Ok

The Worlds biggest sporting event is nearly upon us.

Who will win it?

My head says Brazil.
My heart says Belgium
and my arse says England

even with 5 Liverpool players... c'mon I'm Irish and we're shit.

Mark

Now your talking. Getting quite excited about this and don't really know why.

Every World Cup I suddenly have an interest in  games like Cameroon v Paraguay - I suppose that's one of the lures.

England won't win and are unlikely to make semis but I hope they play ok. Tough group. Can they keep the ball. Interesting that in the warm ups they have most positionin all of them. I guess this is being worked on.

Brazil have to be favourites, Argentina look sound.

I was wondering whether in the heat an African or Asian country may progress but so far can't come up with a name.

I will make one bet. Russia wil kick off with some good long range goals. Seems to be a memory for a few world cups.

Cheers

I'm also excited by the World Cup, though I'm not remotely excited by Englands chances, nor have I been since the WC in 2002 or the Euros in 2004.

In fairness I would be more excited for us if Roy Hodgson had the stones to play Ross Barkley, but I can't see that happening. I mean, why would he play the young players who play without fear when he can stick with the same old experienced players who have let us down time and time again??? As the SAS motto goes, 'He Who Dares, Wins'.

I can't see England getting out of their group, so if we make it to the first round I will be both pleased and pleasantly surprised.

As for who I think will win, I'd say the favourites are Brazil, though they will be under massive pressure to perform in their own country. Argentina are a good shout, they do have Messi after all. And we can't right off Spain, apart from the fact a European team has never won it outside of Europe.

Possible dark horses would include Chile, but I'm only saying that cos I read a thing from the BBC pundits and quite a few of them chose Chile as their dark horse. Belgium have a lot of talented young players, but whether they come together as one on the big stage remains to be seen. And I wouldn't right off Portugal for one reason and one reason only, and I'm sure we all know what that reason is. Cristiano Ronaldo.

Whatever happens I have no doubt we will see some fantastic games, not to mention magical goals that will stay in the memory for as long as we live.

Churs.

My predictions for the qualifiers of each group:

Group A
Brazil
Croatia

Group B
Spain
Chile
(Bye bye Netherlands)

Group C
Ivory Coast
Colombia
(But then again, Ivory Coast have always been super mediocre... so wouldn't be surprised to see Japan go through instead of them).

Group D
England
Italy

Group E
Switzerland
France

Group F
Argentina
Nigeria

Group G
Germany
Portugal

Group H
Belgium
Russia

I don't normally bother with football these days, but then, even when I went to the games I wasn't there for the game, I was there for the crime. When several hundred hooligans descend on a small town the shutters go down... sometimes they're not fast enough. Like piranha, the hooligans strip the shops bare.

Anyway, I will have a go at predicting this:

A: Brazil, Croatia

B: Spain, Netherlands

C: Colombia, Greece

D: Italy, Uruguay

E: France, Switzerland

F: Argentina, Iran

G: Germany, Portugal (tough group for USA)

H: Russia, Algeria

Yeah, USA's group is super tough. All four teams in the group are frequent second round competitors.

What firm did you used to be a part of, Dustin?

Quoted from DustinBowcot I don't normally bother with football these days, but then, even when I went to the games I wasn't there for the game, I was there for the crime. When several hundred hooligans descend on a small town the shutters go down... sometimes they're not fast enough. Like piranha, the hooligans strip the shops bare.

That'd be an interesting premise for a script.  I might just take that one and run with it.

Title:  Obstruction.

Log line:  A family of four resort to extreme measures to protect their home when a horde of crazed soccer hooligans descend upon their town.

Quoted from Toby_E What firm did you used to be a part of, Dustin?

Birmingham City, Zulus. I still know quite a few of them. Don't get me wrong though, I wasn't there for the violence either. Those were just the guys I grew up with. I didn't mind earning a few pennies, but I didn't like seeing people getting their heads kicked in.

Quoted from CalebHart That'd be an interesting premise for a script.  I might just take that one and run with it. Title:  Obstruction. Log line:  A family of four resort to extreme measures to protect their home when a horde of crazed soccer hooligans descend upon their town.

Been done to death though mate, might be a novelty in another country, but we've started spoofing the hooligan films now. I suppose there is always room for something original, aside from that though, unless you're going to make it yourself, it might be a tough sell.

Quoted from Toby_E What firm did you used to be a part of, Dustin?

Quoted from DustinBowcot Birmingham City, Zulus

This is actually fascinating to an American that does not follow "football" of this sort.

I had no idea there were "firms" -- akin to gangs -- running amok and making large names for themselves.  A quick Google set me straight.

What a bunch of barmy chavs you all are haha.

