England World Cup Thread

[P45Mustang]

I'm feeling positive tbh. Ireland drew with Italy a few days ago. Italy squad doesn't look too frightening?

At least Hodgson is an improvement over control freak Capello.

Jeez. Insult to the Italian nation imho.

A couple more days in Miami then off to Sao Conrado beach.

JB

Only regret is JT, Cahill pairing might have helped. Maybe Cahill and the Jag will be hunky dory.

[SantiSuk]

The bandwagon is not what you describe Carmine. The bandwagon is to get all gung ho (it's just taking a bit longer to get there this time around) and then get all super-critical and fire the manager. You'll be the first pointing the gun if it all falls to tears

Of course I'll be quietly hopeful ..... and screaming and shouting when it comes to kick off.

[carmine]

The bandwagon is not what you describe Carmine. The bandwagon is to get all gung ho (it's just taking a bit longer to get there this time around) and then get all super-critical and fire the manager. You'll be the first pointing the gun if it all falls to tears

Of course I'll be quietly hopeful ..... and screaming and shouting when it comes to kick off.

yes ok, . take it elsewhere. that sort of xenophobic bandwagon is most unbecoming of you so do yourself a favor and just drop it. You're just sounding like a knob with a chip on the shoulder which is infact quite scary.

And just for the record, every country in the competition gets more gung ho after every game they win, except everyone save the english seems happily allowed to do so.

Lastly, i've never professed to be a fan or great supporter of the national team so i won't be pointing my finger at anyone. The only reason i'm posting now is to let you know and anyone else for that matter just how much i despise this monotonous xenophobic sniping and the manner of which you all seem to make up your argument to suit yourselves. Quite pathetic really to why don't you stick it where the sun don't shine and just enjoy the tournament like the rest of us.

[P45Mustang]

Big expectation on Brazil to win it.

Brazil-England Final would suit me down to the ground.

Maracana, The Stadium of the World, Sunday July 13th 2014.

"They think it's all over....it is now!"

[P45Mustang]

C'mon Phil.

[P45Mustang]

[Mooner]

I think England might surprise a few people. Including Hodgson.

Needs to play the young guys though.

England will struggle in the heat and lack the natural ball playing skill to turn 65% possession.

Lucky to get past the first hurdle IMHO....if it was in Europe I would agree with you and Stevie.

Yep. Could be right. That's why he needs young ball players imo.

Shaw, Sterling, Lallana, The Ox, Wilshere, Sturridge, Henderson, Barkley.

Alan Shearer reckons we could make the Semis at a push:

Shearer added: "I think the starting XI nearly picks itself. I would start with Joe Hart, Glen Johnson, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines.

"I would have Steven Gerrard and then either Jordan Henderson or Jack Wilshere, depending on Wilshere's fitness, in front of the back four.

"The three in front of them would be Adam Lallana, Wayne Rooney and Raheem Sterling, with Daniel Sturridge at the top of that.

Tactical rotation because of the conditions, a bit of confidence and a bit of luck and who knows? Boys like the Ox could make all the difference when the opposition are getting a bit weary.

Keep it solid, throw in some flair.

I agree with Shearer. We have some good young players like Ox and Barkley who could make an impact as a sub. Unfortunately the Roy picks the team and I fear Wellbeck and Milner will make more appearances than most people would like.

[carmine]

I think England might surprise a few people. Including Hodgson.

Needs to play the young guys though.

England will struggle in the heat and lack the natural ball playing skill to turn 65% possession.

Lucky to get past the first hurdle IMHO....if it was in Europe I would agree with you and Stevie.

Yep. Could be right. That's why he needs young ball players imo.

Shaw, Sterling, Lallana, The Ox, Wilshere, Sturridge, Henderson, Barkley.

Alan Shearer reckons we could make the Semis at a push:

Shearer added: "I think the starting XI nearly picks itself. I would start with Joe Hart, Glen Johnson, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines.

"I would have Steven Gerrard and then either Jordan Henderson or Jack Wilshere, depending on Wilshere's fitness, in front of the back four.

"The three in front of them would be Adam Lallana, Wayne Rooney and Raheem Sterling, with Daniel Sturridge at the top of that.

Tactical rotation because of the conditions, a bit of confidence and a bit of luck and who knows? Boys like the Ox could make all the difference when the opposition are getting a bit weary.

Keep it solid, throw in some flair.

I agree with Shearer. We have some good young players like Ox and Barkley who could make an impact as a sub. Unfortunately the Roy picks the team and I fear Wellbeck and Milner will make more appearances than most people would like.

Well this will be a first but i'm actually agreeing with Alan Shearer on the starting XI Only issue would be Wilshire or Henderson. Club understanding might just swing that too so probably Henderson over the little Jack the smoker.

