World Cup!

[aworkc]

I think Barkley looked okay but needs to learn to release the ball earlier to bring other players into the game, Joe Cole was similar when he was young but matured.

 

Colombia could be interesting although I think Falcao has been ruled out which will be a big blow for them. I did the world cup predictor earlier and I got Brazil v Germany in semi final 1 and Spain v Argentina in semi final 2. A Brazil v Argentina final in Brazil would be a great game

[cobra427col]

Oh great - 5 weeks of hell!

 

I really, really REALLY hate football!

 

I'm with you on this

[APMerry]

I literally can't wait for the world cup! I really don't fancy Brazil to win it, I think the winner will come from one of Spain,Germany or Netherlands. If anyone but Spain win it then I'm happy, that team is a bit too arrogant now.

 

Ox looks like he might be out which would be a big loss. I'd love to see him Barkley and Sterling as the attacking 3 behind Sturridge, The pace would terrify teams. What's everyone's ideal starting 11?

 

Mine:

Hart, Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines, Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling, Barkley, Ox, Sturridge.

Edited June 5, 2014 by APMerry

[Gatt]

Just to clear a few things up here the actual bit about kicking a ball about - dont mind - I'l happily do that with my son and have a bit of fun

 

what I dont like is everything else that gets tagged onto it

 

The hatred ensued because you support team X, instead of team y - to the point that it divides entire families

The hatred when you say you dont like football (Yep - I get this one a lot!)

The ridiculous sums of money being paid to people - to simply run around a field and occasionally kick a ball about

The fact that if a player/manager/club does well - they are embraced by their fans - but the first time one of them screws up - the same fans are calling for heads on plates

The way it takes over people lives - Everything stops for it - TV shows are cancelled (or at best delayed), Colleagues are work stop and crowd round a monitor/tv whilst us non footy lot are expected to keep working (and occasionally shouted at when you dont!)

 

The over seriousness of the whole thing - its a GAME for pete sake!

 

This thread here pretty much sums up how people like myself feel about football...

 

That is all..

[aworkc]

Hart, Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines, Gerrard, Henderson, Lallana, Rooney, Barkley, Sturridge

 

I would have Ox in ahead of Brakley if he's fit but it looks unlikely. I would have Sterling coming on about an hour or so in to inject a bit of pace but I still don't think he's ready to start games. Lambert coming on if we ever look like we are heading for penalties.

[aworkc]

The hatred when you say you dont like football (Yep - I get this one a lot!)

 

I wouldn't say it's hatred but it is annoying when somebody posts on a discussion about football when they don't like it just to say they don't like it. I don't like American Football and if I saw a discussion about it I would ignore it because I don't like it so it would be of no interest or benefit to me to get involved..... Just a thought

[madurham]

Brazil to beat Spain in the Final.

England to not make it out of the group stage.

Neymar to be the most talked about player.

English newspapers to run stories on how England could pull off a win against Italy using obscure facts/results from history.

Photos of crying English fans.

[elsiegee40]

Photos of crying English fans players.

Corrected that for you

[CAM]

Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain out for three weeks after picking up a knee injury in last night's friendly. The bad start just gets worse and we haven't even started the tournament yet!

[aworkc]

Don't think it's the end of the world Chambo's good but I don't think we were ever going to be pinning all our hopes on him. Someone always gets injured in the build up to a tournament anyway

[aworkc]

Who do people think are going to struggle in the world cup or not do as well as they should on paper.... I think that Netherlands will under perform, similar to what happened to them in Euro 2012.

[APMerry]

Who do people think are going to struggle in the world cup or not do as well as they should on paper....

 

Neymar

[aworkc]

I think Messi will underperform, never performed at a major tournament

[Zoom7000]

I think Messi will underperform, never performed at a major tournament

 

I definitely agree with that. On the contrary, I think Ronaldo will shine again.

 

Brazil are probably favourites because of home advantage, and other than Spain, I think the other European teams will struggle as they normally do in South American tournaments. But I would like a Germany or England win (the latter being VERY unlikely!)

[aworkc]

I definitely agree with that. On the contrary, I think Ronaldo will shine again.

 

Brazil are probably favourites because of home advantage, and other than Spain, I think the other European teams will struggle as they normally do in South American tournaments. But I would like a Germany or England win (the latter being VERY unlikely!)

 

I'd agree with that, I can see Ronaldo carrying portugal to the quarters.

 

I think Germany are going to struggle with playing their high tempo pressing game in that kind of heat and humidity. Spain will keep the ball which is going to stand them in good stead. I think if England could get to the quarter finals that should be seen as a decent performance, obviously any further would be brilliant.

[nyiss]

England bunting is going up in the office soon, shirts at the ready too. Landed with Japan in the sweep stake here and thanks to a friend who is currently working there i'm all kitted out to show my support for them too. I think it's safe to say I won't get much wear out of either before both are out! The banter at my school is getting pretty intense, should be good to see how it plays out.

[Zoom7000]

Well, @nephilim made a good point in the other thread, that Germany have built their own resort which is only an hour away from each stadium they have to play in. Whereas all the other European teams have long flights or coach journeys. So, they'll definitely be feeling more refreshed for their matches. Although the humidity will hurt most of the players.

[spadam]

Who do people think are going to struggle in the world cup or not do as well as they should on paper.... I think that Netherlands will under perform, similar to what happened to them in Euro 2012.

 

I drew Spain in my sports club sweepstake so I am now fully expecting them to be eliminated in the group stage...

[aworkc]

Well, @nephilim made a good point in the other thread, that Germany have built their own resort which is only an hour away from each stadium they have to play in. Whereas all the other European teams have long flights or coach journeys. So, they'll definitely be feeling more refreshed for their matches. Although the humidity will hurt most of the players.

 

I didn't realise that, to be fair I would never count out the germans, they always perform at major tournaments and certainly have the players to make a huge impact. Although Brazil are the favourites, my bet would go on Argentina

[Zoom7000]

I would like to see the Netherlands do well, but unfortunately they always seem to self implode at the recent major tournaments. They went on crazy madness in the final of 2010 and then totally fell apart in Euro 2012.

[aworkc]

Ribery out of the world cup, can't understand why France didn't take Nasri, they could definitely use him now

[aworkc]

morgan schneiderlin has been called up to the 23.... As a Southampton fan I'm really pleased for him, he's been outstanding for us for the last 5 years and has thoroughly impressed in his first 2 seasons in the prem. Well worthy of a place in the france squad

[CHR1S]

Argies to win with Belgium as an outside bet. Can see England just scraping through the group stage as runners up beat Columbia in the second round to be knocked out in the quarters by Brazil.

 

You heard it here first

[featured_spectre]

I pulled Belgium in the pool at work...so many people wanted to do it, a second one is being opened up! lol

[RabbieBurns]

Would like to see Fraser Forster feature in a few games for your mob. He was phenomenal in the champions league the last couple of seasons against Messi and the rest.