Have to agree with downing not going... to put it short - he is sh1t! Yet somehow manages to raise his game for england
(seems to play marginally better on a larger pitch I have worked out)
Holt v Carrol?? Tough one to call... but as a manager I think he has gone with the safer option. Would i like to see Holt play for england? yes. However no one really know if he will deliver under huge pressure. Which is nothing against him as a player, but if he can do the same in the league this coming season then he should be a regular starter. IMO at the moment too much of a risk... and really should have been tried much earlier on to see how the glove fits.
To Carrols advantage, he seems to be playing a little better recently (I say a little because thats all it is). However its well known that when the boy is on form... he becomes almost unplayable.
As for micah richards.... well he just hasnt played enough this season is probably one of the reasons, and the fact that he would be playing next to JT the other 
JT shouldn't be going full stop, but that is another argument!
As for Richards, got to disagree with you mate. He has played 29 games and 90% of them he started , add to that 1 goal and 5 assists, he really should go. If Downing can go with 0 goals and assists as a midfielder, then Richards should.
I can see where your coming from regarding Holt, but Holt has not only scored more than Carroll, but also more than Welbeck , Defoe and Sturridge, but all of them are going or on the standby list. He should be going instead of Welbeck imo.
I don't know, it just seems who ever is England manager they pick the same group of sh!t players no matter what. Why not try players such as Scott Sinclair or Nathan Dyer instead of players like Downing or Milner. Both had very good seasons with Swansea.
I can just see us going out the group stages to be honest with the squad he has picked