World Cup 2014, Brazil.

Proud doesn't even begin to describe it...glad Rickie had the sense to bend round Shaw to get in the picture.

 

I'm sure the only reason why there was any trouble was that having organised the positions in the photograph, they went away for a coffee for 15 minutes, while the photographers set themselves up properly, and Luke had another mini growth spurt [and don't twist that into something I didn't mean].

 

Does anyone know if the 7-back up players are in Portugual as well, or is it just the 23 man squad?

 

Think it's just the 23. I think Hodgson had planned to take the other 7 out but then changed his mind.

 

Flanagan and Stones are going apparently, but none of the others.

 

The other 5 had better holidays to go to..?

 

Lallana next to Sterling after saying his idol was Steven Gerrard on Twitter. Oi oi

 

Implies genuine concern over the fitness of Phil Jones, I'd say.

 

I can't see Gerrard anywhere. Is he behind Lallana? (whispering sweet nothings in his ear)

 

I think so, just using the process of elimination.

Notably, OXO is between Lallana and Shaw. Old club-mates standing together. Didn't realise Alex was that short. Even Adam appears slightly taller [although that could be perspective]. You can almost see Luke getting taller if you look closely.

 

Not quite WC, but Davis has been called up for NI for friendlies against Uruguay and Chile.

 

If one of the NI cloggers could nobble Suarez that would be very useful

 

https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blog...r-excuse-refusing-chained-lamp-114145111.html

Amusing article about Lallana missing his own stag do....doesn't mention the fact he got married early as well.

 

Knowing our luck, he'll nobble Gaston, causing him to miss pre-season......

 

I am not saying England are great but are Italy and Uruguay that much better. Both have aging squads and Uruguay had to qualify via the play-offs. Yes they have Suarez and Italy a mean defence but I don't see either as contenders either.

 

Uruguay are very beatable. We will control possession against them.

 

Uruguay are indeed beatable, but historically, Italy just up their game when required. They have an inbuilt capacity to play way above the sum of their parts. Don't ask me how they do it, they just do.

 

The first match of the group stage is usually cagey and playing Italy in the hottest conditions when acclimatising is probably a good thing, a nice 0-0 would stand us in good stead, although I would prefer the win!

 

Like Germany you mean?

 

And Germany..! But I thought people were talking about getting through England's group.