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.

[whocares]

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

I rather have that than say the Dutch one!

[Duty281]

England's slogan should just be very simple, and appeal to the majority of fans. Something like...Ban the Band!

[Guest]

What odds on Wilshire getting injured in one of the final warm up games?

[Champagne_Socialist]

What odds on Wilshire getting injured in one of the final warm up games?

Wilshire is England's only hope at this WC.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

What odds on Wilshire getting injured in one of the final warm up games?

Wilshire is England's only hope at this WC.

  Lolz

[NickisBHAFC]

What odds on Wilshire getting injured in one of the final warm up games?

Wilshire is England's only hope at this WC.

He shouldn't even start IMO.

[Guest]

What odds on Wilshire getting injured in one of the final warm up games?

Wilshire is England's only hope at this WC.

  Lolz

  

[Champagne_Socialist]

I also think England will miss Walcott a lot.

[Stella]

I also think England will miss Walcott a lot.

I agree with that.

[NickisBHAFC]

Hmmm never plays well for England and im more excited about Sterling tbh. That being said, apart from Sterling were looking very light in wide players.

[super_realist]

I wonder if similarly second rate teams have woefully optimisitc threads regarding their (nonexistant) chances of winning World Cups?

[Guest]

Why, we have Sterling for a counter-attack. What has Walcott done for England recently? For England, he get's relatively little of the ball & when he does get it, he just runs & runs & then loses it or runs it out of play. Against Ukraine, he was atrocious. For Arsenal, he gets chance after chance & usually puts one way, for England he gets one or two chances & misses them. What is it 5 goals for England in how many years, is he still living off one night in Croatia? Not sure why we will miss him, seeing as we have enough pace in the team with Sterling, Sturridge or Welbeck & other youngsters full of energy.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

If Sterling can continue his form we won't miss Walcott, considering as John says he doesn't play well for England anyway

Oxlade Chamberlain as well, can step in

[Champagne_Socialist]

I wonder if similarly second rate teams have woefully optimisitc threads regarding their (nonexistant) chances of winning World Cups?

Haha this made me laugh

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Id imagine teams like Belgium have a group of fans that are cautiously optimistic of their side having some chance to impress at the World Cup.

[Lowlandbrit]

I wonder if there's some Iranian messageboard out there with a couple of guys that are absolutely convinced they're getting out of the group?

[NickisBHAFC]

I wonder if similarly second rate teams have woefully optimisitc threads regarding their (nonexistant) chances of winning World Cups?

     

[Duty281]

I'm hoping Wilshere doesn't start as well, form and fitness currently aren't his ally, but feel it's between him and Henderson for the second central midfielder spot; if Roy goes 4-3-3, however, our boy Jack will certainly start.

[Duty281]

I wonder if similarly second rate teams have woefully optimisitc threads regarding their (nonexistant) chances of winning World Cups?

What do you mean by "similar"?

(Says Duty smugly, fully believing in the ability of the English football team to finally throw off the shackles and conquer the footballing world once more.)

[mystiroakey]

I wonder if similarly second rate teams have woefully optimisitc threads regarding their (nonexistant) chances of winning World Cups?

Haha this made me laugh

Yeah the first time maybe..........

SR believes Scotland is on there way to being a quality team    

Not sure what that means ....maybe qualifying for every 5th euro now that the comp has been increased to 24 teams.

[NickisBHAFC]

Gerard, Henderson, Sterling and Lallana would be my
Midfield.

[Champagne_Socialist]

Gerard, Henderson, Sterling and Lallana would be my
Midfield.

Why not Wilshire or OX?

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Gerard, Henderson, Sterling and Lallana would be my
Midfield.

I'd concur but probably change Lallana for Welbeck, think he does well for England there.

[Duty281]

Presuming it's 4-2-3-1, I'd have Henderson and Gerrard in the middle, Sterling on the right, and Welbeck on the left.

However, owing to England's lovely depth, there's an abundance of choice, and I wouldn't mind if Barkley started in place of Henderson, although he may be best utilised off the bench. Wilshere is a no for me, seeing as how form and fitness have deserted him, but I have a feeling he'll be the one starting in Manaus. Lampard is also a clear no, and it's been obvious for nigh on a decade that him and Gerrard can't form an effective partnership together.