If Caleb feels inspired to pen something, I would point out to you guys that on this side of the pond, such things are not common knowledge.

It was a part of our culture. The main lads always wore the best clothes, women, drugs... very attractive lifestyle for a young lad growing up without two pennies to rub together.

Things have come back a bit too... as there was a lull during the mid to late 90's due to MDMA. The youths are at it these days, because the MDMA is shit, untrustworthy. They're all on plant fertiliser. What happened to good old fashioned coke?

Anyway, the top man from the zulus will be in All About Janet, playing one of the doormen, and anything else he wants to play, lol. He goes by the name, One-Eyed Baz. Quite a character.

England would be and should be everyone's choice, considering we invented the bloody game in the first place, but alas we're terrible and everyone's last choice, hell, Honduras have more chance than we do, lol.

I'm going with Belgium or Colombia.  Dark horses, sure, but great young teams.

GO THE AUSSIE UNDERDOG!

Looking forward to getting up at 2 am twice to watch two of our games. Our first game is 8 an Saturday morning. Right when my son plays Aussie rules lol.

I always hope England do well at every tournament. After they go out, I just enjoy the games.

Hopefully the final won't be the bore fest like 4 years ago

England 0-2 Italy
England 0-2 Uraguay
England 1-1 Costa Rica

Quick prediction:

GROUP A:
Brazil
Mexico

GROUP B:
Holland
Spain

GROUP C:
Ivory Coast
Japan

GROUP D:
Italy
Uruguay
England
Costa Rica

GROUP E:
France
Switzerland
Ecuador
Honudras

GROUP F:
Argentiina
Nigeria
Bosnia
Iran

GROUP G:
Germany
Portugal
United States
Ghana

GROUP H:
Russia
Belgium
Korea
Algeria

This is a Roy Hodgson team. I know him well from Liverpool. And look, this guy is good at turning decent into desolate. He says he's attacking - he's going all out defense. He only plays one way. Stop the opposition. If he attacks Italy... I will be amazed. He's gonna sit back and prey for a draw. To be honest, with our team, might not be a bad idea.

This article really made me chuckle:

http://www.independent.co.uk/s.....-awards-9530038.html

A nice tongue-in-cheek bit of stupidity

I bet on: Spain – Boring, I know. Hope their defenders are too old this time...

My other favorites are Argentina and Brazil.

First round qualifiers:

A: Brazil, Cameroon

B: Spain, Chile

C: Cote D'Ivoire, Japan

D: Uruguay, England

E: Switzerland, France

F: Argentina, Bosnia

G: Germany, USA

H: South Korea, Belgium

B, D and G will thrill from the start I guess.

Not sure I like scoobs predictions.

But it starts tonight...whoopee

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, I wanted Croatia to get the win

Super weak penalty call as well. That disallowed Croatia goal/ chance was a bit iffy as well. Brazil should be thankful with the result, they looked far from solid tonight

Entertaining opening match, though.

I don't think it matters how badly Brazil play, they will win this year. Unless they've been paid off like when France won.

Unfortunately, this game is mostly a fix. I don't even believe that we won it fairly in 66.

Last night's game was truly horrendous.  First goal of the tournament was an own goal.  The penalty decision was a joke.  And the Croatian goalkeeper was awful and should've saved ALL of those shots.

Not to mention players receiving free kicks and that penalty for going down in namby-pamby tackles.  I've seen more contact in Basketball, lol.

Quoted from Leegion Last night's game was truly horrendous.  First goal of the tournament was an own goal.  The penalty decision was a joke.  And the Croatian goalkeeper was awful and should've saved ALL of those shots. Not to mention players receiving free kicks and that penalty for going down in namby-pamby tackles.  I've seen more contact in Basketball, lol.

Big, big money involved... huge gangs involved in syndicates, right down to the smaller betting gangs on the street making a few grand here and there.

Wherever money is involved so will corruption... it starts at the top.

My prediction: Spain won't win. Not off a 5-1 slappin' anyhow  

Amazing result.

Come on engerland

Prediction - tedious 0:0 draw

But somewhere inside I hope for a decent performance by a relatively young squad.

That was nuts. I was literally speechless when the match ended. Watched it in a pub with quite a few Spaniards... only one couple stayed until the final whistle. The rest called it a day after Casillas' blunder.

I threw 50 on Spain to win the whole thing... apparently I can't get my money back

Mark

We might have seen goal of the tournament in RVP last night, what a peach!

Spain will bounce back, Chile's defense could be in for a grueling 90 minutes on Wednesday.

Quoted from Colkurtz8 ... Spain will bounce back, Chile's defense could be in for a grueling 90 minutes on Wednesday.

