England simply do not keep the ball well enough Rod, in that heat/humidity if you cannot keep the ball you'll be coming home. I really hope they prove me wrong though
Last edited by tiggers1972; 30th May 2014 at 10:50 AM.
Home team nearly always does well in my experience
"With a little help from their friends"
Ah! but a man's reach should exceed his grasp......
Still can't see beyond a South American winner. There's a reasonable chance that Germany can get to the semis before they play a South American team and I make them clear favourites to progress furthest of the Europeans.
The game has moved on from tipitap to actually doing something with the ball and I wouldn't be surprised to see Spain go out early even though the Netherlands team has plenty of question marks about it especially without Van der Vaart. Italy will keep possession well but I'm not sure that they have the quality up front especially if Balotelli doesn't fire. Belgium are full of talent but may be fragile temperamentally with so much expected of them. Could be they'll play Portugal in the last 16 and that will turn on Ronaldo's form. France have some excellent players but, again, their temperament is questionable. No surprise if Evra picks a fight with someone else in the squad. As Euro says, England's problem last time was pace. It was frightening how Germany poured forward with only Cole doing a passable imitation of keeping up with them. The current unit is probably quicker but Gerrard is an attacking midfielder playing deep rather than a natural defender.
The older I get the better I was.
England's defence looks **** hot. There are articulated lorries that turn quicker than Jagielka. Can't think of anything to compare how dozy Johnson is.
Despite it being a friendly, Spain are playing at a tempo I haven't seen them play in years, the Euro final aside.
They've taken Torres. Might be the worst player at the Tournament on last season's form.
They can but it depends on Hodgson making some big decisions before and during the games, will he take Rooney off when he starts dropping deep looking for the ball, will he start Sterling instead of Wellbeck, will he take a chance on Luke Shaw? For me England can get QFs IF Hodgson trusts the young pacey players.
Major blow for Italy with Montelivo breaking his leg
I'm sure they'll just about get past knowing they've only got Pirlo, De Rossi, Marchisio, Verratti and Motta to cover. I'd hate to have such cover in the England squad. Hate it!
Anyone care to guess the German starting XI?
Last edited by Hamm; 2nd June 2014 at 3:01 PM.
Depends on how fit Khedira is.
The older I get the better I was.