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Originally posted by adramforallHow very true. Once again England's fans are whipped up into a frenzy of 'We're defunately gonna win itcos we're de best'.
Based on this you may as well just take the trophy now, save playing all the games.
Or will fate inevitably lend a hand?
I can already hear "we was robbed" faintly starting in the background.
😛
Admittedly we have the best team that we've had in a long time, but to win it will require a 110% performance from every player on the pitch in every game we play. And a good deal of luck. As it would for any other team.
Win it? I'm not convinced. I'll be happy to make it to the semis and have a good run for our money.
I'm backing Ivory Coast £5 each way just for a laugh. And if they win...... Wheeeeeeee!
PS better not give us the trophy now, we might just lose it. The trophy that is.
Originally posted by Freddie2006LOL!!! You English are such whiners. Terry's hand over Ricardo not letting him jump is a such a clear foul that even Mr. Magoo could have seen it by now.
Portugal (who we know we can beat; we did it i 2004, but that bast*ard ref disallowed our goal)
As for Rooney, if he plays he will be out before the end of the match. Most defenders will step on him until the metatarsal gives. Welcome to the World Cup.
Originally posted by adramforallAnd I suppose Scotland didn't lift a finger when they failed to qualify....actually I wouldn't be surprised as you're all so used to it.
Based on this you may as well just take the trophy now, save playing all the games.
Or will fate inevitably lend a hand?
I can already hear "we was robbed" faintly starting in the background.
😛
Originally posted by Dr StrangeloveThis is true. Although Brazil have a very strong attacking team, this is matched by England's strong attacking midfield and wing backs. Brazil have a very weak defence, something which England does not have. As I pointed out earlier we can be safe in the knowledge we have one of the, if not the best defence in the world.
With Rooney, England have the best team by far on paper, but it will just depend on if they can play well as a team.
Originally posted by Dr StrangeloveI agree on paper they have the best team, but this the world cup. Pressure games, penalties, in different refs & the Germans on home soil.
With Rooney, England have the best team by far on paper, but it will just depend on if they can play well as a team.
And, of course, that they get a proper ref for a change. 😏
I reckon England are good for a 1/4 final berth but not sure after that.
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I have 10 euros on England for win, 5 on Spain to go through the semis as well as the Dutch -with a last minute backup of 5 bucks on Italy for win.
England shall win it... the best team on paper and let's just wait for the 'hand of gawd' not to appear as in '86 😛
Edit. Just a note -Rooney is no superman; if he is not ready I rather see him on the bench, not blocking a player at his 100% plus the dream of reaching glory while R. is on the bench.
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Originally posted by Freddie2006See this is what I love about the world cup… so much room to debate.
Wake up grandad. The USA are delusional about getting anywhere close to Brazil. Yes you have some half decent players, but England's team is made up of world class players. Allow me to break it down for you, so that even you "soccer" fans in the USA can understand.
Goalkeeper: Paul Robinson; whilst not internationally renowned, he has had a solid seas ountry knows of him and is afraid; and so they should be.
USA have got no chance mate.
Wake up grandad. The USA are delusional about getting anywhere close to Brazil. Yes you have some half decent players, but England's team is made up of world class players. Allow me to break it down for you, so that even you "soccer" fans in the USA can understand.
I agree with you on this. USA probably won’t make it far, especially considering their group. However, that being said, they are ranked 5th (even though everybody knows FIFA rankings are useless) and they are the dark horses.
Goalkeeper: Paul Robinson; whilst not internationally renowned, he has had a solid season with Tottenham; guiding them to a Uefa Cup spot with the 5th best record in the Premiership.
In my opinion, this is the most crucial player on the park. Robinson isn’t even in the top ten goalkeepers in the world. (Buffon, Cech, Casillas, Reina, Dida, Coupet ( I think he is underrated), Kahn (and Lehmann for that matter), Given, Canizares). England has a serious weakness in the goal, and Robinson only has 19 caps and has never played on the world’s biggest stages.
Left Back: Ashley Cole; currently widely regarded as the best left defender in the world, he is top form at the moment and has been compared to Roberto Carlos on numberous occasions because of both his attacking and defensive abilities.
Widely regarded as the best left back by who? The English press doesn’t count. Roberto Carlos, Gianluca Zambrotta ? Sorin? I think they are better than Cole, especially considering he hasn’t played for a lot of the season.
Centre Backs: John Terry and Rio Ferdinand; two defenders at the top of their game, having had outstanding seasons for Chelsea and Man Utd respectivly, they are considered as world class centre backs.
Can’t argue here. England has two very, very good centre backs. At least you didn’t say the best in the world. (Nesta and Cannavaro have to be the best pairing.)
