Eye ties

[Mad Ferret]

Will they miss out on another WC? Forced to ET by Bosnia, and down to 10

Also, Potter leads Sweden to the WC.

[El Scorchio]

That's it. Peak Rashford gets in the side, but you just cannot in any way rely on him producing these days and it's a total gamble putting him in. He could be unplayable and score a brace against a Spain or France in a knockout game, or he could completely stink it up in a dull group game running down blind alleys and holding on to the ball too long. The chances in the last few seasons are weighted far more toward the latter end of the scale particularly against decent opposition. 

[Manuel]

Coming off the left Rashford is far more dangerous. He is the better player simple as that, and is arguably in much better form in that wide left position. 

I like Rashford, and he had a great start at Barcelona (who don't play vs farmers most weeks. Ridiculous thing to say) but that was when Raphinha was injured and he was playing every week. Since November he's been pretty much a bit part player there and his form hasn't been that good. He seems to be a confidence player and I doubt that his confidence will be that great going into the World Cup, especially if he hasn't had a  transfer sorted by then.

Agree with what you say about Rashford, he has that 'next level' quality in his locker and can produce at the top level, but as you say you wouldn't stake much on him delivering.

[Jean-Luc Paul Goddard]

Coming off the left Rashford is far more dangerous. He is the better player simple as that, and is arguably in much better form in that wide left position. 

I like Rashford, and he had a great start at Barcelona (who don't play vs farmers most weeks. Ridiculous thing to say) but that was when Raphinha was injured and he was playing every week. Since November he's been pretty much a bit part player there and his form hasn't been that good. He seems to be a confidence player and I doubt that his confidence will be that great going into the World Cup, especially if he hasn't had a  transfer sorted by then.

[Rossal]

It's really not very dissimilar to Rashford's with the caveat Rashford plays for Barcelona with a spell at a relatively high flying Villa after being frozen out for being a cock at Man U and Gordon only plays for Newcastle but hasn't caused any issues at all. Gordon is younger and more reliable.

There's not loads between them but I'd rather have Gordon, especially with a less reliable player on the right flank.

I disagree, Rashford seemed to find something at Villa last season and carried that form into Barcelona where he has played well this year off the left.  Gordon was struggling massively till a move up top where his form and scoring started to pick up. I'd rather have Rogers on the left than Gordon. 

Rashford has scored ten league goals in two seasons with only 4 in 24 appearances for Barcelona playing farmers most weeks. He got two for Villa. Gordon has 12 in the same amount of time playing for a comparable PL side. Again it's worth noting Rashford has only played for other teams after being a troublemaker under two separate managers at Man U.

I'd definitely start Gordon. Rashford at his best is great but you never know what you're going to get which is the trouble, and he's been nowhere near the player of 2022 since then.

Yes but as i said Gordon has played well and scored goals up front. Wide left which is where he will play for England he has been dogshit for ages for both Newcastle and England. Coming off the left Rashford is far more dangerous. He is the better player simple as that, and is arguably in much better form in that wide left position. 

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

Will they miss out on another WC? Forced to ET by Bosnia, and down to 10

Also, Potter leads Sweden to the WC.

 

[Massive Attack]

Gordon also won a Cup not so long ago with Newcastle and been banging them in the Champions League this season 10 in 12. Definite over Rashford for me.

[El Scorchio]

Can't be having Gordon LW. His form there for club and country has been atrocious for well over a year.  

It's really not very dissimilar to Rashford's with the caveat Rashford plays for Barcelona with a spell at a relatively high flying Villa after being frozen out for being a cock at Man U and Gordon only plays for Newcastle but hasn't caused any issues at all. Gordon is younger and more reliable.

There's not loads between them but I'd rather have Gordon, especially with a less reliable player on the right flank.

I disagree, Rashford seemed to find something at Villa last season and carried that form into Barcelona where he has played well this year off the left.  Gordon was struggling massively till a move up top where his form and scoring started to pick up. I'd rather have Rogers on the left than Gordon. 

Rashford has scored ten league goals in two seasons with only 4 in 24 appearances for Barcelona playing farmers most weeks. He got two for Villa. Gordon has 12 in the same amount of time playing for a comparable PL side. Again it's worth noting Rashford has only played for other teams after being a troublemaker under two separate managers at Man U.

I'd definitely start Gordon. Rashford at his best is great but you never know what you're going to get which is the trouble, and he's been nowhere near the player of 2022 since then.

[Manuel]

I was happy about all the results last night except maybe a Denmark losing as I have some Danish ancestry, However I did work in Prague for  15 months and lived in Stockholm for 3 years and have family links to Turkey so all good.

Can't stand the Italians. 

 

 

Fuck me, this ain't Facebook fella, literally nobody gives a fuck. Get over yourself.

[Rossal]

Can't be having Gordon LW. His form there for club and country has been atrocious for well over a year.  

It's really not very dissimilar to Rashford's with the caveat Rashford plays for Barcelona with a spell at a relatively high flying Villa after being frozen out for being a cock at Man U and Gordon only plays for Newcastle but hasn't caused any issues at all. Gordon is younger and more reliable.

There's not loads between them but I'd rather have Gordon, especially with a less reliable player on the right flank.

I disagree, Rashford seemed to find something at Villa last season and carried that form into Barcelona where he has played well this year off the left.  Gordon was struggling massively till a move up top where his form and scoring started to pick up. I'd rather have Rogers on the left than Gordon. 

