England World Cup Thread

[carmine]

Hart

Johnson Cahill Jags Baines

Gerrard

Barclay Rooney Lalana

Sturridge Wellbeck

I would like to see this line up full of pace and invention sadly we won't.

Not bad at all that.

[rixalex]

Can anyone think of a bolder team selection for a World Cup? I can't. A million times bolder than Capello ever was with his selections. Roy should be being praised for his boldness and positiveness. Instead, those who were obviously hoping to slag him off for not going with the younger players and for sticking with the bigger names, have had to switch to slagging him off for how they predict he will set the team up. So desperate for him to fail. Sad but predictable.

Give the man a chance for fkcu sake.

[StevieH]

Can anyone think of a bolder team selection for a World Cup? I can't. A million times bolder than Capello ever was with his selections. Roy should be being praised for his boldness and positiveness. Instead, those who were obviously hoping to slag him off for not going with the younger players and for sticking with the bigger names, have had to switch to slagging him off for how they predict he will set the team up. So desperate for him to fail. Sad but predictable.

Give the man a chance for fkcu sake.

who else could he have picked? squad virtually picks itself. bold my arse, the man's a charlatan and a <deleted>.

know what? if it wasn't for that horrible old bastard i could actually bring myself to get behind england this world cup. youthful team full of energy and excitement, would love to see gerrard have a good world cup, none of the egos there that have spoiled previous squads like cole, ferdinand, terry etc - but no, the gobshite fraud hodgson just poisons everything.

[StevieH]

Hart

Johnson Cahill Jags Baines

Gerrard

Barclay Rooney Lalana

Sturridge Wellbeck

I would like to see this line up full of pace and invention sadly we won't.

bloody hell, bit of pressure on gerrard there or what?!

gerrard's had such a good season this year 'cos he's had one or two lads in there to do his legwork, do the closing down for him. i'd leave out welbeck - had a crap season anyway - and put henderson in alongside gerrard to give you some energy in the middle of the park. then a three of sterling (he's had a much better season than barkley), rooney and lallana off sturridge. loads of pace, movement and invention and four/five goalscorers there too.

[rixalex]

Can anyone think of a bolder team selection for a World Cup? I can't. A million times bolder than Capello ever was with his selections. Roy should be being praised for his boldness and positiveness. Instead, those who were obviously hoping to slag him off for not going with the younger players and for sticking with the bigger names, have had to switch to slagging him off for how they predict he will set the team up. So desperate for him to fail. Sad but predictable.

Give the man a chance for fkcu sake.

who else could he have picked? squad virtually picks itself. bold my arse, the man's a charlatan and a .

know what? if it wasn't for that horrible old bastard i could actually bring myself to get behind england this world cup. youthful team full of energy and excitement, would love to see gerrard have a good world cup, none of the egos there that have spoiled previous squads like cole, ferdinand, terry etc - but no, the gobshite fraud hodgson just poisons everything.

The only poisonous thing around here is your hatred for the man, that makes it impossible for any credit to be given, even when it is due. To repeat, can anyone think of a bolder selection for a World Cup? Capello's big statement when he arrived was that he would only select in form players, but when it came to the crunch, he completely backtracked. Selected a lot of players who patently weren't in form. Roy hasn't done that, and for that, he deserves credit.

As for you potentially getting behind the team were it not for Roy, national team support is no different for me than club team support, in that you either support or you don't. No middle ground. Think we can do without anyone's fair weather backing.

[StevieH]

he isn't due any credit rix, because he's a fraud. he's a gobshite charlatan who spoofed his way through just about the easiest qualifying group imaginable and even then only just. that's twice you've said 'bold', how is this bold? there's nothing bold about picking three lads who've had a godsawful season just because they play for man united. and you're using 'picking players who aren't in form' as a positive thing - you don't think that's at all the act of a moron?

what kind of manager goes 'bold' and picks an unproven 18 year old luke shaw and then, to inspire the troops and instill the youngster with confidence, says "Circumstances could make the decision a very good one or a very bad one. An injury [for Baines] against Peru would make the selection of Shaw a very bad selection." he's an idiot, a <deleted>-spouting idiot with no idea of how to play football other than lowering expectations, safety first and covering his own arse.

how many times you go watch united play this season rix? we're all fair-weather mate.

