So they re-showed Maradona's middle fingers gesture on BBC - I wouldn't have even given it the airtime personally, no-one can be surprised at his antics- the man has no dignity and hasn't had for 25 years.
He shouldn't even be allowed within 100 miles of any FIFA sanctioned event - don't give a fuck what he achieved in the past.
Totally agree. But it’s FIFA - they have no shame.
The European advantage seems to be in action again; looks like it will be 10 out of the last 16 teams from Europe just like Germany in 2006.
Yeah but have been two Tournaments since 2006; only six nations from Europe made it out of the Groups in 2010 and 2014
Clearly means that European sides struggle outside of our climate whilst everyone else struggles in a European climate. Also proven by the fact that only one European World Cup has been won by a non-Euro side, been saying myself since before it all started that it will be won by a team from Europe and see no evidence to change my mind
The European advantage seems to be in action again; looks like it will be 10 out of the last 16 teams from Europe just like Germany in 2006.
Yeah but have been two Tournaments since 2006; only six nations from Europe made it out of the Groups in 2010 and 2014
Clearly means that European sides struggle outside of our climate whilst everyone else struggles in a European climate. Also proven by the fact that only one European World Cup has been won by a non-Euro side, been saying myself since before it all started that it will be won by a team from Europe and see no evidence to change my mind
Yeah I looked that up too, just goes to show how much climate makes a difference (although they pointed it out enough times as I remember in 2010 and 14!) Still both competitions were eventually won by European teams even if the climate wasn't comfortable for Europeans though.
Was expecting a better showing from the African sides this time tbh...
Spain deserving favourites at this point then. Looks like they have a quite comfortable route to the final.
Spain defensively vulnerable. Could see them easily losing to Croatia/ Us or Belgium in the Semi if it goes that way
not just defensively - don't know if it was just an off-day but they were awful going forward last night too - no ideas, kept running down blind alleys and refused to play Costa in over the top even though he was crying out for it. No directness at all and on top of that were getting cut through like butter whenever Morocco broke them. They were bloody awful last night and got out of jail massively - they deserved to lose.
France playing very wishy washy tippy tappy outside the box like Spain did last night - oh and look surprise surprise one long ball over the top and theres a good chance... (even if it was offside!)
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ fell asleep first half, off to watch the 2nd hope it's better.
Had a bowl of mixed nuts in the second half....at least that kept me awake.....worst game I've seen by a long way. Got a feeling Argentina will beat France.
Thought the panel were too gushing about Nigeria yesterday. Argentina were there for the taking but the quality wasn't there to take advantage of it. Musa looked decent and Moses was solid, but the rest lacked composure and ability. Which tells me that there is absolutely no way Argentina are good enough to get past the quarters! Even though France have been awful, I can't see them getting past them!
England won't know who they will be playing in the round of 16 until Friday, but I expect Colombia to beat Senegal and Japan not to beat Poland. Of course this is not certain, but I would say avoiding Columbia in the round of 16 could be preferable. More chance finishing top will achieve this, but nobody can know so we just have to go out and beat Belgium and forget about the permutations!
Thought the panel were too gushing about Nigeria yesterday. Argentina were there for the taking but the quality wasn't there to take advantage of it. Musa looked decent and Moses was solid, but the rest lacked composure and ability. Which tells me that there is absolutely no way Argentina are good enough to get past the quarters! Even though France have been awful, I can't see them getting past them!
England won't know who they will be playing in the round of 16 until Friday, but I expect Colombia to beat Senegal and Japan not to beat Poland. Of course this is not certain, but I would say avoiding Columbia in the round of 16 could be preferable. More chance finishing top will achieve this, but nobody can know so we just have to go out and beat Belgium and forget about the permutations!
The final games in Group H are thursday afternoon before we play Belgium.
Would much rather see Messi lift the world cup then Ronaldo.
Prick
I think on the quiet Messi is just as much of a shit as Ronaldo, if not possible more so.
And you base that on...?
Fairly consistent rumours that he has a lot of say in who plays and who doesn't. If you're not his mate you don't play much.
Hence why Icardi never makes the squad and Mascherano plays every game. I'm also convinced that Dybala must've upset Messi at some point as no other logical reason why he never plays yet guys like Meza and Perez gets games.
Thought the panel were too gushing about Nigeria yesterday. Argentina were there for the taking but the quality wasn't there to take advantage of it. Musa looked decent and Moses was solid, but the rest lacked composure and ability. Which tells me that there is absolutely no way Argentina are good enough to get past the quarters! Even though France have been awful, I can't see them getting past them!
England won't know who they will be playing in the round of 16 until Friday, but I expect Colombia to beat Senegal and Japan not to beat Poland. Of course this is not certain, but I would say avoiding Columbia in the round of 16 could be preferable. More chance finishing top will achieve this, but nobody can know so we just have to go out and beat Belgium and forget about the permutations!
