How good are England?

Lord Awesome wrote:Not average in my book. Just staing at the squad is enough to realize that they're a good side.

The word average is just used too loosely here

We have some good individuals playing for England, we're just an unimpressive and often disorganised unit together, partly down to Hodgson, but mostly down to the lack of talent he has at his disposal.

It might actually be a good thing that our media and fans aren't hyping them up beyond what they actually warrant like in previous years under Beckham/Terry/Lampard etc., in fact it's quite the opposite - I don't think anyone really expects us to make it out of the group in Brazil.

Lol if sturridge was south american you guys would be fapping hard over him. Just admit he's changed a corner this season... its not like hes been only good for a few games.

Not only IMO are England not a great side, but like I said in the World Cup draw thread I think they received one of the worst draws possible for the World Cup. Not only that they are playing in an environment in Brazil that is terrible for them as well.

I would be surprised if they won a game at the World Cup as they had an incredibly easy draw last world cup in a cool climate and they had trouble just winning 1 game. In fact I don't think it will even be close in Brazil for them as they drew a group of teams that are just terrible match ups for them.

I think this World Cup is going to be a massive wake up call that teams who they always think they are better then like Costa Rica and Uruguay are going to kick there teeth in.

All Sturridge has to do is perform on the international stage, which he's had limited opportunities to do due to frequent injuries. Whether he can do that now depends on him and how Hodgson decides to use him. When you look at that England squad, which probably isn't too far away from the World Cup squad, he's certainly one of the best players there.

The quality of the squad aside, a bigger issue for England is that they, as of yet, have no identity nor a set starting eleven. The team is still in an experimental stage, no longer playing negative hoof-ball but not exactly playing a stylish brand of attacking football either, and with a different midfield and attack every game. We don't know if we're going to play Rooney and Sturridge up front together, or if we're going to play Sturridge on one of the flanks, or who's going to play on the flanks in general, who's going to partner Gerrard in midfield, etc. We'd probably compete better if we didn't have these problems.

There aren't any expectations going into this World Cup and that might help us out a bit. The team can afford to play in a more positive way and use its young players, though I doubt Hodgson will see it that way.

Dnmac4 wrote:Not only IMO are England not a great side, but like I said in the World Cup draw thread I think they received one of the worst draws possible for the World Cup.  Not only that they are playing in an environment in Brazil that is terrible for them as well.

I would be surprised if they won a game at the World Cup as they had an incredibly easy draw last world cup in a cool climate and they had trouble just winning 1 game.  In fact I don't think it will even be close in Brazil for them as they drew a group of teams that are just terrible match ups for them.

I think this World Cup is going to be a massive wake up call that teams who they always think they are better then like Costa Rica and Uruguay are going to kick there teeth in.

Irrelevant. You're comparing us now to four years ago, when it's a different England team.

I think you've largely hit the nail on the proverbial head, Jay. I don't help Hodgson at all either that the players he has tend to suit/are most familiar with drastically different styles of play at this point either. Without that unifying identity within the international squad it's almost a necessity that the players have some familiarity with each other and their styles, unfortunately they operate in dramatically differing systems at club level. Just as each fan is likely to suggest a line-up, formation, and tactics that he/she is most familiar with each player will, to some extent, want to bring his club game to the international team with not overarching philosophy or style override those instincts.

For instance, looking at the options available, I'm inclined to suggest a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, due in no small part to those being what I'm most inclined toward and familiar with at club level. However, I'm certain there are plenty who would suggest either other formations, or very different player selections even within the same formations.

It was definitely better back then, however just simply looking at the names now it looks like a decent team. Obviously the squad isn't as good as Spain, Brazil or Germany, however the quarter-final is a realistic target. If a better manager was in charge, the team could go further.

RedOranje wrote:Except that's not at all what I said.  Sarcasm only really works when it's not outright lies and fiction.

He's the same person who was saying Suarez is overrated a few months ago (now apparently he is the one making Sturridge look good ) , and also Martinez shits all over Rodgers tactically ...not to mention Wigan substitute-keeper AlHabsi being the best in Prem


Can't wait to play these lot and BBC in CL next season. The game will probably end 8-8

Meh.

I think this squad has a bundle of talent on it. I think with the right coaching decisions it can reach as far as the semis.

-------------hart-----------

johnson--cahill--smalling--baines


------lampard--wilshere-----
----------gerrard----------


rooney----sturridge-----sterling



does it work in real life like it does in my FIFA matches ?

I'd definitely stay away from Johnson at RB. And no way would I start Lampard and Gerrard in the same midfield.


