Before I start my story here is a list below of what I need to win and what i have already won so far;
The Copa America
The Oceania Nations Cup
The Caribbean Championships*
The Gold Cup
The World Cup
The Confederations Cup – 2013 England
The Olympics*
The African Nations
The Asian Cup
The European Championships – 2012 England
The Four Associations Tournament
As you can see there is two cups with a * on the end, they are in place because they aren’t a cup I have to win to complete it. If I get the chance I shall go for it but I will not be searching for the job.
Hello and welcome back to my England story, As you no it’s the start of the year and all that can mean is that it’s time to name the “England best eleven 2013” and also the “England best eleven overall” firstly here is the 2013 best eleven;
I’ve got to admit Delph does not deserve to be in the starting eleven ahead of Jonjo Shelvey! But that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Glad to see Martin Kelly cementing his place in the RB position I personally think he is a great addition to the team.
Now for the overall team of England;
As you can see Martin Kelly has got his place in the overall team to, taking over Micah Richards which I am surprised about I would of thought Kelly would of needed another year to be able to knick the space from Micah, I also happy to see Shelvey get the place he deserves playing 12 games and getting 3 goals.
After looking through all the awards that where giving out no English players were awarded the 1st place slot but Wayne Rooney managed to pick up 2nd place in the “European striker of the year” award something that Rooney won last year but was beaten to the 1st place slot this year.
It’s time to pick my squad, the squad can consist of 23 players but 3 of them have to be goalkeepers which leave me with 20 outfield players. So I divide the 20 by 3 (Defenders, Midfielder and Strikers) which leaves me with 6.6 but let’s say 7. So I pick 7 defenders 7 midfielders and 6 strikers. So this is my squad;
Goalkeepers –
Joe Hart – 32 Caps – Manchester City
David Stockdale – 6 Caps – Fulham
Alex Smithies – 1 Cap – Leicester City
Total Caps – 39 Caps
Defenders –
Micah Richards – 34 Caps – Villarreal
Martin Kelly – 12 Caps – Liverpool
Ashley Cole – 115 Caps – Chelsea
Jack Robinson – 3 Caps – Liverpool
John Terry – 94 Caps – Chelsea
Chris Smalling – 7 Caps – Manchester United
Phil Jones – 33 Caps – Blackburn
Total Caps – 298 Caps
Midfielders –
Kieran Gibbs – 15 Caps – Arsenal
Fabian Delph – 3 Caps – West Brom
Steven Gerrard – 115 Caps – Liverpool
Jack Wilshere – 19 Caps – Arsenal
Theo Walcott – 33 Caps – Arsenal
Jonjo Shelvey – 17 Caps – Liverpool
Ashley Young – 36 Caps – Aston Villa
Jack Rodwell – 19 Caps — Everton
Total Caps – 257 Caps
Strikers –
Gabby Agbonlahor – 16 Caps – Aston Villa
Jermain Defoe – 72 Caps – Tottenham
Wayne Rooney – 100 Caps – Manchester United
Andy Carroll – 8 Caps – Liverpool
Connor Wickham – 5 Caps – Chelsea
Total Caps – 201 Caps
Total Caps combined (Goalkeepers, Defenders, Midfielders and Strikers) – 795 Caps
Steven Gerrard coming near to the end of his career he is still full of confidence and believe England can get World Cup glory, to me this shows the high morale of the squad and brings confidence to myself that I have the squad behind me!
Ah its crunch time, England kick off their campaign against arch rivals Portugal, the nerves are starting to kick in a little prior to the squad selection but I have a vague idea of who will be starting. So here is my starting line up;
According to “Goal.com”
“A draw is on the cards in this game as I can see Portugal and England cancelling each other out.”
Pre – Match – Team talk — For the fans
First half –
Half time – Team talk – For the fans
Subs – Jermain Defoe makes way for Gabby Agbonlahor
Second half –
46th minute GOAL Danny Portugal
64th minute – SUBS Theo Walcott makes way for Jack Wilshere and John Terry makes way for Jack Rodwell England
Full time – Team talk – Sympathise
Match report —
Portugal 1 – 1 England (World Cup Group B)
England could count themselves somewhat fortunate to have escaped with a draw against Portugal in their World Cup Group B game at Beria-Rio.
The first incident of note was on 45 minutes as Portugal was denied claims by Cristiano Ronaldo for a penalty. Portugal finally took the lead when flamboyant midfielder Danny scored a fierce shot on 46 minutes.
Explosive striker Gabby Agbonlahor equalised for England after 81 minutes with an accurate finish from inside the penalty area.
Here are the highlights from the game between Portugal and England;
So after just the first game being played in group B Saudi Arabia are topping the group with 3 points while Portugal and England share a point and are respectively 2nd and 3rd and as you can guess Ecuador are bottom of group B.
