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.

[GSC]

England usually do alright at youth levels, went to a European Final and a Semi final under Pearce. Its stepping up that tends to be the issue.

[Steffan]

Is this the Welsh age-group side that lost to *snigger* San Marino's youth?

Pathetic. We are and you are

It's true though, isn't it? Lost to San Marino, deary me.

I thought it was worth a laugh.

Glad you take so much pleasure in us being rubbish

And you wonder why people like me take the anyone but England attitude

That being said you cheered on France against Wales in the 2011 rugby world cup so says it all really

No I supported Wales, at least I did until Warburton tried to break someone's (Clerc?) neck, and the ITV pundits shamelessly excused him.

And no, I don't wonder why people take the anyone but England attitude - it's jealously, obviously.

Crikey you know you actually became alright for a while and now you have gone back to your usual 'England are the greatest and everyone else is rubbish' attitude. Il learn to ingore you and your UKIP voting ways from now on again

And thats no way to talk about YOUR British & Irish Lions captain by the way

[Duty281]

Is this the Welsh age-group side that lost to *snigger* San Marino's youth?

Pathetic. We are and you are

It's true though, isn't it? Lost to San Marino, deary me.

I thought it was worth a laugh.

Glad you take so much pleasure in us being rubbish

And you wonder why people like me take the anyone but England attitude

That being said you cheered on France against Wales in the 2011 rugby world cup so says it all really

No I supported Wales, at least I did until Warburton tried to break someone's (Clerc?) neck, and the ITV pundits shamelessly excused him.

And no, I don't wonder why people take the anyone but England attitude - it's jealously, obviously.

Crikey you know you actually became alright for a while and now you have gone back to your usual 'England are the greatest and everyone else is rubbish' attitude. Il learn to ingore you and your UKIP voting ways from now on again

And thats no way to talk about YOUR British & Irish Lions captain by the way

Can you point me to where I've said that?   

I'm having a good laugh at our cricket team, presently, and fully expect the rugby team to get a drubbing in New Zealand, so I'm not sure where you're getting this from.

[cherriesfna]

England usually do alright at youth levels, went to a European Final and a Semi final under Pearce. Its stepping up that tends to be the issue.

the problem was people like Capello not picking these players and taking people like Upson to world Cups

[Duty281]

That will raise the ire of Brighton Nick!

Very true though.

[GSC]

To be fair, anything that raises the ire of Nick is usually correct

[westisbest]

I heard Leicester were after Upson.

[NickisBHAFC]

Makes sense, proved he is one of the best if not the best center back in the Championship, don't blame the bloke for wanting one last crack at the Prem.

[Duty281]

Something new called "England's Top 19 Footy Heroes" is on Dave tonight, at nine, if you fancy something to sharpen your patriotic appetite before the World Cup.

[NickisBHAFC]

Matt Upson better be number 1.

[Duty281]

He'll be one of Germany's top nineteen footy heroes, given that utterly abject display he gave in South Africa four years ago.

I mean, letting the ball bounce over you from a goal-kick, failing to outmuscle Klose, and then slipping over. Capello wept.   

[NickisBHAFC]

Players around him didn't help him. Scored a class goal. But he wasn't a Brighton player then so that explains that terrible display.

[Steffan]

That was an awesome day to be fair when England lost to Germany 4-1. I was with the then misses down Porthcawl main beach on a lovely sunny day. After catching some rays with a few bottles of Magners (she was in the sea looking nice in her bikini) me, the misses, her sister and my best mate (my mate was with sister at the time as well) decided to head into the clubhouse to watch the match

We got into the club and to my horror there was an England flag planted up on the wall and the club was infested by a load of English people on holiday watching the match. Rather ironic that people sooooo proud to be English come to Wales on holiday. I mean its not as if England doesnt have any seaside resorts of its own

Anyway...me and the other non-English cheered out loud on all 4 German goals. It was amazing fair do. You should have seen the look on some of the English peoples face after the final goal. That flag didnt last there too long after that and the mighty world beating fans left with their tails between their legs. And then we went to the pub back home and got drunk. What an awesome day

[Duty281]

Must admit, Steffan, I was pretty pleased in the aftermath as well. It was the best result for England in the long-term, we might still have Capello now if that didn't happen. *shudder*

Otherwise, I'm quite amused at your hypocrisy.

