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.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I think the point is fitness and options. Rooney will definitely track.

[Duty281]

And the Times did predict the correct team.

So..I'm most interested to see how Oxlade and Barkley do; two very talented players with one game to push themselves into the manager's thoughts at this crucial juncture. Milner, as well, for I rather like the idea of him slotting in at right-back or, at the very least, putting pressure on Johnson for that position.

Wilshere and Rooney can continue to build their fitness, one hopes.

The likes of Lambert, Lampard, Shaw, Jones, Smalling, and Foster can hopefully get some decent playing time, and showcase why England's depth is more than decent this year.

One is also wondering that, with Sterling on the bench yet again, is that a sign that he'll be utilised just as a subsitute option? I certainly hope not, because he's in fantastic form.

Remember - performance over result!

[owen10ozzy]

I'm actually looking forward to seeing Milner at right back; lets be honest he's a work horse and nothing else so wasted in an attacking role as he just doesn't have the ability to unlock world class defences going forward. So let's see how he does there...

Chance for Oxlade and Barkley to push there claim for a place...be interested to see how the latter does in that 10 role...

Now onto the negatives...I actually think the selection of Rooney all but confirms that Welbeck will start on the left against Italy. That leaves for me ...the right midfield and 1 CM role open for the taking.

I've said all along he will start with Lampard and Gerrard in midfield and I still think he will; I think he will use this game and what should be a decent performance from Lampard (given the opposition) to justify giving him a slot alongside Gerrard against Hondurus in the last friendly.

Rooney should only get 45 mins here as I want to see Sterling come on...

Hopefully at half time we see Rooney off...Oxlade go out left...Sterling come on at RM...Lampard go off and Barkley drop into CM with Lallana coming on in the 10 role.

That would be my preference.

I just think that this line up stinks of giving those who will barely won't feature during Brazil (bar Lamps & Wilshere & Milner) a game before the WC!

Here we go anyway...

[GSC]

Ecuador look a poor side

[Fernando]

Yet they are 1-0 up

[GSC]

Yes fortunately Smalling and Jones are equally poop

[mystiroakey]

7 mins gone and ok it's only 7 mins. But this second team look so much better 
 Kiss of death lol... One chance and one goal to Ecuador. Shame

[Hero]

Good to see the communication between future teammates Shaw and Smalling is bordering on telepathic.

[owen10ozzy]

Best hope cahill & jags don't get injured. Milner at RB not looking like a great pick atm.

[Guest]

Milner having a mare. Wilshere offers nothing. England getting the run around, expected really with this mish-mash of a side. Barkley a major positive though.

[mystiroakey]

Proper game of football this.

Bad defense good aggressive attack.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

LOLbert. Rooney scores

[Fernando]

1-1 Shrek

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Honestly just cannot understand how Ben Foster got picked ahead of Ruddy (and Forster for this game)

He does so many basic things wrong, he doesn't command, he makes horrible decisions (already got away with going walkies once in this game), just shocking

[mystiroakey]

Maybe a lucky goal there. Looked handball

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

BUT ROONEY IS AWFUL WAAAAAAA

[mystiroakey]

He isn't awful tonight that's for sure. Looks fit as a fiddle

[mystiroakey]

Foster is mental

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Honestly just cannot understand how Ben Foster got picked ahead of Ruddy (and Forster for this game)

He does so many basic things wrong, he doesn't command, he makes horrible decisions (already got away with going walkies once in this game), just shocking

And he's off on walkies again. Tragedy he's playing ahead of Forster/Ruddy, absolute tragedy

[Hero]

In 2006 England went to the WC with centreback options of Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Jamie Carragher and Sol Campbell. Ledley King didn't even make the reserve list.

This year we go with Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.

[mystiroakey]

Take the positive lads. It's entertaining football.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Arguably the best ever pair we had are in that. Terry and Ferdinand were very very good. Its our weakness now.

But you could look back at the options Germany had around Gerd Muller and laugh that their choice now is 35 year old Klose

[GSC]

Mixed bag. Ox has been good when direct. Barkleys done alright, still looking for end product. Wilsheres done well recycling the ball.

Defense all over the place, Rooney wasted out wide, Lambert anonymous

[sportform]

Best hope cahill & jags don't get injured. Milner at RB not looking like a great pick atm.

I think Chris Smalling will be the backup to Glen Johnson at right back in the World Cup.

[GSC]

Chris Smalling should be right back in his living room

[sportform]

In 2006 England went to the WC with centreback options of Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Jamie Carragher and Sol Campbell. Ledley King didn't even make the reserve list.

This year we go with Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.

Though we did get to the Quarter Finals in 2002 with Danny Mills, Trevor Sinclair, Nicky Butt and Emile Heskey in the team.

[Fernando]

2-1 Lambert

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Ross Barkley...incredible. What a strike Lambert too!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Fantastic goal that

[sportform]

Great run by Barkley, fantastic finish by Lambert.

[sportform]

Ecuador are alot more open than Peru were. Peru defended very strictly with two banks of four. Barkley and Oxlade-Chamberlain have done well but have had much more space than those who played in the last friendly.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

RUT OH

[mystiroakey]

Great. Just what we need.

[GSC]

Ox and Wilshere should start in Manaus. Barkley or Rooney, hell of a call to take

[owen10ozzy]

Love it...Oxlade injured...so flanagan on and the attack minded milner pushed into midfield   

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Will Owen say anything positive before the end of the world cup?!

I'm offering odds of 8/1 he will

[Dolphin Ziggler]

GOD WHY HAS HE DONE THAT IN A FRIENDLY?!

[Fernando]

2-2

Epic strike from the Ecuadorian

[Dolphin Ziggler]

WHAT A GOAL

[owen10ozzy]

Already have; check the thread

Why I get lambasted for being negative is beyond me....it's like saying be confident about Khan's chances against a puncher....history suggests I shouldn't be!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

That's a fantastic goal as well

[Kurt N. Jurqa]

Milner Smash!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I   JOHN STONES

[owen10ozzy]

Lampard useless....counted 17 misplaced/poor passes tonight!

Cracking goal btw!

[Fernando]

Fight - Valencia grabs Sterling by the throat randomly.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

EFF off Valencia you utter naughty naughty boy

[Fernando]

Sterling & Valencia sent off. No idea why Sterling has been tackle didn't seem that bad.

[mystiroakey]

Crazy...

Sterling did nothing wrong. Valencia is a D1chead

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Why was Sterling sent off?? Useless referee

In other news the mighty mighty Italians are showing there class again as they are dominating Luxembourg..

1-1

[mystiroakey]

I would like to hear socals take on that useless Yank ref

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