2014 FIFA World Cup |OT3| Saturday 21st: ARG v IRN // GER v GHA // NGA v BIH

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I can respect pragmatic football because the pragmatism is supposed to get results. Euro 2004 was a ridiculously impressive achievement. going out in the group stage likely without scoring a single goal, less so.

I would respect it if I watched football for any reason other than entertainment.

The more matches Greece has in a tournament, the less good matches it has. We've been through this a couple of times already, and the results are always the same.
 
future best player in the world will do just that

Best young players who will come to the forefront at this World Cup? Besides Neymar obviously, as the media has already anointed this as his tournament.
Let's say U-23 is the cutoff, if this was the Olympics would they be eligible...


James, Colombia
Pogba, France
Draxler, Germany (will he play?)
Hazard, Belgium (damn he's still so young, it's hard to think of him as a "breakout" player though)

That's off the top of my head... others?

John Anthony Brooks USA!!
 
lol the main highlight from JAP-GRE is Katsouranis' red card.

Shows how much of a quality match it must have been. Glad I missed it.
 
Yeeeees. More salt for my gyros. Opaaaaaa.
Careful now. You'll end up like the kid who was killed by his mother via sodium poisoning. Eating too much salt isn't healthy. And like Bum Bum Baklava I'd rather have someone blind me before watching Greece play again. Less painful and more entertaining than watching your national team mock football.
 
Best young players who will come to the forefront at this World Cup? Besides Neymar obviously, as the media has already anointed this as his tournament.
Let's say U-23 is the cutoff, if this was the Olympics would they be eligible...


James, Colombia
Pogba, France
Draxler, Germany (will he play?)
Hazard, Belgium (damn he's still so young, it's hard to think of him as a "breakout" player though)

That's off the top of my head... others?

John Anthony Brooks USA!!

nedgoal.gif

Memphis Depay, of course.
 
Germanys game tmw will be interesting. The usualy like screw up the second game in a tournament. But I hope they stay on board the hype train and deliver another great performance. Every team looks beatable out there. It's time to show the world that Germany came to win. It's gonna be a rough game for sure. Ghana is going to fight like crazy.

Can't wait for tmw.
 
Best young players who will come to the forefront at this World Cup? Besides Neymar obviously, as the media has already anointed this as his tournament.
Let's say U-23 is the cutoff, if this was the Olympics would they be eligible...


James, Colombia
Pogba, France
Draxler, Germany (will he play?)
Hazard, Belgium (damn he's still so young, it's hard to think of him as a "breakout" player though)

That's off the top of my head... others?

John Anthony Brooks USA!!

almost all of these players have already moved to big clubs besides Draxler. no Ozil like wonderkid yet. maybe someone like Joel Campbell, depending on if Costa Rica can build on that first performance—though he's been at Arsenal for a few years now w/o a work permit.
 
Probably late or delusional but were the teams of Group A always playing after Group B on monday? Or that they switch that up after we and Chile were certain of the next round?
 
Where to start?

1: Rooney was okay. Henderson was okay. Sterling was okay after the 30th minute. Everyone else ranged between mediocre and poor.
2. Cahill is the only member of that back 6 who is international class
3. Gerrard's header was crap, but what happened to the notion iof centrebacks anticipating such a commonly misdirected header in the centre? Things like that happen every game and they don't normally split the centrebacks apart to leave the best striker in the world one-on-one
4. Sounds stupid, but I'm glad Suarez didn't play the villain and let his ability do the talking
5. The gulf in class between a half-fit Suarez and any England player is depressing
6. The Roynaissance lasted a single game, which we deservedly lost anyway
7. We haven't put 2 decent performances together consecutively for years
8. Being that open in a game that had become 'must not lose' rather than 'must win' is a massive failure
9. We've never looked capable of going on a spawny cup run in 18 years now. Other countries can do it once before reverting to type, why can't we?
10. Gerrard will be remembered by many as a player who never won the league, and directly cost his team the title with a slip, and cost his country the chance to do something in his last World Cup with a weak challenge and a shit header, and that hurts
11. Our goal was lovely but will be forgotten in a week's time
12. There's a slither of hope. Italy pls. Have no faith that we'll beat Costa Rica sufficiently even if those stars align.
13. I have no clue where we go from here. There is nobody fit to manage us who would want to manage us. Roy is too old to persist with in hope rather than expectation.
14. Some absolute bollocks spouted about both teams before the match like 'even if Suarez is fit, Uruguay have nobody to give him service' and a media assumption that they'd be as bad as they were against Costa Rica, and we'd be as good as we were against Italy
15. I fucking hate supporting this national team. Lack of basic competence at all levels. Even when we go into tournaments setting a low bar, we fall headfirst over it
16. I wish we could clone Rodgers and get one of them in charge
17. Godin should have been sent off, no doubt
18. We'll win it in Russia
19. Anyone who doubts Suarez's ability is an absolute fool
 
