2014 FIFA World Cup

[G-Stud]

I've banged a tenner on Argentina to win, but I'll be supporting The Netherlands

[pink_triangle]

Brazil haven't lost a competitive home match for 40 years, they must be big favourites.

[Gucci Piggy]

i would think Argentina tick all the boxes really. Good as squad as anyone and "home" (has good as) advantage...

Regarding England... I actually think we might have an alright tournament with a little luck. No chance of winning it but I am hopeful we will make it out of the group and possibly as far as the quarter finals. Quite a number of talented young hungry players been selective. Glad to see the likes of Ashely Cole being left at home. I just feel we are really weak upfront and this is the biggest threat against us not getting out of the group.. No decent strikers. Rooney has flopped at every tournament so far and I don't see that changing this time around either.

[PDAD]

Who would people pick for the first game against Italy?

I think i'd go with:

Hart, Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Shaw, Henderson, Gerrard, Lallana, Sterling, Rooney, Sturridge

Similar formation to what Liverpool have been adopting, but with Lallana and Rooney obviously taking the place of Coutinho and Suarez. Hopefully provides a bit of chemistry to the team.

[Gucci Piggy]

Who would people pick for the first game against Italy?

I think i'd go with:

Hart, Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Shaw, Henderson, Gerrard, Lallana, Sterling, Rooney, Sturridge

Similar formation to what Liverpool have been adopting, but with Lallana and Rooney obviously taking the place of Coutinho and Suarez. Hopefully provides a bit of chemistry to the team.

Edited May 18, 2014 by Will-2609

[pink_triangle]

Who would people pick for the first game against Italy?

I think i'd go with:

Hart, Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Shaw, Henderson, Gerrard, Lallana, Sterling, Rooney, Sturridge

Similar formation to what Liverpool have been adopting, but with Lallana and Rooney obviously taking the place of Coutinho and Suarez. Hopefully provides a bit of chemistry to the team.

[Essex_George]

I think there is a danger that people are going a bit ott about Liverpool, it worked this season but there are reasons to think it may not work long term. I personally would say basing a side on Liverpool in the hottest game against the cleverest opposition would play right into the Italians hands.

[PDAD]

I think there is a danger that people are going a bit ott about Liverpool, it worked this season but there are reasons to think it may not work long term. I personally would say basing a side on Liverpool in the hottest game against the cleverest opposition would play right into the Italians hands.

[pink_triangle]

England should go to world cup and go for it, adopting Liverpool tactics or not. Play nice attacking football and try to score a few goals. Of course Hodgson won't do this.

[pink_triangle]

With the world cup approaching possibly a good time to share memories on previous (good and bad) world cups. The first one I remember is 1990 so in order of how much I enjoyed them.

1998 - My favourite by a comfortable margin. Great French, Dutch and Brazilian team. The underdogs of Croata. Seemed to have loads of top players near their peak, that Bergkamp goal and convenient kick off times.

2006 - Lost a bit of steam in the knockout rounds but again kick off times were good. Italy going all out attack against Germany in extra time, Canavarro producing some of the best defence I have seen in a world cup. That great Cambiasso goal.

2010 - I know spain aren't everyones cup of tea, but I enjoy watching them. They were very deserving winners. Loved the E.A.S.Y headlines and then seeing England struggle through the group and then get tonked by the germans despite the media claiming England had better players. Also enjoyed watching the Germans tonk the Argies. Final was a bit rubbish and ruined in my opinion by Webb letting the Dutch get away with murder.

1994 - Loads of great player, but probably a bit young to appreciate it and the kick offs weren't always convenient. Again a bit of a sucky final.

1990 - Too young to know the foreign players, seemed ok but I remember Gazzas tears more than anything and the final was bad.

2002 - A complete stinker in every respect, games on at annoying times. Too many big teams underperforming or screwed by officals. One team miles better than everyone else, the fact one of the poorest German squads came second says it all.

[pink_triangle]

I think the problem with the English game is we don't have an identity, a style of play.... We dont have a style the define us... I think to look at Spain and say we need to be like them is always a mistake. Or to say we have to be more like the Germans. We have to be ourselves, play that way over many years and develop a philosophy and style that defines us. Gel players into that system over the years etc.

For me that is a direct style of quick counter attack football. Much like United played for years. We seem to chop and change our style depending in who we play or which twit is in charge. We lack a national identity these days.

[Andre91]

Hart

Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines

Gerrard, Henderson

Sterling, Rooney, Lallana

Sturridge

Subs:

Foster

Jones

Lampard

Milner

Oxlade-Chamberlain

Barkley

Lambert (Roy will pick Welbeck)

That's what I would have vs. Italy

[ThomThomDrum]

The Italians basically invented "the Chelsea" so England going all gun blazing Liverpool stylee could very much end in disaster. Unless of course England manage the quick early goal

[strummer77]

Hart

Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines

Gerrard, Henderson

Sterling, Rooney, Lallana

Sturridge

Subs:

Foster

Jones

Lampard

Milner

Oxlade-Chamberlain

Barkley

Lambert (Roy will pick Welbeck)

That's what I would have vs. Italy

[pink_triangle]

I don't know much about the current Italian team but the one I watched at the last World Cup when I was in South Africa was fucking awful and made us look good...

[Andre91]

Don't you get the full squad on the bench?

[ThomThomDrum]

I don't know much about the current Italian team but the one I watched at the last World Cup when I was in South Africa was fucking awful and made us look good...

[thegremlin_1999]

Found these on the Beebs webby, quite interesting little lookbacks on previous tourneys.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27447858

[RobertProsineckisLighter]

I'd go 451 come 433,against the Italians. I think a side like that named above leaves us too light in the middle of the park especially in the heat of the rain forest. Think we need that extra central midfielder in that game. Retaining procession will make all the difference we couldn't chase the ball for 90 mins.

[pink_triangle]

Nobody mentions Milner. I think his experience and workrate would be useful against a team like italy. He may not be a flashy player, but sometimes its about getitng the right balance.

[ThomThomDrum]

Nobody mentions Milner. I think his experience and workrate would be useful against a team like italy. He may not be a flashy player, but sometimes its about getitng the right balance.

[kaosmark2]

The Italians were playing attractive football in the Euros. I hope that continues.

[ThomThomDrum]

The Italians were playing attractive football in the Euros. I hope that continues.

[thetime]

Nobody mentions Milner. I think his experience and workrate would be useful against a team like italy. He may not be a flashy player, but sometimes its about getitng the right balance.

[Andre91]

I hope Balotelli has a good tournament. He might be a bit of a prat at times, but my god, he is a great striker. His finishing is awesome. People complain about his form, but there is no chance of him being dropped by Italy.