Football 2013-2014

[eFestivals]

How do England fans feel that Terry isnt/cant/not allowed go even when he one of the best centre-halfs about?

no one's crying, aside from a few Chelsea fans and Terry himself.

[mrtourette]

Yeah not an issue. To be honest I'd forgotten about him when thinking about centre-back alternatives.

[dentalplan]

I dunno, that whole 'they need to get a feel for the international set-up' is such a cop-out. Shaw will get a good feel for the international set-up in the next two years of qualifying before the next tournamant, I don't get this obsession with players being 'around the international set up' or 'experiencing a tournament' being valuable experience. It's not like the old days where a player would be spending three weeks in a country they've never heard of and prepare by taking a suitcase full of baked beans, modern footballers aren't so deprived of similar experiences. It's such an overrated concern nowadays. There's just as much of a case to made for an experienced player sitting on the bench and the benefit that brings to the squad than an inexperienced one sitting on the bench, and to be honest it's just as nonsensical. Take the player who in the event of an injury would provide the best cover and be able to contribute the most to the team winning, whether they're 18 or 33.

[mrtourette]

I just thought that seeing as it's something that the bosses seem to take into account, with their sports psychologists and what not, that it's a real thing.

[mrtourette]

Anyway three Everton players in the England squad for a major tournament!

Scenes.

[LondonTom]

not particularly - tho I won't be surprised if they achieve to around England's normal level. The 'golden generation' were more hype than ability.

[Andre91]

Can't complain about that squad really. It's the strongest they could have gone for considering the likes of Theo, Walker etc. are injured. Jay Rodriquez would have been a great addition if not for his injury too. The only thing I can pick at is Chris Smalling. He's woeful. Hodgson should have bitten the bullet and gone for Stones or Caulker in his place (or Curtis Davies who has had a great season).

My starting XI would be: Hart, Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines, Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling, Rooney, Lallana, Sturridge in a 4-2-3-1.

[eFestivals]

My starting XI would be: Hart, Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines, Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling, Rooney, Lallana, Sturridge in a 4-2-3-1.

mine too, tho looking at it all written down I'm wondering if Rooney is going to look very pedestrian amongst those players.

[mrtourette]

I think Hodgson will start Welbeck, probably in place of Sterling, at least at first.

Edited May 12, 2014 by mrtourette

[Andre91]

mine too, tho looking at it all written down I'm wondering if Rooney is going to look very pedestrian amongst those players.

[ThomThomDrum]

Some Waterford Whispers Wit for all you England fans out there

http://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2014/05/12/england-name-23-men-to-blame-for-world-cup-failure/

[thetime]

Scenes.

[thetime]

My starting XI would be: Hart, Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines, Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling, Rooney, Lallana, Sturridge in a 4-2-3-1.

Edited May 12, 2014 by thetime

[TheGayTent]

Rafa to Tottenham?

[thetime]

Rafa to Tottenham?

[ThomThomDrum]

Should there be a concern that only Hart, Cahill, Gerrard, Rooney have experience from playing at the very top level?

No champions league experience? Big gap between premier league and world level.

[TheGayTent]

Fact or rumour?

[Andre91]

Should there be a concern that only Hart, Cahill, Gerrard, Rooney have experience from playing at the very top level?

No champions league experience? Big gap between premier league and world level.

[kaosmark2]

That squad seems crazy to me. Cashley may not have played for Chelsea but neither Shaw nor Baines have experience at the top level. Ox picked despite only just coming back from injury and Stones on standby?

Also, didn't Carrick refuse to be in the standbys for the Euros? What's changed?

[dentalplan]

That squad seems crazy to me. Cashley may not have played for Chelsea but neither Shaw nor Baines have experience at the top level. Ox picked despite only just coming back from injury and Stones on standby?

Also, didn't Carrick refuse to be in the standbys for the Euros? What's changed?

[pink_triangle]

Christ yeah wasn't Jones something like £17mil? I can't imagine them getting anywhere near that if they decided to sell him now.

He's got £8mil to Hull written all over him.

[ThomThomDrum]

I disagree, I think in general international football as an experienced mans game. Look at teams who have done best in recent years and most have been full of players in the late 20s/early 30s. For all the talk about international football playing second fiddle, you offer most players a world cup or champions league winners medal and they would choose the former.

Edited May 12, 2014 by ThomThomDrum

[pink_triangle]

However the talent of the teams in a WC is inferior to those in the CL and thats what I meant by second fiddle.

[TheGayTent]

So where do we think Rio will go?

[TheGayTent]

While that's true, both tournaments have different aims. The world cup aims to highlight football throughout the world, the champions league aims to showcase the wealthy clubs.