The World Cup 2018 - Page 3

Darkon · 18-05-18, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxiedge

Love it too but ...

They might just about manage to get out but will come unstuck against a decent side in the knockouts. Absolutely no doubt about it imo. There's not even that sense of pieces falling into place a la Leicester, Greece, Denmark etc...

Also, another thing that has me slightly perplexed, since when did Southgate become permanent England manager? I thought he was just interim while they find a proven manager? Must've missed that that bit of news....

It's a sad day for English national football when the comparison of hope is Greece and Denmark

Kenneth · 18-05-18, 08:35 AM

Not that I'm suggesting that England have a hope in hell, but was there any sense of things falling into place for Leicester, Greece or Denmark before their surprise success?

Darkon · 18-05-18, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenneth

Not that I'm suggesting that England have a hope in hell, but was there any sense of things falling into place for Leicester, Greece or Denmark before their surprise success?

No clue about Greece, but '92 win for Denmark were one huge surprise after another. I mean we didn't even qualify and had to rely on war breaking out in the Balkans to even get in to the tournament. Leicester also just seemed to happen.

Kenneth · 18-05-18, 08:59 AM

So you're saying England are going to win the world cup

Exiled_red · 18-05-18, 09:11 AM

I can't really remember Euro 92 that well buto Greece in 04 were continually written off, people assumed that they would get knocked out in the next game more or less every time. Leicester was somewhat different they got a good start and people said they would fade, but after Christmas people thought that they could do it but weren't sure that they would until it happened.

Alex · 18-05-18, 09:19 AM

Think Portugal were the same 2 years ago too. No one rated their chances past Ronaldo doing something.

Darkon · 18-05-18, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenneth

So you're saying England are going to win the world cup

If I were you, I'd just throw your life savings at the ~18 money back bet as it's pretty much guarenteed!

Fuzzy · 18-05-18, 09:49 AM

Still can't get over Greece winning the Euros over Czech Republic... I always like an underdog story, but fuck me how negative, lucky and just plain shite were they??? The Czechs were playing the best football in the tournament by far, some great players in the team, just lost Nedved in a key moment and then that cunt Dellas, who couldn't play a decent club game to save his life, scores a golden set-piece header... I remember I was so heartbroken and I have absolutely no affiliation to either team.

Darkon · 18-05-18, 09:59 AM

Greece is the worst playing team to ever win anything I reckon. What a borefest of a team that was!

labourRed · 18-05-18, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Think Portugal were the same 2 years ago too. No one rated their chances past Ronaldo doing something.

Euros != World Cup.

foresterbloke · 18-05-18, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkon

Greece is the worst playing team to ever win anything I reckon. What a borefest of a team that was!

Man Utd won the Europa

McDermotX · 18-05-18, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

Still can't get over Greece winning the Euros over Czech Republic... I always like an underdog story, but fuck me how negative, lucky and just plain shite were they??? The Czechs were playing the best football in the tournament by far, some great players in the team, just lost Nedved in a key moment and then that cunt Dellas, who couldn't play a decent club game to save his life, scores a golden set-piece header... I remember I was so heartbroken and I have absolutely no affiliation to either team.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkon

Greece is the worst playing team to ever win anything I reckon. What a borefest of a team that was!

I'll not have a bad word said against those Greek lads.

Won me the money pool that tournament in work in the face of much slagging. Great bunch of lads.

Darkon · 18-05-18, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foresterbloke

Man Utd won the Europa

They did, and were not even close to the Greek snoozefest of a team.

Darkon · 18-05-18, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McDermotX

I'll not have a bad word said against those Greek lads.

Won me the money pool that tournament in work in the face of much slagging. Great bunch of lads.

Spoken as a true capitalist. As long as you get rich, it doesn't matter what get's lost in the way, or how many it hurts

Buzzo · 18-05-18, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McDermotX

Couple injuries and they could find themselves looking soft in specialised CM functions, but I suppose that's what a standby list is for anyway. It's probably fair to say, France may line up to go for the throat in most of their games.

Isn't the standby list only for injuries in the build up?

Once the tournament starts you are stuck with your 23.

Alex · 18-05-18, 10:59 AM

I think you can bring someone in during the tournament too? As long as its a legit injury

Buzzo · 18-05-18, 11:08 AM

I don't think so, but cant find anything to back it up. The standby list is to ensure that if you have an injury in the friendlies you have someone still training to draft in.

Otherwise, they may as well make it a 28 man squad?

Once the 23 squad numbers are decided thats it.

McDermotX · 18-05-18, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkon

Spoken as a true capitalist. As long as you get rich, it doesn't matter what get's lost in the way, or how many it hurts

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzzo

Isn't the standby list only for injuries in the build up?

Once the tournament starts you are stuck with your 23.

That was my understanding, but I can't be arsed to check it out. There's a little time after the team meet up for friendlies etc, but I think it does be set in stone well before the kick off. Might be some grace for a keeper injury ala Escape to Victory.

Edit - bored so found 4th June as the final day for the 23 selection. That's probably a week after the team's settle into their training camps.
Can't find any exemption thing, but replacements can be made at any point until 24 hours before each team's first World Cup game.

