The Official *England's Journey to Brazil 2014* Thread

by Duty281 Thu 09 Aug 2012, 6:51 pm

First topic message reminder :

"There is a forgotten, nay almost forbidden word, which means more to me than any other. That word is England."
Sir Winston Churchill

Yes, it's nearly that time. Time for England to begin their Qualifying Campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Those promising, encouraging, and brave displays witnessed during Euro 2012 will have to be built on as the long road to Brazil starts. Along the way, they will play in London, Podgorica, Kiev, Warsaw, Chisinau and Serravale. The aim is simply to top the group and make it to Brazil with a minimum of fuss.

"Ask any man what nationality he would prefer to be, and ninety nine out of a hundred will tell you that they would prefer to be Englishmen."
Cecil John Rhodes

England have been drawn in Group H with Montengro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova and San Marino. I don't even need to be insanely optimistic this time round. England will top that group. Moldova and San Marino will be the whipping boys. Montengro, Ukraine and Poland will only prove a challenge in their own ground. Wembley will be deemed a fortress.

"Remember that you are an Englishman, and have consequently won first place in the lottery of life."
Cecil John Rhodes

The fixture list for those Qualifiers is the following:

Moldova v England (7th September 2012)
England v Ukraine (11th September 2012)
England v San Marino (12th October 2012)
Poland v England (16th October 2012)
San Marino v England (22nd March 2013)
Montenegro v England (26th March 2013)
England v Moldova (6th September 2013)
Ukraine v England (10th September 2013)
England v Montenegro (11th October 2013)
England v Poland (15th October 2013)

Lovely, simple, finishing with a Wembley double-header. I predict we'll get 28 out of 30 points, perhaps getting a draw in either Warsaw or Kiev.

"Follow your spirit; and upon this charge,
Cry "God for Harry! England and Saint George"."
William Shakespeare

Of course, while England's fate will be defined by those 10 games, the ever important International Friendly will hone the team against more quality opposition. The friendlies currently scheduled are:

Italy v England (15th August 2012)
Sweden v England (14th November 2012)
England v Scotland (14th August 2013)

So let's get the England train rolling, starting on Wednesday, build up momentum before landing in Brazil in nearly 2 years time. Come on England!

“The English are so filled with their own greatness and have won so many big victories that they have come to believe they cannot lose. In battle they are the most confident nation in the world."
Unknown

by Duty281 Thu 03 Oct 2013, 2:16 pm

So we'll probably line-up:

Hart, Cole, Cahill, Jagielka, Walker, Wilshere, Gerrard, Carrick, Welbeck, Rooney, Milner.

by Guest Thu 03 Oct 2013, 3:14 pm

Hart, Cole, Cahill, Jagielka, Walker, Wilshere, Gerrard, Carrick, Welbeck, Rooney, Sturridge.

We need to win, we're at home for god sake. Why play Milner? Offers very little & showcases negativity. We should attack, just like Ukraine did against Montenegro & win by three or four like they did.

by nasisillmatic Thu 03 Oct 2013, 3:37 pm

Good to see Barkley and Townsend get in. I thought Barry might have been called up.

by NickisBHAFC Thu 03 Oct 2013, 3:45 pm

Ill go for

GK Forster (Hart deserves a slap)
RB Johnson
LB Baines
CB Cahill
CB Jagielka
RCM Barkley
CM Whilshere
LCM Gerrard
ARM Sturridge
ALM Wellbeck
ST Rooney

That said, i was impressed with Milner last night. Still wouldn't start him/

by Duty281 Thu 03 Oct 2013, 5:15 pm

Putting Sturridge on the right would be ineffective. Something about square pegs in round holes.

Milner on the right isn't necessarily negative. Must start Hart as well just for experience reasons.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Thu 03 Oct 2013, 9:00 pm

Milner I don't have a problem with, but for me in these two matches I wouldn't start him, we need our match winners out there, and Milner is more of a grafter/consistent performer.

by Trebs Thu 03 Oct 2013, 9:04 pm

Hart
Johnson Jagielka Cahill Cole
Lampard Carrick Cleverley
Wilshere Rooney Welbeck

Something like that for me, although I'd like to see Cole and Lampard dropped sooner rather than later.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Thu 03 Oct 2013, 9:07 pm

If we're starting Carrick and Cleverley in midfield we might as well hand in the towel and save 90,000 people turning up to see us beaten by some Eastern Europeans

by Guest Thu 03 Oct 2013, 9:26 pm

When has Wilshere played the right side of an attacking three? You ever watched England before? Carrick & Cleverley partnering each other in a home game??? How negative. Let's just not even turn up & send Montenegro the points in the post, save on the carbon footprint of them travelling over.

