England v Ireland and Brazil v England

by Duty281 Wed 29 May 2013, 12:11 pm

The regular season might be over, but Roy Hodgson's England have two friendlies to negotiate before they can put their feet up for the summer. Tonight, England host Ireland in the first game between the sides since the abandonment of 1995 sparked by crowd trouble. Then on Sunday, England make the long trip to Brazil to sample the conditions and atmosphere ahead of next summer's carnival.

Player-wise, Steven Gerrard (shoulder), Andy Carroll (heel), Jack Wilshere (ankle), Tom Cleverley (calf) and Kyle Walker all miss out for England tonight. Ashley Cole, England's only consistent world-class player over the last decade, will captain his country against Ireland. Predictions:

England 2-0 Ireland
Brazil 1-3 England

by NickisBHAFC Wed 29 May 2013, 12:18 pm

Im happy for Ashley Cole leading England out onto the pitch tonight, 102 appearances is just superb and he always works his socks off.

Im going for England 1-0 Ireland. A first half goal from Lampard.

by Duty281 Wed 29 May 2013, 12:36 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnOc_UBIlbo

Super Frank is certainly in good touch on the training ground.

by Duty281 Wed 29 May 2013, 12:48 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22688494

Why do England fans sing 'no surrender'? I mean they've got the song wrong - it's 'keep St. George in my heart' not 'with St. George in my heart' - but it's a good article nonetheless.

No Surrender!

by **VDT** Wed 29 May 2013, 2:10 pm

Beast of a goal

Really looking for the game, just hope both teams are up for it!

by mystiroakey Wed 29 May 2013, 2:27 pm

Big Game tonight and only just remembered..

I hope we get no trouble. Its been way to long since we played our Cousins Ireland!!

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 29 May 2013, 2:47 pm

Cannot believe Wessi is not starting for Ireland. Absolutely baffled.

We'll win, but I wanna see Wes. What a sexy player

by NickisBHAFC Wed 29 May 2013, 2:53 pm

Wes is rubbish.

by mystiroakey Wed 29 May 2013, 3:40 pm

I hope A. Cole gets the reception he deserves tonight!

by westisbest Wed 29 May 2013, 3:45 pm

I think Ireland will push England. Give them a real test.

Going for a 2-2 draw.

by mystiroakey Wed 29 May 2013, 3:46 pm

I think Ireland will be more up for this thats for sure.

But

My head and heart says 3-0 England

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 29 May 2013, 3:48 pm

Ireland won't keep possession well enough and England will win.

by westisbest Wed 29 May 2013, 3:49 pm

We shall see Very Happy

by Duty281 Wed 29 May 2013, 7:20 pm

Joe Hart, Glen Johnson, Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge.

That's England XI for tonight. Good to see the Ox and Theo starting, our central midfield pair aren't too shabby considering the first-choice pair are out, and I hope Sturridge does well on his first start in an England shirt tonight.

Come on England!

by mystiroakey Wed 29 May 2013, 7:41 pm

theo,chamberlin,ox,sturridge and rooney!!

Attacking or what!!

by Thomond Wed 29 May 2013, 7:44 pm

3 ex Cork City players are involved in the Irish squad tonight and 8 who have played in the League of Ireland at some point, imagine how good it could be if the FAI actually cared?

Fancy England to win but 1-1 raw at 7/1, given the history involved in that scoreline a fiver was worth the bet!

by GSC Wed 29 May 2013, 7:45 pm

Might be more 4-2-3-1 with Rooney off Sturridge.

by mystiroakey Wed 29 May 2013, 7:52 pm

ox and chamberline.. I seem to have split him in to two..

Oh well.

Wembley is bringing back sweet memories...

LA LA LAAAA.. LA LA LAAA

by Thomond Wed 29 May 2013, 7:54 pm

It's a fine stadium was over there a while back, enjoy the game lads, I'm expect a goalshot from Shane Long, but England to win.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 29 May 2013, 7:59 pm

I'm solely a Wes Hoolahan supporter tonight

by NickisBHAFC Wed 29 May 2013, 8:13 pm

That is why England will never win anything.

Great header from Long though tbf to him.

by **Crimey** Wed 29 May 2013, 8:15 pm

It's only 14 minutes in.

Don't really like the kit, it really doesn't look like an England kit.

by mystiroakey Wed 29 May 2013, 8:15 pm

NickisBHAFC wrote:That is why England will never win anything.

Every team on the planet conceades goals Nick

But well done Ireland good goal!! guinness

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 29 May 2013, 8:16 pm

Glen Johnson cant defend. And in other news the world is round

by NickisBHAFC Wed 29 May 2013, 8:20 pm

Can't believe were losing to the England B team Sad

(For those who have seen Mike Basset England manager)

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 29 May 2013, 8:22 pm

Super Frank what a hero

by mystiroakey Wed 29 May 2013, 8:24 pm

Frank and Cole..

Englands two best players over the last 10 years!!