Right Back: Gary Neville; At 31, he is still considered one of the, if not [b]the best and most reliable right back in the world. The only survivor of Euro 96.[/b]
This is hilarious!!! GARY NEVILLE. Please mate. Now you are taking the p*ss. The best right back in the world?? This is Englands weakness and a testament to the lack of depth in this position. I’d rather have Carragher at right back. Anyways would you honestly rather have Neville than say Puyol (who can play right back) or Cafu?
Left Midfield: Joe Cole; Has fixed the "problem" in left midfield for England, and is widely tipped to become one of the stars of this years world cup. He had flourished under the guidance of Jose Mourhinio, scoring 14 goals last season.
Again… Have to agree, Cole is someone to watch at this years tournament.
Centre Midfield: Frank Lampard and Steven Gerard; the two best central midfielders in the world, both regularly score goals and have outstanding records and form coming into the World Cup. Enough said.
I don’t know if they are the two best in the world, but they certainly are superb. A few players to consider ahead of Lampard: Aimar, Riqeulme, Kaka, Juninho Pernumbucano? I suppose its neither here nor there, but I don’t think you can say Lampard is the absolute best midfielder in the world. (Like you can say Ronaldinho is the best forward, if you catch my drift). As for Gerard, I think he is the best in his position. A truly remarkable player and I would love to see Beckham resign captaincy to him.
Right Midfield: David Beckham; the best crosser of the ball and free kick taker in the world, he was named player of the season by many at Real Madrid and is our captain (in case you didn't know).
Correction. Juninho Pernumbucano is the best free kick taker in the world. Not Beckham anymore.
Strikers: Michael Owen; A great you talent; fast clever; big goal tally, he has never failed to score in a knockout game in the World Cup.
Owen pales in comparison to the vastly superior strikers at the other big teams at this years World Cup, as does Crouch, and Walcott of course. Here is England’s weakness and the burden will be on Lampard and Gerard to get goals.
Originally posted by ASROMAGreat post. It's also amazing for me that Juninho might not make the starting XI, that just shows the depth of the Brazil squad.
See this is what I love about the world cup… so much room to debate.
[b]Wake up grandad. The USA are delusional about getting anywhere close to Brazil. Yes you have some half decent players, but England's team is made up of world class players. Allow me to break it down for you, so that even you "soccer" fans in the USA can understand.
I agree with ...[text shortened]... rse. Here is England’s weakness and the burden will be on Lampard and Gerard to get goals.[/b]
I think he would be more useful than Kaka, but it's a hard choice.
Goalkeeper and striker are also the reasons why I think Portugal has no chance. We can cause some upsets, but not go all the way.
What's your opinion about Luca Toni?
Originally posted by PalynkaI also prefer Juninho to Kaka. He is such a good player.
Great post. It's also amazing for me that Juninho might not make the starting XI, that just shows the depth of the Brazil squad.
I think he would be more useful than Kaka, but it's a hard choice.
Goalkeeper and striker are also the reasons why I think Portugal has no chance. We can cause some upsets, but not go all the way.
What's your opinion about Luca Toni?
As for Luca Toni, 32 goals in Serie A, can't really argue with that can you?
He is the reason Roma didn't make Champions League.
Without his goals, Fiorentina would never have finished 4th.
Oh well.
Maybe Juve get relegated and we play CL next year anyway.
But Toni is in great form and in my opinion, he and Totti should lead the attack. Leave out Del Piero and Gilardinho, and play De Rossi and Pirlo in the middle.
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Originally posted by ASROMASo much sense for a romanista, I'm impressed! :p
I also prefer Juninho to Kaka. He is such a good player.
As for Luca Toni, 32 goals in Serie A, can't really argue with that can you?
He is the reason Roma didn't make Champions League.
Without his goals, Fiorentina would never have finished 4th.
Oh well.
Maybe Juve get relegated and we play CL next year anyway.
But Toni is in great form and ...[text shortened]... ead the attack. Leave out Del Piero and Gilardinho, and play De Rossi and Pirlo in the middle.
Luca Toni can fire up the tournament in my opinion, you don't hear a lot of talk about Italy but they have a much better side than last time around.
Holland may not pass the groups. They had quite a lot of problems with Australia due to their talented but lightweight squad and they'll face relatively physical teams.
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Originally posted by PalynkaI've put my money on Spain to win and Toni to finish as top scorer. If he isn't picked, I'm screwed.
So much sense for a romanista, I'm impressed! :p
Luca Toni can fire up the tournament in my opinion, you don't hear a lot of talk about Italy but they have a much better side than last time around.
Holland may not pass the groups. They had quite a lot of problems with Australia due to their talented but lightweight squad and they'll face relatively physical teams.