Why on earth are we even contemplating playing people like Milner or Cleverley. We should be attacking from minute one, with our expressive, attack-minded players. Ukraine did that & beat Montenegro 4-1, so why can't we? You play Milner & Cleverley & your basically inviting pressure & making the job even more difficult for yourselves.

by NickisBHAFC Thu 03 Oct 2013, 9:43 pm

Olly wrote:If we're starting Carrick and Cleverley in midfield we might as well hand in the towel and save 90,000 people turning up to see us beaten by some Eastern Europeans

So true!

by NickisBHAFC Thu 03 Oct 2013, 9:44 pm

onlytreblewinners wrote:

Hart
Johnson Jagielka Cahill Cole
Lampard Carrick Cleverley
Wilshere Rooney Welbeck

Something like that for me, although I'd like to see Cole and Lampard dropped sooner rather than later.

Why o why would we start Whilshere on the right wing laughing

by Duty281 Thu 03 Oct 2013, 9:51 pm

Wilshere on the right wing? Not something I'd be used to, I have to admit.

Carrick and Cleverley in the middle? For the love of God, no!

Wouldn't mind Rooney in midfield myself, and whack Sturridge up top.

by **Kenny** Thu 03 Oct 2013, 11:35 pm

Carrick and Cleverley shouldn't be anywhere near a England team neither are international class

it will be

Hart
Walker Jagielka Cahill Cole
Lampard Wiltshire Gerrard
Welbeck Rooney
Sturridge

by Duty281 Fri 04 Oct 2013, 4:42 pm

Roy Hodgson is on MOTD this Saturday. I wonder if there'll be any England chatter between him and Lineker?

As for next week, I think England will be fine. A few jitters perhaps, but I foresee some surprisingly comfortable wins for England. Experience will see England reach Brazil. That's why Hodgson must, and likely will, stick with Hart over Forster, Milner over Sturridge, and Cole over Baines.

Early predictions, might change them over the next week:

England 2-0 Montenegro
England 3-1 Poland.

by Guest Fri 04 Oct 2013, 5:06 pm

Duty281 wrote:Roy Hodgson is on MOTD this Saturday. I wonder if there'll be any England chatter between him and Lineker?

but I foresee some surprisingly comfortable wins for England.

Hodgson/Lineker met apparently or have resolved the issue & secondly should it be anything but a comfortable home win in front of inferior opposition, with realistically one good player from City & an inconsistant Vucinic. We should be smoking teams like this at home with pace & power.

by Duty281 Fri 04 Oct 2013, 6:47 pm

John wrote:
Duty281 wrote:Roy Hodgson is on MOTD this Saturday. I wonder if there'll be any England chatter between him and Lineker?

but I foresee some surprisingly comfortable wins for England.
Hodgson/Lineker met apparently or have resolved the issue & secondly should it be anything but a comfortable home win in front of inferior opposition, with realistically one good player from City & an inconsistant Vucinic. We should be smoking teams like this at home with pace & power.

Well I don't think it would be a surprisingly comfortable win, but a lot of people are tipping England to struggle for whatever reason. Montenegro might be tricky to break down at best, but I'm hoping that with the group situation they will come out and attack - playing into's England's hands.

by NickisBHAFC Fri 04 Oct 2013, 10:44 pm

onlytreblewinners wrote:

Hart
Johnson Jagielka Cahill Cole
Lampard Carrick Cleverley
Wilshere Rooney Welbeck

Something like that for me, although I'd like to see Cole and Lampard dropped sooner rather than later.

by Duty281 Sun 06 Oct 2013, 9:36 pm

So that's the weekend of PL football over. Injuries?

Ashley Cole is having a scan on a rib injury, and I would say after watching WBA-Arsenal that Jack Wilshere may be doubtful as well. Roy Hodgson will no doubt be hoping that no fresh injuries crop up during the week.

2 wins that's all. And you know what?

