The College Dropout

I too think we'll get out the group. Just because we always do. We'll get a 1-0 against one of the better teams. We are good at that. Italy abd Uruguay are the type of nations to do brilliantly or crap at big tournaments. We've always been more consistent. I'd be shocked if we could get to a SF. Haven't had a look at the draw but QF is the best I think we can do. Good thing this time is that we are an unknown elementr. But I don't think we have the mental fortitude to make a big impression.

What about the Champions League? Which England players played really well in that? Even in the PL the very best players have been Urugayan, Ivorian and IMO the best British player has been Welsh.

2 men that have played together for a decade and have never looked comfortable alongside each other. 2 players that can't run. With extremely poor lateral movement. 2 players with poor defensive positioning & anticipation. There is no way they should start together. And if they do - it shouldn't be with Lallana & Sterling alongside them. Both the Madrid sides have had the core of the same teams for the last 3 years. Atletico are by far the best team in Europe by a country-mile. It's the synergy of the team and coach that's getting them results not natural ability. Can't compare any national side to them. Real have probably the 3 out of the 5 best counter attacking players in the world in the team. And a CM capable of battling away and skipping past 3 challenges if need be to relieve pressure. We have none of that. Comparing this England side to 2 of the best teams in the world wil result in us getting battered.

Agreed. The fact both Pellegrini, Mancini & the last 2-3 England managers have used him indicate that he's a good player. He shouldn't start but he's a very viable option off the bench. A smart and tactically aware player. IMO he should play ahead of Lampard. In fact, Lampard is lucky to even be in the squad. He doesn't offer a lot defensively, his engine has gone, his passing is not brilliant and he hasn't scored many goals this season. He's Chelsea's 4th choice CM behind Matic, Ramires & Luiz. And tbh even Mikel has looked better in recent months.

Yep said this earlier. Great mvoe.

Defensively? Potentially massive and could cost goals. Tbh I don't want to start too many players that have never even played in the CL. We could possibly have 6 starters who have never faced continental opposition at the highest level.

Disagree. His crossing has come on leaps and bounds and he's an asset. Unless they go for a Debuchy they'll probably take a step back i that position. Jenkinson is not the lad.

Well that's terrible.

FA Cup 3pm ko. Surely La Liga will be later

Atletico man

Atletico look nervous. Every miss, the players look distraught.

Just flicked on Atletico - Malaga and Villa misses a sitter.

They'll score and concede loads - will be brilliant. Great goal from Hughes.

Love him. Take care Shola

Wow ahahahahah

I believe all the money at stake, even in the lower leagues is hurting the quality of player we produce. I read a piece about Croatian football. Even in the highest divisions, quality of football is as important as results fro clubs. The clubs will never make a lot of money through league places or finishing high. Instead, the focus is on producing good footballers they can sell for a lot of money. In our lower divisions, the quality of football is not an issue at all.

I don't get this argument. By the "big" clubs who are we talking about? Chelsea sign players that are too good for League 1 anyway. You look at someone like Aaron Ramsey, he's never played below Championship level. This is better for the "maybe" lads. Sammy Ameobi's, Ferguson's et al

:lol: As if Viera and Petit had no scoring or creative duties, man. I agree with Hughesy. Both were excellent passers but neither genuinely creative or a consistent goal threat. City moved to Fernandinho - Garcia double when Aguero went off. Fernandinho can be creative but in that system he's there to allow the two wide players and Yaya to create magic while keeping it tight. Even 2002 Brazil had Gilberto Silva - Kleberson double pivot again - to allow the attacking 3 to do their thing. I agree fully that most 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formations tend to have two midfielders who don't have much responsibility to create or score. I'm happy with Tiote-Anita as long as there's genuinely an attacking midfielder in front of them and some wingers with some "threat".

I think the two with a proper AM worked very well. Throw in a real striker - some attacking wide men and we are laughing. Without a genuinely creative player (e.g. not Colback) it's too lacking I agree. I don't want to see Tiote-Anita-Colback in the same side.

I like the look of Derby

Interesting quotes from Wenger. He said British youngsters don't practice enough from 7 - 16 because they are always playing "competitive" games. Then from 17 - 23 they don't play enough

Hummels is so classy on the ball. But proper defending? Give me John Terry.

It would be the death of the PL for sure. And bad for English football in general for at least 5-10 years. If it weren't for Chelsea, i'm certain we would be close to losing one of our European places.

That would be illegal as well as incredibly stupid and xenophobic. I'm all for encouraging our own but not to the exclusion of foreigners.

Think Ramos is better than Kompany, Chiellini, Hummels - most due to being better in big matches. The reason I ask, is I believe there's a lack of brilliant CB's these days. Chiellini? Absolutely miles away from a Nesta or Cannavaro. Kompany's never even played in a CL QF. I would rank John Terry higher now in the world, than I would have 5-8 years ago.