2014 FIFA World Cup

[atomised]

I've not seen anything in the friendlies to inspire me. Then in moments of optimism I think of Italy being slow starters in the past.

Definitely better playing them in first group game and perhaps that will give us momentum

[thetime]

3 points could probably get us through. If we beat Italy I think we'll be through.

[atomised]

The heat will be a massive factor

[Gucci Piggy]

I've not seen anything in the friendlies to inspire me. Then in moments of optimism I think of Italy being slow starters in the past.

Definitely better playing them in first group game and perhaps that will give us momentum

Edited June 9, 2014 by Will-2609

[Andre91]

I think Uruguay will top the group with three wins out of three, and England will draw against Italy and Uruguay and then beat Costa Rica to get through.

[atomised]

I like the thinking. I reckon a draw against Italy. Lose to Uruguay and beat Costa rica

[luckysalt]

I know this is the world cup thread but as we are between seasons and this is the general football thread by default.

Anyway, yeah, Villa signing Joe Cole.

[TheGayTent]

I know this is the world cup thread but as we are between seasons and this is the general football thread by default.

Anyway, yeah, Villa signing Joe Cole.

[TheGayTent]

Colback left the Mackems for the Magpies. Interesting move...

[ThomThomDrum]

I think Uruguay will top the group with three wins out of three, and England will draw against Italy and Uruguay and then beat Costa Rica to get through.

[Andre91]

How can we draw with Uruguay if they're gonna win all three games?

[jump]

I really think Uruguay are being built up beyond what they should be....

I think its a tight group and very hard to call. It could go either way.

I am going for / hoping for....

England 0-0 Italy

England 2-1 Uruguay

Costa Rica 4-0 Costa Rica

[eFestivals]

I really think Uruguay are being built up beyond what they should be.

A team doesn't get to be 7th in the world rankings by being crap.

It's possible that we'll beat them of course, but I think they're the most likely to top the group - that 'home' feeling they'll have (compared to England/Italy) will give them the edge I reckon.

[jump]

A team doesn't get to be 7th in the world rankings by being crap.

It's possible that we'll beat them of course, but I think they're the most likely to top the group - that 'home' feeling they'll have (compared to England/Italy) will give them the edge I reckon.

[hot_ice]

It wasn't that long ago England were 5th, the FIFA rankings are stupid to me.

[ThomThomDrum]

It wasn't that long ago England were 5th, the FIFA rankings are stupid to me.

[LondonTom]

I really think Uruguay are being built up beyond what they should be.

I think its a tight group and very hard to call. It could go either way.

I am going for / hoping for....

England 0-0 Italy

England 2-1 Uruguay

England 4-0 Costa Rica

Edited June 10, 2014 by LondonTom

[Essex_George]

I can see England getting through the group stage with a couple of draws and a win against Costa Rica. Next round Ivory Coast or Columbia, but then Brazil will more then likely be waiting for us....

[eFestivals]

The FIFA ranking system gives you points for Friendlies which makes the whole system a farce really.

yeah, cos England were better than Ecuador and Honduras.

[atomised]

The problem with Costa Rica will come if we need a result to go through and the nerves get to us. I don't see them as a threat on the whole though

[eFestivals]

I can see England getting through the group stage with a couple of draws and a win against Costa Rica. Next round Ivory Coast or Columbia, but then Brazil will more then likely be waiting for us....

if England have got a couple of draws and a win against Costa Rica, what will Italy and Urugary have?

[pink_triangle]

The FIFA ranking system gives you points for Friendlies which makes the whole system a farce really.

[Essex_George]

if England have got a couple of draws and a win against Costa Rica, what will Italy and Urugary have?

[atomised]

I gave up watching friendlies a few years back.. can't believe that people cough up money to go and watch them

[eFestivals]

So you think Friendlies matter ? You should get a job working for the FIFA ranking system

Does a team go into the match planning to lose it?

So yes, they matter. The results shouldn't perhaps be weighted the same as competitive matches, but they definitely show what a team is about.

Edited June 10, 2014 by eFestivals