England warm up v Ecuador

[Bianchi on Ice]

That is so typical England; even when it goes right, it goes wrong.

There was a period where a bit of style & confidence started to appear, almost a bit of swagger, & I was praying he'd take Rooney off for Lalana. Then Chamberlain goes & Sterling comes on & just charges around like a fucking 10 year old, running head first into trouble.

The two incidents combined completely put the brakes on, & got Rooney out of jail. Really a near miss on starting a team there I think. Probably gone forever now.

I thought Milner did ok but got tired, as did Barkley & several others. Probably going to be a big problem; keeping the tempo going in the heat. Tbf to fat Frank, he was a lot less showoff & more workmanlike 2nd half.

It's a pity Wilshire is such a big headed diving cunt. He could be exactly what England need. But he will just end up letting them down, same as Beckham & all the rest.

Agree about Wilshire...its almost as if hes got a lip on because he wants to play further up where Barkley was. Its almost like an infection, playing for England...I remember the stick Terry Butcher used to get and he had his limits but my word Hodgson needs a senior pro or two like him around unlike that fucking wet fish gerrard

[Im_Spartacus]

won't quite have the balls to drop Rooney but I think people are beginning to see the truth now. Still think England won't make the knockouts but maybe they'll put up a better fight than I first thought.

I was doing my sun dream team today and noticed that nearly 10% of all players had picked Sturridge, and only 4% went for Rooney

It seems the public at large really do know what a useless cunt he is, and to expect fuck all from him for England. Unfortunately the manager (or perhaps the sponsors) and the media think differently.

[Dunnylad]

I see Hodgson thinks Barkley needs a kick up the arse for giving the ball away and Milner didn't let him down at right back - kinda reminds me if Taylor in '92

[Ted Hughes]

won't quite have the balls to drop Rooney but I think people are beginning to see the truth now. Still think England won't make the knockouts but maybe they'll put up a better fight than I first thought.

I was doing my sun dream team today and noticed that nearly 10% of all players had picked Sturridge, and only 4% went for Rooney

It seems the public at large really do know what a useless cunt he is, and to expect fuck all from him for England. Unfortunately the manager (or perhaps the sponsors) and the media think differently.

We have had the same thing for years; players who win stuff & often perform at a high level for their clubs but constantly let England down. They remain automatic choices, year after year after year, instead of being dumped on their arses like they deserve. If someone does dump them, the press get the manager sacked & they come back in, & are shit again.

If the likes of Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney etc etc were playing under a manager with real power, they would have no choice but to play for the team or do one. With that lot, plus Owen, Scholes etc, England should have been competing for every tournament.

Instead, they have played their whole careers purely for themselves & on the one day out of ten when one fthem plays a blinder, it guarantees them another 30 caps of being selfish shite. It also teaches the kids, that it's more important to hit glory passes & shoot from halfway, provided you stick one in from 40 yards once every six months, than to try & play pass & move for the team like Scholes does, or indeed Milner does, & end up on the fucking bench.

[Bianchi on Ice]

won't quite have the balls to drop Rooney but I think people are beginning to see the truth now. Still think England won't make the knockouts but maybe they'll put up a better fight than I first thought.

I was doing my sun dream team today and noticed that nearly 10% of all players had picked Sturridge, and only 4% went for Rooney

It seems the public at large really do know what a useless cunt he is, and to expect fuck all from him for England. Unfortunately the manager (or perhaps the sponsors) and the media think differently.

Yes. Itll be wellbeck wide left, rooney behind sturridge, the only concession to derring-do being chamberlain wide right if he isnt already out after today and barkley on with 8 seconds to go when 0-1 down against an Italy side barely waking up.
However...woy did pick chamberlain in the euros v france and that surprised everybody..so im not totally resigned to that scenario sparty

[DoomMerchant]

Honestly, quite enjoyed that.

Most importantly, it was an England friendly which didn't bore me to tears. That is progress. Barkley, Ox-Cha are genuinely exciting players.

The whole back 4 was shaky, but I don't think we'll be seeing any of them start games. Would've liked Hodgeson to have put in some of the starting back 4 for consistency.

Sending off was terrible.

Roy won't quite have the balls to drop Rooney but I think people are beginning to see the truth now. Still think England won't make the knockouts but maybe they'll put up a better fight than I first thought.

I thought it was a really fun match. Great intent from both sides. That cracker of a goal from the Ecuadorans. And some drama. Barkley looks nice. Milner wasn't complete shit despite the posts on here. Plus it's a no-win for him playing fullback isn't it?

Valencia hasn't looked that lively for the rags in a while has he?

Really looking forward to this...

[LookMumImOnMCF.net]

I think Rooney was one of the most promising English prospects and could've easily been one of England's greatest ever players, shining in a mediocre squad.. As he gets older his attitude and commitment have, however, started to weigh him down. Plus the fact that he's English with anEnglish mentality.

Look at Ronaldo. They started their careers at similar trajectories. Ronaldo is 6 months older than Rooney but light-years ahead in terms of physique and ability.

I've not really got a problem with Rooney's England career overall but he's rapidly declined in recent years.

Rooney also poses a painful dilemma in terms of team shape and personnel if he plays, leaving him out makes the team function more as a unit - which could be England's best asset I feel.

As an England fan I'd love to be wrong, but I don't think a few games on the bench and having the prospect of Rooney as an impact sub should be overlooked.

[LookMumImOnMCF.net]

Milner didn't let him down at right back

Is this sarcasm?

Really looking forward to this...

How do you think the US will perform? It's really a stinker of a group for you guys and those in your squad I know I don't think much of. I do like Kinsmann though, that might just be the European in me finding something nice to say.