Not too sure they will, really. They seem to have changed their whole system and were relying on a target man -- lots of long balls into him, and he was easy to mark. They looked more like Bolton sometimes. Bit late for a complete re-think now, though.

That's because of the Costa option, they could easily revert back to their tiki-taka style although that's been roundly and unfairly dismissed after Bayern's implosion. It seems the sports media become more reactionary and sensationalist with every passing year, if you can believe that, its what sells, etc.

I think its folly to write off the team that has one the last three major international tournaments. Yes, they have years on the clock but with that comes big game experience. They're a winning bunch of players.

The Chile game should be fascinating.

Quoted from DustinBowcot Big, big money involved... huge gangs involved in syndicates, right down to the smaller betting gangs on the street making a few grand here and there. Wherever money is involved so will corruption... it starts at the top.

Believe me, buddy, I know this as well as you do.  This is why I hardly ever watch football anymore, rigged to hell and back, same teams winning all the time, etc.

-------------

I see a huge issue for Spain at the moment and here's why:

The goal difference is the problem.  Chile are +2 right now.  Spain are -4.  

Even IF Spain beat Chile, they'll still be in 3rd place due to goal difference unless they win 3-0, which is highly unlikely.  As Spain still need 4 goals to break even, but a 3-0 win won't make them safe and they'll be in 3rd place still.

Essentially, Spain need to win 4-0 against Chile on Wednesday, somehow hope Australia beat Holland, that way, on the last day of the group all 4 teams will be on 3pts each meaning, all Spain have to do is beat Australia by 1-0, then hope Chile beat Holland to ensure they don't get Brazil in Round 2.

4 games today, come on ENGLAND, let's lose again!

Enjoyed the game. Thought we played the best football since Hoddle was removed. Great to see us actually attack and go for it, so I'm not at all disheartened. I think we could have been better in defence, particularly on the left - holy hell, Italy knew how to hurt us and they went for that pocket time after time after time...

I don't think Rooney deserves the stick he's getting. He was played on the wing for the majority of the game and set up our goal. He's destined to be the media beatbox it seems. British media. AKA scum of the earth. Sure, he didn't track back but neither did Welbeck and that cost us the second goal. Don't see them slamming him.

Anyway, asides from England, been a brilliant world cup so far!

I'm happy England lost the way they did in truth.  Was annoyed at it for a minute, but then I remembered Uruguay losing 3-1 and that's when I thought "Well, at least we didn't lose 3-1 to Costa Rica, at least it was Italy."

Personally, losing doesn't really harm the team.  However, this group is now wide open and after what the "whipping boys" (Costa Rica) did to Uruguay last night, nothing is entirely certain.

Solid performance, best game of the tournament so far (competitive and to the wire).

There's 1 thing I've noticed about this World Cup though, 8 games in, 8 teams have won, but none of the losing teams have scored more than 1 goal.

Brazil 3-1 Croatia
Mexico 1-0 Cameroon
Holland 5-1 Spain
Chile 3-1 Australia
Colombia 3-0 Greece
Costa Rica 3-1 Uruguay
Italy 2-1 England
Ivory Coast 2-1 Japan

This is a WEIRD streak in my opinion.  As soon as Italy scored that 2nd goal I kinda knew England were gonna lose due to the games thus far.

Okay, so prediction time (Groups A to D):

Group A:
1. Mexico - 9pts
2. Brazil - 6pts
3. Croatia - 3pts
4. Cameroon - 0pts

Brazil v Mexico - Away Win (1-2)
Croatia v Cameroon - Home Win (2-1)
Brazil v Cameroon - Home Win (3-0)
Mexico v Croatia - Home Win (1-0)

Group B:
1. Chile - 7pts
2. Holland - 6pts
3. Spain - 4pts
4. Australia - 0pts

Australia v Holland - Away Win (0-4)
Chile v Spain - Draw (2-2)
Holland v Chile - Away Win (1-2)
Spain v Australia - Home Win (4-2)

Group C:
1. Colombia - 9pts
2. Ivory Coast - 4pts
3. Greece - 2pts
4. Japan - 1pt

Colombia v Ivory Coast - Home Win (3-1)
Japan v Greece - Draw (0-0)
Colombia v Japan - Home Win (3-0)
Ivory Coast v Greece - Draw (1-1)

Group D:
1. Italy - 7pts
2. England - 6pts
3. Costa Rica - 4pts
4. Uruguay - 0pts

England v Uruguay - Home Win (2-0)
Italy v Costa Rica - Draw (1-1)
England v Costa Rica - Home Win (3-2)
Uruguay v Italy - Away Win (0-2)

Not sure I believe football is as corrupt as some of you boys are making out. Don't get me wrong, I know there is some corruption, but most of the decisions that could be classed as suspect I believe to be down to human error. But then again, I like to view the world as having more rainbows and unicorns then thunder and dragons.