[rixalex]

he isn't due any credit rix, because he's a fraud. he's a gobshite charlatan who spoofed his way through just about the easiest qualifying group imaginable and even then only just. that's twice you've said 'bold', how is this bold? there's nothing bold about picking three lads who've had a godsawful season just because they play for man united. and you're using 'picking players who aren't in form' as a positive thing - you don't think that's at all the act of a moron?

what kind of manager goes 'bold' and picks an unproven 18 year old luke shaw and then, to inspire the troops and instill the youngster with confidence, says "Circumstances could make the decision a very good one or a very bad one. An injury [for Baines] against Peru would make the selection of Shaw a very bad selection." he's an idiot, a -spouting idiot with no idea of how to play football other than lowering expectations, safety first and covering his own arse.

how many times you go watch united play this season rix? we're all fair-weather mate.

As I say mate, your hatred for the man has you negatively pre judging his every move. I remember discussions we had during the last World Cup. Then all your hatred was directed at the players and the fans, and for the most part you defended Capello. Capello got off lightly cos you liked him, and cos he isn't English.

As for your last comment... don't get it. My support for United has always been unwavering. What has going to watch them got to do with it?

[StevieH]

capello had an incredible track record of winning trophies rix. he was not a spoofer.

you don't address any of the other points in my post. why is picking the squad that was there to be picked 'bold'? it would have been bold to leave out jones, smalling and welbeck after the seasons they've had. it would have been bold to pick curtis davies, or maybe fabian delph. how is what he said about shaw being a potentially bad call-up if baines gets injured anything other than the act of an idiot?

as for the last bit, let's not bother eh? we'll only end up in the same circular argument as always about patriotism and where you're born meaning you have to fly the flag by default etc, etc.

[rixalex]

capello had an incredible track record of winning trophies rix. he was not a spoofer.

What did he win for England? Ok, unfair to expect him to win.. what did he achieve? Arrived with much fanfare and said to be some sort of a tactical genius. And yet his greatest achievement was matched by Roy, after Roy had had just a couple of months to work with the squad. Capello's previous achievements don't come into the equation when considering the job he did for England. And at that job, he failed. Wasn't even as if he had us playing exciting football either.

[rixalex]

you don't address any of the other points in my post. why is picking the squad that was there to be picked 'bold'?

Not sure what there is to address. Roy's team announcement was received in pretty much all quarters as being bolder and more positive than was generally expected. Sentiments which have been echoed here.

[rixalex]

as for the last bit, let's not bother eh? we'll only end up in the same circular argument as always about patriotism and where you're born meaning you have to fly the flag by default etc, etc.

Fine but still don't really know what point you are making or how there is any comparison between a "supporter" who may support a team if the wind happens to be blowing in a direction they favour and a supporter who doesn't attend games now cos he happens to live thousands of miles away.

[carmine]

you don't address any of the other points in my post. why is picking the squad that was there to be picked 'bold'?

Not sure what there is to address. Roy's team announcement was received in pretty much all quarters as being bolder and more positive than was generally expected. Sentiments which have been echoed here.

Can't help thinking that not taking Cole was more stupid than bold. Surely a defenders primary job is to defend and despite losing a lot of his pace he's a better defender than Baines, who for that matter has precious little experience at international level along with Shaw who has next to none.

A difficult decision was taken away from Roy when Walker was ruled out through injury because it would normally be expected to take only one specialist right back. Johnson's better defending anyway as Walker's contually getting caught out of position.

I don't really see where the boldness was anywhere else. He just picked who i expected him to pick.

[rixalex]

you don't address any of the other points in my post. why is picking the squad that was there to be picked 'bold'?

Not sure what there is to address. Roy's team announcement was received in pretty much all quarters as being bolder and more positive than was generally expected. Sentiments which have been echoed here.

Can't help thinking that not taking Cole was more stupid than bold. Surely a defenders primary job is to defend and despite losing a lot of his pace he's a better defender than Baines, who for that matter has precious little experience at international level along with Shaw who has next to none.

A difficult decision was taken away from Roy when Walker was ruled out through injury because it would normally be expected to take only one specialist right back. Johnson's better defending anyway as Walker's contually getting caught out of position.

