World Cup Draw

by Duty281 Fri 6 Dec - 10:58

First topic message reminder :

Live on BBC 2 at 16:30 GMT. Here are the pots:

Pot 1 (top eight seeds): Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Belgium, Colombia, Germany, Switzerland, Uruguay.

Pot 2: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chile, Ecuador.

Pot 3: Japan, Iran, South Korea, Australia, United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras.

Pot 4: Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, England, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, France.

One team from Pot 4 will move into Pot 2.

England's hardest possible group: Brazil, England, United States, Netherlands (or maybe Italy)...it could happen!
England's easiest possible group: Switzerland, Nigeria, Honduras, England.

I've got my fingers crossed that we get the Argentines!

by Guest Fri 6 Dec - 21:10

Obviously, Roy was talking about it as a place in terms of logistical reasons & for travelling from Rio. Mayor has mis-understood Roy's comments. The Amazon regions are of course beautiful places to visit & Roy would never disrespect the region & it's natural beauty, however, our sole focus is that of preparing for a football match of the highest importance & not trying to big up the tourism trade for the area. What does this Mayor expect? Pathetic really.

by mystiroakey Fri 6 Dec - 21:11

which is good on this context.

The mayor is an over sensitive soul that's all. Took offence when none was intended

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 6 Dec - 21:12

John wrote:Just got in. Saw the draw. Immediate reaction was

After some reflection, actually feel quite happy that it's a tougher draw. I'm usually quite negative about England but there is a chance of qualifying out of this group. The Amazon game with 99% humidity means nothing when your playing a fellow European side, maybe without Pirlo this time. Italy are not a great side, yeah, better than us in possession, but they couldn't break us down in the Euro's. Keep Mario quiet & we've got every chance. Uruguay are a two man team. Cavani & Suarez. Defensively, nothing special. There is a reason they had to go through the playoffs & are officially the worst team from S. America going to the finals. Costa Rica should be 3 points. End of.

It's a toughie group but nothing we can't overcome, if we are at a good level from Game 1. If we qualify then we are looking at Ivory Coast or Colombia? Not bad.

Other interesting groups were Spain. I would not write off Chile in beating Netherlands to second in that group. France.....lucky gits. Roll on June 2014 (2am )

Yeah I pretty much agree John. Its a tough group, but one we can progress from if we play well. Uruguay did not qualify at all well, and I think we can hang with Italy on our day. I like that we've got a challenge at least, and I think there is room for quiet confidence!

Also France and Swiss in the same easy group? FIFA corrupt as ever....

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 6 Dec - 21:16

Duty281 wrote:Italy couldn't take England at Euro 2012 - they've declined since then, whereas England have improve. England 1-1 Italy.

Uruguay have Suarez and Cavani, but we've got a solid defence, and plenty of good attacking players of our own. England 2-1 Uruguay.

Costa Rica are already defeated by this stage - England 2-0 Costa Rica.

Then a quick march to the last 16 against Colombia after topping the group, and England squeak through, 1-0. Wayne Rooney.

*Jerusalem starts playing in the background*

Quarter-Final time against Spain, and England shock the world by turning in their best performance for 13 long years. Gerrard rifles one in from 30 yards, and Lampard finally breaks his duck.

England, with the bit between their teeth, match Argentina over a gruelling 120 minutes in the semi-final, gradually tapping more and more into a rearguard. Just when you think England are defeated, the 3 Lions roar during the penalty shootout.

Then the final, and 1966 is repeated all over again. England, 2-1 winners over Germany, Wayne Rooney clinching the golden boot, Steven Gerrard lifting the trophy, and Roy Hodgson being knighted.

I am allowed to dream, after all.

Italy 1-1 England
England 2-1 Uruguay
England 2-0 Costa Rica
England 1-0 Colombia
England 3-1 Spain
England 2-2 Argentina (England triumph on pens)
England 2-1 Germany

#champions #believe

"Land of hope and glory..." music

#believe

by Duty281 Fri 6 Dec - 21:16

OMEN TIME!

The last time England played Uruguay at a world cup, it was 1966 and they won the whole thing! #goodomen

by Ent Fri 6 Dec - 21:18

Duty you were sure England were going to win euro 2012, and came out with the same absolute nonsense then.

Any chance of some realism? Fair enough be optimistic but this is taking the biscuit.

by mystiroakey Fri 6 Dec - 21:20

33/1

the highest odds for an England win in my lifetime(probably all our lifetimes)

At that price I might have a piece

by Guest Fri 6 Dec - 21:21

The last time England played Italy in the World Cup was in a 3rd place play off.

