Bleh, a bit of a downgrade in England's performance. The usual case of what ifs... What if the second yellow was given and Uruguay are down to 10. (Yet more food for the feeling of South American bias doing the rounds - not that I subscribe to that.) What if we had more quality up front (Rooney should have had a hat-trick). What if we had a better defence (why no Cashley, our best 'veteran' player by a mile). What if Hodgson had the balls to drop Stevie 'big game fuck-up' Gerrard (who was partially at fault for both Uruguay goals). At least we now know that Rooney should play in the centre, or not at all. (So easy being an armchair pundit with the benefit of hindsight hahahaha.) Ah well, England just aren't good enough, not really a surprise (although I had slight hopes after the display against Italy). Can't bring myself to support Italy though, and even though it is still possible for England to advance, I think it most unlikely the group will play out that way, and if it does it would be a shameful way to qualify, and an easy last 16 match for England's opponents. Anyway, more matches today it seems. Who cares Only kidding! My thoughts... Italy v Costa Rica - interesting game I think. CR beat a weak performing Uruguay side so hard to really gauge their level. Italy are always there or thereabouts, although had a shaky moment or two in their first game. Draw or Italy to shade the win. Switzerland v France - again both their first games didn't really tell us much. Another close game, France to shade it. Honduras v Ecuador - can only see a win for Ecuador (and some Honduran heavy tackles).
My head is still spinning form last night and I don't think it's all down to the beer! England need a manager with some bollocks, fact but you also have to consider the players he actually has to choose from. Lets have a look at the defence... Cahill has improved massively since going to Chelsea and I am happy to see him in an England shirt. Baines will always give you everything he has and look dangerous going forwards. Jagielka is NOT up to world cup standards and lets not even mention Glen Johnson (or maybe a little... Can he tackle? no. Does he have any idea about positional play? no. Could my Nan have done a better job? YES!). Had he not chosen this back line who would he have replaced them with? Smalling, Jones, Flannigan, Stones... are you taking the piss?! None of these players are good enough and that's what it boils down to. Midfield. We seem to have a lot of promise in this area at the moment but Hodgson had to accommodate the old boys and got his mixture of experience and youth all to cock. Sterling, Barkley and Ox-Chamb are the future of English football and should have been given the chance to play together on the world stage yet he places Sterling out of position, gives Barkley the odd 15-20 minute cameo and doesn't even give the Ox a sniff (yes I know he picked up an injury). Llana has the season of his life and by far the best midfielder we have yet it's a bench warmer for him. Milner, hard worker but too much of a 90s style player for me. Then your onto the old boys, Lampard and old Stevie 'I'll play Suarez through' Gerrard. Words can't express my thoughts right now. I think in this instance we have the right mixture but it's finding the balance that works best and Hodgson simply didn't get it right here. Strikers Sturridge has quite obviously earned his place up there this time and he would have been the first name on my team sheet but you have to play to his strengths and again, Hodgson didn't do this. Welbeck, 10 goals all season at one of the best clubs in the world (bad season I know, made worse by playing Welbeck up top). He wouldn't have even been on the plane for me. Lambert, one of the standout players in the PL last season and a perfect target man. I'd have given him a lot longer and think his style of play would have suited Sturridge perfectly had Hodgson changed the shape of the team to EXCLUDE the next guy I will talk about... WAYNE ROONEY. Wayne Rooney, the nations pride, the nations hope... the nations disappointment. Where has his passion gone? He looks dejected to me and it's been sad to watch him play over the past 2 games. He's not a left winger, he's not a holding midfielder, he's not pretty so you either play him in his actual position and build the team around him or you don't play him at all; this was Hodgson's biggest mistake for me. In a nutshell, wrong manager with a shit group of players = failure. Representing your country should be an honour. They should walk out onto that pitch, sing our national anthem and play the game honestly. Fuck what all the other countries are doing. Whilst you have the shirt on you're representing what English football is all about. You take a hard tackle, you get back up and carry on, you don't spend the next 20 seconds rolling around holding various parts of your body screaming like a child who dropped it's ice-cream (I've seen enough of this in these opening matches to last me a life time - get them down to the pitches on a Sunday morning and they would have a shock). They're more likely to get an injury hyper-extending their backs whilst throwing themselves onto the floor than they are from the tackles. I'm disappointed to the core right now and it's going to take a lot for me to get over this (yes, I do take it that seriously). This world cup has also opened my eyes to what the game is becoming/has become. An ENORMOUS cash cow. Until we change the way the PL works (wage caps, foreign player caps, investments into grass roots football) we will never see any progression on the international stage. England are a spent force and the sad fact is that I will never get to celebrate international victory in my life time and I've probably got another 10 world cups and 10 euros to endure until I'm likely to expire (I hope). Apologies in advance if anything above is offensive in anyway, it's not meant to be; I can't be bothered re-reading and editing it so any mistakes. Rant over!
