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

[Calder106]

First topic message reminder :

Wilshere out for 6 weeks according to BBC. Hairline fracture on foot. Considering Arsenal have been nursing him through the season because of his ankle injuries I think it would be a risk taking him (not questioning his ability) due to the tight schedule of games.

[J.Benson II]

The actual results will probably be nothing like how people are predicting it will go.
People tend to over-rate some of the Europeon teams. Wouldn't surprise me to see Bosnia and Belguim crash out in the group stages.

[Crimey]

I had the last 16 as:

Brazil v Chile
Colombia v England
France v Bosnia
Portugal v Russia
Spain v Mexico
Italy v Japan
Argentina v Switzerland
Belgium v Germany

Quarter finals:
Brazil 3-2 England
France 2-2 Portugal (Portugal on pens)
Spain 0-0 Italy (Italy on pens)
Germany 2-1 Argentina

Semis:
Brazil 1-0 Portugal
Italy 1-0 Germany

Final:
Brazil 2-0 Italy

[NickisBHAFC]

Why Portugal so high? Also how did they get to the final despite losing in the Semis

[mystiroakey]

England to neat Brazil 4-0...

Neymar who?

Rooney the white Pele...

[Crimey]

Was supposed to be Italy.

Think Portugal have a relatively easy draw and with Ronaldo in your side, in the form of his life, think he will drag them places. I had them beat Germany in the first match which was the reason they end up topping their group getting an easier draw as well.

[Duty281]

This isn't 1986 any more, and one man, even if he is the greatest player on the planet presently, will struggle to drag Portugal any further than the quarter-finals.

Personally, I've them going out to Belgium in the last sixteen, but I won't be surprised in the slightest if one of Ghana or the United States pip the Portugese in the group stage.

[J.Benson II]

Portugal are a very good tournament team.
They were only a shootout away from reaching the 2012 Euro final.
Hard team to beat.

[Guest]

Belgium are over-rated. Collection of individuals rather than a team. Saw Japan completely out-play them a few months ago. Throw in the Januzaj situation & I'm sure there is more than just Miralles that is unhappy at someone having a place, who essentially did nothing for them during qualifying. I see Chile beating Holland too. Portugal are always difficult to beat in tournaments, they sit deep, play counter attacking football & have serious pace with Ronaldo & Nani. Moutinho also pulls the strings and seems to come alive in tournaments.

[mystiroakey]

Chile played brilliantly against England and Germany in recent friendlies. There really can play football. The technical ability throughout the team is possibly only second to spain

I would much rather play against Belgium in a knock out than Chile.

[Crimey]

Yeah, Portugal do seem to spring a surprise at tournaments. Belgium are definitely going to disappoint, they have a got a decent team but how many of their players have underperformed this year? Vermaelen, Vertonghen, Dembele, Fellaini, Benteke have all had really poor seasons, not the greatest sign for their World Cup hopes.

I don't even have Netherlands leaving the group stage, think Chile will pip them.

[GSC]

Portugal are always the bridesmaids though.

[mystiroakey]

Portugal have done significantly better in European cups than world cups in recent years.

So that has to be taken into consideration.

[Duty281]

Belgium are over-rated. Collection of individuals rather than a team. Saw Japan completely out-play them a few months ago. Throw in the Januzaj situation & I'm sure there is more than just Miralles that is unhappy at someone having a place, who essentially did nothing for them during qualifying. I see Chile beating Holland too. Portugal are always difficult to beat in tournaments, they sit deep, play counter attacking football & have serious pace with Ronaldo & Nani. Moutinho also pulls the strings and seems to come alive in tournaments.

Agreed, but they do have a really easy group (Algeria, Russia and South Korea) so they have a chance to hit the ground running and gain momentum before the knock-out stages.

[compelling and rich]

looks like rooney wont play again till world cup, already people got ready made excuse for when he's rubbish. oh he wasnt fit again!

funny thing is if he played right through and was rubbish they would blame that he was tired.

