The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

So what are Englands chances?

Last 8 the best even the most optimistic of us can hope for.

Do we need Rooney?


What is the purpose of Wilshire? His best position is on the treatment table.

I can see us getting through our tough group, possibly at the expense of Uruguay as Suarez won't be 100% fit. After that we'll only go as far as the luck of the draw allows, would think a penalty exit will be on the cards.

Unfortunately I think we still do need Rooney. He has got abilities our other frontmen haven't. One thing going for Rooney this time is he knows this is probably his last WC, and that might fire him up.

Going forward we're ok, but at the back I think we're very weak.

IMO we'll either go out in the group stage or get to the Quarter-Finals. Group C is weak and we would beat any of the teams that come out of it. However, I think it rests on the outcome of the first game, because if we lose to Italy then we'll need to go and attack Uruguay and that will leave us vulnerable to the counter-attack.

Hopefully Hodgson will drop/substitute Rooney if he's not playing well, something that he should've done in the last game against Italy.

England will beat Germany in the final, after a penalty shoot-out. Pigs will be seen flying over Copacabana Beach in celebration!

With the warm up games now done we have a much clearer idea of our chances .........zilch!!
Both the games v Ecuador and Honduras were so boring. Still better than having won them well and our usual high hopes shattered later.

They're still trying to do these fancy flicks and things. Just go back to standard passing.

The back 4 looks very dodgy and any half decent attack will open us up like a hot knife through butter. Midfield and forwards look ok but we must take a higher %age of chances. I'd be surprised if we make the quarter finals.

Ultimately I think it will end in disappointment again (as always).. we'll reach the Quarter finals and lose on penalties probably.

As ever i'll be supporting the team but my expectations are low. I think it'll be a tough ask to get out the group as I cant see us finishing above either Uruguay or Italy. Even if we did make it to the knock out stage when we'll come unstuck when we meet a decent team.