[StevieH]

gerrard's played in that holding role alongside two others all season though, that's why he's been so effective - having two superfit lads to do all his leg work. play only gerrard and henderson in there and there's a big risk of them getting overrun my a smart opposition manager.

[smokie36]

I think England might surprise a few people. Including Hodgson.

Needs to play the young guys though.

England will struggle in the heat and lack the natural ball playing skill to turn 65% possession.

Lucky to get past the first hurdle IMHO....if it was in Europe I would agree with you and Stevie.

Yep. Could be right. That's why he needs young ball players imo.

Shaw, Sterling, Lallana, The Ox, Wilshere, Sturridge, Henderson, Barkley.

Alan Shearer reckons we could make the Semis at a push:

Shearer added: "I think the starting XI nearly picks itself. I would start with Joe Hart, Glen Johnson, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines.

"I would have Steven Gerrard and then either Jordan Henderson or Jack Wilshere, depending on Wilshere's fitness, in front of the back four.

"The three in front of them would be Adam Lallana, Wayne Rooney and Raheem Sterling, with Daniel Sturridge at the top of that.

Tactical rotation because of the conditions, a bit of confidence and a bit of luck and who knows? Boys like the Ox could make all the difference when the opposition are getting a bit weary.

Keep it solid, throw in some flair.

You can't play Gerrard for 90 mins I don't think unless its in a forward role which England can't spare....well I don't think....the rest I agree with...youth is the key in that heat and keeping the ball.

[StevieH]

I think England might surprise a few people. Including Hodgson.

Needs to play the young guys though.

England will struggle in the heat and lack the natural ball playing skill to turn 65% possession.

Lucky to get past the first hurdle IMHO....if it was in Europe I would agree with you and Stevie.

Yep. Could be right. That's why he needs young ball players imo.

Shaw, Sterling, Lallana, The Ox, Wilshere, Sturridge, Henderson, Barkley.

Alan Shearer reckons we could make the Semis at a push:

Shearer added: "I think the starting XI nearly picks itself. I would start with Joe Hart, Glen Johnson, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines.

"I would have Steven Gerrard and then either Jordan Henderson or Jack Wilshere, depending on Wilshere's fitness, in front of the back four.

"The three in front of them would be Adam Lallana, Wayne Rooney and Raheem Sterling, with Daniel Sturridge at the top of that.

Tactical rotation because of the conditions, a bit of confidence and a bit of luck and who knows? Boys like the Ox could make all the difference when the opposition are getting a bit weary.

Keep it solid, throw in some flair.

You can't play Gerrard for 90 mins I don't think unless its in a forward role which England can't spare....well I don't think....the rest I agree with...youth is the key in that heat and keeping the ball.

sure you can, he's played 90 minutes for liverpool loads last season. just needs to have two lads doing the closing down in front of him.

[smokie36]

My only issue with it is how he will manage that with his work rate in that heat Stevie....he's not the sort of player to well conserve his energy during a game and over three games in eleven days...well....England need to manage their squad well to progress I think.

[StevieH]

My only issue with it is how he will manage that with his work rate in that heat Stevie....he's not the sort of player to well conserve his energy during a game and over three games in eleven days...well....England need to manage their squad well to progress I think.

it's a valid point smokie, but gerrard's a smart cookie. knows when to expend and when to conserve. back end of last season he went all those matches on a knife-edge under threat of suspension if he picked up one more yellow card - he can play well and boss a match even with his brakes on.

but like i say, if you're going to play him in that role you need to do what liverpool did and have two lads around him, pack the middle third a bit and use them two in the pressing and closing down roles. if you just play him as a holding midfielder in a two you are rather asking for problems if opponents stick three in their own middle. suddenly outnumbered.

[smokie36]

I think England will knacker him Stevie....sad to say they lack Brendan's nous.

[StevieH]

the roy factor mate. watch this space.

[P45Mustang]

Interesting.

I hear what StevieH says about Gerrard plus 2.

I'm going to think about it.

The possibility exists that Roy might surprise us all.

Needs to get down Copacabana and let his hair down maybe.

[BangrakBob]

England 0 vs Italy 0

Uruguay 3 vs England 1

Costa Rica 0 vs England 2

Italy through on goal difference

I'm like a ray of sunshine

[rixalex]

I think England will knacker him Stevie....sad to say they lack Brendan's nous.

Roy got more out of Gerrard than any other England manager has before him, in the last competition, so for me, he is one part I'd the equation I'm not too worried about. I think he'll do fine.

[iancnx]

Laborious Rooney is the one I am concerned about. Some commentators think he has a god given right to start, others say Roy is pooh scared to leave him out. The youngsters around him deserve better!

[wilai]

Sounds like Rooney is being pushed out to left wing for Ecuador match.

