England V Poland

[super_ram]

So this is the decider.England win and it's Brazil next summer.The media are making a lot of the fact that England need to win but wont it be Ukraine who will be worrying. If England draw don't Ukraine still have to win by at least 9 clear goals.OK San Marino are one of Europe's whipping boys but they will be playing for pride and if Ukraine goals don't come early they will begin to get anxious.Anyway we owe Poland a lesson after the game nearly 40 years ago.I still haven't forgiven Alf Ramsey for not including King Kevin Hector from the start!

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

There's been far too much talk about England, our performances might be slow or uninspiring at times but we have a chance. Poland are a capable side, yet it depends on which one turns up. They can be very hit or miss but nowhere near world beaters! It's funny though, the UK media brand 'em like they're going to utterly outclass us and the fact is if they win it'll be most likely a scrappy performance.

Sure they might pass around nicely or even score a good goal but overall I'd be impressed if they manage to look a side who controlled the game.

England need to start brighter, they need to have quick play and focus on passing. I do not rate their defense!! I think they receive some cards and struggle if we inject pace. Some are no more than bullies! We just need to see the team play as men and not pampered boys.

2-0 England - Solo goals!

 

[Dripsey3]

England are consistent and that's a big thing in international football. They won't set the world alight but they get the job done. I've impressed by them in this qualifying campaign. They will finish the job tonight.

Ukraine could easily get into double figures against San Marino. They beat them 9-0 at home.

[GrannyPie]

 Don't make any silly mistakes in defense and we should be too good for Poland.

[super_ram]

England are consistent and that's a big thing in international football. They won't set the world alight but they get the job done. I've impressed by them in this qualifying campaign. They will finish the job tonight.

Ukraine could easily get into double figures against San Marino. They beat them 9-0 at home.

I agree Dripsey,Ukraine could get a cricket score but they do need to get at least 9 goals. and my point is that they know it could all be in vain if England win.I think it best if England forget about Ukraine and concentrate on beating Poland.A 1 - 0 win will do but it could be a nailbiting night.

[Fan of Big Tone 𝕏 @mainstandpie]

I will be sitting in my armchair with a pint of home brew and cheering England on, hopefully all will be well but I must admit I am a bit nervous.

[Dripsey3]

I'll watch the England game tonight. Ireland will beat Kazakhstan so I won't bother with it.

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

I will be sitting in my armchair with a pint of home brew and cheering England on, hopefully all will be well but I must admit I am a bit nervous.

 

Typical.... you armchair fan!

 

I'll watch the England game tonight. Ireland will beat Kazakhstan so I won't bother with it.

Hehe.. I like the confidence here, I watched Portadown v Glenavon yesterday live on Sky. I felt very confident of a Portadown win but Glenavon slaughtered them - First time I've seen a scrappy game, with sparks and spells of class but in an inconstant way. Good Luck Ireland

[weymouthPIE]

To be honest if we don;t win tonight we wouldnt deserve to be at Brazil this summer in my opinion. Poland will only be playing for pride but with 18,000 supporters backing them they'll be well up for it. They also have some world class players who play for some of Europe's top clubs, although they haven't turned it on for their national team yet. Sounds familier eh?  I'd be surprised if we messed it up tonight, 2-1 England

[Pies4u]

Fancy us, big time, tonight.

Just a pity we've opted for caution with Smallling & Carrick rather than Jones & Wilshere. I'd never pick Welbeck in this line up either - but - hope he delivers the goods.

Poland will have a go, they have nothing to lose and sod all to play for, so they'll give it a go and not sit back. Could be a big night for Rooney & Sturridge - and Townsend, tho' they know all about him now!

[Pies4u]

Jesus Christ! Terrific shot from Townsend and great follow up from Sturridge. Soooooooo close. Come on England.

[Pies4u]

Rooooooneeeyyyyyyy! I know I'm talking to myself here. - but, so what! Get in.

[Fan of Big Tone 𝕏 @mainstandpie]

What a great first half, it seems we did everything but score until Rooney finally put the ball in the net. How many chances did Welbeck have?

Come on England more of the same and we are through.

[Pies4u]

We are off to Rio. Magic! Terrific stuff.

[weymouthPIE]

Big game, big performance, big result. Why can't we play with as much attacking intent as we showed in the last two games every time? Thought once we went 1-0 up it was quite comfortable in truth, during the second half Poland never really looked a genuine threat and I thought their ball retention was quite poor.

 

Another summer of utter dissapointment awaits, well done England!

 

Good night for the home nations with Wales picking up a draw in Belgium, Northern Ireland drawing in Israel and Scotland picked up an excellent win at home to Croatia. Republic of Ireland also won.

 

European teams deffinitely qualified:
England, Belgium, Russia, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Bosnia-Herzigovina, & Spain.

 

All the teams that finished second in their group go into the play-offs apart from the one with the worst record in qualifying, and that unlucky team is Denmark.

