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.

[skyeman]

Gees, no need for that.

[compelling and rich]

just watched it again duty he definitely pushes him away by the throat when sterling is facing him then walks away

united >  liverpool  

[GSC]

Don't go winding up the nutjobs duty

[Duty281]

Well evidently you don't "know exactly what happened" as you're spinning off an incorrect version of events.

And I'm not "defending England blindly", I'm defending Raheem Sterling, after using two eyes, even though I have no loyalty to him whatsoever, which makes me a neutral.

And you can support Italy and Uruguay as much as you like, I really wouldn't be concerned.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Why are you saying that HH?

You can still back England mate. It's our team. Can't we forget club rivalries for a month!!!

Fans like Duty make me want to see us fail and I don't like Hodgson, he's subtly picked the squad that the media wanted but used our finest servant as a pawn in the shallow attempts at picking a progressive team.

[GSC]

Just watched it again, Marlon King does the both of them

[compelling and rich]

i struggle to support the scouser who plays for us let alone the others   

im only messing i'll support them...... for a while untill they play rubbish and turn on them like there criminals like a proper englishman

[Duty281]

just watched it again duty he definitely pushes him away by the throat when sterling is facing him then walks away

united >  liverpool  

Rewind the tape a bit, to where Valencia gets up off the floor and rushes over to Sterling from behind, grabbing him by the back of the neck/throat.

Really, it's not difficult to see that.

[compelling and rich]

Well evidently you don't "know exactly what happened" as you're spinning off an incorrect version of events.

And I'm not "defending England blindly", I'm defending Raheem Sterling, after using two eyes, even though I have no loyalty to him whatsoever, which makes me a neutral.

And you can support Italy and Uruguay as much as you like, I really wouldn't be concerned.

when it comes to england your anything but neutral

[Duty281]

Why are you saying that HH?

You can still back England mate. It's our team. Can't we forget club rivalries for a month!!!

Fans like Duty make me want to see us fail and I don't like Hodgson, he's subtly picked the squad that the media wanted but used our finest servant as a pawn in the shallow attempts at picking a progressive team.

I'm flattered that you care about my opinion so much.

[Duty281]

Well evidently you don't "know exactly what happened" as you're spinning off an incorrect version of events.

And I'm not "defending England blindly", I'm defending Raheem Sterling, after using two eyes, even though I have no loyalty to him whatsoever, which makes me a neutral.

And you can support Italy and Uruguay as much as you like, I really wouldn't be concerned.

when it comes to england your anything but neutral

This is about Raheem Sterling, not the English football team as a whole.

I thought Wilshere's reaction was rather poor, also, he needs to grow up a bit - will that do?

[compelling and rich]

well something we agree on, wilshere is a kn@b

[mystiroakey]

I like Wilshire.

Passionate lad. Just getting his fitness back. Most footballers are knobheads

[mystiroakey]

Why are you saying that HH?

You can still back England mate. It's our team. Can't we forget club rivalries for a month!!!

Fans like Duty make me want to see us fail and I don't like Hodgson, he's subtly picked the squad that the media wanted but used our finest servant as a pawn in the shallow attempts at picking a progressive team.

Come kick off you will be right behind the lads.

[NickisBHAFC]

You're an actual moron Duty, so blinded you can't even see things for what they are, just blindly defend dear old England like a child.

This.

[compelling and rich]

mysti "i love palace but talk more about arsenal all the time" roakey likes wilshere news shocker!!   

[NickisBHAFC]

I like Wilshire.

Passionate lad. Just getting his fitness back. Most footballers are knobheads

I like Whilshere don't get me wrong nothing against him what so ever. But im not sure what manager said it, but there are 100 players like him in Spain. He is nothing special.

[mystiroakey]

mysti "i love palace but talk more about arsenal all the time" roakey likes wilshere news shocker!!   

Lol. Come on mate.. It got to the point where I was almost banned for talking up zaha , pulis and palace. I needed to talk about something else.

Arsenal are my no.3 yes.


Behind palace and England..

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Hahaha HH thats so pathetic. One fan stops you wanting England to win and you don't like Hodgson. He's picked almost the exact squad he had to pick because of such a small amount of alternatives and quite clearly isnt a man to listen to the media. I would imagine Hodgson cares far less for the media after his stint at Liverpool.

