World Cup Thread

[drfchound]

I'd rather they get the majority of decisions right in all honesty.

Yep, agree.
As much as I want Iran to sneak a point from Spain, it was right to disallow the equaliser.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Hound

Aye. But they HAVE got Ronaldo. Just like avery ordinary Argentina had Maradona in 86.

The 1986 Argentina side were pretty decent, it was the 1990 side that was ordinary and totally relied on Maradona to carry them to the final

Yep. My mistake.

[DearneValleyRover]

Well played Iran, well organised and unlucky with the goal. I can see them doing Portugal

[drfchound]

Well played Iran, well organised and unlucky with the goal. I can see them doing Portugal

I hope they can get a point tonight, they deserve it.
It could also help to eliminate Spain.

[RoversAlias]

Really really dislike VAR.
the fallibility of the officials is part of what makes the game.

That goal was disallowed by the linesman, who stuck his flag up immediately. VAR merely confirmed it and it was the correct decision.

[Boomstick]

Really really dislike VAR.
the fallibility of the officials is part of what makes the game.

That goal was disallowed by the linesman, who stuck his flag up immediately. VAR merely confirmed it and it was the correct decision.

It's not my point.
I want all the officials to get the decisions right without VAR stalling the game.
Just sterilized the game more.

[RedJ]

Aye, cos the officials never just stop the game to deliberate a decision in non-VAR games do they...

[scawsby steve]

Portugal, Uruguay, and Spain were all crap yesterday against unfancied teams. I've no doubt they'll get better as the tournament progresses, but I honestly don't see why England should fear any of them.

[PDX_Rover]

Spain and Portugal looked average today. It’s pretty open isn’t it?

[GazLaz]

The fact even Spain find it hard to break down 11 organised men behind the ball shows how hard it is. People need to cut England a bit of slack when they find it hard work.

[Bentley Bullet]

Far too often Englands biggest opponents are the English.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Yes, there's nothing to fear, just to respect and overcome and I think we have the tools to do it.

VAR is working, apart from in our game! It will be improved over time.

[BillyStubbsTears]

BB

I think the record suggests that our hardest opponents have been Germany, Brazil and Argentina.

[Bentley Bullet]

I'm not suggesting that England have a god given right to be the best, but I believe they are hindered by a lack of the right temperament to be successful. This is not least caused by the British press which seems to prefer condemnation over praise, and the gullible readers who assist them in pouring scorn over the nation.

[selby]

  Thank god for the world cup,everyone interested,lot's of good banter, and just overshadowing slightly the manager question until next week.
   If England do well it can only be good for league football, let's hope they do and people get interested again, a bit of good press after knocking the game for so long can only be good for clubs like ours.
  It must be doing well, pushing the little angels who play rugby union off the back page of the London rags, and they are doing their best to help in South Africa.

[The Red Baron]

BB

I think the record suggests that our hardest opponents have been Germany, Brazil and Argentina.

It is entirely possible that Germany and Argentina will not make the knockout stage. Not likely, but possible all the same.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Is that right B.B.?

I thought our regular failures were due to our inability to produce sufficient numbers of talented, flexible and intelligent players.

Every tournament, I see an upwelling of optimism and support among fans and media alike. The mood of criticism tends to come AFTER the failure, not before.

[Bentley Bullet]

I believe we do produce talented players. I think there might be an issue with the way they are coached, regarding discouraging flair etc, but that doesn't mean the press haven't played their part in our failure nationally.

The English Press and Media generally appear to dislike successful people, sportsmen included.

 Steve 'Davis, the best snooker player in the world was called 'Boring' by the press, yet Eddie 'the eagle' Edwards, the rubbish skier, was a hero. Frank Bruno was a hero before he became World Champion, then he was ridiculed after he did!

The England football team is a different commodity in respect of the player's changing all the time, but as a new team is assembled they are tarred with the same brush as the failed old team.

[Colemans Left Hook]

I believe we do produce talented players. I think there might be an issue with the way they are coached, regarding discouraging flair etc, but that doesn't mean the press haven't played their part in our failure nationally.

The English Press and Media generally appear to dislike successful people, sportsmen included.

 Steve 'Davis, the best snooker player in the world was called 'Boring' by the press, yet Eddie 'the eagle' Edwards, the rubbish skier, was a hero. Frank Bruno was a hero before he became World Champion, then he was ridiculed after he did!

The England football team is a different commodity in respect of the player's changing all the time, but as a new team is assembled they are tarred with the same brush as the failed old team.

talking of snooker Peter Ebdon was told early on to grow his hair long and dye it blond ? to get noticed and it worked mind u he did have some ability

"Ebdon turned professional in 1991, sporting a ponytail, he made an impact by beating Steve Davis 10–4 in the first round of the 1992 World Championship;"

same gimmick used by Robbie Savage who made a career out of "not playing football"  now we have it in darts

[BillyStubbsTears]

Don’t doubt any of that B.B.  Our tabloid press are a disgusting rabble. But I don’t think that changes the fundamental issue with the quality of players that our system produces.

[Dr Fundlekrotch]

How long has Iggy Pop been managing Peru?

[BillyStubbsTears]

Argentina vs Croatia might be a mini-classic.

Two talented sides not afraid to put the boot in. This is what we’ve been waiting for.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Reyt. What do I know. That’s been ba-baa.

Tense and physical ba-baa, mind.

[Bristol Red Rover]

Sisto of Denmark caught my eye today, looking forward to seeing more of him.

[RedJ]

Massive f**k up from Caballero.

[drfchound]

Argentina are really poor.

[Retdon1]

They have 4 top class strikers and that’s about it.

[PDX_Rover]

Old coke head, barrel chested, hand of God cheating bas**rdos must be crying his eyes out...

Hahahaha

[hoolahoop]

Whoosh 3-0

[mushRTID]

Messi has been embarrassing. His body language for a captain is a joke.