RealGM

The group winners will qualify directly for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Among the nine group runners-up, the eight best runners-up (determined by records against the first-, third-, fourth- and fifth-placed teams only for balance between different groups) will advance to the play-offs, where they will be drawn into four home-and-away ties to determine the other four qualifiers.

1. England
2. Poland
3. Ukraine

Poland and England will fight for top spot. Ukraine don't look like they have much to offer.

Rasheeed!!! wrote:Poland and England will fight for top spot. Ukraine don't look like they have much to offer.

Ukraine looked a lot better than Poland in this Euro and their young wingers, Konoplynka and Yarmolenko, both looked better than any Pole did at the Euro. Add that they have a talented young defense and Striker becomes the only position Ukraine aren't set at moving forward, and so the only position Poland is stronger in.

I think Montenegro is a dark horse in this group

For those in Canada, Moldova v England is available on Sportsnet at 2:00PM.

They are also streaming select games online. http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2014-wor ... ualifying/

I know England don't have very many options but I really don't see why Gerrard and Lampard are still in the national team picture. Neither of them will be fit enough to start the world cup when it does come around.

They've already started to slowly integrate the likes of Cleverley and Oxlade-Chamberlain, and it helps to have a few veteran players who can provide leadership and experience. Qualification should be England's first goal and both Gerrard and Lampard can still play a role.

And of course, England could just be in the win-now mode to become the #2 ranked team in the world

Theoretically yes but neither of them play well in central midfield and they become a special nightmare when paired together behind Cleverley. The defense doesn't have any option and gets closed down because neither Gerrard or Lampard shows for the release ball and neither of them is good enough to screen the back line.

Its almost as painful as Wenger sticking with Almunia for 2 seasons.

Hodgson was being a bit daft to take Rooney out without a chance to complete a well deserved hat-trick. Granted its only San Marino but the United trio of Welbz, Rooney and Cleverley were the most impressive of the lot.

ATL Boy wrote:I think Montenegro is a dark horse in this group

Called it

Montenegro is a very dirty team. Poland lost their composure from all the cheap shots, elbows and flares hitting players otherwise would have left their stadium with a Win.

Only reason they are sitting at top is 1 extra game played and haven't yet played England or @ Poland. They have a 4 game stretch coming vs England, vs Ukraine, @ Poland, and @ England. This will be their doom

England and Poland are still in good position. After this Ukraine game, Poland plays San Marino and Moldova.

Blank_Name wrote:Montenegro is a very dirty team. Poland lost their composure from all the cheap shots, elbows and flares hitting players otherwise would have left their stadium with a Win.

Only reason they are sitting at top is 1 extra game played and haven't yet played England or @ Poland. They have a 4 game stretch coming vs England, vs Ukraine, @ Poland, and @ England. This will be their doom

England and Poland are still in good position. After this Ukraine game, Poland plays San Marino and Moldova.

Actually they have the same games played as England, they have a game up on Poland who if they win they'd tie England in the 2nd with 8 points while Montenegro sit on top with 10. Dirty or not (I believe you that they're dirty, they and Serbia have a bit of a history of this) they're in a good position

ATL Boy wrote:

Blank_Name wrote:Montenegro is a very dirty team. Poland lost their composure from all the cheap shots, elbows and flares hitting players otherwise would have left their stadium with a Win.

Only reason they are sitting at top is 1 extra game played and haven't yet played England or @ Poland. They have a 4 game stretch coming vs England, vs Ukraine, @ Poland, and @ England. This will be their doom

England and Poland are still in good position. After this Ukraine game, Poland plays San Marino and Moldova.

Actually they have the same games played as England, they have a game up on Poland who if they win they'd tie England in the 2nd with 8 points while Montenegro sit on top with 10. Dirty or not (I believe you that they're dirty, they and Serbia have a bit of a history of this) they're in a good position

They are in good position, I give you credit for calling it. If Poland is unable to defeat Ukraine then they will be below the pace of Montenegro

Lampard and Cleverley in midfield? Lescott starting a game? What's wrong Hodgson?

Should have done Caulker and Smailling. Lescott sucks, and San Marino is not much of a threat, at least play the up and comers.

poland is imploding

El Turco wrote:poland is imploding

Ukraine with 3 times the fouls and the weakest yellow I've ever seen in my life leads to a Ukraine goal.

Poland badly out playing Ukraine and yet losing

Flawless half by England against San Marino's bank clerks and accountants