The World Cup 2018

Buzzo · 15-05-18, 10:14 PM

Couldn’t decide where to post this so...

Is it really big news that Joe Hart hasn’t been selected by England?

He’s so shit he can’t even get in the West Ham team FFS.

Tee · 15-05-18, 11:17 PM

Sweepstake this year?

Leyton388 · 15-05-18, 11:18 PM

What odds on on an Everton world cup win?

Liverpool · 15-05-18, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzzo

Couldn’t decide where to post this so...

Is it really big news that Joe Hart hasn’t been selected by England?

He’s so shit he can’t even get in the West Ham team FFS.

Think he was expected to go along as third choice, kind of camp leader. Fuck all experience in the squad.

Given Milners form, and lack of midfield options. Gareth should have 'got him on the plane'

Liverpool · 15-05-18, 11:44 PM

Talk that TAA hasn't made the squad. The story is written for him pocketing Ronaldo

dom9 · 16-05-18, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liverpool

Talk that TAA hasn't made the squad. The story is written for him pocketing Ronaldo

That's good for us because he'll get a good rest, but a slightly baffling decision if it transpires.

Alex · 16-05-18, 07:53 AM

Any interest in the World Cup subforum again? I can put stuff together, might need some help or it wont be as comprehensive as normal. But I have a bit of time to do it this week and next.

Kenneth · 16-05-18, 09:12 AM

Maybe just off pitch and match threads in general football. I can't forsee enough interest to warrant splitting it out in to groups etc as in the past.

Alex · 16-05-18, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenneth

Maybe just off pitch and match threads in general football. I can't forsee enough interest to warrant splitting it out in to groups etc as in the past.

OK. Maybe wont do as comprehensive as usual then. But a Sub forum for spamming a load of threads in might be useful?

Buzzo · 16-05-18, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

OK. Maybe wont do as comprehensive as usual then. But a Sub forum for spamming a load of threads in might be useful?

Sounds like a good idea.

Particularly when it get interesting in the knockouts. I’m sure people will start threads for interesting matches as they crop up.

Pablo · 16-05-18, 09:18 AM

About to start in a Champions League final and he can't even make the most average England squad in decades. Bit daft really.

foresterbloke · 16-05-18, 09:29 AM

He'll get a rest and have a full Klopp preseason.

The_weatherman · 16-05-18, 09:47 AM

I'd rather he gained the experience of a World Cup.

On a side note to that, 30 days to Argentina - Iceland

Messi vs. Arnason

Can't fucking wait

red g · 16-05-18, 02:14 PM

red g · 16-05-18, 02:15 PM

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope.

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Gary Cahill, Fabian Delph, Phil Jones, Harry Maguire, Danny Rose, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Ashley Young.

Midfielders: Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Jesse Lingard, Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Forwards: Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Jamie Vardy, Danny Welbeck.

Stand-by: Tom Heaton, James Tarkowski, Lewis Cook, Jake Livemore and Adam Lallana.

Alex · 16-05-18, 02:25 PM

See ya later Joe Hart

Chris · 16-05-18, 02:31 PM

Horrendous squad apart from 2 players. Danny Welbeck must have something on a lot of people in football.

Pablo · 16-05-18, 02:35 PM

Absolutely shit goalies.

No outstanding defenders. Walker probably the pick of them.

Average midfield group apart from Alli who's had a pretty poor season.

Harry Kane and Sterling are probably the only two who've been on top form all season in attack.

Even the standby list looks really weak.

Has there ever been a worse England squad for a major tournament?

Irishnev · 16-05-18, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablo

Absolutely shit goalies.

No outstanding defenders. Walker probably the pick of them.

Average midfield group apart from Alli who's had a pretty poor season.

Harry Kane and Sterling are probably the only two who've been on top form all season in attack.

Even the standby list looks really weak.

Has there ever been a worse England squad for a major tournament?

