England v Hungary/Andorra/Poland

I liked the way we controlled the game from the first whistle. We literally sucked the fight out of Hungary in the first half. They're no mugs and looked good in the euros but we dominated them from the off on their own patch. We won it in the first half and them upped the tempo in the second.

Rome wasn't built in a day but we are growing into a real team of winners with time on our side. A lot of the better sides are aging so we could end up dominating world football just like Spain and France have. It could be our era

Quoted from Mariner93er

Don’t think there’s any chance of Brazil winning it. South American teams have dropped off in quality the last few years and look a lot weaker than their European counterparts.

You have a point. From the days of Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos and the original Ronaldo they are not what they were. Having said that the Brazilians have a lot of pedigree to draw on though. 5 times winners of the world cup and most people's second favourite team to win it I imagine behind their host countries. I would never write them off though.

It hurt to lose the Euros the way we did, just penalty kicks. I think a huge learning curve for alot of the players and it's progression year upon year for Southgate.

Quoted from Rick12

You have a point. From the days of Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos and the original Ronaldo they are not what they were. Having said that the Brazilians have a lot of pedigree to draw on though. 5 times winners of the world cup and most people's second favourite team to win it I imagine behind their host countries. I would never write them off though.

I'm not expecting a great deal at the World Cup. I know stadiums will be air conditioned but I don't think the climate will suit the European teams and I expect the South American teams to do well.

Brazil are nowhere near the level they were at when I was growing up though. Cafu, Carlos, Romario, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

I'm not expecting a great deal at the World Cup. I know stadiums will be air conditioned but I don't think the climate will suit the European teams and I expect the South American teams to do well.

Brazil are nowhere near the level they were at when I was growing up though. Cafu, Carlos, Romario, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho.

I just adore the world cups James though and have done since a child. Regardless of where its held it will never loose that magic and romance for me and I would assume others as well. Biggest sporting spectacle on earth for so many.

As for Brazil some of the players they have produced down the years have been a joy to watch. From probably the best all round player in history in Pele to for me the greatest forward ever eg Ronaldo and to the pure genius of Ronaldinho with some of them tricks he use to do.

Quoted from Simon

Won enough there for a comic on your way home from school  

Off to buy a copy Viz and a sherbet fountain

Quoted from The Yard Dog

Off to buy a copy Viz and a sherbet fountain

Oooo Sherbert Fountains i forgot about those, used to be a little sweet shop where Asda is now in Corporation road, Sunday night was treat night in our house and i would have a quarter of chewing nuts, some rainbow sherbert and a stick of liquorice  

Showing my age now  

And Baty's fish and chips!

May as well keep all the England games on one thread.

Not expecting anything but an easy win against Andorra even with all the changes.

Already 1 up after 17 minutes.

England starting XI vs Andorra: Johnstone; Alexander-Arnold, James, Coady, Mings, Trippier; Henderson, Bellingham; Saka, Bamford, Lingard

England substitutes: Pope, Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Sterling, Mount, Kane, Grealish

Winning at half time, as expected, but our 2nd eleven should be capable of more. Some of the fouls are not only deliberate but could cause injury. The ref just gives a yellow, particularly for the fouls on Lingard.

Hope there more goals in the 2nd half, perhaps bring Kane on for some target practice.