We're only 9 games away from World Cup glory! Wink

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun 06 Oct 2013, 9:50 pm

#Ravforrio

I'd like to see Rooney, Welbeck and Sturridge all play. No Townsend, as well as he's developing, I think those three could strike up a real understanding with game time. Interchanging positions wonderfully. With Rooney and Welbeck both hard workers, it leaves Sturridge as the man to use on the counter.

by **Hero** Sun 06 Oct 2013, 10:05 pm

Jeez imagine England taking out Rav, Rooney, Carroll, Sterling and Wilshere, we wouldn't need to worry about the fans causing trouble when the players themselves would probably smash up the City.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun 06 Oct 2013, 11:02 pm

Not sure any United players would even consider smashing City...

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun 06 Oct 2013, 11:06 pm

Ive got to say, England fans needn't be such whiny fiends. We may not produce a 25 man squad load of absolute quality, but we generally always have good players coming through. Rav, Barkley, Shaw, Berahino, Wilshere and more. Jones, Smalling, Caulker and Tomkins could quite calmly fill our 4 centre back spots in squads for the future. Hart, Forster and Ruddy are all young, whilst Butland develops.

Its made out like we just produce a cross between Peter Crouch and Titus Bramble to play in every position, and its nonsense

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun 06 Oct 2013, 11:14 pm

REDMOND

by **Hero** Sun 06 Oct 2013, 11:20 pm

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Ive got to say, England fans needn't be such whiny fiends. We may not produce a 25 man squad load of absolute quality, but we generally always have good players coming through. Rav, Barkley, Shaw, Berahino, Wilshere and more. Jones, Smalling, Caulker and Tomkins could quite calmly fill our 4 centre back spots in squads for the future. Hart, Forster and Ruddy are all young, whilst Butland develops.

Its made out like we just produce a cross between Peter Crouch and Titus Bramble to play in every position, and its nonsense

Yeah the Youth set up is bringing through some great talent compared to other nations.
Just take the recent u21 UEFA tournament where we erm came last in a group consisting of Italy, Norway and Israel losing every game.
Or the other recent u20 World Cup where we came last in a group of Egypt, Chile and the powerhouses of football Iraq.

Footballs coming home.

by Duty281 Sun 06 Oct 2013, 11:38 pm

Ah, English negativity. Only lost 2 competitive games in (near-enough) the last 6 years (one of which was when England had already qualified for the tournament in question, and the other was aided by Lampard's clear goal not being given) and we're struggling.

Interesting.

And in the last 2 years or so, we've beaten Spain, Italy, Belgium, and Brazil in friendlies, and drawn with France (England wrecked with injury) and Italy (should have had a clear pen in that one) in tournament football.

What a trial of torment and suffering!

by Duty281 Sun 06 Oct 2013, 11:42 pm

And I nearly forgot - we're struggling to qualify for the World Cup.

This despite being unbeaten and only conceding 3 goals in qualification (one toe-poke, one fabulous strike, and one I can't remember).

Horrible, horrible suffering.

Football's coming home? Damn right. Believe.

ROY HODGSON'S BARMY ARMY!

by **Hero** Sun 06 Oct 2013, 11:55 pm

I worry for you.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun 06 Oct 2013, 11:58 pm

I do agree with Dolph, for all the lambasting, there are some pretty good individuals coming through. It's just making them work in a team which is gonna be the problem.

Do feel we lack a proper quality striker coming through, Berahino doesn't look like one who can really fire us to the glorious days Duty longs for Wink

by NickisBHAFC Mon 07 Oct 2013, 12:43 am

Hero wrote:I worry for you.

by Duty281 Mon 07 Oct 2013, 9:26 am

- I thought the job was mine.
- Rodgers would have been my assistant.
- The FA don't have a clue.
- England would have passed the ball again.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2446792/HARRY-REDKNAPP-BOOK-EXCLUSIVE-The-FA-appoint-decent-England-manager-lives-depended-it.html

So says Harry Redknapp. Maybe if he out rightly stated his interest to be England manager, things may have turned out differently?

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Mon 07 Oct 2013, 12:29 pm

Redknapp's such a bell

by nasisillmatic Mon 07 Oct 2013, 3:34 pm

I'd have taken Redknapp over Hodgson. At least he might have taken a few chances and tried to play more bolder.

by NickisBHAFC Mon 07 Oct 2013, 3:54 pm

100% would of preferred Harry over Woy.

At least we might actually try and go for the win away at poor sides like Ukraine and Poland.

by Duty281 Mon 07 Oct 2013, 4:01 pm

If you wanted another Kevin Keegan, by all means pick 'Arry, the loveable cockney wideboy. It would have been exciting, but England wouldn't get very far.