#DutyfeverstrikestheFreek!

by Guest Fri 6 Dec - 21:22

6/1 weren't we after the USA/Algeria/Slovenia group came out.......

by Guest Fri 6 Dec - 21:23

We were 16/1 to win the last WC John.

by Ent Fri 6 Dec - 21:24

mystiroakey wrote:33/1

the highest odds for an England win in my lifetime(probably all our lifetimes)

At that price I might have a piece

Get your money on going out in the group stage.

First game in 99% humidity against team better at retaining the ball, 3000 mile round trip.

Second game against South American side who have just faced the weaker team in the group.

Recipe for disaster this.

by Duty281 Fri 6 Dec - 21:26

Ent wrote:Duty you were sure England were going to win euro 2012, and came out with the same absolute nonsense then.

Any chance of some realism? Fair enough be optimistic but this is taking the biscuit.

Well I may have said that, but privately I expected semi-finals and out.

This time around, looking at the draw, the quarter-finals may be the summit of our expectations. If we top the group, it probably like this into the knockout stages: Ivory Coast/Spain/Argentina/Germany

If we come runner-up in the group, it might go like this: Colombia/Brazil/Germany/Spain

If England make the semis, they will have done bloody fantastically. Winning the whole thing isn't out of the question though if England hit the ground running.

by Guest Fri 6 Dec - 21:28

mystiroakey wrote:33/1

Good trader that Myst. Back it then lay it should we progress from the group. That price will halve at least.

by mystiroakey Fri 6 Dec - 21:28

Ent wrote:
mystiroakey wrote:33/1

the highest odds for an England win in my lifetime(probably all our lifetimes)

At that price I might have a piece

Get your money on going out in the group stage.

First game in 99% humidity against team better at retaining the ball, 3000 mile round trip.

Second game against South American side who have just faced the weaker team in the group.

Recipe for disaster this.

no value in going out group stages.

but at 33/1 thats not bad odds- even a good win v denmark could get me a lay to get my stake back and have a free bet

by mystiroakey Fri 6 Dec - 21:32

FreekShow wrote:
mystiroakey wrote:33/1

Good trader that Myst. Back it then lay it should we progress from the group. That price will halve at least.

Yep get out the group and we are going to 12/s

It's deffo worth a score

by Guest Fri 6 Dec - 21:32

FreekShow wrote:We were 16/1 to win the last WC John.

Pretty sure we were 6/1 after the draw had been made because it was seen as easy.

by Guest Fri 6 Dec - 21:33

mystiroakey wrote:
FreekShow wrote:
mystiroakey wrote:33/1

Good trader that Myst. Back it then lay it should we progress from the group. That price will halve at least.

Yep get out the group and we are going to 12/s

It's deffo worth a score

Gonna wedge a bit myself. Can't do no worse than the last WC. Lost nigh on a grand on that bitch Laugh

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 6 Dec - 21:34

For me getting out of the group will be a success. Anything else is seen as a bonus.

I'm more interested in the squad. I'd rather see the likes of Morrison, Redmond, Berahino, Barkley get in than the Young, Milner, Lennon's of the world. Give em the experience and they're a good option off the bench!

by mystiroakey Fri 6 Dec - 21:35

I can remember us being between 6 and 12 for the last 15 or so years

by Guest Fri 6 Dec - 21:36

John wrote:
FreekShow wrote:We were 16/1 to win the last WC John.
Pretty sure we were 6/1 after the draw had been made because it was seen as easy.

Nah just looked over my books ( I bet alot!) and we were best priced at 16's. We'd have been that price going into the QF's.

by mystiroakey Fri 6 Dec - 21:36

FreekShow wrote:
mystiroakey wrote:
FreekShow wrote:
mystiroakey wrote:33/1

Good trader that Myst. Back it then lay it should we progress from the group. That price will halve at least.

Yep get out the group and we are going to 12/s

It's deffo worth a score
Gonna wedge a bit myself. Can't do no worse than the last WC. Lost nigh on a grand on that bitch

Yep all that in play betting lark . Tournies are expensive times laughing

by Dave. Fri 6 Dec - 21:55

I think the 2am game will be moved. Matches were moved in 2002 weren't they? 2am is prime time in America, so it'll suit Uruguay and Costa Rica more, and England Italy would play at 8pm.

Mind you, this is FIFA......

by Duty281 Fri 6 Dec - 21:59

Dave. wrote:I think the 2am game will be moved. Matches were moved in 2002 weren't they? 2am is prime time in America, so it'll suit Uruguay and Costa Rica more, and England Italy would play at 8pm.

