England's final group game, Rooney's return & a must win if we want to avoid Spain in the quarters. Who'd you play? What's the result going to be? Anyone got any bets on? Does Rooney have to start? We know he will but would you put him straight back in if you were the boss? My team: -----------Hart----------- Johnson Lescott Terry Cole -------------------------- Milner Parker Gerrard Oxlade ------------Rooney------- -------Welbeck----------- Milner has to start for me, i know he's not played that well but i don't think he's helped by Johnson. He has to be constantly aware of what's going on behind him as Johnson is always going ahead of him, Walcott should be utilised as a super-sub for the last 20-30 mins after Milner's done his job. I'd give Young a rest for this one, we can beat them without him and his performances haven't been great, but he's still one of our key players if we want to go far in the tournament. As for Rooney he's got to start and so does Welbeck, they're both extremely comfortable on the ball and are far better than Carroll at holding it up if needed. We're gonna win by 2, whether we win the group is up to France and how well Sweden defend against them, i don't fancy our chances...
For me just one change. Rooney in for Ashley Young who has been quite dire overall. Leave The Ox and Theo as impact subs. end of. imo.
-----------Hart----------- Richards Ferdinand Lescott Cole -------------------------- Parker Gerrard Oxlade -Rooney-------Sturridge -------Welbeck----------- Oh well, I can dream...
Yes. players of his ability can play anywhere. It also allows Rooney and Welbeck to play off Carroll. The Ukraine defenders wont enjoy that at all. imo.
I agree with that, Rooney can play anywhere on the pitch apart from in Goal. Young was diabolical. I'd always keep Carroll on the pitch.
Im hoping we go all out tonight to win and more importantly, win by lots of goals. we need to top the group in order to miss playing spain.
I'll win money if both france and england win but for some reason I bet you one of them will draw. I am happy that all the pundits like shearer and hansen are writing us off. I like this england team... before with big egos we would not have come back against sweden. We would have just accepted the inevitable " here we go again" from england. I think we always get a scare when all we need is a draw but we'll get it.
As the Sweden game wore on, I though more and more that Milner was playing like Dean Marney used to do for us in his final season. So for that reason alone, I'd drop him for Walcott. After Walcotts cameo appearance, it'd be harsh to put him back on the bench again. Other than that, I'd go with your line-up
I doubt Walcott would be nearly as effective from the start though. Hodgson seems to have a job for each player that they're aware of, i hope Walcott's is impact sub, he might want to start but he should understand his effectiveness is higher when brought in at the 60-70 minute mark.
IMO, Sweden will take a point from the Frogs. I would love the cocky Frogs to play Spain and that leaves England to play the poorest Italian team ive seen in years.
£50 on and England win and £50 for us to win by 2, starting to wish I'd stuck all £100 on us to win by 2 at 3/1, but it's England and when I expect us to score a few we struggle to get one. I'm confident we'll get a win though so that £50 on a plain win covers any losses. 1-0 or 2-1 I reckon.
My money's all tied up on Frankel at the moment, if that comes in i'll start looking at what bets to put on. Think i'll stick something on a Rooney scorecast though.
I do win cast rather than scorecast, scarily though odds are better for just Rooney to score first than Rooney/England win cast! Got cheeky £2 vrs on here and there, Rooney and well beck first goal, England win by 4+, England win both halves, all worth a go at small stakes.
I know no-one will agree but I'm happy with 2nd, I'd rather play Spain than Italy. Our soaking up of pressure and hitting teams on the counter could work well against Spain. Italy play quite a similar way to us and I couldn't stand it if Balotelli knocked us out.
After watching last nights games, Id rather play Spain than Italy. Spain looked really doable. The only team I wouldnt want to meet is Germany though, looks to me like theirs to lose.
Whilst I think Germany might win it, I don't think they're anything special at all. Spain have way more quality than them but haven't hit top gear yet. Germany have won every game but it's been a scrappy win by one goal every time and they haven't really opened anyone up.