As for England, I haven't been expecting anything from us, so the defeat was no surprise. But at least we had a go. I think France 98 was the last time I can really remember us having a go (though 2002 and the euros in 04 weren't bad). I'd much prefer us go out with some sort of fighting spirit rather than the usual bend over and take it attitude we're used to.

Sterling, Sturridge and Barkley were big positives, and for the first time in my life I saw Wellbeck have a good game. Gerrard and Baines were surprisingly bad, and I feel a tad sorry for Rooney being played out of position, but his ball over for the goal was on a penny. Pirlo is a master, he makes the game look so easy.

The problem I have now is that because we played some decent football, I'm starting to feel a little bit of hope again. But I've supported not only England, but also Spurs, long enough to know how frustrating it is to let that hope in only to be crushed a little ways down the line.

Other than that, it's been a stonking tournament so far. I've watched every game and enjoyed them all in some way. Plenty of goals flying in is never a bad thing. Goal of the tournament so far goes to Van Persie, that header was next level. Can't imagine a header has ever won goal of the tournament, it probably won't, but I imagine it'll be up there.

Not every game is fixed... but some big games have been. There is hardly a doubt in my mind that France paid off many teams in 98 to win. Just as likely we did in 66 too.

Not to mention there is a certain bias always shown to the home country. Even S. Korea did well when it was held there.

You always do get a bit of bias towards the home team, but I think that comes down to the human element. Being under massive pressure from the fans I think the officials sometimes just bottle it. Take Neymar for example. He should of been sent off for an elbow, but the ref has gotta have the biggest stones in world to send off Brazils golden boy in the first game of the world cup in their own back yard.

As for France in 98, I honestly believe they had a great team - Zidane, Henry, Pires, Thuram, Vieira to name but a few. I think the Brazil team just lost their edge because of what happened with Ronaldo, but then again there have been plenty of conspiracies thrown around about that so I will probably never be 100% sure.

England in 66 I'll give you as a more likely example. Especially as that was a golden era of the criminal underworld. Not to mention Geoff Hursts 'goal' in the final will always be one of the most controversial calls in football.

Wow, I for one did not see that coming Adios, Spain!

Quoted from Colkurtz8 I think its folly to write off the team that has one the last three major international tournaments. Yes, they have years on the clock but with that comes big game experience. They're a winning bunch of players.

Ahem [coughs] I beg to differ.

AND I'm going to stick my neck out slightly and say Germany to win - via a tough game vs Holland (or some other team). Ya heard it first. I think.

I don't know why but I love this comp...even if it's crap teams I have no interest in.

Just as well when you support engerland

Come on tomorrow.

That was a quick 50 to lose... fuck you Spain

Mark

Breaking news that Spain are going to field a second string side for the dead rubber against the Aussies.

Which means no change at all...

Yeah I'm already looking forward to the new season with Chelsea... 60 million on 2 players...Fabragas can't get on a shit Spain team and Costa seems to be the only player who can make Torres look good

England are going out.  YES!  I'm gonna win me £2,000 if they lose this game and Costa/Italy draw.  Bet £50 on England not making it out of the group, odds were 2/20 on England not making it out so... YES!  I'm gonna win!

- £2,000!!!!!

Gotta admit though... Gerrard should retire.  That second Suarez goal was offside.  And Suarez should be very wary NOT to get on a plane back to England.  If I were him, I'd take my boots and stay in South America because England fans are not gonna want him anywhere near this country again.

I thought the same thing about Ronaldo after the 2008 world cup... but the PL fans forgot all about his little 'wink' soon enough

Bollocks

Costa Rica - here we come! Go England!

Got to laugh to be honest. England are so predictable. Perform well (”brave”) against better opposition and inevitably lose. Go on to perform terrible against so-called weaker opposition and inevitably lose.

I'm not a betting man but I probably could have made a small fortune from England's adventures in tournament football. I don't understand why the bookies make us favorites for any game that actually means something. Qualifiers aside, which are practically impossible to fail at, although England even try their best at that, when England meet opposition in a meaningful game we are just painfully second best.  

As a Liverpool fan more than an England fan, I did find a silver lining in Luis Suarez's happiness.  

More than probable, Italy beat Uruguay and Costa Rica. England given hope but mess it up against Costa Rica by drawing.

England aside, so far it's been the best world cup I've seen in many a year.

Uruguay played with more routine and also harder. I don't like a lot about Uruguay's football this year. It was pure individuality "in their offence".

England was the better team tonight. Not much better, but they had moves and a way to create chances as a team. They played likeable, feisty, and refreshing.