Mind you, this is FIFA......

It's starting that late though because of the sheer heat and humidity.

by socal1976 Fri 6 Dec - 22:01

England needs to ditch some of the old guys and the ne'erdowells of the past. There is no way Lennon should see the field and Lampard to me has not played well enough to deserve a spot in the starting line up. I am a neutral and not as informed about the ins and outs of the team, but I have watched these guys play in the EPL and for the Lions a number of times and they have never impressed me. Lennon in particular is that rare player who has loads of pace and good dribbling ability but is completely worthless because he can neither shoot nor pass.

by Dave. Fri 6 Dec - 22:01

Duty281 wrote:
Dave. wrote:I think the 2am game will be moved. Matches were moved in 2002 weren't they? 2am is prime time in America, so it'll suit Uruguay and Costa Rica more, and England Italy would play at 8pm.

Mind you, this is FIFA......
It's starting that late though because of the sheer heat and humidity.

Think Mannaus is hosting other games though at different times. I did actually mean changing stadium, too. Wasn't clear there.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Fri 6 Dec - 22:02

I think we'll scrape through. Interesting draw. Hodgson really should be thinking that if he can't manage an England team out of that group then he cant manage them at all. Not that its easy, far from it, but we'd have shown no signs of progression under him if we dont get through.

Could be interesting. Draw against Italy, Draw against Uruguay, beat Costa Rica. Go through second.

by compelling and rich Fri 6 Dec - 22:30

italy dont tear any teams to shreds, it will be tight and cagey can easily see a draw, they totally out played us last time yet needed pens

Uruguay ageing rapidly, with some of the pace in our team we can really get at them at the back. need to be solid though as they do have great attacking threat.

costa rica we'll probably drop points against we often do when were expect to roll teams over!

by Ent Fri 6 Dec - 22:35

There has been no progression under hodgson.

by mystiroakey Fri 6 Dec - 22:38

True there hasn't.

Maybe a minor one. But that's it

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Fri 6 Dec - 22:38

Ent wrote:There has been no progression under hodgson.

I think there has been, certainly a better team to watch than his Euros side

by compelling and rich Fri 6 Dec - 22:40

same old england wheel out the "big names" despite them not even playing that well anymore. if we start lampard and gerrard in midfield we'll be out in the groups.

i would like a manager with balls who could build a team that could challenge in future, were not challenging now no matter what. i would be more excited watching a midfield of morrison, barkley and wilshere over the midfield that has never produced for england that we will see in brazil

by compelling and rich Fri 6 Dec - 22:43

also add that those mentioned might turn out rubbish, but we'll never know if they are not given chance to flourish, just bored of the same old england players who have proven they can not produce or dominate in the major occasions for england. if gerrard and lampard couldnt do it with scholes and beckham with them i doubt they will with james milner and wellbeck

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 6 Dec - 22:46

Whilst we need some experienced heads, I do agree we need to take youngsters rather than the old has beens especially if they're just squad players like milner or young etc etc.

Think I saw somewhere the Germans last world cup squad had like 13 under 23's to England's 4? Will look it up again

by Guest Fri 6 Dec - 22:47

It was only a better a watch in the qualifiers when we played the likes of Montenegro or Poland, where we could attack n be adventurous. As soon as the quality slightly increased in the opposition (chile, germany b).....it showed no progression n we lost. Continually picking Cleverley is just embarrassing from Roy. Roy is old-school and will always go back to what has been tried n tested. Hoping for Barkley, Morrison or Berahino on the plane is way off in my opinion. He might take one gamble pick but that's it.

The tactics will be defensive, especially now it's a tough tight group. Roy will sit tight n hit on the counter with welbeck n walcott/townsend supporting an isolated rooney. It will be difficult to watch.

by Guest Fri 6 Dec - 22:48

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:
Ent wrote:There has been no progression under hodgson.
I think there has been, certainly a better team to watch than his Euros side

I thought Hodgson's style and philosophy was implemented perfectly during that tournament.

by Ent Fri 6 Dec - 22:49

Don't get the fuss with morrison, a liability- hodgson would deserve sacking if he considered starting him in Brazil.

By all means take one young maverick for a subs appearance who might force himself into the side - no point in taking half a squad full of youngsters to get battered by hardened teams.

by compelling and rich Fri 6 Dec - 22:49

agreed about the counter attacking john, its the only way i can see us being a threat though. we wont have the ball to create any other way.

the italy game in those conditions is going to be a real slog, not exactly known for there brilliant football themselves those italians

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Fri 6 Dec - 22:51

Ent wrote:Don't get the fuss with morrison, a liability- hodgson would deserve sacking if he considered starting him in Brazil.

