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.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Erm who WANTS England to fail?

[Duty281]

Not nationalist? That's fine, nor is Sam Warburton, eh Steffan?

He's British, not Welsh, he says as much.

[Steffan]

Not nationalist? That's fine, nor is Sam Warburton, eh Steffan?

He's British, not Welsh, he says as much.

Who cares what he classes himself. Only you it seems...

[NickisBHAFC]

Erm who WANTS England to fail?

Well the papers seem to love it. Mark Lawrenson loves a moan so he won't mind if they fail.

[Champagne_Socialist]

Well the papers seem to love it. Mark Lawrenson loves a moan so he won't mind if they fail.

Any neutral fan who has to listen to the crap that certain england fans eg duty start to say before tournaments eg england are the favourite or england should beat italy and uruguay easily etc etc

[Duty281]

Not nationalist? That's fine, nor is Sam Warburton, eh Steffan?

He's British, not Welsh, he says as much.

Who cares what he classes himself. Only you it seems...

You brought him up on this topic, not me.

[Duty281]

Erm who WANTS England to fail?

Well the papers seem to love it. Mark Lawrenson loves a moan so he won't mind if they fail.

Well success stories don't sell papers!

Of course, over the past few World Cups, the media have been building England up and then tearing them apart. Not so this year, which can only be a good thing.

It is amusing though - we didn't have a chance in 2010, even though it was a very average World Cup, and large sections of the English media thought that Don Capello and his lads could win! Now England do have a chance, and the media would rather knock Hodgson down.

[Champagne_Socialist]

Erm who WANTS England to fail?

Well the papers seem to love it. Mark Lawrenson loves a moan so he won't mind if they fail.

Well success stories don't sell papers!

Of course, over the past few World Cups, the media have been building England up and then tearing them apart. Not so this year, which can only be a good thing.

It is amusing though - we didn't have a chance in 2010, even though it was a very average World Cup, and large sections of the English media thought that Don Capello and his lads could win! :laugh:Now England do have a chance, and the media would rather knock Hodgson down.

England have a worse squad this year and we are in a harder group playing in Brazil which will benefit the South Americans. How do we have more of a chance this year??? Your football knowledge is very limited.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I'd say we have a better squad.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Easily a better squad this time round

Last time we had no clue who the GK would be, Matthew Upson played CB, and Heskey up front. Shaun Wright Phillips was in ffs

[Duty281]

Yeah easily a better squad than four years ago.

An established, top-class goalkeeper, an established, decent central-defensive pairing, and a quality strike-pairing, for the first time since 2004, are all there, unlike 2010.

Then there's the greater depth of options in both attack and defence, Hodgson's a more experienced international manager than Capello, the tactics are more fluid, the preparation is better, and there's greater pace in midfield - Milner-Barry-Lampard-Gerrard last time!

So much better than four years ago. And much better than 2006 as well, where depth and balance were lacking, and a rigid set of tactics were in place.

And unlike 2006 and 2010, 2014's squad is the right one, with no bizarre decisions, and the correct balance of youth and experience has been achieved.

This is the best chance England have had to win a major tournament in ten years, there's a World Cup waiting to be won, and everything is in place for that glorious moment to happen.

[Champagne_Socialist]

Easily a better squad this time round

Last time we had no clue who the GK would be, Matthew Upson played CB, and Heskey up front. Shaun Wright Phillips was in ffs

We have a weaker defence, we have an injury hit jagielka in CB and an inexperienced Baines at LB. We also have an ageing Lampard and Gerrard.

We are in a massively harder group and the tournament is being held in SA which will have a negative impact on us.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Not an ageing Lampard and Gerrard?! We're screwed!

[super_realist]

Yeah easily a better squad than four years ago.

An established, top-class goalkeeper, an established, decent central-defensive pairing, and a quality strike-pairing, for the first time since 2004, are all there, unlike 2010.

Then there's the greater depth of options in both attack and defence, Hodgson's a more experienced international manager than Capello, the tactics are more fluid, the preparation is better, and there's greater pace in midfield - Milner-Barry-Lampard-Gerrard last time!