[mystiroakey]

Do you mean he won't play in the friendlies Compelling?

[Guest]

I think he'll be ready for the Peru & Miami games, just precautionary.

Anyway, does it matter? I'm not banking on Rooney doing anything significant in this WC. Fit or not fit, he will be labored in that Brazil heat after a long season. If he's below that 95% fitness level, that he requires to perform, then it will be difficult to watch. His link-up play with Sturridge previously has been non-existent anyway.

[mystiroakey]

I think he will be fit as a fiddle this time around- best prep since 2004- doesnt mean he will play well though does it!

As long as he can play in the friendlies he should start- if he isn't 90% plus fit he should not start in the world cup-- sturridge on his own for me.

we have a lot of players that can attack- I am not sure I want to play the two at the same time anyway- but we all know they will so its a fruitless wish..

[Duty281]

Unlike 2010 and 2012 though, we are not solely reliant on the figure of Wayne Rooney.

As Mysti mentions, England have a lot of players that can attack...they are young players who are eager to impress: Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling, Adam Lallana, Ross Barkley, Oxlade, Danny Welbeck (much better than two years ago) and, to an extent, Andy Carroll.

If Rooney flops this tournament, it won't be the death knell for England.

[mystiroakey]

caroll or lambert is a tough pick for Roy as the number 4 striker.

Carroll could be very effective as a plan b against a very different opposition than the usual PL opposition that can deal with an aerial threat better.

But lambert has scored and assisted 22 goals this season and his penalty record is on another level!

[Duty281]

Pick both, and leave Kyle Walker at home.

[Guest]

Portugal are always the bridesmaids though.

What England would do to carry that tag?

[mystiroakey]

Luis Suárez Liverpool 31 13 44
Daniel Sturridge Liverpool 21 7 28
Yaya Touré Manchester City 20 8 28
Wayne Rooney Manchester U 17 10 27
Steven Gerrard Liverpool 13 12 25
Sergio Agüero Manchester City 17 6 23
Olivier Giroud Arsenal 16 7 23
Rickie Lambert Southampton 12 10 22

thats the top scorers and assiters(sp) in the PL- not bad for england considering we only have 33% English players playing!

[mystiroakey]

Portugal are always the bridesmaids though.

What England would do to carry that tag?

they beat us on pens twice in QF's

can the bridesmaids have bridesmaids?

[mystiroakey]

It saddens me that Brazil may not actually be ready for the world cup - the 8th construction worker was killed the other day- ok that pails in comparison to Qatars projection that 4000 will die in there preparation.

and on a slightly related note the IOC have secretly asked London to take over the 2016 olympics in a worse case scenario, because Brazil are so far behind on those preparations as well.

[Duty281]

As the London 2012 games were the best ever, it would be the right decision!

And perhaps Tom Daley might stop focusing on trying to be a Z-list celebrity if he had a second chance to win Gold in London!

[Guest]

As the London 2012 games were the best ever, it would be the right decision!

And perhaps Tom Daley might stop focusing on trying to be a Z-list celebrity if he had a second chance to win Gold in London!

I know he's dreamy and all that, Duty, but I'd love to punch him with James Cordens head. God is he annoying. And everywhere.

[Duty281]

He's not as dreamy as he used to be. Tries too hard.

Has a voice which is a major turn-off. I swear he didn't sound as camp as he does now before he came out.

Mr. Daley is very "meh" on the whole.

Jack Laugher on the other hand...

[Guest]

Jack Laugher on the other hand...

Disgusting.

[Duty281]

A bit of skiing never hurt anyone!

[The Special Juan]

Portugal are always the bridesmaids though.

What England would do to carry that tag?

they beat us on pens twice in QF's

can the bridesmaids have bridesmaids?

Flower girls?

[Duty281]

El Nino might wreck England's World Cup hopes, if you believe the BBC, and Ryan Giggs - the greatest Englishman who never was! - thinks that Rooney will be at the "peak of his powers" this summer...whilst the rest of us continue to doubt his form, fitness and recent performances in an England shirt at major tournaments.

