Loved Chris Waddle on Radio 4's Today programme this morning. He was asked about Greg Dyke's slit throat gesture at the draw and answered, "He's new in the job and probably didn't realise there were TV cameras everywhere."
It seems nobody told the hapless Waddle that Dyke used to be director general of the BBC!
Nice to see a totally unbiased view being put forward about one of our opponents. :-)
If I was being biased I would have said we were the best and will win it, the fact is that Italian football and Serie A often doesn't get the credit it deserves in England for whatever reason and that's not just my opinion but journalists and other people share this viewpoint.
I think if you're going to be scared of Germany and Argentina then you can be scared of Italy.
Sepp Blater at FIFA gives the perfect example as why people should be limited in the presidential role to 2 terms.
The game is likely moved due to money and TV revenues (why no explanation ?) to the detriment of the players and both Italy and England. FIFA show no respect to the well being of the players. I really dislike Blatter and FIFA.
Its a tough draw, and I don't understand why France has such an easy group but at least England will need to know that straight off they have to go for it and that may do England a favour rather than thinking they have a straight forward group and walk into the second round.
Perhaps they can properly practise with the world cup ball that will be used in the finals this time because I understood that they failed to do that last time and look what happened to Green in the first game.
Nice to see a totally unbiased view being put forward about one of our opponents. :-)
If I was being biased I would have said we were the best and will win it, the fact is that Italian football and Serie A often doesn't get the credit it deserves in England for whatever reason and that's not just my opinion but journalists and other people share this viewpoint.
I think if you're going to be scared of Germany and Argentina then you can be scared of Italy.
Italian reaction samples 1. The Italian press have reacted with disappointment to the 2014 World Cup draw which pits the Azzurri against England.
Italy were dealt a tough World Cup draw yesterday being grouped with England, Uruguay and Costa Rica.
SEE ALSO: Bierhoff: Italy better than England
And the nation's press have reacted somewhat negatively to the task at hand for Cesare Prandelli's men.
Despite Prandelli's assurances that his side will be ready and that a tough draw could help Italy's bid to go the whole way in Brazil, the main sports newspapers in the peninsula seem worried.
La Gazzetta dello Sport insists that 'Italy pays' and attacks FIFA for the seeding system that allowed France to move to Pot 4 rather than Pot 2 and ended up handing Les Bleus a favourable draw.
The Corriere dello Sport labels the draw a 'scandal' and 'shameful'.
2. Arrigo Sacchi warned Italy’s main contender in World Cup Group D is Uruguay. “We struggled more against them than England.”
The former Coach who took the Azzurri to the 1994 Final against Brazil, lost only on penalties, spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about their chances.
“The group is not easy, but it’s not impossible either,” said Sacchi after drawing Uruguay, England and Costa Rica.
“England might seem the more dangerous side, but in truth it is Uruguay. That’s because they are playing in South America and play every time as if it’s the game of their lives.
“Uruguay have important qualities, but above all a formidable team spirit. It’s no coincidence that history tells us we’ve struggled more against them than England. In general, European sides have always had problems in South American tournaments.
“On top of all that, Uruguay are tactically tough and the kind a boxer would never want to meet, as even after a win you emerge with broken bones.”
Sacchi feels the mentality was decisive when Italy won the 2006 World Cup in Germany, at the height of the Calciopoli scandal.
“Italy were extraordinarily motivated in 2006 because they were going through criticism and scandal, but this squad is accompanied by praise, has shown maturity and balance while rediscovering a good style of football.
“Uruguay have champions like Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, who can make life difficult for anyone, but I fear more their determination, desire to collaborate and physical fitness.
It is baffling. You could ask any of the managers, would you prefer to face Switzerland or Italy, Uruguay or NL and you'd get the same answers from 99% of them. I think that most would also see Portugal or France more dangerous than many of the pot 1 teams. I reckon that it's fairly unlikely that a totally free draw would throw up a group as hard as the Germany group or as soft as the Colombia or Belgium groups.
The scoring baffles me, Belgium and Switzerland weren't at the Euros - Italy finished second. Counting friendlies is bizarre, Spain recently played a load of substitutes in a friendly that they were losing so that FIFA downgraded it to an exhibition match, it's completely twisted. Just draw the balls out of a hat since the organization doesn't appear to be able to manage a fair ranking system.
