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

[Duty281]

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

[mystiroakey]

Smalling has contracted whatever cleverly has been suffering from..

Those two need rehab not an england trip

[Duty281]

He's only having a look at most of these players.

Relax!

Has he had his eyes closed this season?

This friendly is just for the fringe players. Relax.

Hodgson's got this in the palm of his hand - he probably wants to give Young, at the very least, a kick up the backside.

I wouldn't doubt Roy Hodgson where the English football team is concerned.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Cleverly, Young and Smalling are poor players in shocking form.

What's the point of picking them ahead of guys who are good form for their clubs (the Nobles, Flanagan's, Redmond's of this world).

What sort of a message does that send out??

"Oh don't matter how good you play, you play for a rubbish team but these guys who play for the good teams will get in despite being absolute dog turd"

[Duty281]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONrMDovIY7g

Clap, sing and whistle along!

Remember when...Hodgson led England to a victory abroad, and England scored three goals in one game of a major tournament for the first time in eight years!

[mystiroakey]

He's only having a look at most of these players.

Relax!

Has he had his eyes closed this season?

This friendly is just for the fringe players. Relax.

Hodgson's got this in the palm of his hand - he probably wants to give Young, at the very least, a kick up the backside.

I wouldn't doubt Roy Hodgson where the English football team is concerned.

young can at least win the odd free kick/pen by cheating- its the other two i have serious issues over.

[Duty281]

Ashley Young was inches away on two occasions from putting England into their first semi-final for sixteen years. #forgottenfact

[Guest]

Cleverley…....oh my days. Roy you are clueless.

[Duty281]

England squad to face Denmark: Fraser Forster, Ben Foster, Joe Hart, John Ruddy.

Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Steven Caulker, Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker.

Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Raheem Sterling, Andros Townsend, Jack Wilshere.

Jermain Defoe, Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Daniel Welbeck.

[Duty281]

It's a big squad, with some injuries becoming prevalent.

As I say, some fringe players who wont have a hope of making Brazil are in.

Good to make sure though.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

We win 4 in a row and can't get a player in the squad.

This is why fans have fallen out of love with the national side. There's a big team bias and its boring.

One aside - Caulker?! Yeah, Cardiff have been great at the back lately. Not like there's another young English defender in a defence that can match Chelsea for clean sheets. Never mind Tomkins, he plays for Big Sam so must be bad.

Defoe is in Frak Canada, Lambert is on a dire run of form.

Nobes is probably the most in-form English midfielder, but its alright Woy can get a nice look at Lampard.

I suspect Carroll won't be making the World Cup squad either.

[nasisillmatic]

I've no idea how Cleverley is picked, I'd have took Nolan & Britton before him. I'm sure there's a few more who should be ahead of him too.

Not quite sure how you can take Johnson before Flanagan either. He's displaced him from his own spot in the Liverpool team.

Defoe??? WTF

[Stella]

I have no problem with Defoe playing, and going to Brazil. He's arguably our best finisher, and would rather have him come off the bench than Lambert, or Rodriguez.

[NickisBHAFC]

Tom Cleverly, Jermaine Defoe WTF!!!

What the Frak have they done to merit a call up. Complete joke. If anyone has seen Cleverly play recently, they will see a player who is miles out of his dept and isn't even good enough to be a passenger in a good side.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Townsend over Redmond????

Give me a break

[mystiroakey]

I think noble 100% deserved a look. He has balls. I like his no nonsesne play.

Redmond maybe hasn't played enough- one to keep part of the under 21's, and has been picked in that squad today. so that is why he isnt there. I think its the right play to be honest. Southgate probably spoke to hodgson about keeping him

Townsend although is in bad form i think just deserves to be looked at again due to his heroics last year.

[Guest]

dont get the point of 4 goalkeepers and 6 strikers for one friendly!!

[mystiroakey]

its more of a training camp i suppose CF.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I think noble 100% deserved a look. He has balls. I like his no nonsesne play.

