Football The 2013 / 2014 Season Thread

[Job]

So Hodgson doesnt think we are going to win...nice to see such confidence early on.

 

[Raven]

Well, we aren't. Zero chance.

 

[Job]

Ive never been so disinterested..Rooney and Gerrard seem like time travellers from a different era..its like Im watching it on Dave.

 

[Everz]

Really? For once I'm glued. The teams and the open-field of 2014 will be brilliant. If Iceland can make it, all the better.

 

[Everz]

Oh, did anyone else notice that last night we had a side that actually looked to be enjoying playing for their country? Is this not what we have screamed for years?

Players looked like they gave a damn, even 'oldheads' such as Rooney and Gerrard have looked to be running that extra yard and putting a bit more in.

For whats it worth, they're probably one or two players I'd be looking to drop. Lampard to me is past it, he's looked ropey and the game passed him by when he came on, though his experience would be useful I (hope) think that he shouldn't have any part in Rio. In a similar vain, Baines offered a lot more then Cole has done in a long time, both his defensive and attacking game is brilliant and at his peak he's a joy to watch, his deliveries are brilliant. Cleverly dropped in place of Barkley for depth, he does what Cleverly does but can actually finish.

Lambert or Carroll for the hoof-ball option is another one? To me, Lambert will be the one on the plane as he simply offers an injury-free option when the 'lump' it option may be needed.

Out of the younger lads to break through and sneak on that plane, Ravel Morrison has been getting some rave reviews but I think that'll be one that will have to be reassessed in January to see if he's kept it. Zaha could have a solid season, as could the Southampton lads of Ward-Prowse and Shaw. Then there Oxlade-Chamberlain and to think about, as well as Barkley.

Should be an interesting few months, hopefully see a lot of the England lads up their game for their respective clubs.

 

[Calaen]

Deffo Lambert over Carroll he has far more to his game tbh.

We have a good bunch of youngsters coming through now, we just need a good coach in charge ready to shape them. Zaha, Barkley, Morrison, Ward-Prowse, Shaw, Ox. Not to mention Wilshere, Townsend. Smalling and Jones with a bit more experience at the back as well.

 

[Aoami]

I agree with Everz but one thing I'd like is John Terry back. He is the best cb we have and Roy should be on the blower to him.

 

[Billargh]

I think it's too early to be writing Carroll off now, if he's remains uninjured once he gets back, hopefully he'll have a blinder of a season.

 

[Raven]

The thing is, we have these youngsters who are still not really tested in internationals. They should have been brought in much earlier, instead of the old guard, some of whom don't even get 1st choice premiership football. We have a few youngsters who could be awesome and really needed to take the risk earlier. We aren't going to win shit either way, may as well win shit with young players and plan for the next world cup.

 

[Turamber]

We aren't going to win shit either way, may as well win shit with young players and plan for the next world cup.

Jam tomorrow? I'd rather we play the best side we have and have a bloody good go. I'm 45 and a Villa fan, I don't expect to win anything but I enjoy seeing my side have a go.

 

[Raven]

Thats all nice and pretty with flowers on top but the old guard dont bother most of the time. Gerrard tries bless him but his legs are gone.

 

[Aoami]

Gerrard was amazing first half yesterday, and a nice goal in the second. Deserves his place in Rio as much as anyone. Yesterday showed we can play quality attacking football and if Sturridge didn't have an off day we'd have been 3 or 4 up at half time. I do worry about us at the back though. Jagielka isn't international class and Cahill Is a liability with the ball at his feet. Baines is superb going forward but was out of position too often defensively. I don't think he should be a shoo in at left back and he and Cole should play depending on the opponent. I get the feeling a better team would've killed us down the right.

 

[ileks]

Gerrard was amazing first half yesterday, and a nice goal in the second. Deserves his place in Rio as much as anyone. Yesterday showed we can play quality attacking football and if Sturridge didn't have an off day we'd have been 3 or 4 up at half time. I do worry about us at the back though. Jagielka isn't international class and Cahill Is a liability with the ball at his feet. Baines is superb going forward but was out of position too often defensively. I don't think he should be a shoo in at left back and he and Cole should play depending on the opponent. I get the feeling a better team would've killed us down the right.

