The Official *England's Journey to the Promised Land* Thread

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

"And here comes Hurst, he's got...some people are on the pitch, they think it's all over! It is now! It's four!"
England, despite drastically underachieving, are one of only eight nations to win the World Cup.

So here we are then, the eve of yet another FIFA World Cup, the grandest sporting tournament of them all. For the under-hyped England team, it's another chance to add to their one solitary World Cup and bring football home.

"Oh and he left Cooper standing...Pele! What a save! Gordon Banks!"
The greatest goalkeeper of all time makes the greatest save of all time.

The conception is that England will be lucky to make it past the group stage. The reality is that 2014 is the best chance of winning the World Cup since 1970, for the Three Lions. It is a squad largely unburdened by previous failure. It is a squad free of expectation. It is a squad that has the perfect balance between youth and experience. It is a squad fantastically prepared, tactically fluid in its play-making and with a wonderful manager at the helm.

"And Moore stops him! What a player this fellow is."
Now that was simply the greatest challenge of all time, made by the greatest centre-half of all time.

England are ready to win the World Cup.

"There's a header in there, and a great chance for the goal and it's there! Bryan Robson!"
Captain Marvel scores the quickest meaningful World Cup goal of all time.

In defence, Joe Hart has bounced back from his early season failings better than ever, and is all set to prove himself as one of the world's best goalkeepers this summer. Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka are a good partnership at the heart of the defence. Leighton Baines is solid, and Glen Johnson is...um..not the worst full-back in the world. The English shield wall won't concede many goals this summer, they never do; qualifying and history shows us that. And the depth remains solid.

Now is the time, that everyone sees/You never give up, that's how it should be/Don't get caught, make your own break/Express yourself, don't give it away.
That might bring back memories of when England last made a World Cup Semi-Final.

In the centre of midfield, Steven Gerrard has come off one of his best seasons for many years, fully enjoying his new holding role. Accompanying him will be his club team-mate, Jordan Henderson, who has rapidly settled into the England set-up despite not playing a single minute of qualifying. Frank Lampard adds the experience, and Jack Wilshere gives the style and energy of youth, both from the bench.

Three Lions on the shirt/Jules Rimet still gleaming/No more years of hurt/No more need for dreaming.
And this classic still resonates loud and true.

On the wings, England's main strength this year, Hodgson's team have a vast array of options. Danny Welbeck is as capable as ever out wide. Raheem Sterling is a superb talent with an eye for goal, plus enough pace and skill to trouble any defence in the world. Adam Lallana is as deft as they come: so very crafty, so skilled, so clever. And Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain might just have the greatest potential of the lot, combining all the aforementioned assets. Not forgetting James Milner, who gives England crucial depth and brilliant crossing ability.

"Here's Gascoigne..oh brilliant! Oh yes! Oh yes!"
Just technically brilliant.

Up front, Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney together means England have, at the very least, a good strike pairing. Such a strike pairing haven't been seen for the England team since the days of Owen and Rooney at Euro 2004...or perhaps Shearer and Sheringham in Euro '96. Both Sturridge and Rooney have had great seasons for their clubs; the former is still in form, the latter is working hard to find his. And Rickie Lambert, who has also had a great season for his club, completes the striking package by offering a more-than-decent goalscoring threat from the bench. And he's not too shabby from twelve yards, either.

"Oh Owen's through again for England, what a chance for the hat-trick here. Owen! Oh this is getting better and better and better!"
England stuff the Germans in Munich..O happy day.

Then there's Roy Hodgson. A fabulous manager who has given England direction, tactical improvement and has improved their reputation off-the-field massively in the short space of two years. He's integrated many new players into the team, prepared them superbly and, after not being a million miles away from shocking the footballing world at Euro 2012, strolled through qualifying. A man with World Cup experience, he's certainly the best manager England have had since, at least, Sir Bobby Robson.

"Captain's example, David Beckham. England lead Argentina - those three little words that mean so much!"
And that was the last time England had a major win at a tournament.

After the humilation in South Africa, it's difficult to believe that England would be standing on the precipice of world glory just four years later. And here we are. England are seven games from winning their second World Cup. Football's greatest prize has, for too long, been absent from England's green and pleasant land.

"And Gerrard has found a way into the box, and he has found the net! And England are heading to the World Cup Finals!"
England seal qualification with a 2-0 win.

Bring her home, Roy, bring football home. Back to where she belongs.

[owen10ozzy]

Sturridge is a striker who is in better form at the moment; Sterling showed he can play that role and give defenders a headache....easy to say 'oh but Rooney has better vision, ability to score from there etc etc' but he simply hasn't done it for England at the top level for a long while.

