*** Official Match Thread England v Italy ***

[TomandJerry]

No goalie, no leader. We are going to destroy Italy.

And there we have it, we are jinxed

 

[Bladders]

You'll be disappointed then I reckon ,

Gerrard Henderson holding, Lallana Rooney Welbeck ahead with Sturridge upfront is what I think will be picked

I was right apart from Sterling for Lallana

 

[GingerBeerMan]

They have a great defence though. Went for the draw in the betting game thinking there is a good chance of 0-0.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

I would like to see wilshire start, but I don't think that will happen. Funny thing is I think Jack W has gone from over hyped to underrated. I think he's a top top player and could play well with Stevie G.

Underrated?

He spends most of the time laying on the ground.

 

[Eeyore]

England have qualified for 8 major tournaments in the last 20 years, exiting 4 of them without losing a match, other than on penalties.

 

[The Wizard]

Unusual to see the odds almost exactly even- 9/5 England 2/1 Draw 2/1 Italy

According to reports on Twitter Sterling is starting, not sure if true though.

 

[Blackadder]

First bit of good news Buffon looks like he is not playing.

Next positive..........

Mr Hut. Are you allowed to start these official threads? I thought there was a strict pecking order.

If we win you will have to start ALL the England OMTs. If we lose..................

 

[The Wizard]

Mr Hut. Are you allowed to start these official threads? I thought there was a strict pecking order.

If we win you will have to start ALL the England OMTs. If we lose..................

It's common knowledge that whoever starts the thread, if the team loses, is stoned to death so he's being fairly brave here.

 

[Blackadder]

It's common knowledge that whoever starts the thread, if the team loses, is stoned to death so he's being fairly brave here.

Oh We will be hunting him down Wizard, we will be hunting him down!!

Now. Where are those flaming torches and cudgels.

 

[Deleted member 18477]

Welbeck instead of Lallana? Oh Woy!

At least Sterling is playing!

 

[Mackenzie]

Got 0-0 written all over this.

Which wouldn't be too bad.

 

[Blackadder]

ITV believe that Sterling is preferred to Lallana tonight.

 

[The Wizard]

The pitch is truly dreadful.

 

[Soulman]

 

[Meade's Ball]

I like Lallana, but i don't have a big problem with using the out and out attackingness of Sterling in there. Going for pace over style can't be the worst option if the pitch is as bad as made out.

 

[Muzzman]

The pitch is truly dreadful.

It's worse than dreadful, it looks downright dangerous.

 

[Bladders]

It's worse than dreadful, it looks downright dangerous.

Any player gets his studs trapped in that sand and it's a blown knee

 

[beorhthelm]

ITV believe that Sterling is preferred to Lallana tonight.

i worry that on the same wing as an off form Johnson, that makes us rather weak on the right. i like Sterling, but Lallana is a better allround player i think more suited to the discipline and tactics required for internationals. Sterling would be better unleashed for the last 20-30 minutes.

 

[The Wizard]

Can't believe it's in that state, how long have they had? Absolute joke, if one of the top players gets a long term injury I can see lawsuits forthcoming.

 

[crookie]

Only 8 years to prepare a pitch !! Like Lallana but happy if Sterling is starting. Defences hate quick attackers. Just look how much damage Robben did last night