Minhosa

Oh aye, definitely. We'll get away with tonight - without a shadow of a doubt. And not just because we've got easy opponents in our group. It's just so fucking frustrating that the errors are still being ironed out in the tournament itself. The friendlies were just fucking rubbish. If he's supposedly known his team all along (more or less), why didn't Milner get a shot at the left-wing then? Why didn't Green play against Platinum Stars? What was the fucking point of playing Joe Hart if he was gonna be third choice all along? That last friendly was a great opportunity to relax a few nerves and try and begin some continuity. If we're still chopping and changing by the Second Round we'll not get anywhere memorable. We should have had more friendlies and we should have done more with the ones that we did have. I also think, and i've said this from the moment the draw was completed, we would have benefitted a heck of a lot more by having atleast one decent opponent in the group. Set the tone and raise the bar from the very first kick off. We're liable to get into a stride of dilly-dallying past these also-rans, then getting caned against someone good. It's a risky game. We'll be reet though. Think that's because James is carrying a knock. I think he might drop Green for the next game if James is fit.

Not having a go here but what made you think he was brilliant? Seems to have totally lost his spark to me. I thought the whole Studio team for ITV was as weak as piss. For Keegan it's that old "England supporting pundit having to front up to a seriously underwhelming result" syndrome. It's not easy tbh.... Thought he was lifeless throughout mate. Mind you sitting between Chiles and Southgate it's a wonder he turned up. Not taking anything away from what he's done for NUFC the first time around or anything it's just he seems like he's lost the love to me.

QFT.

He got murdered for pace off Altidore and looked like he was blowing out of his arse towards the end. Shocking indication of Capello's trust in Dawson and Upson if they don't get the nod ahead of him.

Not having a go here but what made you think he was brilliant? Seems to have totally lost his spark to me. I thought the whole Studio team for ITV was as weak as piss.

He was a huge improvement on Milner. SWP was utter wank. He wasn't that good. Worst player on the pitch behind spacker-hands. They played for the draw second half and showed no ambition, just a shame we had no creativity to break them down. Also - playing Carragher ahead of Upson or Dawson - WHAT THE FUCK?

USA are a great bet at 4/1 draw no bet too (Skybet). Aye I've stuck a rogue £1 on this just to cheer me up a little should the worst happen. Considering it myself Jill.

USA are a great bet at 4/1 draw no bet too (Skybet).

Stuck a tenner on less than 2.5 goals in England/USA match @ 6/4.

If Mexico could defend set pieces they'd be some team.

Double on Mexico to beat South Africa @ 6/4 and Argentina to beat Nigeria @ 8/11.

Not talking about the prices of the players, imo SWP is simply a far greater player. Faster, better technique and greater end product. I'm not sure I would say 'far greater' and certainly no better in the technique department. A wee bit faster well...............yes possibly, though SWP's problem is his legs work faster than his brain and I'd concede that SWP does have more end product BUT pound for pound Routledge is a far better bet.

The thing with Jenas is he does the all of the basics fairly well but he stands out at nothing. He's not a strong tackler, not a great passer, doesn't score goals, not the best header, doesn't break up play fantastically etc etc. He would be an overall improvement on the likes of Smith/Nolan because he brings some movement and he's ok at everything but I'd rather bring in an Ox of a defensive midfielder if we're intent on keeping Nolan meaning we can better afford the luxury of him being 'missing in action' for the best part of 90 minutes. Also, I would think Everton would be interested in Jenas because they've made bids in the past.

Inter, Cardiff double - £10 returns £50+ on Skybet. One of them is bound to go to e/t but thought the odds made in worth a punt.

A bit surprised - I thought a change would've done him good.

Born 1980 with 1986 being the first competition I remember (and have watched videos on etc back in the day)......... Seaman (Still feel this is somewhat of weak choice but don't think Shilton was any better) Gary Neville (In his day an absolutely fantastic full back) Ashley Cole (The best left back we've had in my lifetime - buries Stuart Pearce for ability) Rio Ferdinand (Ahead of Terry because of his calmness with the ball and ability to read the game slightly better at his peak) Tony Adams (The best reader of the game I've ever seen live) Lampard (couldn't drop him - he's scored over 20 goals a year for his club for 5 years - the man's a fucking machine) Scholes (in games where we'd go for the jugular) McManaman as a holding player when we'd not. Gascoigne (Pure natural talent) Beardsley (The best playmaker England have had in my lifetime) Rooney (Could be the best England fwd I've ever seen if he continues to develop) Shearer (Until Rooney proves he can produce at England level over a number of years, Big Al is the main man in my eyes).

Love the Bobby bit. Top drawer that like.

Both had fantastic seasons but I voted Rooney as he's developed more as a player and really stepped up to the plate this year after the departure of Ronaldo. Drogba on the other has been as effective as ever but not necessarily improved his game. I'd still take big Leon over both though.

If Capello sticks to his word and picks players based on form then Bent has to go surely?

Can't wait personally. Wish it was starting today. Also, think it's great that the nation can have a bit of positivity for once even if it's just for a short time. C'Mon England.

That would be a start.

He's carried an injury for best part of the season to be fair to the fella. For me, he's one of the the top players in the league and I'd love for us to have an Arshavin-esque creative player in our side. Another wise Wenger move when everyone else was hanging back as he'll always get his £10m back when the guy moves on.

Seriously? I'm shocked at that. Wise was on £1m/year was he not? Wise was never a director. There were rumours about what he was earning but no one knows for sure. He was called one. Was Executive Director (Football) just a vanity title? Are we sure Llambias is a director of Newcastle United Limited then, I can't believe he's only on £155k a year. The directors who served during the year are named in the accounts as Llambias, Williamson and Charnley. Williamson resigned in early June and was replaced by Charnley. The 3 of them earned a total of £331k with £26k going into their pensions. Wonder if any of them are on the payroll of Sports Direct or one of MA's other companies?

Reo-Coker would fit the Ashley blueprint (if there even is one!) of buying cheap, paying sensible wages, player with a point to prove, potential to sell on etc. I know the guy has had his critics at Villa but I wouldn't be against giving him a go in our midfield. I'd think he'd bring a good engine, an ability to break up play and provide an energy that we don't have now the down sides would be his lack of creativity and he's not going to weigh in with goals. That said, for the right price (£3m or less) I'd take a punt.

Cleared to do so:- http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/8644269.stm