England at World Cup 2014

Also, I notice the press here in England saying that 'we're in the same position as Italy who will also struggle with the heat'

:lol:

...because the temperature in Italy is just like England, right? We have Mediterranean heat all summer long in this country.

Apart from the fact that Italy have chosen a base camp in the north miles and miles (If memory serves it's over 1000?) from any of their games AND in one of the hottest and most humid regions, with all 3 games being in the north in daytime kickoffs. England only have 1 game in the north in a daytime slot as far as I know, and have actually based their camp relatively close to their games. It's been well publicised that the Italy camp have royally cocked up their preparations. So yes, England and Italy won't be in the same boat; Italy will likely be a good deal worse off. Sorry for getting facts in the way of your rant though.
 
Apart from the fact that Italy have chosen a base camp in the north miles and miles (If memory serves it's over 1000?) from any of their games AND in one of the hottest and most humid regions, with all 3 games being in the north in daytime kickoffs. England only have 1 game in the north in a daytime slot as far as I know, and have actually based their camp relatively close to their games. It's been well publicised that the Italy camp have royally cocked up their preparations. So yes, England and Italy won't be in the same boat; Italy will likely be a good deal worse off. Sorry for getting facts in the way of your rant though.

It wasn't a rant.
 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27596830


A BBC blog called "My World Cup Dream"


Think it's rather telling that apart from Tim Cahill and Carlos Queiroz who are with smaller teams, every single one of them dreams of playing in the final or winning it, apart from Rooney who gives it some empty nonsense about "play well and honour my country".

Such a strange dynamic with people ready to jump on England players for saying absolutely anything positive whatsoever, and England players forced to avoid it so as not to be seen as "arrogant English". I've even had some gimp on here say "typical English arrogance" to me for suggesting that the likely scenario at the WC for England is to get knocked out in the last 16 or the quarters, ffs :lol:
 
A lot of people seem to think that England won't get out of the group and that it will be Uruaguay and Italy to progress. I actually believe that we will comfortably qualify, and those two will be batlting it out for the other spot. I predict a 0-0 against the Italians in the first game and then we will beat Uruguay and Costa Rica. However, as soon as we face a good, technical side in the knockouts, thats when we will be in trouble. Whats the likely knockouts for us? Its Columbia/Ivory Coast/Japan/Greece in the second round isn't it? Not sure after that though...
 
With little pressure on them England could do alright.
All they need to do is build some momentum, and if they do I think they could go far.
 
Are England in Brazil already? Where are they training this time?
And do they have any upcoming friendlies?

I miss football. I need my fix.
 
Whats the likely knockouts for us? Its Columbia/Ivory Coast/Japan/Greece in the second round isn't it? Not sure after that though...

Most likely opponents at QF are Spain or Brazil (assuming they win their groups).
 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27596830


A BBC blog called "My World Cup Dream"


Think it's rather telling that apart from Tim Cahill and Carlos Queiroz who are with smaller teams, every single one of them dreams of playing in the final or winning it, apart from Rooney who gives it some empty nonsense about "play well and honour my country".

Such a strange dynamic with people ready to jump on England players for saying absolutely anything positive whatsoever, and England players forced to avoid it so as not to be seen as "arrogant English". I've even had some gimp on here say "typical English arrogance" to me for suggesting that the likely scenario at the WC for England is to get knocked out in the last 16 or the quarters, ffs :lol:

Theres even a thread on here slagging England off because of this!! A bunch of other much smaller countries players dream of making the final or winning the WC, and that goes uncommented on, and Rooney doesn't do this and the idiots still have a pop at England.
 
http://www1.skysports.com/FIFA-Worl...d-insists-he-can-play-alongside-frank-lampard

England captain Steven Gerrard insists he can play alongside Frank Lampard

If i see them two in the midfield together, then my tiny little hope of England actually doing well in the world cup will be lost. 10 years they have tried to mold this partnership together and it just doesnt work!

The only reason they ever played together was because the pressure from fans and press not to drop one of them was so great. However I think those days have gone - no-one can seriously call Lampard our best option in midfield anymore. Gerrard at least seems to be having an indian summer, but Lamps is just a squad player these days.
 
If England want to defeat Italy, you will have to maintain possession and play at a slower tempo. Pirlo, De Rossi and Montolivo passing the ball around doesn't require much effort. Gerrard and Milner lunging into tackles and sprinting from side to side does.
 
It should be interesting to see
http://www1.skysports.com/FIFA-Worl...d-insists-he-can-play-alongside-frank-lampard

England captain Steven Gerrard insists he can play alongside Frank Lampard

If i see them two in the midfield together, then my tiny little hope of England actually doing well in the world cup will be lost. 10 years they have tried to mold this partnership together and it just doesnt work!

It is my belief that Lampard is there as a figurehead in the dressing room and an back-up of sorts to Gerrard should he suffer an injury. There are only two scenarios for which there is a possibility of them being in midfield together IMO: near the end of a gruelling 90 minutes, or if Lampard is thought to be a good option for a penalty shoot-out.

Ironically enough, the partnership would probably be implemented with greater effectiveness than previously, their footballing dotage precluding the gallivanting of youth and disregard for positional dissipline. Still, it's not even a third or fourth choice CM option thankfully.
 
Well I got in a bet with a group of friends and I got 5 teams (England, Brazil, Ghana, Algeria and Greece)

So my top contenders are Brazil and England...

You guys better not disappoint! :D
 
Lampard is just there for his experience and dressing room leadership. Stop moaning about their partnership already. Can't remember the last time they played together in a meaningful game yet people still think it's a possibility.
 
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I have no doubt in the first game Hodgson will play Lampard and Gerrard and Milner etc and go for a 0-0 draw.
 
Sterling and Oxlade-Thingybob could prove useful coming off the bench against tired legs. Wouldn't be surprised if Roy's plan is to contain Italy and Uruguay for 60-65 mins or so (setting up a rigid 4-4-2/4-5-1 as in Euro 2012), and then bring them on late in the game.
 
Italy could either finish bottom of the group or win the tournament
Depends on what team Prandelli picks
Remember in previous tournaments where they crash out and they chopping and changing the whole team and system?
If you are Italian you should be optimistic because he left Osvaldo out of the squad
Osvaldo was been awful this season and if he had been selected that would be a bad omen
Italy can field a top quality team
They just a bit weak on the flanks, but they have really solid spine to the team
 
What did people make of Lallana's performance yesterday? I've seen some quite praiseworthy reviews in this morning's papers yet i must confess that found his performances to be somewhat...well lacking. The contrast between he and Sterling was noticeable i thought, if Hodgson must choose between the two then Raheem it should be.

In what is likely to be a game of few opportunities Sterling and Sturridge could provide that moment of magic to overcome the Italians.
 
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Odd, he was very poor I thought 4/5. He looked exactly what he is: a decent PL player, not up to top 4 or internationals.
 
Alvin Martin just said on Talksport, when England won in 66, the people in his street in Liverpool were banging bin lids together to celebrate :lol:.