Hodgson and Neville built up and handled their team well. Nevertheless I fear it will be over for the managers after the tournament.

All the small things turned out unhappy. Next time the young players will have more routine.  The central defence was the biggest problem in my opinion. I don't want to blame the goalkeeper because the distance of the second goal was quite short; just didn't understand he dives for a ball which hadn't even been shot. He opened up the goal that way. He already stood in the right position.

Suarez is a phenomenon. How he runs into the offside hoping for a mistake and then...

Perhaps Italy helps England this time. Maybe they roll double and write another happy ending in the football history. I hope England stays in the tournament. They deserve to. It's still possible.

Not to drift too far from the subject but I need to know how reducing foreign players would enhance England's chances.

I keep hearing on TV that we need more English players in the premier league. How that will benefit the national team. My argument is they are not good enough to play in the premier league. So we have to devalue the premier league in hope? Put in a load of English players just because they are English? Ha, good luck with that -- we'll go back to 1990's football aka clubs failing in the early rounds of european competitions.

Sometimes I wonder if the FA and the English media put Italia '90 and Euro '96 as an unreachable benchmark. We just about squeezed our way through to the semis in both competitions back then.

Quoted from Scoob I keep hearing on TV that we need more English players in the premier league. How that will benefit the national team. My argument is they are not good enough to play in the premier league.

Another nation not good enough?

Watch out buddy. That kinda talk will get this thread locked up for sure!

Shawn.....><

Hi Shawn,

I was actually defending the influx of foreign players into the English league. We should learn from them, not deride them.

I fully support foreign players coming into England and playing. I believe they can educate our players. It has made the people behind the premier league very rich and happy. It's made the premier league the most watched sport in the world. It's made football fun and exciting, a family sport.

What we see on TV, is a lot of pundits calling for more English players in the top division, calling out for managers of top clubs to sign English players and they believe if we just simply overload the division with English people, it will make the England's managers job easier.  Yep, it's as silly as that.

Quality outshines quantity. Class can breed class.  I don't think the English FA can grasp that concept.  They prefer the "English way" of "we know best." Thus, England will never progress.

In a nutshell: If you deleted every foreign player from the premier league, it would be no different to Holland or even Scotland. It would return to the state it was in the mid 90's -- a league no one would want to watch.

everyone is like World Cup this, and Futbol that....

and I'm like it's FOOTBALL and it doesn't start until September

Uruguay are diving bastards and won the game with one man.

I think that sums up the match.

Quoted from Scoob Hi Shawn, I was actually defending the influx of foreign players into the English league. We should learn from them, not deride them. I fully support foreign players coming into England and playing. I believe they can educate our players. It has made the people behind the premier league very rich and happy. It's made the premier league the most watched sport in the world.

I haven't watch football with a passion since 2008, but I remember England having a rule that if you come from a country that isn't ranked in the top 70 (or something) teams on FIFA's rankings that you do not get a work permit automatically. The process gets drawn out and you have to prove that you will make some sort of change in the premier league, that you will be of some significance in order to get your work permit.

I remember players losing their transfers to English teams because of this and others getting their work permits after appeals. This was of course mostly happening to lower ranked teams in the Premier League as they went after players from such countries. It always seem to me a bit unfair.

Is this still in place?

England simply lost the game.  We never deserved to win.  We don't deserve anything in this competition and I would honestly feel great if Costa Rica draw with Italy today to teach English players that they need to be better next time.

I don't see the point in going through 2 years worth of Qualifications just to get to a tournament and go out in the first/second round.  You qualify, you win.

I just can't believe that the country that invented the game can't win the world cup.  48 years of misery for a country that gave football to the world and can't take it back.

They should change that theme song from "Football's coming home" to "England's coming home...we're coming home, we're coming home, early!"

Did anybody see the Liverpool match yesterday?
The one where the Liverpool player set up the other  Liverpool player who happened to score 2 goals all against 5 of his liverpool team mates. Then he went off to be replaced by another liverpool player, while another Liverpool player came on for the other Liverpool team
It was a good game

Mark

Oh yeah, Gerrard and Suarez really worked the Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, shame they couldn't do that in the bloody season...

Yes, I'm a Liverpool fan.  A very reluctant one...

In all honesty though, if Joe Hart had RAISED HIS HAND he could've saved that second goal.  He just fell down like this -_- rather than <-_- (that means hand).

I swear it's like trying to watch a bunch of dimwitted jocks figure out what acid does if you spill it on your hand.

