2014 FIFA World Cup

[eFestivals]

Brilliant result for Scotland.

Via Italy.

would you like some fish with your chip, sir?

[viberunner]

*Viva.

If you're going to take the piss, at least get it right

Edited June 16, 2014 by viberunner

[eFestivals]

Yes, an Arbroath smokie for me.

would that be with a bit of Arbroath Declaration on the side, racism included?

[ThomThomDrum]

Powerful image...............

[ThomThomDrum]

Great pic of RVP goal

[viberunner]

would that be with a bit of Arbroath Declaration on the side, racism included?

[windy_miller]

I had to turn the BBC commentary off during the England game (switched to R5 with the red button). Phil Neville's voice was like a portal into an infinite void of nothingness.

Turns out they may be dropping him from the commentary team now...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/10901542/World-Cup-2014-Boring-Phil-Neville-could-be-dropped-from-BBCs-commentary-team.html

[thetime]

I didn't see the England game, did everyone play well apart from Rooney?

[TheGayTent]

I didn't see the England game, did everyone play well apart from Rooney?

[thetime]

No.

[eFestivals]

Oh, must of missed them bits in the media then.

the defence was shocking, but was anyone expecting anything else?

This is why we shouldn't play Rooney. Others will create us more chances, and because we'll leak goals we need those extra chances in the hope that some will be extra goals.

Edited June 16, 2014 by eFestivals

[TheGayTent]

I liked how bold Hodgson was but didn't like him picking square pegs in round holes.

Have no issue with Rooney playing but if he does it cannot be on the left.

Think Henderson, Gerrard, Hart, Cahill, Johnson, Rooney and Baines could have played better. I do have some sympathy with Baines and Rooney. Though Rooney can't keep missing good chances.

[eFestivals]

Think Henderson, Gerrard, Hart, Cahill, Johnson, Rooney and Baines could have played better. I do have some sympathy with Baines and Rooney. Though Rooney can't keep missing good chances.

Out of the players you list...

- I reckon it's a bit unfair to include Baines, cos while he didn't look good that was purely because Rooney kept going missing in front of him.

- Johnson wasn't good but was better than he's been in some games recently (so perhaps 'average'), and one of the commentators (I forget which) has tried to place the blame on him that is solely Cahill's for the 2nd goal.

- I thought Gerrard and Henderson did OK (nowt special tho), but things would have gone a lot better if they'd have been used more like they get used at Liverpool (Gerrard behind a 'midfield' of 4) ... and that re-jigged 'midfield' would probably worked better for Rooney and Baines too. (I'd thought Woy was gonna do that, with Henderson snapping at Pirlo).

[TheGayTent]

So basically you agree that the players I mentioned could have played better.

[eFestivals]

So basically you agree that the players I mentioned could have played better.

is there a player anywhere anywhen that couldn't?

[thetime]

- I thought Gerrard and Henderson did OK (nowt special tho), but things would have gone a lot better if they'd have been used more like they get used at Liverpool ).

[TheGayTent]

I might play Ox instead of Rooney or drop Welbeck for Milner and play Sterling on the right and move Rooney inside.

Other than that I'd probably play the same side against Uruguay.

Oh, and to say that no one was at fault for Balotelli's goal bar Cahill is somewhat naive.

[eFestivals]

Oh, and to say that no one was at fault for Balotelli's goal bar Cahill is somewhat naive.

I was meaning at the sharp end of that ball (Balatelli), rather than anything that might have gone on before.

[Gucci Piggy]

We can't play Rooney on the wing against Uruguay. Either he swaps with Sterling or he's dropped for Ox. Or we play Sterling left and Barkley centre. Sterling and Welbeck both have to start after the Italy match; no way can either of them be dropped based on that performance.

[ThomThomDrum]

Joe Hart wants his ball back!!!!

[eFestivals]

We can't play Rooney on the wing against Uruguay. Either he swaps with Sterling or he's dropped for Ox. Or we play Sterling left and Barkley centre. Sterling and Welbeck both have to start after the Italy match; no way can either of them be dropped based on that performance.

I'm not getting the Barkley love-in.

While he's not been dreadful I don't think he's been much of anything else either.

[TheGayTent]

His passing stats were extremely good, though on their own I'm not a fan of stats.

Plus he got his one chance on target which is more than can be said of Rooney...

[LondonTom]

We can't play Rooney on the wing against Uruguay. Either he swaps with Sterling or he's dropped for Ox. Or we play Sterling left and Barkley centre. Sterling and Welbeck both have to start after the Italy match; no way can either of them be dropped based on that performance.

[eFestivals]

Undecided on Welbeck I think, he had a decent game but I wouldn't say undropable....if Ox is fit, I'd go with Lallana, Sterling and Ox.

I think I'd prefer Lambert instead of one of those (which all together look a bit lightweight), and on the basis that Lallana plays with him regularly it can't be him, and after the last game it probably wouldn't be Sterling, so I guess the Ox gets a few more days to recover from his injury (or come on as an impact sub to keep the speed up later in the game).

If Sterling hadn't just had a good game and Ox wasn't recovering from injury (tho small) i'd defo go with the Ox before Sterling.

Rest of the team the same, as there isn't really anyone else to replace anyone

agreed.

I think a case could be made for other players instead of Henderson/Gerrard, tho I don't think any of the other possibilities actually end up as anything better (tho might suit a particular match better).

[Gucci Piggy]

I'm not getting the Barkley love-in.

While he's not been dreadful I don't think he's been much of anything else either.