So much better than four years ago. And much better than 2006 as well, where depth and balance were lacking, and a rigid set of tactics were in place.

And unlike 2006 and 2010, 2014's squad is the right one, with no bizarre decisions, and the correct balance of youth and experience has been achieved.

This is the best chance England have had to win a major tournament in ten years, there's a World Cup waiting to be won, and everything is in place for that glorious moment to happen.

*repeat statement every 10 years.

[Stella]

2006 was a half decent chance. I'd say this year, we have next to no chance. A QF would be great.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Easily a better squad this time round

Last time we had no clue who the GK would be, Matthew Upson played CB, and Heskey up front. Shaun Wright Phillips was in ffs

We have a weaker defence, we have an injury hit jagielka in CB and an inexperienced Baines at LB. We also have an ageing Lampard and Gerrard.

We are in a massively harder group and the tournament is being held in SA which will have a negative impact on us.

I'm not sure we have a significantly weaker defence, Johnson is better this time round at RB, we actually have a good goalkeeper this time that won't be chopped and changed, we have a solid CB pairing (when fit which Jags will be), last time we didn't know who would partner Terry, but yes Baines is worse than what Cole was I'll concede that

This time we have someone to partner Rooney who is actually good, proper wingers and some good prospects for the future.

Looking up that 2010 world cup squad properly depressed me. Still dunno how Walcott wasn't picked for it

[super_realist]

Found it hilarious to watch England training in Jackets and hats the other day. It's not the heat that will get them, it's the humidity.
Why are these coaches so stupid? Why don't they just go out there and aclimatise?

[Duty281]

Easily a better squad this time round

Last time we had no clue who the GK would be, Matthew Upson played CB, and Heskey up front. Shaun Wright Phillips was in ffs

We have a weaker defence, we have an injury hit jagielka in CB and an inexperienced Baines at LB. We also have an ageing Lampard and Gerrard.

We are in a massively harder group and the tournament is being held in SA which will have a negative impact on us.

I'm not sure we have a significantly weaker defence, Johnson is better this time round at RB, we actually have a good goalkeeper this time that won't be chopped and changed, we have a solid CB pairing (when fit which Jags will be), last time we didn't know who would partner Terry, but yes Baines is worse than what Cole was I'll concede that

This time we have someone to partner Rooney who is actually good, proper wingers and some good prospects for the future.

Looking up that 2010 world cup squad properly depressed me. Still dunno how Walcott wasn't picked for it

Quite agree, Olly, and Gerrard won't be played out of position on the left!

[Stella]

And Rooney is bound to have a good tourny sooner or later. Lots of positives hey Duty?

Looking forward to kick-off now. Argentina are my pick, after England of course   

[super_realist]

Can't see a European team other than Germany, Italy or Spain doing well in South America, England will be breathing out of their backsides.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Its the sports scientists doing research into levels of sweat as to when each player should receive drinks and how much, SR. The humidity stuff is next

[owen10ozzy]

Anyone seen the hotel story on bbc! More fun reading leaving the brazilians looking spectacular in there preparations   

Regards humidity I'm not sure where you think they are getting that from dolphin. They won't be going anywhere close to the conditions they face in Manaus. In fact oddly enough they will be facing 4 differing humidities in the 3 weeks going into it....

England, Portugal, Miami, Rio and then Manaus...

Seems more of a hindrance than a help but we shall see.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I'd imagine that unqualified spectators are not the only people who have some idea that the humidity might be different.

[owen10ozzy]

You hardly need to be qualified to know that there is a vast difference in the humidity between conditions england are preparing in and conditions they will face come kick off...common sense and a bit of nous is all that is required.

Now they may well be able to somehow replicate the humidity within the camp..but reports have suggested that so far all they have done is wrap up...which as has been pointed out is not a method which in anyway helps with humidity.

The point still remains that in terms of England's choice of preparation camps/countries leaves a lot to be desired...then there's the odd choice to potentially undo any work by choosing to go to Portugal for a week then come back to England anyway..