Redmond maybe hasn't played enough- one to keep part of the under 21's, and has been picked in that squad today. so that is why he isnt there. I think its the right play to be honest. Southgate probably spoke to hodgson about keeping him

Townsend although is in bad form i think just deserves to be looked at again due to his heroics last year.

I could understand the thinking if someone like Lennon was in ahead, cos at least he's doing OK recently. But Townsend? Cmon man just cos he hit like one or two good shots 6 months ago doesn't make him a good player.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

At least Big John is in to take his rightful place as England's number two

[mystiroakey]

Well i have been arguing against townsend for the last few weeks, He is shocking on form.. I hope to god he doesnt start. But you can understand roy may believe he rather than totenham can get the best out of him..

[mystiroakey]

Townsends purple month has probally negatively affected him.

He started back at Tottenham and kept going for long range shots.. which only came of once. He was bigged up by the media and it probally got to him..

Personally on current form I would go for Routledge in the squad over Townsend. Playing really nicely at Swansea..

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Mysti who u got a bigger boner for zaha or routledge?

[mystiroakey]

I like them both lado.

ANyway- Even you must agree he has deserved a place over others!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I'd take Ryan Tunnicliffe ahead of freakin Townsend

[mystiroakey]

ermmm..

AT least Townsend is proven. But come on admit Routledge has played decent and in good form..

[LastDamnation]

Townsends purple month has probally negatively affected him.

He started back at Tottenham and kept going for long range shots.. which only came of once. He was bigged up by the media and it probally got to him..

Personally on current form I would go for Routledge in the squad over Townsend. Playing really nicely at Swansea..

By month, I presume you meant week?

[mystiroakey]

Month week day year hour whatever.. You get the just..

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Townsend > Redmond so far. Sorry. He got injured but has performed for England in recent games before that so cant be dropped.

Noble deserves a look, but Im not surprised and I bet he has given up on playing for England.

Tomkins maybe not making it cos the possible Police caution, I dont buy that though because of the importance and timing of this squad. Don't think hes really top quality, but hes worth looking at and its not a strong place for us.

Carroll should be in too, when you look at that many strikers then Carroll should have a chance to impress in training. Defoe is a joke

[Dolphin Ziggler]

For balance I also think its unfair on Curtis Davies and Tom Huddlestone to get overlooked for some of those players. I'd have even given Joel Ward a look.

[Duty281]

http://www.itv.com/sport/football/article/2014-02-19/former-three-lions-manager-glenn-hoddle-joins-itv-as-a-pundit-for-england-internationals/

Ex-singer, ex-player and former England manager Glenn Hoddle joins the ITV punditry team. #better

[Guest]

The fact that you recognised Glenn as a signer first suggests to me that you know your music Duty!

You've gone up in my estimation   

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Glenn Hoddle having to sit in an ITV studio is karma

[Duty281]

The fact that you recognised Glenn as a signer first suggests to me that you know your music Duty!

You've gone up in my estimation   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KEMMfV5-Qg

Give it both barrels please, Glenn!

[Steffan]

Iv decided im cheering on Germany for the world cup

Might place a bet they win it infact although knowing my luck they will have a disaster of a tournament

[Duty281]

Iv decided im cheering on Germany for the world cup

Might place a bet they win it infact although knowing my luck they will have a disaster of a tournament

No Steffan, you are cheering on Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica. In that order.

[mystiroakey]

Iv decided im cheering on Germany for the world cup

Might place a bet they win it infact although knowing my luck they will have a disaster of a tournament

No Steffan, you are cheering on Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica. In that order.

lol

you know him better than he knows himself!

[Guest]

The fact that you recognised Glenn as a signer first suggests to me that you know your music Duty!

You've gone up in my estimation   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KEMMfV5-Qg

Give it both barrels please, Glenn!

An absolute must for every ipod in the Land.