Teams in the play-offs:
Ukraine, Croatia, Portugal, Sweden, Romania, Iceland, Greece & France

[Fan of Big Tone 𝕏 @mainstandpie]

Fabulous performance, well done Roy Hodgson, well done Rooney, well done Gerrard, well done the whole team , our boys did us proud.

Looking forward to June 2014.

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

I heard a comment from a very, very angry fan.. I can only imagine he's taken inspiration from some of our own fans!

The comment basically mentioned how alarmed this person was that England as a nation gave more chances to foreign and especially of the nationality of Poland. He claimed that's why they're technically improving and that England do not allow "grass root" football to take hold of our young players and that he expects their squad to go back to their premier league outfits feeling like they had won.

Bemused.

I think we're doing better in terms of producing youngsters but there's surely things we can do to push it, perhaps not getting a group of ex pros etc to debate what to do but more practical things.

Impressed that we managed to stay in the game, our defense is so iffy. At least we held them back, though all credit to Poland, they was the opposite to us. Poor upfront!

[super_ram]

I was very nervous to start with and as the game progressed became even more nervous.Was this going to be a repeat of 40 years ago?Yes there were one  or two iffy moments in defense but England kept plugging away and we would have been spared a lot of anxiety but for a mixture of good defending/saves.I'm not a big fan of Welbeck but I don't think he could have done much more.Townsend carried on from where he left off in the last match and Baines ,on the other side ,did his bit too.Very pleased also for Rooney And Gerrard.All in all an excellent performance and result.We just need to tighten up at the back a little and make a bit more of the chances going forward.Brazil,here we come!

[Pies4u]

I was very nervous to start with and as the game progressed became even more nervous.Was this going to be a repeat of 40 years ago?Yes there were one  or two iffy moments in defense but England kept plugging away and we would have been spared a lot of anxiety but for a mixture of good defending/saves.I'm not a big fan of Welbeck but I don't think he could have done much more.Townsend carried on from where he left off in the last match and Baines ,on the other side ,did his bit too.Very pleased also for Rooney And Gerrard.All in all an excellent performance and result.We just need to tighten up at the back a little and make a bit more of the chances going forward.Brazil,here we come!

My concern with Welbeck is that he is just superfluous to requirements. His first touch lets him down far too often and he seems to lack any sort of natural instinct around the box. Plus, he isn't a winger & we don't need him wide if Baines or Cole play down the left anyway.

Welbeck gets in the way in midfield and he hampers Rooney & Sturridge, both far better finishers than him, by taking the space they could utilise more effectively.

I'd prefer. Ox-C, Walcott or Wilshere to start ahead of him any day of the week. As to last night, he should have scored at least 2 - so, he could, and should, have done better IMO.

[super_ram]

I understand what you're saying Pies4u.How about playing Walcott with Sturridge.That would give opposition defenders something to think about with Townsend tight on the right and Baines on the left.

[Super_Danny_Allsopp]

I do not know what Welbeck does for the team.

He's got a rubbish first touch. Not just sometimes it's bad, it's always terrible. Delroy Facey has a better first touch. Also, he has no composure what-so-ever. Why we play him? Not sure.


But aside from that one moan, it was a good performance. Rooney, Gerrard, Townsend, Sturridge all link up really well. I think we are weak at the back though. Jagielka caught napping a few times, and Smalling is no RB

[Pies4u]

I understand what you're saying Pies4u.How about playing Walcott with Sturridge.That would give opposition defenders something to think about with Townsend tight on the right and Baines on the left.

That would do for me, the alternative is use Ox-C just behind Rooney and Sturridge. At least he's strong, carries the ball well, can operate on either flank and he runs directly at defenders. Wilshere would provide greater creativity, so you could use him and have a more fluid line up, 3 at the back, Baines & Townsend as the wide men and still have 2 up front.

At the moment, I'd favour the Walcott option, when he's fit.

[super_ram]

I do not know what Welbeck does for the team.

He's got a rubbish first touch. Not just sometimes it's bad, it's always terrible. Delroy Facey has a better first touch. Also, he has no composure what-so-ever. Why we play him? Not sure.

But aside from that one moan, it was a good performance. Rooney, Gerrard, Townsend, Sturridge all link up really well. I think we are weak at the back though. Jagielka caught napping a few times, and Smalling is no RB

 

That would do for me, the alternative is use Ox-C just behind Rooney and Sturridge. At least he's strong, carries the ball well, can operate on either flank and he runs directly at defenders. Wilshere would provide greater creativity, so you could use him and have a more fluid line up, 3 at the back, Baines & Townsend as the wide men and still have 2 up front.

At the moment, I'd favour the Walcott option, when he's fit.

 

We're happy with the forward and midfield options then, but are concerned with the defense?I know I worry when teams break.

[Dripsey3]

England didn't hold up the ball very well against Poland. That will kill ye against teams like Brazil or Spain or Germany because they will keep possession and look to open up the defence. I don't think the central defence will hold up against the better sides.