As for Valencia being scared of Sterling? Thats a joke right? This isnt Di Canio scaring Winterburn, thats Valencia having his pop, an overly aggressive push then walking away livid. Players generally are cool headed enough not to fight, just to have a bit of a pop.

[Duty281]

No I said Valencia acted like a coward, which he did.

You know, like the sort of kid that would give it plenty of mouth at school, before crying to the teacher.

And if someone can point me to where I'm blindly defending England, I'd be most grateful. In case it had slipped anyone's attention, I said England's defence on Wednesday were shocking, and their final ball was poor.

Not sure how that works out as blindly defending England.

[Duty281]

mysti "i love palace but talk more about arsenal all the time" roakey likes wilshere news shocker!!   

Lol. Come on mate.. It got to the point where I was almost banned for talking up zaha , pulis and palace. I needed to talk about something else.

Arsenal are my no.3 yes.


Behind palace and England..

Snappity-snap, Mysti, Arsenal are my third team as well!    

[Dolphin Ziggler]

A coward? Come off it Duty, that would be like saying every time a footballer has an argument and doesnt punch someone in the face they are scared of a fight. He'd clearly made his point, he in fact seemed completely unbothered by Sterling turning around, turning his back to him basically said "I dont care about you"

[Scrumpy]

What’s Scholes going on about?

Of course he is a great judge of when a player is past his best, he hung up his international boots only to go on and play his best football of his career only to hang up his club boots and then decide to come back again!

Ginger Slacker, leave Rooney alone!

[mystiroakey]

There is so much slime and hate and grief in that poor lad scholes. Best not to listen to the suicide kid.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Can't have an opinion these days

[mystiroakey]

I cant even hear the words he mumbles , he always seems so negative and allways has been. He could be making the best points and most insightful opinions possible- but its the way he expresses himself. It just goes over my head.

[Scrumpy]

I gave up on him when he gave up on his Country.

Whatever he has to say about International football or Footballers is irrelevant.

[mystiroakey]

I gave up on him when he gave up on his Country.

Whatever he has to say about International football or Footballers is irrelevant.

Fair play. I was the same. I felt sorry for him for a bit after it came out that he admitted it was wrong to give up on england. But I just have to switch of the telly when he is on. He does my noggin in.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Arguably the most talented English midfielder of his generation, dismissed because he made a personal choice that insulted no one.

[mystiroakey]

He had a paddy and ran away from his responsibilities Dolph- its simple as that. It wasn't a personal choice to see more of his family. Footballers see there family more than most anyway- Its a nonsense excuse

He also did the same on occasion at Man United (not warming up for reserve games like tevez) , its just that Fergie at the time kept it out of the media.

[Guest]

What's he said? Wilshere's not developed, hasn't improved & is injury prone - Spot on. Rooney has possibly past his peak & will retire when he's 32 or 33. Pretty much spot on, you can see the decline in Rooney already. He's not a natural trainer & doesn't have the physique of a Giggs or Ronaldo. Again, I tend to agree with Scholes. What else has he said, which offends you or you disagree on? I don't really care about Scholes or his past with England, that's gone, all I can judge him on now is what he's saying. So far, from what I've heard, it's pretty much the truth.

[compelling and rich]

scholes is simply expressing a opinion and one i agree with. agree with dolph fantastic player that bitter people have a go at simply because he retired early for england.

he's not the only one finally seeing the light with rooney:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27719073

been saying it for ages, but look at the everton clip. had that all season and why i keep saying he shouldnt be playing the 10 role

[NickisBHAFC]

Scholes opinion on Whlshere was 100% spot on. Whilshere should take advice and ask Scholes for some extra help, could learn an awful lot from the best center mid to ever play in the Prem.

However slightly harsh on Rooney IMO, everyone needs to back off Rooney, give the lad a break and maybe he might deliver.

[mystiroakey]

We have been talking about it for ages, there is no one just seeing the light. Its a really tough decision.

[mystiroakey]

Scholes opinion on Whlshere was 100% spot on. Whilshere should take advice and ask Scholes for some extra help, could learn an awful lot from the best center mid to ever play in the Prem.

