The Official *England's Journey to Brazil 2014* Thread

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

"There is a forgotten, nay almost forbidden word, which means more to me than any other. That word is England."
Sir Winston Churchill

Yes, it's nearly that time. Time for England to begin their Qualifying Campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Those promising, encouraging, and brave displays witnessed during Euro 2012 will have to be built on as the long road to Brazil starts. Along the way, they will play in London, Podgorica, Kiev, Warsaw, Chisinau and Serravale. The aim is simply to top the group and make it to Brazil with a minimum of fuss.

"Ask any man what nationality he would prefer to be, and ninety nine out of a hundred will tell you that they would prefer to be Englishmen."
Cecil John Rhodes

England have been drawn in Group H with Montengro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova and San Marino. I don't even need to be insanely optimistic this time round. England will top that group. Moldova and San Marino will be the whipping boys. Montengro, Ukraine and Poland will only prove a challenge in their own ground. Wembley will be deemed a fortress.

"Remember that you are an Englishman, and have consequently won first place in the lottery of life."
Cecil John Rhodes

The fixture list for those Qualifiers is the following:

Moldova v England (7th September 2012)
England v Ukraine (11th September 2012)
England v San Marino (12th October 2012)
Poland v England (16th October 2012)
San Marino v England (22nd March 2013)
Montenegro v England (26th March 2013)
England v Moldova (6th September 2013)
Ukraine v England (10th September 2013)
England v Montenegro (11th October 2013)
England v Poland (15th October 2013)

Lovely, simple, finishing with a Wembley double-header. I predict we'll get 28 out of 30 points, perhaps getting a draw in either Warsaw or Kiev.

"Follow your spirit; and upon this charge,
Cry "God for Harry! England and Saint George"."
William Shakespeare

Of course, while England's fate will be defined by those 10 games, the ever important International Friendly will hone the team against more quality opposition. The friendlies currently scheduled are:

Italy v England (15th August 2012)
Sweden v England (14th November 2012)
England v Scotland (14th August 2013)

So let's get the England train rolling, starting on Wednesday, build up momentum before landing in Brazil in nearly 2 years time. Come on England!

“The English are so filled with their own greatness and have won so many big victories that they have come to believe they cannot lose. In battle they are the most confident nation in the world."
Unknown

[NickisBHAFC]

*Woy

[Duty281]

Just keep taking pal  

I still don't expect England to win the World Cup, just so you know.

No harm in dreaming though. No harm in dreaming that maybe, just maybe, England will reach that broad, sunlit upland that has long evaded us since 1966.

It's always the anticipation that's the best bit. Football, sex, wine etc. - the anticipation is always better than the event itself.

And gently exhale.

166 sleeps to go till England-Italy!

[NickisBHAFC]

166 days till a huge huge p*ss up!!!!

[Duty281]

http://www.thefa.com/news/england/2013/dec/2014/jan/roy-hodgson-review-of-the-year-part-2

Roy Hodgson promises exciting times ahead for the English football team.

Sweet dreams are made of this,
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world and the seven seas,
Everybody's looking for something.

[NickisBHAFC]

Theo Walcott ruled out of the world cup.

Major major blow.

[Steffan]

As much as I want England to get stuffed I want them to have their best team out

Shame for Walcott he is great player

[The Special Juan]

"Instant karma's gonna get you..."

[Duty281]

Oh fu*kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

I thought you were on a wind-up for a minute.

Damn. Damn. Damn.

Positive - His absolutely gorgeous figure will probably be on BBC or ITV as a pundit.
Negative - England have lost their best winger.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

For me, this means England should definitely play Sturridge, Welbeck and Rooney as a trio and add an extra creative link in midfield.

[NickisBHAFC]

I guess when Theo was gesturing 2-0 he meant, the amount of World Cup's hes missed through injury and the amount of World Cup's he has played in.

Still huge loss. But i agree with Chris, that should be our obvious front 3. Townsend whilst has done well in the past for England, and will probably get taken to Brazil hasn't done enough for club to merit a start IMO.

[Duty281]

Welbeck on the left. Sturridge and Rooney up front. Becks on the right.

It's a no brainer....

[mystiroakey]

what!

i feicking new it!

[Liam]

Big chance for someone like Lallana now surely? Would love to see him have a good run of form until the end of the season. He's an exciting player, would love Utd to get him really.

