Posted June 4, 201411 yr Following on from the last major tournaments, all England games will be having their own individual topics due the interest in the games! I know it's a bit early, but not long to go now. Few major talking points, although the major one being Wayne Rooney. Does he start? Does he start on the bench? That's the big question. He's playing against Ecuador tonight on the left-wing, after failing to prove his fitness. For me I would drop him. Big decision for Hodgson though.
June 4, 201411 yr A 4-3-3 would probably be good for us in big games and the friendly tonight will probably confirm that Rooney's not a starter in a wide role. Balotelli will be key.
June 4, 201411 yr Author A 4-3-3 would probably be good for us in big games and the friendly tonight will probably confirm that Rooney's not a starter in a wide role. Balotelli will be key. But we don't really play with any width, from what I saw of the Peru game, the wide players just drifted centrally all the time. I just wouldn't have Rooney anywhere near the starting XI at the moment. Plus he's not had a good tournament for 10 years.
June 4, 201411 yr Not losing this game is vitally important, because I honestly think this group really is there for the taking for England, Italy have to do an insane amount of travelling for their three group matches, and Uruguay are so much weaker than they were four years ago. Given Italy will almost certainly play with four midfielders who are central, I think it'll be vital to play 433 against them. I'd play Rooney down the middle with Sturridge on the wide in the three to be honest.
June 10, 201411 yr Author Welbeck & Gerrard both having fitness tests. Ox already confirmed to miss the match.
June 10, 201411 yr I wouldn't play Sturridge anywhere other than as a Number 9. He loses the ball too much and we have far better options in wide positions.
June 11, 201411 yr Author I wouldn't play Sturridge anywhere other than as a Number 9. He loses the ball too much and we have far better options in wide positions. Agreed, but this is Hodgson! He rarely ever plays wide for Liverpool, and when he has he usually swaps with Suarez every 15 minutes. Play him centrally and he will score goals.
June 11, 201411 yr I would go for a 4-2-3-1 with Hart, Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines, Henderson, Gerrard, Lallana, Welbeck (or Sterling if he doesn't make it) , Rooney and Sturrudge Pirlo isn't as good as he was 4 years ago but we still need to keep an eye on him. Pace is the key but I still think we need to take a chance with Rooney and I really hope he does well because the fact he's become the scapegoat before we've even started is ridiculous! However if he doesn't do anything then bench him for Uruguay and play Sterling instead (or if no Welbeck then the Ox if he is available) but right now I'm thinking 4-3-3 against them with Wilshere in place of Lallana. But for now lets think concentrate on this game, I'd take a draw right now if I could and I bet loads of other people would.
June 11, 201411 yr Thinking about it, 4-3-3 might be unwise given it'd in theory leave Pirlo completely free. I can't believe that Rooney will do the same non-existant job on him again after 2012 so I'm coming round to thinking that he should start as the Number 10. Maybe play Sterling on the right as Italy's left back is right footed and won't like people going round the outside at pace.
June 11, 201411 yr Author Sterling as the number 10 would be the best option. I think he would do a really good job on Pirlo, but a good shift in defensively and be productive in attack. That would mean shunting Rooney to the left though, which is unnecessary. Either he plays as a centre forward/#10 or he doesn't start at all imo.
June 11, 201411 yr I reckon we will lose every (or 3/4) of the first group matches and not go through.
June 11, 201411 yr If the pictures in this article are up to date then the result is anybody's guess. I've heard of pitched being called "a great leveller" but you don't expect that to be the case in a World Cup match. http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/j...4-england-italy
June 11, 201411 yr I reckon we will lose every (or 3/4) of the first group matches and not go through. We only play 3 group matches! If we lose to Costa Rica, the so-called whipping boys of the group, then we don't deserve to go through anyway.
June 11, 201411 yr Author Costa Rica aren't that bad! But I expect the other two teams will beat them by a lot bigger margin than we most likely would, but that's down to the way we play. Honestly think if we're positive and can contain Italy for the first half, then we've an excellent chance of winning. I'm gonna back England anyway.
June 12, 201411 yr Costa Rica aren't awful but their defenders are very slow. Even if they play deep there's still likely to be gaps for us to run into.
June 13, 201411 yr Author Looks like we're going to set up to contain rather than attack Hart; Baines Cahill Jagielka Johnson; Henderson Gerrard Rooney Lallana Welbeck; Sturridge Fully expect the three subs to be Lambert, Sterling and Barkley/Milner.
June 13, 201411 yr This is going to be an interesting game, I'll obviously be watching this one. I'm rooting for England as I don't like the Italians and their style but I dont have much hope
June 14, 201411 yr England team: Hart Johnson Cahill Jagielka Baines Gerrard Henderson Sterling Welbeck Rooney Sturridge Italy team: Sirigu Chiellini Paletta Barzagli Darmian De Rossi Pirlo Veratti Candreva Marchisio Balotelli
June 14, 201411 yr England is surprising me so far, they're doing decent compared to Italy (altho it's only 7 minutes in)
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