England

[paddyc]

For me our best striker recently has been Rickie Lambert who scored a great goal, held up the ball and linked up well against Ecuador.
Ok he's not going to beat 3 or 4 defenders or out strip a centre half, but he has great touch and presence of mind to find the right positions and make good runs. No doubt Woy won't use him from the start (although he deserves a chance),but if we need a goal or get a penalty he may well be a big asset.

 

[Pin-seeker]

If England go too attack minded we won't last 2 minutes,especially in the heat.
Wed all like to see attractive attacking football but you have to set out your team to firstly not concede early on.

 

[chrisd]

There really is so much negativity about. I know it's not the strongest squad we've ever assembled but appears, with few exceptions, about the best and as well balanced a squad as was available to Roy. He has though, for a change, assembled a team with great spirit, no apparent infighting and engendered a great fighting spirit. Man for man I'm sure they will do their best. I personally wish that he had been in charge in the last two World Cup campaigns when a far better overall squad was ruined by poor management, infighting, togetherness, and run poorly too.

No, Rooney isn't as good as he was, nor Lampard maybe but Gerrard in his new role is spot on and if Rooney gets a goal or two he at least has the ability to be closer to world class than I think Lambert could. Lallana, looked a tremendous prospect when I saw him play at ours this year and Cahill has improved big time since playing with John Terry. Roy will pick the same team against Italy that 99% of us on here could predict and I, for one, am optimistic that we could well beat Italy and, at least, shouldn't fear them.

 

[Beezerk]

Please explain? Milner should be an definite starter on Saturday. Purely to cover for Johnsons inability to get back into position. Once the Italians are tired bring on Sterling to take advantage of some tired legs.

Aaah that makes sense, play a crap player to cover for a shocking defender. I like your logic :thup:

 

[DanFST]

Aaah that makes sense, play a crap player to cover for a shocking defender. I like your logic :thup:

Yeah Milner is crap, that's why he consistently plays for the champions of England, and has 2 Premier League medals.

He's not glamorous, but is a typical box to box player that will Run forward and track back non stop.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

So much negativity.............here is a thought.
Just pretend you are Scotland

 

[cookelad]

If he plays safe and goes tried and tested and failed methods with the safe bets without unleashing the youngsters then yes he will get castigated if they don't leave the group

But if he plays the youngsters and goes for it then he shouldn't

:thup:

I'd be happy with 3 x 4-3 losses if it meant we'd had a go!

Said it before but, if the team goes out of the tournament putting a shift in, what more can you ask of them?

 

[Rooter]

:thup:

I'd be happy with 3 x 4-3 losses if it meant we'd had a go!

Said it before but, if the team goes out of the tournament putting a shift in, what more can you ask of them?

Im with you on that. much rather lose trying, than say trying to claw back a 4 goal gap on game 3 due to playing for the draw in earlier games. tournament football means playing to win for me. give it a go, if you lose you lose.

 

[Papas1982]

Yeah Milner is crap, that's why he consistently plays for the champions of England, and has 2 Premier League medals.

He's not glamorous, but is a typical box to box player that will Run forward and track back non stop.

Havent players like Taibi, Welbeck and djemba djemba got winners medals too?

I agree reed he's not as bad as made out, but if Milner starts then we won't be playing attacking footy, that's for sure.

Also, I always thought box to box meant he contributed all über the pitch. He works hard and is a nuisance, but hardly a goal threat. Especially for someone who started as a striker.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Which team competing at the World Cup doesn't represent a country (as recognised by the UN)?

 

[FairwayDodger]

Which team competing at the World Cup doesn't represent a country (as recognised by the UN)?

England?

 

[Papas1982]

England?

Bingo! We're gonna be Great Britain I would imagine.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

England?

Yep - recognised by the UN as the UK

 

[Papas1982]

Yep - recognised by the UN as the UK

And fifa if they had their way too!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

And fifa if they had their way too!

Would actually make the team a tiny bit stronger but will never happen

 

[FairwayDodger]

And fifa if they had their way too!

Would actually make the team a tiny bit stronger but will never happen

Would be the quickest way to ensure a "yes" vote in the referendum!

 

[Rooter]

Apart from Bale and Ramsay, who from outside of England would make a UK football starting XI??

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Apart from Bale and Ramsay, who from outside of England would make a UK football starting XI??

No one

 

[Papas1982]

Apart from Bale and Ramsay, who from outside of England would make a UK football starting XI??

Not many, but they'd probably be our best two players!

never gonna happen as shown by all the hoops that had to be jumped through for the Olympic team.

Shouldn't happen either.

The carribean don't have a team last time I checked!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Not many, but they'd probably be our best two players!

never gonna happen as shown by all the hoops that had to be jumped through for the Olympic team.

Shouldn't happen either.

The carribean don't have a team last time I checked!

The Carribean aren't recognised as a official national working under the same government etc - not really a comparison