I think you'll finish bottom of the group, by the way. The competition being too strong.

[Ted Hughes]

I think Rooney was one of the most promising English prospects and could've easily been one of England's greatest ever players, shining in a mediocre squad.. As he gets older his attitude and commitment have, however, started to weigh him down. Plus the fact that he's English with anEnglish mentality.

Look at Ronaldo. They started their careers at similar trajectories. Ronaldo is 6 months older than Rooney but light-years ahead in terms of physique and ability.

I've not really got a problem with Rooney's England career overall but he's rapidly declined in recent years.

Rooney also poses a painful dilemma in terms of team shape and personnel if he plays, leaving him out makes the team function more as a unit - which could be England's best asset I feel.

As an England fan I'd love to be wrong, but I don't think a few games on the bench and having the prospect of Rooney as an impact sub should be overlooked.

But that's been the problem with all of them; they all want to play 'their' role & can't fit into the team otherwise.

They should have the ability to adapt & just play for the team, in whatever system, but they all want to play in the system which suits them & be the star, they don't give a fuck about the team. It ended up with Paul Scholes playing on the wing, just about the least suited player in that position, & retiring in frustration because England, & the 'stars' can't adapt to a system they can all play in.

[LookMumImOnMCF.net]

But that's been the problem with all of them; they all want to play 'their' role & can't fit into the team otherwise.

They should have the ability to adapt & just play for the team, in whatever system, but they all want to play in the system which suits them & be the star, they don't give a fuck about the team. It ended up with Paul Scholes playing on the wing, just about the least suited player in that position, & retiring in frustration because England, & the 'stars' can't adapt to a system they can all play in.

A lot of players cannot adapt to their new positions though and an international manger should recognise this quickly. Look at Milner tonight, it's clear he's not comfortable at right back. Don't play him there. It's international football - you can't coach him to be your right back because you won't see him for 6 months and when you do he'll be used to playing midfield (or bench in his case).

As for Rooney, I remember well games he played on United's left and put in great MoTM performances. The problem is he's just bang out of luck or form or both and hasn't convinced me for some time.

I agree with, I think, some of your sentiment that the unit should come first. But asking players to play left wing when thy're not used to it and cannot perform well undermines both them and the left wingers waiting in the.. wings. Players like Scholes clearway weren't meant for the wing and the experiment should've stopped there, regardless of whether you think he should've played in the centre.

[DoomMerchant]

Is this sarcasm?

How do you think the US will perform? It's really a stinker of a group for you guys and those in your squad I know I don't think much of. I do like Kinsmann though, that might just be the European in me finding something nice to say.

I think you'll finish bottom of the group, by the way. The competition being too strong.

I don't believe we will get more than one point. Klinsmann is fairly secure so he will fuck around just to see what happens. Group of Death plus long term deal means no urgency from him to prove much. Defensively we are crap. Some kids could surprise a bit. I'm not bothered.

I believe that Bosnia and Japan could shock a bit. Japan are young and pacey. Love to hear what some of our Aussie posters think or Tokyo...

I believe the Argies will win this. I've been saying it for two weeks around the house and then...boom...I get them in the sweep.
It's been an interesting lesson over the last half decade to learn that international footy is fundamentally way more crap than club footy for obvious reasons...but this WC feels like it has some special moments planned. Hope I'm right.

[LookMumImOnMCF.net]

World Cups are always a spectacle. 2010 felt a little flat but usually ace. This one will be even more important as both 2018 and 2022 will be absolutely farcical (assuming 2022 will still be held in Qatar) .

I kind of feel like Argentina will do something big too. Don't know much about teams outside of Europe but can never rule Spain or Germany out.

[DoomMerchant]

World Cups are always a spectacle. 2010 felt a little flat but usually ace. This one will be even more important as both 2018 and 2022 will be absolutely farcical (assuming 2022 will still be held in Qatar) .

I kind of feel like Argentina will do something big too. Don't know much about teams outside of Europe but can never rule Spain or Germany out.

I think Spain and Germany are gimmes for the semis.

I'd like to see Chile really give Brazil a game as I think they'll meet up. Chile could be the team that surprises us all. Who knows. Just want it to get started tbh.

[Dameerto]

Get barkley signed up that lad is gonna be special under our manager

Yes....

We would be absolutely crazy if we didn't at least try for him this summer - he just oozes creativity.

[DoomMerchant]

We would be absolutely crazy if we didn't at least try for him this summer - he just oozes creativity.

We might but honestly we would need to move Rodwell and someone else as well ...Garcia or Milner to make it work I think. Seems doubtful.

The arse should be in for him. They have all the pussy ass midfielders they can handle. Barkley is a different kettle of fish. They have the cash.

[Ted Hughes]

Barkley is better off staying where he is.

If we could negotiate some kind of first option on him for the future, whilst allowing him to continue playing for Everton, then that would be a good deal for everyone.

[carl_feedthegoat]

[Dameerto]

We would be absolutely crazy if we didn't at least try for him this summer - he just oozes creativity.

We might but honestly we would need to move Rodwell and someone else as well ...Garcia or Milner to make it work I think. Seems doubtful.

The arse should be in for him. They have all the pussy ass midfielders they can handle. Barkley is a different kettle of fish. They have the cash.

We'd only need to move Rodwell, and there's a bit of a possibility it could be as part of the same deal. Although honestly I could see Barkley as Silva's understudy with Pellegrini as his Jedi Master. There's enough matches in a season to give our main guys plenty of rest if we're taking all competitions seriously again.

[Wonderwall]

looks like the ox is out for up to 3 weeks with a knee injury

[twosips]

That's a huge shame as he looked excellent last night. Real purpose and desire. Gutted for him. He looks ahead of Wilshire these days