I wish our 22 year old midfielders has a poor a season as Alli every year

Total 17/18: 50 Games 14 Goals 17 Assists

This was over 3790 mins so a goal or assist 122 mins

Context being in 16/17 he had:
50 Games 22 Goals 13 Assists

This was over 4014 mins so a goal or assist 115 mins

dom9 · 16-05-18, 02:43 PM

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-44137979

Quote:

Russia World Cup: Argentina 'flirting manual' panned

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has been panned for including a chapter about "how to stand a chance with a Russian girl" in a manual it handed to journalists travelling to the World Cup in Russia.

It recommended that journalists "look clean, smell nice and dress well" in order to impress Russian "girls".

It also urged them to treat women as "something of worth".

The advice caused an outcry on social media and the AFA has since removed it.

The controversy comes just months after the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, saw the biggest women's march in Latin America with protesters decrying rampant sexism and demanding an end to violence against women.

'Don't ask stupid questions about sex'
Argentine journalist Nacho Catullo said he was among the dozens of reporters and football officials attending a free course on Russian language and culture held by the AFA for those travelling to the World Cup in Russia.

He tweeted photos of the chapter which started being shared and mocked on the internet as the course was still going on.

According to Catullo, officials then interrupted the course, collecting the manuals only to return them with the controversial pages torn out.

The advice is divided into eight sections and goes straight to the point.

"Because Russian women are beautiful, many men just want to sleep with them," it suggests high up.

"Maybe they want that too, but they are also persons who want to feel important and unique.

"Don't ask stupid questions about sex. For Russians, sex is something very private and not discussed in public."

'Take the initiative'
It also urges Argentine men to start preparing early: "Russian women like men who take the initiative, if you're not self-confident then you need to start practicing talking to women."

To those Argentine men still doubting themselves it offers encouragement: "Remember that many [Russian women] don't know much about your country, you're new and different, this is your advantage over Russian men."

Finally, it urges men to be choosey and to concentrate on those Russian women with whom they may stand a chance.

"Normally, Russian women care about the important things but of course you'll also find those who just care about material things, money or whether you're handsome, you name it. But don't worry, there are many beautiful women in Russia and not all are for you. Be selective!"

Sources in the AFA told local media that the controversial chapter had been lifted from a blog on the internet. It is not yet clear who decided to include it in the manual.

foresterbloke · 16-05-18, 02:48 PM

My team would be -

------------------- Pope

Walker --- Jones --- Maguire --- Delph

-------------------- Dier
--- Henderson ---------- Alli

Stirling --------- Kane ------ Rashford

red g · 16-05-18, 03:05 PM

this is the team journalists predicted back in 2014 after the last world cup.

Shaggy · 16-05-18, 03:34 PM

This would be my team I think

The_weatherman · 16-05-18, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaggy

This would be my team I think

This isn't so bad really, Kane, Sterling and Alli are a very good front three, with Vardy and Rashford on the bench, I think this isn't as bad as you guys think.

Depends a bit on how much the manager can coax out of the team.

Kenneth · 16-05-18, 03:37 PM

Yeah, it's shit.

Gray · 16-05-18, 03:38 PM

It really is a poo squad. So weak in midfield

RichC · 16-05-18, 04:38 PM

That back 3 and the keeper is muck and very limited in terms of creative quality from midfield.

I'd have taken Shelvey tbh

The_weatherman · 16-05-18, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichC

That back 3 and the keeper is muck and very limited in terms of creative quality from midfield.

I'd have taken Shelvey tbh

There is little creativity granted, and the defence is suspect, and the keeper isn't very good, but aside from that, it's a decent little side

bradsdad · 16-05-18, 05:18 PM

Cant believe he hasnt took Shelvey the way he has been playing

Buzzo · 16-05-18, 05:26 PM

Fucking hell

That is a weak England squad.

The tournament on tournament drop in quality is quite dramatic.

The midfield in particular looks really bad. Surely Jonjo should get in ahead of Loftus-Cheek?

Midfielders: Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Jesse Lingard, Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Some of them cant even claim to have had all that amazing seasons (Wellbzzzz, Phil Jones, Rashford, Stones

)

I hope Hendo gets the captaincy gig. If it goes to 'my ball' Kane then England are even more doomed.

