World Cup Russia 2018

[HomerJSimpson]

Here's hoping this is true...https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44132401

The Hart story is doing the rounds on Sky Sports too so likely there is truth in it. Not sure who the final squad will be but I'll still watch with my usual blind optimism.

 

[chrisd]

I'll still watch with my usual blind optimism.

Me too, but I believe the inter club rivalry that has blighted previous tournaments has gone, which should help. It's just the inexperience of the players and lack of centre backs and goal keeper of note that worries me.

 

[Slab]

As for England chances

All depends on how the manager sets up his players - losing Ox was a big blow but this would be a line up that could get them into Quarters and then who knows

Pickford/Butland

Walker
Stones
Dier
Rose

Henderson
Ali
Lallana ( if fit )/Lingard

Sterling
Kane
Vardy/Rashford

Its noticeable to me (with only a passing interest in English football) there's a distinct lack of household names in that list compared to previous World cups (with the exception of the forwards it could be a list of web.com golfers for all I know) although I'm sure they're all millionaires I'm probably going to recognize far more EPL players in several of the other nations line-ups

 

[Deleted member 1418]

Let's face it, England getting out the group can be classed as a successful campaign! Doubt they'll go any further than that but we'll see.

Already a positive start though in jettisoning Hart and Wilshere.

If they all gel then quite fancy Belgium to win it.

But let's face it, there's about 5 or 6 teams out there that will be far easier on the eye than England unfortunately.

 

[ColchesterFC]

Gareth Southgate says that he has picked a squad that he believes can win the World Cup in Russia this summer.

Germany.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Interesting article in the Saturday Times (or Sunday Times) of last week - interview with Rio Ferdinand in which he said that club rivalries between players had wrecked the prospects of success of England's 'golden generation'

 

[User62651]

FA says no official or unofficial team song this year, why not? Tradition isn't it?

 

[Deleted member 18645]

Which means we will do badly. Our last two good performances in big events co-incided with a tremendous song.

1990 - World in Motion - reached semi-finals.
1996 - Football's coming home - reached sem-finals.

 

[Rooter]

Which means we will do badly. Our last two good performances in big events co-incided with a tremendous song.

1990 - World in Motion - reached semi-finals.
1996 - Football's coming home - reached sem-finals.

I am now rapping the John Barnes bit in my head! Cheers!

 

[Orikoru]

Due to be announced this afternoon by Southgate. But this would be my squad, with the knowledge that Hart and Wilshere won't be going:

Pickford, Butland, Pope
Walker, Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Tarkowski, Jones, Rose, Young
Dier, Henderson, Loftus-Cheek, Dele, Lallana, Lingard, Sterling
Kane, Vardy, Rashford, Welbeck

Plus one other. God knows who that will be. I had thought he would take Wilshere, after Ox was ruled out, but presumably has someone else in mind. Could be Delph, he has actually featured for City in the last month or so.

 

[Deleted member 1418]

Due to be announced this afternoon by Southgate. But this would be my squad, with the knowledge that Hart and Wilshere won't be going:

Pickford, Butland, Pope
Walker, Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Tarkowski, Jones, Rose, Young
Dier, Henderson, Loftus-Cheek, Dele, Lallana, Lingard, Sterling
Kane, Vardy, Rashford, Welbeck

Plus one other. God knows who that will be. I had thought he would take Wilshere, after Ox was ruled out, but presumably has someone else in mind. Could be Delph, he has actually featured for City in the last month or so.

There's absolutely no-way Smalling and Cahill won't go - those two not going would also have been reported. As a Chelsea fan, I wouldn't take Cahill - been very poor whenever I've seen him play this season.

 

[Beezerk]

There's absolutely no-way Smalling and Cahill won't go - those two not going would also have been reported. As a Chelsea fan, I wouldn't take Cahill - been very poor whenever I've seen him play this season.

Every time I’ve seen Cahill play recently he’s been at fault for goals.
We’re lacking quality defenders at the minute (apart from maybe Walker), I see us getting caught out with “sucker” goals at the WC as per usual.

 

[Deleted member 1418]

Every time I’ve seen Cahill play recently he’s been at fault for goals.
We’re lacking quality defenders at the minute (apart from maybe Walker), I see us getting caught out with “sucker” goals at the WC as per usual.

Yes Cahill is a mistake waiting to happen at the moment. Part of that is probably down to the fact he's no longer first choice at Chelsea now - just seems very nervous and uncomfortable when on the ball.

IMHO England significantly lacking in international quality at CB and - Dier apart - in central midfield.

 

[Orikoru]

There's absolutely no-way Smalling and Cahill won't go - those two not going would also have been reported. As a Chelsea fan, I wouldn't take Cahill - been very poor whenever I've seen him play this season.

What are you talking about? Before the last friendlies Southgate came out and said he won't be selecting Smalling because he doesn't think he's good enough on the ball, and subsequently left him out of the Holland and Italy games. There is zero chance of him going to the World Cup.

Cahill probably will be there ahead of Tarkowski, sadly. I was just saying that my preference would be Tarkowski.

 

[Deleted member 1418]

What are you talking about? Before the last friendlies Southgate came out and said he won't be selecting Smalling because he doesn't think he's good enough on the ball, and subsequently left him out of the Holland and Italy games. There is zero chance of him going to the World Cup.

Cahill probably will be there ahead of Tarkowski, sadly. I was just saying that my preference would be Tarkowski.

Ok I'll bow to your far superior knowledge in these matters. Thank you for the reprimand!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

No Lallana which I think is mistake , a player who can open up defences and gives a bit of creativity which England lack

But at least Phil Jones is going for comedy value

Butland
Pope
Pickford

Alexander Arnold
Rose
Stones
Trippier
Jones :rofl:
Maguire
Stones
Cahill
Walker
Young

Lingard
Ali
Loftus Cheek
Henderson
Dier
Welbeck :rofl:

Sterling
Vardy
Kane
Rashford

 

[Khamelion]

The squad is

Alexander-Arnold
Butland
Cahill
Dele
Delph
Dier
Henderson
Jones
Kane
Lingard
Loftus-Cheek
Maguire
Pickford
Pope
Rashford
Rose
Sterling
Stones
Trippier
Vardy
Walker
Welbeck
Young

 

[Deleted member 1418]

No Lallana which I think is mistake , a player who can open up defences and gives a bit of creativity which England lack

But at least Phil Jones is going for comedy value

And Welbeck!! Yes not picking Lallana is a mistake.

Oh well, it's not as if we're going to win it!!!

 

[Tashyboy]

No Lallana which I think is mistake , a player who can open up defences and gives a bit of creativity which England lack

But at least Phil Jones is going for comedy value

Butland
Pope
Pickford

Alexander Arnold
Rose
Stones
Trippier
Jones :rofl:
Maguire
Stones
Cahill
Walker
Young

Lingard
Ali
Loftus Cheek
Henderson
Dier
Welbeck :rofl:

Sterling
Vardy
Kane
Rashford

Gotta agree with that, think the midfield looks light, very light, would put a smiley at the side of Cahill as well.

 

[Taz]

[FONT=&quot]Tom Heaton, James Tarkowski, Adam Lallana, Jake Livermore and Lewis Cook named on England standby list [/FONT]