I think we are in a great group. If we get through, it means we are playing well and will put us in much better stead for the knockout rounds. Unlike 2010, I cannot wait for our group matches. Scraping through a load of tat to get smashed by Germany was not for me.
I think we are in a great group. If we get through, it means we are playing well and will put us in much better stead for the knockout rounds. Unlike 2010, I cannot wait for our group matches. Scraping through a load of tat to get smashed by Germany was not for me.
If we get through the group its a real chance to get to a QF.
I think we are in a great group. If we get through, it means we are playing well and will put us in much better stead for the knockout rounds. Unlike 2010, I cannot wait for our group matches. Scraping through a load of tat to get smashed by Germany was not for me.
If we get through the group its a real chance to get to a QF.
Group C is one of the weakest.
Not that weak but I'd say our chances are at least 50/50 against any team other than Colombia. Then, if we get that far, we'd probably play Brazil / Spain / Netherlands / Chile (Group A&B mix) in the QF and that's most likely a dead end.
I think we are in a great group. If we get through, it means we are playing well and will put us in much better stead for the knockout rounds. Unlike 2010, I cannot wait for our group matches. Scraping through a load of tat to get smashed by Germany was not for me.
If we get through the group its a real chance to get to a QF.
Group C is one of the weakest.
Not that weak but I'd say our chances are at least 50/50 against any team other than Colombia. Then, if we get that far, we'd probably play Brazil / Spain / Netherlands / Chile (Group A&B mix) in the QF and that's most likely a dead end.
50/50 is a real chance. If we get through our group i think we must be good enough to beat anyone in that group.
Agree the QF is our absolute maximum this time round. I think that would be a very decent account of ourselves with the current team.
That is my choice. Forget the likes of gerrard lampard and those donkeys that have won nothing. Give the youngsters a go because it will pay off in 2018.
Somebody has watched MOTD over Christmas. Think Lampard and Gerrard have won a few bits and bobs. Champions League? Which pots have Henderson, Barkley and Huddlestone picked up.
Those kids will get a new arse ripped out in South America. Need a mix of youth and experience. Just chucking in the kids will knock their confidence when they get beaten soundly by Uruguay and Italy.
Somebody has watched MOTD over Christmas. Think Lampard and Gerrard have won a few bits and bobs. Champions League? Which pots have Henderson, Barkley and Huddlestone picked up.
I've always rated Huddlestone. Lennon has always scared defences internationally.
Also what have gerrard lampard done internationally? Never seen them do anything for England. You've all been brainwashed by the media. They are past their days of being 'good', get rid.
Pots will come in time. You can't win them over night. If they get given opportunities to play club and international, they could be winning them.
Attitudes like this is why England never move forward.
Brainwashed by the media?? I watch enough football and ignore enough newspapers to know that's not true.
Gerrard can certainly still do a job at international level. He's no longer a box to box midfielder but he can now lie deep and pull a few strings.
Lampard still plays for Chelsea nearly every week, he's still got the class to make something out of nothing.
I agree that youth should be brought through, but at a steady rate.
What do you class as doing nothing for England?? Gerrard and Lampard have been good players for this country but unfortunately it's never worked out on a major stage (penalty shoot out anyone?). If anything the whole 'Gerard and Lampard doesn't work' is the biggest media stir up.
The more hotter and humid the Italy match the more the ball will need to do the work. That seriously weakens our chances. If I was Hodgson, I would apreciate that I can't make us technically better than them so our prep and abilty to cope with the conditions has to be better. Of course they will try to optimise their prep too and getting these sort of things right is more in the Italian culture than ours! Th emore I think about it, the less reasons I have to be optimistic.
That is my choice. Forget the likes of gerrard lampard and those donkeys that have won nothing. Give the youngsters a go because it will pay off in 2018.
Agree with Huddlestone and Barkley in and Lampard out but feel Gerrard should be in there
The more hotter and humid the Italy match the more the ball will need to do the work. That seriously weakens our chances. If I was Hodgson, I would apreciate that I can't make us technically better than them so our prep and abilty to cope with the conditions has to be better. Of course they will try to optimise their prep too and getting these sort of things right is more in the Italian culture than ours! Th emore I think about it, the less reasons I have to be optimistic.
I think this game will be 0-0.
The longer it goes on the harder it will get. The worst games of the tournament will be in manaus.
That is my choice. Forget the likes of gerrard lampard and those donkeys that have won nothing. Give the youngsters a go because it will pay off in 2018.
