2018 world cup.

[Mr Saxon]

Which keepers would you take Mr Saxon ??

If he's still available and fit to play, Tom Heaton
Joe Hart, okay he's had his moments but I'd give him a go....and
Jack Butland, he's been let down at Stoke by some dreadful defending but I think with the right defenders in the England squad he might just do well.

Personally, I can't see us getting very far and we'll get battered by Belgium....

[grassroots]

If he's still available and fit to play, Tom Heaton
Joe Hart, okay he's had his moments but I'd give him a go....and
Jack Butland, he's been let down at Stoke by some dreadful defending but I think with the right defenders in the England squad he might just do well.

Personally, I can't see us getting very far and we'll get battered by Belgium....

Some good keepers there , do you think we'll get out of the group??

[Mr Saxon]

Some good keepers there , do you think we'll get out of the group??

Not too sure on that, it depends on the day of the match how we play.
We need to be going forward and not buggering about passing it and shimmying around in our own half all the time which is what England seem to do when they get to tournaments. Then they switch off and all hell breaks loose

[Nick2]

From what I've seen this year, I have little confidence that the England team will even progress beyond the group stage. I hope I'm wrong.

[Albion102]

I can't help thinking that this seems to be the least hyped world cup ever. Is that because we are realistic about England's chances, or simply that the EPL and UCL are simply better to watch ?

[grassroots]

He's a thugby fan gr.

I'm enlightened

[Albion102]

He's a thugby fan gr.

Player (retired) if you don't mind, very different to a "fan". Implies the petty tribalism you see in soccer and rugby league which you don't in RU.

[Nick2]

Player (retired) if you don't mind, very different to a "fan". Implies the petty tribalism you see in soccer and rugby league which you don't in RU.

England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland RU.....no petty tribalism?????, balderdash! (that's "bollocks" in soccer parlance)

[Albion102]

England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland RU.....no petty tribalism?????, balderdash! (that's "bollocks" in soccer parlance)

Yes - but we keep it largely respectful at the level of "bants" and don't stick knives into each other for supporting the wrong team. That's why there is no segregation at these games.

[Nick2]

Yes - but we keep it largely respectful at the level of "bants" and don't stick knives into each other for supporting the wrong team. That's why there is no segregation at these games.

Maybe not but the thuggery goes on, on the field, doesn't it? Often in situations where players think nobody can see it. I hope you're not under the impression that you're the only one on here that ever played RU??

[Albion102]

Maybe not but the thuggery goes on, on the field, doesn't it? Often in situations where players think nobody can see it. I hope you're not under the impression that you're the only one on here that ever played RU??

It does of course, but actually a lot less in the modern game than in "our" day. Mauls are virtually non existent, the scrum is much more controlled and rucks never have more than 3 people from each side. There's less tolerance of the "he's on the wrong side so he deserves a good raking" approach. Ironic really, because emerging from a game with your back looking like Clapham junction is far preferable to yet another concussion taking the ridiculous hits that happen in the modern game.

But anyway, players play in the knowledge they are likely to get injured and probably punched. My point was that it is a lot safer for spectators.

[Nick2]

It does of course, but actually a lot less in the modern game than in "our" day. Mauls are virtually non existent, the scrum is much more controlled and rucks never have more than 3 people from each side. There's less tolerance of the "he's on the wrong side so he deserves a good raking" approach. Ironic really, because emerging from a game with your back looking like Clapham junction is far preferable to yet another concussion taking the ridiculous hits that happen in the modern game.

But anyway, players play in the knowledge they are likely to get injured and probably punched. My point was that it is a lot safer for spectators.

The reality almost certainly is that, your original post (No. 10) was intended as a wind up. You succeeded, to a point. An interesting discussion nevertheless.

[Steed]

On Jordan Pickford

A rubbish goalie who initially went down with Sunderland, Everton took pity on him I think. For the amount of goals he's let in at Everton, I for one wouldn't take him. I think Southgate has the same idea, heard something yesterday that he's not in the running.

.