Matt Posted 12 May 2014 Posted 12 May 2014 I'm excited by the potential in midfield but that is outweighed by the relative shitness of the defence. Despite what I said in my post above I have to agree with this although I had alluded to this fact by saying Smalling and Jones should be no-where near the team and Flanagan should be in the squad with ease.
Bert Posted 12 May 2014 Posted 12 May 2014 Time to get behind the lads. Not long until the media start reporting a scandal that's going to rock preparations....
Tielemans63 Posted 12 May 2014 Posted 12 May 2014 Despite what I said in my post above I have to agree with this although I had alluded to this fact by saying Smalling and Jones should be no-where near the team and Flanagan should be in the squad with ease.Agree with you there. I don't so much have a problem with Jones, I just think Smalling is horribly overrated. I'm also not a big fan of Jagielka tbh but he's the best of a bad bunch I guess.Good point about Euro 2012. We did do well at times there. It gets forgotten about but I remember thinking that we were awesome in that first half against Italy. It was only in the second half having not scored that we seemed to lose confidence.
Finnegan Posted 12 May 2014 Posted 12 May 2014 About time Shawcross stopped pretending to be English like his Flintshire traitor pal, Owen, and joined the cause. The enemy don't want you, son.
Ric Flair Posted 12 May 2014 Posted 12 May 2014 Good options in midfield but I'd be amazed if we don't find ourselves in serious problems against quality opposition. Thankfully the Italians aren't as strong as they were a few years ago but Uruguay will be a right battle. Our defence has always been our strongest area but it's truly horrible now. I'd be tempted to play Milner at right back, he's far better defensively than Johnson and Smalling. My line-up would be Hart Milner (won't happen) so Johnson Cahill Jagielka (bet of a bad bunch) Baines (think he's mediocre at best) Gerrard Henderson Sterling Barkley Sturridge Rooney For all Welbecks horrible displays for United in the last 2 seasons he's one of those rare ayers who is much better for country than club, like David Healy was for Northern Ireland. I'd back him to change a game if needs be. Lallana is quality and perhaps he deserves to start over Barkley but I feel Ross is going to light it up this summer.
notnow john Posted 12 May 2014 Posted 12 May 2014 About time Shawcross stopped pretending to be English like his Flintshire traitor pal, Owen, and joined the cause. The enemy don't want you, son. Nor does Aaron Ramsey!
Jimothy Posted 12 May 2014 Posted 12 May 2014 Good options in midfield but I'd be amazed if we don't find ourselves in serious problems against quality opposition. Thankfully the Italians aren't as strong as they were a few years ago but Uruguay will be a right battle. Our defence has always been our strongest area but it's truly horrible now. I'd be tempted to play Milner at right back, he's far better defensively than Johnson and Smalling. My line-up would be Hart Milner (won't happen) so Johnson Cahill Jagielka (bet of a bad bunch) Baines (think he's mediocre at best) Gerrard Henderson Sterling Barkley Sturridge Rooney For all Welbecks horrible displays for United in the last 2 seasons he's one of those rare ayers who is much better for country than club, like David Healy was for Northern Ireland. I'd back him to change a game if needs be. Lallana is quality and perhaps he deserves to start over Barkley but I feel Ross is going to light it up this summer. Only major change I'd make in that is putting Sturridge up to and moving Rooney back to either the central role behind the striker, or out left where you have Sturridge. Sturridge simply isn't effective out there, he's best as an out and out striker, Rooney can be effective from anywhere. You'll still get a lot from Rooney dropping him back, whereas Sturridge will be totally lost.
Finnegan Posted 12 May 2014 Posted 12 May 2014 Nor does Aaron Ramsey! Pretty sure he'd get over it! Was absolutely amazed that Ramsey was actually consulted when Shawcross was considered last. Shawcross IS Welsh. Fvck Ramsey's permission.
Guest MattP Posted 12 May 2014 Posted 12 May 2014 Just join up with us Finners you know you want too. We'll play the odd friendly in Cardiff as well so you can all get your fix.