[carmine]

Sounds like Rooney is being pushed out to left wing for Ecuador match.

that sounds too ridiculous to be true.

[wilai]

Sounds like Rooney is being pushed out to left wing for Ecuador match.

that sounds too ridiculous to be true.

So did Koncheski to LFC!......but wemember, this is Woy

[P45Mustang]

And Milner is playing Right Back against Ecuador.

Not sure what Roy is up to, but it looks like he is prepared to experiment.

Maybe he hasn't got a clue?

Tell me if it's not correct, but the most successful national teams play pairs and trios from club teams who do it day in day out in their respective leagues.

Capitalise on the club understanding?

Gerrard, Henderson, Johnson. Sterling, Sturridge etc.

Or just pick the fittest and most technically capable for each position and let them work it out for themselves. You can't coach flair or understanding.

Playing players out of position? Recipe for disaster surely?

Seems to me Roy needs to be playing his best 11 in the friendlies. Experimenting with 'what if' scenarios seems like throwing a dice.

[Travel2003]

Experimenting, instead of cementing the line up a week before World Cup starts?

Interesting................

[P45Mustang]

Maybe he's got it all sorted in his head and just wants to have a look at some options before the real thing starts?

Playing time together would be sensible I would have thought.

I'd play a nucleus of Liverpool players and bolt in major strengths from other clubs.

[Travel2003]

Maybe he's got it all sorted in his head and just wants to have a look at some options before the real thing starts?

Playing time together would be sensible I would have thought.

I'd play a nucleus of Liverpool players and bolt in major strengths from other clubs.

I see your point.

However, one would think there will never be enough practice matches for a national team to make sure the adopted formations work.

[StevieH]

Laborious Rooney is the one I am concerned about. Some commentators think he has a god given right to start, others say Roy is pooh scared to leave him out. The youngsters around him deserve better!

apparently rooney himself thinks he has a god-given right to start too.

but where do you pick him? play him as your centre forward and you weaken the side by not picking sturridge in his best position. play rooney as a 10 and he'll upset the midfield and trundle around wheezing after pirlo. if you're picking a team, an XI that works together, for a tournament like this, i don't really see what massive value rooney brings to a starting line-up.

[alfieconn]

Laborious Rooney is the one I am concerned about. Some commentators think he has a god given right to start, others say Roy is pooh scared to leave him out. The youngsters around him deserve better!

apparently rooney himself thinks he has a god-given right to start too.

but where do you pick him? play him as your centre forward and you weaken the side by not picking sturridge in his best position. play rooney as a 10 and he'll upset the midfield and trundle around wheezing after pirlo. if you're picking a team, an XI that works together, for a tournament like this, i don't really see what massive value rooney brings to a starting line-up.

Who would you play as a No 10 then stevie ?

[StevieH]

Laborious Rooney is the one I am concerned about. Some commentators think he has a god given right to start, others say Roy is pooh scared to leave him out. The youngsters around him deserve better!

apparently rooney himself thinks he has a god-given right to start too.

but where do you pick him? play him as your centre forward and you weaken the side by not picking sturridge in his best position. play rooney as a 10 and he'll upset the midfield and trundle around wheezing after pirlo. if you're picking a team, an XI that works together, for a tournament like this, i don't really see what massive value rooney brings to a starting line-up.

Who would you play as a No 10 then stevie ?

i don't think i would necessarily play one at all. unless you've got a david silva it's a really hard role to fill, a really specialist one. think england would get more joy this world cup with a really quick, mobile and interchangeable front three of sturridge, lallana and sterling. henderson and wilshere/milner can add extra numbers to the attack from the midfield three.

[P45Mustang]

Laborious Rooney is the one I am concerned about. Some commentators think he has a god given right to start, others say Roy is pooh scared to leave him out. The youngsters around him deserve better!

apparently rooney himself thinks he has a god-given right to start too.

but where do you pick him? play him as your centre forward and you weaken the side by not picking sturridge in his best position. play rooney as a 10 and he'll upset the midfield and trundle around wheezing after pirlo. if you're picking a team, an XI that works together, for a tournament like this, i don't really see what massive value rooney brings to a starting line-up.

Who would you play as a No 10 then stevie ?

i don't think i would necessarily play one at all. unless you've got a david silva it's a really hard role to fill, a really specialist one. think england would get more joy this world cup with a really quick, mobile and interchangeable front three of sturridge, lallana and sterling. henderson and wilshere/milner can add extra numbers to the attack from the midfield three.

Agree with StevieH. Play Rooney and it will be same old.

A bit like the paradox at Chelsea last season. When Lampard played the team played different. More like the old way.

Need new fresh approach.

Wilshere and the Ox can do some damage. And there's also Lambert.

Conservation of energy, tactical rotation. Not sure where Rooney fits in all this tbh.