One last throw of the dice.
It was supposed to be a group where England built on an impressive qualifying campaign and swept three ‘weaker’ sides away to make a statement of intent to the rest of the tournament that we would be able to live up to our label of one of the favourites to win the trophy, but it hasn’t quite worked out like that.
A 1-1 draw in the opening game against the USA could have been a blip, but that blip turned into a crisis after the lacklustre 0-0 draw against Algeria last Friday left us needing to win the final game of the group against Slovenia just to ensure qualification for the knockout stages.
What happened after that draw can oly be described as farcical, with Rooney spitting the dummy in front of a worldwide audience, a man called ‘Pavlos’ needing the bog and stumbling upon the England changing room where he confronted our international “stars”, rumour has it he was attracted by the smell of s**t emanating from there, stories of infighting and undermining of the manager, epitomised by the king of morals, John Terry, and his ‘big I am’ speech to the press, only for him to be cut down to size by Capello less than 24 hours later. Thank heavens for the French eh? The only team who are making England look organised.
But we still have a chance, depsite all that has gone on, and now we know where we stand, we know what we have to do against Slovenia in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday afternoon, the maths are simple – three points for The Three Lions is a must, and if we can do that then we will be guaranteed to progress to the knockout stages of the World Cup.
England go into the game without the injured Ledly King and suspended Jamie Carragher, and that means that Matthew Upson will be set to deputise in the middle of defence. As ever, team selection remains a tightly guarded secret under Capello, although if I was him I would seriously consider dropping Emile Heskey for Jermaine Defoe who looked lively when he came on against Algeria. I would also give Joe Cole the nod in midfield and drop Lampard, but then again, I’m not the boss. That leaves my team looking like;
England – James, Johnson, Terry, Upson, A Cole, Lennon, Barry, Gerrard, J Cole, Defoe, Rooney.
Slovenia head into the match without defender Marko Suler who picked up a rib injury against the USA, Matej Mavric will be likely to deputise in his absence in what is a squad that otherwise has a clean bill of health.
A defensive outlook can be expected as the Slovenians know that securing a draw will be enough for them to progress to the next round and leave England sweating on the result of the USA v Algeria match that will be played at the same time. In their last match, Slovenia lined up with a team of;
Slovenia – Handanovic, Brecko, Suler, Cesar, Jokic, Koren, Kirm, Radosavljevic, Ljubijankic, Birsa, Novakovic.
England know that despite all that has gone on since the tournament started, a win here will go some way to putting it all to bed. Any other result doesn’t bear thinking about, although with England you just never know. We are favourites for the game, but that has been shown to be irrelevant on a number of ocassions in this World Cup.
One last chance, one final roll of the dice, Come on England!
NUFCBlog Author: toonsy
toonsy has written 643 articles on this blog.
NUFC News 24/7
Loading ...
My “sources” tell me ya close Toonsy but midfield will be
Gerrard Barry Lampard Milner
Nigeria 1 nowt up
I’m a bit surprised at the use of the words “we” and “us” in this article.
This is a NUFC Blog, but there seems to be an assumption that all United fans are England supporters?
Some of the best United fans I know come from Scotland and Ireland.
well all the best toon fans i know come from england
apart from mr kerr
If that team plays Toonsy then i think we will win big although Rooney needs to find some form quickly . lets all just remember Slovenia even though they knocked Russia out in qualifying are no match for a pumped up England .
I’m surprised that UTD111 found sometging to nitpick on…… Oh wait, no I’m not. Prick!
UTD111 says:
June 22, 2010 at 8:21 pm
surely all the home nations are supporting england anyway. can’t see the problem myself.
Why support an English club if you don’t like England? I’m not asking any in particular, just in general.
anyone been watching the new Man U lad for Mexico,Hernandez? Tell ya what, seems a bit raw but in a few years sure he will be a quality player.
Him for a loan next season off the reds?
Maybe even Vela from Arsenal?
ILM do you remember rossi?
“we” and “us” could the reason possibly be because it’s an article written by an English fan about England??………could it really be that simple.
Batty
the best one I know is a Mr Murray from England. toonsy I take it UTD111 and you are best mates 
.