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 12 May 2014 Posted 12 May 2014 Gary Cahill has been appallingly under rated in this thread by many, he's had a brilliant season!
Fox92 Posted 12 May 2014 Posted 12 May 2014 Not long until the media start reporting a scandal that's going to rock preparations.... I said the same last week. Rooney, Gerrard, Cole (I know he's out of this one now) are the usual targets, sadly.
Grandad. Posted 12 May 2014 Posted 12 May 2014 Sturrdige has played behind suarez a lot this season rather than up top with him, so he's familiar with the role. Er, no he hasn't. Anyway from the squad, my eleven v Italy would be: Hart Johnson -- Cahill -- Jagielka -- Baines Gerrard Henderson ------------ Lallana Sterling Rooney --------- Sturridge That is setting up the way Liverpool have played since March this season, with relatively good success, makes more sense to play this way with 3 of the midfielders playing for Liverpool this year. Even though he is a Liverpool player, I personally would like to see Glen Johnson out of the side and if there was another good right back in the side then I would have chosen him, like Ric Flair said, I would like to see Milner at right back, would do that v Cost Rica. If Phil Jones can't make the squad then I would expect to see Stones called up instead of Flanaldo, would leave us with just the three centre backs and with one of them being Chris Smalling, just indicates even more how weak we are in this area, only Cahill is who I would say I think has real class at centre half. Tried really hard not to comment on the Baines, Cole and Shaw saga but I can see why Cole isn't in the squad, think he is our best defender by a mile and I also think Shaw should be going after the season he has had and experience will only benefit him. Baines maybe a better attacking full back than Cole but as a defender your main priority is to defend, is Baines going to take set pieces over Gerrard? No. If Cole had played all season then I don't think Baines would be going, seriously. If Sturridge and Rooney can get some kind of partnership going then we could have a very good strike force for years to come, problem could be if Rooney goes to deep and doesn't get in the areas where Suarez would be, before Sturridge's partnership with Suarez, Sturridge preferred playing alone upfront, they need to hit it off early or it could be a disaster.
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 13 May 2014 Posted 13 May 2014 The thought of Sterling buzzing about behind Rooney and Sturridge is making me perilously close to thinking we could actually cause some problems in Brazil.
kingcarr21 Posted 13 May 2014 Posted 13 May 2014 Yeah Rooney has been awful this season with his 17 goals and 10 assists. Yes he's not performed in previous international tournaments but neither have England so don't judge him by that. Judge him on what he has done this season, and being England's second highest scorer this season he deserves his place in the starting line up. Personally i'd play this: Hart Johnson cahill jagielka baines Gerrard henderson Sturrdige barkley lallana Rooney Sturrdige has played behind suarez a lot this season rather than up top with him, so he's familiar with the role. And depending on any of the front four who are not performing bring on sterling, ox, wilshere and change the positions slightly depending on who is coming off. What i meant by depressing was that the other players look exciting and i genuinely cant wait to see them at the world cup. Weve had Rooney for 10 years now and done minimal at major tournaments therefore im not excited about taking him. He has had a decent season on a personal level.
Big_Nige Posted 13 May 2014 Posted 13 May 2014 Hart Johnson - Cahill - Jagielka - Baines Gerrard - Henderson Sterling - Barkley - Lallana Sturridge This, Would love that team. It actually excites me for a change. I have no expectations, I just hope we give it a good go.