I don't really see where the boldness was anywhere else. He just picked who i expected him to pick.

It's not only Baines and Shaw who lack international experience. There is a lot of inexperience throughout the squad. Of course you only get experience by being given it.

The squad that Roy picked I agree is the squad us the fans would have picked.. pretty much anyway. And that for me is what was unexpected and what was bold. Because, lest we forget, in years gone by, be it under SGE, Capello or whoever, the squad they picked was never the squads we would have. They always favored experience over form and over youth. I bet if you look at the average age of this world cups players from England with that of previous ones, you'd see quite a difference too.

[wilai]

Agree with most of the above but "Bold" is not the adjective I would have chosen. "Obvious" would have been preferable, which in itself is a bit of a concern as it shows what a small pool of players we had to choose from.

The demise of Man U this season certainly made the choice an easy one as the performances of Young/Carrick/Cleverley were abject. Welbeck, Jones and Smalling are all very lucky to make the squad and prove the point above.

What worries me about Woy is that when it comes to the crunch, and despite the presence of Barkley/Sterling et al, the likes of Lampard, Milner and Welbeck will get the nod. Nothing against those three but I hope the manager has the balls to play the in-form youngsters and go for broke. However, knowing Woy from his LFC days, I'm not holding my breath.

Anyway, with 5 (possibly 6 by the start) of our lads in the squad, I actually have to support the buggers this time (sorry Luis and StevieH )......So Come on England (the further they get, the longer my R&R in Patts could last )

[rixalex]

Agree with most of the above but "Bold" is not the adjective I would have chosen. "Obvious" would have been preferable, which in itself is a bit of a concern as it shows what a small pool of players we had to choose from.

The demise of Man U this season certainly made the choice an easy one as the performances of Young/Carrick/Cleverley were abject. Welbeck, Jones and Smalling are all very lucky to make the squad and prove the point above.

What worries me about Woy is that when it comes to the crunch, and despite the presence of Barkley/Sterling et al, the likes of Lampard, Milner and Welbeck will get the nod. Nothing against those three but I hope the manager has the balls to play the in-form youngsters and go for broke. However, knowing Woy from his LFC days, I'm not holding my breath.

Anyway, with 5 (possibly 6 by the start) of our lads in the squad, I actually have to support the buggers this time (sorry Luis and StevieH )......So Come on England (the further they get, the longer my R&R in Patts could last )

I share those worries about who he ends up playing, although not so much with Welbeck, as contrary to what some may believe, he didn't have such a bad season for us, and I don't think we have anyone else who can hold up the ball like he can. Lampard and Milner though.. for me, I wouldn't have taken either.. certainly not Lampard. More 50/50 on Milner as he hasn't had a bad season. Just think he has consistently failed to deliver for England.

Anyway, with regards who ends up playing and how we play, can't we at least wait until he chooses the wrong players and we lose games, before we slag him off? And in the meantime, at least accept and acknowledge that he has done pretty well with team selection. I think some of you guys are forgetting just how pathetically conservative and kowtowing past England managers have been with their selections.

[Pattaya Pat]

A 'bold' squad?? hahahahaha.

And anyone who thinks Woy, or indeed any manager will start with THREE strikers has no right to be on a football forum.

When I saw this thread I wasn't going to open it as I knew the knowledge here would be shocking, I wasn't disappointed.

I won't be returning.

[wilai]

^ Stick to whingeing about CTH then. Byeeee

ps...and if you actually read, you might discover that I agree with you. Miserable get!

[wilai]

Wayne maintaining his rigorous World Cup training/fitness regime

[StevieH]

that's not real is it?

ah, apparently it's from 2003.

[MrRed]

A 'bold' squad?? hahahahaha.

And anyone who thinks Woy, or indeed any manager will start with THREE strikers has no right to be on a football forum.

When I saw this thread I wasn't going to open it as I knew the knowledge here would be shocking, I wasn't disappointed.

I won't be returning.

Very happy that you opened "it" and even went on to post in it ....we are all extremely disappointed that you will not be returning with your wisdom. go forth and multiply

[smokie36]

A 'bold' squad?? hahahahaha.