To quote you:

"Glad you take so much pleasure in us being rubbish.

And you wonder why people take an anyone but England attitude."

I could very easily spin that round, you know.

[Steffan]

Hey I dont want England to be rubbish im glad you normally always qualify as we get 6 months of the fans, BBC, ITV and all the papers telling us how England are gonna win it everytime and its funny when you go out

To fair even if lil ol' Wales did by some chance qualify and England were in it I would still want you lot to lose evey game as would you with us

My main gripe with the people in the club that day is to why people who are apparently so proud to be English come on hoilday to Wales when there are so many places in England to go

That along with the arrogance of putting up an Engeeeerland flag in the club. Crikey if I put up a Welsh flag on a holiday resort in England they'd rip the thing down and id be leaving with a few cuts and bruises. I thought we were being quite reasonable actually

[Duty281]

You imagine too much, Steffan.

No one's said how England are gonna win this year in the media, nor would the large proportion of England fans care about how Wales fared if they got to the World Cup.

I mean, it's Wales' World Cup Final when they play England, not the other way round.   

[NickisBHAFC]

The Media always want us to underachieve. They have been bellends in the lead up to this world cup more than ever.

Battered Joe Hart when he was going through a minor dip in form, Following Rooney abroad when he is trying to relax before perhaps the biggest month of his life, Not Praising Sturridge, Shaw, Lallana, Henderson and Barkley enough. Don't get me started on Gerrard's mistake.

[Steffan]

I mean, it's Wales' World Cup Final when they play England, not the other way round.   

Yes I know that. And given our poor infrastructure and small player pool I cant see that changing...which is a shame

[Duty281]

Roy Hodgson still says he doesn't know his best line-up for the Italy game.

Optimists may take that as a sign that he will be keeping an open-mind ahead of the friendlies and training camps that remain.

Cynics will say he hasn't a bloody clue (right, John?).

[Dolphin Ziggler]

God, Ozzy is gonna Poopie one

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Well we can't agree on his best line up!

Good to have options I think, means everyone has a shot

[Nakatomi Plaza]

England Under 17 have won the U17 Euro championship, beating Holland 4-1 on penalties!

[mystiroakey]

Yeah. We won a shoot out.

Well played lads..

[NickisBHAFC]

Well done to the Under 17's brilliant stuff.

I think Woy got what he said earlier spot on. We do have a great squad and it is a great selection headache to have of who starts. I think some players are obviously guaranteed a spot e.g. Hart, Gerrard, Rooney and Cahill. But for everyone else it is the case of working your asses of in the next few weeks.

[mystiroakey]

Platini has to give us a cup. Awwwww.

[Duty281]

Yes quite enjoyed watching that.

Thought England were patient, and kept the ball well. Very well organised, and rarely looked troubled by the Dutch attacks. If you were looking for negatives, the striker was frequently isolated and England struggled to carve out much genuine opportunities for themselves.

England's number eight, Onomah, was very impressive. Reminded me a bit of Yaya Toure style-wise.

Equally impressive was the fact that the players on both sides never dived or tried to con the referee - it was very fair, very just. I'm just wondering when players are taught to cheat, or if this were just an anomaly.

Well done England.

[compelling and rich]

Yes quite enjoyed watching that.

Thought England were patient, and kept the ball well. Very well organised, and rarely looked troubled by the Dutch attacks. If you were looking for negatives, the striker was frequently isolated and England struggled to carve out much genuine opportunities for themselves.

England's number eight, Onomah, was very impressive. Reminded me a bit of Yaya Toure style-wise.

Equally impressive was the fact that the players on both sides never dived or tried to con the referee - it was very fair, very just. I'm just wondering when players are taught to cheat, or if this were just an anomaly.

Well done England.

senior first team football when the pressure is so great to get a result its win at all costs

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

U20's tournament in Toulon starts soon as well

Redderz is going to tear that sh1t up

[mystiroakey]

Suraez injured.

