World Cup 2014 Super Thread copyright warning #1645

MagicIRL

glued wrote: »

What does everyone make of England's World Cup chances? Personally I don't think that they stand a chance. They may limp it out of the group but Hodgson isn't good enough to get 150% out of this team which is what they'll need to have any meaningful impact on the side. Gerrard has been good this season but has been dominated by better midfielders in the Premier League. He's going to be a massive lynch pin of this side and I'm not sure how effective he can be against some of the better teams in the World Cup. I don't understand the squad selection either. Aside from Gerrard there is no other natural player in the squad to set the tempo for England. Carrick, albeit off form should still have gone as he was the obvious alternative. The only way I can see England progressing is if Rooney can finally do it for England on the World Cup stage. If Rooney can get playing then him and Sturridge could do some damage but I think England's midfield is pretty poor. Baines was also shocking last week too.

I don't see them getting past the last 16, let alone the QF.

Just looking at teams I think could beat England with ease: Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Spain, Holland, Chile, and Italy.

Then teams that would probably do them too includes Columbia, Croatia, Portugal, Uruguay and France. I honestly don't see what the squad brings that's special. Mediocracy accross the pitch, with Sturridge and Rooney the only real threats. Some very average players in that team.

mike65

glued wrote: »

What does everyone make of England's World Cup chances? Personally I don't think that they stand a chance. They may limp it out of the group but Hodgson isn't good enough to get 150% out of this team which is what they'll need to have any meaningful impact on the side. Gerrard has been good this season but has been dominated by better midfielders in the Premier League. He's going to be a massive lynch pin of this side and I'm not sure how effective he can be against some of the better teams in the World Cup. I don't understand the squad selection either. Aside from Gerrard there is no other natural player in the squad to set the tempo for England. Carrick, albeit off form should still have gone as he was the obvious alternative. The only way I can see England progressing is if Rooney can finally do it for England on the World Cup stage. If Rooney can get playing then him and Sturridge could do some damage but I think England's midfield is pretty poor. Baines was also shocking last week too.

Well at least you didn't give it 110% with that line!

You could rewrite your post and drop in AN Other name and make pretty much the same arguments. Englands chances of winning the world cup are very, very, very small - its not like that is news to anyone. If they get out of the group stage then all depends on if its top or second. Knockout games as we all know are funny in that they have their own peculiar dynamic - quite different to group/league matches.

miralize

8 hours 59 mins to kickoff!

Knex*

miralize wrote: »

8 hours 59 mins to kickoff!

Beefy78

I've had England to go out in the group due to an Italian/Uruguayan draw since five minutes after the draw.

I think Germany won't get out of their group either :eek:

klose

Thank god ive an evening shift on work, the waiting would have killed me otherwise.

greendom

Beefy78 wrote: »

I've had England to go out in the group due to an Italian/Uruguayan draw since five minutes after the draw.

I think Germany won't get out of their group either :eek:

I don't think Holland will either

glued

greendom wrote: »

I don't think Holland will either

Yeah I don't think the Dutch will get out of that group. Outside of van Persie and Robben they haven't a whole lot else. Although on their day they could easily carry that team.

The Dutch press have minimal expectations especially since Strootman done his ACL.

TimeToShine

Will Wilshere get a run out at all for England? Surely on form he deserves a starting spot.

Kerrydude1981

Not a bad job this lad got,

http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=218220

Nerdlingr

TimeToShine wrote: »

Will Wilshere get a run out at all for England? Surely on form he deserves a starting spot.

On form? The lad has barely been fit the last few months.

Alfred Borden

No way does Wilshere deserve to start.

TimeToShine

Course he doesn't, what I'm saying is could he come on as a sub and maybe put in a decent shift and then get his chance? I realize he's been very poor lately but he might perk up because of the event.

Alfred Borden

TimeToShine wrote: »

Course he doesn't, what I'm saying is could he come on as a sub and maybe put in a decent shift and then get his chance? I realize he's been very poor lately but he might perk up because of the event.

Barley, Sterling and Ox when fit will all be ahead of him to come on if they need to change it up imo. Lambert too probably. I dont think he will get a touch barring an injury to Gerrard or Henderson.

Nerdlingr

TimeToShine wrote: »

Course he doesn't, what I'm saying is could he come on as a sub and maybe put in a decent shift and then get his chance? I realize he's been very poor lately but he might perk up because of the event.

TimeToShine wrote: »

Will Wilshere get a run out at all for England? Surely on form he deserves a starting spot.

Ormus

Raf32 wrote: »

Barley, Sterling and Ox when fit will all be ahead of him to come on if they need to change it up imo. Lambert too probably. I dont think he will get a touch barring an injury to Gerrard or Henderson.

No way will Gerrard be playing 90 in every match. Wilshere will definitely get on the pitch at some stage.

Fuzzy_Dunlop

Raf32 wrote: »

Barley, Sterling and Ox when fit will all be ahead of him to come on if they need to change it up imo. Lambert too probably. I dont think he will get a touch barring an injury to Gerrard or Henderson.

He'll definitely get playing time coming on for Gerrard or Henderson. Been good in the warm up games.

IK09

Call me mad but here are my Top Scorer bets:

Christian Ricardo Stuani - Uruguay - 150/1 - €5
Aguero - Argentina - 14/1 - €10
Andre Schurrle - Germany - 80/1 - €5
Oscar - Brazil - 80/1 - €5

TimeToShine

Nerdlingr wrote: »

I meant it in a "surely, when on form, he deserves a starting spot" as opposed to implying he was playing well. I know he's not doing great lately but if he has a stormer of a 20 minutes then he might get his chance.

