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'd expect us to play Henderson not Carrick and Sterling over Lallana, with Sterling right and Welbeck left. Not sure why Welbeck deserves getting slated and used as a battering ram against Roy. Even your team isnt defensive GSC.

[mystiroakey]

its not a bad team. its a very tough team to break down- but where is the player that is going to leg it through the midfield or through the wings- sterling and barkley provide that attacking threat.

Lallana could really shine though and produce and if rooney is actually fit and sturridge hits the target when he gets chances we could still get 3 wins with that team..

I personally think he will play a little bit more attacking . The team he picked for the last friendly was the team I picked. and no one else believed he would play it..

[Guest]

Hart
Johnson-Jagielka-Cahill-Baines
Welbeck-Gerrard-Carrick-Lallana
Rooney
Sturridge

probably starting lineup.

When has Welbeck ever played right wing...he hasn't. Back five I agree with & is a certainty. Lallana left wing? I don't think so. He hasn't got the engine or defensive ability that Welbeck offers. He also lacks the pace that Welbeck brings to a counter-attack, which is what our primary aim will be. Wilshere will regain fitness & Roy absolutely bums him, although for me, he offers not much in an England shirt.

It will be this, given Roy's history & tactical stubbornness. I'd bet pretty much everything on this. Roy isn't stupid & will go with what he knows. He won't risk our first game by throwing relative international unknowns straight into a WC tie vs Italy.

- - - - - - - - - HART- - - - - - - -
JOHNSON--JAGIELKA-CAHILL-BAINES
- - - --GERRARD-WILSHERE-- - - - -
STERLING- - ROONEY- - WELBECK-- (in caps because they are essential for the counter-attack)
- - - - - - -STURRIDGE - - - - - - - -

[Fernando]

That seems about right.

Personally id play the following...

---------------Hart
Johnson -Jagielka - Cahill -- Baines
---------Gerrard -Jones
Wilshere -----Shrek ----Barkley
-----------Sturridge

The front 4 can interchange and keep the ball

[GSC]

Swap the wings then.

It'll be defensive by the time Roys had his way with it

[NickisBHAFC]

That seems about right.

Personally id play the following...

---------------Hart
Johnson -Jagielka - Cahill -- Baines
---------Gerrard -Jones
Wilshere -----Shrek ----Barkley
-----------Sturridge

The front 4 can interchange and keep the ball

Back 5 i agree with. Swap Carrick or Henderson for Jones

Sterling for Whilshere and Lallana for Barkley.

[Duty281]

Still living at mom's duty

Mom? You've been speaking to Truss far too much!

And as for England, I would think (not want) that Roy will name the same team as John put, but with Carrick in for Wilshere.

[Fernando]

Brazil have announce their squad for the world cup

GKs - Júlio César, Jefferson, Victor.

DEF - Dante, David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Henrique, Dani Alves, Maicon, Marcelo, Maxwell

MF - Fernandinho, Hernanes, Luiz Gustavo, Oscar, Paulinho, Ramires, Willian, Bernard.

STRIKERS - Fred, Hulk, Jo, Neymar

[NickisBHAFC]

No Coutihno or Robhino!

[Duty281]

It's not as good as our squad, says Duty smugly, looking with contempt at their dodgy keeper and defence combination.

Their forward line is also relying on some pretty overrated players. Midfield not too bad though.

Even home advantage and an easy group won't carry Brazil all the way.

[mystiroakey]

Still living at mom's duty

Mom? You've been speaking to Truss far too much!

And as for England, I would think (not want) that Roy will name the same team as John put, but with Carrick in for Wilshere.

Why the heck is my phones spell checker in USENGLISH!!

[owen10ozzy]

Given Hodgson has very recently come out and said that both form from the last two years will be an overriding factor in his squad decision as well as swaying towards players who were involved in qualifying I think the excuses are already in place for when questions come as to why:

Ashley Cole
Frank Lampard
Michael Carrick
Tom Cleverley

Are all in the final squad of 23.

[TopoftheChops]

Lampard and Cleverley should be nowhere near that plane

[mystiroakey]

I seriously think dante is one of the weakest defenders out there at a top club- but then when have brazil cared about good defenders anyway.