Operation to come.

Impossible for him to be fully fit for the WC.but the uraguains seem to think he will be ready to play first game..

[Duty281]

Some new BBC1 drama is on tonight at Nine starring Phliip Glenister.

Haven't much clue what it's about, but, judging by the trailer, it's set during Euro 96.

[mystiroakey]

Ok worth a watch.

[owen10ozzy]

Think Roy will know his starting line up to be honest; except perhaps 2 positions...who partners Gerrard in the center and who partners Cahill should Jags not be fit in time.

He will already know how he is going to set up; so that will rule out around a quarter of the players i.e. If defensive then Ox, Barkley, Lallana, Sterling, etc won't play...if offensive and pacy then the likes of Milner, Henderson, Lampard, won't start. He will go for experience over youth so expect Johnson and Baines to start regardless and obviously Hart is first choice so GK is wrapped up.

Essentially see it as a throw away line to keep journalists guessing and trying to discover and ensure players shouldn't get complacent (which they shouldn't anyhow).

Interesting to note that the players have been training in multiple layers over in Portugal to try and replicate the conditions they will face in Macau (though Macau is 30c and Portugal was 15c) so quite how successful it is I'm not sure.

[mystiroakey]

They should up squad sizes and subs for tourneys played in extreme heat.

[Duty281]

As long as England are lining up in a 4-2-3-1 shape, I think England have nine positions sorted: Hart, Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines, Gerrard, Sterling (wide right, Roy will take a gamble there), Rooney at 10, and Sturridge at 9.

The only things to weigh up are:

1) Welbeck or Lallana wide left?
2) Henderson or Wilshere in the centre of midfield?

I'd like to think he's kept a more open mind than that, though, with three friendlies left.

[owen10ozzy]

Just can't see Sterling starting against Italy Duty; Hodgson played a solid sitting midfield against Italy at 2012 an I expect him to do same here. In that game he played a midfield of Milner, Gerrard, Parker and Young..think he lines up with similar players here. Experienced and disciplined.

Said it before and was laughed off but I'm still going with Gerrard, Lampard, Milner and Welbeck to start as the midfield 4! Henderson may well replace Lamps but that's the only change I'd see Roy making.

[Duty281]

I have a feeling that Roy will be more adventrous this time around, and he's practically said as much as well.

He started Oxlade against France that one time; he'll have no qualms about throwing an in-form winger into the mix on June 14 - particularly when Italy's weakness is out wide.

And I'm fairly sure it will be Henderson-Gerrard in the middle, a club combination will be highly favoured, and Roy will set that in motion during the three friendly games and various training camps in the run-up to June 14. Wilshere has a chance of making it, but only if he proves some decent form and fitness. Barkley would be the maverick option, and maybe one best saved off the bench, in Roy's eyes.

Lampard-Gerrard? Never. Roy tried that during England-Montenegro, and it just didn't work, hence why he switched if for England-Poland.

[GSC]

Roys probably been told we need to see an improvement in style and performances.

[owen10ozzy]

The only thing Roy has been told GSC is that he is taking us to Euro 2016 regardless of how we do at this World Cup...there is also the very very real possibility that he will have his contract extended to 2018 after the World Cup.

Quite why the FA continue to give our national coaches such long contracts is beyond me..they should be given on a tournament by tournament basis only!

Duty: I hope he is more adventurous, as I have always said throughout all my negativity whenever it comes to England, we play so much better when we actually set up to have a go at teams. Pace on the wings...creative CM who is given the freedom to push forward and a natural two up top (combo of either pace/power or power/6 yard box striker)

Euro 96...

Solid CB pairing; defence minded full backs who can overlap, strong CM to hold & get stuck in, creative mid to push on and open up defences:

Neville Adams Southgate Pearce

Anderton Ince Gazza McManaman

Shearer Sheringham

1998 World Cup

Played 5 at back with full backs given more licence to attack..played with two natural strikers...and a creative CM in with two solid midfielders

Anderton Campbell Southgate Adams Le Saux

Ince, Batty

Scholes

Shearer Sheringham/Owen

In terms of the football we played and whether we genuinely could have won a major tournament I would say they are the two best tournament we have had in past 20 years.