On the wings, it's a lot more open. I can certainly see an argument for the underrated Milner starting over Sterling, on the grounds that the former is a better crosser, has higher work-rate and is less of a liability defensively. That said, Sterling is the better attacking player, and I do hope it's him who starts against Italy. The same Italy that can be got at out wide.

On the left, while I would champion Welbeck as the best option - he seems to do very well there for England, and with his high work-rate, decent pace, plus his great ability to link-up well with Rooney being the main advantages - I wouldn't mind if Lallana (in wonderful form and is a great attacking, creative option) started, or even Oxlade (who is technically very gifted, and has a high ceiling in terms of potential).

The strength, versatility and depth of England's midfield is most exciting. It hasn't been like this for quite some time in the lead-up to a major tournament for England to have such a plethora of options, both attacking and defensive, which can be used in the starting XI or from the bench.

Good times for England. Fingers crossed that England can fire up the Jag against Italy, and that Roy plays 4-2-3-1.

Then we're all set.

[NickisBHAFC]

Presuming it's 4-2-3-1, I'd have Henderson and Gerrard in the middle, Sterling on the right, and Welbeck on the left.

However, owing to England's lovely depth, there's an abundance of choice, and I wouldn't mind if Barkley started in place of Henderson, although he may be best utilised off the bench. Wilshere is a no for me, seeing as how form and fitness have deserted him, but I have a feeling he'll be the one starting in Manaus. Lampard is also a clear no, and it's been obvious for nigh on a decade that him and Gerrard can't form an effective partnership together.

On the wings, it's a lot more open. I can certainly see an argument for the underrated Milner starting over Sterling, on the grounds that the former is a better crosser, has higher work-rate and is less of a liability defensively. That said, Sterling is the better attacking player, and I do hope it's him who starts against Italy. The same Italy that can be got at out wide.

On the left, while I would champion Welbeck as the best option - he seems to do very well there for England, and with his high work-rate, decent pace, plus his great ability to link-up well with Rooney being the main advantages - I wouldn't mind if Lallana (in wonderful form and is a great attacking, creative option) started, or even Oxlade (who is technically very gifted, and has a high ceiling in terms of potential).

The strength, versatility and depth of England's midfield is most exciting. It hasn't been like this for quite some time in the lead-up to a major tournament for England to have such a plethora of options, both attacking and defensive, which can be used in the starting XI or from the bench.

Good times for England. Fingers crossed that England can fire up the Jag against Italy, and that Roy plays 4-2-3-1.

Then we're all set.

Id use Barkley as a super sub, that could be key. Also with his age and inexperience throwing him straight into his first ever world cup by starting him, could be damaging.

[compelling and rich]

Presuming it's 4-2-3-1, I'd have Henderson and Gerrard in the middle, Sterling on the right, and Welbeck on the left.

However, owing to England's lovely depth, there's an abundance of choice, and I wouldn't mind if Barkley started in place of Henderson, although he may be best utilised off the bench. Wilshere is a no for me, seeing as how form and fitness have deserted him, but I have a feeling he'll be the one starting in Manaus. Lampard is also a clear no, and it's been obvious for nigh on a decade that him and Gerrard can't form an effective partnership together.

On the wings, it's a lot more open. I can certainly see an argument for the underrated Milner starting over Sterling, on the grounds that the former is a better crosser, has higher work-rate and is less of a liability defensively. That said, Sterling is the better attacking player, and I do hope it's him who starts against Italy. The same Italy that can be got at out wide.

On the left, while I would champion Welbeck as the best option - he seems to do very well there for England, and with his high work-rate, decent pace, plus his great ability to link-up well with Rooney being the main advantages - I wouldn't mind if Lallana (in wonderful form and is a great attacking, creative option) started, or even Oxlade (who is technically very gifted, and has a high ceiling in terms of potential).

The strength, versatility and depth of England's midfield is most exciting. It hasn't been like this for quite some time in the lead-up to a major tournament for England to have such a plethora of options, both attacking and defensive, which can be used in the starting XI or from the bench.

Good times for England. Fingers crossed that England can fire up the Jag against Italy, and that Roy plays 4-2-3-1.