Red_Polo · 16-05-18, 05:44 PM

Top England scorer in the squad is Welbeck, most capped is Cahill

dww · 18-05-18, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red_Polo

Top England scorer in the squad is Welbeck, most capped is Cahill

I like the fact he hasn't just gone with the old guard - so often England have picked the same tired people even if they are out of for or not really fit. I think the squad looks like one which the manager was in control of and made strong decisions with a particular vision in mind. He couldn't magic up talent and I think there were reasonable explanations for those who were not picked.

Exiled_red · 18-05-18, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dww

I like the fact he hasn't just gone with the old guard - so often England have picked the same tired people even if they are out of for or not really fit. I think the squad looks like one which the manager was in control of and made strong decisions with a particular vision in mind. He couldn't magic up talent and I think there were reasonable explanations for those who were not picked.

I think the squad is about as good as it can be. I like that the old guard have gone and that it's a fairly young side with few egos and fairly low expectations. It gives the chance to build a team that works as a unit rather than pushing square pegs into round holes so that all the big name players start whether the system works or not.

Red_Polo · 18-05-18, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dww

I like the fact he hasn't just gone with the old guard - so often England have picked the same tired people even if they are out of for or not really fit. I think the squad looks like one which the manager was in control of and made strong decisions with a particular vision in mind. He couldn't magic up talent and I think there were reasonable explanations for those who were not picked.

Got no real problem with his picks. He can only play the hand he's dealt.

Deano · 17-05-18, 08:52 AM

Absolute LOL's at Welbeck being included

foresterbloke · 17-05-18, 11:47 AM

No lols at 15 goals in 37 appearances.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deano

Absolute LOL's at Welbeck being included

Deano · 17-05-18, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foresterbloke

No lols at 15 goals in 37 appearances.

Please don't take this the wrong way - But - Fuck off !

There is absolutely no excuse to pick Welbeck............Thats a shit big Chris vs Firminho argument ....

foresterbloke · 18-05-18, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deano

Please don't take this the wrong way - But - Fuck off !

There is absolutely no excuse to pick Welbeck............Thats a shit big Chris vs Firminho argument ....

Maybe he only performs for England? If so then no I won't fuck off, the numbers don't lie!

I wouldn't want him anywhere near LFC but for England, he obviously produces so what else do you want?

Exiled_red · 17-05-18, 09:11 AM

The midfield looks lacking in numbers only really Henderson, Dier, Alli and Loftus-cheek who are actually midfielders, I guess he could play Delph or TAA there but neither have been playing there all season.

Also what is the need for 6 fullbacks, Ok as mentioned above some could play elsewhere, but surely you pick 2 specialist players for each position and you probably have one or two utility players in there anyway.

To me the squad looks unbalanced it seems like he as picked too many 'Jack of all trades' players. In a way I feel sorry for him because the pool of players is fairly limited and truth be told there is no-one left out who you really feel would make much of a difference. I wonder if this is supposed to be one for the future rather than this world cup because it is fairly young. But I don't imagine any top sides will be having nightmares about facing this side.

Southgate needs to build a team greater than the sum of its parts, there aren't too many stars in there. I guess we just have to see if he can do it.

Deano · 17-05-18, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exiled_red

The midfield looks lacking in numbers only really Henderson, Dier, Alli and Loftus-cheek who are actually midfielders, I guess he could play Delph or TAA there but neither have been playing there all season.

Also what is the need for 6 fullbacks, Ok as mentioned above some could play elsewhere, but surely you pick 2 specialist players for each position and you probably have one or two utility players in there anyway.

To me the squad looks unbalanced it seems like he as picked too many 'Jack of all trades' players. In a way I feel sorry for him because the pool of players is fairly limited and truth be told there is no-one left out who you really feel would make much of a difference. I wonder if this is supposed to be one for the future rather than this world cup because it is fairly young. But I don't imagine any top sides will be having nightmares about facing this side.

Southgate needs to build a team greater than the sum of its parts, there aren't too many stars in there. I guess we just have to see if he can do it.

Same old, same old - A few spring to mind that could have made a difference, Shelvey, Ward Prowse, Antonio , Lallana even Redmond.