Tonights match from what I have seen isn’t as good as what I thought and as Jonas isn’t playing im glad I didn’t take the night off. but as I speak a Goal
of course, i bigged him up so much to my dad and Roeder didnt even play him! Playing at Valencia now if my memory serves me right, and doing very well. When we got him on loan he was (and still is i think) Man U’s all time leading scorer for their reserves, i saw it as a chance to add something different to our team, but Roeder would change from Sibierski, melon! he even scored on his debut in the pouring rain!
why anyway JJ?
Rich – I have no issue with him really, but generally his posts are are nitpicking with either me or the blog.
The other day he accused me of having writers block bacause I felt the need to question being called a mug by True Faith, but that is one comment from many from her agenda. Ill dig the rest out tomorrow
that Messi blokes finishing is terrible
Because ILM fervor went mad that we took one of his young prospects on loan and never gave him much time on the pitch, he won’t loan us any hot prospects again IMO
Toonsy he reminds me of someone else that comes on here im sure if you could check the IP’s you might find that he has another nick
Maradona looks like humpty dumpty it twas nice to see Palermo scoring
Dunno, Maradona reminds me a mole… and very happy one.
did ya see Yakubu’s miss v S.Korea?…Even Alan Smith would have buried it!
rich aye saw it but are ya sure smith would have scored it
jj if ya reading ya team did me good today by the tune of £240
no I think smudger would hav skied it batty…..I just used him to illustrate how easy the chance was
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vShTd-zjS4o << sham69
batty quality…….hurry up harry is the ringtone on me workphone
ile be playing all me england song tomoz
batty @25
Weyhey! Good old Jimmy Eyebrows
Can’t beat New Order ‘World in Motion’ though, mate. Maybe Vindaloo.
Have a go at this. A bit slower. Very stirring patriotic chewn though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjIL15EKb8Q
toonsy says:
June 22, 2010 at 8:47 pm
I’m surprised that UTD111 found sometging to nitpick on…… Oh wait, no I’m not. Prick!
___________________________________________________
I made a perfectly legitimate point about this being an NUFC blog v a pro-England article and all I get back is abuse and childish name calling as above….
And you claim to be a “writer” Toonsy LOL
Grow up mate
Am I going to be called into action again?
unt111 if ya divent like egland why comment on it ?
england
unt111 is that u singing on darths link
Batty mate – didn’t say I didn’t like England.
The article above could easily have been written with “England” instead of “we” or “us”.
My point is – this is an NUFC blog. Not all United fans are England supporters.
another good tune Darth
sorry keep forgetting the c off ya name
batty
Harsh!
batty says:
June 22, 2010 at 10:46 pm
sorry keep forgetting the c off ya name
____________________________________
LOL
utd ya just niy pickin as usual lol
ya kna iam only joking utd where ya been anyway havent seen ya on for abit
No Batty – I think it’s a fair point mate
utd and not all england fans are toon fans
I was in hospital for months Batts – close to the wire
did ya kna worky banned your old freind star
how come what was up with ya ?
batty says:
June 22, 2010 at 10:50 pm
did ya kna worky banned your old freind star
___________________________________________
Aye – but I’m sure he’s back in one of his many identities
Where’s troy?
batty says:
June 22, 2010 at 10:51 pm
how come what was up with ya ?
____________________________
Double Pneumonia – came from nowhere
First time I’ve ever been in hosp
5 weeks in intensive care
utd fukin hell ya not that old are ya
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YewjtDeuDQ&feature=related
batty says:
June 22, 2010 at 10:54 pm
utd fukin hell ya not that old are ya
_____________________________________
In ma 50′s mate – is that old LOL
richietoon
Aye, it’s a bit of a favourite of mine. I saw the Upstarts a couple of times – in the seventies – well before they released ‘England’.
…batty just doesn’t appreciate good singing
thought ya were younger than me i kna a few guys your age like who died through it but they were p issheeds
darth the upstarts make me want a top meself man lol the shams the best n
right iam off too bed big day tomoz
me giro comes lolol
CLiNT @50
CLASSIC!
I think I’ve blown the speaker on me laptop!