Saudi Arabia 2 – 1 Ecuador
Portugal 1 – 1 England
This is especially for Ana;
England up against table toppers Saudi Arabia could this be the shock of the World Cup or will England coast by? I sure hope its England coasting by! Here is my squad;
According to “TEAMtalk.com”
“I believe England have enough quality to see of Saudi Arabia.”
Pre – match – I Expect a win
First half –
Half time – Team talk – For the fans
Subs – Martin Kelly makes way for Micah Richards and Steven Gerrard makes way for Jack Wilshere
Second half –
56th minute GOAL Jack Wilshere England
82nd minute SUBS Jermain Defoe makes way for Connor Wickham England
92nd minute INJURY Jack Wilshere England
Full time – Not good enough
Match report –
England 1 – 0 Saudi Arabia (World Cup Group B)
England showed their superiority in a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia their World Cup Group B game at Arena Fonte Nova, but they could and should have scored more.
England finally took the lead when flamboyant midfielder Jack Wilshere scores a screamer from the edge of the area on 56 minutes.
England had a number of attempts at goal but their profligacy meant they didn’t score as many as they maybe should have.
Here are the highlights of the game between England and Saudi Arabia;
So after two games played in Group B Portugal are leading the group on goal difference, having scored 1 more than England has! Saudi Arabia falls to 3rd place and Ecuador still rock bottom!
This is especially for Ana;
Final game of the groups for England, and this game could be the difference from coming 1st or 2nd we will need to be on top form and score goals in this to overcome Portugal at the top of Group B!
Here is the team that will play Ecuador;
According to “The Ecuadorian Football Review”
“England is a good side and I think they have enough quality to see off the challenge of Ecuador today.”
Pre-Match – For the fans
First Half –
17th minute – GOAL Ashley Young England
19th minute – RED CARD Jack Rodwell England
34th minute – GOAL Wayne Rooney England
Half time – Team talk – Encourage
Subs – Andy Carroll makes way for Theo Walcott and Jonjo Shelvey makes way for John Terry
Second half –
71st minute – GOAL Theo Walcott England
75th minute – GOAL Theo Walcott England
79th minute – RED CARD John Terry England
Full time – Pleased to have qualified
Match report –
Ecuador 0 – 4 England (World Cup Group B)
Nine-Man England managed to triumph over adversity in this highly dramatic match.
England somehow contrived to beat Ecuador 4 -0 in what proved to be an enthralling encounter. A brace from Theo Walcott helped England to victory.
Winger Ashley Young gave England the lead with a close range effort in the 17th minute. England’s Jack Rodwell received the red card for a professional foul with 18 minutes on the clock.
Striker Wayne Rooney doubled England’s lead with a well struck shot from inside the box which made sure on 34 minutes. Walcott scored with a powerful effort in the 71st minute to extend the lead further.
There were no prizes for guessing who completed the rout on 75 minutes as that man Walcott popped up again with a placed shot. It was a superb solo effort and Walcott looked delighted. England’s John Terry makes way for a professional foul with 79 minutes on the clock.
Here are the highlights from today’s game between Ecuador and England;
This is especially for Ana;
Right people that’s the end of this read with England heading in to the next round confident with whoever is placed in front of them! I can feel England going a long way! Here is the second round draw;
Leave your interesting and creative responsive in the comment section below.
Steam – IAmWombRaider
E-mail – MrFootballManager@hotmail.com
YouTube — http://www.youtube.com/MrFootballManager
Billy
29 мая, 2011 at 19:36
well done on getting through, more goals would be nice, im sure you’ll cruise past belgium.
Good luck
Jon Crosby
30 мая, 2011 at 19:03
Thank you, More goals would be nice of course but a win is a win even if it is by a narrow margin!
Johnny Karp
29 мая, 2011 at 20:02
Well done on winning the group, the team seems to be playing better and better each game. I think that Belgium is a tough opponent, they have some very good players like Vermaelen, Defour, Witsel, Hazard or Lukaku (just naming a few) so I believe that it will be a tough match. Good luck!
Jon Crosby
30 мая, 2011 at 19:04
Thank you, I knew Portugal would be a struggle but the other games I knew I could win! Belgium are indeed a hard team they have some top quality players so it should be a good game to watch!
Sibo
29 мая, 2011 at 20:14
Darn you Saudi! Why could you not come second for me?!?
Ahem, well done on topping the group, I think the game against Ecaudor just shows how good England can be, even with 9 men. Belgium will be tough, they are young and full of talent (Lukaku, Defour, Vermaelen, Hazard etc.) but I think you have what it takes…
Good luck and go end 48 years of hurt! :D
Jon Crosby
30 мая, 2011 at 19:06
I was hoping Saudi would get through to would of been intresting then!
