Finals dates - 14 June – 15 July (32 days) Draw on 1st December 2017. Pots for the draw - Draw simulator - http://ultra.zone/2018-FIFA-World-Cup-Group-Stage-Draws
Most likely we'll get a manageable group by the looks of the pots. I'd like to get drawn with Belgium or Germany in pot 1. We've given Germany plenty of trouble in the past three fixtures and I think we'd do the same to Belgium.
My draw simulator has us in Group D with Poland, Egypt, and Japan. Despite our seed I gurantee you the media would favor us to top the group despite all the low expectations.
The problem I have and it's kind of a 'No shit Sherlock moment ' is that I just can't be that confident until I see what our Squad/team is likely to be nearer the time. Obviously form and injuries will have a huge impact on the quality of Squad we could take, for instance my primary concern is that midfield area, if we take players that we should be taking, is: Winks, Wilshire, Lallana, RLC etc then I would feel much better but if we end up with Henderson, Livermore and Cork then I can't see us getting out of the group whatever is thrown our way.
I certainly wouldn't want Germany in our group, different gravy in a competitive game than playing in a friendly. I think they would beat us quite comfortably if I'm honest. Belgium would be also tough, personally think our best hope from pot 1 is Russia ( despite bring hosts ) and Poland.
Russia from pot 1 for sure, and one of Panama or Saudi Arabia in pot 4 seem the easiest draw possible. Then Costa Rica or Iran?
I just have a bad feeling that we'll shite ourselves playing against Russia like we almost did against Ukraine in 2012.
We already know what's going to happen. We're going to go there with the right system but the wrong personnel, play badly as a result, and then go out against the first top team we meet.
Looks like we're in for a tough group. Then again our problem has been breaking down weaker teams that just park the bus against us.
If anyone's interested, the Elo ratings (not infallible, but far better than the FIFA rankings at predicting results) suggest that the best group we could get would be: Russia (even allowing for home advantage) England Tunisia Saudi Arabia And the worst: Brazil England Denmark Serbia My first random draw gave us Brazil, Denmark, and Japan, but hopefully the universe has got that out of its system now. If we draw Belgium, Poland, or Russia, then Elo will have us as favourites to win our group. Otherwise, second favourites.
We need a good side in our group imo Euro 96 we had Holland who we were nervous of but conquored In 98 we had Romania who beat us 04 France beat us Sweden were decent in 02 These torments we played well in imo and should’ve won 96 and done better in the others bar 02
Hmmm, could have sworn I heard the other day that there can only be two European teams max per group, must have heard wrong.
Denmark are the one team I would be worried about from the lower pools, mainly because of Eriksen. I'd take our chance against the others, regardless of the top seed. That said, if you offered us Poland, Iran and Australia, I'd take that in a heartbeat.
What do people think Southgate's first 11 in a 3-5-2 (which seems to be his preferred formation), could he fit Alli and Lallana in the team?
According to the papers, something like this: Hart Stones Dier Jones Walker Lallana Henderson Winks Rose Alli Kane
I'd really worry if Dier isn't in midfield, or at least some sort of dm, that midfield would get over run, I can live with Henderson as a box to box but as an anchor I'd be concerned. A mint back three though.
I'd prefer Dier in midfield too (not least because we have tons of good centre-back options and rather less genuinely good midfielders) but when two non-cooperative papers are reporting the same thing, I tend to think that there's probably something behind it. Really can't understand the apparent determination to fit Henderson into the team. Nothing that he's done for Liverpool this season or England ever has warranted it.
Anyone looking for a match up with Australia? It's been far too long since we've had an "Ashes" game in a proper tournament (at least 20 years IIRC).