England's World Cup let down

[EwarWoo]

Thats ****ing awful.

[Leyton388]

Seeing **** like that makes me want to see England get knocked out. I can't stand all the hype and crap that comes out when we play in a tournament.

People who have those plastic flags in their car are utter mongs.

[Kenneth]

[Chazza]

Rumors Buffon is out and Sirigu will start in goal.

[Chazza]

Confirmed Buffon out of the game.

[ChesterDave]

ITV alleging Sterling and Wellbeck to start, no Lallies.

[BobTheCharmer]

In the heat and humidity I actually think sterling coming on as sub for last 30 would have been deadly. But he's so good he has to start.

[Pablo]

In the heat and humidity I actually think sterling coming on as sub for last 30 would have been deadly. But he's so good he has to start.

I think Barkley will be used as the impact sub personally.

[Buzzo]

It was good to see Rooney giving Aspas a run for his money.

[McDermotX]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-q5ATuTcws"]England Physio - ENGLAND v ITALY 1-2 by 442oons (14.6.14 World Cup Gary Lewin Ankle) - YouTube[/ame]

[Chazza]

BBC Sport presenter Gary LinekerPosted at 11:56

"Of the 14 teams we have seen so far, England had more shots on goal than any of them. Needless to say, conversion rate was not in the top 10.

"Even more stunning is that England's passing accuracy ranks second, just behind Italy, but ahead of Spain, Holland and Brazil. Go boys!

"Here's another beauty. For passing accuracy in the opposition's half, England come out on top. Stats exclude crosses where England are last."

[RichC]

Another important stat -played 1 won 0 drawn 0 lost 1

[McDermotX]

Nice to see that tool Ferdinand making a fool of himself on twitter according to the papers, around the whole physio injury last night..........then comes out and apologies, but it's all 'banter' so that makes it OK.

Very quick with the oul IPad that fella, but ask him to turn up for a substance test and suddenly he's nowhere to be found.

[McDermotX]

Brady with a nice little comment about Scholes (was about him saying Rooney is finished etc....but probably really about Brady remembering Scholes slagging Wilshere)

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWRPQGg6tuA"]Rec4464 - YouTube[/ame]

[McDermotX]

Roy's mindgames...

Suarez trained with the rest of the Uruguay squad on Sunday ahead of Thursday's crucial Group D game in Sao Paulo and he looked in good shape and good heart.

The Liverpool striker - who underwent keyhole surgery on his knee last month - sat out his country's surprise 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica on Saturday and it remains to be seen if he will be considered fit enough to take on England.

The 27-year-old has cut a controversial figure in the past but played a crucial role in helping his club side to finish second in the Premier League last season to secure a return to Champions League action in 2014-15.

Suarez scored 27 times for Brendan Rodgers’ side but Hodgson is convinced he must impress at the World Cup before he can join the pantheon of world greats.

When asked whether Suarez belonged in the same "world-class" bracket as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the England manager said: "I think he will only be at that level when he shows it on this particular stage.

"He has got the potential. He is he a wonderful footballer.

"But if you are really going to put him up there with (Diego) Maradona, Pele, (Franz) Beckenbauer and (Johan) Cruyff, and (Andrea) Pirlo, this is the stage you have got to do it on really.

"You can be a great player in your league but for the world to recognise you are one of the all-time greats you have got to do it at the World Cup."

Wayne Rooney is also in need of a good World Cup to prove himself as one of the best players on the planet.

The Manchester United player worked hard in the 2-1 defeat to Italy and supplied the cross which led to Daniel Sturridge’s goal.

But Rooney also spurned two good chances and is yet to score in nine finals appearances, with Hodgson keen for him to get into positions where he is more likely to find the target.

Hodgson cut a frustrated figure on the bench when Rooney, who started on the left flank, missed his best chance from 12 yards in the second half when he was played in by Leighton Baines.

"We want him in the area more," added Hodgson. "I thought he set up the goal really well with that clever pass.

"Then after Leighton Baines put him in with that pass I was convinced he was going to score when he got himself room in the box.

"But, yes, we want Wayne in the box and there's no question we will get him in the box."