Jones only in squad as utility player. Not good enough to play centre back , right back or midfield in own right, but competent enough to cover all three.
I'd felt the same in the past about Johnson but he has had a pretty good season for Liverpool from what I have seen. Let's hope he's not the disaster he was at the last World Cup.
If I was Roy I would be tempting John Terry out of retirement. He has played alongside Cahill all season so they have a good partnership and he is still good enough to be at the top.
Two strikers in the Germany squad is crazy. Klose (thanks SE9!) is class at WC but is ancient and has had not made many Serie A appearances due to injury.
Volland isnt in the same league and dont think he is going to be much use upfront in the later stages.
My picks for top scorer would be suarez and aguero if he can stay fit.
I dont see the Germans or Brazil getting past QFs. Squads have no balance, dont fancy them to score enough....so thats a brazil v germany final then
Ah ... yes i do. Iread in the german press that PODOLSKi wont make the final cut...would seem crazy to only take 2 strikers. They have a ridiculous amount of quality attacking midfielders so Low might be thinking along the false number 9 line
Don't know if that's mind games or him just telling the truth.
But it's not about the players necessarily. The conditions make it anyone's game and with Italy usually starting slowly and being either terrible or potential winners at every tournament I think we can nick the win.
I actually think Italy are better suited to the conditions in Manaus. The humidity there will sap energy very quickly and if England go charging after the ball in a cavalier manner (looking at Wayne Rooney particularly) then they'll be knackered very quickly. Italy have the players to keep possession of the ball forcing England to come after them which could be disastrous.
That being said, you're right - Italy are known for being slow starters and they've also made the crazy decision to base themselves south of Rio despite all of their games being in the north of the country meaning that by the end of the group stages they will have spent an incredible amount of time travelling - they'll make a round trip of around 3,000 miles for each group game from their base.
Reserves: Sirigu (3rd Choice keeper) Criscito De Scilio Astori Verratti Motta Cerci Insigne El Shawaary Immobile Destro
Are you confusing Barzagli for Balzaretti? Barzagli is strictly a CB, nothing more. Bonnuci has not been impressing for Juve recently and there are calls for him to be dropped by them, so Barzagli could replace him in that team, or replace De Rossi pushing him forward into a more favoured midfield role. Rossi has been injured and only recently back so I dont know what his recovery has been like. Plenty of time to get up to speed of course. 3rd choice keeper could be Scuffett who is meant to be the next Buffon (he is about 17/18 years old). Balotelli has been warned that any dodgy incidents and he is out so he needs to behave himself
Brazil- GK: Julio Cesar, Jefferson, Victor | DF: Dani Alves, Maicon, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo, Dante, Maxwell, Henrique | MF: Ramires, Oscar, Paulinho, Hernanes, Luiz Gustavo, Bernard, Fernandinho, Willian | FW: Neymar, Hulk, Jo, Fred |Stand-by: Diego Cavalieri, Miranda, Filipe Luis, Rafinha, Lucas Moura, Lucas Leiva, Alan Kardec
Cameroon (28 man)- GK: Guy N'dy Assembe, Charles Itandje, Sammy N'Djock, Loic Feudjou | DF: Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Henri Bedimo, Gaetan Bong, Aurelien Chedjou, Cedric Djeugou, Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik, Nicolas N'Koulou, Dany Nounkeu, Allan Nyom | MF: Eyong Enoh, Raoul Loe, Jean Makoun, Joel Matip, Stephane Mbia, Landry N'Guemo, Edgar Salli, Alex Song | FW: Vincent Aboubakar, Maxim Choupo-Moting, Samuel Eto'o, Mohammadou Idrissou, Benjamin Moukandjo, Fabrice Olinga, Pierre Webo |Stand-by: Frank Bagnack, Zock Bep
