Think you took me a little too sensitively, but I apologise for any offence caused. Comments online can come across as w*nkier (as us Brits say) than they're really meant.

It's really a sad state when somebody as awful as Glenn Johnson has to play because there's literally no other right bac in the squad. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Last night I'm just happy we got out of it injury free. Our opponents went out to hurt our players IMO.

Yeah, Honduras were appalling imo

With regards to the defence, I wasn't just talking about Johnson. Yes he was bad, but so were Cahill and Jagielka. Some of the errors they made were just amateurish, especially in terms of the back passes, they were constantly putting Hart under pressure. I think I counted 4 or 5 times just in that first half that Hart had to kick the ball directly into touch because the pass back was dangerous.

Also, which other player would you have called up aside from Johnson for that position?

I'd have taken Ashley Cole and started Luke Shaw on the right. The difference between right back and left back is massively overstated IMO. In attack, yeah, the difference is big. Defensively? Not so much.

Luxembourg throw-in (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Jun 8 2014, 04:42 PM

Who the F is Jagielka? Granted I don't follow the PL, but at least you'd think I should have heard or read his name before. Is he gonna be England's starting CB?

Yes, plays for Everton. With Terry out of favour at national level he partners Cahill instead. And he's not exactly Terry, frankly.

I personally think it makes a bit of difference, especially if the player is not really used to it

Anyway, I once heard the BBC pundits after the S. Africa exit to Germany trying to make a case for Terry and the other CB who started that day (was it Upson?) because Terry had to switch to a side he wasn't used to. I mean, for a FB you can make a case, but for a CB. I think that's stretching the excuse a bit too far.


Imo, the only really good player in that England backline is Cahill. Baines and Johnson are good attacking FBs but seem to forget that their roles entail more than just attacking.

Jagielka, when I've watching him with England so far hasn't impressed me. I'm not going to pretend I watch him every week at Everton, because frankly, I've probably only watched one Everton game this season, so I can't say what his true quality is, or if he's just not yet gelled in the England set-up as of yet.

For me England made a mistake in leaving Cole and Terry out. First off, you have that familiarity of having 3/4 of the Chelsea back-line in there, a very solid one imo. It's like if Prandelli would leave out the Juve CBs, just doesn't make any sense.

I agree with you on johnson his defence is really not as good as his attack , Baines on the other hand i disagree.

Terry was left out as well? Wow, Hodgson deserves a good kick in the balls.

I haven't seen anything from him as of yet that would indicate otherwise tbh. He's pretty great going forward, but in terms of defending I'm not completely sold on him


Yep. You know, the English players and Hodgson continually point out that this new bunch of players are better than the group he had in 2012.

I agree to an extent that they have more talent upfront, but in terms of the defence, I think they took about 5 steps back without Terry and Cole

Terry and the FA are enemies in light of various rows over the years. Rodgson just buckled to them.

I don't think I've ever said this before, but Immobile... WOW! I'm guilty of writing him off a bit, but he's ice cold in front of goal. I think he'll be a first choice in this WC. Just chuck him in there with Balo in front of that midfield of creators and let them have at it.

The defending from Italy was atrocious. But then again, Palletta and Ranocchia started. While Perin made his very own howler

Terry retired from International football and rightfully so. He was found innocent at court, then the FA held their own inquiry and found him guilty, quite literally taking the law into their own hands. After this witch hunt, Terry refused to play again. A Cahill-Terry CB combo would've been amazing too.

Baines is a very good defender, maybe not Ashley Cole level but still very good. He and Cahill don't worry me, Johnson and to n extent Jagielka do.

John Oliver on FIFA

This is really great.

Fantastic piece. John Oliver has been on fire with his new show.