October 12, 201311 yr Did what we needed to do last night, and now Poland have nothing to play for. If I were in the FA I'd be booking some tasty friendlies now for next month in the hope that it'd boost our world ranking, because the WC seeding doesn't take into account past performance any more and at the moment we're well off being top seeds.
October 13, 201311 yr These are the qualified teams so far: Brazil Japan Australia Iran South Korea Netherlands Italy Costa Rica United States Argentina Belgium Switzerland Germany Colombia Edited October 13, 201311 yr by Mr Escobar
October 13, 201311 yr It looks like this is going to be a very fun and enjoyable world cup with the likes of Belgium and Colombia returning after long absences. I can't decide between the 1998 world cup & the 2002 world cup as to which is my favourite of all time. 1998 was the first one that i watched and that had a lot of quality matches and moments but 2002 had a lot of surprises.
October 13, 201311 yr Of the three World Cups I remember the Italy team was my favourite for their strength in depth - obviously Spain had this as well but you still got the feeling they had a first choice team and a load of subs. Interesting article by a tactics writer who I read far too much of about his first choice England team: http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/why-en...nd-pick-carrick
October 15, 201311 yr England team to play Poland: Hart Smalling Jagielka Cahill Baines Gerrard Carrick Townsend Welbeck Rooney Sturridge
October 15, 201311 yr I've been critical of Roy, but he's done a good job in these last two games. He's obviously very cautious, and sets out not to lose, which is not really very entertaining. I think he's realising that we're not as bad as everyone has made out to be. Not convinced we can keep the ball very well in midfield still, but we've a big goal threat these days.
October 15, 201311 yr At least we have booked a ticket to Brazil, I wish the team was a bit stronger though.
October 15, 201311 yr I've been critical of Roy, but he's done a good job in these last two games. He's obviously very cautious, and sets out not to lose, which is not really very entertaining. I think he's realising that we're not as bad as everyone has made out to be. Not convinced we can keep the ball very well in midfield still, but we've a big goal threat these days. Basically this. Sturridge had an off day and still caused problems, Rooney had a good game but I don't want him as the Number 10 against good teams. Having a Carrick-Gerrard-Wilshere midfield would mean decent ball retention and we've got plenty of options out wide. Trouble is now that with Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain still to come back - and Townsend looking like he'll go - there's too many wide players who deserve a place. It could end up as a toss up for the last midfield spot between Lampard (experience), Cleverley (Hodgson favourite) and Henderson (likely to be in form). That's assuming that Barkley is in and no one comes out of the blue, I suppose Rodwell is the most likely if Fernandinho gets injured at City.
October 16, 201311 yr Yes credit to Hodgson for abandoning his cautious tactics in the last two games Surprisingly there were times where I thought he was being too attacking with the Lampard for Carrick switch Although, he will need to revert back to 3 central midfielders leading up to the tournament to avoid being outnumbered by better teams. Wilshere Gerrard Carrick would be my choice
October 16, 201311 yr Basically this. Sturridge had an off day and still caused problems, Rooney had a good game but I don't want him as the Number 10 against good teams. Having a Carrick-Gerrard-Wilshere midfield would mean decent ball retention and we've got plenty of options out wide. Trouble is now that with Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain still to come back - and Townsend looking like he'll go - there's too many wide players who deserve a place. It could end up as a toss up for the last midfield spot between Lampard (experience), Cleverley (Hodgson favourite) and Henderson (likely to be in form). That's assuming that Barkley is in and no one comes out of the blue, I suppose Rodwell is the most likely if Fernandinho gets injured at City. Yes credit to Hodgson for abandoning his cautious tactics in the last two games Surprisingly there were times where I thought he was being too attacking with the Lampard for Carrick switch Although, he will need to revert back to 3 central midfielders leading up to the tournament to avoid being outnumbered by better teams. Wilshere Gerrard Carrick would be my choice Agree but I think right now on current form he HAS to play Rooney and Sturridge. There's an argument Sturridge could play as a wide forward, but you're just neglecting his impact doing that. And there is no way Rooney is not going to play if he's fit.