And I nearly stood up in the middle of it
batty
big shams fan meself
Babylon zoo are cool
I’ve still got one or 2 of me old vinyls that me mam didnt throw oot when I was away….think I’ve got shotgun solution still,Darth
richie
I’ve still got a fair sized vinyl collection that I haven’t touched in about ten years. I haven’t got a record deck for one thing!
In that collection though, I’ve got ‘Teenage Warning’, and the Clash’s ‘Cut The Crap’ album with ‘This is England’ on it, which CLiNT posted a link to earlier. I can’t believe I forgot that.
it old age mate,meks ya forget……..me mam “misplaced” loads when I was in the army,I was gutted.theres still the odd one.some Pistols,Upstarts,UK subs etc
My sauces tell me we’re out of brown and red is runnin out.
DJG
……..whey thats me,neet lads
malchick says:
June 22, 2010 at 8:49 pm
surely all the home nations are supporting england anyway. can’t see the problem myself.
_______________________________________________
Just for the record, Ireland isn’t one of your “home nations”. Having said that, I am Irish and hope England do well. I think if your players can play like there’s no pressure they should have an easy win.
Easier said than done, I know.
UTD111 says:
June 22, 2010 at 10:36 pm
First off, apologies for the name-calling, I shouldn’t have done it.
Secondly, a while back I nailed the colours to the mast by saying the ‘blog (as an entity, not individuals within it) would be supporting England for as long as they are in the World Cup, with the general concensus being that it would distract from not a lot happening at Newcastle. Here is a link to that article; http://www.nufcblog.org/2010/06/were-going-england-mad-here-at-nufcblog-org/
Thirdly, I don’t, and never have claimed to be a writer as you said I have, I haven’t got the skillset to do it for a start. I only got a grade C in English combined with me being dyslexic means that writing is certainly not something I envisaged doing. That is why it can take me longer to write than others as I have to check things several times to make sure I have weeded everything out (and I still miss things even after that). Anyway, as I said, I don’t claim to be a writer, I’m just a football fan with an opinion, but I do give this place my full committment and my best shot, it’s all I can do.
Finally, your point the other day about me stepping back and letting the rest have a go. The fact is that they are all busy at the minute and have their own stuff going on, which only leaves me to get the articles out.
Hope this clarifies some things.
You managed to spell dyslexic right toonsy, focus on the positives homeboy
Thats better than my CSE 2 in English Toony….swot
whey I’ll slope of work today but I’ve a feeling me boss will be foning everyoneto get them to do this and thay while the match is on
Toonsy@67
Apologies mate. I’ve looked again at the last couple of points I’ve made here – and it could be taken as attempts to criticise you, this was never the intention.
The article attacking True Faith – TF has been one of the cornerstones of alternative United views (alternative to the official club stance, that is, voice of the fans etc) for as long as I can remember. I couldn’t see anything good coming from one NUFC collective (this blog) attacking another (TF)….OK people might take offence at being labelled a “mug” for lining Ashley’s already extensive wallet, but it’s still a valid view imho.
The England thingy – I think there is a sensitivity about using the collective “we” and “us” as if the view represents all United fans. It’s certainly something Ed gets criticised for! As an Ireland supporter myself, I’ve been concentrating much more (and with great satisfaction) on the demise of Handball Henry and the cheatin French LOL
Those were my points, hopefully better expressed here….as I said, nothing personal mate – I think you do a sterling job here and I’m sure it involves a lot of work, time sacrifices etc
utd111….glad your back to health mate…….I don’t think Toonsy attacked TF as he’s said in the past they write good articles but more that fact about them calling those who buy shirts “mugs”.
My opinion about any sort of boycott is that the less the club makes via it’s various sources of revenue,the longer it will take Ashley to get his cash back and therefore the longer it will take to get rid of him.
That’s my opinion but I wouldn’t insult others who’s opinion differed from mine.I also think TF write some good stuff so I was quite surprised at it.I’m with you on the French,not really because of Henry,I think most player would have done the same ditto with Maradona’s hand but just because it was great to watch them implode
why the delay on the new home strip? any ideas ?? strange is it not!!
Some think it may be unveiled when/if we sign new players jettson
Fellow fans, i need your help!
Does anyone know the name of the singer and song behind the BBC advert for Wimbledon?