That leaves Lallana and Welbeck on wings...Lallana & Ox when fit...or even Sterling & Welbeck on wings with Lallana in the 10 role...a role which he actually has far better attributes than Rooney in!

[skyeman]

After Song last night and the two Cameroon players having a shoving argument on the pitch, i just hope that an England defender does not end up with bite marks  

[Guest]

So, rumours abound that Rooney is to be dropped, next thing we see is Colleen turn up and parade herself in a luminous bikini, we then see pictures of Roy Hodgson looking like the cat that's got the cream and suddenly Rooney's starting up front.

Anyone else suspicious?

[skyeman]

So, rumours abound that Rooney is to be dropped, next thing we see is Colleen turn up and parade herself in a luminous bikini, we then see pictures of Roy Hodgson looking like the cat that's got the cream and suddenly Rooney's starting up front.

Anyone else suspicious?

Nah Hodgson prefers grannies!!

[Guest]

So, rumours abound that Rooney is to be dropped, next thing we see is Colleen turn up and parade herself in a luminous bikini, we then see pictures of Roy Hodgson looking like the cat that's got the cream and suddenly Rooney's starting up front.

Anyone else suspicious?

Nah Hodgson prefers grannies!!

Images of Roy and Wayne stripped naked whilst the wrinkled flaccid labia of a Brazilian pensioner are slowly fingered are now searing themselves onto my brain

[Duty281]

He's a Spanish referee, John, so breathe easy.

I think England will make this comfortable. Suarez isn't fully fit, a nineteen-year-old is replacing Lugano, their captain, they're weak against pace (as the Costa Rica game showed), and they don't have the players to exert control in midfield.

If Uruguay had won their first game then yes, I would expect them to play-act and such, but they didn't, and they need the win just as much as we do.

If England score first, they will annihilate Uruguay on the counter. If Uruguay score first, it may become difficult.

I don't expect England to have cured their defensive ills after just one game, but I do expect their pace to win the day.

England 3-1 Uruguay (Rooney to score one), and onto another must win against Costa Rica.

As a side-note, are England wearing red tonight?

[Guest]

Duty, I was reeled in by your enthusiasm for the Italy game and as a result, bet my kidney that England would win. I'm loathe to get drawn in again lad but you make such a compelling argument, I'm off to see if Ladbrokes will accept spleens

[skyeman]

So, rumours abound that Rooney is to be dropped, next thing we see is Colleen turn up and parade herself in a luminous bikini, we then see pictures of Roy Hodgson looking like the cat that's got the cream and suddenly Rooney's starting up front.

Anyone else suspicious?

Nah Hodgson prefers grannies!!

Images of Roy and Wayne stripped naked whilst the wrinkled flaccid labia of a Brazilian pensioner are slowly fingered are now searing themselves onto my brain

NOOOOOOOO, That brings memories back of when i went to Barbados twenty years ago.   She had no teeth!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

"I think it's bad news for the English game."

"We're not creative enough; we're not positive enough."

"We'll go on getting bad results."

But today we'll see

[Duty281]

Duty, I was reeled in by your enthusiasm for the Italy game and as a result, bet my kidney that England would win. I'm loathe to get drawn in again lad but you make such a compelling argument, I'm off to see if Ladbrokes will accept spleens

Bet your spleen, we'll attack and we'll win!

[Guest]

Are you trying to suck me in again Duty?

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Sturridge is a striker who is in better form at the moment; Sterling showed he can play that role and give defenders a headache....easy to say 'oh but Rooney has better vision, ability to score from there etc etc' but he simply hasn't done it for England at the top level for a long while.

That leaves Lallana and Welbeck on wings...Lallana & Ox when fit...or even Sterling & Welbeck on wings with Lallana in the 10 role...a role which he actually has far better attributes than Rooney in!

Tbf you say that Rooney hasn't done it at the top level for England for a long time but then these other guys have never done it for England

At least Rooney has been doing well for England recently (top scorer and assister (is that even a word) in qualifying)

I'm happy to put sterling wide against the second choice FB and give Rooney a shot at #10 again. I hope Rooney will play well, score and put it all to bed  

[Guest]

"I think it's bad news for the English game."

"We're not creative enough; we're not positive enough."

"We'll go on getting bad results."

But today we'll see

The positive threesome of Ent, Owen & Super John   

Duty, you think we will do this comfortable but then say they could score first & it could be difficult. Look, I want us to win but you just cant have faith in this England side, we haven't won a game in an age, of any serious note. Ex-pro's once again saying 3-1 England, 2-0 England but they were saying that against Ecuador, Honduras & even against Italy, they all said we would blow away Italy as they are slow & old.

