The official 2010 World Cup thread

[Narnia]

I think not having a good enough team would be a sufficient obstacle for England. How many positions are too debatable due to lack of good options? Goalkeeper, centre half (don't tell me Terry is up to it), right back, a forward?

[Mick Mac]

Annasfield Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> He hasn't been fit all season, but he's been

> banging them in.

Anna - are you in a relationship with this chap?

[????]

Goddle approves of England's training facilities....

Personally Can't wait now - just get the domestic stuff out the way now the Hammers are safe ;-)

[Jah Lush]

I've got the first two weeks off for the World Cup so I don't miss a game.

[Mick Mac]

That's all you should need Jah. After 2 weeks you can put your flag away too. :)

[matthew123]

LOL - who said Mick didn't have a sense of humour (apart from supporting Celtic that is) ;-)

[????]

Barry out for a month...so got to be doubtful

[jimmy two times]

Maybe Huddlestone deserves a call up if Barry out? He's been pretty solid this season and can pass a ball and has good shooting ability.

[????]

Parker

[matthew123]

This is the England 23 that I think will go to WC, in order of probabiliy

K: James, Green, Hart

D: Terry, A.Cole, Johnson, Rio, King, Carragher, Warnock

M: Lampard, Gerrard, Lennon, Carrick, SWP, J.Cole, Milner, Barry

A: Rooney, Defoe, Heskey, Crouch, Walcott

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Nice to see you're playing the old-fashioned 7-8-5 formation.

[????]

I sincerely hope we don't need Caragher strikes me he's had a poor season in a poor season for Liverpool. Him and Campbell been strongly touted. Have we really no-one younger?

Initial 30 named later today - I'd think Zamora or Bent will be in that too and Parker

[Keef]

Very much agree that Parker should be in! I've always liked Bent, and still think he had a hard time at Spurs (they were saying he was sh!t when he was their top scorer), but don't think he's really up to the international level. That said, I don't rate Defoe much higher.

Zamora has had a great season, and maybe he'd be that something different to bring off the bench....

[matthew123]

Carragher has had a poor season but he does have a lot of experience in every defensive position (and also ex-central midfield) and is rarely injured so in an England squad composed of players who regularly breakdown I can see why he is now touted for WC in Africa.

[????]

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green.

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock.

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Tom Huddlestone, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Forwards: Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney

[????]

Ronaldhino not in Brazil squad...

[matthew123]

He'd be star player in England squad - tells you everything you need to know about England's chances of winning WC ahead of Brazil ;-)

[*Bob*]

The excitement grows.. and naturally I shall be throwing my full support behind 'our boys' as they play 'foot-ball'

I have a few questions.

1. Is the the terrifying referee with the boggly eyes still going?

2. Do we have a new official song, or are we to be treated to another round of Three Lions, sung by tone-deaf sunburnt plasterers, high on Carling?

3. Is it unlucky to watch a match on ITV if BBC is also showing the same game?

[david_carnell]

Bob....

1) No

2) No and Yes respectively

3) Yes, although less unlucky than watching it on Sky

Just be glad there isn't a time difference for this World Cup that means people getting "into the spirit of things" at bugger-off-o'clock in the morning.

[????]

...please don't

This never seems to work for us, I hope it's just some mind games type stuff

[Brendan]

Formation change?

Perhaps he?s considering a something like a Barbershop Quartet instead of a football team.

[jaybee82]

Good to see we're still dragging that fat lump Heskey about with us. Is it just me thats surprised that Matty Upson got in ahead of both Gary Cahill and Ryan Shawcross?? Both have had better seasons.

[????]

Agree Upson had a poor season but it was in a poor team and he's always played well for England so I guess Capello went for his experience

[Keef]

Dn't see why anyone has a problem with Heskey being in the team. His England performances are quality.

Ask Rooney who he'd most like along side him.

[????]

3 weeks Today.....just the Play Offs and that other cup competition to get out of the way first