Then we're all set.

agree with most of that duty, also think that the way to get at italy is with pace. and in a game where its going to be slow going with italy dominating possesion we need a threat on the break something which sterling, wellbeck and sturridge give us. would also bring ox on later on against tired legs for sterling or even rooney, whom i think will struggle with the conditions the most

[Duty281]

Austria won Eurovision in 1966, and in 2014.
Real Madrid conquered Europe in 1966, and in 2014.
Atletico Madrid won La Liga in 1966, and in 2014.
A team won the FA Cup final 3-2 after going 0-2 down in 1966, and in 2014.
Roy Hodgson is 66 years old, and will be for the whole of the World Cup.
24 years ago, England reached a World Cup Semi-final (and drew), and 48 years ago England reached the last four (and won!). That's a guarantee for a minimum of a finish in the final four following that pattern!

These omens look good, don't they?!

[mystiroakey]

Stephen Hawkings has mapped out the winning formula.

433
red shirts
sturridge but not Rooney.

[Duty281]

Interestingly, in the 45 World Cup games England have played since 1966, Hawking found that England won 63% with a European referee, but only 38% of games were won with a non-European referee.

A 5 degree rise in temperature skittles England's hopes by 59%, and England are twice as likely to win when playing below 500m above sea level.

And Hodgson's lads have less than a 33% chance of beating Italy.

It's a numbers game, and this oh-so-clever-professor thinks England are cooked before we've even started!

[owen10ozzy]

Well if he's right about the temperature then were up the creek without a paddle!

To be honest I would much rather go with Hawkings theories and percentages than the stuff you have cooked up Duty....it's those exact type of 'omen rubbish' things which I can't stand in the build up to these tournaments. I'm sure every single tournament someone comes up with a bunch of coincidences and patters to explain why 'this is England's year'..

Anyhow onto today' England news; Scholes has stated he would like to see at least 4 of Liverpool's players in the line up come the World Cup and believes that England should play in the style of Liverpool and have a real go at teams....couldn't agree more!

[Stella]

Fast temp? I'll take that over the crap I've witnessed at the last two world cups.

[Steffan]

England will play defensive and telegraphed football. Cant say I blame them

[compelling and rich]

scholes doesn't talk much, but when he does he's well worth listening to. doesnt hold any punches like the wilshere comments and doesnt let bias get in his way like these liverpool comments. better than so many pundits we could name, such a shame he shy's away from the media limelight

[mystiroakey]

Well if he's right about the temperature then were up the creek without a paddle!

To be honest I would much rather go with Hawkings theories and percentages than the stuff you have cooked up Duty....it's those exact type of 'omen rubbish' things which I can't stand in the build up to these tournaments. I'm sure every single tournament someone comes up with a bunch of coincidences and patters to explain why 'this is England's year'..

Anyhow onto today' England news; Scholes has stated he would like to see at least 4 of Liverpool's players in the line up come the World Cup and believes that England should play in the style of Liverpool and have a real go at teams....couldn't agree more!

Hodgson has said the same. We have all (most of us) been saying the same for months as well.

[mystiroakey]

scholes doesn't talk much, but when he does he's well worth listening to. doesnt hold any punches like the wilshere comments and doesnt let bias get in his way like these liverpool comments. better than so many pundits we could name, such a shame he shy's away from the media limelight  

Mate he looks like he is about to slit his wrist every time he comes on telly..

[compelling and rich]

scholes doesn't talk much, but when he does he's well worth listening to. doesnt hold any punches like the wilshere comments and doesnt let bias get in his way like these liverpool comments. better than so many pundits we could name, such a shame he shy's away from the media limelight  

Mate he looks like he is about to slit his wrist every time he comes on telly..

so did beckham when he first started, takes a bit of practice before getting comfortable in front of a camera. something which he has none of

[Stella]

There's a clip on youtube of Scholes when he was a young lad at Utd, doing media training. He's unintentionally very funny.

[Duty281]

Well if he's right about the temperature then were up the creek without a paddle!

To be honest I would much rather go with Hawkings theories and percentages than the stuff you have cooked up Duty....it's those exact type of 'omen rubbish' things which I can't stand in the build up to these tournaments. I'm sure every single tournament someone comes up with a bunch of coincidences and patters to explain why 'this is England's year'..

