World Cup 2014 Squads and Games

[dPmunky]

It could be worse. Us Americans are pinning our hopes on an attacking partnership of Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey.

and dont forget the man crush everyone seems to have with donovan...

we'll be lucky to win a game in the group

[northbank123]

On a serious note I'm not really fussed. The prospect of another few years under Wenger and the lingering possibility of Liverpool winning the league have put the worry of England not disgracing themselves at a major tournament in a bit more perspective.

Plus like Spurs in the Europa League they might struggle through the early dross but will inevitably get turfed out long before winning it.

[1989]

I think we can do something at this World Cup. We need to play to our strength which is pace. Sterling and Ox on the wings and Sturridge upfront, with Rooney playmaking. Hit them on the counter.

---------------------------------Hart---------------------------------
Johnson-------------Cahill-------------Jags------------------Shaw
----------------------Gerrard--------Wilshere----------------------
Sterling-----------------------Rooney--------------------------Ox
-------------------------------Sturridge------------------------------


We could surprise a few with that team imo.

Then you have the likes of Lallana, Henderson, Milner, Lambert, Welbeck as bench options.

What I like about that team is that it's free of any Spurs c*nts.

[Theoperator]

1989 for manager, and while we are at it please can we bottle up some of your enthusiasm as well



Come to think of it that is a good team, but we just never seem to pull it off

[QuartzGooner]

I would probably start Henderson instead of Wilshere.
Wilshere is coming back from injury, and Henderson has more experience next to Gerrard.

[Leyton Gooner]

I think we can do something at this World Cup. We need to play to our strength which is pace. Sterling and Ox on the wings and Sturridge upfront, with Rooney playmaking. Hit them on the counter.

---------------------------------Hart---------------------------------
Johnson-------------Cahill-------------Jags------------------Shaw
----------------------Gerrard--------Wilshere----------------------
Sterling-----------------------Rooney--------------------------Ox
-------------------------------Sturridge------------------------------


We could surprise a few with that team imo.

Then you have the likes of Lallana, Henderson, Milner, Lambert, Welbeck as bench options.

What I like about that team is that it's free of any Spurs c*nts.

What I don't like about this team is the presence of these two kants. These and others like them are why I really don't give a toss about England or the World Cup. Sorry if that makes me less of a super football fan

[northbank123]

I just do not buy into the assessment of the level Luke Shaw is at currently. Before he'd even kicked a ball in the PL and without even seeing him play pundits were falling over themselves to say he was going to be world class and England's left-back for a decade.

He's got massive potential and he's a decent enough left-back. Maybe he will turn out to be class and be England's left-back for a decade. But the hype around him now is similar (although even more intense) to what is was with Kyle Walker a few years ago. His defending is not really scrutinised at all, as is par for the course with most defenders outside top 4 clubs. He is absolutely rapid but I am sick of hearing about what an attacking threat he is. Not everything can be measured in stats but 33 PL starts, 0 goals and 2 assists in one of the better attacking sides in the league hardly backs that up.

When I watched Southampton v Everton there was the usual *****-fest over him on Sky. Clyne had an absolute stormer and for the second goal put in a cracking cross that would have had the commentators grabbing for the tissues if it had come from the other full-back.

I'm not one for selecting players on reputation but I'd take Cole over him, don't care how negative it seems. Cole was a bit shaky first 20 against Liverpool but despite not playing much this year still came in for two massive games at Vicente Calderon and Anfield and showed he can be part of an excellent defensive unit. If you have this fantasy that England full-backs with no end product are going to go bombing forward without consequence and fire England into the latter stages of the tournament, take Shaw. If you want a defensively solid full-back who can deputise reliably for Baines, take Cole. Even if he is a gigantic prick.

[Theoperator]

LG I know what you mean, but when they step up to convert the 2 pens in the final to beat Brazil I may for once cheer the fu**ers on.

Just like I did as The Chavs walked the ball in for 0-2 the other day.

[northbank123]

1989 for manager, and while we are at it please can we bottle up some of your enthusiasm as well



Come to think of it that is a good team, but we just never seem to pull it off

Fucking hell the stuff would be more dangerous than anthrax

[Leyton Gooner]

LG I know what you mean, but when they step up to convert the 2 pens in the final to beat Brazil I may for once cheer the fu**ers on.

Just like I did as The Chavs walked the ball in for 0-2 the other day.

England in the final, and only the final, would get me slightly interested I must admit

But there's more chance of Wenger finally doing the decent thing on the 17th than that happening so fuck em

[SteveO 35]

Scotland, Wales and Ireland aren't coming

[1989]

1989 for manager, and while we are at it please can we bottle up some of your enthusiasm as well



Come to think of it that is a good team, but we just never seem to pull it off

I'm not really that enthusiastic it's just because this forum is full of doom and gloom mongers that I tend to stand out like a sore thumb on here at times.

I'm a bit of a negative nancy in life really.

[1989]

I just do not buy into the assessment of the level Luke Shaw is at currently. Before he'd even kicked a ball in the PL and without even seeing him play pundits were falling over themselves to say he was going to be world class and England's left-back for a decade.

He's got massive potential and he's a decent enough left-back. Maybe he will turn out to be class and be England's left-back for a decade. But the hype around him now is similar (although even more intense) to what is was with Kyle Walker a few years ago. His defending is not really scrutinised at all, as is par for the course with most defenders outside top 4 clubs. He is absolutely rapid but I am sick of hearing about what an attacking threat he is. Not everything can be measured in stats but 33 PL starts, 0 goals and 2 assists in one of the better attacking sides in the league hardly backs that up.

When I watched Southampton v Everton there was the usual *****-fest over him on Sky. Clyne had an absolute stormer and for the second goal put in a cracking cross that would have had the commentators grabbing for the tissues if it had come from the other full-back.

I'm not one for selecting players on reputation but I'd take Cole over him, don't care how negative it seems. Cole was a bit shaky first 20 against Liverpool but despite not playing much this year still came in for two massive games at Vicente Calderon and Anfield and showed he can be part of an excellent defensive unit. If you have this fantasy that England full-backs with no end product are going to go bombing forward without consequence and fire England into the latter stages of the tournament, take Shaw. If you want a defensively solid full-back who can deputise reliably for Baines, take Cole. Even if he is a gigantic prick.

Shaw is brill mate. Will be world class no question. I too I don't buy into the English young talent hype the way the media love to do but Shaw really is the real deal.

If not him, then Gibbo. Baines can fuck off, Cole is old and had his day.

[1989]

LG I know what you mean, but when they step up to convert the 2 pens in the final to beat Brazil I may for once cheer the fu**ers on.

Just like I did as The Chavs walked the ball in for 0-2 the other day.

England in the final, and only the final, would get me slightly interested I must admit

But there's more chance of Wenger finally doing the decent thing on the 17th than that happening so fuck em

If England are in the final, you two will be in your England shirts, with England hats on, face paints and the whole bloody set, and you KNOW it.

[officepest]

If England are basing their team around Rooney they may as well not bother getting on the 'plane.