I was surprised to even win the game 4-0 I knew as soon as I lost CB I thought it would be a struggle with only three at the back but we just managed to push and get the goals we needed but then the second sending off it frustrated me at having no centre’s backs and that’s how I left it and dropped my two CM to DM Was risky but I thought we could do it!
Laxeyman
29 мая, 2011 at 21:47
Good start to the World Cup, the important thing is that you seem to be improving with every game, so hopefully you can keep doing that and go all the way! I’m backing you to beat Belgium, and then who knows? Good luck!
Jon Crosby
30 мая, 2011 at 19:08
Indeed we are improving with every game it is a positive sign for me!
Belgium tough team but I think we have the edge!
Sears
29 мая, 2011 at 21:50
Hey Jon,
Good start… Hopefully you can keep improving and although Belgium have some exciting players, you should easily see them off… Good luck!
Jon Crosby
30 мая, 2011 at 19:09
Hey Sears,
your right Belgium do have some flashy players which is where I think they may fall! But only time will tell!
Darren Smith
29 мая, 2011 at 22:07
Good job Jon, you did what was needed and qualified for the next round. I hope those red cards don’t destroy your chances, but it must be a small relief to draw Belgium and hopefully not miss the key stars through suspension against a bigger country. A shame not to beat Portugal, but you never know maybe your paths will cross again. Looking forward to the tournament conclusion.
Jon Crosby
30 мая, 2011 at 19:10
Thank you Darren,
The red cards where two major set backs for the squad but lucky enough I brang along enough centre backs to cover! With them two being sent off that’s only my 3rd sending off in nearly 50 games so it’s not to bad just a shame they was in the same game!
Kevin
29 мая, 2011 at 22:40
Hi Jon
England are gradually improving in the competition so that’s a good sign and look forward to seeing lead them on to at least the semi -finals if not more. Good luck!!
Jon Crosby
30 мая, 2011 at 19:12
Hello Kevin,
England are always improving the youth they have got is great so it can only mean good things!
Semi Finals is my target and I wouldn’t be to down hearted if we didn’t manage to win!
Ana Garcia
29 мая, 2011 at 23:24
Hi Jon,
Thanks for posting the Spanish results! I smiled at the first result with the 95th minute equaliser! :)
Belarus in the next round! I fancy Spain to beat them but well done to you for progressing into the second round. Belgium may be a tricky side so good luck!
I also noticed no Argentina in the second round, which group where they in?
Jon Crosby
30 мая, 2011 at 19:14
Hi Ana,
That’s no problem it’s always a pleasure to post them, I think it’s good as well seems as they hold the World Cup! Good to follow and see how they do!
I’d rather have Belarus than Belgium Spain got the easier draw!
Argentina had Czech Republic, Mexico and South Korea in their group and off the top of my head Mexico and South Korea progressed into the second round with Argentina finishing 3rd!
Lye
30 мая, 2011 at 02:25
Hi Jon,
Well done in progressing to the next round. Belgium has some good players but you should win this game. Good luck.
Jon Crosby
30 мая, 2011 at 19:15
Hi Lye,
Thank you I am sure England can overcome Belgium and get into the next round!
CsAtlantis
30 мая, 2011 at 03:21
Wow Brazil vs Portugal, that should be interesting, Spain though have a pretty easy draw by their standards (Belarus? how did they even qualify?)
You have to watch out for Hazard(Eden, is Thorgen in the squad?), Lukaku, plus maybe Defour (and the ever dangerous Witsel!), they should have a good goalkeeper in Mignolet too, but I think you can get past them comfortably
Would be interesting to see how Mexico do in your game, in mine they progressed all the way to the finals against my England team
Jon Crosby
30 мая, 2011 at 19:20
Indeed it is a good tie, but it’s a shame it’s so early on would be a good quater or semis match!
Belarus they qualified in group C with Holland Ivory Coast and Qatar.
With results of;
3-0 W against Qatar
2-1 L against Holland
2-1 W against Ivory Coast
Mexico, I’ll give you a small insight to the result of of the Mexico game in second round
Mexico 0 — 0 Japan
3 — 4 Penalties
vaibhavc
30 мая, 2011 at 13:33
Hey Jon
Good start in the world cup, except for the last game, maybe more goals? But a win is a win, whether you like it or not. The dangerman is Romelu Lukaku for next game, if you can stop him, you might be able to win easily.
Jon Crosby
30 мая, 2011 at 19:22
As you said a win is a win, I’ll take it with a 1-0 win or a 10-0 win!
Defiantly Lukaku is a danger man but I think we should be all right!
Daniel
30 мая, 2011 at 14:41
I believe you have the quality to end the 48 years of hurt! Walcott looked amazing in the ecudor match! hope you win it!
Daniel
Jon Crosby
30 мая, 2011 at 19:23
Walcott was sensational lets hope he can carry on his form!