Quoted from Scoob Not to drift too far from the subject but I need to know how reducing foreign players would enhance England's chances. I keep hearing on TV that we need more English players in the premier league. How that will benefit the national team. My argument is they are not good enough to play in the premier league. So we have to devalue the premier league in hope? Put in a load of English players just because they are English? Ha, good luck with that -- we'll go back to 1990's football aka clubs failing in the early rounds of european competitions. Sometimes I wonder if the FA and the English media put Italia '90 and Euro '96 as an unreachable benchmark. We just about squeezed our way through to the semis in both competitions back then.

If teams had to rely more on English talent, they would be more willing to build up English talent, instead of buying foreign talent which are often cheaper than comparable British players.

Not saying that's the solution, by any means.

But if, say, all PL teams needed to have X number of British players on their squads and X number of British players in the line ups, I see no way that this wouldn't enhance English talent. Less than a third of the top 10 PL teams have squads with a strong English presence (which I am determining as 5 or more regular team members being English): Liverpool, Man U and Southampton. Arsenal and Everton are pretty decent as well, as they normally field squads with 3 or 4 English players as well. But surely, if the likes of Chelsea and Man City fielded squads with as many English players as these previously mentioned teams, this would result in more English players reaching these teams?

As I said, there's no sure fire way to improve England's performance, but doing something like this would definitely have some sort of positive impact.

Bollocks...that's all ...  

Being born and bred in Costa Rica... I'm very excited for my little team

Seems Michael Bradley is the best friend for any team playing the U.S.  Yeesh, what a way to draw.

In the absence of England I'm now going for Argentina - not sure why but got to think of one team

Relying way too much on Messi... Every team will man mark him and then there's no B plan.

At this stage France is the only stand out... and Costa Rica

Mark

which is why we should go out there and smash costa rica apart - set us up for the euros in sept.

Lol... u make me laugh Bill

Quoted from irish eyes Lol... u make me laugh Bill

about bloody time something said about the team made anybody smile

Quoted from Reef Dreamer which is why we should go out there and smash costa rica apart - set us up for the euros in sept.

Just heard Ben Foster's in goal. Setting us up for Euro? Yeah, if we expect to go out in the first round...  

Quoted Text I remember players losing their transfers to English teams because of this and others getting their work permits after appeals. This was of course mostly happening to lower ranked teams in the Premier League as they went after players from such countries. It always seem to me a bit unfair. Is this still in place?

I remember those laws, I also remember when it used to be three foreigners in a team (in european competition).

I believe they were relaxed due to EU law, I think there's still some issues with countries outside europe, players need to have played X amount of times for their country or club. Does not appear to be much of a deterrence,  teams buy non-EU players and then loan them out for a season or two to fulfill their permits.

Quoted Text If teams had to rely more on English talent, they would be more willing to build up English talent, instead of buying foreign talent which are often cheaper than comparable British players. Not saying that's the solution, by any means. But if, say, all PL teams needed to have X number of British players on their squads and X number of British players in the line ups, I see no way that this wouldn't enhance English talent. Less than a third of the top 10 PL teams have squads with a strong English presence (which I am determining as 5 or more regular team members being English): Liverpool, Man U and Southampton. Arsenal and Everton are pretty decent as well, as they normally field squads with 3 or 4 English players as well. But surely, if the likes of Chelsea and Man City fielded squads with as many English players as these previously mentioned teams, this would result in more English players reaching these teams? As I said, there's no sure fire way to improve England's performance, but doing something like this would definitely have some sort of positive impact.

Yeah, you're probably right, Toby. I may have gone on a bit of a tirade in my previous comment, haha. I do see the plus points in having more home-bread players - they will gain experience from playing european games and "top of the table" clashes. But I can't help but feel we've had this before and it still never worked out. After 1966, England have under performed at international level. Club teams never had the masses of foreign players they do now, they did well in europe, but England still failed in world cups and european championships.

I don't really know what the answer is to England's problem. It resides at grass roots level; coaching; overpaid; overrated; I dunno, endless list really.

As with my previous posts in this thread, aside from England, it's been the best world cup I can remember!

Quoted from Scoob As with my previous posts in this thread, aside from England, it's been the best world cup I can remember!

- Yeah it’s been great, lots of attacking football, goals, close games and upsets.

However, there has been a disappointing lack of my favourite type of goal...the good old fashioned long range strike!

Direct free kicks have been hard to come by too with Switzerland's first consolation goal against France being the only one...which was due to a very French acting wall!

The only long rangers have been Messi (sort of) and Jones of the US. I think there is nothing better than a 20-30 yard belter/stonker/thunderbolt/thunderbastard, etc into the top corner with the goalkeeper flailing helplessly or rooted to the spot, whichever, both are immensely visually satisfying on an equal level!

This absence becomes even more apparent after one watches the compilation on youtube of every goal scored in the 2010 World Cup which was considered a conservative tournament yet yielded lots of the aforementioned outside the box thumpers!