God, I hope we win but just fear for the boys. Start is crucial.

[Stella]

I could be wrong, but England tend to go one down under Roy. Could do without that tonight.

[Guest]

I could be wrong, but England tend to go one down under Roy. Could do without that tonight.

Then again, they might just need an extra kick up the arse

[Stella]

I could be wrong, but England tend to go one down under Roy. Could do without that tonight.

Then again, they might just need an extra kick up the arse

Yeah, though I'd rather us go four up in the first half hour  

[Guest]

I could be wrong, but England tend to go one down under Roy. Could do without that tonight.

Then again, they might just need an extra kick up the arse

Yeah, though I'd rather us go four up in the first half hour  

Not sure my bumhole could withstand being clenched that tightly when Uruguay claw three back with ten minutes left to play

[No9]

Only a few more hours before England's LAST COMPETITIVE game in the 2014 World Cup. .. so savor the moments guys.  
 
All together now...you know the tune..
 
 
Your coming home,
Your coming home... Englands coming home...
 
 
C'MON URRRRRUUGGGUAAAYYY !!!!

[Stella]

We can still lose and qualify, given Italy win all their remaining games, so this isn't our last competitive game.

[Duty281]

I feared we wouldn't have any jealous, bitter Welshmen now that Steffan's gone temporarily! Relief.

Actually, with the amount of grammatical errors, and a spelling mistake, maybe it is Steffan?

[Guest]

I feared we wouldn't have any jealous, bitter Welshmen now that Steffan's gone temporarily! Relief.

Is there any other kind?

[No9]

We can still lose and qualify, given Italy win all their remaining games, so this isn't our last competitive game.

That's right, you keep the faith... keep that candle of hope flickering...

Prediction, England to lose 3-1, and BBC and ITV lose interest in covering the World Cup, moving the games they are contractually obliged to cover to BBC3/4 and ITV2/3/4...

Just a few toffs playing bat and ball in London to cover then for BBC, and we can get back to normal service...

[Duty281]

I feared we wouldn't have any jealous, bitter Welshmen now that Steffan's gone temporarily! Relief.

Is there any other kind?

There's the delusional kind.

[Stella]

We can still lose and qualify, given Italy win all their remaining games, so this isn't our last competitive game.

That's right, you keep the faith... keep that candle of hope flickering...

Prediction, England to lose 3-1, and BBC and ITV lose interest in covering the World Cup, moving the games they are contractually obliged to cover to BBC3/4 and ITV2/3/4...

Just a few toffs playing bat and ball in London to cover then for BBC, and we can get back to normal service...

Still something to play for, win, draw, or lose tonight, IF Italy win, so I will 'keep the faith'

[skyeman]

We can still lose and qualify, given Italy win all their remaining games, so this isn't our last competitive game.

That's right, you keep the faith... keep that candle of hope flickering...

Prediction, England to lose 3-1, and BBC and ITV lose interest in covering the World Cup, moving the games they are contractually obliged to cover to BBC3/4 and ITV2/3/4...

Just a few toffs playing bat and ball in London to cover then for BBC, and we can get back to normal service...

Tennis? Are they toffs. And it is a racquet. Back to the sheep. Bahhhhh

[No9]

I feared we wouldn't have any jealous, bitter Welshmen now that Steffan's gone temporarily! Relief.

Is there any other kind?

There's the delusional kind.

Careful both, these are getting close to insults.... I was just pointing out the blind faith the English have everytime there's a football tournament, and the reality of the fact they have only ever delivered ONCE... Part of me would like to see England win with the hope that 1966 can finally be but to sleep. However, I doubt that would happen, it would just start the comparisions between 1966 and the 2014 winners. So luckily, tonight a Uruguay win will put you out of your misery. Otherwise my sympathies in prelonging the inevitable pain.

(Oh... and calling me Steffan is a low blow..).

[No9]

We can still lose and qualify, given Italy win all their remaining games, so this isn't our last competitive game.

That's right, you keep the faith... keep that candle of hope flickering...

Prediction, England to lose 3-1, and BBC and ITV lose interest in covering the World Cup, moving the games they are contractually obliged to cover to BBC3/4 and ITV2/3/4...

Just a few toffs playing bat and ball in London to cover then for BBC, and we can get back to normal service...

Tennis? Are they toffs. And it is a racquet. Back to the sheep. Bahhhhh

 
  nice one skyeboy... are you home from school yet..
 
and they say true football fans arent ignorant... anymore racist comments you'd like to throw out there....  