[Champagne_Socialist]

2006 was a half decent chance. I'd say this year, we have next to no chance. A QF would be great.

2006 was the best squad I have seen, we were seen as 2nd favouites by other nations as well so that shows the quality we had back then.

I have a feeling we will draw with Italy and lose to uruguay.

[Duty281]

You know Owen, if I were as worried as you, I'd never inhale oxygen for fear of choking to death.

It's all about gentle adjustment to the conditions; besides which, Manaus will be the most humid and the most difficult conditions that England will have to endure for the whole of the tournament.

That game, between Italy-England, will be a game at a slow-tempo, it will be tight, cagey and settled by the odd goal...or perhaps none at all. It will either be a 0-0, or a 1-0 to one side. England will have good options off the bench to ensure they don't disappear in the second half, much unlike Euro 2012.

After that game, where a draw would be in no way a bad result, the conditions become easier and more manageable.

Relax.

[alfie]

Not claiming to be any expert ; but I'd agree the squad looks much better than last time (provided they can all stay in one piece until the tournament kicks off - something they seem to have had trouble doing in recent years !).
Hopeful they can do rather better than expected ...but the location bothers me. Not many European teams do well in South America , and England are hardly renowned as great travelers.
At least the fact that the media generally is pessimistic might take a bit of pressure off...

[TopoftheChops]

2006 was a half decent chance. I'd say this year, we have next to no chance. A QF would be great.

2006 was the best squad I have seen, we were seen as 2nd favouites by other nations as well so that shows the quality we had back then.

I have a feeling we will draw with Italy and lose to uruguay.

If Neville and Gerrard played in 2002, England would have reached the final imo

[Duty281]

England were the second best team at the World Cup in 2002, in my opinion, and would have made the final if they hadn't been in the same half of the draw as Brazil.

And, as the poster above states, that quarter-final could have been a lot more interesting if Gerrard and Neville were playing, and not to mention if Owen and Beckham were fully fit.

[Stella]

2006 was a half decent chance. I'd say this year, we have next to no chance. A QF would be great.

2006 was the best squad I have seen, we were seen as 2nd favouites by other nations as well so that shows the quality we had back then.

I have a feeling we will draw with Italy and lose to uruguay.

If Neville and Gerrard played in 2002, England would have reached the final imo

Maybe? And if Seaman had not been beaten from 35 yards. If Rooney was fit, and Owen had not got injured, the same could have been said of 2006?

[Stella]

England were the second best team at the World Cup in 2002, in my opinion, and would have made the final if they hadn't been in the same half of the draw as Brazil.

And, as the poster above states, that quarter-final could have been a lot more interesting if Gerrard and Neville were playing, and not to mention if Owen and Beckham were fully fit.

Owen was wasn't he?

[Duty281]

England were the second best team at the World Cup in 2002, in my opinion, and would have made the final if they hadn't been in the same half of the draw as Brazil.

And, as the poster above states, that quarter-final could have been a lot more interesting if Gerrard and Neville were playing, and not to mention if Owen and Beckham were fully fit.

Owen was wasn't he?

He said after the game, if I remember correctly, he was carrying an injury into the Brazil match and probably shouldn't have played.

[Stella]

England were the second best team at the World Cup in 2002, in my opinion, and would have made the final if they hadn't been in the same half of the draw as Brazil.

And, as the poster above states, that quarter-final could have been a lot more interesting if Gerrard and Neville were playing, and not to mention if Owen and Beckham were fully fit.

Owen was wasn't he?

He said after the game, if I remember correctly, he was carrying an injury into the Brazil match and probably shouldn't have played.

You learn something new every day. Still scored a good goal.

[Duty281]

England were the second best team at the World Cup in 2002, in my opinion, and would have made the final if they hadn't been in the same half of the draw as Brazil.

And, as the poster above states, that quarter-final could have been a lot more interesting if Gerrard and Neville were playing, and not to mention if Owen and Beckham were fully fit.

Owen was wasn't he?

He said after the game, if I remember correctly, he was carrying an injury into the Brazil match and probably shouldn't have played.