We need more of em!

I'm gonna be exceptionally annoyed if England win today... think about it, Costa Rica have beaten Uruguay and Italy's BEST teams (minus Suarez).  

If Hodgson plays a bunch of players that are the "B Team" and they WIN, everyone is gonna get on him for playing the team he played those first two games.

This is why, IMO, the World Cup should have 6 games per group instead of 3.  Like the Champions League, each group team plays each other twice.  

At least that way, teams have a chance to warm-up and get ready for the knockouts.

Quoted from Leegion This is why, IMO, the World Cup should have 6 games per group instead of 3.  Like the Champions League, each group team plays each other twice.   At least that way, teams have a chance to warm-up and get ready for the knockouts.

- Mmm, I dunno about that, wouldn't more games lower the intensity, would it be too drawn out? I like the all or nothing factor in the group games, it adds that extra element of tension/jeopardy which makes them so exciting such as England v Uruguay where everything was at stake.

Yes, you can lose one game and still turn it around but that's all you get, two fu?k ups and you're essentially out. Its tough love but that's what tournaments are all about. I think they have it right the way it is now but knowing FIFA it will probably be extended to 64 teams by 2030...scratch that, 128 teams by 2034!

Wow, Spain, Italy, England and (most likely) Portugal... not been a great campaign for Europe

... and Suarez?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!

Words cannot describe that man.

The thing I find weird is that the only teams in this tournament to make it through groups have been teams from Hot Climates: Brazil, Mexico, Holland, Chile, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Colombia, Argentina...

I wouldn't exactly call Holland a hot climate... Amsterdam was -02 degrees last time I visited! But I do agree that it's odd to see that all teams qualified (apart from Holland) central or south American... Will we see an African team qualify later with Ivory Coast?

But as I said, shocking campaign for European football so far. France have been looking shit-hot, but apart from that, no other European team has looked too impressive. Belgium have been lackluster, Switzerland got demolished by France, and even Holland looked shaky against Australia. And who knows, Germany may even slip up... one can only hope

Is it really so weird though? It was half predicted, given the location of the tournament, that the Americas would do well. Although, I imagine they never though it would be so apparent, they're kicking a?s for sure!

Supposedly Suarez could get a two year ban since its his 3rd offense, sounds a bit extreme, probably won't happen but what a nutter!

Col, I was chatting to a mate about the lack of long range crackers the other day.

At the start of a game, why don't players test the nervy goalie out with a few thunderbolts? Nothing lost.  England v Uruguay the perfect example. Stevie Gerrard possesses a huge distance right foot. Why not have an early crack?  It's ridiculous.

If I was Mexico, I would be smashing a few at the Dutch goalie in the first 5 minutes

Quoted from Colkurtz8 Is it really so weird though? It was half predicted, given the location of the tournament, that the Americas would do well. Although, I imagine they never though it would be so apparent, they're kicking a?s for sure! Supposedly Suarez could get a two year ban since its his 3rd offense, sounds a bit extreme, probably won't happen but what a nutter!

Well, he did try to eat Chellini.  With those teeth, even if he does get banned, at least he could part-time as a can opener...

Quoted from Colkurtz8 Supposedly Suarez could get a two year ban since its his 3rd offense, sounds a bit extreme, probably won't happen but what a nutter!

He should... but he won't.

I don't understand what it is with him and biting? What does biting someone on a football pitch accomplish? At least throw a punch if you're mad

Yup, he's just a crazy man, the red mist descends and the teeth come out. I actually never knew he did it prior to the Ivanovic incident. Hard to see Uruguay going much further without him although they'll be familiar with Columbia.

And yes, Stevie, have a pop for fu?ks sake!!! Herrera hit the crossbar last night for Mexico against Croatia, it woulda been a peach!

Ahhhhh fuck Suarez you idiot

I think one of the main reasons there haven't been many long rangers in this World Cup, compared to 2010, is the fact they have a decent ball for this tournament. Just about every keeper complained last time because the ball was so unpredictable, swerving all over the place in mid air. However it would be good to see a few more strikes from distance this time around. Personally though, as much as it is nice to see one banged in from distance, any mug on the pitch can score them. Give me a Tim Cahill volley or Van Persie header over them any day.

I also think the World Cup format is perfect. Adding more games would be a massive mistake. As it is now, teams have to either step up or go home. If you can't get up for a World Cup game wearing your national colours, you deserve to go home. I wouldn't say that's the reason England are on their way home though, I'd say it's just because we aren't good enough. Not a single world class player in the team and a defence I would fancy my chances against, it's not a surprise.

