The build-up to World Cup 2014 Thread

[scaramanga]

am I just blinkered or has Wheelchair been dollop?

He's a girly Jenas.

 

[Baleforce]

Yet when England inevitably fail it will be because of the Man U players, not because Sturridge is this years Darren Bent, Lallananana, Henderson and Lambert are average plodders, Gerrard is an egotistical glory hunter trying to grab the headline goal and Glen Johnson is Glen Johnson.

if I wasn't on my phone I'd post that Morgan freeman pic

 

[milo]

So we've just failed to beat 10 men who lost 4-0 to Israel and you're happy with the result.

We had no cutting edge, no right back and when the subs came on you realise we have no depth in the squad.

If we continue to play like this we'll finish the group with 1 point nd be on the first plane home.

It's a warm up game, like a preseason friendly, the preparation and improved fitness is more important than the result.

I think that England will do well to get out of the group but I am more positive about our chances than I was a month ago. We are all aware of the weaknesses in the squad, particularly in our defence. On the plus side, it is a young squad with plenty of options going forward and in Barkley, Sinclair and Oxlade-Chamberlin we have some genuinely exciting players who should really benefit from the experience of going to a world cup.

 

[Baleforce]

I agree, I still think Italy are the class of the group but I can't see a lot between us and Uruguay now, 12 months ago my thoughts were very different. I worry the Suarez injury may distract though, Cavani is the one who frightens me.

 

[El Guepardo]

Uruguay will get off to the best start with maximum points against Costa Rica. This then puts pressure on England to get a result v Uruguay in the following fixture. As it's unlikely that England will beat Italy, then England will have to beat Uruguay!!

Otherwise, if England lose...England are out. If England draw, Uruguay will have 4 points to England's 1 or 0. Italy could have 6 at this stage, if they have beaten England. This could lead to Italy relaxing v Uruguay and suddenly England beating Costa Rica is futile as far as qualifying goes. Italy relax and draw the last group game v Uruguay, leaving Uruguay on 5 points, Italy on 7 and England on 4.

So England HAVE to beat Uruguay. Can they do it? For my part of the sweepstake, I'll say no. As an England fan, I have to hope so!!

 

[Mumorn]

Can Valbuena ever be pictured at an acceptable height?

 

[Mumorn]

I think Italy and England will qualify. But just to go on about pre-World Cup games, I believe Italy struggled before 06 and they went on to win the tournament. I remember a certain Germany actually getting ripped apart 5-1 by England in a QUALIFIER back before 2002 WC and they reached the final.. I think Italy will get to the semis personally.

 

[Mumorn]

:ross:

 

[THFC6061]

Can Valbuena ever be pictured at an acceptable height?

Mathieu Valbuena at 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) is a comparative giant compared to Tottenham's tiny winger Fanny Walden (5 ft 2 in).

Walden still holds the record for being Spurs & England's smallest player...

 

[Baleforce]

:ross:

Ross indeed

 

[scaramanga]

It occurred to me watching England last night that we don't have a single world class player.
Maybe Rooney on a really good day with the rest of the front 6 built around him could just be there.

We must be the only one of the top teams (in our eyes only) not to have a world class player.

 

[milo]

It occurred to me watching England last night that we don't have a single world class player.
Maybe Rooney on a really good day with the rest of the front 6 built around him could just be there.

We must be the only one of the top teams (in our eyes only) not to have a world class player.

I agree that we do not have a world class player but I am not sure that is an impediment to reaching the knock out stages if the team has balance and work for each other. In fact, I think having a star player has impeded England in the past because the weight of expectation gets too much.

 

[scaramanga]

I agree that we do not have a world class player but I am not sure that is an impediment to reaching the knock out stages if the team has balance and work for each other. In fact, I think having a star player has impeded England in the past because the weight of expectation gets too much.

I can't think of a single team that has much of a chance who doesn't have a world class player. I think at this level of competition you need at least one special player to succeed.

 

[Baleforce]

Rooney gets some stick (plenty of it justified) but it's been evident in the last week how much more time he makes for himself on the ball than the rest of our players.

 

[Neymar]

during the mid-2000's, england were arguably the team with the most worldclass players. maybe this time will be better.

 

[milo]

I can't think of a single team that has much of a chance who doesn't have a world class player. I think at this level of competition you need at least one special player to succeed.

I wouldn't include England in that group

 

[El Guepardo]

during the mid-2000's, england were arguably the team with the most worldclass players. maybe this time will be better.

With the most over hyped players, certainly, but the most World Class players? No.

 

[Baleforce]

With the most over hyped players, certainly, but the most World Class players? No.

I dunno, what would it have cost to buy that 2002 squad, or the Euro 2004 squad for that matter.

Owen, Scholes, Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney, Campell, Cole, Seaman, Mcmanaman, the Neville's. All at the height of their (very successful) careers, most of them won the European cup. They were an embarrassment of riches compared to now.

 

[milo]

:ross:

:ross:

 

[Mumorn]

It occurred to me watching England last night that we don't have a single world class player.
Maybe Rooney on a really good day with the rest of the front 6 built around him could just be there.

We must be the only one of the top teams (in our eyes only) not to have a world class player.

Potentially world class though, which isn't a bad thing.