I remember Don Howe doing a doco from Brazil many years ago. They have sod all grass on most pitches, just dirt fields, so the kids do everything keeping the ball off the ground. Pinpoint passes from 30 yards + aren't the exception but the rule.

That's why their control is so unbelievable when they're on a nice surface.

I remember Don Howe doing a doco from Brazil many years ago. They have sod all grass on most pitches, just dirt fields, so the kids do everything keeping the ball off the ground. Pinpoint passes from 30 yards + aren't the exception but the rule.

That's why their control is so unbelievable when they're on a nice surface.

Yes. Kicking an orange around in a favela from a very young age also helps them learn the art of control.

If your first touch with an orange is no good, forget it.

BTW. How strong are the Uruguay and Italy sides currently?

Do we have any measure of how England compare?

I think we've a real chance. Climate could be a problem.

And Roy of course.

Townsend ruled out and Kyle Walker unlikely to be fit in time.

Opens the door for Caulker,in defence,and Wilshere likely to be included now.He is a good player but very injury prone....thats why I only put him as a wildcard.....goes off injured after 30 mins in the first game and thats the end of his tournament.

Townsend ruled out and Kyle Walker unlikely to be fit in time.

Opens the door for Caulker,in defence,and Wilshere likely to be included now.He is a good player but very injury prone....thats why I only put him as a wildcard.....goes off injured after 30 mins in the first game and thats the end of his tournament.

Walker is a right back and Caulkers a left sided center back. Doubtful his absence will do much to benefit Caulkers chances

Townsend ruled out and Kyle Walker unlikely to be fit in time.

Opens the door for Caulker,in defence,and Wilshere likely to be included now.He is a good player but very injury prone....thats why I only put him as a wildcard.....goes off injured after 30 mins in the first game and thats the end of his tournament.

If Walker is unlikely to be fit, I'd like to see Coleman of Everton given a chance, he's had a solid season.

BTW. How strong are the Uruguay and Italy sides currently?

Do we have any measure of how England compare?

I think we've a real chance. Climate could be a problem.

And Roy of course.

Uruguay have great strikers and the climate very much on their side. They will qualify.

The Italians by their usual high standards are really rather average. If Hodgson goes for it theres a reasonable chance of getting out of this group...but i doubt he will. I expect safety first football with England wilting in the heat and humidity. Sorry!

Townsend ruled out and Kyle Walker unlikely to be fit in time.

Opens the door for Caulker,in defence,and Wilshere likely to be included now.He is a good player but very injury prone....thats why I only put him as a wildcard.....goes off injured after 30 mins in the first game and thats the end of his tournament.

If Walker is unlikely to be fit, I'd like to see Coleman of Everton given a chance, he's had a solid season.

agreed. think england should also call up that gareth bale lad for the left wing this world cup. he'd be an asset too.

Townsend ruled out and Kyle Walker unlikely to be fit in time.

Opens the door for Caulker,in defence,and Wilshere likely to be included now.He is a good player but very injury prone....thats why I only put him as a wildcard.....goes off injured after 30 mins in the first game and thats the end of his tournament.

If Walker is unlikely to be fit, I'd like to see Coleman of Everton given a chance, he's had a solid season.

agreed. think england should also call up that gareth bale lad for the left wing this world cup. he'd be an asset too.

Not too mention Ramsey. Think Giggs is probably a bit old now and has missed his chance!

Seriously though, it may give Flanagan a chance as he could cover both fullback positions.

Townsend ruled out and Kyle Walker unlikely to be fit in time.

Opens the door for Caulker,in defence,and Wilshere likely to be included now.He is a good player but very injury prone....thats why I only put him as a wildcard.....goes off injured after 30 mins in the first game and thats the end of his tournament.

If Walker is unlikely to be fit, I'd like to see Coleman of Everton given a chance, he's had a solid season.

Its unlikely that the Republic of Ireland will give permission for Coleman to represent England in this years World Cup,I'm afraid !

The thinking behind Caulker is that we would still have Jones of United to cover Johnson at right back.......who would the alternative be ? Smalling ? Oh dear.

Townsend ruled out and Kyle Walker unlikely to be fit in time.

Opens the door for Caulker,in defence,and Wilshere likely to be included now.He is a good player but very injury prone....thats why I only put him as a wildcard.....goes off injured after 30 mins in the first game and thats the end of his tournament.

If Walker is unlikely to be fit, I'd like to see Coleman of Everton given a chance, he's had a solid season.

agreed. think england should also call up that gareth bale lad for the left wing this world cup. he'd be an asset too.

Not too mention Ramsey. Think Giggs is probably a bit old now and has missed his chance!

Seriously though, it may give Flanagan a chance as he could cover both fullback positions.

Now thats an interesting one. Is Flannagan a genuine two footed player? if he is then thats a really useful option to take as cover for both sides

Yes.....maybe Flanagan.....I'd forgotten him !

BTW. How strong are the Uruguay and Italy sides currently?

Do we have any measure of how England compare?

I think we've a real chance. Climate could be a problem.

And Roy of course.

Uruguay have great strikers and the climate very much on their side. They will qualify.

The Italians by their usual high standards are really rather average. If Hodgson goes for it theres a reasonable chance of getting out of this group...but i doubt he will. I expect safety first football with England wilting in the heat and humidity. Sorry!