You learn something new every day. Still scored a good goal.

He [Owen] told the News of the World: "My big regret is that I wasn't able to go into this massive game in peak condition. I didn't train all week, except for the day before the Brazil game. I had treatment every day, for 11 hours a day."

Quite right though, it was a good goal.

[Champagne_Socialist]

England were the second best team at the World Cup in 2002, in my opinion, and would have made the final if they hadn't been in the same half of the draw as Brazil.

And, as the poster above states, that quarter-final could have been a lot more interesting if Gerrard and Neville were playing, and not to mention if Owen and Beckham were fully fit.

What utter nonsense, England looked average the whole tournament. Drew with Sweden, Drew with Cameron and beat a very poor Argentina 1-0 and then lost to a 10 man brazil in the QF.

England would have lost to the first decent team they faced whether that was Brazil, Germany or Italy.

i cannot see how you had them as the 2nd best team in the tournament unless of course you are looking through those biased england glasses you seem to wear all the time.

[Stella]

Cheers. We sound like Arsenal fans bemoaning injuries.

[Duty281]

Cheers. We sound like Arsenal fans bemoaning injuries.

Haha yeah, don't think it would have mattered in the end though as Brazil were the best team in 2002 - Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho...Cafu and Roberto Carlos as well.

[GSC]

England would've made the final if they had been in Germanys half of the draw. Cupcake city.

[J.Benson II]

England were the second best team at the World Cup in 2002, in my opinion, and would have made the final if they hadn't been in the same half of the draw as Brazil.

And, as the poster above states, that quarter-final could have been a lot more interesting if Gerrard and Neville were playing, and not to mention if Owen and Beckham were fully fit.

What utter nonsense, England looked average the whole tournament. Drew with Sweden, Drew with Cameron and beat a very poor Argentina 1-0 and then lost to a 10 man brazil in the QF.

England would have lost to the first decent team they faced whether that was Brazil, Germany or Italy.

i cannot see how you had them as the 2nd best team in the tournament unless of course you are looking through those biased england glasses you seem to wear all the time.

Yep. England were dire in 2002. The first half against Denmark was the only time they looked remotely impressive. They went out with a whimper too. Belguim and Turkey were far more gallant in defeat to Brazil than England were.

[Duty281]

Germany (who England trounced 5-1 ten months before) were even more dire in 2002, and had a ridiculously easy saunter to the final. Swap those two around in the draw, England make the final and lose to Brazil, while Germany go out in the quarters.

England were poor against Sweden and Nigeria, decent in spells against Argentina, very good against Denmark (and the game fizzled out in the second half), and had one good half against Brazil before losing it completely.

But then, you must remember, it was a poor World Cup as a whole...that woeful Germany side making the final, and South Korea making the semi-finals are a testament to that.

[Duty281]

England were the second best team at the World Cup in 2002, in my opinion, and would have made the final if they hadn't been in the same half of the draw as Brazil.

And, as the poster above states, that quarter-final could have been a lot more interesting if Gerrard and Neville were playing, and not to mention if Owen and Beckham were fully fit.

What utter nonsense, England looked average the whole tournament. Drew with Sweden, Drew with Cameron and beat a very poor Argentina 1-0 and then lost to a 10 man brazil in the QF.

England would have lost to the first decent team they faced whether that was Brazil, Germany or Italy.

i cannot see how you had them as the 2nd best team in the tournament unless of course you are looking through those biased england glasses you seem to wear all the time.

I've got you on ignore, but saw this post because someone quoted it, and now I can't help myself.

What are you rambling about? We didn't play Cameroon in this World Cup, were already 1-2 down when Brazil went down to 10 men, and beat that Germany side 5-1 ten months previously in Munich.

Some fact-checking would be better.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

My point was, Owen, that if you and I have noted the humidity, then I think the England camp probably have too. I very much doubt they are in Portugal and the US for a jolly.

[GSC]

Short of training in a sauna (which Roy has done in previous International spells) theres really not much England can do at this stage. Theres no point heading to Manaus and acclimitising if they won't see that humidity again.

