World Cup

Summer football is shortly to be upon us - do we care and, if so who do we care about? The World Cup used to be a bit special for me - thinking the amazing Brazilians (cos they were different in those days) and actually being able to see players from different countries (nowadays most of 'em play, or have played in England). Still, it's the World Cup and it's in Brazil so that's gotta be a bit special, eh?
So, who's gonna win? Brazil? A European nation? I fancy Chile as an outsider - I reckon a South American team will win in Brazil - it seems logical, conditions, climate etc. What will be considered as "OK" for England? To get through the initial stages? To not be beaten (by Germany) on penalties?
Whaddayer think?

As you say we see players we're seeing week in week out. The international scene is an inconvenience to many supporters who are pissed off with mid-season interlulls. They break up the domestic season, make teams lose momentum and send players back injured after games against the likes of San Marino, who should be in pre-qualifying groups made up of no hopers.
I'll take an interest in the England games and the latter stages of the competition.
I fancy that the Germans have a very good chance even in South America.

Chile certainly haven't let me down thus far - a lively team, and that's the thing, they really do seem to be a team. Not saying they'll win the trophy of course but methinks they'll continue to do well until they come across the Big Boys, you know, Spain, Brazil err, oh, alright then, Engerland! 

Chile just worked SO hard, amazing they kept up pressing so hard for the whole game.
They must be a nightmare to play against, they never gave Spain a second on the ball.
They will make any side battle but I think they will be undone by a pacey side.

Stop Press! England might not win the World Cup!
Am I the only one who thought that Joe Hart went down a touch too early for Suarez's second goal? The angle was so tight, if Hart had stayed up I'm sure the ball would've hit him in the chest - still, what do I know? The pundits certainly didn't mention it and they're the experts, eh?

Yep, you're the only one who thought that.

Please leave the analysis of goalkeeping techniques to the experts in future.

Thanks.

jpr60 wrote:Stop Press! England might not win the World Cup!
Am I the only one who thought that Joe Hart went down a touch too early for Suarez's second goal? The angle was so tight, if Hart had stayed up I'm sure the ball would've hit him in the chest - still, what do I know? The pundits certainly didn't mention it and they're the experts, eh?

I agree, Joe Hart did not stand his ground, if he did Suarez could not have scored. Reminded me of David Seaman who managed to shrink himself to 3' tall when Giggs did him on the near post. Hart is, like Seaman, overrated.
Finally we MUST see the back of Gerrard. That's gotta be a plus.

jak wrote:

jpr60 wrote:Stop Press! England might not win the World Cup!
Am I the only one who thought that Joe Hart went down a touch too early for Suarez's second goal? The angle was so tight, if Hart had stayed up I'm sure the ball would've hit him in the chest - still, what do I know? The pundits certainly didn't mention it and they're the experts, eh?

I agree, Joe Hart did not stand his ground, if he did Suarez could not have scored. Reminded me of David Seaman who managed to shrink himself to 3' tall when Giggs did him on the near post. Hart is, like Seaman, overrated.
Finally we MUST see the back of Gerrard. That's gotta be a plus.

Sorry, but that's a load of shite right there. That's what that is. So Suarez could not have scored if Hart had simply stood still? The best striker in the world would have been foiled by a statuesque goalkeeper?

Don't get me wrong, Joe Hart isn't a brilliant 'keeper in my opinion either, and he does make a lot of mistakes. But to blame him for that goal is ridiculous.

I agree about Gerrard though. He's way, way past his best and was looking like being a liability even before the Uruguay game. I've read that he's 'considering his future' as an international player. Good. But the decision should not be his anyway. A quiet "Thanks Stevie but it's time to feck off now" would suffice.

The main problem is though, for as long as the likes of Jordan Henderson and Danny Wellbeck are deemed the best that we have as a nation, we're fecked anyway.

I don't believe Suarez would have scored his second goal if Hart had not moved to his right.
That's not to say that I blame Hart, Suarez smashed his shot, it's just a shame that Hart did not stand up for a fraction of a second longer. The shot would undoubtedly have hit him.

Exactly my point.

The thing is, jpr, maturity allows one to deal with facts, not fantasy.
And mature we certainly are.  

Aye lad, like a good cheddar  

jak wrote:I don't believe Suarez would have scored his second goal if Hart had not moved to his right.
That's not to say that I blame Hart, Suarez smashed his shot, it's just a shame that Hart did not stand up for a fraction of a second longer. The shot would undoubtedly have hit him.

Hart moved to his left to cover a shot at the near post. The angle that Suarez was running in on goal at wasn't that acute, and shots to either the near post and far post were both on. Hart gambled and lost. As soon as Suarez was clear on goal he was odds-on to score.

Tilton wrote:

jak wrote:I don't believe Suarez would have scored his second goal if Hart had not moved to his right.
That's not to say that I blame Hart, Suarez smashed his shot, it's just a shame that Hart did not stand up for a fraction of a second longer. The shot would undoubtedly have hit him.

Hart moved to his left to cover a shot at the near post. The angle that Suarez was running in on goal at wasn't that acute, and shots to either the near post and far post were both on. Hart gambled and lost. As soon as Suarez was clear on goal he was odds-on to score.

So we have 'Bet in Play' to blame.   

No, you have Stevie G to blame.

But I've been blaming him for so many years.
I thought I'd have a change.