If you want another Alf Ramsey, pick Hodgson. It may be dour at times, but England will go far under Hodgson. Indeed, they may go so far as to the World Cup trophy itself, and glorious victory in Brazil next summer. There would have been no chance of that under Redknapp.

by Guest Mon 07 Oct 2013, 4:05 pm

No doubt in my mind we would of been more offensive away from home. We should & could of done what Ukraine did to Montengro in this group but Roy's limited, negative tactics impeded us. Having not beat anyone other than San Marino or Moldova is just embarrassing, regardless of what talent we have.

Duty, you say we will go further with Roy than Harry????? Roy's taken us past San Marino & Moldova that's it. Friendly results mean nothing. I still think we'll qualify but it won't be pretty in the upcoming games or in Brazil where we will be handed a tough group and Roy will just setup for 1-0 wins.

by Duty281 Mon 07 Oct 2013, 4:08 pm

John wrote:No doubt in my mind we would of been more offensive away from home. We should & could of done what Ukraine did to Montengro in this group but Roy's limited, negative tactics impeded us. Having not beat anyone other than San Marino or Moldova is just embarrassing, regardless of what talent we have.

Duty, you say we will go further with Roy than Harry????? Roy's taken us past San Marino & Moldova that's it. Friendly results mean nothing. I still think we'll qualify but it won't be pretty in the upcoming games or in Brazil where we will be handed a tough group and Roy will just setup for 1-0 wins.

And he's taken us past Sweden and Ukraine don't forget, to a gallant quarter-final exit on penalties.

That's as good as any England manager has done in the last 15 years. And Roy Hodgson had a short time to prepare for the tournament, as well as having to combat several injuries to players.

by Duty281 Mon 07 Oct 2013, 11:58 pm

Ashley Cole has been ruled out of Friday's game against Montenegro with injury, so it'll be time for Baines to step up. England's greatest ever left-back may still feature against Poland though. Fingers crossed, although Baines is a more than decent replacement.

by **Kenny** Tue 08 Oct 2013, 12:04 am

losing Cole is a blow but Baines is more then capable of filling in plus he gives better options at set pieces .

by nasisillmatic Tue 08 Oct 2013, 10:03 am

Duty281 wrote:
John wrote:No doubt in my mind we would of been more offensive away from home. We should & could of done what Ukraine did to Montengro in this group but Roy's limited, negative tactics impeded us. Having not beat anyone other than San Marino or Moldova is just embarrassing, regardless of what talent we have.

Duty, you say we will go further with Roy than Harry????? Roy's taken us past San Marino & Moldova that's it. Friendly results mean nothing. I still think we'll qualify but it won't be pretty in the upcoming games or in Brazil where we will be handed a tough group and Roy will just setup for 1-0 wins.
And he's taken us past Sweden and Ukraine don't forget, to a gallant quarter-final exit on penalties.

That's as good as any England manager has done in the last 15 years. And Roy Hodgson had a short time to prepare for the tournament, as well as having to combat several injuries to players.

I disagree.

I'd say Sven done much better in World Cup 02 & Euro 2004. England were very unlucky to go out to Portugal on pens 04, and it was probably the last time we played well in a major competition with some good football.

by dummy_half Tue 08 Oct 2013, 11:14 am

Well, if we are going to lose a first choice player to injury, Ashley Cole is one that I mind least about - Baines is plenty good enough to cover and comes with the added bonuses of being in really good form and having a killer dead ball (the two free kicks the other week showed not just great execution but really good football intelligence).

I'm slightly nervous about qualification - can see us beating Montenegro relatively comfortably but then struggling through a nervous performance against Poland, perhaps clinging on to a one goal lead through the second half (while doing what we always do of sitting deeper and deeper, inviting the pressure).

Regarding the discussion about Hart's form, if Foster was fit there would be a good case for making a change, but with only the very inexperienced (at international level) Forster and Ruddy in the squad, I think unless Hart has an absolute shocker in the first match he will keep the shirt.

Team for me (assuming the 4-3-3 formation Roy seems to have favoured recently):
Hart
Walker-Jagielka-Cahill-Baines
Gerrard-Wilshire-Carrick
Rooney-Sturridge-Welbeck

Front 3 with lots of options to rotate positions, Wilshire playing in an attacking midfield role while Carrick and Stevie G mainly shield the defence and the width mainly coming from the two full backs. One alternative could be playing Phil Jones as the most defensive of the three midfielders, but that's probably a bit too negative (even if he has played well in that position for Man U on occasion).

by Duty281 Tue 08 Oct 2013, 2:56 pm

Well the media generally seem to be agreed that this will be the team for Friday:

Hart (GK) - Still England's first choice no.1, despite a patchy run of form and pressure mounting from Forster.