The way we started the second half said it all about the malaise that surrounds England, and Hodgson's motivational skills btw. It was vital we came out looking solid and didn't give them easy oppurtunities to put the game beyond us, and we just gave the the ball endlessly for a good 10 minutes
 
The way we started the second half said it all about the malaise that surrounds England, and Hodgson's motivational skills btw. It was vital we came out looking solid and didn't give them easy oppurtunities to put the game beyond us, and we just gave the the ball endlessly for a good 10 minutes

it's a shame Wilshere is shit, he's a natural heir to Gerrard's current role in the England team. if he ever kicks the coke habit, England should be much better at maintaining possession in the future.
 
The way we started the second half said it all about the malaise that surrounds England, and Hodgson's motivational skills btw. It was vital we came out looking solid and didn't give them easy oppurtunities to put the game beyond us, and we just gave the the ball endlessly for a good 10 minutes

This.

Obviously we have no clue as to what was said/done at half time but we came out and were on the back foot immediately. It was like the roles had been swapped for 10 minutes and Uruguay were the ones chasing the game, how Cavani missed the target when he was through was a minor miracle. Had it been Suarez we would have been 2-0 down after 10 minutes of the second half.

we came back into it a after those shambolic 10 minutes, but as with Italy we lack not only the much fabled 'final pass' but the ability to break down teams in general. Especially when trying to play through the middle. The only time I had any real belief was immediately after Rooney's goal when we had the momentum and were briefly on the front foot, that went well...
 
I disagree, apart from Mexico, USA and Costa Rica, most teams in the area are still quite bad or don't know how to perform at this kind of level. If Panama was in this WC, they'd just be another punching bag considering that the USA managed to score 3 on them with a team full of subs.

lol someone getting uppity, considering Honduras regularly pounds Costa Rica's ass

ePSQlB4.png


you beat a Luis Suarez-less Uruguay, and today you're about to be brought back down to Earth.
 
it's a shame Wilshere is shit, he's a natural heir to Gerrard's current role in the England team. if he ever kicks the coke habit, England should be much better at maintaining possession in the future.

Could hardly disagree more. In any systemin international football, let alone a midfield 2, the deepest-lying midfielder needs to be able to defend properly.

It genuinely feels like Hodgson has watched some MotD highlights of Liverpool last season, seen that Gerrard was in team of the year and assumed that he could play DM against quality teams as part of a midfield 2, behind attackers unlikely to score enough goals to make up for such a frail defensive unit
 
This.

Obviously we have no clue as to what was said/done at half time but we came out and were on the back foot immediately. It was like the roles had been swapped for 10 minutes and Uruguay were the ones chasing the game, how Cavani missed the target when he was through was a minor miracle. Had it been Suarez we would have been 2-0 down after 10 minutes of the second half.

we came back into it a after those shambolic 10 minutes, but as with Italy we lack not only the much fabled 'final pass' but the ability to break down teams in general. Especially when trying to play through the middle. The only time I had any real belief was immediately after Rooney's goal when we had the momentum and were briefly on the front foot, that went well...

I think England has the passion but really lacks confidence, and performances like this and Italy don't help. Most of England's players have just come off pretty good seasons for their clubs and career and when you play well and nothing comes of it you end up in a downward spiral. I'm starting to think there's something inherent in English culture that makes the players literally incapable of delivering.

