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.

[Guest]

Duty will have it all covered. England threads, Daily Match threads, Why It Went Wrong threads, Road to Euro 2016 threads, Isn't that Italian with the perma-tana dreamy? thread, the lot.

[GSC]

There's only one Italian for me.

Andrea

[Guest]

Love him G. I wanna stroke his hair and cook pasta with him.

[GSC]

Mario would be my mistress

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I remember my friends laughing at me in my teenage years when I said Pirlo was a "gorgeous footballer". I stand by it, the way he plays is dreamy now and was dreamy then

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I remember my friends laughing at me in my teenage years when I said Pirlo was a "gorgeous footballer". I stand by it, the way he plays is dreamy now and was dreamy then

I'm not sure I've ever read something so shocking

Dolph had friends?!   

[Guest]

Dreamy trending alarmingly in this motha.

[mystiroakey]

I remember my friends laughing at me in my teenage years when I said Pirlo was a "gorgeous footballer". I stand by it, the way he plays is dreamy now and was dreamy then

I'm not sure I've ever read something so shocking

Dolph had friends?!   

yes but they laughed at him

[Duty281]

Most Italians are dreamy. Buffon, Pirlo, Borini, Balotelli. Even Prandelli isn't difficult on the eye.

I lost my virginity to an Italian, all those years ago.

The best food is Italian.

I imagine it's a wonderful place for a holiday. Beautiful language, climate and culture as well.

Love you Italy.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

They were the fools, going off to have success, money and careers. I was the one who knew about the dreamy Italian style of midfield maestros. More fool them, I say, as I sit alone watching Serie A games

[Duty281]

Duty will have it all covered. England threads, Daily Match threads, Why It Went Wrong threads, Road to Euro 2016 threads, Isn't that Italian with the perma-tana dreamy? thread, the lot.

And on July the 14th, just after the World Cup final has finished - "Duty has a massive, massive gloat thread".

[Mat]

Bit late but this is the squad I'd take, barring any late injuries/players recovering from injury in time

GK: Hart, Foster, Ruddy

Defence: Johnson, Walker, Jones, Jagielka, Cahill, Stones, Baines, Cole

Midfield: Milner, Sterling, Oxlade Chamberlain, Lallana, Gerrard, Henderson, Barkley, Wilshere

Strikers: Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck, Lambert

Looking at something like;

Hart
Johnson-Cahill-Jagielka-Baines
-----Gerrard----Henderson
Sterling--Rooney---Lallana
-----------Sturridge----------

Keep the faith, Super Roy will get the job done!

[Crimey]

I'd like to think Hodgson might just go for it, not a lot to lose really, in a tough group with a lot more attacking talent than defensive talent, would make sense just to give it a good go and go out attacking and fighting than try and be conservative and fail.

[Fernando]

Woy to name squad on Monday May 12th

[Duty281]

John Terry on a possible England return:

"One hundred per cent I'm going to be on my holidays this summer - nowhere else. My thoughts are very strong on that. Maybe people don't realise how strong.

But I wish the England side, and Roy, the very best. I'll be supporting the lads in every game with a nice bit of sun on my back."


A shame, as it would greatly be in England's advantage to him coming back this summer.

[Fernando]

Andross Townsend out for up to 10 weeks

Well that's his World Cup down the pan.

[mystiroakey]

gutting.

Hodgson obviously hasn't contacted JT.

JT if asked would come .

Him and Cahill should make everyone's two best centre defensive players this year. Even kompany hasn't been up to there standard. And together they are also better as they are so used to playing with each other.

Roy just get on the phone..

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I'm not a huge fan of someone who makes themselves unavailable for a qualification stage then coming in for the tournament.

[mystiroakey]

Play your best players.

I think we have a chance to show the world that we can play half decent football.

With a back paring of cahil and terry - it gives the other players so much more freedom.

Anyway - it looks like it wont happen- but What has Jag done to get his spot, and who else is there- smalling or jones!! two players that have regressed very badly.

I have to be honest and this isn't just bias- I would rather play Scott Dann.

[NickisBHAFC]

I must admit, i would think its a bit harsh if John Terry goes to the World Cup now, as much as i would love it as him and Cahill at the back would be superb giving they have been the best pairing in the league all season, but for people who have been working there a*s of  for the last year trying to impress Woy, it would be harsh.

Bit like a day or 2 before 2010. Scholes was asked to go the world cup, but it turned it down as respect to other players who have been trying to get there place on the plane. 

Townsend ruled out of the World Cup is harsh, but a bit like Rodriquez i wouldn't of included him in the squad anyway.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I'm not a huge fan of someone who makes themselves unavailable for a qualification stage then coming in for the tournament.

Or people who make themselves unavailable for selection for one manager, then one when someone they like comes in they're fair game again Mr Foster

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Play your best players.

I think we have a chance to show the world that we can play half decent football.

With a back paring of cahil and terry - it gives the other players so much more freedom.

Anyway - it looks like it wont happen- but What has Jag done to get his spot, and who else is there- smalling or jones!! two players that have regressed very badly.

I have to be honest and this isn't just bias- I would rather play Scott Dann.

What has Jag done wrong to get kicked aside for the summer holiday man?

Curtis Davies and James Tomkins have both had good seasons. John Stones has been wonderful for Everton.

