Wonder what odds we are for a first round departure, Uruguay were awesome at the last World Cup and Suarez/Cavani will tear the likes of Phil Jagielka a new arsehole. I see the usual suspects are on here over-rating us (usually read on here how Germany are nothing special and we beat Brazil in a friendly game so we are a better team than them). Our best chance is if Hodgson goes at Italy full pelt (no Milner) as I actually think they are an easier option than Uruguay playing in South America. Costa Rica shouldn't be underestimated either. Horrible draw.
Similar to Liverpool vs Hull eh? Oh wait. It's a World Cup for crying out loud, form goes right out the window. Just look at England the last few tournaments. England can win that group if they play, but can just as easily lose it. Same goes for Italy and Uruguay. Stop being so defeatist. I know it's England and it's easy, but come on.
I think Uruguay, Italy & England will all end up with 4 or 5 points, very tight Uruguay have the best attack, Italy the best defence, Costa Rica the best coffee and England the best beer
I always try to be optimistic when it comes to England at major Tournaments, but it's so hard to carry on that way considering our recent performances on the big stage. Uruguay have some great talents (Suarez, Cavani, G. Ramirez etc) and not to mention how creative and dangerous Italy are (Pirlo, Marchisio, Balotelli, El Sharaawy, Cerci etc). Italy always seem to be average and inefficient in the qualifying stages, but end up being brilliantly organised and lethal in the actual Tournament itself.
Inexperienced? All four of them will have played vs Suarez at least for the last three seasons Suarez will also be coming off the back of a long season where he will be over used.
Italy can be slow to start at tournaments and often only produce a result when they have to. Playing them first is probably good for us.
Get my prediction in early. Italy 0 England 0. Both teams happy to come away from the Rainforest with a point.
[video=vimeo;81034986]http://vimeo.com/81034986[/video] A 5 minute ****ing video for a ball!!! FFS it should just be a Mitre.
2am here is what? 9pm/10pm in Brazil. Heat levels should be slightly down, humidity reduced or does the Amazon tend to be a 24x7 heat and sweat-fest? A typical England World Cup would be we be we draw against both Italy and Uruguay 1-1 or 0-0. Need a win against Costa Rica and everyone assuming we're through as it's 'only' Costa Rica, yet we play crap and scrape a 1-0 win to get us 2nd place.
I can't believe we actually had a chance of the best case scenario at one point, with five teams remaining and one guaranteed to get Switzerland/Ecuador/Honduras. Pesky Frogs.
I'm actually really optimistic. I always think we do better if we're underrated. Either way I'd rather go out of a group like this than the last group. I think we will beat Italy, Draw to Uruguay and scrape a 1-0 v costa rica.
Good odds on England going out early then. Costa Rica are obviously beatable, but then so were Algeria in 2010. Italy are superior in every department. Uruguay have an amazing attack, OK midfield and pretty **** defence, whilst England are mediocre in every area of the field. To be honest, I've spent the past few days getting more excited about Sunday's FA Cup third-round draw. That's the big one, after all!
I just want England to go to Brazil and give it their all. And Erik, have you been watching the Mr Bean film by any chance?
