World Cup 2014, Brazil.

I think we had a good go in quite a few tournaments prior to Cappello. When we went out to Brazil and then Portugual in 2002, 2004 and 2006 we started really well and were in front. Fatigue and Beckham pulling out of a challenge against Brazil and sending off's meant that we were pushed too far back and tried to hang on. We did have a go though.

Post Sven the England managers have been less adventurous and I think this has hampered us in the latter parts of competitions. Draw - Draw - Win is enough to get through, so set up not to lose the first two and this with a final game win is enough to get you out of the group. This is basically what has happened the last few tournaments and when we to go into a game where we have to attack and win we can't do it.

 

I got bored of always drawing the most useless team in the work sweepstake, so I am running it this year, to keep everyone interested (no matter which team they draw)
I am doing the following:
£2 to enter.
£32 cash prize to the winning team.
£16 cash prize to the runners up.
£8 cash prize to the team knocked out in the first round with the fewest points and worst goal difference (in the event of a tie using these criteria, the tied team with the worst disciplinary record in the first round would win).
£8 cash prize to the team with the worst disciplinary record throughout the tournament (1 point awarded per yellow card, 3 points per red).

 

Squad numbers are out!


Rickie Lambert - 18
Adam Lallana - 20
Luke Shaw - 23

 

So who nicked Rickie's number? Glad Lallana got 20 over Barkley and Shaw got his number.

 

The full list:

1. Joe Hart
2. Glen Johnson
3. Leighton Baines
4. Steven Gerrard
5. Gary Cahill
6. Phil Jagielka
7. Jack Wilshere
8. Frank Lampard
9. Daniel Sturridge
10. Wayne Rooney
11. Daniel Welbeck
12. Chris Smalling
13. Ben Foster
14. Jordan Henderson
15. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
16. Phil Jones
17. James Milner
18. Rickie Lambert
19. Raheem Sterling
20. Adam Lallana
21. Ross Barkley
22. Fraser Forster
23. Luke Shaw

From: http://www.thefa.com/news/england/2014/may/world-cup-squad-numbers-announced-210514

Hopefully the first 11 are not indicative of the team we will start with!

 

Jack Wilshere and Frank Lampard shouldn't be in the England squad anyway.

 

I like the "Blind" sweepstakes where you buy an envelope with a team name in it and its not opened until the final, so you never know if you are in it or out until the end of the tournament.

 

Lars Bender is out for Germany.

 

Yes, I used to do that at my old job. Draw the envelopes, write your name on the front and then lock them in the safe until the Friday before the final, or even just before the semis.

 

I see they have given the same club number to those at big clubs

 

Rickie should be No.7. No, I'd make him 007.

 

I haven't bought an England shirt in years. Is it sad to buy one with Lambert 18 on the back? He's the one I'm most happy for.

 

Starting to get excited now. 10th June!

 

I've been excited since I found out that England's first game is on my 21st birthday. Not that I'll be able to watch it all, seeing as it starts at 11pm

 

Shaw interview coming up on Sky Sports News (within the hour)

 

Has no one mentioned Landon Donovan being left out of the USA squad yet?

 

Get my tickets next week.

 

Lucky boy; enjoy. Do you know what games you'll see?

 

Just one, the Italy game. I get my flight tickets etc next week too.

 

Found this interview with Rickie Lambert on the Fifa website: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=5/news=lambert-world-cup-a-dream-come-true-2343391.html

Some very odd comments in the article:

''Having been overlooked despite a fine debut Premier League season, Lambert poked fun at his situation by making out he was committing his future to the New Zealand national team. That, though, was an April Fool's joke and one which Roy Hodgson may well have taken note of''

''As the youngest, 18-year-old Shaw got the smallest bed of the trio but has earned Lambert's unwavering respect.''