[Guest]

Scolari's got such faith in the players he knows, could be their downfall.

- - - - - - - -CESAR- - - - - - -
ALVES- -DANTE-- SILVA- -MARCELO
- - - PAULINHO-GUSTAVO- - - - - -
HULK- - - - OSCAR- - - -NEYMAR
-- - - - - - -FRED- - - - - - - - -

Such amazing players missing out, who have had great seasons. His loyalty to players like Hulk & Jo is bewildering. If that side wins the WC, i'd be amazed.

[J.Benson II]

No Lucas Moura in Brazil's squad?
What has happened to Pato? Seems to have fallen totally of the radar in the last few years.

And is that the same Jo that played for Man City a few years back?  

[Guest]

Yeah, that's the same Jo from City.

I would of gone for a line-up like this -

- - - - - - - -CESAR- - - - - -
ALVES- -- LUIZ- - SILVA- - MARCELO
- - FERNANDINHO-RAMIRES- - - - - -
WILLIAN- - -HERNANES- - -NEYMAR-
- - - - - - -L.DAMIAO- - - - - - - - -

Not sure why Moura has not made the side. I thought Damiao was supposedly a certainty for a striking role & was linked with moves to Europe in previous years but he's nowhere to be seen now. Very interesting.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

How Jo and Fred can make that squad but not Moura is amazing

If there was ever a substitute more suited to coming on with 25 mins left ans tearing up tired defences its Lucas Moura

Madness from Scolari

[mystiroakey]

dammmmm

[J.Benson II]

How Jo and Fred can make that squad but not Moura is amazing

If there was ever a substitute more suited to coming on with 25 mins left ans tearing up tired defences its Lucas Moura

Madness from Scolari

Its understandable how Fred got in since he was a top scorer in last years Confederations Cup, but Jo?  

This is probably the most underwhelming Brazilian team I've seen. Even the players of genuine quality like Neymar and Oscar have been off form in 2014. If they win the cup, it will be purely down on the home advantage.

[Fernando]

German preliminary Squad

Manuel Neuer 27.03.1986 FC Bayern München 45 -
Roman Weidenfeller 06.08.1980 Borussia Dortmund 1 -
Ron-Robert Zieler 12.02.1989 Hannover 96 2 -
Jérome Boateng 03.09.1988 FC Bayern München 37 -
Erik Durm 12.05.1992 Borussia Dortmund - -
Kevin Großkreutz 19.07.1988 Borussia Dortmund 4 -
Benedikt Höwedes 29.02.1988 FC Schalke 04 18 1
Mats Hummels 16.12.1988 Borussia Dortmund 28 2
Marcell Jansen 04.11.1985 Hamburger SV 45 3
Philipp Lahm 11.11.1983 FC Bayern München 105 5
Per Mertesacker 29.09.1984 FC Arsenal 96 4
Shkodran Mustafi 17.04.1992 Sampdoria Genua - -
Marcel Schmelzer 22.01.1988 Borussia Dortmund 16 -
Lars Bender 27.04.1989 Bayer 04 Leverkusen 17 4
Julian Draxler 20.09.1993 FC Schalke 04 10 1
Matthias Ginter 19.01.1994 SC Freiburg 1 -
Leon Goretzka 06.02.1995 FC Schalke 04 - -
Mario Götze 03.06.1992 FC Bayern München 27 7
André Hahn 13.08.1990 FC Augsburg - -
Sami Khedira 04.04.1987 Real Madrid 44 4
Toni Kroos 04.01.1990 FC Bayern München 42 5
Maximilian Meyer 18.09.1995 FC Schalke 04 - -
Thomas Müller 13.09.1989 FC Bayern München 47 16
Mesut Özil 15.10.1988 FC Arsenal 53 17
Lukas Podolski 04.06.1985 FC Arsenal 112 46
Marco Reus 31.05.1989 Borussia Dortmund 19 7
André Schürrle 06.11.1990 FC Chelsea 31 11
Bastian Schweinsteiger 01.08.1984 FC Bayern München 101 23
Miroslav Klose 09.06.1978 Lazio Rom 131 68
Kevin Volland

[TopoftheChops]

they are the champions imo

[Duty281]

Yep, think I'll be sticking with an early prediction of a Germany-England final.