[Duty281]

Can give a joke, but can't take one.

Bless.

[No9]

Can give a joke, but can't take one.

Bless.

Duty, that makes no sense and you know...

I may have thrown a bit of banter, but where's any racial based "joke" from me... the same cant be said the other way now can it...

Anyway... I'm off... Only visited this board to see if the "true" fan believed. Which Stella seemed to, so good on her (sorry if its a him)...

Most just seem to believe the media hype that England will win BECAUSE.... No logic or form, just the rose tinted (or Lion in this case) galsses...

Good luck to the true fan...

[The Special Juan]

Duty, I was reeled in by your enthusiasm for the Italy game and as a result, bet my kidney that England would win. I'm loathe to get drawn in again lad but you make such a compelling argument, I'm off to see if Ladbrokes will accept spleens

You need your spleen, it's important. I think they take lungs though.

[Guest]

I feared we wouldn't have any jealous, bitter Welshmen now that Steffan's gone temporarily! Relief.

Is there any other kind?

There's the delusional kind.

Careful both, these are getting close to insults.... I was just pointing out the blind faith the English have everytime there's a football tournament, and the reality of the fact they have only ever delivered ONCE... Part of me would like to see England win with the hope that 1966 can finally be but to sleep. However, I doubt that would happen, it would just start the comparisions between 1966 and the 2014 winners. So luckily, tonight a Uruguay win will put you out of your misery. Otherwise my sympathies in prelonging the inevitable pain.

(Oh... and calling me Steffan is a low blow..).

Ooh sorry precious, didn't realize you were so sensitive and if you don't want to be compared to Steffan, don't behave like him!

[skyeman]

We can still lose and qualify, given Italy win all their remaining games, so this isn't our last competitive game.

That's right, you keep the faith... keep that candle of hope flickering...

Prediction, England to lose 3-1, and BBC and ITV lose interest in covering the World Cup, moving the games they are contractually obliged to cover to BBC3/4 and ITV2/3/4...

Just a few toffs playing bat and ball in London to cover then for BBC, and we can get back to normal service...

Tennis? Are they toffs. And it is a racquet. Back to the sheep. Bahhhhh

 
  nice one skyeboy... are you home from school yet..
 
and they say true football fans arent ignorant... anymore racist comments you'd like to throw out there....  

Racist   Stereotypical maybe, it has been known, Bahhhhh.

[owen10ozzy]

To be fair Duty you were certain that pace and width would rule the day against the Italians and it didn't...due to the fact we didn't have pace down one flank...and down the other one we had a player who didn't know whether to push on, come inside or hold back a bit in order to help defensively. Do feel sorry for Welbeck the more I think about it...his instincts tell him to do one thing....his positions suggests he should do another and his actual role from Roy suggests he should do something completely different...must be a confused sole.

Think Uruguay will play a deep defensive line today and look to hit us on the counter. Whoever plays that 10 role is absolutely integral to us winning...more so than our wingers today. For me the player in that role needs to be drawing central defenders away thus creating gaps for Sturridge. Touch and vision will need to be absolutely spot on.

[owen10ozzy]

oh and predictions....

Columbia 2-2 Ivory Coast
Uruguay 2-1 England
Japan 2 vs 0 Greece

[Duty281]

But then I were certain that Sterling would be playing wide against Italy.

Different this time, and thankfully so! And Uruguay aren't in the same class as Italy, in fairness.

[owen10ozzy]

Duty you said Italy weren't that good and were an aging side with absolutely no pace or width. Both came from wide areas!   

Just read an article about Rooney and his record in competitive games. Posted how his goals have come and makes for interesting reading.

2004 European Champions Qualifiers: 2 goals in 6 games
Euro 2004: 4 goals in 4 games
2006 World Cup Qualifiers: 0 goals in 7 games
2006 World Cup Finals: 0 goals in 4 games
2008 European Championships Qualifiers: 2 goals in 6 games
2010 World Cup Qualifiers: 8 goals in 6 games
2010 World Cup Finals 0 goals in 4 games
2012 European Championships Qualifiers: 3 goals in 7 games
Euro 2012 Finals: 1 goal in 2 games
2014 World Cup Qualifiers 7 goals in 6 games

In major finals he has 5 goals in 14 games …4 came back in 2004….

28 goals in 56 competitive games – Is this World Class given that we have played the likes of Andorra, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Estonia, Liechtenstein, Estonia, San Marino, Azerbaijan

13 of those goals have come against the Kazakhstan, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Estonia, San Marino who he has played against a total of 13 times.