And anyone who thinks Woy, or indeed any manager will start with THREE strikers has no right to be on a football forum.

When I saw this thread I wasn't going to open it as I knew the knowledge here would be shocking, I wasn't disappointed.

I won't be returning.

Very happy that you opened "it" and even went on to post in it ....we are all extremely disappointed that you will not be returning with your wisdom. go forth and multiply

Happily he will be back...even if all the damp squib returns for is to greedily devour the responses.

He's a Muppet....but if he can play the drums I'd forgive him that.

[StevieH]

england might have just been given a huge, huge boost in getting out of the group. this is just off twitter for now, expect it to be confirmed elsewhere soon.

ANDRES CANTOR ‏@AndresCantorGOL 1h

BREAKING.From Uruguay, @MartinCharquero says Luis Suárez felt something in his knee& as per MRI, he will undergo surgery on his meniscus

[LuckyLew]

England team looks pretty poor

Lampard Gerrard Milnert and Sterling all shold b e nowhere near it

3 and homeward bound

Born in Readijng UK ... Hope I am wrong but Italy and Uruguay should have zero issues beating England

[StevieH]

have you watched gerrard and sterling play at all this season? i'm guessing not.

[dabhand]

Breaking news. Suarez has a knee injury that may require surgery. Might miss the 1st round games.

As the source, so far, is the Daily Mail, no guarantee of accuracy is attached to this posting!!

[Chicog]

This thread has already lasted longer than England will in the competition.

[carmine]

England team looks pretty poor

Lampard Gerrard Milnert and Sterling all shold b e nowhere near it

3 and homeward bound

Born in Readijng UK ... Hope I am wrong but Italy and Uruguay should have zero issues beating England

Are you on a wind up or just happy to talk nonsense?

I also think Italy could have issues beating most teams and i don't think i've ever seen a weaker Italien team.

[StevieH]

England team looks pretty poor

Lampard Gerrard Milnert and Sterling all shold b e nowhere near it

3 and homeward bound

Born in Readijng UK ... Hope I am wrong but Italy and Uruguay should have zero issues beating England

Are you on a wind up or just happy to talk nonsense?

I also think Italy could have issues beating most teams and i don't think i've ever seen a weaker Italien team.

it's the least frightening italy team in years. they used to have top, senior players from milan, juventus and inter. now they've got a 35 year old pirlo and balotelli, and that's pretty much it.

suarez more hopeful of making it apparently: @TonyBarretTimes All the early indications are that Uruguay remain confident that Suarez will be able to participate in the World Cup.

[carmine]

England team looks pretty poor

Lampard Gerrard Milnert and Sterling all shold b e nowhere near it

3 and homeward bound

Born in Readijng UK ... Hope I am wrong but Italy and Uruguay should have zero issues beating England

Are you on a wind up or just happy to talk nonsense?

I also think Italy could have issues beating most teams and i don't think i've ever seen a weaker Italien team.

it's the least frightening italy team in years. they used to have top, senior players from milan, juventus and inter. now they've got a 35 year old pirlo and balotelli, and that's pretty much it.

suarez more hopeful of making it apparently: @TonyBarretTimes All the early indications are that Uruguay remain confident that Suarez will be able to participate in the World Cup.

Whether Suarez plays or not i think if England were to qualify it would be at the expense of Italy. Uraguay still have Cavani upfront and of course the climates to their liking.

[mrbojangles]

England team looks pretty poor

Lampard Gerrard Milnert and Sterling all shold b e nowhere near it

3 and homeward bound

Born in Readijng UK ... Hope I am wrong but Italy and Uruguay should have zero issues beating England

Are you on a wind up or just happy to talk nonsense?

I also think Italy could have issues beating most teams and i don't think i've ever seen a weaker Italien team.

it's the least frightening italy team in years. they used to have top, senior players from milan, juventus and inter. now they've got a 35 year old pirlo and balotelli, and that's pretty much it.

suarez more hopeful of making it apparently: @TonyBarretTimes All the early indications are that Uruguay remain confident that Suarez will be able to participate in the World Cup.

Listening to TalkSport yesterday and interestingly, Italy are the only team in the World Cup to not have a single player in their squad who isn't located in England.