I believe the draw is set right for it as well, provided both teams win their respective groups.

[GSC]

Fred will start. Scolari wants a target man up front.

[Guest]

Scolari's got such faith in the players he knows, could be their downfall.

- - - - - - - -CESAR- - - - - - -
ALVES- -DANTE-- SILVA- -MARCELO
- - - PAULINHO-GUSTAVO- - - - - -
HULK- - - - OSCAR- - - -NEYMAR
-- - - - - - -FRED- - - - - - - - -

GSC, this will be Scolari's first team & indeed Fred will start up front. He's already stated it.

As for Germany, we always say 'wow' look at the squad but then when it comes to crunch time, they inevitably bottle it.

[mystiroakey]

That team doesn't really frighten me

Spain's team does..

[GSC]

I think its well balanced, defensively solid with a few players capable of producing an x-factor

[mystiroakey]

Its a good team- it just doesnt frighten me.. It could beat any team out there though

Luckily for the also ran teams - the best players out there play at slightly lesser clubs.. Like portugal and Uruguay.. There is no major name in the brazil squad. Naymer hasn't proved anything from what i have seen of him to be considered as one of the best.


Whats the argentina squad looking like?

anyone have a potential team?

[GSC]

Probably standard Argentina, millions of attackers, poop defense.

It was good enough last summer tbf

[Crimey]

Khedira has done well to get back from his injury and make the squad, considering it didn't look likely at the time. 

I wonder if Klose will get the opportunity to break Ronaldo's World Cup record.

[GSC]

No harm having him in the preliminary squad and seeing first hand where hes at

[Guest]

Argentina line up like this in a 4-3-3 & hope for the best

- - - - - - - -  -ROMERO- - - - - - - -
ZABALETA-FERNANDEZ-GARAY- ROJO
- - --  -BANEGA-BIGLIA -GAGO- - - -
DI MARIA- - - HIGUAIN- - - MESSI-

Aguero/Mascherano/Coloccini/Palacio/Lavezzi in around the team. No Tevez I believe. Gutierrez waiting by the phone   

[mystiroakey]

Is Klose the german Beckham?

He is getting on big time!

[mystiroakey]

Argentina line up like this in a 4-3-3 & hope for the best

- - - - - - - -  -ROMERO- - - - - - - -
ZABALETA-FERNANDEZ-GARAY- ROJO
- - --  -BANEGA-BIGLIA -GAGO- - - -
DI MARIA- - - HIGUAIN- - - MESSI-

Aguero/Mascherano/Coloccini/Palacio/Lavezzi in around the team. No Tevez I believe.

No aguero to start?

is that due to injury or just the managers preference for Higuain?

[GSC]

Aguero probably starts if his hamstrings don't snap on takeoff

[mystiroakey]

Speroni should get a call up!!

  

[Duty281]

England and Germany are the only two teams this year with the right balance in the whole team, along with some quality and "x-factor" that is needed to win a major tournament.

It's for that reason that I think this year's winners will be one of those two nations...and I give England the slightest edge. Hodgson must be brave, though, for England to maximise their potential this summer.

And as for that statistic that sometimes gets mentioned - no team from Europe has ever won a World Cup in South America - just what is the relevance? The last time a World Cup was held out there, it was 1978. Think how much football has changed since then.

[Guest]

Also, Gutierrez will be waiting by the phone in Norwich.   

Aguero or Higuain is a toss of a coin really. Higuain has played quite often during the qualifiers & is fit & healthy currently. That central three in midfield just isn't up to doing anything really, Gago & Banega will hold & then Biglia will try & support. Essentially, Argentina's tactics are hoof it up front & see what the front three can do. Can't see them going any further than the QF's at best.

[Duty281]

I can see Bosnia, a decent, underrated team, upsetting the Argies in their first group match in Rio. Should certainly be a good game, and I don't think any Argentina game this summer will be dull.

[mystiroakey]

Also, Gutierrez will be waiting by the phone in Norwich.   