However slightly harsh on Rooney IMO, everyone needs to back off Rooney, give the lad a break and maybe he might deliver.

scholes should contact the FA and try and become an england coach or the other way round... he was the best English player in the Pl over the last 10 years and yes he could offer a lot (not the best england player internationally obviously)

[Scrumpy]

Scholes wouldn't say a word when he was a player to the media now he perks up on the eve of the world cup.

I wonder why?

In the old days he would have been called a Shirker.

[skyeman]

Scholes wouldn't say a word when he was a player to the media now he perks up on the eve of the world cup.

I wonder why?

In the old days he would have been called a Shirker.

This

Why do we always have negative opinions from ex players just before major tournaments.

It helps no one.

[compelling and rich]

rooneys been declining for while yet is a certain starting spot no matter how poorly he plays. scholes suggests the opinion that he's not undroppable and this wouldnt help the england team if we did? disagree it would help england or at least give rooney the rocket up his ar$e he needs to prove him wrong

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Scholes appears to be saying a few controversial things to try to kick start a media career

Unfortunately he has the personality of a potato

[mystiroakey]

Scholes appears to be saying a few controversial things to try to kick start a media career

Unfortunately he has the personality of a potato

^ This

[compelling and rich]

Scholes appears to be saying a few controversial things to try to kick start a media career

Unfortunately he has the personality of a potato

really dont think it is, scholes hasnt got the personality just to say things to get media attention, he doesnt like the media attention. he's given his views and more often than not been right, he's not fussed if he ruffles a few ego driven feathers along the way

[mystiroakey]

Erm he has appeared as a pundit on games recently- You dont do that by chance- you seek out the opportunity or be offered it and accept it and you do it for money. Its his only job these days.

he should however become a coach- You dont necessarily need a personality to do that as players would respect him for what he is and was- and that was a great midfielder.

[compelling and rich]

you think a player like scholes wont be offered loads of media opportunitys and that he has to seek them out!?   

[Scrumpy]

He'll never make it as a coach.

[mystiroakey]

No compelling I didn't say that. Re read the post  

[Alistair]

Arguably the most talented English midfielder of his generation, dismissed because he made a personal choice that insulted no one.

You don't see Shearer getting lynched.

[Scrumpy]

What did Shearer do?

[Dolphin Ziggler]

You dont know why he didnt want to play for England. He regretted it, which is good to admit and he has no need to be honest, but he didnt turn down national service and leave soldiers to die. He wasnt enjoying international football and chose not to play. Football fans are so pathetically sensitive sometimes.

Importantly, Scholes is generally on the money. He doesnt say it to be controversial, he offers an open opinion. As for no personality, well done on being completely thick. Maybe he doesnt want to offer himself open page to the media? Maybe he is just quiet and measured...not a personality though because to have a personality you have to jump about like Ian Wright.

He wasnt even particularly rude to Rooney, he suggested he has a certain type of physique and style that might lead to an earlier retirement. He said Wilshere hadn't really come on from his burst onto the scene, pretty fair too.

[skyeman]

But it still, {even if correct} will not help the team. It will not make players try to prove it wrong. The desire is there anyway.

Just more negativity, which imo is not helpful.

If after two defeats, then fair enough.

[mystiroakey]

"not a personality though because to have a personality you have to jump about like Ian Wright. "

No you just need a personality to have a personality. Its self explanatory

The problem I have with scholes is the way he expresses himself- which is probably my own failings. If one of my friends spoke in that way , I would take them to a shrink. He doesn't sound well or happy- Ever!!

Anyway. the major issue with scholes that has come to light recently as he has just popped in to the media- he has had the odd pundit job and he has started a possible career move towards the media .

Its the fact he is negative about everything. What he says may be right, but never something we dont know. Its not insightful. But what it allways is is negative. After a game of football or commenting on a team you as the person being interviewed or addressed can talk about various things. You can talk about the positives, many pundits do that to much of course, others like Keane perhaps talks about the negatives to much(this is also what scholes seems to be doing)

Ok not everyone is Gary Neville-0 who hits the nail on the head with not just insightful comments but also discusses the whole picture- negatives and positives.

[Sponsored content]