This World Cup seems to be different as we edge towards to start of the tournament, certainly from an English perspective anyway.
The last few tournaments have been surrounded by fanfare and expectation yet this one is different. There is actually a lack of expectation on the football team as things stand.
Maybe a part of that is to do with how we’ve how we’ve continuously failed to live up to expectations previously. The “golden generation” that never delivered in the international stage is just about at the end and is in the process of being replaced with hungrier, more technical, more modern, football players. Maybe that is why I find myself so intrigued in how things will pan out for us over in Brazil.
For all the singing and dancing about foreign players in the Premier League and how they are restricting the flow of young English players into the first teams up and down the land, there is a nucleus of new talent bursting to make a mark on the international stage. Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Daniel Sturridge, Luke Shaw, Raheem Sterling and Ross Barklay among others are all equipped to spend the next decade or so playing for the Three Lions, an this is their first chance to shine.
However this new guard aren’t expected to do much and, aside from a late flurry of World Cup bets taking place in their favour, they are currently rank outsiders for the tournament. That’s about right if I’m being honest, and with a tough group to try and get out of that must be the first priority for them before any thoughts turn towards the knockout stages.
Now this doesn’t have to be about England, it can be about any country. I’ve only focussed on England because I’ll be supporting them, but I know not all of you are English or follow England so if you’re backing someone else let us know who and how far you think they’ll go.
So, how far can we go?
we wont win it bud simple as that
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
best we can hope for is he plays the kids to gain experience for the next major torney 😮
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
I think we will be lucky to get out the group stage. We need a draw against Italy, it’s important we don’t lose our first game.
Stem(Quote)
Ingerlund!
5000miles or however far the plane journey is is about as far as we’ll get 😛 If Suarez is seriously injured we’ve got a good chance of getting out of the group stages. At the risk of inviting a thrashing, Forlan is now past it and Cavani has had a very average season at PSG. Suarez would be the difference in a meeting between us. We did alright against Italy in our last meeting, we’re probably a better side now, but I just think they’ve got a much better world cup mentality than us and that will see them through.
I think the quarters would be a very successful tournament, which is a bit sad when you think about it, but the aim should be to get our young lads blooded and ready for the next Euros for which we might have one of the best squads…ideally only behind germany and spain!
Newkie(Quote)
Pretty much agree with Newkie…which has me slightly worried for my sanity 😕
richietoon(Quote)
I should think England will go farther than Australia. Then again, so will every other team in Brazil. 😆
brisvegas(Quote)
I reckon we’ll lose the first 2 games and so be knocked out the tournament, I reckon Costa Rica will spring a shock or 2 also 😛
richietoon(Quote)