2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil

[Psychotic]

Psy: Didn't Sterling recently state that he prefers to play on the wing? If so, why not put Welbeck/Lallana, who don't prefer to play on the wing, in the central position? Or is Sterling just relatively bad at playing in the position he prefers to play in?

He said he'd be happy to switch if that's what the manager wanted and he's used to playing on the wing as his normal position. "Anywhere in the attacking positions is my favourite, but helping the team score is what I try to do wherever I play." is what he said. If you look at the stats, he's played in the three spots (left, right, centre) about equally this season.

Either way, to be blunt: who gives a smurf about where they prefer to play? The manager picks the team and has put a lot more time and research into Uruguay and their weaknesses than they have. It's that sort of trout that's seen us indulge Rooney and try to play Gerrard and Lampard together over the years. Sterling might prefer to play in goal but tough trout because we don't need you there, we need you at no 10. He caused plenty of damage there against Italy and Uruguay's Centre Backs look suspect. Welbeck looks a damn sight better on the flanks than he does the middle too, fwiw.

[Bubba]

I agree with your back four but that's where it ends. Apart from Shaw at left back, I'd be shocked if Hodgson goes with anything else other than this.

Hart

Johnson - Cahill - Jagielka - Shaw

Gerrard - Henderson

Sterling - Rooney - Welbeck

Sturridge

I agree with you that Rooney is not in form and both him and Gerrard were poor. I still feel though that they are both game changers and can see them both improving vastly against Uruguay. Rooney will get on the score sheet tonight, mark my words.

[Psychotic]

I thought you, of all people, would approve of my "Drop all scousers" tactic xD

[Bubba]

Haha, not really! Baines can be dropped but that's it. Gerrard has been one of our most consistent players and Rooney, well...

- Wayne Rooney created more chances than any other player in the England v Italy game (three, including one assist).

[Quindiana Jones]

I thought you, of all people, would approve of my "Drop all scousers" tactic xD

Read this as "drop all trousers". World Cup vastly improved.

[Psychotic]

Haha, not really! Baines can be dropped but that's it. Gerrard has been one of our most consistent players and Rooney, well...

- Wayne Rooney created more chances than any other player in the England v Italy game (three, including one assist).

- Wayne Rooney blasted more corners to Mars than any other player in the England v Italy game.

[Bubba]

It was just one bad contact. You watch tonight... He'll get a brace and they'll be crackers.

[Psychotic]

I'll be rooting for him. Rooney, to me, is either a 4/10 player or a 9/10 player. If the 9/10 player arrives, smurf yes, hero. I just think in a World Cup match you can't risk it and it's better to have him off the bench.

[Madame Adequate]

Jiro,
Nicolas,
Raistlin,
Shauna

lmbo

[Shauna]

Look mate, my Spanish blood is already feeling the sting of that terrible failure. No need to rub it in further.

[Madame Adequate]

[Psychotic]

You'd think you'd be used to it, being Scotch and all.

[Shauna]

Failures on all sides of my family.

[Psychotic]

England so far not looking as good as they did against Italy. They haven't quite settled.

[Psychotic]

Godin should've walked. Ref bottled it.