The World Cup thread

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Former England trio Alan Shearer, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand will join the BBC's Fifa World Cup 2018 coverage from Russia next month.

Germany's 1990 World Cup winner Jurgen Klinsmann, Ivory Coast's all-time leading scorer Didier Drogba and Pablo Zabaleta, who played for beaten finalists Argentina in 2014, will add an international perspective to the Match of the Day studio in Moscow.

The BBC will televise 33 live games, including England's two opening Group G matches against Tunisia and Panama.

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker leads the BBC coverage throughout the tournament, which starts on 14 June.

Five other former England internationals - Phil Neville, Jermaine Jenas, Danny Murphy, Martin Keown and England women's Alex Scott - will also be among the BBC pundits in Russia.

12 people being sent to Russia? Travelling costs, hotel costs, 'expenses' costs, all 1st Class? and it doesn't say if any family are travelling with them, the BBC are really taking the piss this time. Don't bother telling me about other broadcasters sending people and the costs, that is not coming out of the TV Licence fee. I hope the BBC is not contemplating yet another increase in the licence fee increase in the not too distant future.
 
There was a time when Wilshire and Barkley looked like they’d be world class central midfielders.

I think Wilshere is an excellent player, it's just the injuries.

Barkley should be great but he's wasted years pissing about trying to get a move from Everton even though he wasn't starting there half the time due to not playing well enough. Then he changed his mind and changed it back again. Now he just doesn't play at Chelsea. Wasted talent.
 
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Will never be a consensus over a squad, so cannot really criticise Southgate for his selections, but I am disappointed sessegnon missed out, especially with Delph in.
My general fear is that we are missing a midfielder than can link defence to attack. In attack, we have lots of receivers, in defence and midfield the central players are a bit negative. Shelvey would have filled that gap, but he is a risk as a personality.
My blind unrealistic hope is that playing on enemy territory, with few fans and no expectations could be a good motivator and bring on a bit of Dunkirk spirit. There’s a good film or documentrary in here somewhere.

In summary, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, I think me may have a chance of winning it!!!
 
Will never be a consensus over a squad, so cannot really criticise Southgate for his selections, but I am disappointed sessegnon missed out, especially with Delph in.
My general fear is that we are missing a midfielder than can link defence to attack. In attack, we have lots of receivers, in defence and midfield the central players are a bit negative. Shelvey would have filled that gap, but he is a risk as a personality.
My blind unrealistic hope is that playing on enemy territory, with few fans and no expectations could be a good motivator and bring on a bit of Dunkirk spirit. There’s a good film or documentrary in here somewhere.

In summary, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, I think me may have a chance of winning it!!!

My prediction is that given the chance Loftus-Cheek could be the key midfielder. My fear is that we'll see Henderson, Dier and Delph in the same 11 and it'll be wars of attrition.
 
From travelling England fan at Euro 2016, to England player at World Cup 2018...

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I’m pleased as punch for our ‘Arry and as proud as you can be for someone not related to you.

Hope he manages to enjoy himself as well as playing his arse off.
 
My prediction is that given the chance Loftus-Cheek could be the key midfielder. My fear is that we'll see Henderson, Dier and Delph in the same 11 and it'll be wars of attrition.
Yes I'm with you here.
With those 3 it'll a very laboured approach that the decent opposition will easily frustrate England.
We can' t keep possession like some of the top side and won't have the zip in our play to undo the top 8 teams.
Last 16 prob with quarters our furthest venture i would say !!