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

[mystiroakey]

First topic message reminder :

Thats my Team GSC

I would be inclined to play Barkley instead of Ox if he isn't fit over sterling tbh. Both strong- both run at the opposition. Sterling does off course do this but isn't quite as physically imposing- all 3 have great feet but the former two are just stronger. Sterling is the better overall player though and perhaps would be the best option v costa rica and italy but against uruguay at the least I would rather have strength in the shape of ox or barkley.

I am surprised hearing many others saying wilshire had no impact. I thought it was his best game for yonks. Nothing spectacular but he played the way CM's should play- bright , alert, took the odd player on, was forward passing on the whole. Ok he got taken down a few too many times- but 70% of the time it results in retaining possession in a free kick.

[Fernando]

This is so a situation where someone will get a major injury

[skyeman]

Here we go again, someone tell the crowd to come back.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

"What were you doing in the radar room?"

"We were tracking the radar"

TV just peaked

[Guest]

I just went with a skinhead in a full Brighton kit.

1. Skinheads are cringeworthy and laughable.

2. Full kits, are for Under 11's only. Football shirts for that matter aren't for grown men.

ITV have done well tonight, 1st team manager, Referee, Stadium Manager.

You've gone way up in my estimation Nick.

Good lad   

[NickisBHAFC]

Lampard and Gerrard? If anyone says that, they must be drunk or a complete idiot.

Players back out, good stuff.

[owen10ozzy]

In the build up to this World Cup wright, Dixon, hoddle and others have constantly gone on about a lack of pace and penetration from England. Even then mentioning slow start etc...

Then when selecting teams...they go for combos of Henderson/Gerrard....Gerrard/Lampard and Gerrard/Milner   

No pace or creativity in the center of the park from England. Keep sticking with those combos and nothing will change.

[skyeman]

Gees, that tackle could have put Gerrard out of the WC.

[GSC]

We could only be so lucky

[NickisBHAFC]

These Honduras players really are clummsy, wouldn't say its them going in hard, just being plain dopey.

[skyeman]

Must be a red.

[GSC]

Should be a red

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

What the Frak are these Hondurans on

[NickisBHAFC]

Sturridge, what a man. If that was Rooney he would of got up and decked that little cu*t

[skyeman]

And this is a friendly?

Gonna put a tenner on them getting a red in their first game!

[NickisBHAFC]

Can see an England player picking up a nasty injury tonight.

[Guest]

We look so average

[Fernando]

We are so average

 

[GSC]

Henderson and Gerrard have done nothing

[Guest]

Gerrard is so slow, centrally we are woeful. Ive changed my mind Henderson for Wilshere. Rooney is so bad, words fail me.

[NickisBHAFC]

Im really worried about our midfield.

Apart from Barkley, all of our center mids have been slow and awful.

[Guest]

Henderson and Gerrard have done nothing

Quite the shock there, you picking out some Liverpool players.

Remember the Usual Suspects..

[NickisBHAFC]

Tbf Henderson and Gerrard have done there defensive duties very well. But going forward, there no where.

[GSC]

I hate everyone equally.

Mid has clearly been the weak link though. Don't put on the red tinted glasses, we have enough with those on this forum

[The Special Juan]

I hate everyone equally.

Nothing you ever say after this point will be truer.

[mystiroakey]

Bring Wilshire and Barkley on Roy

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Front four are making good runs, interchanging well and doing good things when they get the ball, but the service is lacking quality and regularity from Henderson/Gerrard.

No real problems at that back barring the usual Glen Johnson brainfarts

[mystiroakey]

Tbf Henderson and Gerrard have done there defensive duties very well. But going forward, there no where.

I have no problem with hendo today. But Gerard is lacking. He does get a bit better as the game has gone on from both quarters but he is like a clock that needs to be wound up

[owen10ozzy]

Play one or other not both!! England look pedestrian in the center of the park and it's a problem only solved by dropping one of them and playing either Barkley or Wilshere!

