Neil

That excuse might work for a team like Italy, who step it up when it matters. We don't step it up, and this is very likely how we'll play over the coming couple of weeks. Throughout the 3 friendlies it's been blatantly obvious that the players haven't been pushing themselves at all. I don't really blame them. The best 11 is a mix of players who either know they'll start or know this WC is their last real chance to shine as international players. Should be no reflection of how they'll play when it matters. Except this is generally how we've played for the past X years in friendlies, qualifiers and tournaments with the odd exception where we looked genuinely quality. No, they haven't been pushing themselves to 100% in these 3 games - of course they wouldn't - but to just write them off as though they're not any sort of indicator as to what will happen is downright foolish. Other countries may have had dodgy results but most if not all have shown they can step it up in tournaments. We have most certainly not. The only way I can see things perhaps being surprisingly better than expected is if Hodgson just fully puts his trust in youth - Lallana, Barkley, Sterling being the key three (assuming Ox is out). Just let them loose and see what happens, because the same-old doesn't work. But, since it's highly unlikely he'll do that, I think these friendlies are a worrying trend.

This is the thing. On paper their team isn't especially brilliant, think it's a similar standard to ours. Obviously the key difference being they have a genius in the middle who can control a game any way he fancies.

That excuse might work for a team like Italy, who step it up when it matters. We don't step it up, and this is very likely how we'll play over the coming couple of weeks.

Shite performance, shite result.

Really? Baines has been an option pretty much every time we go forward. The problem is the lack of movement centrally. There was a passage there where Sturridge was being chased by 2 or 3 Honduras players and not one England player thought it might be an idea to help him out. Absolutely turd performance against 10 man Honduras, but I look forward to the weather delay being used as an excuse. Neil luvs Leighton Justifiably so too.

Really? Baines has been an option pretty much every time we go forward. The problem is the lack of movement centrally. There was a passage there where Sturridge was being chased by 2 or 3 Honduras players and not one England player thought it might be an idea to help him out. Absolutely turd performance against 10 man Honduras, but I look forward to the weather delay being used as an excuse.

Nice of Clive to assure us there's not much to worry about with Central American football, i.e. Costa Rica. Here's me thinking we're drawing 0-0 with 10 man Honduras.

Impressive amount of cheating on show.

Fraser Forster going up top I assume.

Sturridge's finishing has been atrocious in these warm up games.

Was a matter of time tbf.

Nigeria bossing this.

That chest down.

Sturridge did well not to lamp the cunt.

Getting spicy.

Leighton Strains.

Like clockwork.

Avoiding death would certainly represent progress.

What the fuck is Hodgson doing?!

HONDURANCE :lol:

Lukaku limped out of the Belgium game I think.

It's been class. Constant hilarity, hell of a lot better than watching Henderson pass it sideways to Gerrard.

Tactical thunder, yah.

Am I missing the moment Lallana became a guaranteed starter?

There's something seriously wrong with Hoddle.