634x258 Dugout Discussion
24 June 2014 3134 comments
Paul Paul
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We’ve another four matches to look forward to this evening as the group stages continue to wrap up. England, of course, already know their fate after losing both opening matches, whilst tonight’s opponents Costa Rica are through to the knockouts after serving up back-to-back wins over Uruguay and Italy to stun the football world:

Costa Rica: Navas; Gamboa, Duarte, Gonzalez, Miller, Diaz; Ruiz, Borges, Tejeda, Brenes; Campbell

England: Foster; Jones, Cahill, Smalling, Shaw; Lampard, Wilshere; Milner, Barkley Lallana; Sturridge

The Costa Ricans make two changes from the side that defeated Italy last week. At the back, Jorge Luis Pinto brings in Roy Miller for Michael Umana, whilst further up the pitch, Christian Bolanos drops out for Randall Brenes in what looks a continuation of the 5-4-1 formation which has proven so successful.

As announced yesterday, Roy Hodgson makes nine changes from the team that lost to Uruguay as England attempt to avoid the ignominy of finishing rock-bottom of Group D. Only Daniel Sturridge and Gary Cahill keep their places for the Three Lions as Hodgson hands his squad members the chance to impress.

Uruguay: Muslera; Caceres, Gimenez, Godin, Pereira; Rodriguez, Arevalo Rios, Gonzalez; Lodeiro; Suarez,Cavani,

Italy: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; De Sciglio, Pirlo, Verratti, Marchisio, Darmian; Balotelli, Immobile

Uruguay are unchanged from the side that beat England 2-1 last week. Oscar Tabarez’ side will line up in a 4-3-1-2 formation once again, with Nicolas Lodeiro tucked in behind Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, as the latter looks to replicate his match-winning brace against Hodgson’s side and fire his team into the last 16.

Cesare Prandelli’s side need only a draw against the South Americans to secure second spot. The Italians make four changes from their Matchday two loss to Costa Rica and bring in Mattia De Sciglio, Leonardo Bonucci, Marco Verratti and Ciro Immobile in what seems to be a 3-5-2 formation, with the latter partnering Mario Balotelli up top.

In the 9pm matches, Columbia look to finish Group C with a 100% record. The South Americans will be hoping James Rodriguez can maintain the form that has seen him score in each of his first two appearances, while Juan Cuadrado (three assists) and Teofilo Gutierrez (a goal and assist) also carry a major threat against Japan – Fantasy managers will be hoping that reports of rest and rotation turn out to be inaccurate.

The other game in Group C sees Ivory Coast square up to a Greece side that failed to find the net in their opening two matches. While a draw may well be enough for the Africans to progress, Sabri Lamouchi’s men will want to serve up a strong display after narrowly losing to the Colombians in Matchday 2 – Gervinho has notched in both their games so far and is the one guaranteed starter in the front three, though Lamouchi could turn to the experience of Didier Drogba to lead the line this time, having utilised the former Chelsea man as a sub in the first couple of matches.

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  1. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    No players playing in either of these games. So I will just support Pirlo. Come on Pirlo!

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Just Suarez(c) in Fox for me.

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    2. Werkself
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Good luck. I'm for Suarez. Just really hope Uruguay score an early 1st goal, so that Italy does't park the bus.

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  2. Damo.
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    If Uruguay don't make it the only players I'll have left in my McD's LFC team will be Maxi Rodriguez, Mascherano & Sakho. Bloody England.

    Don't really know what to do for the knockout rounds now. Prem players?

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    1. Saniul
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Probably. 😛

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  3. Tony Warner Fan Club
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    COME ON SUAREZZZZZZZZZZZ

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  4. Saniul
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Forza Azurri!

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  5. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Drafted in Suarez in iTeam, lets do this!

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  6. Vote Joke
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I'm not watching the England game with teh crap players on show like Wilshere, Jones, Smalling, Foster, Milner playing. The definition of 'meh'. ITA v URU it is.

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  7. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    COME ON ITALY

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  8. SW6
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I thought it was Forster in goal not Foster. Would have gone the former personally

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    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Also Lambert really should have started

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      1. Bun Rab
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        +1 to both of these. Lambert royally screwed.

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        1. JT's Dog
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Just like the jars he used to work with

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    2. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Come on Suarez....just...just...COME ON !!!

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    3. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      CR wearing red shorts blows the one colour theory 😐

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      1. Bun Rab
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Italy, Uruguay & England are. Mavericks!

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      2. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Brazil didn't yesterday either.

        They do what they want

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    4. The Sarjeant
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Which World Cup players have impressed you, and that you'd want to come to the Premier League or already play in the Premier League, and have them in your FPL team?

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      1. SW6
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Cuadrado looks a really exciting player. That Gervinho player looks good too 😉

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        1. The Sarjeant
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah Cuadrado looks exciting.