I know carmine.

How good are they at stopping it going in their own net?

Point taken about Roy.

BTW. How strong are the Uruguay and Italy sides currently?

Do we have any measure of how England compare?

I think we've a real chance. Climate could be a problem.

And Roy of course.

Uruguay have great strikers and the climate very much on their side. They will qualify.

The Italians by their usual high standards are really rather average. If Hodgson goes for it theres a reasonable chance of getting out of this group...but i doubt he will. I expect safety first football with England wilting in the heat and humidity. Sorry!

I know carmine.

How good are they at stopping it going in their own net?

Point taken about Roy.

Well that was my point really...theres not a great deal more, but never under estimate the advantage of the south american climate conditions. Thats their twelfth man.

"Now thats an interesting one. Is Flannagan a genuine two footed player? if he is then thats a really useful option to take as cover for both sides"

Predominantly right footed Carms. But has been doing ok at left back most of the year. Could cover for Johnson and remove the need to take three left backs...which would be a waste of a place imo.

Yes, message understood.

Italia. Better suited I suppose to the climate.

So too Costa Rica.

"Now thats an interesting one. Is Flannagan a genuine two footed player? if he is then thats a really useful option to take as cover for both sides"

Predominantly right footed Carms. But has been doing ok at left back most of the year. Could cover for Johnson and remove the need to take three left backs...which would be a waste of a place imo.

Yes its a good idea as long as he's pretty decent with the left. Spurs have been thrown out of shape half the season having to play Naughton on the left when he's way too right sided.

To be fair he's crap on the right too.

Flano getting backed to make the squad. Now 7/2 from 12s.Hope your on Chicog!

Can't say I give a toss.

brasil have named their 23 for, well, brasil.

Jefferson, Julio Cesar, Victor Dante, David Luiz, Henrique, Thiago Silva, Dani Alves, Maicon, Marcelo, Maxwell, Fernandinho, Hernanes, Luiz G, Oscar, Paulinho, Ramires, Willian, Bernard, Fred, Hulk, Jô, Neymar.

brasil have named their 23 for, well, brasil.

Jefferson, Julio Cesar, Victor Dante, David Luiz, Henrique, Thiago Silva, Dani Alves, Maicon, Marcelo, Maxwell, Fernandinho, Hernanes, Luiz G, Oscar, Paulinho, Ramires, Willian, Bernard, Fred, Hulk, Jô, Neymar.

Maicon and Jo ? Not very inspiring that were I a Brazil fan.

Yes.....maybe Flanagan.....I'd forgotten him !

He's done really well this season.

they do look a little lightweight up front don't they? good defence and midfield though and scolari's a smart cookie.

they do look a little lightweight up front don't they? good defence and midfield though and scolari's a smart cookie.

Yea, the Brazil public are not thrilled with the strikers. Looks like the days of Luis "The Assassin" Fabiano are over. He was scary good.

they do look a little lightweight up front don't they? good defence and midfield though and scolari's a smart cookie.

Yea, the Brazil public are not thrilled with the strikers. Looks like the days of Luis "The Assassin" Fabiano are over. He was scary good.

don't think he was ever really world class to be honest.

they must be kicking themselves about diego costa choosing to play for spain.

Lots of calls for Flanagan. Up to a Couple of weeks ago he was statistically the most dribbled past defender in the league.

Apart from Gerrard I would dump the oldies as the heat out there will be unbearable and I'm sure the younger players might be able to round the pitch a bit easier.

Also we're not going to win it so we might as well blood some youngsters in a big tournament.

Lots of calls for Flanagan. Up to a Couple of weeks ago he was statistically the most dribbled past defender in the league.

Apart from Gerrard I would dump the oldies as the heat out there will be unbearable and I'm sure the younger players might be able to round the pitch a bit easier.

Also we're not going to win it so we might as well blood some youngsters in a big tournament.

Probably take Carroll and play route one to conserve energy.

they do look a little lightweight up front don't they? good defence and midfield though and scolari's a smart cookie.

Yea, the Brazil public are not thrilled with the strikers. Looks like the days of Luis "The Assassin" Fabiano are over. He was scary good.

don't think he was ever really world class to be honest.

they must be kicking themselves about diego costa choosing to play for spain.

Look at Fabiano's record Stevie. If he had played for a bigger club in Europe than Sevilla he would have garnered much more acclaim.

I shall be watching Brazil very closely.

Jogo Bonito with a solid defence.

Never mind that Hodgson guy drinking tea somewhere between Croydon and Malmo.

Da girl from Ipanema......

Come on Scolari.

Obrigado.

they do look a little lightweight up front don't they? good defence and midfield though and scolari's a smart cookie.

Yea, the Brazil public are not thrilled with the strikers. Looks like the days of Luis "The Assassin" Fabiano are over. He was scary good.

don't think he was ever really world class to be honest.

they must be kicking themselves about diego costa choosing to play for spain.

Look at Fabiano's record Stevie. If he had played for a bigger club in Europe than Sevilla he would have garnered much more acclaim.

oh i watched him mate, he was pretty good alright. just never thought he was quite top class.

mate of mine lives in sao paolo and wanted another of the brasil-based strikers in the squad rather than jo. fabiano would have fit the bill.

i don't think brasil have really had a proper world class striker since ronaldo though.