I just want the blasted thing to start, but then I suppose it's always nice to savour the anticipation.

[The Special Juan]

Nothing like getting the excuses in early.

[Duty281]

The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail are leading the calls for Ross Barkley to be in the starting eleven against Italy; the former of those newspapers are in no way lumping the pressure on the young man by saying that he can "burst on the scene like Owen in France '98", are they?

I would start him, though.

[mystiroakey]

So would I.

I don't normally agree with the mail though
.That's worrying.

[Crimey]

I don't think he should start and not sure where he would fit into the side either. Don't think he's best used as a sitting midfielder so that would leave the number 10 position, to do so either Rooney or Sturridge is dropped which would be unfair and strange you'd think. I am not sure his form this season has been consistent enough either, he's had a couple of good games recently but don't think he deserves to be in the team over Sterling or Henderson or Lallana.

[Guest]

Barkley should be nowhere near the starting line-up. Great talent but his form has been patchy at best. A wonder goal against Joe Hart & the papers start creaming themselves for him to start in the WC. If you had Gerrard & Barkley in the middle, for me, it would leave Gerrard isolated & vulnerable. Barkley wants to go forward & burst through the middle of teams, whereas Henderson is more reserved, able to compete defensively & has an understanding with Gerrard. It's a no brainer for me.

[mystiroakey]

the goal had zero bearing on why I would consider starting him and certainly use him as the first plan B.

It was the way he just breezed past players and gained so many yards and retained possession. He started deeper against the best side in the PL and showed many of them up.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Barkley off the bench against tiring sides or as a game changer 

That's how I'd use him at this world cup

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

"@sportingintel: 1966: Austria win #Eurovision for 1st time, not to be repeated for 48 yrs. England win WC 1st time. 

2014: Austria win #Eurovision 2nd time"

ITS GONNA HAPPEN DUTY

[Duty281]

The stars slowly aligning! Here's another one:

How old is Roy Hodgson? Why, he's 66 of course!

[TopoftheChops]

The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail are leading the calls for Ross Barkley to be in the starting eleven against Italy; the former of those newspapers are in no way lumping the pressure on the young man by saying that he can "burst on the scene like Owen in France '98", are they?

I would start him, though.

Barkley would make pirlo very ineffective if he played

[Guest]

Pirlo sits deep, it would be more likely the no.10 of England in Rooney would be assigned to close down Pirlo, like he was told to do in the Euro`s. If Barkley was playing alongside Gerrard, they would be picking up the Italian midfield runners of players like Marchisio or Montelivo for example & protecting our defence.

Anyway, the Italians would keep the ball & tire us out. Barkley is effective with the ball, not without it.

[mystiroakey]

what ever happens i cant see them scoring many goals this WC(the italians)

I can see 5 pts for 3 teams in the group- its about smashing Costa Rica to get top. Italy seem to get even more draws in internationals and qualifiers than england- and england love a draw!!

[Guest]

I can see 5 pts for 3 teams in the group- its about smashing Costa Rica to get top. Italy seem to get even more draws in internationals and qualifiers than england- and england love a draw!!

Yeah that's what I had in the predictor.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Yeah, Pirlo is good enough not to be worried by Barkley. I've seen nothing that suggests Barkley has anywhere near the discipline. Nor would he be playing anywhere near high enough up the pitch. It would be Rooney or maybe Welbeck.

[Guest]

Exactly as I said.

[mystiroakey]

how old is pirlo though- come on he must be on the slide..

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Ashley Cole informed he will not be selected for the World Cup by Hodgson, and has refused to be on the standby list

A move I agree with

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I dont agree with his own choice of refusing the standby list, seems a bit sad.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I dont agree with his own choice of refusing the standby list, seems a bit sad.

Meh don't care about that

I was agreeing with not taking him btw

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