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

[Calder106]

First topic message reminder :

Wilshere out for 6 weeks according to BBC. Hairline fracture on foot. Considering Arsenal have been nursing him through the season because of his ankle injuries I think it would be a risk taking him (not questioning his ability) due to the tight schedule of games.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

GK - Hart, Ruddy, Forster
DEF - Johnson, Jones, Stones, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines, Shaw
MID - Gerrard, Henderson, Barkley, Wilshere, Milner, Sterling, Lallana, Oxlade Chamberlain
ATT - Rooney, Sturridge, Lambert, Welbeck

I believe that leaves me one short. It would've been Rodriguez pre injury, but as of now its up in the air (unless I've missed someone obvious and if I have tell me!)

Got a mixture youth and experience, with reliable options like Milner/Jones who can do multiple roles.

Starting XI

Hart
Johnson
Cahill
Jagielka
Baines
Gerrard
Henderson
Sterling
Rooney
Lallana
Sturrudge

[GSC]

Darlow>Ruddy

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Darlow>Ruddy

Tbh behind Hart I've got no qualms with who we take as backup GK's, obviously I hope Ruddy goes but likelihood is he won't be a Nodge player past the summer anyways

Dave Watson said he gets a big say in the GK's who go, and considering he works with Ruddy day in day out for the last two years I'd be surprised if he was left out tbh

[NickisBHAFC]

GK - Hart, Forster, Ruddy
Defenders - Johnson, Smalling, Cahill, Jagielka, Jones, Baines, Cole
Midfielders - Chamberlain, Milner, Gerrard, Whilshere, Carrick, Barkley, Lampard, Sterling, Lallana
Strikers - Rooney, Sturridge, Wellbeck and Carroll/Lambert. 

Shout out to Jordan Henderson, really unlucky not to make my squad, as i feel he has been superb this season. Also Luke Shaw, but if Baines pulls up with an injury in the 70th minute, think id prefer to see an experince Ashley Cole come on than a very inexperienced Luke Shaw. Shaw will be our starter at the Euro 2016 for sure. 

Starting 11

GK Hart
RB Johnson
LB Baines
CB Cahill
CB Jagelka
RCM Whilshere
CM Gerrard
LCM Carrick
ARM Sturridge
ST Rooney
ALM Sterling

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

You're taking Lampard ahead of Henderson Nick??? #headsgone

[NickisBHAFC]

im still 50/50 Olly. Lampard has hardly been great at World Cup's however like i said with Cole, if we need a goal and if Gerrard pulls up with an injury, think id rather see Fat Frank come on than Henderson.

[GSC]

I'd rather see Henderson because hes a much better player at this point than Lampard

[NickisBHAFC]

I won't have any Complaints if Henderson goes ahead of Lampard, but its just my opinion and my thoughts if we are losing in the 70th minute or so.

[owen10ozzy]

My issue with the experience comment is that come the next World Cup how can we call on back up players if they have no experience. Baines has enough experience of playing against top level players to not warrant having to take Cole to be honest. For me I'd rather call on a youngster who has the desire & hunger to make a statement on the world stage...Lampard & Cole have been given plenty of chances and more often than not have come up short.

For me I think it's essential that the core of the squad is made up of Liverpool & Everton players...not only have they been impressive but they also both use a system I pray to god Hodgson reverts to come the World Cup (4-2-3-1) rather than the dull 4-4-2 he has used in games against 'stronger' opposition. But perhaps more than that they are form players...playing with all the confidence in the world...essential entering such a big tournament.

My squad would be:

GK: Hart, Forster, Butland

Def: Cahill, Jagielka, Jones, Baines, Shaw, Johnson, Stones

Mid: Gerrard, Wilshere, Barkley, Henderson, Lallana, Sterling, Chamberlain, Milner

For: Sturridge, Rooney, Welbeck, Lambert, Ings

Sadly I actually think the squad will be something like this:

GK: Hart, Ruddy, Forster

Def: Johnson, Walker, Cahill, Jagielka, Cole, Baines, Jones/Smalling

Mid: Gerrard, Milner, Carrick, Henderson, Sterling, Lallana, Lennon, Cleverley

For: Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck, Carroll

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I don't think you need five strikers especially when the fifth one is Danny Ings

[Duty281]

Ashley Cole has been fantastic for England over the past ten to twelve years - easily England's most consistent, best player at major tournaments in that time.

If the worst does happen, and Baines does get an injury, you need someone of proven class and experience to step into the breach. Moreso when, as in this instance, it is a defensive position. You need Ashley Cole.

[owen10ozzy]

He is also 33 years old and played a measly 12 games this season; he has no form what so ever and has lost a yard of pace over last couple of years, like I said I get the whole 'he has experience'...but just how do you expect the likes of Shaw etc to get experience if you just go for the old guard all the time? Lest we also forget that essentially all Cole has experienced at International level is failure...time & again. I'd rather send someone with no fear, who will bring some pace and good delivery to the side than someone who is 3rd choice at their club.