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      2. Bun Rab
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        In an awful team but Aboubakar has looked good. Always getting into the right places, strong, good decisions and not losing the ball. Looks built for the premiership.

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      3. LOCO ABREU
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        cuadrado,aurier,candreva,darmian,blind

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    5. Shels
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      balotelli dive and now injured 🙁

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    6. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Smalling's distribution is at best woeful. I fear for him under LvG

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    7. JT's Dog
        11 years, 6 months ago

        C'mon michu

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      • Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        I can't stand Jack Wilshere..... The way he looks, the way he talks, the way he carries himself.... His whole persona irks me... It's not an anti arsenal thing as when Ian wright or Tony Adams used to play for England I cheered them ..

        Am I unfair?

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        1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Plus I don't actually rate him... All this so called potential...I am not buying it frankly

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          1. JT's Dog
              11 years, 6 months ago

              If only there was a argumentative arsenal fan on here to dispute that

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              1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
                • 14 Years
                11 years, 6 months ago

                *taps fingers on table in anticipation*

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                  1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
                    • 14 Years
                    11 years, 6 months ago

                    🙂

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              2. Chris_Fàbregas #DOOS…
                • 15 Years
                11 years, 6 months ago

                😆

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            • Billy Gilmore
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              He's worse than he was 3 or 4 years ago.

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              1. SW6
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 6 months ago

                Agree with this, he did actually play extremely well in that game vs Barca and around that time. Not got near that level since.

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          2. The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            No

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          3. Bubz
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            I dont like him either. If he wasn't a footballer he would be a trouble causing chav.

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            1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              Exactly....

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            2. The Bandit
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              Sir Alan Sugar

              Football players are scum, total scum. They're bigger scum than journalists, don't you understand? They don't know what honesty or loyalty is. They're the biggest scum that walk on this planet and, if they weren't football players, most of them would be in prison, it's as simple as that.

              Harsh but fair 😆

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              1. Bubz
                • 12 Years
                11 years, 6 months ago

                😆 wow.

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          4. Vote Joke
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Totally overrated. Henderson is different class.

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          5. SW6
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Completely different attitude to someone like Lallana. You can see the benefits of playing in lower leagues with Lallana

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          6. Chris_Fàbregas #DOOS…
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            He's always been touted as having potential, but never has progressed very far and hasn't looked like fulfilling that potential since being that promising teenager that burst onto the scene years ago. Plus he has breadsticks for legs. More hype than anything, although he does have the odd good game.

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          7. Debauchy
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Nah you fair hehe. bugs me too - Arsenal boy ...

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        2. Dr Dream
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Ummm..No doubt what Italy's gameplan is for Suarez...

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        3. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Anyone up for the Phil Jones lottery?

          Predict in what minute he'll injure himself in a challenge

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          1. Parm
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            34th

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          2. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            😆

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            1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              62nd

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            2. JK - Cønt ⭐
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              trust me, I've seen it happen, a lot. He doesn't know when to let things go, totally over-commits

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          3. SW6
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            28th

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          4. Dr Dream
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            59th...just to naff off both his FF owners.

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          5. JK - Cønt ⭐
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            I'm going 23rd

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          6. Konig Luther
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            74

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          7. Shels
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            lol @ phil jones lottery.. not watching but i'll say 72nd

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          8. Billy Gilmore
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            In 2nd half stoppage time.

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          9. Damo.
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            I'm in. That dude sticks his leg where you wouldn't stick a shovel

            52nd

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        4. LOCO ABREU
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          some lineups for late games out?

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          1. Shels
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            http://www.livescore.com/ click on teams tab, not sure how accurate it is but i've found it to be good whenever i've challenged it

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        5. SW6
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Smalling is the opposite of a modern CB

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          1. JK - Cønt ⭐
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            see above

            I don't think LvG will like him at all. His distribution is awful

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            1. SW6
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              He's decent at the defending part of things but he just looks so unnatural whenever he has the ball. Can't pass for shit either.

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              1. JK - Cønt ⭐
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                11 years, 6 months ago

                that's basically what I just said 😆

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        6. Bubz
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Feeling more confident about my under 1.5 goals bet in the Italy game after watching the first 15 minutes

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          1. Vote Joke
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Was so bored I ended up watching Roy's crappy England.

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            1. JK - Cønt ⭐
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              I'm watching both

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          2. CABAYE4
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Game needs a goal, then the other side will have to attack.

            Your bet, on the other hand, does not!

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            1. The Bandit
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              A draw is no good to Uruguay

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              1. CABAYE4
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 6 months ago

                They're trying to narrow it down and get to H/T at 0-0 from the look of things, and then see what Suarez can do.