Ric Flair Posted 13 May 2014 Posted 13 May 2014 The thought of Sterling buzzing about behind Rooney and Sturridge is making me perilously close to thinking we could actually cause some problems in Brazil. It's the vision of Barkley ripping through the oppositions half and Lallana just constantly making positive passes in to Sturridge and Rooney that has got me a little bit confident. The defence is horrible, full stop. Teams with a poor defence can only survive if they have an exceptional midfield and attack and in the past we've shown we struggle to keep hold of the ball and if that proves to be the case again this summer then it's curtains again. However, what a season Gerrard, Henderson, Lallana, Barkley and Sterling have had. They have all played in teams that have consistently had more than 60% of the possession in games and that is massive for us. They are used to retaining the ball, which if the midfield can do it'll mean Rooney doesn't have to try and drop deeper and deeper where he can become a liability. I think the most important part of our team is the two holding midfielders, that's why i'd go for Henderson alongside Gerrard rather than Wilshere even if he proves his fitness. Those two have been superb this season and if they can win that battle against the top teams then we have a chance for our creative midfielders do really do some damage. Sterling is a joy to watch these last 5 months and he's fearless. Ox has proven he's not fazed at this level and i've no doubt he'll hit the ground running again now he's over his injury. Ross Barkley just has something unteachable about him, the way he glides over the turf from midfield is unlike anything we've seen in the centre of midfield in the 3 lions shirt for nearly 20 years. That man was 23 when he light it up in Italy and it's naughty to expect a 19 year old to do the same but he's come on so much this season and his versatility is very Gazza-esque. Lallana won't let us down either, the lad just never gives the ball away. Got to be one of the best passers in the Premier League and his movement will unsettle the opposition. If I was Hodgson i'd be spending as much time as possible with Sturridge when they get together. I'd be revving that bastard up like you wouldn't believe. He's an arrogant sod and he needs his ego stroking, i'd be making him feel a million dollars so that he's ready for the World Cup. So far he's been a bit erratic for England, snatching at shots when at club level he has a remarkable ability to score all manner of goals. Quite simply Rooney has to turn up, the whole world has waited a decade for him to perform on the biggest stage. He's had a dreadful run of luck with injuries in 2006 and 2010 and it wasn't his fault the whole country relied upon him but the excuses end there. If he wants to be looked upon as one of the worlds greats then this has got to be his year. I've found he's slowly starting to prosper under Hodgson under the radar a bit and let's hope it'll all come together next month. As regard to our actual chances of progressing it's a tough group we're in and I feel the Italy game is absolutely massive. You never want to lose the opening game but certainly not when you face a formidable opponent in Uruguay in the 2nd game when another defeat and it's all over. Italy are horrible to play against and break down but they aren't as good as they were when we took them to penalties 2 years ago, we have better creativity in our team now and I think we will beat them. Looking past the group stages we look to have a slightly easier selection of teams to face in the last 16, where it's likely to be either Ivory Coast or Greece/Japan. I'd back us to beat all 3 but obviously Ivory Coast have some very, very good players. Would our defence be able to with stand the power of Yaya? I'd just get James Milner in to read him a story before kick off. The quarter finals is where it gets very, very tricky. There's no point in even looking much past the last 16 anyway but peaking through trembling hands it'd be Spain, Holland or Brazil. However, if things go to plan in the 4 games before the quarter finals then we'll have grown as a team so much that confidence will be sky high and we'll be a match for anyone. Blind hope, ay? You can't beat it.
ScouseFox Posted 13 May 2014 Posted 13 May 2014 just play like liverpool and we are sorted. their defence is as bad as england's and they nearly won the league. we've got most their attackers so set up the same, rooney turns up and we've got this won. everyone else may as well just not even go.
AyewJoking Posted 13 May 2014 Posted 13 May 2014 just play like liverpool and we are sorted. their defence is as bad as england's and they nearly won the league. we've got most their attackers so set up the same, rooney turns up and we've got this won. everyone else may as well just not even go. would they give us the trophy if we were the only nation to actually turn up?
ScouseFox Posted 13 May 2014 Posted 13 May 2014 would they give us the trophy if we were the only nation to actually turn up? knowing fifa probably not. they probably won't give us it if we win it.