We now seem intent on playing this European style of 'holding midfielder' ...and a 'false number 9' (part of the reason we don't get the best out of Rooney).

I'd like to see Roy say 'right Rooney & Sturridge your our strikers...neither of you are playing the '10' role..just play as strikers. don't worry about tracking back unless we are being dominated in midfield.

Then you play a more disciplined wide midfielder (left or right but not both) i.e. Anderton was it in 96) to compensate for keeping two up top. Then one physical midfielder who can run all day and stays in that middle third of the pitch with someone creative alongside him.

Also just a though looking ahead to Euro 2016 qualifying...having looked at the youth coming through and our group I wouldn't mind seeing us setting up in 3-5-2 formation (or 5-3-2 essentially the same).

[Duty281]

England squad numbers announced.

Um, Owen...Lampard's got the 8 shirt. Wilshere 7.

Oh gawd, Roy's not going 4-3-3 is he?

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Lampard will get the number he wants due to seniority.

[mystiroakey]

I am completely bamboozled about what team to play. My mind cannot process it any more. Can't wait for the first friendly.

#TrustWoy

[Guest]

The friendly against Peru will tell us nothing. We are at home against a side who's not even preparing for a WC, most of their players will be on holiday mentally. We are at home, so expect the full attacking options to be used & Roy will try to make it a confidence booster, after the shambles of Chile/Germany.

When Italy comes around, don't expect the line-up to look anything like the Peru fixture. If you do, then your delusional & don't know Roy Hodgson.

[mystiroakey]

Doesn't bother me. I just want to watch us play

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I'd imagine we will at least play in a shape that Roy wants us to play in.

[mystiroakey]

Not sure. He may bottle it against Italy and just grind a draw.

I think the fact Suraez is looking out could make that decision for him and go for the win v uraguay instead.

[Duty281]

Some new BBC1 drama is on tonight at Nine starring Phliip Glenister.

Haven't much clue what it's about, but, judging by the trailer, it's set during Euro 96.

Ah, so that's how I pay for my student accomodation.

I need £700 by the end of August (I currently have £10.24!), and Student Finance doesn't go in until the middle of September. The safe option is to lump around £30 on England to win the World Cup and watch as everything comes up roses.

I will never make a career as a financial planner!

[mystiroakey]

Just watched it duty.

Brought a shiver down my spine during that pen kick of. I remember exactly how I felt that and where I was at what I was wearing and what happened to the centre of Croydon after. Very similar to the end of that show.

[Duty281]

Steven Gerrard has said he'll wait until after the World Cup until making a decision on his England future - very sensible.

And Roy Hodgson is excited by the greater depth of options he has at his disposal; which are certainly a greater comfort compared to the meagre rations of Euro 2012.

Wonder what team we'll see on Friday - I don't think Roy even has the strongest idea yet! I'm hoping some of the younger players get to play, the likes of Barkley, Oxlade, Wilshere (only for a half though!), Sterling, Shaw, and that, in a 4-2-3-1 shape, the Rooney-Sturridge partnership at least gets an hour run-out.

[Champagne_Socialist]

Is this the Welsh age-group side that lost to *snigger* San Marino's youth?

Pathetic. We are and you are

It's true though, isn't it? Lost to San Marino, deary me.

I thought it was worth a laugh.

Glad you take so much pleasure in us being rubbish

And you wonder why people like me take the anyone but England attitude

That being said you cheered on France against Wales in the 2011 rugby world cup so says it all really

No I supported Wales, at least I did until Warburton tried to break someone's (Clerc?) neck, and the ITV pundits shamelessly excused him.

And no, I don't wonder why people take the anyone but England attitude - it's jealously, obviously.

Crikey you know you actually became alright for a while and now you have gone back to your usual 'England are the greatest and everyone else is rubbish' attitude. Il learn to ingore you and your UKIP voting ways from now on again

And thats no way to talk about YOUR British & Irish Lions captain by the way

I support England but Duty's attitude is the reason why everyone wants England to fail.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I'm not particularly nationalist but I do find Steffan a little bitter

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