winning his first cap, and the Leicester midfielder is another who may profit from Hendersons absence.He enjoyed the role against the Netherlands, even if it differed from his typical Leicester assignment, but he could now get the chance to play further forward if Henderson doesnt make it. Jamie Vardy, recipient of four Drinkwater assists this season, could find his case boosted too.Hodgson could always opt to reshuffle his attacking midfielders, leaving Ross Barkley and Adam Lallana possible contenders. Both have played there for their clubs, but so far Hodgson haas preferred advanced roles for both.dddddddddddd Danny Drinkwater won his first England cap against the Netherlands In contention…if fitIt looks like Jack Wilshere will be the big if for England. Henderson now joins the Arsenal midfielder and Fabian Delph on the list of players who must prove their fitness.All three have strong claims and were heavily involved in Englands qualification, and Hodgson has said a lack of game-time doesnt necessarily rule out a call-up. Jack Wilshere faces a race against time to prove his fitness before Euro 2016 He knows the strengths and weaknesses of all three players, and the trio may actually have been his first-choice midfield three - Delph, Wilshere and Henderson kicked off Englands qualification bid in the impressive 2-0 win in Switzerland.For me its all about the class of the player, Hodgson said when discussing Wilshere. If the Arsenal man takes the field before Euro 2016, he remains the hypothetical favourite to replace Henderson. Recent call-upsA look back at the midfielders capped over the last 12 months provides a snapshot of alternative options for the England boss.Jonjo Shelvey had ambitions of an England place when he moved to Newcastle in January.He must have fancied his chances too after he won five caps in 2015, but to date his hopes have gone the same way as Newcastles survival bid. The former Swan has not featured since an 11-minute cameo against France last year. Jonjo Shelvey was part of the England set-up in 2015 Many felt Michael Carrick fluffed his chance in the 2-0 friendly defeat by Spain in November, and he was overlooked in favour of Drinkwater for recent friendlies. But if Hodgson requires an experienced head, he could do worse than Carrick.Ryan Mason won his single England cap against Italy last March, but he has since slipped well down the pecking order. With just six Premier League starts to his name this season, the Spurs midfielder would be a left-field choice.Similarly Tom Cleverley, who has played just about half of Evertons league matches this season. He actually replaced an injured Mason for Englands June friendly against Republic of Ireland last year, but didnt get on. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could make a late case for inclusion in Englands squad England right-back Alex Scott tipped Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for the squad, and the injured Arsenal man famously impressed in a central midfield role against AC Milan four years ago last month.As recently as March, Hodgson seemed keen for Oxlade-Chamberlain, who featured four times for England last year, to return, and if fit his versatility could offer an extra option.Who do you think Roy Hodgson should take to Euro 2016? Leave a comment or tweet us @SkyFootball… Also See: Henderson out for season Shaw resumes light training Rooney: I have a few years left Klopps Euro hope for Sturridge ' ' '