Walker (RB) - Will fill in because of Johnson's injury. Will be a big test for Walker over the next 2 games.

Cahill and Jagielka (CB) - Hodgson appears to be rather settled with his centre-back pairing. A good, not great, partnership at the heart of England's defence.

Baines (LB) - Will have an excellent chance to stake his claim for the no.3 shirt on Friday and (probably) Tuesday in the wake of Cole's injury. Baines has had a very decent start to the season, and will be a potent threat from set-pieces.

Milner (RM) - Reliable, trustworthy James will fill in because of the absence of Walcott. You can bet your house that he'll put in a good shift over the 2 games.

Gerrard and Wilshere (CM) - The master and the apprentice. The old and the new. The captain and the talisman. Roy's first choice centre midfield pairing will start together - it was these two that tore Brazil asunder back in February.

Welbeck (LM) - Always a troublesome spot for England to fill. After trying Downing, Young, and Oxlade, Hodgson appears to have chosen Welbeck as his first-choice for the left midfield.

Rooney (CF) - Back in form for his club, can he do it for England? And it does feel like we've been asking that question for a while! Will be playing just behind Sturridge, and will link the midfield and attack together.

Sturridge (ST) - All set to lead the attack for his country after a brilliant start to the season for Liverpool, where's he been knocking the goals in for fun. Has an excellent chance to prove to Roy that he can be England's no.9 in Brazil.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 09 Oct 2013, 11:04 pm

Sky Sports News ‏@SkySportsNews
FA commission members: Greg Dyke, Roger Burden, Howard Wilkinson, Ritchie Humphreys, Greg Clarke, Glenn Hoddle, Dario Gradi & Danny Mills

Happy to see the likes of Gradi and Hoddle on there, proper football people. Gradi knows a thing or two about bringing through youth don't he!

Wtf is Danny Mills on there for lol

by NickisBHAFC Wed 09 Oct 2013, 11:14 pm

Isn't Ritchie Humphreys a failed league one player? How is he on there Laugh

by Duty281 Thu 10 Oct 2013, 12:47 pm

Let's have a look at some statistics:

Average pass completion % for England, under their last 3 managers:

Steve McClaren - 80.8%
Fabio Capello - 82.3%
Roy Hodgson - 83.9%

Percentage of long passes attempted by England:

Steve McClaren - 15.5%
Fabio Capello - 14.3%
Roy Hodgson - 11.2%

Average successful passes per game (short and long):

Steve McClaren - 395
Fabio Capello - 407
Roy Hodgson - 433

by Duty281 Thu 10 Oct 2013, 12:48 pm

All stats courtesy of OPTA.

by Guest Thu 10 Oct 2013, 1:55 pm

these stats are just b*******. Every national team has basically tried to transition their football from long ball to a pass & move style of football in which Spain, Germany or Barcelona try to play over recent years. Roy's done nothing. Okay, we're playing more football on the ground, wow! Has it helped us beat anyone decent in serious competitive games? No. We've beaten San Marino & Moldova. Pointless.

by Duty281 Thu 10 Oct 2013, 1:58 pm

Just a gentle poke to those critics who claim that England are a long-ball team, or that England don't pass the ball enough.

by nasisillmatic Thu 10 Oct 2013, 2:04 pm

Stats are not really to be taken seriously in football, they don't tell the whole truth.

Most of them completed passes could be in our own half, with defenders passing it amongst themselves.

Its results that really matter.

by Duty281 Fri 11 Oct 2013, 10:42 am

The BBC's chief football writer has come to the astounding conclusion that the next 2 England games will have "footballing consequences".

First-rate journalism!

by **owen10ozzy** Fri 11 Oct 2013, 11:35 am

How many of those passes are either going backwards or to the side. I would hazard a guess that the majority are. They also don't take into consideration the fact that England pass the ball much more once we are ahead. Passing it side to side and inviting pressure before booting it clear if it comes near our box.

Saw this on skysports this morning, say what you want about Joey Barton but the guy really does talk sense! Great read for anyone with 5 mins spare.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12016/8967149/joey-barton-no-england-golden-generation-and-sir-alex-ferguson-wasnt-a-great-coach

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