Russia 2018

[Big Jim]

10 days to go before the first game. Despite having little expectation with England these days I always enjoy the World Cup, which for me is far better that the Olympics or Rugby and Cricket world cups. I think England should get out of the group as runners up. Thought our movement from midfield with Ali, Lingard and Sterling a couple of days ago was very good. Usual suspects of Germany Brazil and France favourites. But there is always a team that no one expects that makes progress. Some big names missing too sadly with Holland, Italy Chile and the USA not qualifying. Cheers Jim

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[Chucky McChuckface]

Big J in the house!! Where you been hiding? Some celebration party…. 🙂

Always the optimist, I’m thinking as there really isn’t a huge amount of expectation this time around, Engerland might go on a bit of a decent run for once. All depends on who we get in the knock-outs of course, but a nice comfirtable win in the opening game to get the confidence levels up and I think we might be in for a surprise.

As you say, the movement in the first half against the Super Eagles was pretty decent before the second half descended into a “who can make the most subs” type of game… the reason why I always struggle with friendlies… 🙂

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[srd79]

Facing Belgium, Panama and Tunesia should almost guarantee England going through to the knockout stages. Panama and Tunesia ought to be six points without getting out of second gear. Belgium I’m just not sure about. Didn’t Martinez leave out Nainggolan and keep Fellaini? And bring four keepers? Strange selection.

I’d say the pressure is still on for England to perform with a draw like that.

Good luck to England in any case.

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[Chucky McChuckface]

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[Editor]

Welcome back Jim. For me, Sterling and Alli have always been destined for the England side but I’m really impressed by Lingard’s progress. He’s obviously a bit older than the other two you mention but he never looked like an England player 3/4 years ago.

We’ve the makings of a half decent team. If only we had the defence of 10 or so years ago, I’d be cautiously optimistic about our chances of going far in this one.

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[whoisbeni]

Welcome back Jim, good to see you.

Ps City are still shite! ?

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[sean the sailor]

No real interest in World Cup. Would like to see England do ok.

I expect to see a lot of over cautious boring football from a lot of teams

Group stages were good last time then it got boring.

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[sean the sailor]

Would like to see Argentina win for Messi

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[maverick1973]

Wasplicker-Me too sweetie.Argentina vs France on paper @ least for me.

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[Big Jim]

Thanks for the welcome back fellas and apologies again Beni.

Ed I agree I think our defence looks a bit suspect especially compared to having the Terry and Rio partnership. But the midfield looks promising. Let’s be honest the last few tournaments we have really struggled to create chances not having a flair player and weve had so little movement and few ideas. We still don’t have a flair player but with these three plus Loftus Cheek with Walker, Rose and Trippier out wide I think we could do ok.
Clearly Sterling has to improve his composure in front of goal but he has improved that at City and don’t see why he wont improve in an England shirt. I think Southgate has probably picked the best 23 available. I like Lalana as a player but he has sadly not played this season. Perhaps my past judgement on Henderson was a bit too harsh. Has he improved ? Would like to here thoughts on Henderson from the Liverpool lads on here? Maybe Southgate could have chosen a wild card like young Ryan Sessegnon but who would he have dropped? Rose is a safer bet. Cheers Jim

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[whoisbeni]

I think the midfield lacks a bit of flair – and if he isn’t captain and a starter then I don’t understand why he took Henderson – you either anchor the midfield around him or don’t pick him. Lallana needs a pre-season, he’s too rusty for a World Cup.

Would have liked Southgate to take More of a chance on the flair kids – although he still has enough in the squad to take a chance on a few but I reckon he’s picked too many defenders and full backs in particular – you shouldn’t play players out of position at international level

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[Hightown hope]

Hi Jim – good to see you back! As far as the England squad, I agree with you when you say that Southgate has, by and large, picked the 23 best players. You could maybe quibble over a couple of names, but I don’t think there would be too many arguments.

As far as Henderson is concerned, I believe he is never going to be a sexy pick. He doesn’t do sexy things on a football pitch. But Liverpool fans, who watch him every week appreciate his worth, with certain reservations. He can be improved upon, undoubtedly, but as far as England are concerned he is the best we have available in that role, with the very arguable exception maybe of Eric Dier, who I much prefer Henderson to. Beni – I don’t altogether agree with your assertion that there is no point taking Henderson if he’s not starting and not captain. If he’s not starting, then presumably Dier, but if he gets injured or suspended…? That’s when having Henderson on the bench would be useful. He’s not going to change a game, but there certainly wouldn’t be a drop in quality if he replaced Dier.

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[Brian blue]

Good to see you again Jim, always liked your posts. As for England what they lack is a David Silva or a KDB, te midfield lacks creativity but we do not have a player of that calibre….please do not mention Wilshere, for me, lacks consistency or is a 90 minute player that is forgetting his fitness

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[Brian blue]

Do not be surprised if you see Russia in the Final and probably win it

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[Hightown hope]

Anyone like to hazard a guess at the starting line up for the first game?

Mine would be Pickford, WB’s Walker and Rose, 3 CB’s Cahill, Maguire and Stones, DM Henderson AM’s Alli and Lingard Strikers Kane and Rashford

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[Chucky McChuckface]

Not long now… although can’t say there’s much fizz in my beans… just like the CL, doesn’t really get exciting until it’s win or go home… so the last round of group games on wards… still think we’ll make the 1/4’s….

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[Editor]

I can’t make my mind up about the front three. Rashford has to be in for his performance in the last game but Kane is obviously going nowhere. For me, Rashford is much more of a goal threat than Sterling but Sterling has been very good this season. A front three of Rashford, Sterling and Kane is very attacking.

Kane has to have a decent tournament now. He was pretty poor in the last Euros I thought. It’s about time he showed his club form for England when it counts. He’s probably the best striker at the tournament and he needs to show it at a big tournament.

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[Chucky McChuckface]

I think I would also have Rashford over Sterling, the much better finisher of the two. Chances are likely to be few and far between, the deeper we go into the tournament (hopefully!), and I’d rather Marcus was there…

It would be Ali, Rashford and Kane for a front 3 for me.

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[Big Jim]

I would definitely play Sterling just behind Kane. I realise his finishing for England hasn’t been up to scratch but he has improved enormously for City this past season. And for for me he creates so many more chances than any other England player. His movement is excellent it’s just when he gets into those great positions he wastes chances he should be sticking away. If he could take his chances like Kane he would be amongst the world best as he would have certainly scored 35 goals plus this season. I like Rashford alot and people rightly think he can finish but the stats don’t lie. He has scored one goal very 258 mins in the Prem and Sterling has scored one goal every 144mins. That’s a big difference.

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[Big Jim]

Anyway if Sterling doesn’t start and play who on earth will the media, pundits and fans blame when we go out!??

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