Croatia- squad not yet announced
Mexico- GK: Jesus Corona, Guillermo Ochoa, Alfredo Talavera | DF: Paul Aguilar, Andres Guardado, Miguel Layun, Rafael Marquez, Hector Moreno, Diego Reyes, Francisco Javier Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido | MF: Isaac Brizuela, Marco Fabian, Hector Herrera, Juan Carlos Medina, Luis Montes, Carlos Pena, Jose Juan Vasquez | FW: Giovani Dos Santos, Javier Hernandez, Raul Jimenez, Oribe Peralta, Alan Pulido |Stand-by not yet announced
Chile (30 man)- GK: Claudio Bravo, Johnny Herrera, Cristopher Toselli, Paulo Garces | DF: Gary Medel, Gonzalo Jara, Marcos Gonzalez, Jose Rojas, Enzo Andia, Eugenio Mena, Mauricio Isla | MF: Jorge Valdivia, Rodrigo Millar, Felipe Guiterrez, Pablo Hernandez, Jose Pedro Fuenzalida, Matias Fernandez, Francisco Silva, Arturo Vidal, Charles Aranguiz, Marcelo Diaz, Carlos Carmona, Miiko Albornoz | FW: Esteban Parades, Gustavo Canales, Alexis Sanchez, Eduardo Vargas, Jean Beausejour, Mauricio Pinilla, Fabian Orellana
Netherlands (30 man)- GK: Jasper Cillessen, Michel Vorm, Tim Krul, Jeroen Zoet | DF: Paul Verhaegh, Patrick van Aanholt, Daryl Janmaat, Joel Veltman, Stefan de Vrij, Ron Vlaar, Bruno Martins Indi, Karim Rekik, Terence Kongolo, Daley Blind | MF: Leroy Fer, Nigel de Jong, Jordy Clasie, Jonathan de Guzman, Georginio Wijnaldum, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Tonny Vilhena | FW: Quincy Promes, Arjen Robben, Jean-Paul Boetius, Robin van Persie, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Dirk Kuyt, Jeremain Lens, Memphis Depay
Spain (30 man)- GK: Iker Casillas, Pepe Reina, David De Gea | DF: Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Cesar Azplicueta, Juanfran, Javi Martinez, Raul Albiol, Alberto Moreno | MF: Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Xabi Alonso, Ander Iturraspe, David Silva, Santi Cazorla, Koke, Tiago Alcantara, Juan Mata, Jesus Navas | FW: Diego Costa, David Villa, Alvaro Negredo, Pedro Rodriguez, Fernando Llorente, Fernando Torres
Just cannot see past them. They add that extra bit of quality with every tournament. Don't understand why Costa chose to play for Spain though, especially with a World Cup coming up in his home country.
Any luck on changing the thread title admin? @afka?
Colombia (30 man)- GK: David Ospina, Faryd Mondragon, Camilo Vargas | DF: Mario Yepes, Cristian Zapata, Pablo Armero, Camilo Zuniga, Aquivaldo Mosquera, Santiago Aria, Luis Amaranto Perea, Eder Alvarez Balanta, Carlos Valdes | MF: Fredy Guarin, Juan Cuadrado, Victor Ibarbo, James Rodriguez, Abel Aguilar, Juan Fernando Quintero, Carlos Sanchez, Macnelly Torres, Aldo Leao Ramirez, Edwin Valencia, Alexander Mejia, Elkin Soto | FW: Radamel Falcao, Luis Fernando Muriel, Jackson Martinez, Carlos Bacca, Adrian Ramos, Teofilo Gutierrez
Greece- squad not yet announced
Ivory Coast (28 man)- GK: Boubacar Barry, Sylvain Gbohouo, Ali Sangare Badra, Sayouba Sande | DF: Kolo Toure, Sol Bamba, Didier Zokora, Serge Aurier, Arthur Boka, Benjamin Angoua, Ousmane Viera Diarrassouba, Constant Djakpa, Brice Dja Djedje, Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro | MF: Yaya Toure, Cheik Tiote, Serey Die, Max Gradel, Diomande Ismael, Didier Ya Konan, Mathis Bolly | FW: Gervinho, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Wilfried Bony, Seydou Doumbia, Lacina Traore, Giovanni Sio
Charlton Reserves Belgium have named their World Cup squad. Januzaj is in.
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet, Koen Casteels, Silvio Proto
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld, Anthony Vanden Borre, Laurent Ciman, Vincent Kompany, Daniel van Buyten, Thomas Vermaelen, Nicolas Lombaerts, Jan Vertonghen
Midfielders: Axel Witsel, Steven Defour, Marouane Fellaini, Moussa Dembélé, Nacer Chadli, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens, Kevin Mirallas, Adnan Januzaj
Attackers: Romelu Lukaku, Divock Origi.