By all means take one young maverick for a subs appearance who might force himself into the side - no point in taking half a squad full of youngsters to get battered by hardened teams.

Watch him and you'd soon see why.

Id say there is no point taking old heads to sit on the bench. No one learns anything from that. Lampard is 4th choice, cant see who benefits from him being there

by compelling and rich Fri 6 Dec - 22:51

Ent wrote:Don't get the fuss with morrison, a liability- hodgson would deserve sacking if he considered starting him in Brazil.

By all means take one young maverick for a subs appearance who might force himself into the side - no point in taking half a squad full of youngsters to get battered by hardened teams.

he's got potential, certainly not a finished article and probably playing as well as lamps and gerrard in a much worse team.

we took all the experienced pros last time and was found out soon as we played a decent team

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Fri 6 Dec - 22:53

FreekShow wrote:
Dolphin Ziggler wrote:
Ent wrote:There has been no progression under hodgson.
I think there has been, certainly a better team to watch than his Euros side
I thought Hodgson's style and philosophy was implemented perfectly during that tournament.

Id totally agree, but that was more needs must.

by Guest Fri 6 Dec - 22:54

Olly wrote:
Think I saw somewhere the Germans last world cup squad had like 13 under 23's to England's 4? Will look it up again

Par for the course with Germany Olly. They've always stuck with their older proven players whilst surrounding them with younger, hungrier players.

A recipe for success. Not that we'll ever follow suit.

by Guest Fri 6 Dec - 22:55

compelling and rich wrote:agreed about the counter attacking john, its the only way i can see us being a threat though. we wont have the ball to create any other way.

it's the only way we will play without possession. roy is comfortable sitting tight n hoping for the 1-0 win.....that's what he does.

as for the squad the one gamble will be barkley, can see it a mile off. ravel way too young, risky and potentiall disruptive. he's a fantastic talent, showing it a West Ham but too early for me. Roy's even said he basically knows the squad he's taking. Taking a load of youngsters for experience would be a mistake, even if the older players arent much better lol. thats what the u-21 tournaments are for and what the other successful nations use to bleed their youngsters. not sure why we are so stupid to understand that process.

by NickisBHAFC Fri 6 Dec - 22:56

Were screwed. Surrender our spot now i say.

by compelling and rich Fri 6 Dec - 22:56

FreekShow wrote:
Olly wrote:
Think I saw somewhere the Germans last world cup squad had like 13 under 23's to England's 4? Will look it up again
Par for the course with Germany Olly. They've always stuck with their older proven players whilst surrounding them with younger, hungrier players.

A recipe for success. Not that we'll ever follow suit.

no we'll rather wheel out injured becks, owen and rooney over giving a fit player a chance because there a big "name", we'll also stick with a midfield that has never worked

by Guest Fri 6 Dec - 23:03

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:
Ent wrote:Don't get the fuss with morrison, a liability- hodgson would deserve sacking if he considered starting him in Brazil.

By all means take one young maverick for a subs appearance who might force himself into the side - no point in taking half a squad full of youngsters to get battered by hardened teams.
Watch him and you'd soon see why.

Id say there is no point taking old heads to sit on the bench. No one learns anything from that. Lampard is 4th choice, cant see who benefits from him being there

Exactly. I'd rather see him play and bomb than see Lampard play and bomb, again.

You never know he might have a David Platt moment.

by mystiroakey Fri 6 Dec - 23:06

If young morrison can stop acting like a child I would happiy take him, and even play him.

Wilshire would benefit from him no doubts- those two could pave a more intricate style of play- We also must understand youth will be an advantage= Its going to be hot. Staminia is a must.

Then Gerard is a starter and it has to be carrick to partner him for me..

Rooney and Welbeck up front.

I would go with Baines over Cole- because i believe he can provide some decent crosses.

by mystiroakey Fri 6 Dec - 23:07

However if ox and Walcott get fit soon and get some starts at arsenal i may be inclined to go for those two instead of morrison and welbeck

by Guest Fri 6 Dec - 23:10

mystiroakey wrote:However if ox and Walcott get fit soon and get some starts at arsenal i may be inclined to go for those two and morrison and welbeck

The ultra patriotic Myst trying to get 13 players on the pitch there Laugh

by NickisBHAFC Fri 6 Dec - 23:10

Walcott is always horrific for England don't forget though.

Ox hasn't played enough, Townsend could be a huge player for us.

by mystiroakey Fri 6 Dec - 23:10

lol

I meant over Doh

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