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          3. Holmes
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            I thought it would be an open game with many goals, but seems both teams are playing for 1-0 win

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          4. Billy Gilmore
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            It's been dire so far.

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        7. Sheep
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          At least Sturridge tries to be world class, i guess...

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          1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Frankly the only England player who may have enhanced his reputation this WC

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            1. Vote Joke
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              Sterling as well.

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              1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
                • 14 Years
                11 years, 6 months ago

                True.. First game definitely

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        8. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Balotelli yc

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          1. JK - Cønt ⭐
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            will be out of the next game if Italy qualify

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        9. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Hart would have let that in 🙂

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        10. Holmes
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Balotelli misses next game, its Immobile time 😛

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        11. The Sarjeant
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Roy's team selection has really annoyed me. Why play Lampard? He's not gonna be playing at the Euro's is he? Get the young lot on! I'd much rather give the young lot a run around for experience and be prepared for the next tournament than try to win pointless points.

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          1. SW6
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Why not give Lampard one last England cap,

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            1. The Sarjeant
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              Why what's the point? Build for the future, not pleasing the old players.

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              1. SW6
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 6 months ago

                Shaw, Barkley, Lallana all playing. Who else would play CM? Henderson? He's played twice already and will probably still get 25mins

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          2. Vote Joke
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Hodgson is the reason England are out. He is useless. No tactical sense, a pawn of the media, no balls, the only reason he hasn't been sacked or the tabloids haven't called for his sacking is 'cos he's English.

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            1. The Sarjeant
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              If we lose this match, he should be sacked.

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              1. Vote Joke
                • 15 Years
                11 years, 6 months ago

                He won't be. And that's why we will never progress. We need a young, attack minded manager who knows tactics. Like Rodgers.

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            2. SW6
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              🙄 I'd say you've been sucked in by the media not Roy. We, on the whole, have played well this tournament. We've played one excellent team in Italy and narrowly lost, then got beaten by Suarez in the second, albeit we helped him with a couple of mistakes. Better tournament, despite results than the last 3

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              1. The Bandit
                • 15 Years
                11 years, 6 months ago

                Isn't that what the media are saying? 😕

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                1. SW6
                  • 13 Years
                  11 years, 6 months ago

                  There's this general consensus going round that it's been a terrible tournament for England, where else does that come from than the media. There's been numerous people on the radio and TV going on about how we need a massive overhaul and we won't win a WC in 100 years of we don't change things

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                  1. Vote Joke
                    • 15 Years
                    11 years, 6 months ago

                    No, the press have been quite tame in comparison to previous managers. We went out to two teams above us in the FIFA rankings, I understand that. It was a tough group. I understand that. But Hodgson hasn't shown anything that suggests he should keep his job. He's totally lacking in inspirational qualities.

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                    1. SW6
                      • 13 Years
                      11 years, 6 months ago

                      Would you say Del Bosque is inspirational from what you've seen of him on TV? And yet he's one of the most successful international manager in recent years. I guess we can agree to disagree though 🙂

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                      1. Wilshere Knowledge
                        • 12 Years
                        11 years, 6 months ago

                        And he completely messed up in this tournament picking the old guard.

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              2. Vote Joke
                • 15 Years
                11 years, 6 months ago

                That's the team, not the manager. If he had any tacticl sense he'd change tactics rather than like-for-like subs all the time. He has no charism, doesn't command respect, fear, nor inspire. The media ain't calling for him to be sacked. I am.

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                1. SW6
                  • 13 Years
                  11 years, 6 months ago

                  There's no way you could know that unless you're in the England squad or have played under him. Just because he hasn't got the arrogance of Mourinho doesn't mean he can't inspire players. we've definitely made progress under him and I definitely don't think he should be sacked

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                  1. Vote Joke
                    • 15 Years
                    11 years, 6 months ago

                    It's just a difference of opinion, mate. I have never rated him, ever. But I have always followed his tactical incompetence.

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                    1. Wilshere Knowledge
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 6 months ago

                      You're not alone. +1

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        12. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          😡

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          1. JK - Cønt ⭐
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            looked like a pen

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        13. VougieDipond
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Afternoon all. Any Columbia team news yet/

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        14. Sheep
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          This ref is either awful or awfully bias.

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          1. The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            There have been many pens not given in this tourney. Bottlers

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        15. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Lovely stuff from Veratti

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          1. Sheep
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            You watching two games at once?

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            1. JK - Cønt ⭐
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              yup. The wonders of having a telly that will do split screen

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        16. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Who to captain in this team?

          Ospina
          Evra - Zabaleta - Howedes
          Oscar - Cuadrado - KDB - Di Maria - Müller
          Benzema - Gervinho

          Armband is currently on Benzema but I'm considering Cuadrado or Müller.

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