World Cup Qualifiers Thread: 16th October

by GSC Mon 15 Oct - 0:37

England head to Warsaw on Tuesday minus Theo Walcott to take on Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland in a Group H encounter. England start the day 3 points above Poland atop the group, having played a game more than their hosts who have managed 4 points from their opening 2 games. Poland are not a threat to be taken lightly boasting the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Jakub Błaszczykowski among their attacking threats in what promises to be a tough game for England.

The Republic of Ireland head to the Faroe Islands, needing to rebound majorly from a 6-1 hammering by Germany on Friday. Theres also an opportunity to gain ground on the leaders as Germany host Sweden.

Scotland face what amounts to a do or die qualifier in Belgium, as having dropped 8 points against the weaker teams in the group, they find themselves 5 points behind Belgium and Croatia. Not too many harder assignments than the 3rd most expensive squad in International football.

A win against Scotland eased some of the pressure off Chris Coleman, and they will look to build on their momentum when they travel to face Croatia. A tough ask minus Aaron Ramsey, but a win would really bring Wales into the mix in their group.

Finally Northern Ireland draw the toughest assignment of each arguably as they travel to Portugal, where a loss would probably push them out of contention altogether.

by Duty281 Mon 15 Oct - 0:54

If England beat Poland on Tuesday, and I have full confidence that they will, the road to Brazil will be clear of major obstruction and we'll have one foot in the World Cup. Predictions:

Poland 0-2 England
Faroe Islands 0-2 Ireland
Belgium 3-0 Scotland
Croatia 1-2 Wales
Portugal 1-1 NI

by Colan (niner) Mon 15 Oct - 1:01

I don't expect to win and once again feel both frustrated by our tactics and by the cheating that has faced us. First we had Italy steal our place at the last Euro's qualifying when panucci dived in the last minute for a free kick which Italy scored from, then Rezek for the Czech's did the same for a penalty to stop us reaching the World Cup, and then a disallowed goal and Bale dive for a penalty has most likely dumped us again

by **Crimey** Mon 15 Oct - 3:14

Bertrand and Lampard are both out as well.

by Kay Fabe Mon 15 Oct - 5:34

Belgium 0-4 Scotland

The fightback starts now!

by Duty281 Tue 16 Oct - 18:51

So England team for tonight:

Hart

Johnson
Lescott
Jagielka
Cole

Milner
Gerrard
Carrick
Oxlade

Rooney

Welbeck

by Duty281 Wed 17 Oct - 5:18

England have won 1-0 in the U21s game which takes them through to Euro 2013. Very unsavoury scenes at the final whistle, Danny Rose sent off after being involved in an altercation with the crowd after suspected racist chanting which led to a wild 30 man brawl. I have every confidence that Uefa will take the appropriate action. Not.

As for the full England team against Poland: Hart; Johnson, Jagielka, Lescott, Cole; Milner, Gerrard, Carrick, Cleverley; Rooney, Defoe.

The England brass band have been refused entry I hear.

by Fernando Wed 17 Oct - 5:41

It's just as well looks like their getting a head start on going home.

by GSC Wed 17 Oct - 5:42

I could understand if it was a complete minnow like San Marino or Scotland, but Poland just hosted Euro 2012. Completely unacceptable

by Duty281 Wed 17 Oct - 7:05

Shouldn't Poland be punished for this? It's farcical, beyond a joke. Anyway, game will now be tomorrow at 4pm UK Time. I do suppose that is dependent on whether they can close the roof or not.

by Duty281 Wed 17 Oct - 7:59

How's this for a game? Germany 4-0 up against Sweden after 55 minutes at home. Remarkably, Sweden pull it back to 4-4, equalising in the 93rd minute!

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 17 Oct - 8:02

I'm not being funny but I have seen Sunday League games handled better than that. It was clear the game was gonna be off about an hour and a half before they actually called it off! Beyond farsical

by Thomond Wed 17 Oct - 8:03

Come on Northern Ireland. A goal up v Portugal! 30 minutes left, come on lads!

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 17 Oct - 8:05

Niall McGinn > Cristiano Ronaldo

by Thomond Wed 17 Oct - 8:07

Niall McGinn is further proof that there is talent in the League of Ireland.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 17 Oct - 8:09

There is always talent in these so called "lesser leagues". Look at the lower tiers of English Football, and players making the step up to Premier League level. There is some great unearthed gems out there

by Thomond Wed 17 Oct - 8:12

I'm just trying to rid the rid the perception among the Irish and some English that the players there are shoite. A lot of which is total bollix.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 17 Oct - 8:13

Look at the likes of Holt and Lambert for strikers from lower leagues coming through. Long, Doyle for guys from Ireland. There is plenty of good quality out there

by JamesLincs Wed 17 Oct - 8:24

anyone waching the northern irish?

by Thomond Wed 17 Oct - 8:28

Yep, last 2 comments about it. Postiga levelled up. 1-1. A shame. Hope they hold on, they deserve a point.

by JamesLincs Wed 17 Oct - 8:33

i seem to jynx everyone. i see a score and turn the game on and immediately the other team score.

by JamesLincs Wed 17 Oct - 8:38

5 minutes?? ive only watched half of this second 45 but where has that come from?

by Thomond Wed 17 Oct - 8:40

The fact that Portugal are at home and need a goal would play into it I would guess....

by JamesLincs Wed 17 Oct - 8:43

well done on your result!

by GSC Wed 17 Oct - 8:47

Serious problems for Portugal then after being toppled by Russia then held at home by Northern Ireland. Though they typically seem to make a hash of their qualifying campaigns.