As for Suarez, what can you say really?? Third time of biting someone is just outrageous. That and spitting on someone are about as low as it goes. Still can't imagine Real Madrid or Barcelona being put off trying to sign him, unless he gets some insane ban. Might of knocked about £20million off his price tag though.

Great tournament so far though. I'll be supporting the USA from now on. I'm always a fan of an underdog.

Quoted from ArtyDoubleYou I think one of the main reasons there haven't been many long rangers in this World Cup, compared to 2010, is the fact they have a decent ball for this tournament. Just about every keeper complained last time because the ball was so unpredictable, swerving all over the place in mid air.

They always complain about that. I find it very annoying Don't be surprised to see them moan about the ball after this WC is over.

I remember taking note of those complaints since Euro 96, when I started to watch football. Almost every Euro and WC goalkeepers bitch about the ball.

I'll give you some wikipedia article examples about the previous balls used.

Euro 1996:

Quoted Text Consequently, the ball became softer to touch and ball control was improved. This showed within a week of the World Cup in 1994, as players quickly adapted to the new ball and were able to score great goals by utilizing the lighter ball. However, some goalkeepers complained of the ball's unpredictability in humid weather, which made saving shots on goal particularly difficult.

2002:

Quoted Text This ball was notoriously criticised for being too light, yet some spectacular goals were scored with it during the tournament. The ball was also blamed for a number of upsets that happened in the knockout stages.

Euro 2004:

Quoted Text Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon however insists the Roteiro ball is "worse" than the one used during the 2002 World Cup. "The effects are very strange and it reacts in unexpected ways. It even has a strange color," he said. The Italian squad is among one of the sharpest critics of the ball. Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo said it reminded him of plastic balls used by children. Star striker Francesco Totti added "It is very hard and despite what some people say, it does not benefit attackers."

2006:

Quoted Text While Swiss international Johann Vogel and David Beckham, both sponsored by Adidas, and others were reported to be happy with the new ball, it was criticized by many top players before the World Cup. Players such as Brazil's Roberto Carlos and Paul Robinson of England were among the critics of the new ball, claiming it was too light and had a vastly different performance when wet. The ball has fewer seams, reducing air resistance. The "Wawa Aba" ball of the Africa Cup of Nations was criticised by the player of the tournament, Hosny Abd Rabo of Egypt, who said that ball was bad for passing.

WC 2010:

Quoted Text Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar compared it to a "supermarket" ball that favored strikers and worked against goalkeepers. Other similar complaints came from Giampaolo Pazzini, Claudio Bravo, and Iker Casillas ("it is very sad that a competition so important as the world championship will be played with such a horrible ball."). Italian keeper Gianluigi Buffon said, "The new model is absolutely inadequate and I think it's shameful letting play such an important competition, where a lot of champions take part, with a ball like this" while Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano called the ball "supernatural," as it unpredictably changed direction when traveling through the air.

Euro 2012:

Quoted Text Tango 12 uses a construction design based on the Adidas Jabulani but heavily modified, thirty-two 2D panels instead of eight 3D panels. The latter ball was decried by several goalkeepers.

They always complain about the ball.

Thank you for taking me down memory lane.

The Greeks cracked the crossbar twice from 30 yards... getting closer

Well all is said and done, it's good to see England holding the group winners... well done

Thank you Suarez for ruining my season before it's even started. The only good thing is... Who will buy him now and hopefully Liverpool have some insurance policy out on him

Mark

Quoted from irish eyes The Greeks cracked the crossbar twice from 30 yards... getting closer

You must be watching a replay. Spoiler....................................................................... Greece went through 4 hours ago

I meant it as in past tense. As you have been posting about nobody scoring long range shots. Greece came very close earlier today.

Mark

Poor Ivory Coast... really thought that this was their year to at least get a semi-respectable finish. Alas.

Quoted from irish eyes The Greeks cracked the crossbar twice from 30 yards... getting closer Well all is said and done, it's good to see England holding the group winners... well done Thank you Suarez for ruining my season before it's even started. The only good thing is... Who will buy him now and hopefully Liverpool have some insurance policy out on him Mark

I can't help but think we (the English, as a nation) are overly pleased at the shit coming Suarez' way. That's what you get for putting two past the hand that feeds you, you bastard!

Quoted from irish eyes I meant it as in past tense. As you have been posting about nobody scoring long range shots. Greece came very close earlier today. Mark

I misunderstood you there sorry.

I didn't post about nobody scoring from long range, just that players will likely complain about the ball because they always do. Like with everything most people don't like change and it takes some time to get use to things. They worked quite a bit on this ball, so I hope everyone is happy

FINALLY! An outside the box top corner. Thank you.

At least France and Switzerland have increased the European presence in the last 16.