[Duty281]

Big chance for someone like Lallana now surely? Would love to see him have a good run of form until the end of the season. He's an exciting player, would love Utd to get him really.

Milner, Townsend, Sturridge/Welbeck (possibly), Zaha, Lennon, Oxlade, Wilshere, Lallana, Redmond, A Johnson, Henderson, Berahino, Young, Sterling.

Any of those could fill in down the right wing. #englandsdepth

[mystiroakey]

I am not bothered about the right wing that is the one place england have bundles of talent. I was hoping walcot would play more of a striker roll and I am sure that is where he would have been playing at arsernal the rest of the season.

Name one other English player with a better goals to minutes ratio over the last two years!!


But there is going to be even more pressure on Arsenal getting a new striker now.

[sportform]

Huge loss for Arsenal and England. Totally undervalued/ unutilised player.

Would like to see Raheem Sterling on the plain along with Saido Berahino. Two very talent young players.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Huge loss.

Hopefully this will open the door to a youngster, not a Young/Downing. From a Norwich point of view would be great if Redmond could hit fire 2nd half of the year

[NickisBHAFC]

Based on current form, it would have to be Sterling to start in the left wing role. He has been outstanding for Liverpool.

[Crimey]

Name one other English player with a better goals to minutes ratio over the last two years!!

Daniel Sturridge?

[Stella]

Shame for Theo. Would have been in my team. His pace and unpredictable nature would have given us something other teams fear.

[nasisillmatic]

Would he have started ahead of Milner?

[Stella]

Would he have started ahead of Milner?

Not sure if you're joking or not? I actually think Milner is a handy squad player to have, as his running and team play is perfect when holding a 1-0 lead with 20 minutes left. I would definitely take Milner to Brazil.

[nasisillmatic]

I am joking but it wouldn't have been a suprise if Roy picked him before Walcott.

[mystiroakey]

Milner has been playing well. and for me MOTM v BAYERN away.

But they play different positions- you could play both.

[Stella]

Think he'll play 4-3-3, so would Milner sit in anywhere? Walcott would have.

[mystiroakey]

I wouldnt pick milner as a first team choice- but he would 100% get on my subs bench.

[Stella]

I wouldnt pick milner as a first team choice- but he would 100% get on my subs bench.

Same here.

I'm guessing Wellbeck and Sturridge may start with Rooney in a front three, with Gerrard, Wilshere, and a.nother behind?

[Duty281]

I think we'll stick with what we did in the last two qualifiers.

Welbeck on the left, Sturridge up front, Rooney just behind, and someone on the right wing - plenty of candidates as I previously mentioned. Then it's Gerrard and Wilshere/Barkley/Carrick in the middle.

Usual back four of Cole/Cahill/Jagielka/Johnson with Hart in goal.

I've got my fingers tightly crossed that Andy Carroll will have found form and fitness by May - off the bench he will be a fantastic option in Brazil.

[mystiroakey]

Wellbeck has been playing really well recently and has started to finish again. Its looking v good for him.

[Stella]

Anyone going to Brazil to watch it?

My armchair will be cheaper, albeit less exciting.

[Guest]

Surprised at the reaction. In my opinion, it's a bigger blow for Arsenal than England. Theo gives Arsenal a plan B, with pace, when they can't unlock better teams, whereas England have many other options. Theo is better for Arsenal than England anyway & his performances & stats show that. Yeah, would of been nice to have him in Brazil but it's not the end of the world at all. Just hope he recovers fully for next season.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Its a loss, but not massive. His pace would have been incredible off the bench in those conditions though.

[Duty281]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25637747

Some good news for England.

[Duty281]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25678038

England line up their pre-tournament friendlies.

England will play Peru on the 30 May in the Wembley send-off, before playing Honduras and Ecuador in June in Miami.

[Duty281]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-25836217

Less than five months now till the biggest sporting event of them all.

50% of the venues are still not finished.

[mystiroakey]

FIFA will just help them out and get it finished as they have to every single time.

It again makes a mockery of Tendering for this event..

[Duty281]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25882613

Ignore the World Cup for now, England are top seeds for Euro 2016 qualifying. Should make it rather more straight-forward. Glory in 2016?

Gerrard and Lampard's farewell?

Just kidding.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25870855

And can anyone figure this out? France will take part in qualifying despite the fact they've already qualified.