[Steffan]

Iv decided im cheering on Germany for the world cup

Might place a bet they win it infact although knowing my luck they will have a disaster of a tournament

No Steffan, you are cheering on Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica. In that order.

lol

you know him better than he knows himself!

Yeah but only during the group stage. Wouldnt want any of those teams to win it

[mystiroakey]

Bright first ten mins from Townsend...

maybe he just times his form well..

[Duty281]

Roy Hodgson wil not be banning the England players' wives and girlfriends from attending the World Cup - the surest indication yet that John Terry isn't coming along?

[mystiroakey]

or an indictation that he is coming and coming a lot- but not playing football.

Someone has to look after the wags whilst the others are playing footy

[Guest]

Thousands of football fans have signed a petition calling for Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley to be banned from England's World Cup squad this summer.

The new petition now has more than 4,000 signatures in less than 24 hours, and reads: 'Tom Cleverley, owner of 13 England caps, has been regularly selected by Roy Hodgson in his squads without possessing any genuine qualities whatsoever.

  

Roy   

[mystiroakey]

It s a bit sad From my POV John.

Dont like seeing a player targeted because others pick him. Moyes picks him, Hodgson picks him..

We can all have a laugh about the lad. But he doesn't deserve all this does he. He and his family doesn't deserve to hear this sh!te.

Hopfully it will spur him on to gain some form . but in all honesty there is just as much chance of him getting worse and getting depressed

[Stella]

Fergie picked him, Roy picked him, and Moyes picks him. Maybe he's not as bad as us 'experts' think?

[Guest]

Ferguson picked him because he believed in developing youth & giving the next generation of youth players the 'chance', like he did with Neville's & Beckham etc. Ferguson made a huge mistake with this lad, however, Fergie made many mistakes throughout his career on players. Roy Hodgson picks him because of big club bias in this country, nothing surprising there. Moyes picks him because he's clueless, out of his depth & doesn't know a good player when he sees one & can't even play players in their correct positions.

Cleverley is more than terrible, he's abysmal. Can't shoot or score, can't tackle, not physically strong enough & just passes from side to side. I'd rather have Barry in the squad & that says something.

Why should we feel sorry for him or his family Mysti? If your job is a footballer, you should be mentally strong enough to cope with the demands of the sport on & off the field. If you can't handle media intrusion or criticism, then you shouldn't be in the game. He's on £30k+ a week, doing an appalling job, I feel no sympathy for this lad.

[mystiroakey]

John. Managers are picking him....

blame them..

i call him terrible, we all do. But this petition type thing is a disgrace imo

[Stella]

He's not terrible, just 'neat and tidy'. Henderson, and Barkley, are surely above him in the 'going to brazil' squad?

[mystiroakey]

He has been terrible on current form. But then in all fairness, so has smalling and even jones deserves criticism..

he has proved before that he is capable though as they all have..

such a contrast to liverpools and arsernals youngsters though.

[Duty281]

Kyle Walker's out of the friendly against the Danes.

Any one got an idea on what sort of England team they want to see line-up on Wednesday?

I hope Forster starts. Shaw and Oxlade on the left. Barkley and Henderson in the middle. Sterling on the right-wing. Rooney and Sturridge up front. Maybe Wilshere will get at least a half.

Not about the result; all about the performance and experience. I hazard a guess that the majority of Roy's work this week will be done off the field, as opposed to on it.

I just hope he doesn't pick too many players on Wednesday that he already has a fair idea about; the likes of Milner, Lampard or Hart.

[Guest]

Walker out is good news, awful player.

Friendly means nothing. Denmark have nothing to play for, key players missing & won't be too bothered. I'm sure we will win & look good but the reality is, we won't play like that in the summer. Sterling, Sturridge & Rooney will probably look devastating in the comfort surroundings of Wembley with a load of ball possession, however, come the summer, Roy's negative tactics & better opposition will see us enduring some painful viewing no doubt.

It's just, unfortunately, the way it is with England.

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