Olly- Regards Ings...I say that as I don't think Sturridge or Welbeck will be taken as striking options really...although both can play that role they are essentially wingers/wide forwards. That leaves Lambert & Rooney up top; Ing's may not be proven at this level but he does provide an unknown quantity at international level...something which may come in handy. Think if you take Carroll or Crouch you essentially give the side free reign to play the long ball game (we have seen it plenty of times in the past) and quite frankly we can ill afford to be hoofing the ball up top and then have to chase shadows because we have given it away...not in the climates we will be facing!

[Duty281]

Shaw will get experience, in time, over the two years leading up to Euro 2016, not to mention the multitude of Premier League games in that time.

I would rather throw a man who's had experience of five major international tournaments, is a Champions League winner and a multiple Premier League winner in at the deep end, as opposed to an 18 year-old who's only got one England cap thus far.

[Guest]

Baines & Cole for me. Baines as the solid defender but offers that attacking threat & set-piece taker. Cole as the experienced, proven defender (arguably still one of the best defenders) suited to Roy's defensive attitudes & keeping it tight. Currently, is Shaw a better defender than Cole at that level? Not for me. Is he better going forward than Baines at that level? Not for me. End of.

Shaw is the 2016 option & should be given the qualifiers to really gain experience. Throwing him into a WC environment is a risk, irrespective of how good the lad is.

[GSC]

Given we stand no chance at winning the thing I'd rather take Baines and Shaw but Roys taking Cole

[NickisBHAFC]

Shaw will get experience, in time, over the two years leading up to Euro 2016, not to mention the multitude of Premier League games in that time.

I would rather throw a man who's had experience of five major international tournaments, is a Champions League winner and a multiple Premier League winner in at the deep end, as opposed to an 18 year-old who's only got one England cap thus far.

This. 

Exactly what i said earlier. Luke Shaw is class and will be a future England star, but as for now. Baines pulls up with an injury in the 70th minute, Cole has to come on over Shaw, end of story.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I would probably say to those that think "what if Baines pulls up" is a concern, plainly "so?". Shaw has proven himself very capable at the least, and has shown he would be no embarrassment. With that in mind, the added benefit of how good it would be for his game means I would rather take him.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Is this the same Ashley Cole that has been replaced in the Chelsea side with a young right back playing left back?

The same one who's played like 10 games all season?

I'm not even sure he's as good as Shaw anyways, what's the point in putting a 33/34 year old on the bench "in case" Baines gets injured, would much rather a future star gains experience of tournament football and Shaw is perfectly good enough to come in if Baines does get injured/suspended

If we want to do well at future tournaments we need to give our youngsters experience of what its like

[Duty281]

Looking ahead, the FA have bidded for the Euro 2020 final to be hosted at Wembley.

A total disjointed mess, one feels, that tournament will be.

Wonder who will be England manager then? Glenn Hoddle at the second coming?

[FootballLight]

I don't see why everyone has written off Costa Rica out of the group. Yes, technically, they may not be as good as Italy, Uruguay or England but I'd bet that they'd at least take a point from the group and it could be from any of the other 3 teams as none are going to totally dominate them. England will win 2-0 at best agsinst them, struggle to break them down for large parts of the game and players like Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell who have both been really good this season will cause them problems with their pace on the break.

[Duty281]

Who's written Costa Rica out of the group, may I ask?

[The Special Juan]

Why are all the England players getting injured in the 70th minute?

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Bryan Ruiz is pants

[NickisBHAFC]

Looking ahead, the FA have bidded for the Euro 2020 final to be hosted at Wembley.

A total disjointed mess, one feels, that tournament will be.

Wonder who will be England manager then? Glenn Hoddle at the second coming?

Brendan Rodgers or Sean Dyche.

[Steffan]

David Beckham?

[mystiroakey]

Who's he steffan?

Rodgers sounds like a fair shout.

Hopefully some English managers will start making the grade soon enough.

There isnt anyone young and exiting that I can think of. IF Gary Neville got into managing - he could end up being an english manager- But I think he just loves the media gig too much

[Duty281]

Andros Townsend's chances of making Brazil have been hit by an ankle injury.

I wouldn't take him anyway, but this could completely scupper whatever chance he had.

[mystiroakey]

Well he certainly played his part in getting to the cup- so if we do well he deserves some credit. But on this form and others form(sterling, lallana) he would never have started

[Guest]

Doesn't deserve much credit really, yeah, he contributed but only a small end role. He impressed against woeful opposition & that's fact. Montenegro are dire, however, Roy's tactics made them look good in previous games. Once Roy woke up & yielded to media & fan pressure, we attacked & we showed how bad they truly are. They couldn't handle Andros' pace or shooting, I believe Sterling would of done the same to them or anyone else. As for Poland, they were already out. Roy's tactics were give the ball to Andros', therefore he was obviously going to impress with a. the amount of ball he was receiving & b. the weak opposition.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Bit harsh. He's a decent player and was one of the few positives for Spurs at one point. It's a shame he's ha injuries and disruption at Spurs, although Sterling has played so well that it doesn't matter

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

People here know my feelings on Townsend, so I can't so I'm too displeased to hear of his injury

[Stella]

When is the squad announced?