October 16, 201311 yr It could easily be Milner who comes in rather than a third central midfielder, as he'd be comfortable moving inside and would allow Rooney or Sturridge to drop wide when necessary. Edited October 16, 201311 yr by RabbitFurCoat
October 16, 201311 yr With a mixture of personal choice and what's realistic this is the squad I'd pick, based on recent form and England performances. Hart, Foster, Forster Johnson, Jones, Smalling, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines, Cole Carrick, Lampard, Gerrard, Wilshere, Barkley, Milner, Townsend, Walcott, Oxlade Chaimberlain Welbeck, Rooney, Carroll, Sturridge A reserve XI: Ruddy, Walker, Dawson, Caulker, Gibbs/Shaw, Cleverley, Delph, Henderson, Morrison, Agbonlahor, Defoe
October 16, 201311 yr It's almost Fifa World Rankings time which means people who've spent a large amount of time in recent years moaning that England shouldn't possibly be so high will now be moaning that the likes of Switzerland are going to be seeded for the World Cup draw over us.
October 16, 201311 yr With a mixture of personal choice and what's realistic this is the squad I'd pick, based on recent form and England performances. Hart, Foster, Forster Johnson, Jones, Smalling, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines, Cole Carrick, Lampard, Gerrard, Wilshere, Barkley, Milner, Townsend, Walcott, Oxlade Chaimberlain Welbeck, Rooney, Carroll, Sturridge A reserve XI: Ruddy, Walker, Dawson, Caulker, Gibbs/Shaw, Cleverley, Delph, Henderson, Morrison, Agbonlahor, Defoe Agree that's looking likely that the realistic squad we'll take, give or take a few positions for personnel. I'd say there were about 19 certainties, and the rest of the spots are up for grabs. Obviously there is a while to go yet, but I would like to see some sort of working together between the U21s and senior team. I'm not convinced that the senior team is the best for Barkley, and he's likely to get more playing time for the U21s. Plus both Cleverly and Henderson are better than him, currently at least. It's almost Fifa World Rankings time which means people who've spent a large amount of time in recent years moaning that England shouldn't possibly be so high will now be moaning that the likes of Switzerland are going to be seeded for the World Cup draw over us. But it might also work in our favour that we get drawn with Switzerland? I've forgotten completely the process of the World Cup groups, all I know is there is a maximum of two European teams in each group! For the first time since I can remember though there will be little pressure on us to do well. Expectations have been dampened right down. We won't win of course, but the QFs should be our goal. Plus for once we actually have a sense of unity about our team. I think the players respect Roy, a lot more than they did towards Capello at the end of his reign. That must surely be the reason for the dismal last World Cup.
October 16, 201311 yr I'm not sure how they'll set the groups up. If Uruguay beat Jordan in the play-off there will have to be a special pot as there will be 9 European teams outside the seeds. I'd guess it will look like this: Pot A: Brazil, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Belgium, Switzerland, Colombia, Uruguay Pot B: European qualifiers Pot C: The European country not drawn from Pot B, Chile, Ecuador + 5 African qualifiers Pot D: 4 Asian qualifiers, 3 North American Qualifiers + New Z/Mexico play-off winner We could end up with something like Brazil, Ivory Coast & Japan or we could get Switzerland, Honduras and Algeria!
October 16, 201311 yr I'm not sure how they'll set the groups up. If Uruguay beat Jordan in the play-off there will have to be a special pot as there will be 9 European teams outside the seeds. I'd guess it will look like this: Pot A: Brazil, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Belgium, Switzerland, Colombia, Uruguay Pot B: European qualifiers Pot C: The European country not drawn from Pot B, Chile, Ecuador + 5 African qualifiers Pot D: 4 Asian qualifiers, 3 North American Qualifiers + New Z/Mexico play-off winner We could end up with something like Brazil, Ivory Coast & Japan or we could get Switzerland, Honduras and Algeria! Not being a seed could actually turn out to be a good thing, although I would say it's paramount we try and avoid the South American teams! Uruguay are not as good as they were two years ago mind. Would love us to get Switzerland.. just for the Hodgson stories! Regardless it will be complete luck.
October 16, 201311 yr The 1 million dollar question: Who's gonna win the world cup? Brazil, Argentina or Columbia. Germany if a European team win.
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