I know this is probably Blasphemy in the UK... but if the UK made a United team, with Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales together. It would be incredibly strong. Also as you said. Wayne Rooney BLOWS
Great post Kiff, my sentiments pretty much too! The PL has been a cancer for a good dozen years though. We had 'that golden generation' (ha bloody ha) that masked some of the impact. A Toubib - hell yeah it's blasphemy. Anyway... Another treat on Friday I thought. Go Costa Rica, Italy looking jaded. Dominant France with two sweet Swiss consolations. And a very different spectacle in Ecuador v Honduras, but just as watchable as the free flowing stuff. Today... Argies v Iran - despise Messi but can't see anything other than an Argentine win. Germany v Ghana - can't see anything other than a German win. Nigeria v Bosnia-H - BH looked better in defeat than Nigeria in a draw, BH to shade it. Edit...Sunday Well three further entertaining games on Saturday. Go go Ghana and Nigeria. Strikes me that France aside, the Euro teams have struggled a bit in their second games, and the African teams have finally turned up with some great football. Today... Belgium v Russia - dark horses v steadfast, who knows. I'll back a draw. South Korea v Algeria - another tight one, I'll back a draw again. USA v Portugal - want the states to win, but will Portugal turn up this game? I'll back a draw again, again.
Sets it up rather awkardly though now surely. USA v Germany - a draw sees both through, Klinsmann as USA manager aka German legend. Tbh I would love to see Portugal get dumped out now, but I can't see USA or Germany 'agreeing' to draw. Anyway, today sees the start of the end of the Group games. Brazil v Cameroon - Cameroon not really turned up this tourney and already out. Brazil to win and secure top group spot. Mexico v Croatia - Been really impressed with both teams. A draw and Mexico are through, only a win guarantees Croatia's last 16 spot (a draw means a Brazil loss is needed). Very tough to call imo and the game I will be watching in the main. Whatever the result, I think Mexico to progress, so I guess I'm saying draw or Mexico win. Netherlands v Chile - Both teams through, so it's all about getting that top spot and likely avoiding Brazil in the last 16. Advantage to the Netherlands in that regard - a draw would see them top the group. A Dutch win for me. Spain v Australia - Wooden spoon match...involving Spain! I hope Australia win, they deserve a point or three imo. Edit.... So Brazil v Chile, Netherlands v Mexico in the last 16, good shit. (As if anyone cares / reads this fucking thread...) Today's games Costa Rica v England - Costa Rica to win unless they rest their first team, have 3 players sent off, lie down for 45 mins and see if England can hit an open goal etc. Italy v Uruguay - A draw or win sees Italy through and a certain racist cannibal out of the tournament. Hope Uruguay get stuffed, but given Italy's performance in the last game, who knows... Italy to squeak through via a score draw or tight win. Colombia v Japan - Japan need to win to have any chance of going through. Looked ok in their first two games, but little threat up front. Colombia looking quite tasty, and imo they will win today and make it three out of three. Greece v Icory Coast - Greece are dogged (and dull(ish)), but need a win to have a chance of the last 16. IC have too many goal threats for me, a win for them and second spot in the group.
Ivory Coast...harsh. Suarez...c**t. Guy needs to be perma-banned from football and forced to wear a gumshield forever. Today's games Bosnia-Hercegovina v Iran - Iran have a shout of getting through if they win and Nigeria lose. BH have been pretty dire imo but Dzeko has class. Score draw, or tight Iran win. Nigeria v Argentina - Argentina already through despite playing poorly by their standards. Hoping for a Nigeria win. Honduras v Switzerland - The Swiss have not played according to their world ranking, but should have enough to beat a very physical Honduran team. So perhaps their qualification rests on the other game, namely... France v Ecuador - France have been pretty damn exciting, Ecuador too imo. Should be a cracker with Ecuador realistically needing a win to progress. Great end to this Group in prospect.
I know there's still 21 World Cups to go, but Ivory Coast have already won the Underachievers of The Century award for their impressive pants-shitting against some Greek team full of third-rate players.
Tbh I think England would challenge IC in that regard. In the cold light of day, can anyone really say that was a good Italian side? Are Uruguay any great shakes? Even group toppers Costa Rica? Greece play with passion, desire, and as a solid unit. They don't have the players individually, but they have a good team. Oh well...the Dutch have my support now, and more generally I hope the knock-out ties carry on in the same vein with lots of attacking.