Grandad. Posted 19 May 2014 Posted 19 May 2014 The boys are off to Portugal for their training camp, how long are they out there for? Kieran Gibbs, Daniel Sturridge and Jack Wilshire on the plane..
foxfanazer Posted 19 May 2014 Posted 19 May 2014 The boys are off to Portugal for their training camp, how long are they out there for? Kieran Gibbs, Daniel Sturridge and Jack Wilshire on the plane.. GibbsI like it
kingcarr21 Posted 19 May 2014 Posted 19 May 2014 The boys are off to Portugal for their training camp, how long are they out there for? Kieran Gibbs, Daniel Sturridge and Jack Wilshire on the plane.. haha im not falling for your shenanigans again
Dan Posted 20 May 2014 Posted 20 May 2014 It's the vision of Barkley ripping through the oppositions half and Lallana just constantly making positive passes in to Sturridge and Rooney that has got me a little bit confident. The defence is horrible, full stop. Teams with a poor defence can only survive if they have an exceptional midfield and attack and in the past we've shown we struggle to keep hold of the ball and if that proves to be the case again this summer then it's curtains again. However, what a season Gerrard, Henderson, Lallana, Barkley and Sterling have had. They have all played in teams that have consistently had more than 60% of the possession in games and that is massive for us. They are used to retaining the ball, which if the midfield can do it'll mean Rooney doesn't have to try and drop deeper and deeper where he can become a liability. I think the most important part of our team is the two holding midfielders, that's why i'd go for Henderson alongside Gerrard rather than Wilshere even if he proves his fitness. Those two have been superb this season and if they can win that battle against the top teams then we have a chance for our creative midfielders do really do some damage. Sterling is a joy to watch these last 5 months and he's fearless. Ox has proven he's not fazed at this level and i've no doubt he'll hit the ground running again now he's over his injury. Ross Barkley just has something unteachable about him, the way he glides over the turf from midfield is unlike anything we've seen in the centre of midfield in the 3 lions shirt for nearly 20 years. That man was 23 when he light it up in Italy and it's naughty to expect a 19 year old to do the same but he's come on so much this season and his versatility is very Gazza-esque. Lallana won't let us down either, the lad just never gives the ball away. Got to be one of the best passers in the Premier League and his movement will unsettle the opposition. If I was Hodgson i'd be spending as much time as possible with Sturridge when they get together. I'd be revving that bastard up like you wouldn't believe. He's an arrogant sod and he needs his ego stroking, i'd be making him feel a million dollars so that he's ready for the World Cup. So far he's been a bit erratic for England, snatching at shots when at club level he has a remarkable ability to score all manner of goals. Quite simply Rooney has to turn up, the whole world has waited a decade for him to perform on the biggest stage. He's had a dreadful run of luck with injuries in 2006 and 2010 and it wasn't his fault the whole country relied upon him but the excuses end there. If he wants to be looked upon as one of the worlds greats then this has got to be his year. I've found he's slowly starting to prosper under Hodgson under the radar a bit and let's hope it'll all come together next month. As regard to our actual chances of progressing it's a tough group we're in and I feel the Italy game is absolutely massive. You never want to lose the opening game but certainly not when you face a formidable opponent in Uruguay in the 2nd game when another defeat and it's all over. Italy are horrible to play against and break down but they aren't as good as they were when we took them to penalties 2 years ago, we have better creativity in our team now and I think we will beat them. Looking past the group stages we look to have a slightly easier selection of teams to face in the last 16, where it's likely to be either Ivory Coast or Greece/Japan. I'd back us to beat all 3 but obviously Ivory Coast have some very, very good players. Would our defence be able to with stand the power of Yaya? I'd just get James Milner in to read him a story before kick off. The quarter finals is where it gets very, very tricky. There's no point in even looking much past the last 16 anyway but peaking through trembling hands it'd be Spain, Holland or Brazil. However, if things go to plan in the 4 games before the quarter finals then we'll have grown as a team so much that confidence will be sky high and we'll be a match for anyone. Blind hope, ay? You can't beat it. Great read I think the World Cup's come at the ideal time for a lot of England's side. A lot of them hitting form at exactly the right kind of time. I will be really, really disappointed if we're as uninspiring as usual because we really shouldn't be.
Donut Posted 20 May 2014 Posted 20 May 2014 The boys are off to Portugal for their training camp, how long are they out there for? Kieran Gibbs, Daniel Sturridge and Jack Wilshire on the plane.. That aint Kieran Gibbs. Unless im missing the joke, which wouldnt be unlikely.
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