We have a friendly against Germany coming up don't we? I'd give Baines a go to see how he gets on against a quality attacking side. If he's all over the place defensively just use him against the "lesser" teams in the group stage or teams that have no quality on the right.

 

[rynnor]

I agree with Everz - I actually prefer this side to the one we took to the last world cup because even though they on paper have less skill they actually look like a team thats trying.

We dont have a hope in hell though so get as many of the younger players to experience the world cup - dont bring terry and lampard please!

 

[Everz]

We need Gerrard/Rooney there for experience, simply put. Even though his legs will be going he is still going to be the captain we need. Think Ballack and the current German crop.

 

[Aoami]

Terry should go because he is still the best centre back in the country, Lampard is no longer one of the 2 best centre midfielders. He can still be class for Chelsea because the players around him are better so he has to do less work, he doesn't fit in the current England team though but id still take him as a 3rd string option because although there are a couple of better options were not very deep at cm.

 

[Lethul]

Doesn't Henderson have a chance? Really enjoy watching him improve at Liverpool

 

[Raven]

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/sport-headlines/england-wins-world-cup-2013101780430

 

[Aoami]

I love the mash usually but that is crap. Expectations for the WC are by far the lowest theyve been in my lifetime imo.

 

[Himse]

Terry should go because he is still the best centre back in the country, Lampard is no longer one of the 2 best centre midfielders. He can still be class for Chelsea because the players around him are better so he has to do less work, he doesn't fit in the current England team though but id still take him as a 3rd string option because although there are a couple of better options were not very deep at cm.

Haha.

 

[Aoami]

Haha.

what?

 

[rynnor]

Terry should go because he is still the best centre back in the country, Lampard is no longer one of the 2 best centre midfielders. He can still be class for Chelsea because the players around him are better so he has to do less work, he doesn't fit in the current England team though but id still take him as a 3rd string option because although there are a couple of better options were not very deep at cm.

God no - he was crap old and slow at the last world cup let alone now. Gerrard is still ok and a great captain and Rooney is about the youngest of the old guard and worth bringing - the rest should stay home.

 

[Aoami]

According to Opta, Terry is currently the best centre back in the best league in the world. He should be playing for England.

 

[Raven]

Yeah he should definitely be in the squad. I would probably also take Lampard too, purely for the experience he brings though whether he is used properly is another matter...

 

[rynnor]

According to Opta, Terry is currently the best centre back in the best league in the world. He should be playing for England.

Can you link that - I'd be interested to see in more detail - I tend to think he is shielded at Chelsea by the younger fitter players around him.

 

[Aoami]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...-Optas-Premier-League-team-of-the-season.html

doesnt go into a breakdown of why unfortunately but he is there.

 

[Himse]

Terry is a great CB, just your analysis of Lampard is as bad as Theo Walcott trying to be a pundit.

Edit: Just to back up, this is the Norwich game:

http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Lampard_Norwich.png

 

[Aoami]

Terry is a great CB, just your analysis of Lampard is as bad as Theo Walcott trying to be a pundit.

The way England are set up, the 2 centre midfielders need to be holding midfielders and offer an attacking threat. Lampard doesn't have the legs to do that any more, Gerrard does just about. Chelsea don't play that way as they use an out and out holding midfielder in Mikel or with Ramires who never ever stops running, giving Lampard more license and meaning he doesn't have to do so much running. There is no doubt Lampard is a great player but his age has caught with him a bit.

 

[caLLous]

Perhaps "feed the monkey" wasn't the most intelligent phrase he could've picked but omfg this is a non-story. Peter Bennett will be all over this.

 

[Aoami]

Perhaps "feed the monkey" wasn't the most intelligent phrase he could've picked but omfg this is a non-story. Peter Bennett will be all over this.

Biggest load of nonsense i've ever heard. If it was Redknapp the press would all be lolling about funny the joke was.