England V Italy

[MPH]

Buffon to miss out.

 

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/14/injured-gianluigi-buffon-italy-england-world-cup?CMP=twt_gu

I smell BS. I reckon he'll play. The games have started already....

[ScouseFox]

yeah they'll be playing games trying to trick us because they know that's the only way they aren't going to get battered tonight 

[VLC86]

Power nap for 20 mins you'll be fine!

Couldn't agree more. Iv had my tactical siesta and hopefully will now be able to watch the Ivory Coast V Japan match

[Ric Flair]

I've had 11 bottles of Peroni if anyone's counting. Piss off your fcukin horrible meatball stained poltis's. The end

[ScouseFox]

     

[VLC86]

I've had 11 bottles of Peroni if anyone's counting. Piss off your fcukin horrible meatball stained poltis's. The end

You can't hate Italians that much drinking that

[whoareyaaa]

I think there will be a bit of a surprise with our line up, can see Sterling and maybe Barkley starting.

 

Think we have enough quality to win tonight 2-0. Sterling,Sturidge

[Jon the Hat]

No Peroni in my house, bombardier and tribute all the way.

I might be in pizza express eating antipasto and pizza while drinking prosecco though. Prego !

I think there will be a bit of a surprise with our line up, can see Sterling and maybe Barkley starting.

Think we have enough quality to win tonight 2-0. Sterling,Sturidge

I really hope so.

[kingfox]

Sterling starts

[Fox in the North]

Anyone watching the game in lugbug?

[Danno]

Expected line up:

Hart

Johnson

Jagielka

Cahill

Baines

Gerrard

Henderson

Sterling

Rooney

Welbeck

Sturridge

[Corky]

Like that. Pace of Sterling to start and good options in Barkley and Lallana to come on if required.

[Jon the Hat]

Wellbeck is a donkey, otherwise perfect.

[StanSP]

I like that. Glad at least one of Sterling/Barkley got a start. Says to Italy that we won't back off and just soak up pressure/play for a draw. You wouldn't want to waste Sterling. 

[Nalis]

Pace will frighten Italy.

Sticking my neck out for 4-1 England...

[RowlattsFox]

Got to fancy us on the counter attack with that pace. Interesting to see whether it's Rooney behind Sturridge or will sterling play there meaning one of welbeck or Rooney have to play on the right.

[purpleronnie]

Going forward looks good but the defence =   

[StanSP]

Going forward looks good but the defence =   

 

I'm more confident of Cahill handling Balotelli better than Jagielka. 

What's Italy's starting line-up anyway?

[ScouseFox]

Yes Raheem. We have got this sorted all day I think we are gonna twat these bellends

I'm gonna lash loads of pizza round town win or lose

[MPH]

We will have to outplay Italy to beat them- cant rely on luck at all. Luck has never been on Englands side.

 

 

In fact we are as unlucky as someone who's a Siamese twin ..who's brother is gay and you share the same bum hole.

 

 

 

REALLY unlucky

[Fox in the North]

The only thing that irritates me about that line up is that Barkley misses out.

[StanSP]

Italy team:

Sirigu; Chiellini, Barzagli, Paletta, Darmian; De Rossi; Verratti, Pirlo, Marchisio; Candreva; Balotelli.

 

Who are Paletta and Darmian? Any good?!

[MPH]

Need to put their keeper under pressure early on.....

[martyn]

Sirigu is no mug.

 

Italy have loaded their side with central midfielders. Don't think we'll see much of the ball..

[BlueSi13]

If that line-up is correct that it just proves that Rooney is now undroppable so it's pointless even getting upset about it.

 

Hopeful but also realistic, nothing has suggested to me that we will threaten this world cup.  All I want to see is some positive ATTACKING football tonight.  There is little pressure on us so why not have a go?  If we get thumped by three or four then who cares?  Our young players will have learnt a hell of a lot more about themselves and what it takes to win at this level doing that instead of sitting back, surrendering the ball and clinging on attempting to avoid defeat.