2014 FIFA World Cup

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It always looked like Uruguay would be pivotal and it looks that way now. Uruguay aren't great without Suarez so hopefully a win against them and there will be a whole different perspective on the group.

Much as Costa Rica done well I can't see them beating Italy so hopefully we will be level with them points wise after the second game. Then it'll come down to beating them to secure a slot in the second round.

I thought England played reasonably tonight. Rooney is very much in the last chance saloon but for a lot of this squad the best years lay ahead.

[Gucci Piggy]

I think that is a bit harsh on Hodgson, it is a squad full of players with little track record of performing at the top level, the bulk of the squad have played little or none champions league football in recent years. There is a tendency to go a bit ott about these players purely because they are young. Hodgson is taking the most inexperienced England team I can remember to a world cup, they may not get through the group, but maybe the players aren't at the level where they should.

England and Uruguay both know that they are probably out if they lose the next game, so it is a bit of an eliminator. I don't think either team will fear the defence of the other, so it should be a decent game. In some ways finishing second in the group isn't a huge disadvantage as the big boys aren't awaiting in round 2.

[pink_triangle]

Although, if Uruguay beat us, and we beat Costa Rica as expected, it'll come down to goal difference, so it isn't that clear cut of an eliminator really.

[Gucci Piggy]

Isnt that assuming Italy would beat Uruguay in the last game? If Italy beat Costa Rica ( likely, but not guaranteed) and Uruguay beat Italy. The points total going into the last day would be Italy 6, Uruguay 3, Costa Rica 3, England 0, in those circumstances Im not convinced Italy would be going all out for the win in the last game.

[LondonTom]

I know you English lads accept the exclusion of Terry but personally I think he should be there and playing. That defense would play better with him controlling it and Ballotelli would not be scoring (not like that anyway)................ #justsaying

[atomised]

I agree. I've not enjoyed an England game that much in a fair while

[pink_triangle]

No draws in the tournament yet, long may it continue!

[eFestivals]

i thought that Sterling shot a couple of minutes in was in the net.

[Spindles]

I thought it was Wellbeck's best ever performance for England. He was getting right in there, disrupting attacking moves through the midfield and regaining possession, where other players were giving too much space to the Italians in possession. Taking him off at 60 mins might have been a good tactical decision, but it removed that aspect of our play and gave Italy too much freedom in the last 30 mins.

If Rooney were to play off Sturridge I think he'd be much more successful, he spent most of the first 45 unable to make an impact.

As for Sterling's shot, I also thought that was in at first (as did the TV people as the goal graphic flashed up briefly).

People are saying we'll still get through the group, not sure where they think the points will be coming from.

[eFestivals]

If Rooney were to play off Sturridge I think he'd be much more successful, he spent most of the first 45 unable to make an impact.

personally I reckon we should have Lambert doing that - he's a more intelligent player - along with Lallana on the field too.

People are saying we'll still get through the group, not sure where they think the points will be coming from.

well, we should beat Costa Rica, and if Costa Rica can beat Uruguay then so should we.

But it's not going to work out like that, is it?

[the wonderwhy]

Hodgson thought Rooney played well on the left..... Ok.......

[pink_triangle]

I think there isn't much difference in the level of Englands midfielder/forwards between those who started and those on the bench, for that reason I think they would be wise to freshen things up, rather than run the same players to the ground. I would probably rest Sterling as I think there is a danger of expecting too much from him, while his pace could be even more effective coming off the bench. Im not sure how fit WIlshire and Ox are, but I would consider starting both.

[the wonderwhy]

I think you was watching a different game to most of us. First 45 mins Rooney was seriously struggling on the left. It was the focus of the half time analysis on the TV as well.

[dentalplan]

i thought that Sterling shot a couple of minutes in was in the net.

[pink_triangle]

It's the World Cup... You don't rest players lmao....

You HAVE to play sterling... What utter nonsense

[pink_triangle]

So did the BBC. Scoreboard went to 1-0.

[dentalplan]

As for Uruguay I wouldn't start with Barkley. He didn't really contribute anything from the bench last night and is again getting overhyped. Lallana had a better game after coming on and would be dangerous against a defence which is (somehow) worse than ours. I'm hoping Ox is fit though.

[Spindles]

I thought Rooney was isolated out on the left, with most of the first half play being down the right/centre, with the exception of a couple of moves including the goal. You don't have to view that as a criticism of Rooney, so much as the players supporting behind him and the choices made in attack that were pushing the ball to the right. Much of our possession in the 1st half came from Wellbeck digging it out with a well time tackle and distributing it to the players pushing forward around him.

Henderson failed to impress. I would be surprised to see him start Thursday based on that performance. I think that Barkley is a good prospect though.

[the wonderwhy]

That's very odd as Lallana had 11 touches, most of which were on that run where Rooney took the ball, whereas Barkley contributed to attacking creativity and generally looked more hungry.

[kaosmark2]

I really fail to see the hype with Barkley. He's clearly a good prospect, but he's hyped up as if he's already special, when atm I'd just say he's a good young player who might become something special.

[CHRLY]

For the Uruguay game I'd pick the same starting 11 except maybe Wilshire for Henderson and swap Rooney and Sterling around. As for Barclay I think if he is going to produce anything in the tornemant it won't be as a starter but as an impact sub around 70mins. He didn't do too much last night but there were a few bits of flare and the teams were pretty evenly matched IMO. If we were playing Uruguay/Costa Rica he could make much more of an impact.

[Gucci Piggy]

Me too, was amazed he was so cool having scored in a world cup!

[dentalplan]

Henderson was anonymous but did a decent job. Would rather he stayed on than draft Wilshere in to run around like a headless chicken.

Edited June 15, 2014 by dentalplan

[Gucci Piggy]

Henderson was anonymous but did a decent job. Would rather he stayed on than draft Wilshere in to run around like a headless chicken.

[the wonderwhy]

Henderson and Gerrard were always going to be anonymous really because of the quality of the central midfield from both teams. Usually their job is be creative but last night they had to keep Pirlo and Veratti quiet, which they did reasonably well.