Shaggy · 18-05-18, 11:27 AM

France's squad is nuts, insane list of players they've left out.

And Ruben Neves didn't make the Portugal squad

red g · 18-05-18, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenneth

Not that I'm suggesting that England have a hope in hell, but was there any sense of things falling into place for Leicester, Greece or Denmark before their surprise success?

Its a cup competition and there are 5 clear favourites in Germany, France, Spain, Brazil and Argentina who will knock each other out along the way. We should be getting to the quarters and then who knows.

the fact that Leicester were 5000/1, Greece and Denmark 250/1 and we are only 16/1 says we have a better chance than them

I just can't see Southgate inspiring anything, his half time team talks must be about as riveting as a Giggs one!

Darkon · 18-05-18, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaggy

France's squad is nuts, insane list of players they've left out.

And Ruben Neves didn't make the Portugal squad

How many Championship players do you expect to make a big nations WC squad? I think it's just about right he doesn't make it, have made a fairly unambitious career move in short sight - although it might help him in the long run.

Shaggy · 18-05-18, 11:54 AM

Well he's a Premier League player now

and he started their last game.

Darkon · 18-05-18, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaggy

Well he's a Premier League player now

and he started their last game.

I withdraw my comment

Zapater · 18-05-18, 12:06 PM

I'm shocked that France didn't select Kondogbia. He's been outstanding this season. There are a few similar players to him, but I don't believe that they're as good or in better form. Fantastic player now that he's gotten his career back on track after rotting at Inter. Probably more a player for Spain and England than Italy.

Maxiedge · 18-05-18, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkon

It's a sad day for English national football when the comparison of hope is Greece and Denmark

I think relatively, if you compare our squad to France, Germany and Spain, we could be classed as the Denmark of the tournament

danperkins · 18-05-18, 01:22 PM

I fancy Brazil or Spain. Belgium should do well but their manager is dire. Germany have loads of talent but young squad and this might be one world cup too soon. France have a quality attacking line up but they are hit and miss. Dreadful England side imo.

Really looking the world cup this time around. So many young, exciting talents.

Darkon · 18-05-18, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxiedge

I think relatively, if you compare our squad to France, Germany and Spain, we could be classed as the Denmark of the tournament

What is Denmark classed as then

And who's your Lord Bendtner?

Maxiedge · 18-05-18, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkon

What is Denmark classed as then

And who's your Lord Bendtner?

Are you Danish? I hope I haven't offended

There is only one Lord Bendtner but, at a push, I guess it would be Kane

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.

Darkon · 18-05-18, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxiedge

Are you Danish? I hope I haven't offended

There is only one Lord Bendtner but, at a push, I guess it would be Kane

I am Danish, but in no way offended

I just found it amusing that England were a team of the tournament that was also in ti, which could lead to spiral of teams being the other team of the tournament

Buzzo · 21-05-18, 12:59 PM

No Morata in the Spain’s squad. Bit of a disasterous move for him in the end to Chelsea, it all started off so well.

Pepe Reina must be approaching the World Record for benchwarming in the World Cup playing his ‘always the bridesmaid’ roll for Spain again.

Aspas brought along for his dead ball ability specifically at corners.

Quote:

Goalkeepers: David De Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli), Kepa (Athletic Bilbao)

Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Nacho (all Real Madrid), Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique (both Barcelona), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Odriozola (Real Sociedad)

Midfield: Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta (both Barcelona) Saúl, Koke (both Atletico), Thiago (Bayern) Silva (Manchester City),
Isco, Marco Asensio, Lucas Vázquez (all Real Madrid)

Forward: Iago Aspas (Celta), Rodrigo (Valencia), Diego Costa (Atletico

RichC · 21-05-18, 01:01 PM

Surprised Marcos Alonso has been left out of the squad.

Buzzo · 21-05-18, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichC

Surprised Marcos Alonso has been left out of the squad.

His form kind of fell away in the New Year. Bit of a shocker for the Chelsea Spaniards all round, no Fabregas or Pedro either.

labourRed · 21-05-18, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzzo

No Morata in the Spain’s squad. Bit of a disasterous move for him in the end to Chelsea, it all started off so well.

Pepe Reina must be approaching the World Record for benchwarming in the World Cup playing his ‘always the bridesmaid’ roll for Spain again.

Aspas brought along for his dead ball ability specifically at corners.

Quote:

Originally Posted by labourRed

I've a feeling Morata will struggle here. Good player but I don't think he'll do all that well at Chelsea.

shanks69 · 22-05-18, 09:09 AM

Kane will be england captain at world cup,must cheer him up after losing out to salah in the awards.

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Chris · 22-05-18, 09:14 AM

Ridiculous decision, hes shown himself as anything but a leader in the last few weeks. Southgate is a yes man shithouse.

Buzzo · 22-05-18, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Ridiculous decision, hes shown himself as anything but a leader in the last few weeks. Southgate is a yes man shithouse.

He literally showed himself to not be a team player, definitely doesn’t display any of the attributes you’d want in a captain yet.

Can only imagine it is to boost his confidence and because he is a guaranteed starter.

rodo · 22-05-18, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Ridiculous decision, hes shown himself as anything but a leader in the last few weeks. Southgate is a yes man shithouse.