World Cup

[choirboy]

I think that is quite difficult to sum up England's performance in the recent group stages and we should not be too harsh on Roy and the squad. When we consider that Spain and Italy have also 'failed' at the World Cup then perhaps we are in quite good company. I said to friends at the start of the World Cup that there was not much between all 32 teams and I believe that this is backed up by 'established'teams struggling and failing to qualify against the likes of Equador, Costa Rica, etc
If we'd had a little bit of that ....'luck'.....say another Sturridge goal?......Rooney's header going in? ......then we might have been looking forward to the first knockout round in the belief that we had a chance of getting to the semi finals? Who knows?
I think Roy's biggest error was not going entirely with the younger lads in the first match. Many will disagree with me but I watched our Captain, Steve Gerrard, and he was well off the pace right from the start of the first match. After only 55 minutes he was totally wracked with cramp and should have been subbed. In the closing stages he was limping around unable to get anywhere near his opponents. I really felt for him and I could see that he was suffering both physically and mentally.
Steve Gerrard has been a wonderful player and captain for England over the years but I honestly think that this was one competition too much for him. Frank Lampard would have very likely suffered the same had he played in that first match. Although in the third match he did reasonably ok. I did not see the second match but by all accounts England played even worse than in the first.
I agree with others when they say that we have limited resources what with our Premier League being over run with players from abroad. Well, we have to live with this and make the best of what we have got.......just like we here at Stanley have to do. We have to continue with 'realistic expectations' for every new season and I think we have to think this way regarding England too.
For me there is no real reason to sack Roy after they get home. He is a sound manager and should be given full support. If we did sack him, then who would replace him?
I am just trying to be positive as usual!!!

COME ON STANLEY
COME ON ENGLAND

[Redraine]

Originally Posted by choirboy

If we did sack him, then who would replace him?
I am just trying to be positive as usual!!!

COME ON STANLEY
COME ON ENGLAND

Jose Mourinho would jump at it and lick 'em into shape, get them playing tactically and to believe in themselves. Southampton reportedly wanting 30 million for Shaw shows the essence of our problems - on yesterday's display I'd rather have Lids!

[DtheP47]

Costa Coffee woulda' beat em' last night never mind a draw with Costa Rica.

[Exile on Spencer St]

Originally Posted by Greeny

Well I thoroughly enjoyed our last game....

Barman, a double, please, of whatever Greeny was drinking last night.

[Redraine]

In a similar vein, surely Choirboy, mate, you have set off early this year on your annual sojourn in France and have over-indulged on the boxes of "vin"? How can you possibly take any positives from this?
ENGLAND'S RECORD OF WORLD CUP WOES
England's tally of just one point is their lowest ever in a World Cup group stage
England lost their opening two World Cup games for the first time ever
England have not been eliminated at the group stage since 1958
England failed to win a game at a World Cup for the first time since 1958
Two goals is the lowest tally for England at a World Cup since their tournament debut in 1950
England have not conceded four goals in the group stage since 1958
England failed to win either of their World Cup warm-up games for the first time since 2002
Uruguay's win over England was their first against a European side in 16 tries - a run dating back to 1970
England have drawn more games 0-0 at World Cups than any other nation, with 11.
Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka had never lost in 13 outings when playing together before the tournament
England's shot conversion rate of 6.06 per cent is the worst of any side with two or more goals at this year's World Cup
England have scored only five goals in their last eight World Cup games. They last scored more than twice back in 2002 vs Denmark
England have still only come from behind to win two games at the World Cup (the 1966 final and in 1990 vs Cameroon, both in extra-time)
Roy Hodgson has won none of his last five games at World Cups
Frank Lampard has hit 40 shots at World Cups without scoring, more than any other player (1966-2014)
England used 21 players at this World Cup (Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fraser Forster were the only two to miss out) - they had never used more than 19 before

[Chimer]

Originally Posted by Redraine

ENGLAND'S RECORD OF WORLD CUP WOES

I really didn't need to know any of that. Why do some people love wallowing in misery at every opportunity?

Take the positives - we don't have to bite our nails any more now until 9 August

Always look on the bright side of life, di dum, di diddly dum dum ....

[andyd]

Originally Posted by Chimer

I really didn't need to know any of that. Why do some people love wallowing in misery at every opportunity?

Take the positives - we don't have to bite our nails any more now until 9 August

Always look on the bright side of life, di dum, di diddly dum dum ....

Hear Hear Chimer

[Redraine]

Originally Posted by Chimer

I really didn't need to know any of that. Why do some people love wallowing in misery at every opportunity?

Take the positives - we don't have to bite our nails any more now until 9 August

Always look on the bright side of life, di dum, di diddly dum dum ....

On the contrary, dear ding dong one, far from wallowing in misery I feel a great release from the anxiety of having to watch any more stumbling England performances. Instead, we can all enjoy the remaining superstars diving, cheating and eating each other for dinner
. Ooops, there I go again!

[winstanley asfc]

A question for you. Which player in this World Cup has played at the Crown Ground?

[AccyMad]

Originally Posted by winstanley asfc

A question for you. Which player in this World Cup has played at the Crown Ground?

Easy, Kevin Mourales (Everton & Belgium) pre-season friendly 2013)

[winstanley asfc]

Originally Posted by AccyMad

Easy, Kevin Mourales (Everton & Belgium) pre-season friendly 2013)

Yes but i was thinking of someone else.

[Mr Matthew]

Tim Krul, boom!!!

[AccyMad]

Fellaini too (probably not spelt right?)

[winstanley asfc]

Originally Posted by Mr Matthew

Tim Krul, boom!!!

Correct! He played for Newcastle against us in the league cup the other year. Love the bit where they're either either criticising or calling it a genius move from the Dutch manager for his goalie substitution near the end of extra time. John Coleman did this when we played Bournemouth in the FA Cup in 2003 FA Cup 2nd Round Replay: Accrington Stanley 0 Bournemouth 0 (aet, Stanley win 5-3 on pens) - Accrington Observer when he brought off Jamie Spears and replaced him with Jon Kennedy!

[MikeA]

Originally Posted by winstanley asfc

John Coleman did this when we played Bournemouth in the FA Cup in 2003 FA Cup 2nd Round Replay: Accrington Stanley 0 Bournemouth 0 (aet, Stanley win 5-3 on pens) - Accrington Observer when he brought off Jamie Spears and replaced him with Jon Kennedy!

...and again at Watford in 2006 when Robbie Elliot replaced Bavs.