Reserves: Nainggolan, Pocognoli, Hazard, Gillet, Batshuayi, Van Damme
Comments
So that leave Johnson + Jones at RB. Gulp.
Volland isnt in the same league and dont think he is going to be much use upfront in the later stages.
My picks for top scorer would be suarez and aguero if he can stay fit.
I dont see the Germans or Brazil getting past QFs. Squads have no balance, dont fancy them to score enough....so thats a brazil v germany final then
Edit: Just seen a Mod has to do it. Mods - can you just get rid of the Brazil and Germany bit if you can please? Thanks.
however unlike his name, from the matches ive seen, Ciro is a pretty strong runner, especially with the ball.
A few of those players on the bench are quite young. Veratti will be good. I dont really rate Cerci but im certainly no expert.
Hart, Forster, Foster
Johnson, Jones, Cahill, Jagielka, Smalling, Baines, Shaw
Gerrard, Wilshere, Henderson, Lampard, Milner, Barkley, Lallana, Sterling, Oxlade-Chamberlain
Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck, Lambert
Standby:
Andy Carroll
John Stones
John Ruddy
Jermain Defoe
Michael Carrick
Tom Cleverley
John Flanagan
Confirmed that Lambert, Adam Lallana & Luke Shaw are all in.
Joe Hart
Fraser Forster
Ben Foster
Glen Johnson
Phil Jones
Gary Cahill
Phil Jagielka
Chris Smalling
Leighton Baines
Luke Shaw
Steven Gerrard
Jack Wilshere
Jordan Henderson
Frank Lampard
James Milner
Ross Barkley
Adam Lallana
Raheem Sterling
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Wayne Rooney
Daniel Sturridge
Danny Welbeck
Rickie Lambert
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27374742
(But you can get Dzeko @ 100/1 who is in a group with Iran and Nigeria).
Well done the Guardian.
Brazil- GK: Julio Cesar, Jefferson, Victor | DF: Dani Alves, Maicon, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo, Dante, Maxwell, Henrique | MF: Ramires, Oscar, Paulinho, Hernanes, Luiz Gustavo, Bernard, Fernandinho, Willian | FW: Neymar, Hulk, Jo, Fred | Stand-by: Diego Cavalieri, Miranda, Filipe Luis, Rafinha, Lucas Moura, Lucas Leiva, Alan Kardec
Cameroon (28 man)- GK: Guy N'dy Assembe, Charles Itandje, Sammy N'Djock, Loic Feudjou | DF: Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Henri Bedimo, Gaetan Bong, Aurelien Chedjou, Cedric Djeugou, Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik, Nicolas N'Koulou, Dany Nounkeu, Allan Nyom | MF: Eyong Enoh, Raoul Loe, Jean Makoun, Joel Matip, Stephane Mbia, Landry N'Guemo, Edgar Salli, Alex Song | FW: Vincent Aboubakar, Maxim Choupo-Moting, Samuel Eto'o, Mohammadou Idrissou, Benjamin Moukandjo, Fabrice Olinga, Pierre Webo | Stand-by: Frank Bagnack, Zock Bep
Croatia- squad not yet announced
Mexico- GK: Jesus Corona, Guillermo Ochoa, Alfredo Talavera | DF: Paul Aguilar, Andres Guardado, Miguel Layun, Rafael Marquez, Hector Moreno, Diego Reyes, Francisco Javier Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido | MF: Isaac Brizuela, Marco Fabian, Hector Herrera, Juan Carlos Medina, Luis Montes, Carlos Pena, Jose Juan Vasquez | FW: Giovani Dos Santos, Javier Hernandez, Raul Jimenez, Oribe Peralta, Alan Pulido | Stand-by not yet announced
Australia- squad not yet announced
Chile (30 man)- GK: Claudio Bravo, Johnny Herrera, Cristopher Toselli, Paulo Garces | DF: Gary Medel, Gonzalo Jara, Marcos Gonzalez, Jose Rojas, Enzo Andia, Eugenio Mena, Mauricio Isla | MF: Jorge Valdivia, Rodrigo Millar, Felipe Guiterrez, Pablo Hernandez, Jose Pedro Fuenzalida, Matias Fernandez, Francisco Silva, Arturo Vidal, Charles Aranguiz, Marcelo Diaz, Carlos Carmona, Miiko Albornoz | FW: Esteban Parades, Gustavo Canales, Alexis Sanchez, Eduardo Vargas, Jean Beausejour, Mauricio Pinilla, Fabian Orellana