Anyhow onto today' England news; Scholes has stated he would like to see at least 4 of Liverpool's players in the line up come the World Cup and believes that England should play in the style of Liverpool and have a real go at teams....couldn't agree more!

The omens are jokey; I've already put up some logical reasons for why England can win the greatest prize.

Mind you, such a victory will require England to play to the very best of their ability, and staying injury-free...not to mention the odd dose of luck on their travels...and possibly having to win a penalty shoot-out on the way.

I'd be happy if England finished fourth, with a gallant defeat in the semis.

Exit in the quarter-finals would be a par score and a bit meh.

[Duty281]

Roy Hodgson sounds delighted with the progress his squad are making in training, and hopes to give a good performance tomorrow in the Wembley send-off against Peru.

He admits he doesn't know his team for that game yet. I'd be tempted to go for (in my beloved 4-2-3-1 shape!):

Forster, Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Shaw, Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling (on the right), Oxlade (left), Rooney, and Sturridge.

Not sure the limit on subs, but I'd also like to see Foster, Jones, Barkley, Wilshere, Lallana, and maybe Lambert given a half.

The Rooney-Sturridge combo needs to take priority, as it's something which needs to be worked on, and the fitness of Wilshere and Jagielka needs to be built up. I imagine Roy will also want to overview how well the Gerrard-Henderson partnership, in that vital cog at the heart of midfield, fares for England.

[Guest]

To be honest, not sure we can take anything from tomorrows game. While Duty will be cleaning himself up with Kleenex after a home win, the rest of us will know the real business starts in Manaus, against the real quality opposition & the right environmental conditions.

I don't really care about all this `Roy doesn't know his team rubbish`, the sides basically done & dusted apart from two positions max. Whatever happens tomorrow, we won't learn anything. Peru are on holidays, well Pizarro is, Farfan isn't even playing & the rest are so good they nearly finished bottom of the qualifying campaign in South America. I wonder why we chose this friendly, oh yes that`s why, save Roy from an embarrassing third home defeat.

Hurry up middle of June.

[Duty281]

No Kleenex for me please, John...unless Theo Walcott is in the studio!

And of course I know that the "real business" starts in Manaus, but before you get there, you have to prepare correctly.

And these three games are an important component of that preparation, as training can only take you so far in terms of form and fitness.

It will be these three games in which firm ideas of the starting XI start to flower, and it will be these three games where combinations, mentality and the cohesion of the squad will grow before June 14.

The result does not matter, but the performance does.

[Duty281]

Right, the Times, which carries a very positive air on the national team today, says that England will line up in a 4-2-3-1 shape thusly:

First choice back four and keeper.
Gerrard and Henderson in the middle.
Lallana left, Sterling right.
Rooney just behind Sturridge.

Peru, who I know next to nothing about, are going to be playing 3-5-2, and are missing their best players: Farfan, Zambrano, and Pizarro to name a few.

[skyeman]

This really should be a 4-0, 5-0 drubbing against a weakend Peru, who have opted to leave their best players at home.

Sturridge and Rooney should tear them apart.

[Duty281]

England's team tonight, presumably in a 4-2-3-1 system, is set to be the one posted above but with Welbeck in instead of Sterling.

Could very well be the team against Italy...

[mystiroakey]

So the emerdale cop has gone breaking bad.. Yawn.

Roll on the football.

[Duty281]

This is a team good enough to win the World Cup.

This could be the start of the ten games that see England crowned champions of the world once again.

(I'm trying really hard to pump myself up for this game!)

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Peru's sub keeper is called George Forsyth

[skyeman]

Looking forward to the start of the WC, my local is normally packed with Europeans (on holiday)   and it is a great atmosphere for all games.

[Guest]

Theo is in the building, get the Kleenex, Duty.....  

Have to agree with Hoddle, not sure why Gerrard needs to play. Give Wilshere the 90 minutes he needs & get him prepared for the WC, if he's needed. This is a shocking Peru side, we should be looking at 4 or 5 minimum, as Skyeman says.

[skyeman]

High pocession for England, but doing little with it in the first 15. And too many loose balls. Can only get better.

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