Welbeck provides little other than an honest shift out left; the same thing we have had to endure from Milner all these years. He may very well have 8 goals...5 have come against Scotland, San Marino, Moldova.

Rooney needs dropping; purple patch player and his last purple patch for England was Euro 2004. Heavy touch, poor passing and genuinely doesn't look like his heart is in it for England anymore.

Would rather have Lallana in that role; bright on the ball and a player who can actually use both his left and right foot! A rarity for our national side!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I hate I absolutely effin hate it when people say well Welbeck has scored 8 goals, but five have come against so and so, so they don't count

He's scored that amount of goals. I can say Sturridge has scored 10 goals but 9 of those came off his backside so they don't count so he has one.

Its like in cricket when they say well he only averaged 25 when you take out his century. 

IDIOCY

[mystiroakey]

Owen I think rooneys heart is 100% in it. But he is experienced and wise to the fact he will start the tourny so isn't 100% committed when the opponents are close. He doesn't want an injury. He try's a lot of one touch passing and then move into space. It rarely comes off. But I think come tourney time he will be committed completely

[Guest]

I hate I absolutely effin hate it when people say well Welbeck has scored 8 goals, but five have come against so and so, so they don't count

He's scored that amount of goals. I can say Sturridge has scored 10 goals but 9 of those came off his backside so they don't count so he has one.

Its like in cricket when they say well he only averaged 25 when you take out his century. 

IDIOCY

I am assuming this is the point here?

Which takes us no further Olly.

[mystiroakey]

Bring Wilshire and Barkley on Roy

Thank you Roy. I knew someone listened to me,

[owen10ozzy]

I absolutely hate it when people use a players goal scoring record from non important games to justify the selection of players come a major tournament. Despite said player showing nothing when he has played against bigger teams !

I'm not saying I don't rate Welbeck; I do..but if you have him play him as a striker. Don't waste the left side by filling it with him. I'm sick of hearing 'oh but he will work hard for you' ..give me an England shirt and I'll bust a gut running for the team every single second! Doesn't mean your going to play me! He is not a left midfielder...he himself has admitted as much.

Watch the 2nd half and count how many times he cuts back and plays ball back to Baines or back to cm. rarely does he put a ball in or beat a man down the wing! Which is what I want from my 'wide midfielder'!!!

As for Rooney; I'd believe that if he had done anything relatively decent at 06, 10 World Cup or Euro 2012!

[NickisBHAFC]

Yeah good choices.

Already Barkley is bossing it. This kid is amazing!

[NickisBHAFC]

Go on Welbeck give the ball away again   

[NickisBHAFC]

Looking a lot more faster in the middle of the park.

[GSC]

That's Wilshere for you.

Barkley needs a better touch there

[NickisBHAFC]

Been very impressed with Barkley and Whilshere so far.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Wilshere's gotta start for me alongside Gerrard. Not afraid to pick the ball up and go forward, gets better service to the forward players

[mystiroakey]

Obvious one of them was going off.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Wahey finally a red card!

Ridiculous challenges coming in for a friendly

[NickisBHAFC]

I think Wilshere gets helped by Barkley and in that token i think Barkley gets helped by Whilshere. Both been brilliant.

What a dirty foul. Daft and stupid.

[NickisBHAFC]

Easier chance there for Sturridge. Stupid, must be scoring them with ease.

[skyeman]

If he had missed that one in a tight WC game. I would be  

[NickisBHAFC]

If he did that this time next Saturday, safe to say there would be a few smashed pint glasses on the floor!

[skyeman]

The final ball just has to improve in the WC.

[GSC]

Someone needs to go through on one of these Hondurans

[skyeman]

If he did that this time next Saturday, safe to say there would be a few smashed pint glasses on the floor!

  

[skyeman]

Well, after the three warm-ups. Still not seen much to encourage me. Not one player has got me excited about what could happen.

But i live in hope.

[NickisBHAFC]

Awful simply awful.

Barkley and Whilshere excluded, everyone can be very angry with themselves tonight.

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