Comments
It seems nobody told the hapless Waddle that Dyke used to be director general of the BBC!
The game is likely moved due to money and TV revenues (why no explanation ?) to the detriment of the players and both Italy and England. FIFA show no respect to the well being of the players. I really dislike Blatter and FIFA.
Its a tough draw, and I don't understand why France has such an easy group but at least England will need to know that straight off they have to go for it and that may do England a favour rather than thinking they have a straight forward group and walk into the second round.
Perhaps they can properly practise with the world cup ball that will be used in the finals this time because I understood that they failed to do that last time and look what happened to Green in the first game.
1.
The Italian press have reacted with disappointment to the 2014 World Cup draw which pits the Azzurri against England.
Italy were dealt a tough World Cup draw yesterday being grouped with England, Uruguay and Costa Rica.
SEE ALSO: Bierhoff: Italy better than England
And the nation's press have reacted somewhat negatively to the task at hand for Cesare Prandelli's men.
Despite Prandelli's assurances that his side will be ready and that a tough draw could help Italy's bid to go the whole way in Brazil, the main sports newspapers in the peninsula seem worried.
La Gazzetta dello Sport insists that 'Italy pays' and attacks FIFA for the seeding system that allowed France to move to Pot 4 rather than Pot 2 and ended up handing Les Bleus a favourable draw.
The Corriere dello Sport labels the draw a 'scandal' and 'shameful'.
2.
Arrigo Sacchi warned Italy’s main contender in World Cup Group D is Uruguay. “We struggled more against them than England.”
The former Coach who took the Azzurri to the 1994 Final against Brazil, lost only on penalties, spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about their chances.
“The group is not easy, but it’s not impossible either,” said Sacchi after drawing Uruguay, England and Costa Rica.
“England might seem the more dangerous side, but in truth it is Uruguay. That’s because they are playing in South America and play every time as if it’s the game of their lives.
“Uruguay have important qualities, but above all a formidable team spirit. It’s no coincidence that history tells us we’ve struggled more against them than England. In general, European sides have always had problems in South American tournaments.
“On top of all that, Uruguay are tactically tough and the kind a boxer would never want to meet, as even after a win you emerge with broken bones.”
Sacchi feels the mentality was decisive when Italy won the 2006 World Cup in Germany, at the height of the Calciopoli scandal.
“Italy were extraordinarily motivated in 2006 because they were going through criticism and scandal, but this squad is accompanied by praise, has shown maturity and balance while rediscovering a good style of football.
“Uruguay have champions like Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, who can make life difficult for anyone, but I fear more their determination, desire to collaborate and physical fitness.
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The scoring baffles me, Belgium and Switzerland weren't at the Euros - Italy finished second. Counting friendlies is bizarre, Spain recently played a load of substitutes in a friendly that they were losing so that FIFA downgraded it to an exhibition match, it's completely twisted. Just draw the balls out of a hat since the organization doesn't appear to be able to manage a fair ranking system.
England vs Uruguay to be shown on ITV.
Group C is one of the weakest.
We're gonna do a Greece and play awful football all the way to glory, I can feel it in me bones!
Agree the QF is our absolute maximum this time round. I think that would be a very decent account of ourselves with the current team.
Hart
Johnson
Cahill
Jagielka
Baines
Henderson
Huddlestone
Barkley
Lennon
Rooney
Townsend
Bench: Foster, Dawson, Jones, Shelvey, Walcott, Lallana, Sturridge, Rodriguez.
That is my choice. Forget the likes of gerrard lampard and those donkeys that have won nothing. Give the youngsters a go because it will pay off in 2018.
Also what have gerrard lampard done internationally? Never seen them do anything for England. You've all been brainwashed by the media. They are past their days of being 'good', get rid.
Pots will come in time. You can't win them over night. If they get given opportunities to play club and international, they could be winning them.
Attitudes like this is why England never move forward.
Gerrard can certainly still do a job at international level. He's no longer a box to box midfielder but he can now lie deep and pull a few strings.
Lampard still plays for Chelsea nearly every week, he's still got the class to make something out of nothing.
I agree that youth should be brought through, but at a steady rate.
What do you class as doing nothing for England?? Gerrard and Lampard have been good players for this country but unfortunately it's never worked out on a major stage (penalty shoot out anyone?). If anything the whole 'Gerard and Lampard doesn't work' is the biggest media stir up.
The longer it goes on the harder it will get. The worst games of the tournament will be in manaus.