Funkii Munkii

So what do we think of Woy's 23

Suprised to see Lampard and Johnson in there imho, Jones and Smalling are only there because they're a part of the "Hodgson Project" at least Jones is versatile and can fill in in a number of positions.

I'm glad there are a handful of younger players in this squad, with the Ox and Sterling on the wings and Rooney and Sturridge up front hopefully we'll have something to shout about, Gerrard will be dropped after the first game and Lallana will slot in beautifully


England's 23-man World Cup squad:

Goalkeepers: Hart, Foster, Forster

Defenders: Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Jones, Smalling, Baines, Shaw

Midfielders: Gerrard, Lampard, Wilshere, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Milner, Sterling, Lallana, Barkley

Forwards: Rooney, Welbeck, Sturridge, Lambert

Stand-by list: Ruddy, Flanagan, Stones, Carrick, Cleverley, Carroll, Defoe

Willowsdad

iTrader: (2)

Quite a versatile squad. I just hope the youngsters can play without fear, and without the pressure that's burdened past teams. I actually like smalling, and he's got a big future ahead of him. Shame that he'll only be on the fringe of this team unless jagielka picks up an injury.

dpb

Have teh pundits started to build up our team yet to win the cup ...
My god that was embarrassing when we stayed in SA

hodgy0_2

i think it is good start

dpb

Awesome.

Well we've some ground to make up

Aaron1978

iTrader: (12)

I feel sorry for Roy Hodgson. It must be difficult to examine every Englishman in the Premier League and decide which two to leave at home.

Graz

Preparing for a summer of disappointment, i.e. business as usual

DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

No real surprises, the squad pretty much picks itself.

I'd be much happier without soppy Roy at the helm though. Looks like it'll be up to the experienced players to do the man management.

Funkii Munkii

Who would you prefer over Roy ?

I think he's doing a grand job and was/is the man for the role

DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

I'd prefer Redknapp. Mind you I'd prefer Pardew, Pearce or Allardyce over Hodgson.

More controversially, I'd actually like to see Beckham do the job after some managerial experience.

Roy has experience on his side, but just doesn't command enough respect from the players or have the ***** to influence changes that are needed for the national side to prosper.

hodgy0_2

Suarez has a knee injury, hopefully he recovers to play for Uruguay, even though it effect England chances

The world cup deserves the best players, I have been privileged to see Suarez play this season (as a arsenal supporter) and he his pure class

To be the best you have to beat the best - lets get through the group stages beating a Suarez Uruguay

Mouser

Guaranteed success! http://www.itv.com/news/2014-05-28/f...d-cup-success/

dpb

Oh right,

Apparently the press have determined we lost the last world cup due to players being bored in their hotel accommodation.

Of course.....!

An0n0m0us

The Peru game showed a terrible lack of attacking flair, as the pundits said there will be far harder defences to unlock at the WC yet we struggled against Peru. 3-0 was a flaterring score with 2 goals from corners. Sturridge's goal was the only positive on a poor display in my opinion.

They better pick up in the 2 games this week because if they can't start scoring goals from creative team play (as opposed to relying on wonder goals like Sturridge's) then they won't be getting out the group stages.

dpb

Nice goal Ecuador

hodgy0_2

shame about "the OX" - a genuinely exiting player, with huge potential

dpb

I just don't understand how Fifa are allowed to get away with what they do

scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

Cant wait until Sepp Blatter leaves Fifa, will be a better organisation once he has gone!!

I remember the first World Cup I saw when I was 8 years old, 1990 world cup italia, now that was a good world cup, even USA 94 was good, I remember watching most games and getting excited, the last few world cups I watch games and find them boring, could be as the champions league has become good over the last 10-12 years, so makes the World Cup seem a bit dull!!

But since Sepp Blatter has been in charge since 1998 they give world cups to these crap countries like Japan/South korea, South Africa, Qatar and these countries have no real decent leagues or players, I just cant see the point, as in my personal view it downgrades the competition. You wouldn't see the champions league final being played in Liechtenstein!!!

So i am hoping this world cup in Brazil will be good this year, now they have given it to a country that has got a decent footballing pedigree!!

dpb

You're joking , football is probably more popular on the african continent than here in uk !

African Cup nations eg is far more compelling than yet another dreary england friendly. The players want it more, obviously


And many of the best players intimately hail from there

My problem is with fifa making so much money on teh back of it all , and on the back of teh host nation

l1verp00l

we have a very slim chance of winning with this squad. fingers crossed

An0n0m0us

We have no chance of winning, lets make that the obvious statement before the WC even kicks off.

We struggled against Peru, Equador and Honduras. How do you think England could beat Brazil, Germany, Spain or Argentina on the back of those awful games? And I don't care how Hodgson or even the press try and dress those performances up, they were terrible.

With how we played in those 3 warm up games I don't even fancy our chances of getting out the group stage. Italy and Uruguay are far tougher opponents with much better players than what we faced in those 3 games.

Personally I think this is one of the weakest squads we have gone to a WC with when I think back over the previous 6 and compare squads (Mexico 86 is as far back as I can remember).

The one game i'm already looking forward to is Spain vs Holland on Friday, what a cracker that could be. And then Germany vs Portugal on Monday. Those are the only other 2 'big games' of the group stages outside of England vs Italy.

Funkii Munkii

I went through all the group games circling the ones I really wanted to watch and found there were quite a few that didn't really excite

That said I'm still looking forward to it massively. I was moving home from Australia during the last world cup and other than sampling the Fifa zone in Darling Harbour for an Aus match one night and arriving home for the second half of the ill fated Germany game I saw very little, so I'm making an effort this time

You dont get many World Cups in a life time.

I have vague memories as a 7 year old watching the Germany Holland final in 74 otherwise it was Argentina 78 that I really remember as my proper first WC

scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

Its popular, but can you name me 1 team from any of the african domestic leagues with out typing it into google Yes they do produce some good players, but there is a reason why they never want to stay in there own leagues!!

cmr SCOOBY

i hope England can win

An0n0m0us

I can't wait for Thursday My thoughts above on England's chances are extremely negative and I hope i'm wrong (just hacked off with the 3 warm up games) but i'm still keen to watch as many of the games as I can.

I hope the adrenalin kicks in for our team and they play out of their skins.

cmr SCOOBY

COME ON ENGLAND!!!

dpb

Highlanders


Benjani, Manchester city and Portsmouth.

M1keLR

iTrader: (1)

Its almost time now. Am i right in thinking our first game is Saturday night at 11pm?

How do we think it will go?

crazyspeedfreakz

iTrader: (92)

Anyone doing the sun World Cup dream team ??? Just entered my team

Funkii Munkii

2-0 to England