[GSC]

Just adds to Englands injury crisis at small pacy winger that runs it into the corner and never gets his head up.

[Duty281]

When is the squad announced?

30 man squad named on May 13; then cut down to the final 23 by June 2.

Sky Sports slightly hinting that Ross Barkley may be left out (surely not?) as Hodgson said he would name his squad based on form over the past two years.

[Stella]

When is the squad announced?

30 man squad named on May 13; then cut down to the final 23 by June 2.

Sky Sports slightly hinting that Ross Barkley may be left out (surely not?) as Hodgson said he would name his squad based on form over the past two years.

Cheers.

2 years? Odd way of going about it. Just pick the best squad.

[NickisBHAFC]

If anyone think Townsend is rubbish they clearly didn't see him play for England back in October. Whenever he plays for England he is superb, but just never seems to produce for Tottenham. But he is still young and i do feel in a few years time he could really become a top player.

Probably wouldn't of taken him to the World Cup, but still feel sorry for the lad as he may of had other ideas, to try and impress in the last few games.

Sterling is obviously going to start, well in a normal world anyway, but you never know with Woy.

[Duty281]

If anyone think Townsend is rubbish they clearly didn't see him play for England back in October. Whenever he plays for England he is superb, but just never seems to produce for Tottenham. But he is still young and i do feel in a few years time he could really become a top player.

Probably wouldn't of taken him to the World Cup, but still feel sorry for the lad as he may of had other ideas, to try and impress in the last few games.

Sterling is obviously going to start, well in a normal world anyway, but you never know with Woy.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but he's only had one "superb" game for England, hasn't he?

[NickisBHAFC]

i would make it 3, and if im right in saying he has only played 3 games

Montengro - class
Poland - Class
Germany - Our best player on the night.

Walcott is class for Arsenal but never ever plays well for England.

[Stella]

Walcott did score 3 against Croatia in a qualifier. I'm not going to knock Townsend but I'd have Walcott every time.

[Duty281]

Montenegro yes, Poland no, and England were collectively awful against Germany so that isn't much of an accolade.

Delicious Theo on the other hand - instrumental in key victories against Croatia, all those years ago, and Sweden - both superior opposition to Montenegro and Poland.

Fitness permitting, Townsend is, in my opinion, behind Walcott, Sterling, Milner, and Lallana.

[GSC]

Right now Townsends just your bog standard English winger.

[NickisBHAFC]

He can't be worse than Lennon, no one can.

Sterling 100% is ahead of everyone right now, and he is only 18! Every Englishman out there should be excited about how good this kid is gonna be!!!

[GSC]

Hes pretty much the same

[Duty281]

Sterling is where Theo was a few years ago - raw potential, lots of pace, and a decent finish on him.

Needs to develop some strength on and off the ball, and learn how to cross a ball before he can truly develop as a player.

Exciting future for him, though, as long as he's managed correctly.

[NickisBHAFC]

If he's got Rodgers as his manager, he will be fine.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

When is the squad announced?

30 man squad named on May 13; then cut down to the final 23 by June 2.

Sky Sports slightly hinting that Ross Barkley may be left out (surely not?) as Hodgson said he would name his squad based on form over the past two years.

So essentially he's taking the Lampard, Carrick's of this world ahead of our younger exciting talent. Brilliant

[Guest]

Not surprised at all, I don't know why people are getting excited about our chances. Form over two years.....embarrassing. Yeah, let's take Lampard because he was fit, still had legs in 2012 & scored a few penalties. Shocking.

Roy's a joke, not that bothered about the squad in all seriousness. We all know it will be backs to the walls, no possession, Welbeck & Milner covering on the wings & Rooney plodding about isolated & looking more interested in where his next meal is coming from.

[Duty281]

When is the squad announced?

30 man squad named on May 13; then cut down to the final 23 by June 2.

Sky Sports slightly hinting that Ross Barkley may be left out (surely not?) as Hodgson said he would name his squad based on form over the past two years.

So essentially he's taking the Lampard, Carrick's of this world ahead of our younger exciting talent. Brilliant

Only a hint, Oliver, only a hint.

I don't think that's what Roy would do; he's not afraid to take a gamble.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Can we have an England specific world cup thread during the tournament? Some of you whiny girls will ruin the tournament for me if I come on here for a nice chat about a Columbia game and one of the mentals is ranting about Roy or England in general

[GSC]

Just amend the title to to and from

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