[Champagne_Socialist]

Germany (who England trounced 5-1 ten months before) were even more dire in 2002, and had a ridiculously easy saunter to the final. Swap those two around in the draw, England make the final and lose to Brazil, while Germany go out in the quarters.

England were poor against Sweden and Nigeria, decent in spells against Argentina, very good against Denmark (and the game fizzled out in the second half), and had one good half against Brazil before losing it completely.

But then, you must remember, it was a poor World Cup as a whole...that woeful Germany side making the final, and South Korea making the semi-finals are a testament to that.

Not quite sure what system you are using to rank England as 2nd favourites. In terms of players we had so many injuries such as gerrard, neville and beckham that we ended up playing danny mills and trevor sinclair..... Our squad in terms of players was not as good as other teams squads. In terms of becoming 2nd favourites as the tournament progressed England played poorly which you have admitted to. poor in the group stage and only performing well for short periods so I cannot see how our performances made you think we were 2nd favourites.

2002 is not a WC I look back on fondly. The best chance we had of winning a WC was in 06 where we lost on penalties to Portugal in the QF.

[Champagne_Socialist]

England were the second best team at the World Cup in 2002, in my opinion, and would have made the final if they hadn't been in the same half of the draw as Brazil.

And, as the poster above states, that quarter-final could have been a lot more interesting if Gerrard and Neville were playing, and not to mention if Owen and Beckham were fully fit.

What utter nonsense, England looked average the whole tournament. Drew with Sweden, Drew with Cameron and beat a very poor Argentina 1-0 and then lost to a 10 man brazil in the QF.

England would have lost to the first decent team they faced whether that was Brazil, Germany or Italy.

i cannot see how you had them as the 2nd best team in the tournament unless of course you are looking through those biased england glasses you seem to wear all the time.

I've got you on ignore, but saw this post because someone quoted it, and now I can't help myself.

What are you rambling about? We didn't play Cameroon in this World Cup, were already 1-2 down when Brazil went down to 10 men, and beat that Germany side 5-1 ten months previously in Munich.

Some fact-checking would be better.

I prefer it when you don't reply so that my point is not rebutted   But I suppose when I have destroyed your political views so many times you're bound to get upset and stop talking to me   

In all seriousness keep the ignore on I like being able to respond to your comments but you can't respond to mine   

[Champagne_Socialist]

Short of training in a sauna (which Roy has done in previous International spells) theres really not much England can do at this stage. Theres no point heading to Manaus and acclimitising if they won't see that humidity again.

What will the temperature and humidity be out in Brazil? Will it be worse than in 06 when it was so hot in Germany the players were sick on the pitch?

[Champagne_Socialist]

England were the second best team at the World Cup in 2002, in my opinion, and would have made the final if they hadn't been in the same half of the draw as Brazil.

And, as the poster above states, that quarter-final could have been a lot more interesting if Gerrard and Neville were playing, and not to mention if Owen and Beckham were fully fit.

What utter nonsense, England looked average the whole tournament. Drew with Sweden, Drew with Cameron and beat a very poor Argentina 1-0 and then lost to a 10 man brazil in the QF.

England would have lost to the first decent team they faced whether that was Brazil, Germany or Italy.

i cannot see how you had them as the 2nd best team in the tournament unless of course you are looking through those biased england glasses you seem to wear all the time.

Yep. England were dire in 2002. The first half against Denmark was the only time they looked remotely impressive. They went out with a whimper too. Belguim and Turkey were far more gallant in defeat to Brazil than England were.

Turkey v Brazil in the group game was amazing, one of the best games of the tournament.

[whocares]

so England official team slogan is "England: The dream of one team, the heartbeat of millions!!"

quite low profile compared to others. some embarassing, some hilarious, sone really dodgy as the German one!.

http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/lists/189883/presenting-the-official-world-cup-team-slogans-of-all-32-countries-competing-at-brazil-2014.html

[GSC]

Tbh I have no idea. They can get overly fixated on humidity, or try to gel.

[Duty281]

England's is hardly the most catchy or inspiring of slogans, is it?

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