I salute you both!!

by **Crimey** Wed 29 May 2013, 8:25 pm

mystiroakey wrote:Frank and Cole..

Englands two best players over the last 10 years!!

I salute you both!!

Rubbish!

Lampard has been average for England at best.

by Thomond Wed 29 May 2013, 8:25 pm

What a shoite goal to concede for Ireland, I'd say Joe Hart was annoyed when the ball flew past his Head & Shoulders a few moments ago......

by mystiroakey Wed 29 May 2013, 8:26 pm

Crimey wrote:
mystiroakey wrote:Frank and Cole..

Englands two best players over the last 10 years!!

I salute you both!!

Rubbish!

Lampard has been average for England at best.

by NickisBHAFC Wed 29 May 2013, 8:30 pm

Lampard is a legend!

I agree Cole has been one of the best players for England over the last 10 years. But Lampard lets us down in the big tournaments IMO.

by Thomond Wed 29 May 2013, 8:31 pm

There have only been about 2 England players who haven't let them down in big tournaments in the last 10 years, England have had stupidly high expectations of themselves, coupled with their players being overrated.

by mystiroakey Wed 29 May 2013, 8:32 pm

I think he has been a bit underated tbh..

I think the point is - who else do we put up there!

I mean fair play. Argue against Lamps. But who can we argue for!!(bar cole)

by **Crimey** Wed 29 May 2013, 8:32 pm

Gerrard? I'd say he's been England's best players at the last two international tournaments.

by NickisBHAFC Wed 29 May 2013, 8:34 pm

Yeah ill agree with Gerrard Crimey

by Thomond Wed 29 May 2013, 8:35 pm

Gerrard was terrible in 06 but was one of the better ones at World Cup and Euros. Rio was solid enough before he got dropped. Besides that the next guy would probably be Cole.

by mystiroakey Wed 29 May 2013, 8:35 pm

"Gerrard?"

Its allways one or the other isnt it!!

I just wish the England managers realised that in the past!

Anyway yep I suppose we could argue him as the best last tourny. I cant remember the one before

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 29 May 2013, 8:36 pm

Lampard falls into the Rooney category of going missing in the tournaments.

But he's still a quality player.

We are blessed at the left back position with Cole and Bainez. Plus this young lad Shaw is gonna be a heck of a LB

by GSC Wed 29 May 2013, 8:37 pm

Ashley's been one of Englands best players at tournaments for the last 10 years or so.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 29 May 2013, 8:38 pm

The almighty Owen Hargreaves was our best player in 06

by **Crimey** Wed 29 May 2013, 8:38 pm

Olly wrote:Lampard falls into the Rooney category of going missing in the tournaments.

But he's still a quality player.

We are blessed at the left back position with Cole and Bainez. Plus this young lad Shaw is gonna be a heck of a LB

And Wayne Bridge.

by NickisBHAFC Wed 29 May 2013, 8:40 pm

Bridge retired because of Terry. But ill agree he is still class and he showed he was by far the best LB in the championship last season.

by mystiroakey Wed 29 May 2013, 8:41 pm

Without doubt the best LB in the championship

by NickisBHAFC Wed 29 May 2013, 8:42 pm

Also Joe Cole was the best player at the 2006 world cup.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 29 May 2013, 8:49 pm

NickisBHAFC wrote:Also Joe Cole was the best player at the 2006 world cup.

Spoiler:

by **Crimey** Wed 29 May 2013, 8:49 pm

To clarify, I was joking when I said Wayne Bridge... Laugh

In hindsight the 2006 World Cup was probably our best recent chance to win the World Cup, no team stood out as great, Italy were quite good but a fairly poor France side nearly beat them in the final. England beat Portugal on penalties then they have to beat France who were being carried by Zidane and an Italy side that were strong defensively but poor going forward.

I never thought about that before.

by Duty281 Wed 29 May 2013, 8:50 pm

Slow start from England, took 20-odd minutes to get going. Most of the threat is coming down the right through Johnson and Walcott but the crossing has been a let down. Rooney and Lampard look lively, Carrick is a bit anonymous. Feel for Sturridge though on his first start for England, it looked a bad injury.

by Thomond Wed 29 May 2013, 8:52 pm

England wouldn't have had a hope of beating France or any of the other sides, don't delude yourselves no lads! Zidane wasn't entirely carrying France, they had a solid team, and it was more than Zidane to it, although the man was playing superb stuff, as good as he had been. England were "close" but never had a shot.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 29 May 2013, 8:53 pm

Hopefully get to see some Wessi in the 2nd half

by **Crimey** Wed 29 May 2013, 8:56 pm

Thomond wrote:England wouldn't have had a hope of beating France or any of the other sides, don't delude yourselves no lads! Zidane wasn't entirely carrying France, they had a solid team, and it was more than Zidane to it, although the man was playing superb stuff, as good as he had been. England were "close" but never had a shot.

They scraped past Portugal in the next round, I'm not saying that England were certain or even likely to win the World Cup, just that looking back they were closer than I realised. None of the sides stood out that year.

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