Clutching at straws here regardless!

Meglamonia

Wish there was some live programme on now where they were just in and around the stadium or something can't handle the wait!

TheNap

This is brilliant :-)


http://www.independent.ie/sport/video-messi-fooled-by-a-brilliant-ronaldinho-lookalike-at-argentina-training-30349509.html

Kerrydude1981

Meglamonia wrote: »

Wish there was some live programme on now where they were just in and around the stadium or something can't handle the wait!

Protesting has kicked off anyway

http://news.sky.com/story/1280943/world-cup-violent-clashes-in-sao-paulo

eh i dunno

Meglamonia wrote: »

Wish there was some live programme on now where they were just in and around the stadium or something can't handle the wait!

its called sky sports news

Knex*

eh i dunno wrote: »

its called sky sports news

I still think that it should be mandatory for them to put news in inverted commas.


Sky Sports sources understand...

patmac

klose wrote: »

Thank god ive an evening shift on work, the waiting would have killed me otherwise.

One month only for the World Cup, better mow the lawn when I get home.

Looper007

The one thing good about this World Cup is the matches are on at a good time for people who work, most people get home at 5 or a little later. 5,8 and 11 (I know the Japan/Ivory Coast game is the latest at 2 a.m) not bad at all. Does anyone remember the world cup in South korea and Japan, matches at 6 and 8 a.m that was crazy.

Maximus Alexander

Looper007 wrote: »

The one thing good about this World Cup is the matches are on at a good time for people who work, most people get home at 5 or a little later. 5,8 and 11 (I know the Japan/Ivory Coast game is the latest at 2 a.m) not bad at all. Does anyone remember the world cup in South korea and Japan, matches at 6 and 8 a.m that was crazy.

Really?? Jesus, I need to start looking around for a new job.

Looper007

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Really?? Jesus, I need to start looking around for a new job.

:pac: I said most, well I certainly do.

Skylinehead

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Really?? Jesus, I need to start looking around for a new job.

I don't get home till half 7!

Probably because I'm a lazy bastard who doesn't come in until 10 but still :pac:

intellectual dosser

Knex. wrote: »

I still think that it should be mandatory for them to put news in inverted commas.


Sky Sports sources understand...

"Sky Sports Promotions and things the world really really cares about but we don't have the rights to"

TrustedApple

Looper007 wrote: »

The one thing good about this World Cup is the matches are on at a good time for people who work, most people get home at 5 or a little later. 5,8 and 11 (I know the Japan/Ivory Coast game is the latest at 2 a.m) not bad at all. Does anyone remember the world cup in South korea and Japan, matches at 6 and 8 a.m that was crazy.

Well wait i don't start work to 5PM myself LoL.

But where in luck have a TV in work for the matches :pac:

The joys of being Italian

ShaneU

The amount of people I know who think they've got the "inside scoop" by saying Belgium are "dark horses".

They're 5th favourite!

Smithwicks Man

ShaneU wrote: »

The amount of people I know who think they've got the "inside scoop" by saying Belgium are "dark horses".

They're 5th favourite!

Not as bad as a lad telling me he got a "tip" for Uruguay :pac:

weldoninhio

I gave my wife €50 and told her to go out tonight and not come back until the football was finished.

"I won't need that much," she laughed.

"You will," I said. "It's got to last you five weeks."

Mr_Red

I wonder who will be the surprise underdog team who runs riot in this WC

weldoninhio

Mr_Red wrote: »

I wonder who will be the surprise underdog team who runs riot in this WC

I think Bosnia will surprise a few people. Think Greece will be decent too

Looper007

Mr_Red wrote: »

I wonder who will be the surprise underdog team who runs riot in this WC

I'm going Columbia or Cameroon.

Looper007

weldoninhio wrote: »

I think Bosnia will surprise a few people. Think Greece will be decent too

God no Greece are still playing that negative style of football, I hate seen it doing well that kind of football.

Smithwicks Man

Mr_Red wrote: »

I wonder who will be the surprise underdog team who runs riot in this WC

Chile for me, can see Bosnia doing well too and Colombia surprising a few people with the way they cope after the loss of Falcao

vidor

Greece in Euro 04 were fascinating to watch.

That_Guy

Has the RTE studio been tango'd?

LightningBlue

Mr_Red wrote: »

I wonder who will be the surprise underdog team who runs riot in this WC

Chile will be the strongest outsider/underdog but they need to top the group to go far in the competition. Can't see them beating Brazil in a knockout tie.
I think Japan could surprise a few people. They've finally sorted out their goal-scoring problems and they're one of the best teams to watch going forward. They have some experience of the climate/stadiums from the Confederations Cup last year.

MagicIRL

Any station showing the opening ceremony?

Darkglasses

MagicIRL wrote: »

Any station showing the opening ceremony?

RTE 2

That_Guy

MagicIRL wrote: »

Any station showing the opening ceremony?

RTE and ITV

Royal Irish

I can't decide to watch on either itv or rte.

Paully D

For anyone who just saw Ian Wright on the beach on ITV:

James Jelly ‏@JamesJelly1988 1m
All Ian Wright needs now is a T-Shirt with 'Pussy Patrol' on

:pac::pac::pac:

That_Guy

Here's George Hamilton's best impression of Marty Whelan now.

patmac

Ok already bored will tune back in at 9 pm

That_Guy

What the hell is this?