Neither Walker or Johnson would strike me with confidence at RB. Think this line-up could do really well. Go full on Liverpool tactics methinks. Have Rooney play the Suarez role and Wilshere Coutinho's role. Wilshere would have to do a lot of running and tracking back though. Same with Rooney which I can't see.

John Terry is no longer part of the national team.

aah completely skipped my mind. Well the defense is as shit as Liverpool too then.

I like that line up esp JT but that ain't happening, only thing I don't like is Sterling there. Sure he's had a top season but unsure he's ready yet.

If only Theo was fit . Think I'd go for Ox but knowing Woy he'll go for Young   

Yeah only reason I put Sterling there because he's used to playing with Gerrard, Sturridge and Henderson.

Obviously if Walcott was fit, there would be no debate as to would start. But unfortunately knowing Woy, it'll be Young/Welbeck starting in the front 3.

If England get out of the group, this will spur them on and give them a good confidence boost. The problem is that I don't see them getting out in 1st spot and I think they will draw one of the top, top teams in the 1st KO round.

Don't be surprised if you see Ashley Young starting in the summer.

Yeah that's the thing with Woy. He'll probably start Welbeck, Ashley Young, Cleverly, and Phil Jones in midfield.

Is Flanagan RB or LB? I'd say include him aswell, chemistry >>> for international footy.

Chamberlain is more valuable than Sterling.

This thread sooooooo belongs in the International Football section by now

Hart
Walker - Cahill - Jagielka - Baines
Gerrard
Henderson - Wilshere
Sterling - Rooney - Sturridge

With Rooney and Sturridge switching positions like Suarez and Sturridge at LFC.

Subs to change the game: The Ox, Carroll and Barkley.

Art Morte wrote:

Hart
Walker - Cahill - Jagielka - Baines
Gerrard
Henderson - Wilshere
Sterling - Rooney - Sturridge

With Rooney and Sturridge switching positions like Suarez and Sturridge at LFC.

Subs to change the game: The Ox, Carroll and Barkley.

I highly agree with this lineup, ideally it would be Wallcott in the starting lineup.

Still, theres some iffy things here and there, i wouldn't trust Wilshere with a starting spot on the team, i'm also not sure if he's comfortable in that role, he usually plays deeper.

Didn't Hart have a bad start this season? He doesn't exactly have quality subs behind him...

Rooney isn't exactly in the most positive mindset, not too mention that by the time summer rolls in he's usually exhausted.

Does Gerrard have enough energy to make it till the tournament??

Sterling might be too young to handle a starting lineup pressure.

Would Hodgson be too negative to fully utilize this lineup to its potential?

If the UK participated instead of England this team could have Bale, Allen, Ramsey...

Best of luck to England though, theres enough there to be excited about.

Ox is better than Sterling, and I can't think of any CB better than Jones.

Hart

Johnson Cahill Jagielka Baines

Milner Clevery Gerrard Welback

Rooney Struddige

Starting lineup for Italy   

BeautifulGame wrote:Hart

Johnson Cahill     Jagielka  Baines

Milner    Clevery   Gerrard  Welback

           Rooney    Struddige

Starting lineup for Italy   

Surely England are going to want to have a midfield against Italy...

chinomaster182 wrote:

Art Morte wrote:

Hart
Walker - Cahill - Jagielka - Baines
Gerrard
Henderson - Wilshere
Sterling - Rooney - Sturridge

With Rooney and Sturridge switching positions like Suarez and Sturridge at LFC.

Subs to change the game: The Ox, Carroll and Barkley.

I highly agree with this lineup, ideally it would be Wallcott in the starting lineup.

Still, theres some iffy things here and there, i wouldn't trust Wilshere with a starting spot on the team, i'm also not sure if he's comfortable in that role, he usually plays deeper.

Didn't Hart have a bad start this season? He doesn't exactly have quality subs behind him...

Rooney isn't exactly in the most positive mindset, not too mention that by the time summer rolls in he's usually exhausted.

Does Gerrard have enough energy to make it till the tournament??

Sterling might be too young to handle a starting lineup pressure.

Would Hodgson be too negative to fully utilize this lineup to its potential?

If the UK participated instead of England this team could have Bale, Allen, Ramsey...

Best of luck to England though, theres enough there to be excited about.

Wilshere can play box-to-box, but I'm under the impression his more natural position is rather a bit higher up than deeper down defending. Maybe an Arsenal fan could comment on this one.

Hart, I know. West Brom's Foster is a really good shot-stopper, but realistically thinking it's going to be Hart in goal in Brazil.

Rooney is a dead certain starter, mindsets or fatigue are irrelevant.

The same goes for Gerrard, who is the captain.

And Hodgson might be too cautious indeed to play a 4-3-3, it could well be a four or five man midfield.