The thing is, we see players who have looked distinctly average in the Premier League, being brilliant for their countries. Look at Costa Rica. Brian Ruiz has struggled at Fulham, Joel Campbell can't get into the Arsenal team and has been loaned out, yet they've looked stars for their country.

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

Listen to this below. He's absolutely spot on:

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/listen-chris-waddles-epic-world-7300310

Originally Posted by: Matty H 

The thing is, we see players who have looked distinctly average in the Premier League, being brilliant for their countries. Look at Costa Rica. Brian Ruiz has struggled at Fulham, Joel Campbell can't get into the Arsenal team and has been loaned out, yet they've looked stars for their country.

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

The thing is, we see players who have looked distinctly average in the Premier League, being brilliant for their countries. Look at Costa Rica. Brian Ruiz has struggled at Fulham, Joel Campbell can't get into the Arsenal team and has been loaned out, yet they've looked stars for their country.

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

The thing is, we see players who have looked distinctly average in the Premier League, being brilliant for their countries. Look at Costa Rica. Brian Ruiz has struggled at Fulham, Joel Campbell can't get into the Arsenal team and has been loaned out, yet they've looked stars for their country.

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

Blimey, Waddle didn't hold back, but, saying it how every England fan feels after that shower of sh*te yesterday.  I also agree with him.

Originally Posted by: Matty H 

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh yes Chris Waddle the player who couldn't hit a barn door with a bloody banjo. He has a short memory

Originally Posted by: Gooner 

I don't disagree with what you say, but that isn't my point. As SEMerc says about the Chilean team, there are players who look pretty poor in the Premier League, but who look great in their national teams. We have the opposite problem: players who look great in the Premier league but poor in the national team.

Oh, we also have players who look poor in the national team, and poor in the Premier League 

Anyway, if Hodgson is staying, the Woy Wevolution needs to be completed. Johnson, Gerrard, Lampard (even though he didn't play) need putting out to pasture to join Cole, Terry, etc.

We need to find a system & set-up that WORKS FOR US with the players we have.

The trouble is, whilst we don't seem short of attacking talent, where are the defenders coming through? Jones & Smalling, the great hopes of a few years ago, have gone backwards big time. We have Walker at RB, but who else there? Flanagan is an 'honest pro' who's accomplished in defence but limited in attack. Shaw looks the real deal, but will Scum-U ruin him like they have Jones & Smalling? Stones at Everton has potential, and Martinez plays him regularly in a team playing good football.

Originally Posted by: Saint Snow 

Not sure what missing a penalty kick in a World Cup semi-final has to do with two abject and dismal performances (not including last few tournaments) in the group stages?

He sounded gutted and annoyed, not like the fake crap spurted out by half of the pundits and media.

Originally Posted by: Gooner 

I don't disagree with what you say, but that isn't my point. As SEMerc says about the Chilean team, there are players who look pretty poor in the Premier League, but who look great in their national teams. We have the opposite problem: players who look great in the Premier league but poor in the national team.

Oh, we also have players who look poor in the national team, and poor in the Premier League 

Anyway, if Hodgson is staying, the Woy Wevolution needs to be completed. Johnson, Gerrard, Lampard (even though he didn't play) need putting out to pasture to join Cole, Terry, etc.

We need to find a system & set-up that WORKS FOR US with the players we have.

The trouble is, whilst we don't seem short of attacking talent, where are the defenders coming through? Jones & Smalling, the great hopes of a few years ago, have gone backwards big time. We have Walker at RB, but who else there? Flanagan is an 'honest pro' who's accomplished in defence but limited in attack. Shaw looks the real deal, but will Scum-U ruin him like they have Jones & Smalling? Stones at Everton has potential, and Martinez plays him regularly in a team playing good football.

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

Clyne might be worth a look at RB.

Originally Posted by: SEMerc 

As for players ruined (for various reasons) Richards and Rodwell immediately spring to mind.

Originally Posted by: SEMerc 

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh yes Chris Waddle the player who couldn't hit a barn door with a bloody banjo. He has a short memory

Originally Posted by: Matty H 

Maybe in a year or two. Who for CB, though?

Good points. Richards has had opportunity to move and resurrect his career. Instead, he's been happy to stagnate at Citeh because they're happy to pay him much more to sit in the reserves than the majority of clubs would pay him at RB.

Rodwell also made the mistake of going to a cash-rich (but plastic) club before he was really established as a player.

Players in the UK seem to be struck by the 'English disease' of a Loadsamoney mentality. Sod their careers (which even with a mid-table club will pay them a lottery win every single year), just focus on the moolah.

Originally Posted by: SEMerc 

Italy must win their last game v Uruguay, a draw is enough for suarez and co

Originally Posted by: sriram 

Caulker hasn't kicked on as much as I expected, but there is still hope for him.

The sort of bloke I'd keep an eye though on is Eric Dier of Sporting Lisbon who can play CB and DM. He's built like a brick s.h.i.thouse and already been approached by the Portuguese FA to show his loyalty to Portugal.

However, it looks as if the Portuguese FA have lost out.

Originally Posted by: SEMerc 

Tiago Ilori is another with potential. Born in London, English father, Portuguese mother, brought up in Portugal and represented Portugal at all levels up to u-21. Fast, composed, confident on the ball. Still needs to focus on his concentration, though. Spent second half of last season on loan at Grenada, was MoM when Grenada beat Barca 1-0. Don't know if Rodgers has him in his plans for this season, though.

Still say John Stones has the most potential. Lacks some pace, but a great footballing CH in the making.

Originally Posted by: SEMerc