Aguero or Higuain is a toss of a coin really. Higuain has played quite often during the qualifiers & is fit & healthy currently. That central three in midfield just isn't up to doing anything really, Gago & Banega will hold & then Biglia will try & support. Essentially, Argentina's tactics are hoof it up front & see what the front three can do. Can't see them going any further than the QF's at best.

sounds like united  

[mystiroakey]

England and Germany are the only two teams this year with the right balance in the whole team, along with some quality and "x-factor" that is needed to win a major tournament.

It's for that reason that I think this year's winners will be one of those two nations...and I give England the slightest edge. Hodgson must be brave, though, for England to maximise their potential this summer.

And as for that statistic that sometimes gets mentioned - no team from Europe has ever won a World Cup in South America - just what is the relevance? The last time a World Cup was held out there, it was 1978. Think how much football has changed since then.

                     

[Crimey]

Di Maria usually plays centrally for Argentina though, that is why he's often been moved centrally for Madrid this year, then a front three of Aguero, Messi and Higuain working together. Ridiculously attacking, but that is where the strength lies and Messi and Aguero will drop deep a lot.

[Fernando]

I can see Bosnia, a decent, underrated team, upsetting the Argies in their first group match in Rio. Should certainly be a good game, and I don't think any Argentina game this summer will be dull.

They have some decent players on the quiet Bosnia

Goalkeepers: Asmir Begovic (Stoke City), Asmir Avdukic (Borac Banja Luka), Jasmin Fejzic (VFR Aalen).
Defenders: Emir Spahic (Bayer Leverkusen), Toni Sunjic (Zorya Lugansk), Sead Kolasinac (Schalke), Ognjen Vranjes (Elazigspor), Ervin Zukanovic (Gent), Ermin Bicakcic (Eintracht Braunschweig), Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros).
Midfielders: Miralem Pjanic (Roma), Izet Hajrovic (Galatasaray), Mensur Mujdza (Freiburg), Haris Medunjanin (Gaziantepspor), Senad Lulic (Lazio), Anel Hadzic (Sturm), Tino Susic (Hajduk), Sejad Salihovic (Hoffenheim), Zvjezdan Misimovic (Guizhour Renhe), Senijad Ibricic (Erciyesspor), Avdija Vrsaljevic (Hajduk).
Strikers: Vedad Ibisevic (VfB Stuttgart), Edin Dzeko (Manchester City), Edin Visca (Istanbul BB)

[Duty281]

And the draw is good for Bosnia as well.

Should make it out of the group, then one of Switzerland or France, maybe Ecuador, in the last sixteen which would be a winnable tie.

[Duty281]

England and Germany are the only two teams this year with the right balance in the whole team, along with some quality and "x-factor" that is needed to win a major tournament.

It's for that reason that I think this year's winners will be one of those two nations...and I give England the slightest edge. Hodgson must be brave, though, for England to maximise their potential this summer.

And as for that statistic that sometimes gets mentioned - no team from Europe has ever won a World Cup in South America - just what is the relevance? The last time a World Cup was held out there, it was 1978. Think how much football has changed since then.

                     

You're with me, right? En-ger-land to win the World Cup again!

Exactly two months from now, England may well be in the semi-finals...

[mystiroakey]

Off course I am Duty.

There wont be many more of us. But I am confident.

If England can over achieve like palace have done - We will win the WC!!

[Duty281]

That's the spirit.   

Phil Jones and Wayne Rooney are both declared fit to play in the World Cup; a welcome relief to Roy Hodgson, one imagines.

[Guest]

I just did a predictor and have England finishing second in the group and bowing out at the QF stage to Brazil - who I have winning the tournament.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/10501412/World-Cup-2014-Wallchart-Predictor-Game.html

[Guest]

I had our group with England winning it   

England, Italy & Uruguay all ending on five points & Costa Rica with 0. A big win vs Costa Rica put us top on goal difference. We then beat Ivory Coast in the second round but go out to Spain.

Win group it's then Ivory Coast, then Spain
Come second in group, it's Colombia, then Brazil

[Duty281]

Let's see what I've got then:

A final eight that is comprised of:

Brazil v Colombia
Bosnia v Germany
Spain v England
Argentina v Belgium

Which makes a final four of:

Brazil v Germany
England v Argentina

Final of:

England v Germany

I've got England topping the group, beating the Ivory Coast, beating the Spanish, taking the Argies on penalties after a 2-2 draw, and then winning the final.

Yes!

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