World Cup 2014

[Zidane]

Up to now,we have only beaten Moldova and San Marino in this group but the odds must be on "Woys Boys" making it through to the finals in Brazil and being eliminated in the last 16 on penalties after a 0-0 draw with Switzerland !

Luxembourg 3 Northern Ireland 2 .....Luxembourgs first win in a World Cup qualifier since 1972 !

[PeteC]

(Note about 2022)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24070322

World Cup 2022: Qatar chief rejects calls to move finals
By Richard Conway BBC Sport

The head of the Qatar 2022 World Cup has rejected calls for the tournament to be awarded to another country.

Governing body Fifa is expected to move the tournament to winter to avoid Qatar's high summer temperatures.

And Football Association chairman Greg Dyke said the tournament might have to move location if a suitable time to play in Qatar could not be agreed........

[Zidane]

Certainly cant grumble about a 4-1 win over Montenegro.If we beat Poland in midweek we will be qualified for Brazil 2014.
I didnt watch the game but it seems the star of the show was Andros Townsend of Spurs.I dont really know too much about him but how do you Spuds fans rate him ?
Leighton Baines,apparently,had a great game as well.With Lampard mainly ineffective again,maybe we are beginning to see the end of the old guard at last.
One team I quite fancy to do well in Brazil is Belgium.

[Big Boy]

I watched the game, and thought the first 30 minutes was fairly droll. However, after that, there was little doubt over who would win, although Montenegro were dangerous throughout.

Agree that Townsend was superb, but he was linking well with Walker. Now that Walker is out for the Poland game, we'll have to wait to see how he links with A.N. Other.

It's a shame, but Lampard rarely shows his undoubted abilities at international level.

[dtaai-maai]

I didnt watch the game but it seems the star of the show was Andros Townsend of Spurs.I dont really know too much about him but how do you Spuds fans rate him ?
Leighton Baines,apparently,had a great game as well.With Lampard mainly ineffective again,maybe we are beginning to see the end of the old guard at last.

It was very much a 2nd half performance, and I wouldn't get too carried away by it. One own goal and 1 penalty speak for themselves. Remember we were playing a country with a population of 600,000.

Credit to Woy for fielding an attacking side for a change. He took a chance giving Townsend his debut in such a crucial game, but it certainly paid off.

Townsend is reasonably quick, but he's very tricky and he loves to have a go. The downside is that he'll lose the ball fairly frequently, but usually near the opposition penalty area, and to compensate for that, he'll create plenty of opportunities. The alternative was Milner...
I don't see how Hodgson can leave him (Townsend) out against Poland.

I watched the first 15 minutes of Argentina v Peru last night (had to turn it of because of the incomprehensible Spanglish commentary). Argentina, even without Messi (inJOORed), looked impressive. Press press press without fouling and all at high speed. That's the model to copy.

[Bamboo Grove]

Congratulations to Roy Hodgon.

[caller]

Congratulations to Roy Hodgon.

Echo that. Strangely, we now look good going forward, but uncomfortable in defence. Its a pity we don't have better than the current centre backs and we need youth in midfield as we now have upfront.

But job done to qualify. I'd be satisfied to get out of our group in Brazil!

[Zidane]

Yes,congratulations to Roy Hodgson and the England team .
It looks as though the kick offs in Brazil will be between 11pm and 3am over here in Thailand,so it looks like a lot of late nights or early starts for many of us.
I thought man of the match was Townsend but other than the last 20 minutes of the first half,Poland were a good match for England.
For this match,Hodgson replaced Lampard with Carrick who was largely ineffective.Frank came on with 20 minutes to go but was woeful.Strange how he's been such a star for Chelsea over the years but has rarely done it for England,despite winning over 100 caps.
Personally,I wouldnt take him to Brazil.Hodgson must be hoping that the likes of Wilshere or Barclay have an outstanding season to make the decision easier for him.
Also,its to be hoped Glen Johnson regains full fitness for the right back position.Despite his defensive limitations he's still a better option than Walker or Smalling who is never a full back,as can be seen by his displays in that position for Manchester United.

[caller]

Frank came on with 20 minutes to go but was woeful.Strange how he's been such a star for Chelsea over the years but has rarely done it for England,despite winning over 100 caps.

I certainly agree he wasn't at his best against Montenegro and his use of the ball after coming on yesterday when doing anything other than basic, wasn't good. I actually never think he makes a great sub, but he does have that habit of nicking goals, which you'll never get with Carrick, who I thought did all right yesterday, but was clearly tiring, although I would have added Lamps to the midfield rather than to replace Carrick. Defensively, Lampard is better and did help shore things up.

What has been ironic in the last few days is a number of critics / players / reporters (Hanson and Mills being two) who have mentioned how much we need someone like Terry at the back, which is all too evident, not that its going to happen. Luckily at Chelsea, Mourinho will rotate as otherwise, I don't think Cahill will get much of a look in this season.

I really thought Cahill would be the one to step up to the plate for both Chelsea and England and he has improved a lot, but....

What's a shame is that Phil Jones isn't used in centre of defence at ManU, because he had all the makings of being Terry's successor earlier in his career. Any views on that Zidane?

[Zidane]

I think under Moyes that Jones will get more time playing in the centre of defence.Its what he was originally signed for but because of his versatility he is ofter picked as full back or defensive midfield.
Ferdinands legs are gone now and Vidic is 32 and injury prone.
Jones problem is that he has spent a lot of time injured in the last two seasons......Uniteds equivalent of Darren Anderton.....but if he gets a good run of games at centre back he is certainly worth a gamble there for England.
I thought Joleon Lescott was the star man of Englands defence in Euro 2012 but he has fallen out of favour at City.....maybe a loan move in January and regular first team football could put him back in the reckoning ?

[arcadianagain]

This may be verging on blasphemy but apart from his goal I though Gerrard was poor, giving the ball away a number of times.

[t1ggyw1ggy10]

Just wondering if anyone has yet worked out what times the kick offs will be in thailand time for the world cup next year ?

[Zidane]

Mainly 11pm or 2am for group stages,last 16 and last 8......the semi finals will be 3am and the final 2am for those still thinking England can win it !
Mentioned on the World Cup 2014 thread,page 7.....not great times....late nights or early starts for us watching !

[Zidane]

As Baa Baa is currently away doing a scouting job for his mentor,Rafa Benitez at Napoli,you could well get away with it !

[t1ggyw1ggy10]

you never know. If England had a couple of extra players with your namesake,it could be possible.