[El Scorchio]

Can't be having Gordon LW. His form there for club and country has been atrocious for well over a year.  

It's really not very dissimilar to Rashford's with the caveat Rashford plays for Barcelona with a spell at a relatively high flying Villa after being frozen out for being a cock at Man U and Gordon only plays for Newcastle but hasn't caused any issues at all. Gordon is younger and more reliable.

There's not loads between them but I'd rather have Gordon, especially with a less reliable player on the right flank.

[Massive Attack]

If you look at it, quite a few players have been out of form but little other options. Pickford, Kane, O'Reilly, Rogers have hit regular form but many including Bowen have been off it. Sometimes it's a case of hoping players find that form at the right time and play through it and there's a few that appear to be in that situation all at once. 

[Rossal]

Can't be having Gordon LW. His form there for club and country has been atrocious for well over a year.  

[Swiss.]

I was happy about all the results last night except maybe a Denmark losing as I have some Danish ancestry, However I did work in Prague for  15 months and lived in Stockholm for 3 years and have family links to Turkey so all good.

Can't stand the Italians. 

[El Scorchio]

Pickford

toss up between Hall and O'Reilly. I think we are weak here and this position will be our weak link
Stones
Guehi
James

Rice
Bellingham
Anderson if Bellingham is the 10, Palmer if Bellingham is the 8. JB is a cսnt but he's better than Rogers.

Gordon
Kane
Saka (yes, over Bowen reluctantly. Bowen won't go hiding but Saka just has that little bit more pace and fear factor for defenders and with the security of Gordon on the other side it's needed. If Rashford started I'd be very tempted with Bowen on the right.)

[happygilmore]

Last night was a laugh, but If i'm honest i think all previous winners should be given automatic qualification.

its only eight places out of forty - eight these days. And its better if Brazil Italy, Argentina are all there

Anyone who disagrees can watch Bosnia v Qatar on June 24th !!
.

Expanded WC, you get hammered home and away by Norway, then an easy play off route via Northern Ireland and Bosnia and you fuck it up, you don't deserve to be there.
It's not the fucking Eurovision!
I'll probably only watch the Q/Fs onwards with any serious interest. I'm sure the Yanks will ham it up

[onsideman]

My starting XI for the first England game at the WC would be:

Pickford

Livramento
Stones
Maguire
Shaw

Rice
Anderson
Palmer

Bowen
Kane
Gordon

That team would do well.

So, "Come on you whites"?? Interesting

[Rossal]

                Pickford 

James Konsa Guehi Hall 
  
         Rice   Anderson 

Palmer   Bellingham  Rashford 

               Kane 

that would be my thinking, would require Palmer to pick up some form though for Chelsea.  Maguire may start over Konsa aswell as such a threat at set pieces.   Rodgers, Wharton, O' Reilly could also force themselves into the 11 between now and end of season for me. 

That RW spot is probably the most open, although would be surprising if Saka doesnt start against Croatia. 

[Massive Attack]

I was in two minds about Saka initially going with Bowen but found both in indifferent form this season and Saka does have the experience in Tournaments that made me think I'd start him ahead of him. I'd be fine with Bowen starting though, yet cannot see Tuchel taking him the way he thinks of him as an afterthought.

[Council Scum]

If all fit my best starting England XI would be..


Pickford

James Stones Guehi Hall

Rice Bellingham 

Saka Palmer Gordon

Kane




 

Wouldn't have Saka anywhere near the team, rest looks ok though. 

[Massive Attack]

If all fit my best starting England XI would be..


Pickford

James Stones Guehi Hall

Rice Bellingham 

Saka Palmer Gordon

Kane



 

[Come On You Irons]

My starting XI for the first England game at the WC would be:

Pickford

Livramento
Stones
Maguire
Shaw

Rice
Anderson
Palmer

Bowen
Kane
Gordon

That team would do well.

[El Scorchio]

Yup it's got to be Watkins. Who else is there? DCL for a big physical alternative to throw on if we need a change of plan or a goal? If you give Watkins chances, he will finish them. Rashford will go as he's seen as versatile and can play 2-3 positions. Trouble is he's either a match winner or he's shit. England have too many of those in contention to start games. You can't have 2-3 boom or bust players in the same side at this level because they will let you down in key moments. You need a guaranteed level of performance which the likes of Rashford or Madueke don't give you. If you're playing a Madueke you need a Gordon on the other side rather than a Rashford, IMO.

It's a shame Bellingham is clearly an ego and a cսnt, really. I'd like him nailed on for the 10 or the 8 as he's clearly a better player than the rest of them. It's a shame to see such talent not playing.

[Tomshardware]

Without Kane up front there’s no purpose, May as well play Wilson then what he’s experimented with, whats Watkins done wrong, at least he’s a decent backup to Kane, who is not going to manage many 90 minutes in the summer heat.

Agreed, Watkins is still a decent alternative and has proven he can score goals at that level.  I'd pick him over Rashford.

[Gaffer58]

Without Kane up front there’s no purpose, May as well play Wilson then what he’s experimented with, whats Watkins done wrong, at least he’s a decent backup to Kane, who is not going to manage many 90 minutes in the summer heat.

[El Scorchio]

Italy are a total basket case. Complete boom or bust with them. Still a crying shame we lost on pens to them in 2021. That really was a golden chance which we should have taken. Don't think that prick Saka has missed one since has he?

Glad to see our Czech mates qualified for the first time in 20 years