Great result for N.Ireland though

by Liam Wed 17 Oct - 9:01

Wales were awful tonight. Fp to Croatia, they were superb in possession but we let them have far too much time on the ball. Defensively we were fine for the opening 30 mins then always seem to shoot ourselves in the foot.

Qualifying over, not sure whether getting another manager in will bring any change but they couldn't do worse than Coleman. Would love to see Ray Verijjen back in who I believe should have got the job in the first place.

Also, how Steve Morrison is still leading the attack I don't know. Brings nothing to the team, doesn't work hard enough either. Craig Davies should have started he was superb when he came on against Scotland.

by GSC Wed 17 Oct - 9:13

Liam wrote:Wales were awful tonight. Fp to Croatia, they were superb in possession but we let them have far too much time on the ball. Defensively we were fine for the opening 30 mins then always seem to shoot ourselves in the foot.

Qualifying over, not sure whether getting another manager in will bring any change but they couldn't do worse than Coleman. Would love to see Ray Verijjen back in who I believe should have got the job in the first place.

Also, how Steve Morrison is still leading the attack I don't know. Brings nothing to the team, doesn't work hard enough either. Craig Davies should have started he was superb when he came on against Scotland.

Inb4 Olly rage

by Liam Wed 17 Oct - 9:32

He can't even get in the Norwich team GSC, says it all Laugh

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 17 Oct - 17:45

Yeah I like Moro but he is very much a form striker. When he is on form, he will run the channels, work hard, score goals. When he is off form, he looks a shell of himself

by Duty281 Wed 17 Oct - 18:12

Thomond wrote:I'm just trying to rid the rid the perception among the Irish and some English that the players there are shoite. A lot of which is total bollix.

Not me Thomond, I accurately predicted a 1-1 draw for the Northern Irish.

by JamesLincs Wed 17 Oct - 22:34

will there be any england fans at the game this afters?

by **Crimey** Thu 18 Oct - 0:13

JamesLincs wrote:will there be any england fans at the game this afters?

There'll probably be less than there would have been, but I imagine a lot will have stayed. I bet there was quite a lot of selling tickets last night as well.

by Scott is Back Thu 18 Oct - 0:22

Apparantly the Serbian FA have denied any Racism, and have said the way Danny Rose behaved towards there fans was vile!

Haha! Shocking

by **Crimey** Thu 18 Oct - 0:25

Gerrard and Cole to both pick up their 99th cap in this game.

After today, Cole will be 26 caps away from being the most capped English men ever, 16 away from Beckham's record. I think he will almost definitely beat Beckham, and has an outside chance of taking Shilton's record.

by mystiroakey Thu 18 Oct - 2:31

GOAAALLLLLLLL. 0-1 England

by **Crimey** Thu 18 Oct - 2:32

Although England have been playing really, really poorly. Rooney in particular has had a really bad first touch.

by Ent Thu 18 Oct - 2:42

Is it ever any different?

When do England ever surprise anyone, have they had a result/performance in decades anyone didn't expect? Maybe away to Italy in 98?

Even quite poor sides give good performances on occasion- why can't England?

by mystiroakey Thu 18 Oct - 2:45

rooney has been by far the best player for me..

but yeah agree poland have had the better half

An above par performance in recent years bar friendlies(we have beat spain and argentina) ermmmmm... doesnt happen lets be honest

by **Crimey** Thu 18 Oct - 2:46

It's just really odd though, you very rarely see such poor touch from Rooney when playing for United. Carrick has been giving the ball away a lot, despite being a top passer for United.

I know you have to take into account that most players aren't quite as good at international level because they don't train with each other every day etc. With England, though, the drop in quality is extreme.

by **Crimey** Thu 18 Oct - 2:46

mystiroakey wrote:rooney has been by far the best player for me..

Must have been watching a different game, I think every time the ball has come to him, he's nearly given it away. His first touch has been atrocious, in fact, for England, his first touch seems to have been atrocious since the World Cup. It's very odd.

by GSC Thu 18 Oct - 2:48

Michael Carrick is garbage when asked to play a pass that advances the ball though

by **Crimey** Thu 18 Oct - 2:50

I also don't get why Milner starts for England, despite being far down the pecking order these days for City.

by mystiroakey Thu 18 Oct - 2:50

Crimey wrote:
mystiroakey wrote:rooney has been by far the best player for me..

Must have been watching a different game, I think every time the ball has come to him, he's nearly given it away. His first touch has been atrocious, in fact, for England, his first touch seems to have been atrocious since the World Cup. It's very odd.

He has been all over the pitch and also made some great defensive plays. No one else has looked half decent for england

by **Crimey** Thu 18 Oct - 2:52

mystiroakey wrote:
Crimey wrote:
mystiroakey wrote:rooney has been by far the best player for me..

Must have been watching a different game, I think every time the ball has come to him, he's nearly given it away. His first touch has been atrocious, in fact, for England, his first touch seems to have been atrocious since the World Cup. It's very odd.

He has been all over the pitch and also made some great defensive plays. No one else has looked half decent for england

I agree with the second sentence. thumbsup

by mystiroakey Thu 18 Oct - 2:52

I dont think that pitch is helping the touch to be fair.. no excuses- Expecting a lot more second half

by GSC Thu 18 Oct - 2:53

Poland seem to be doing alright with it.

by **Crimey** Thu 18 Oct - 2:54

Exactly, I was tempted to blame the pitch, but the Poland players are doing perfectly okay.

by mystiroakey Thu 18 Oct - 2:55

i think ok is a fair word to use- no better than that surely~!

by **Crimey** Thu 18 Oct - 3:02

How many times has Glen Johnson saved England from conceding goals over the past couple of years?!

by GSC Thu 18 Oct - 3:05

If England don't buck their ideas up they'll be lucky to draw

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