Costa Rica 17 : 00 England - hello? Anyone there?

mike65

Costa Rica can look to top the group as they host exiting England who will field a team munch changed side

Fraser Forster (update)
Phil Jones,
Gary Cahill
Chris Smalling
Luke Shaw
Ross Barkley
Frank Lampard
Jack Wilshere
James Milner
Adam Lallana
Daniel Sturridge

This is a lose lose game for Hodgson, if they lose the pressure is on, if they win its a dead rubber, if they lose the new players are no better than the old players and if they win the old guys were the wrong picks in the first place.

But Roy has done brilliantly to play down expectations to the point where no one other than ITV really gives a **** anyway.

Kess73

If England lose they will equal their worst losing streak in a tournament (three losses in a row)

Last time that happened was in 1988 when the Irish, Dutch, and Russians all beat England.

kryogen

England to turn on the style and run riot over a Costa Rican team who will be taking a break before the real competition begins

English journalists wonder why they can't play like that all the time

Ulysses Gaze

Kess73 wrote: »

If England lose they will equal their worst losing streak in a tournament (three losses in a row)

Last time that happened was in 1988 when the Irish, Dutch, and Russians all beat England.

If that happens, then watch English journalists start comparing Euro '88 where they bombed out to Italia '90 where they got to the Semi's.

They'll paint this tournament as the necessary changing of the old guard and that the future is bright.....

Heck, they even have their new potential 'Gazza' in Ross Barkley!

But Roy Hodgson is no Bobby Robson...

Kess73

Would be surprised if England do not win tbh. Cannot see Costa Rica playing all out in this game, and they may rest a shedload of players.


Then again if Costa Rica decide that they want another big scalp, we could see England looking very ponderous again.

Kess73

Ulysses Gaze wrote: »

If that happens, then watch English journalists start comparing Euro '88 where they bombed out to Italia '90 where they got to the Semi's.

They'll paint this tournament as the necessary changing of the old guard and that the future is bright.....

Heck, they even have their new potential 'Gazza' in Ross Barkley!


But Roy Hodgson is no Bobby Robson...

Did you not see some of the press releases from the FA over the last two or three days? Lots of spin about how there have been many positive points for England (shame none of those points were the kind that get won on the pitch) and about how it was a financial success for the FA.

Dozen Wicked Words

Kess73 wrote: »

If England lose they will equal their worst losing streak in a tournament (three losses in a row)

Last time that happened was in 1988 when the Irish, Dutch, and Russians all beat England.

Personally think it's a narrow pointless stat used as a stick to beat England with.

However England have done this tournament, it's still better than 1964, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1984, 1994 and 2008. So regardless of the Costa Rica result, there's 8 teams that did worse than this one.

Agent Coulson

Exclusive on ITV so England guaranteed to lose then.

Mint Sauce

This game is all about the Unoffical World Title for England now...

http://www.ufwc.co.uk/

Kess73

Dozen Wicked Words wrote: »

Personally think it's a narrow pointless stat used as a stick to beat England with.

However England have done this tournament, it's still better than 1964, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1984, 1994 and 2008. So regardless of the Costa Rica result, there's 8 teams that did worse than this one.

Actually I think it is something that could be used to fire up the starting players. It is very unusual for a country like England to lose three competive games in a row, hence the last time it happened being some 26 years ago, so the players today might be inclined to do their best to ensure that they do not come home with that record equalling achievement to their names.

Beefy78

Mint Sauce wrote: »

This game is all about the Unoffical World Title for England now...

http://www.ufwc.co.uk/

hahah that's amazing!

Come on England!

simplybam

Kess73 wrote: »

Actually I think it is something that could be used to fire up the starting players. It is very unusual for a country like England to lose three competive games in a row, hence the last time it happened being some 26 years ago, so the players today might be inclined to do their best to ensure that they do not come home with that record equalling achievement to their names.

Shouldn't they have been inclined to do their best in the first 2 matches in order to stay in the competition? Seems kinda pointless at this stage. And whatever the result, there's always the fact that Costa Rica are through to the next round already, so no pressure on them whatsoever.

Francie Barrett

Would be shocked if England lost. Given the massive effort that Costa Rica have put in and the fact that they're resting players, that suggests England should win.

KungPao

Costa Rica resting players against England in a WC finals match.

Mad stuff!

Idbatterim

Would be shocked if England lost. Given the massive effort that Costa Rica have put in and the fact that they're resting players, that suggests England should win.

Costa rica have played two and won two, england have played two and lost two. They are playing at 1pm local time, England have mad 9 changes, the costa rican subs will be trying to prove a point and actually have something to play for. There goes the bet against England again, they havent failed me so far, by losing both matches of course...

Chucky the tree

Sturridge top scorer for England bet still looking more possible now for an outright win. No matter what the result, Hodgson is safe anyway.

Sugarlumps

Easy win for CR.

kevohmsford

Not a whole lot of interest in this game myself. Italy against Uruguay will be worth watching.

Zico

Kess73 wrote: »

If England lose they will equal their worst losing streak in a tournament (three losses in a row)

Last time that happened was in 1988 when the Irish, Dutch, and Russians all beat England.