Would much rather see Messi lift the world cup then Ronaldo.
Prick
I think on the quiet Messi is just as much of a shit as Ronaldo, if not possible more so.
And you base that on...?
Fairly consistent rumours that he has a lot of say in who plays and who doesn't. If you're not his mate you don't play much.
Hence why Icardi never makes the squad and Mascherano plays every game. I'm also convinced that Dybala must've upset Messi at some point as no other logical reason why he never plays yet guys like Meza and Perez gets games.
Sounds like Kane could start tomorrow. Cahill in for Maguire and Rose in for Young some of the changes expected.
None of that surprises me... Dier for Henderson and Rashford for Sterling would be the others that I suspect
I think its sensible to keep Kane in as keeps his momentum going and trying to win the Golden Boot will be a small extra bonus for the squad to focus on
Kane is the most important player in our team so i don't agree with starting him in what is a pretty meaningless game that we're not too fussed about winning. If he was to get injured we're fucked.
The European advantage seems to be in action again; looks like it will be 10 out of the last 16 teams from Europe just like Germany in 2006.
Yeah but have been two Tournaments since 2006; only six nations from Europe made it out of the Groups in 2010 and 2014
Clearly means that European sides struggle outside of our climate whilst everyone else struggles in a European climate. Also proven by the fact that only one European World Cup has been won by a non-Euro side, been saying myself since before it all started that it will be won by a team from Europe and see no evidence to change my mind
Yeah I looked that up too, just goes to show how much climate makes a difference (although they pointed it out enough times as I remember in 2010 and 14!) Still both competitions were eventually won by European teams even if the climate wasn't comfortable for Europeans though.
Was expecting a better showing from the African sides this time tbh...
I hate to say yet I never see the fuss surrounding the African sides and dont expect them to win a World Cup any quicker than a side from North America or Asia - Ghana did well to reach the Quarter-Finals on their home continent in 2010 yet still isnt as good as the best Asian attempt (despite dodgy refereeing) whilst you can nearly always count on Mexico to get out of the Groups (Watch them fail today)
Overall I dont think the African teams have the organisation skills on and off the pitch to ever be serious contenders - There was a brilliant article (think on the BBC website) about how disorganised the teams are, even down to the likes of Nigeria and Ivory Coast with their preparations... On the pitch I think they're excellent at going forward as they've some excellent and quick players but again, defence always seems their achilles heal
Kane is the most important player in our team so i don't agree with starting him in what is a pretty meaningless game that we're not too fussed about winning. If he was to get injured we're fucked.
I'm wary of resting him though - Its obvious he's a key player yet if we dont play him and dont score (wasting good chances) then it'll highlight even more how much we have to rely upon him
You'd hope that Vertonghen wouldnt do anything as he wont want to injure a team mate ahead of the new season, same with Dembele - Fellaini is the little s**t you'll need to watch out for in regards to those games, especially if the rumours are true and he's off to Arsenal
Comments
Clearly means that European sides struggle outside of our climate whilst everyone else struggles in a European climate. Also proven by the fact that only one European World Cup has been won by a non-Euro side, been saying myself since before it all started that it will be won by a team from Europe and see no evidence to change my mind
Might as well combine the Americas in terms of Qualification in that respect
Was expecting a better showing from the African sides this time tbh...
France v Uruguay
Spain v Croatia
And given what we've seen so far i certainly wouldn't bet against Croatia making the semi final from their part of the draw.
England won't know who they will be playing in the round of 16 until Friday, but I expect Colombia to beat Senegal and Japan not to beat Poland. Of course this is not certain, but I would say avoiding Columbia in the round of 16 could be preferable. More chance finishing top will achieve this, but nobody can know so we just have to go out and beat Belgium and forget about the permutations!
Hence why Icardi never makes the squad and Mascherano plays every game. I'm also convinced that Dybala must've upset Messi at some point as no other logical reason why he never plays yet guys like Meza and Perez gets games.
I think its sensible to keep Kane in as keeps his momentum going and trying to win the Golden Boot will be a small extra bonus for the squad to focus on
Overall I dont think the African teams have the organisation skills on and off the pitch to ever be serious contenders - There was a brilliant article (think on the BBC website) about how disorganised the teams are, even down to the likes of Nigeria and Ivory Coast with their preparations... On the pitch I think they're excellent at going forward as they've some excellent and quick players but again, defence always seems their achilles heal
You'd hope that Vertonghen wouldnt do anything as he wont want to injure a team mate ahead of the new season, same with Dembele - Fellaini is the little s**t you'll need to watch out for in regards to those games, especially if the rumours are true and he's off to Arsenal