Japan v England

[Urinal Mint]

Nothing about this England team/squad is convincing going into the world cup. Rooney is our only world class player. The defence is suspect, the midfield is ok but nothing special. Not one player in the middle really stands out as a game changer, and the strikers are the most average we've had for many years. Minus Rooney through injury or red mist, we're up shit street.

[NR_Royal]

Since when did BR take over as manager?

Bobby Robson's dead you sick fuck

brendon rodgers maybe?..i will take the whooosh!!!

As if you even needed to say that.

[soggy biscuit]

Nothing about this England team/squad is convincing going into the world cup. Rooney is our only world class player. The defence is suspect, the midfield is ok but nothing special. Not one player in the middle really stands out as a game changer, and the strikers are the most average we've had for many years. Minus Rooney through injury or red mist, we're up shit street.

Is that news to you? The majority of the country already thinks that and has done for many years, many of which are satisfied knowing that is England's level. Only ever the tabloids that appear to think we are better than that and let's be honest, they only do that to justify the outrage they can then appear to have when England don't win.

[Chaney]

Heskey you f*ckin tool, not scored in over a year for england..are we serious about taking him?

[Ian Royal]

Goalkeeper - much of a muchness, but I'd go with James.
Right Back - Johnson
Left Back - A Cole
Centreback - Ferdinand
Centreback - (through gritted teeth) Terry
Right Wing - SWP
Left Wing - Joe Cole
A. Midfield - Gerrard
D. Midfield - Milner
Striker - Rooney
Striker - Crouch

That would be my team to start against the USA.

Heskey unsighted by Rooney as the cross came in I reckon.

Once we start playing the big boys, drop Crouch, push up Gerrard and bring in Lampard for the middle.

[FiNeRaIn]

Eww god, cringe worthy english pundits/media out in force again. " rooney man of the match by a mile I would have thought"...he was terrible. How many times was 66 mentioned today then? /sick

[Archie's penalty]

I can't believe how unenthused I am about the world cup and this England team.

There's just a big meh about the whole thing tbh.

[Urinal Mint]

Nothing about this England team/squad is convincing going into the world cup. Rooney is our only world class player. The defence is suspect, the midfield is ok but nothing special. Not one player in the middle really stands out as a game changer, and the strikers are the most average we've had for many years. Minus Rooney through injury or red mist, we're up shit street.

Is that news to you? The majority of the country already thinks that and has done for many years, many of which are satisfied knowing that is England's level. Only ever the tabloids that appear to think we are better than that and let's be honest, they only do that to justify the outrage they can then appear to have when England don't win.

I agree, and when you see someone like Emile Heskey in an England shirt, you realise just how poor our striker options are. I wouldn't be surprised if we fail to reach the knock out stages.

[Terminal Boardom]

Since when did BR take over as manager?

Bobby Robson's dead you sick fuck

That would be RR you dumb fuk!

[Maguire]

Tournament football is totally different to a friendly and whilst i'm pessimistic about our chances I do think anything can happen if people are on form.

I know the team looks uninspiring on paper but if you look at say, 2002, then we had Danny Mills, Nicky Butt, and Trevor Sinclair in the team. Still got to the 1/4s, so who knows.

[LUX]

agreed with Maguire, but (even assuming we have no injuries/suspensions) we are lightweight in key positions.

All the goalies are "good". None will pull off that match winning save. Seaman, Shilton used to save England with miraculous saves every game. And make fewer howlers.

Goalscoring centre forward? I love both Crouch and Heskey, but both are donkeys at WC QF level. Ditto Bent, who played like early season Kebe today.

Midfield and even defence is good enough, IMO.

as an aside, the French media are crucifying their team (especially the manager) at the moment.........................and talking up England.

[Ark Royal]

We gave the ball away far too much and a better side will punish us. Lampard and Gerrard in the middle just does not work. Gerrard was ok second half, but Lumplard just totally disappeared. I would like to see a 4-5-1, with Gerrard playing off Rooney. Heskey should be boiled down and used as glue. What a complete waster of space he is. I liked Joe Hart; he gets my vote over James and Green. Never get the impression that he is about to commit a howler.

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

We walked qualifying in a way no other England team has in my memory.

We have the best manager for the job, a system that he proved in qualifying works and a player who can win the thing on his own. Play the same team who he played in qualifying, Crouch isn't mobile enough and it doesn't matter if Heskey scores the system is set up for Rooney or Gerrard to get the goals and we're always great at set plays.

Think people like writting off England's chances in a snobbish nature, I feel good going into this as qualifying proved we should.

On the middies debate it will have to be Milner or Gerrard with Lampard. Actually think Gerrard's better at he role but obviously u take away his attacking qualites, might have to make do though. Huddlestone or Carrick aren't good enough.

[Tails]

Underwhelmed by the response on here.

Positives from the game is the hunger demonstrated by J.Cole, who now should go. We know the Huddlestone is not good enough for 1st team, and shouldnt be seen as someone to look to to change a game. Ferdinand < Terry FACT. Lampard needs a Gerrard in the midfield - we were far more balanced in the second half.

Do we risk A.Johnson? Well Walcott hasn't provided the best case for his involvement.

We may have won 4-0 with that second half team.

How many of you would have sung Inter's praises back in Jan let alone in Sept for title/CL prospects.

[Archie's penalty]

I think we'll be good once the tournament starts. At the moment I'd rather wash the dishes.

[Terminal Boardom]

I am completely underwhelmed at the prospect of the World Cup at this stage. In tournaments past I would have been as excited as anyone. This one feels bland and about to be shrouded in controversy with so much cheating and diving. Rooney to be the first player red carded anyone?

[readingbedding]

Won't be a patch on 1998 in regards to cheating and diving.
In fact all the tournaments I've seen has lots of cheating and diving.

[Terminal Boardom]

Won't be a patch on 1998 in regards to cheating and diving.
In fact all the tournaments I've seen has lots of cheating and diving.

Remember 2002? Was it Rivaldo who went down after being hit on the leg but feigning that the ball hit him in the face?

[readingbedding]

Yep.
Embarrassing.

[leww_rfc]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVksdN4QnvA

LOL