Leaving a record of 15 goals in 43 games against relatively poor to decent teams.

[ShankyCricket]

Comeeeeeee ONNNNNNNNNNnn ENglandddddddddddd!!!!!!!!!!

[ShankyCricket]

Suarez is playing. Our defence against Suarez?    

[Duty281]

Suarez is playing. Our defence against Suarez?    

He's not fully fit, everything will be fine.

[Duty281]

Duty you said Italy weren't that good and were an aging side with absolutely no pace or width. Both came from wide areas!  

Uruguay are slower...and older! Plus they shipped three to Costa Rica.

Key word for the evening: relax.

[owen10ozzy]

Fancy a friendly wager then Duty....a username change for the loser perhaps?

[Duty281]

Oh alright then.

[skyeman]

Change your name to Duty280 

[DirectView2]

I feared we wouldn't have any jealous, bitter Welshmen now that Steffan's gone temporarily! Relief.

Is there any other kind?

There's the delusional kind.

Careful both, these are getting close to insults.... I was just pointing out the blind faith the English have everytime there's a football tournament, and the reality of the fact they have only ever delivered ONCE... Part of me would like to see England win with the hope that 1966 can finally be but to sleep. However, I doubt that would happen, it would just start the comparisions between 1966 and the 2014 winners. So luckily, tonight a Uruguay win will put you out of your misery. Otherwise my sympathies in prelonging the inevitable pain.

(Oh... and calling me Steffan is a low blow..).

When I echoed similar sentiments I got banned.   

[owen10ozzy]

Nope the winner gets to choose the losers new username!

Good sport Duty!

[LastDamnation]

No changes?

[skyeman]

I feared we wouldn't have any jealous, bitter Welshmen now that Steffan's gone temporarily! Relief.

Is there any other kind?

There's the delusional kind.

Careful both, these are getting close to insults.... I was just pointing out the blind faith the English have everytime there's a football tournament, and the reality of the fact they have only ever delivered ONCE... Part of me would like to see England win with the hope that 1966 can finally be but to sleep. However, I doubt that would happen, it would just start the comparisions between 1966 and the 2014 winners. So luckily, tonight a Uruguay win will put you out of your misery. Otherwise my sympathies in prelonging the inevitable pain.

(Oh... and calling me Steffan is a low blow..).

When I echoed similar sentiments I got banned.   

When i saw your posts on a few of the pages that night, i was not surprised.

Did not go down too well on the tennis page did it?

[DirectView2]

I feared we wouldn't have any jealous, bitter Welshmen now that Steffan's gone temporarily! Relief.

Is there any other kind?

There's the delusional kind.

Careful both, these are getting close to insults.... I was just pointing out the blind faith the English have everytime there's a football tournament, and the reality of the fact they have only ever delivered ONCE... Part of me would like to see England win with the hope that 1966 can finally be but to sleep. However, I doubt that would happen, it would just start the comparisions between 1966 and the 2014 winners. So luckily, tonight a Uruguay win will put you out of your misery. Otherwise my sympathies in prelonging the inevitable pain.

(Oh... and calling me Steffan is a low blow..).

When I echoed similar sentiments I got banned.   

When i saw your posts on a few of the pages that night, i was not surprised.

Did not go down too well on the tennis page did it?

I was just casting my view, there is not even a controversy in it, in football thread posters like Duty argued with me ina very friendly polite and civil manner even though he didn't like my view points which was completely against England, I see posters in general are friendly in footy thread,anyways lets not derail this thread on my discussion.  

[Guest]

Suarez is playing. Our defence against Suarez?    

He's not fully fit, everything will be fine.

Indeed   

[owen10ozzy]

oh and predictions....

Columbia 2-2 Ivory Coast
Uruguay 2-1 England
Japan 2 vs 0 Greece

That's two England games I have called spot on now. Not bad for someone who talks garbage. Clearly my negativity (or as I like to call it willingness to accept our mistakes) give's me the ability to be rather insightful with my predictions.

Problem I have with Hodgson is he seems to see things so differently. He thinks we played well for 40 minutes of the first based on that?   

We were shoddy in the first could have been 2 or 3 one down...we came out sluggish in the 2nd (surely his job to get the boys up for it?) and could have conceded 2 early on. Then we got a foothold mainly because a) we had to push for it b) because Uruguay started to sit deeper.

Dixon is spot on there....Lallana should have been used more. The guy showed all year that he has technical ability and vision far beyond anything we have in the team and yet he got 30 minutes action. He was arguably the best English player in the Premiership last season..

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