England are just too slow on the ball and when they do get close to the goal, instead of a quick 1-2 and shoot or just smashing it in they always stop make to many short passes and lose it, or they stop, turn do a little dance and lose the ball. Also I think too much money is bad for the team, players from small countries are on very little money in football terms so they play with alot of passion and effort to get noticed by the bigger leauges, while everyone on the England team are already multi millionaires some like Rooney earn £300,000 a week for doing F'all
Greece is also very good at holding on to 1-0 leads. They know how to park a bus and not let anyone score. The fact that IC scored on them was pretty amazing in itself. Haha, this was on Imgur yesturday:
Yes, Uruguay have some really good players, and Italy was good on paper. IC was in most likely the easiest group, and they shit their pants and got eliminated. England's team wasn't good, but they were in a much harder group as well.
More good stuff yesterday. Especially loved the camera panning to Blatter about a minute before the end of the Switzerland win, and the whole crowd booed the prick. Seems only the recipients of his back-handers are fans these days. So, last day of the group stages. Portugal v Ghana and Germany v USA - both very interesting ties imo. A Germany USA draw means both teams qualify, and Germany do have form for such shady 'agreements'. But not here I imagine with the Klinsmann side story, and general tone of the tournament. I think Germany will be a little too strong for the US, so the Portugal game will massive for Portugal, USA and Ghana! South Korea v Belgium - Belgium already through, likely top too, I'll go for a third win for them. Algeria v Russia - again Capello has shown his lack of managerial prowess at the very highest level and Russia have disappointed imo. Close game I think, Algeria to get through to the knock-out stages via a draw perhaps.
No football today...both distressing and liberating! So last 16, some cracking looking ties, some that I would have preferred at later stages too tbh. Slightly worried that a couple of quarter finals might be a little one-sided. Brazil v Chile - One of the ties of the round on paper. I still don't think Brazil have turned it on yet. Kinda rooting for Chile if I'm honest...just have a bit more of an uneasy feeling about the way certain decisions (refereeing) have gone this tournament...but I think Brazil will win. Colombia v Uruguay - Colombia have been fantastic, amazing to watch. While I can give a slight nod to Uruguay's win at all costs mentality, their response to the racist cannibal has lost them any respect. Colombia to win...I hope it's a drubbing. Netherlands v Mexico - Another cracking tie in prospect, and along with Brazil v Chile, I would rather this was a bit later in the tournament. Both teams have looked great, I think Holland will have a bit too much. Costa Rica v Greece - Possibly the weakest tie of the round (on paper at least)? CR have played well, Greece scraping through via three typically dogged efforts. CR likely to have too much attacking threat, but a Greece grind to victory would not be that surprising. France v Nigeria - Ongoing gripes over money have lost Nigeria any support from me. It's a world cup you greedy fuckers. France to win, comfortably I hope. Germany v Algeria - Heart says Algeria, head says the Germans who have the easiest tie of the round imo (fucking typical ). Argentina v Switzerland - I haven't gone for a shock prediction above, so this is it. Come on the Swiss! Messi aside, and even then only a few moments, I think Argentina has been average...plus any Englishman worth his salt cannot support Argentina...in anything...ever... Belgium v USA - A very close tie imo. Belgium the late goal masters, USA a very well drilled team. I really like Belgian beer...but can I not support our US cousins? Penalties anyone?
Yea lack of football is no fun. Also for Nigeria (or any African country) their players HAVE to gripe over money. Almost every year their corrupt organizations steal all the players money. Why do you think Ghana (a very talented team I might add) imploded. It's sickening that the players can't even focus on the game and have to get into politics because of there terribly corrupt organizations. And go USA, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Everyone said CONCACAF was the 2nd weakest group besides the islands, but 3 teams out of 4 making it out ain't half bad.
Indeed, they've done superbly. Playing as a team and showing up the supposed bigger nations. I'll be honest, I don't know enough about African football to appreciate the level of corruption. Is this at club level too? Surely lots of the players earn decent club wages by any stretch of the imagination? Edit...Of course I'm referring to players playing in African leagues. I'm assuming that all the overseas players (Europe, Asia, US) earn good money that their respective African federations can't pilfer.
Not too long to go now and we are back in business. My predictions for today - Brazil Vs Chile - I think this is going to be a lot closer than people may think. Brazil have't exactly lit the tournament on fire and Chile play some great, quick football. If I was a gambling man (which I am), I would put my money on 2-1 Brazil. Colombia Vs Uruguay - No Suarez makes this tie an entirely different affair all together (personally I would have banned the horrible piece of shit for life after his 3rd bite but that's another discussion). Colombia have played exactly how I predicted they would, excellent (I had a cheeky £50 on them to top the group and another £10 on them to take max points so i'm already quids in). This one is a Colombia win all day for me... 2-0. Some exciting games coming up too!
