The World Cup Thread

[Peter Parka]

About time one was started ready. How do you see your team doing and who do you think will win? I personally see England getting to the QFs, maybe the semis. Think Spain will win it, the've finally shaken off their tag as having a great team and then disappointing. If they dont win, I think Brazil will. A Spain v Brazil final would be a mouth watering prospect!

 

[Springsteen]

Yeah I think either Spain or Brazil will win it. Sadly I don't think they could actually meet in the final because the winners/runners up of groups G and H would meet in the second round, but after that the winners of either game would meet in the quarters, so the meeting would either happen in those rounds (providing they both get that far obviously)

I think England could make the semi's, at least that should be the minimum aim. There is however a tricky possibility in the second round because the teams advancing from group C meeting the qualifiers from group D - which includes Germany, the underrated Serbia and Ivory Coast. And Australia, although I don't think they'll qualify.

Incidentally get on the winner/top goalscorer bets if you like a flutter. Spain/David Villa at 20/1 looks decent, although you can get 50/1 on Spain/Rooney.

 

[Peter Parka]

Top scorer never seems to be a favorite, quite often a surprise, look at Schillaci in 1990. Wouldn't be surprised if the golden boot goes to a squad player who gets in because of injury ect.

 

[TGLucario475]

I can see Argentina winning it but I do really hope England win it!

 

[porterjack]

seeing as how Canada is not there i will for new zealand

 

[cam elle toe]

seeing as how Canada is not there i will for new zealand

eek:eek

We will win it. (in my dreams)

I dont think we'll make it to the next round. If we do we'll be lucky. I heard some guy from Ghana is out for the rest of the season, and apparently thats a good thing for us.

We play the US on the 6th June...that will be a good test, if both teams play their first teams and dont "rest" players.

I dont know WHO will win, as long as it isnt the "Diving Italians" (no...we will NEVER forgive of forget):mad

 

[cam elle toe]

Our woman just won the Asian cup against Korea....maybe they'll do better than our blokes.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Quarters for us. Semis at the very best. So much of it is about luck at that stage.

I'm REALLY looking forward to the whole tournament though

 

[edgray]

it would be really cool for Spain to win. Mind you, being a brit that would make my life hell for a while... the Spaniards are not the most gracious of winners!

 

[Zorak]

I think it's Brazil or Italy's year.
Italy tend to do better when there's less expectation on them.

Can't see Spain winning it, it's just too foreign a concept to see a Spaniard standing up and being counted when it matters in a World Cup

But all my betting money is going on Mexico.

 

[edgray]

see a Spaniard standing up and being counted when it matters in a World Cup

:24: :24: :24:

I'm in a room full of people that would possibly get quite offended by that statement.

 

[Zorak]

Keep it under you're hat

I'm sure Spain will win the World Cup.... Manana

 

[edgray]

Keep it under you're hat

I'm sure Spain will win the World Cup.... Manana

:24: :24: :24:


... they'll get around to it eventually!

 

[Springsteen]

Theo Walcott, Adam Johnson, Leighton Baines and Darren Bent have reportedly been omitted from the England squad.

No suprise on Walcott, I wouldn't call him impressive in the two friendlies and the crossing from him is rather poor (for a winger)

Johnson is not a suprise because I think his inexperience cost him. However I will say he has a future.

Plus SWP and Joe Cole are in who are better wingers at this point in time.

Baines is decent at best but not international class for me.

Bent's a bit of a suprise, although to be honest he hasn't really done it at International level.

 

[Zorak]

Personally, I can't believe he took Shaun Wright Phillips.

I'd take Walcott based if only on his Barcelona displays.

 

[Springsteen]

He played well against Barca, but generally for a winger his crossing is poor. Admittedly SWP's isn't much better but out of the two I wouldn't have took Walcott. Plus Walcott didn't have paticularly good games against Mexico and Japan.

Personally here would be my starting 11 against USA

Green
Johnson
Ferdinand
Terry
Ashley Cole
Aaron Lennon
James Milner
Frank Lampard
Steven Gerrard
Joe Cole
Wayne Rooney

 

[Zorak]

That's man for man my squad as well. With the exception that if Barry is fit, I'd play him. Or even just 70% fit.

I've never seen Milner play defensive midfield, can he do it?

 

[Springsteen]

Can't we move away from having that? I mean a defensive midfielder is good but my setup has Gerrard off Rooney with Lampard and Milner free flowing in centre-midfield, and Milner and Joe Cole could switch in the games to give the extra option.

 

[Zorak]

No. Not with full backs like Cole and Johnson.

There's a reason every great team has had a holding player in the middle.

(And imagine what the last world cup might have turned out like if Hargreaves wasn't there)

 

[Peter Parka]

Shame he left out Parker, got to wonder what he put him in the squad for in the first place when he was just going to drop him because of lack of experience anyway.
Cant believe he kept Carragher, the guy is slow and well past it, he'd have trouble cutting it in the Championship these days.