With the world cup only 2 months away I thought this chat was necessary. We can discuss any matters concerning England in the world cup and any Stoke players heading on the plane to it! The reason I made this thread was because of this: http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stok...-20960511-detail/story.html?111#ixzz2yy0eBKZe It basically says that due to Jetro Willems picking up an injury, Pieters might be on the plane to Brazil. Begovic is also on the plane playing for Bosnia, with Ireland also likely to get called up if his performances continue to be good. But it is unlikely that Shawcross will get called up, unless Cahill or Jagielka get injured and yet there still might be people infront in the queue! Looking forward to it and as usual, enjoy the rest of the week and good luck to anyone going to Cardiff.
Merson was talking to Etherington on the Friday night football programme on SP1 (forgot what it's called) and he agreed that if Shawcross played for anyone else (well almost anyone else) he'd be picked. He also said that he'd been unlucky that his debut had been against an in form Ibrahimovich who was scoring goals for fun. Sorry, a bit off point but makes me feel a bit cross and indignant.
I think England will make the semi-finals...at least. Oops, sorry wrong World Cup and wrong shaped ball.
Im really patriotic and I'm going to contradict that by saying I couldn't care less how England do, I can't remember the last time I watched an England match. I've said it before and will say it again, we will never win a major tournament so long as players get picked depending on what clubs they play for regardless of talent.
My feeling is that it will be very dull with lots of diving, feigned injuries and a frustrating amount of time being taken at free-kicks close to the penalty area, corners, substitutions. Wow!! We are in for a treat, not!!! Agree with your sentiments about Shawcross, and you failed to mention Crouch who to mind my has always been vastly under-rated but due to his gangly physique "doesn't look the part of an international footballer."
whatever anyone thinks international football is still top of the every players ambitions, yes they miss friendlies etc but every player will do whatever they can to play on the world stage in a competative tournament. Im VERY VERY patriotic and will watch every game regardless of the time it starts, im also going to go out on a limb here and tip us to get out of the group. If we start Sterling, sturridge, Rooney, Lallana and shaw we will score and be on the front foot causing havoc with our pace. Im a Stokie through and through but imo Shawcross is not as good as Cahill or Jagielka, he might be in the future but at the moment they are slightly better especially with the ball. Tin hat on ready Up the Englaaannnnnd!!
I think Shawcross is a little bit behind Cahill and Jagielka. I know it was only for friendly, but it's when players like Smalling and Caulker get called up, and Shawcross doesn't even get a mention that piss me off. I'd have the usual 2 at the back, with Shawcross in the squad, and I'm not sure who else. I used to rate Dawson, but he's not been all that great this season, and I think he's currently injured (not sure on timescale). Maybe Davies? He's had a pretty good season with Hull.