But, depending on the result tonight the CR match could still be entertaining, they have the opportunity to just play their hearts out, be experimental (Drop Rooney, let the younger ones have a go). And you never know. 2 goals and England could be through.
 
lol someone getting uppity, considering Honduras regularly pounds Costa Rica's ass

ePSQlB4.png


you beat a Luis Suarez-less Uruguay, and today you're about to be brought back down to Earth.

Hey man, no need to get testy, we ticos know. I'd say most of us have our expectations on check. I know Italy is gonna kick our ass. :(

I think a part of why our teams perform so bad against bigger teams is psychological. Not saying bad paying isn't bad playing though.
 
Hey man, no need to get testy, we ticos know. I'd say most of us have our expectations on check. I know Italy is gonna kick our ass. :(

I think a part of why our teams perform so bad against bigger teams is psychological. Not saying bad paying isn't bad playing though.

well check out your country man's post, shouldn't say dumb shit like that if he doesn't want to get a reality-check

ill take shit from the europeans and south americans, but you guys? hell to the nah

but i agree its all psychological. like i was saying yesterday, most of the players come from poverty, not even having graduated from high school. theyre not exactly the brightest, most mentally strong bunch around
 
well check out your country man's post, shouldn't say dumb shit like that if he doesn't want to get a reality-check

ill take shit from the europeans and south americans, but you guys? hell to the nah

but i agree its all psychological. like i was saying yesterday, most of the players come from poverty, not even having graduated from high school. theyre not exactly the brightest, most mentally strong bunch around

I know. It just a silly post, not all of us are on some cloud for beating Suarez-less Uruguay. Wish us luck, bro. I'm already too negative about today's game.
 
England's problem isn't just the defensive midfield, it's the entire defense. Except for John Terry and Ashley Cole, there hasn't been a single defensive minded player (CB, FB, DM, GK) playing and competing at world-class level for the last 5 years.
 
DerZuhälter;117399086 said:
England's problem isn't just the defensive midfield, it's the entire defense. Except for John Terry and Ashley Cole, there hasn't been a single defensive minded player (CB, FB, DM, GK) playing and competing at world-class level for the last 5 years.

The Netherlands has been doing pretty well with shit-tier defense for the last ten years (ignoring last EC).
 
I'm petrified of selling Suarez. If he could play with that focussed mentality and lack of gamesmanship all the time, he'd be perfect.

@Jack, pretty much. Our media keep saying how well we attacked over both games, but we've only scored twice. Failing to score twice against Uruguay alone is unacceptable with their 2nd choice centreback, 2nd choice rightback and having conceded 3 to Costa Rica days earlier
 
DerZuhälter;117399086 said:
England's problem isn't just the defensive midfield, it's the entire defense. Except for John Terry and Ashley Cole, there hasn't been a single defensive minded player (CB, FB, DM, GK) playing and competing at world-class level for the last 5 years.

Most teams aren't full of world class players though, You look at teams like Italy, Uruguay, Brazil, Portugal and they all have one or two fantastic players surrounded by actually pretty average players. The England problem is that key talent has never delivered, there's never been that one player on the pitch to bring up morale and drive forward play.
 
I think England has the passion but really lacks confidence, and performances like this and Italy don't help. Most of England's players have just come off pretty good seasons for their clubs and career and when you play well and nothing comes of it you end up in a downward spiral. I'm starting to think there's something inherent in English culture that makes the players literally incapable of delivering.

The trouble is that the best players in England aren't English. Most of the best players in Germany are German. Most of the best players in Italy are Italian. Most of the best players in England are Belgian.

Until youth development in England turns around we will never be able to compete in tournaments. With the exception of Walker and Chamberlain (who would certainly both be in the XI if not injured), that team yesterday was the best we could do. Those were all the best English players. We lack quality in most positions because English clubs prefer foreign players in those positions. The best English DM is probably Gareth Barry, and he's not even in the squad.
 
Where to start?

