World Cup 2014 Thread

Or Smalling, or Stones, or Milner.

I'd felt the same in the past about Johnson but he has had a pretty good season for Liverpool from what I have seen. Let's hope he's not the disaster he was at the last World Cup.

If I was Roy I would be tempting John Terry out of retirement. He has played alongside Cahill all season so they have a good partnership and he is still good enough to be at the top.

calydon_road said:

Two strikers in the Germany squad is crazy. Podolski is class at WC but is ancient and has had not made many Serie A appearances due to injury.

Volland isnt in the same league and dont think he is going to be much use upfront in the later stages.

My picks for top scorer would be suarez and aguero if he can stay fit.

I dont see the Germans or Brazil getting past QFs. Squads have no balance, dont fancy them to score enough....so thats a brazil v germany final then

Do you mean Klose ?

dizzee said:

se9addick said:

dizzee said:

SELR_addicks said:

The mind-games are starting early:

Prandelli: No English players would get into my Italy squad

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3841/world-cup-2014/2014/05/10/4807505/prandelli-no-english-players-would-get-into-my-italy-squad

Don't know if that's mind games or him just telling the truth.

But it's not about the players necessarily. The conditions make it anyone's game and with Italy usually starting slowly and being either terrible or potential winners at every tournament I think we can nick the win.

I actually think Italy are better suited to the conditions in Manaus. The humidity there will sap energy very quickly and if England go charging after the ball in a cavalier manner (looking at Wayne Rooney particularly) then they'll be knackered very quickly. Italy have the players to keep possession of the ball forcing England to come after them which could be disastrous.

That being said, you're right - Italy are known for being slow starters and they've also made the crazy decision to base themselves south of Rio despite all of their games being in the north of the country meaning that by the end of the group stages they will have spent an incredible amount of time travelling - they'll make a round trip of around 3,000 miles for each group game from their base.

Good points made.

It's going to be a great watch.

I presume Italy will look something like.

-----------------------Buffon---------------------

-----Bonnucci - De Rossi - Chiellini-------

Abate--------------------------------- Barzagli

------Montolivo - Pirlo - Marchisio---------

--------------Balotelii----Rossi----------------

Reserves:
Sirigu
(3rd Choice keeper)
Criscito
De Scilio
Astori
Verratti
Motta
Cerci
Insigne
El Shawaary
Immobile
Destro

Are you confusing Barzagli for Balzaretti? Barzagli is strictly a CB, nothing more. Bonnuci has not been impressing for Juve recently and there are calls for him to be dropped by them, so Barzagli could replace him in that team, or replace De Rossi pushing him forward into a more favoured midfield role. Rossi has been injured and only recently back so I dont know what his recovery has been like. Plenty of time to get up to speed of course. 3rd choice keeper could be Scuffett who is meant to be the next Buffon (he is about 17/18 years old). Balotelli has been warned that any dodgy incidents and he is out so he needs to behave himself

I don't want to bankrupt the bookies but some are offering Reza top scorer at 200/1, I'd get in early on that.

(But you can get Dzeko @ 100/1 who is in a group with Iran and Nigeria).

GROUP B

Australia- squad not yet announced

Chile (30 man)- GK: Claudio Bravo, Johnny Herrera, Cristopher Toselli, Paulo Garces | DF: Gary Medel, Gonzalo Jara, Marcos Gonzalez, Jose Rojas, Enzo Andia, Eugenio Mena, Mauricio Isla | MF: Jorge Valdivia, Rodrigo Millar, Felipe Guiterrez, Pablo Hernandez, Jose Pedro Fuenzalida, Matias Fernandez, Francisco Silva, Arturo Vidal, Charles Aranguiz, Marcelo Diaz, Carlos Carmona, Miiko Albornoz | FW: Esteban Parades, Gustavo Canales, Alexis Sanchez, Eduardo Vargas, Jean Beausejour, Mauricio Pinilla, Fabian Orellana

Netherlands (30 man)- GK: Jasper Cillessen, Michel Vorm, Tim Krul, Jeroen Zoet | DF: Paul Verhaegh, Patrick van Aanholt, Daryl Janmaat, Joel Veltman, Stefan de Vrij, Ron Vlaar, Bruno Martins Indi, Karim Rekik, Terence Kongolo, Daley Blind | MF: Leroy Fer, Nigel de Jong, Jordy Clasie, Jonathan de Guzman, Georginio Wijnaldum, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Tonny Vilhena | FW: Quincy Promes, Arjen Robben, Jean-Paul Boetius, Robin van Persie, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Dirk Kuyt, Jeremain Lens, Memphis Depay

Spain (30 man)- GK: Iker Casillas, Pepe Reina, David De Gea | DF: Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Cesar Azplicueta, Juanfran, Javi Martinez, Raul Albiol, Alberto Moreno | MF: Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Xabi Alonso, Ander Iturraspe, David Silva, Santi Cazorla, Koke, Tiago Alcantara, Juan Mata, Jesus Navas | FW: Diego Costa, David Villa, Alvaro Negredo, Pedro Rodriguez, Fernando Llorente, Fernando Torres