Netherlands (30 man)- GK: Jasper Cillessen, Michel Vorm, Tim Krul, Jeroen Zoet | DF: Paul Verhaegh, Patrick van Aanholt, Daryl Janmaat, Joel Veltman, Stefan de Vrij, Ron Vlaar, Bruno Martins Indi, Karim Rekik, Terence Kongolo, Daley Blind | MF: Leroy Fer, Nigel de Jong, Jordy Clasie, Jonathan de Guzman, Georginio Wijnaldum, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Tonny Vilhena | FW: Quincy Promes, Arjen Robben, Jean-Paul Boetius, Robin van Persie, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Dirk Kuyt, Jeremain Lens, Memphis Depay
Spain (30 man)- GK: Iker Casillas, Pepe Reina, David De Gea | DF: Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Cesar Azplicueta, Juanfran, Javi Martinez, Raul Albiol, Alberto Moreno | MF: Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Xabi Alonso, Ander Iturraspe, David Silva, Santi Cazorla, Koke, Tiago Alcantara, Juan Mata, Jesus Navas | FW: Diego Costa, David Villa, Alvaro Negredo, Pedro Rodriguez, Fernando Llorente, Fernando Torres
Any luck on changing the thread title admin? @afka?
Colombia (30 man)- GK: David Ospina, Faryd Mondragon, Camilo Vargas | DF: Mario Yepes, Cristian Zapata, Pablo Armero, Camilo Zuniga, Aquivaldo Mosquera, Santiago Aria, Luis Amaranto Perea, Eder Alvarez Balanta, Carlos Valdes | MF: Fredy Guarin, Juan Cuadrado, Victor Ibarbo, James Rodriguez, Abel Aguilar, Juan Fernando Quintero, Carlos Sanchez, Macnelly Torres, Aldo Leao Ramirez, Edwin Valencia, Alexander Mejia, Elkin Soto | FW: Radamel Falcao, Luis Fernando Muriel, Jackson Martinez, Carlos Bacca, Adrian Ramos, Teofilo Gutierrez
Greece- squad not yet announced
Ivory Coast (28 man)- GK: Boubacar Barry, Sylvain Gbohouo, Ali Sangare Badra, Sayouba Sande | DF: Kolo Toure, Sol Bamba, Didier Zokora, Serge Aurier, Arthur Boka, Benjamin Angoua, Ousmane Viera Diarrassouba, Constant Djakpa, Brice Dja Djedje, Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro | MF: Yaya Toure, Cheik Tiote, Serey Die, Max Gradel, Diomande Ismael, Didier Ya Konan, Mathis Bolly | FW: Gervinho, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Wilfried Bony, Seydou Doumbia, Lacina Traore, Giovanni Sio
Japan- GK: Eiji Kawashima, Shusaku Nishikawa, Shuichi Gonda | DF: Masahiko Inoha, Yasuyuki Konno, Yuto Nagatomo, Masato Morishige, Atsuto Uchida, Maya Yoshida, Hiroki Sakai, Gotoku Sakai | MF: Yasuhito Endo, Makoto Hasebe, Toshihiro Aoyama, Hotaru Yamaguchi | FW: Keisuke Honda, Yoshito Okubo, Shinji Okazaki, Shinji Kagawa, Hiroshi Kiyotake, Yoichiro Kakitani, Manabu Saito, Yuya Osako | stand-by not yet announced
Charlton ReservesBelgium have named their World Cup squad. Januzaj is in.Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet, Koen Casteels, Silvio Proto
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld, Anthony Vanden Borre, Laurent Ciman, Vincent Kompany, Daniel van Buyten, Thomas Vermaelen, Nicolas Lombaerts, Jan Vertonghen
Midfielders: Axel Witsel, Steven Defour, Marouane Fellaini, Moussa Dembélé, Nacer Chadli, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens, Kevin Mirallas, Adnan Januzaj
Attackers: Romelu Lukaku, Divock Origi.
Reserves: Nainggolan, Pocognoli, Hazard, Gillet, Batshuayi, Van Damme