1: Rooney was okay. Henderson was okay. Sterling was okay after the 30th minute. Everyone else ranged between mediocre and poor.
2. Cahill is the only member of that back 6 who is international class
3. Gerrard's header was crap, but what happened to the notion iof centrebacks anticipating such a commonly misdirected header in the centre? Things like that happen every game and they don't normally split the centrebacks apart to leave the best striker in the world one-on-one
4. Sounds stupid, but I'm glad Suarez didn't play the villain and let his ability do the talking
5. The gulf in class between a half-fit Suarez and any England player is depressing
6. The Roynaissance lasted a single game, which we deservedly lost anyway
7. We haven't put 2 decent performances together consecutively for years
8. Being that open in a game that had become 'must not lose' rather than 'must win' is a massive failure
9. We've never looked capable of going on a spawny cup run in 18 years now. Other countries can do it once before reverting to type, why can't we?
10. Gerrard will be remembered by many as a player who never won the league, and directly cost his team the title with a slip, and cost his country the chance to do something in his last World Cup with a weak challenge and a shit header, and that hurts
11. Our goal was lovely but will be forgotten in a week's time
12. There's a slither of hope. Italy pls. Have no faith that we'll beat Costa Rica sufficiently even if those stars align.
13. I have no clue where we go from here. There is nobody fit to manage us who would want to manage us. Roy is too old to persist with in hope rather than expectation.
14. Some absolute bollocks spouted about both teams before the match like 'even if Suarez is fit, Uruguay have nobody to give him service' and a media assumption that they'd be as bad as they were against Costa Rica, and we'd be as good as we were against Italy
15. I fucking hate supporting this national team. Lack of basic competence at all levels. Even when we go into tournaments setting a low bar, we fall headfirst over it
16. I wish we could clone Rodgers and get one of them in charge
17. Godin should have been sent off, no doubt
18. We'll win it in Russia
19. Anyone who doubts Suarez's ability is an absolute fool

thanks a lot, Liverpool

Hodge packed the team with your lot and have 0 points to show for it
 
The trouble is that the best players in England aren't English. Most of the best players in Germany are German. Most of the best players in Italy are Italian. Most of the best players in England are Belgian.

Until youth development in England turns around we will never be able to compete in tournaments. With the exception of Walker and Chamberlain (who would certainly both be in the XI if not injured), that team yesterday was the best we could do. Those were all the best English players.

True, although English players for a pretty important backbone to a lot of clubs, especially Liverpool this season. We really need to work on youth training though, and that's what the FA is doing. Wasn't there a target of winning Euro 2020?
 
The trouble is that the best players in England aren't English. Most of the best players in Germany are German. Most of the best players in Italy are Italian. Most of the best players in England are Belgian.

Until youth development in England turns around we will never be able to compete in tournaments. With the exception of Walker and Chamberlain (who would certainly both be in the XI if not injured), that team yesterday was the best we could do. Those were all the best English players.

Greg Dyke approves of this post.
 
Okay, looked it up:

Greece has played 8 World Cup games. They have now scored a goal in 1 of those games! They are a combined 2GF and 18GA.

ffs Europe, how are they here instead of Sweden or Denmark or even Ireland?

FIFA

Anyway English players are completely rubbish, over paid and useless. How can someone like Rooney hold a club hostage, get 300k a week and only score a pathetic 1 goal at the world cup? Same goes for the rest of them. English players are always hailed as the second coming. They used to do the same thing with that worthless tennis player Tim Henman and we all know how that ended.

The EPL is the best in the world because of the awesome foreign players playing there. The FA/Government denying foreign players by putting a cap on the amount of players is going to put you guys back in the old kick the ball and run after it style all over again. lol

Develop your youth and let them compete with the best of them only then will you be able to progress. Looney, Henderson, Stevie G, Welbeck and the rest all think they are world class lol
 
Greg Dyke approves of this post.

I'm not saying I want any of that Greg Dyke garbage, I don't even care about the national team that much. But it's clear that we do not produce enough quality players domestically. Even feted wonder-kids like Wilshere spend more time on the floor than they do bossing midfield.
 
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