[mystiroakey]

Yeah just kidding!!

they will still be there in 2024

[Duty281]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2544933/Johnson-injury-puts-World-Cup-spot-doubt-Liverpool-defender-ruled-indefinitely.html

Might Glen Johnson be out of the World Cup?

That would be another blow; Kyle Walker just doesn't compare.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

In other news regarding group members, Bryan Oviedo suffered a double leg break today, probably Costa Rica's best player?

Would like to see someone other than Walker, a Clyne? Lowton? Anyone but Walker!

[NickisBHAFC]

Would rather Walker than Clyne and Lowton tbh.

Phill Jones or Chris Smalling maybe?

[Duty281]

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/456234/EXCLUSIVE-Roy-Hodgson-set-to-sign-team-GB-performance-expert-Dave-Reddin

Preparation is crucial. It's exactly why Dave Reddin, who worked with England rugby's 2003 World Cup winners, as well as the 2012 Olympic Squad, is about to join Roy Hodgson's backroom staff for the 2014 World Cup.

About four and a half months to go, and perhaps only 630 minutes of football from.....the ultimate dream?

[Duty281]

Do you remember how Roy Hodgson upset the Mayor of Manaus by claiming that it wasn't ideal for England to play their World Cup opener there?

Well now Roy Hodgson has delved into that ancient British custom: apologising when you haven't done anything wrong.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/article-2548862/Dream-come-true-Hodgson-makes-U-turn-Manaus-pens-grovelling-letter-officials-blasting-host-city-England-opener-against-Italy.html

It's all too beautiful...

[Duty281]

166 days till a huge huge p*ss up!!!!

But not in a pub, Nicholas, not in a pub.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26006439

[NickisBHAFC]

Tbh mate the pub i go to usually stays open till 2/3 on Saturday's anyway. So it won't matter.

[Duty281]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/vauxhall/arsenal-youngster-alex-oxlade-chamberlain-could-3121922

I'd take him, wouldn't you?

[Duty281]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26215060

Looks like his Royness will be trying out several options against the Danes, including the likes of Sterling, Zaha and Johnson.

Less than four months to go! Don't expect too much, because then you'll enjoy it far more...probably.

[Mat]

Was talking to my Dad last night about the England squad for the world cup. This is what we came up with, it's a lot harder than you'd think, probably because of how average a lot of the options are. The wide positiosn were the ones we struggled to agree on.

Goalkeepers: Hart, Foster, Ruddy

Defence: Johnson, Walker, Cahill, Jagielka, Jones, Smalling, Baines and we couldn't decide between taking Ashley Cole/Luke Shaw.

Midfield: Gerrard(C), Barkley, Wilshere, Henderson/Carrick, Milner, Lallana then one of Ox/Townsend/Sterling/Johnson

Strikers: Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck, Lambert/Carroll/Rodriguez

Obviously the dashes were where we couldn't decide who to take. Ideally I'd take two from the four wingers but I think Milner is nailed on to go which limits the options.

The 4th striker is again much of a muchness really. The 4th centre midfielder is difficult, Henderson's been in better form but Roy does seem to like Carrick. And of course we've completely discounted Cleverly, but Roy is a big fan of his as well.

Choosing between Cole and Shaw is difficult. A lot can be said for having experienced back-up as Baines is now 1st choice, but then Shaw has been in great form this season and having experience of a major tournament would be good for him.

[Duty281]

Think I'd go for:

Goalkeepers: Hart, Forster, Ruddy

Defence: Johnson (might be injured though), Walker, Cahill, Jagielka, Jones, Smalling, Baines, and Cole.

Midfield: Gerrard(C), Barkley, Wilshere, Carrick, Milner, Oxlade, Sterling, and Townsend.

Strikers: Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck, Carroll.

I think it's a 23 man squad, so that's what I'd go for. Lampard just missing out.

[Mat]

Oh yeah it is 23, so I'd have another space in the squad which would be one of the wingers but again I'm really not sure who out of those 4 I'd take. On current form, Townsend is nowhere the squad but he was electric in the games he did play whilst Ox and Sterling are now playing well and Johnson is emerging as a possible surprise choice.

At the moment, I'd probably go Ox as he covers all of the midfield and has major tournament experience and then Townsend based on what he did in the last 2 qualifiers.

Didn't have Lampard anywhere near my potential squad Duty tbh.

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