Neil

Messi has carried Argentina in the first 2 games. Exactly what people said he had to do. Early stages but let's see.

Personally think Germany will win but won't be a walkover. 1-0/2-1.

Erm, I'm not sure how this is how offers are supposed to work. Spot it? http://ads.oddschecker.com/www/images/3fdac0e81d593fad1f8e0e37e1585ac0.jpg

Tempted to really put my money where my mouth is with Bosnia/Nigeria. Really think the former will qualify while I think the latter are shit. Argies, Germany, Bosnia all -1 is 9/1, really tempted.

dem memoreez

Neil 2011, meet Anderson. Though that reads as though I'm winning all the time now which ain't true. But compared to 2/3 years ago, Christ.

Like a really pessimistic Pokemon song. Still determined with the Honduras/Ecuador BTTS, Germany, Bosnia treble. Italy did me over yesterday.

Fuck.

this is what the world cup's all about! 83% chance that guy is Scottish n all. In the words of Brass Eye, there is no evidence for it, but it is scientific fact.

Done this as well as I'm not mega confident on the btts, more instinct than owt. noil stahp

If my accy makes it past today I'm confident. If not then farewell £30.

Only games I've been able to watch in full this week have been the 11pm games. This weekend's offerings best be mint.

Me, if you don't count my losing bets.

you want prontonise midget

Italy Honduras - Ecuador BTTS Germany Bosnia Come the fuck at me.

Those digits would have got away with it too if it wasn't for that pesky Nee.

He's only in there to "be busy" which is basically "make up the numbers". 20 years ago he'd be classed as a nothing player but now he's an automatic starter for his country. He's there to make up for the fact Gerrard can't run, he's essential IMO. Gerrard shouldn't be playing, which removes the need for Henderson. Quite easy really. As the youths may enunciate: boom, head shot.

Would agree on Jagielka fwiw. Good defender, at times extremely good, but certainly never been truly top-class and I think it showed.

Yeah, I thought he was a couple of years younger. Point remains though, the 'newer' England players are we should be placing most of our emphasis and optimism.

It's got to be the Man Utd connection. I don't get it, otherwise. He's clearly not good enough.

Wha? The entire frontline was youngsters apart from Rooney, and with Henderson in midfield. That's like half the team, not too bad. I wouldn't really consider Sturridge, Welbeck and Henderson to be "youngsters" mind. The underlying caveat being only one of them is good enough at this level.

Uruguay have a truly world-class talent. We don't. That was the difference. However behind that it was the same old England. You'd have thought given everyone has seen Suarez play loads over the last 2-3 years in England, we'd be a bit more aware of him. Yet we seemed baffled by his alert, predatory running. Defence was too slow to react to it and at this level - well, Suarez's level anyway - that's not good enough. Midfield was sluggish, lack of movement.... it's just the usual story. Got to go fully with the younger players for Euro 2016 qualifying. Barkley, Lallana, Sterling, Wilshere, Sturridge. Get them all playing together.

I think getting Wilshere sorted is key for us. Mainly due to injuries, he hasn't progressed in the last couple of years but he clearly has a lot of talent and I think, if fit, could be pivotal for England for the next 5-10 years. Certainly an improvement on Henderson who does next to fuck all, while Gerrard has again demonstrated his best times are long behind him. Welbeck, man. Just why?

If you can't judge a team on a tournament we've been preparing for for years, then when can you judge them? It's not hyperbole or knee-jerking to make a judgement on the significant evidence we have. You're allowed to make a bold judgement/decision/comment and it not be an over-reaction.

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