You can only lose 3 games at most in any one tournament, but including the 2010 tournament that would make a 4 game (ongoing) World Cup losing streak!:D

Rhys Essien

Anyone know what odds England were to not get out of the group?.I meant to do this bet a few weeks back.

Another thing,if England lose again they are gone right down the rankings.

As bad as Ireland are,we got past the group stages at all 3 WC's.:D

Zico

Rhys Essien wrote: »

As bad as Ireland are,we got past the group stages at all 3 WC's.:D

We hold the record for most appearances by a team that always qualifys for the last 16.

This could be equalled by Ghana if they make it to the second round this year.

But I think the Germans should take care of that for us.

AdamD

I predict the Lampard/Wilshere partnership to fail miserably and everyone to blame Wilshere

An Claidheamh

Rhys Essien wrote: »

Anyone know what odds England were to not get out of the group?.I meant to do this bet a few weeks back.

Another thing,if England lose again they are gone right down the rankings.

As bad as Ireland are,we got past the group stages at all 3 WC's.:D

Before the tournament, Italy and Uruguay were ever so slight favourites to progress, so you probably wouldn't have got great odds.

Costa Rica, of course, were strongly expected not to qualify.

An Claidheamh

Anyone know if Los Ricos are putting out a full team?

Campbell is the only player I know!

Zico

AdamD wrote: »

I predict the Lampard/Wilshere partnership to fail miserably and everyone to blame Wilshere

I predict Wilshere to fall over more than he touches the ball.

SteelyDanJalapeno

Rhys Essien wrote: »

Anyone know what odds England were to not get out of the group?.I meant to do this bet a few weeks back.

Another thing,if England lose again they are gone right down the rankings.

As bad as Ireland are,we got past the group stages at all 3 WC's.:D

I tipped England not to win a game @ about 5.5/1 before the 1st game, would probably have been close to that.

The_Kew_Tour

2-2 draw for me

pickarooney

Zico wrote: »

You can only lose 3 games at most in any one tournament, but including the 2010 tournament that would make a 4 game (ongoing) World Cup losing streak!:D

You can squeeze through the group stages with a single win if results go your way, then lose the semi final and 3rd place play off.

Pacing Mule

Costa Rica 17-0 England is some score line.

Ravenid

CR to win, close score but a win none the less.

Washington Irving

3-0 England.

Dozen Wicked Words

Roy Hodgson ever the gentleman.

2 - 1 to England.

Dozen Wicked Words

Anthems match the teams. Upbeat lively Costa Rica, slow turgid England.

The Wild Bunch

COME ON THE COAST OF RICE!!

Hammer Archer

Smalling acting the eejit.

catallus

!5 minutes and no-one has kicked the football in the goal.

Francie Barrett

The Wild Bunch wrote: »

COME ON THE COAST OF RICE!!

Rica translates as rich, not rice :pac:

Mantis Toboggan

Shaw looks very ropey at left back as does smalling! Cost of rica have started in their usual fashion

D'Agger

How is that not a penalty? Didn't get the ball and made contact

Francie Barrett

Lampard has been poison.

Gringo180

How Wilshere didnt start in the first 2 games baffles me.

Agent Coulson

Will Foster Forster get a run out in the second half?

Looper007

Gringo180 wrote: »

How Wilshere didnt start in the first 2 games baffles me.

agreed, bad decision from the England manager. I think the main reason was Henderson to do all the running for Gerrard.

A Primal Nut

For those who missed it there was a sign in the crowd:


Flights to Rio - £2000
Hotels - £2000
Enjoying the ambience - £2000
Arriving after elimination - priceless.

Gringo180

Looper007 wrote: »

agreed, bad decision from the England manager. I think the main reason was Henderson to do all the running for Gerrard.

He brings more to the England team than Gerrard or Henderson. He has that something different, always looking for the ball and can drift past players so easily.

Corholio

Gringo180 wrote: »

He brings more to the England team than Gerrard or Henderson. He has that something different, always looking for the ball and can drift past players so easily.

He also spends half the time on the ground, which is more than Henderson or Gerrard too. He runs into players with the ball far too much to be the commanding midfielder for England.

A Greedy Algorithm

Corholio wrote: »

He also spends half the time on the ground, which is more than Henderson or Gerrard too. He runs into players with the ball far too much to be the commanding midfielder for England.

This. Why can't ge stay on his feet? Its as if he looks for the nearest opposition player and just runs into him.

Lukker-

Gringo180 wrote: »

He brings more to the England team than Gerrard or Henderson. He has that something different, always looking for the ball and can drift past players so easily.

Problem is he doesn't do anything after that.

CM is a major problem for England. I think Lampard and Wilshere have been a bit better than Henderson and Gerrard but they really lack a deep lying play-maker. Gerrard has been non-existent this tournament.

Darkglasses

Listening to this on 5 live, the two commentators are so miserable you'd swear the world was ending?

ballsymchugh

barkley fairly jumped into that, was falling way before contact

Gringo180

Corholio wrote: »

He also spends half the time on the ground, which is more than Henderson or Gerrard too. He runs into players with the ball far too much to be the commanding midfielder for England.

Gerrards legs are gone thats why Henderson was in the team alongside him. I would of had Huddlestone sitting as the defensive midfielder with Wilshere further forward with Barkley. Always the same with the English accomadating players because of there reputation.