Which trailer bbb there’s one called beautiful morning(i think) by the rascals.
Richietoon, im forever in your debt, cheers, it was driving me mad, i recognized the voice but couldnt put a name to it.
forevers a long time mate,call it £1k and we’re even
James
Johnson Upson Knobhead Cole
Barry
Milner Cole
Lampard Gerrard
Rooney
“Samuel might move to Tyneside if a fee can be agreed.
Jose Enrique was outstanding in Newcastle’s promotion campaign, but Hughton wants cover in case he gets a major bid for the Spaniard.”
This is really starting to get on me tits now, Maybe and more likely he wants cover in case the spaniard gets injured…
Sun-tripe of course but how many keepers do they think we need?
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/worldcup2010/3025572/Newcastle-want-Algeria-keeper-Rais-MBolhi.html
lesh aye saw that what a joke
COME ON ENGLAD COME FUKIN ON
Come on Batty, don’t be coy, tell us who you’re rootin for today!
Aye, Batts, it’s as though the rags’ve got stacks of white paper to fill and they’ll do it with any tosh they can dream up. Ever noticed, where there’s news of us being linked to players, they’re generally carp ones?
Tell you what though, I’ve a feeling we’ll be pleasantly surprised with one or two incomers in the next few weeks – hence the delay in unveiling the new home strip.
lesh i hope your right like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRWwusI3upE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHrAnP7W8mU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUHnZ7B2YSM <<<<< for all u yanks oot there
Friendly match tickets are on sale now, just got my PSV & Carlisle tickets
UTD111 – Nee worries
Rich – Get some work done
Why on earth are we linked with an Alegrian ‘keeper? Do the people at Sky/BBC/insert news oitlet name here, not realise that we have about 52 ‘keepers already?
Batty – What you got on today?
England 2-0 Slovenia
USA 1-0 Algeria
Ghana 0-1 Germany
Australia 1-1 Serbia
That’s my lot.
toonsy ive lumped on ENGLAND
a think usa will draw germany win and serbs win
good luck toonsy but hope ya yank bet gans dooooooooooooonnnnnn
CCCCCCCOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEE OOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNN EEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAANNNNNNN
OOPS DDDDDDDDDDDDD
batty,have you fixed that hole in your strides yet?.
lol trojan i saw that toonsy knows its hitman aboot 2ft short for it too be me
what batty said – with bells on
whey,didn’t get an email from me gaffer saying I could go home early to watch the match………so bollox to her,I’m in the hoose anyway……Come On England!!!
Uh Oh!
milner on the wing, we all know he ain’t no winger.
After all, it’s only since he’s played centrally for AV that’s he’s looked any good.
Der!
Batty – Piss off man, stop denying it. It was you, wearing a set of strides from SportsDirect
oh have u all woke up been talking too meself as usual all mornin
toonsy it looks more like u m8 a short arse little fuker
How batty,
some of us work for a living.
Only pulling y’leg mate.
clint lol i get too choose me own hours i work m8 now divent get jealous
toonsy worky reckons he,s bringin a coloured lass back from sooth africa when a spoke too him this morning
Batty – Piss of man, 6’4″ me mate
an inch shorter than me toonsy fuk off man
Alreet lads,my cousin is cycling to Wembley with her boyfriend to raise money for one of the lads from the 2x Whitley Bay FA Vase team who has been diagnosed with Motor Neurones Disease.I would appreciate it if you could take a couple of minutes to read the link and make a donation if possible.Every little helps.Thanks
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2010/06/08/friends-to-tackle-marathon-charity-cycle-ride-72703-26610165/
http://www.justgiving.co.uk/whitley2wembley
Hey Toonsy,so me “sources” were spot on with the team then
batty,
me too mate.
Whey hey!
Batty looking at the photo I don’t think it’s possible to be an inch shorter
lol rich
rich a think toonsy is gettin off on that blokes b0llocks
batty
Batty
Shoulda had cole instead of milner.
Nice to see fabio reads this blog & went for my diamond mid.
Also,
woulda had dawson over upson.
He’s got more letters in his name.
come on calamity
ffs another 1 of the cockney mafia rednose harry