I'd also be taking Nathaniel Clyne as back up for Glen Johnson.

[mystiroakey]

Jag is injured(has been for over 2 months)- we cant just say he will be on form- has he come back yet??

dann bar the chelsea players has had the best defensive record for an English player since signing for palace..

but its an unfashionable club so although played amazingly has no chance

[Dolphin Ziggler]

He hasnt been better than Davies, I won't go into a player for my own team, and there's not a chance he is better than Jagielka.

Form isnt really the be all and end all of picking a squad. Considering these players wont have played for a few weeks, that kind of temporary form is over. Jagielka has time to get fit, has played for England in the qualifiers, and thus it would be foolish if hes fit and doesnt go.

[mystiroakey]

jag has to go - no doubt- Because he is the best we have bar Terry,

Even if he cant get match fit its worth the risk-My problem is the back up because there is no guarantee he will be up to it

[Duty281]

Kyle Walker also a doubt for the World Cup now due to injury.

Question marks over him, Jagielka, Wilshere, and Oxlade in terms of fitness ahead of the World Cup.

I just wonder that if Jagielka is ruled out of the World Cup due to injury, will Hodgson pick up the phone and at least try to tempt Terry out of retirement?

We must remember that beyond Jagielka, England's defensive options for the centre aren't exactly high on quality - Smalling? Jones? Carrick?

It has to be worth a go.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Maybe he'll take Stones then, seeming as he's got future England CB written all over him

Kyle Walker being a doubt is also fantastic news

[cherriesfna]

- Hart
- Ruddy
- Foster

-Johnson
- Jones
- Cahill
- Jagielka
- Baines
- Shaw
- Flanagan
- Stones

- Gerrard
- Henderson
- Sterling
- A Johnson
- Barkley
- Lallana
- Wilshire
- Chambo

- Lambert
- Roonet
- Welbeck
- Sturridge

#Winner

[Duty281]

Roy Hodgson's policy on injured players:

"The important thing is not to be taking players who are definitely unfit and who can't do anything until we are well into our training camp. It is a person-to-person judgement, as well; if Steven Gerrard gets injured in the next game and they tell me he is going to be out for three weeks, but in a month's time he's going to be fit, I would still take him."

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I wouldnt be taking Wilshere

[Crimey]

I am not sure selecting Terry would be good for England, even if you take away the fact that it is unfair to the other players who got England qualified and haven't walked away from the national set up, I am not sure it would lead to the attacking England side that hopefully will be put out. I think with John Terry a deep defensive line is necessary and he's been protected in a Chelsea side which does sit back deep.

[Duty281]

I wouldnt be taking Wilshere

He's apparently been assured of his spot even if he doesn't turn out for Arsenal again this season.

[Guest]

England manager Roy Hodgson is fearful the weight of expectation may get the better of his players at the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

"There's a lot of pressure from family and friends, those type of things," said Hodgson, who will name his initial 30-man squad on May 12.

"My biggest fear is we'll come away from the World Cup knowing that if we'd just been a bit more relaxed and our minds were a bit more free we could've done a bit better.

"The fear is that the pressure gets on top of the players and we aren't able to get close to what I know this team can produce."

Get the excuses in early Roy.   

[mystiroakey]

I was just listening to talk sport on a trip to the shops and i couldn't stop cracking up listening to 'Relax' sung by either roy or someone mimicking Roy.

[Duty281]

Rooney has got a slight injury to add to the fitness concerns.

I feel my optimism gradually starting to trickle away...

[Fernando]

Maybe this promotional image will make you feel better although i suspect not with a few people in it.

[GSC]

Even in photos Carrick hides at the back

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

RUDDY'S THERE HES ON THE PLANE

[Guest]

Lampard's undoing his tie. Photographer just told him he shouldn't be there.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

That image has killed my enthusiasm.

[The Special Juan]

Why's Vidic on the far right?

[TopoftheChops]

Maybe this promotional image will make you feel better although i suspect not with a few people in it.

half of those won't even go!

[mystiroakey]

They are some sharp suits i give them that.

[Duty281]

Roy Hodgson is a having a ponder as to whether or not he can take all three of Leighton Baines, Ashley Cole and Luke Shaw.

Maybe he fancies playing one of Baines or Shaw in the left-winger position, with Cole at left-back?

[Guest]

Why take three left backs, just grow a pair & select the best two for the job. Wouldn't surprise me to see him balls this team up, I mean, he's already got the excuses in early, as I showed in a previous post.

[Crimey]

Yeah I am getting less convinced that this tournament will be any good for England, I didn't expect them to go far, but was hoping Hodgson might select an young, attacking side and just give it a go as that will bring a bit of excitement. Think it will be cautious and go out limping.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I hope we select some youngsters to give them experience for future tournaments which we might have a good chance in

I don't see the point in taking the Lampard's, Defoe's, Cole's of this world, we're not going to win it with them, so get the youngsters used to how tournament football works and the pressures it brings

And tbh the young guys are just as good if not better than the older lot now

[Duty281]

O Hodgson, Hodgson, thou little knowest the mischief thou hast done.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

It'll be a travesty if Barkley doesn't make the plane

He'd be a great option off the bench against tiring teams

[mystiroakey]

start him

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