2010 FIFA World Cup

[-Heart]

Early, I know - but I thought I should get in early so we can discuss the tournament leading up to it.

32 teams will compete at Football's greatest occasion in South Africa from June 11th-July 11th, all competing for the title of World Champions.

AFC (4)
Australia
Japan
Korea DPR
Korea Republic
CAF (5+1)
Algeria
Cameroon
Côte d'Ivoire
Ghana
Nigeria
South Africa (hosts)
CONCACAF (3)
Honduras
Mexico
United States
CONMEBOL (5)
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Paraguay
Uruguay
OFC (1)
New Zealand
UEFA (13)
Denmark
England
France
Germany
Greece
Italy
Netherlands
Portugal
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Switzerland


*Waits to be ripped apart from early thread*.

Post everything to do with the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa in this here thread. Personally, I can't wait for it all to begin - and I can't wait for us to be knocked out in the quarter/semi-finals again. Gonna be a good tournament.

Edited by Catzsy (Forum Moderator): Thread stuck with the permission of the Forum Manager.

[TickTockTickTock]

Where's Ireland?

[Jibbish]

spain will win it tbf

[Jack.Lfc]

spain will win it tbf

I bet you 5 credits they dont :D

[Geraint]

After seeing this ACON we can all categorically say that none of them will win it.

[CHA!NGANG]

Spain or Brazil. Spains weakness is there defence but there attack and midfield is the best in the world. Brazil have the best overall team though and there defence is the best in the world I recon so it will be tight.

Could be a shock win for someone and I wouldn't bet against the Netherlands either but I can't see Germany, Italy, France (Under there current coach), Argentina, or England winning.

[Geraint]

The Germans and the Italians aren't the best of teams but they always show up in the big tournaments.

[CHA!NGANG]

I can't see either winning though but they will get far I think. I recon England will get to the quarter final and might make the Semi's.

[--ss--]

To be honest England won't get no where near the finals, It'll be Spain who leave victorious.

[Jibbish]

I bet you 5 credits they dont :D
i bet you my right testicle, that either brazil or spain will win it :)

[StefanWolves]

To be honest England won't get no where near the finals, It'll be Spain who leave victorious.
England will get to the semis but Spain will win it overall.

[adaym]

After seeing this ACON we can all categorically say that none of them will win it.
unless they shoot us all

[Smits]

I cannot wait for this to kick off. I love the spirit of the nation, the way everyone get's their england flags out and all that. It's great.

[Mexel]

I think its our year :)

(lol)

[Black_Apalachi]

I'm so looking forward to it, purely because my exams will be all over and it starts about a week after my birthday so it'll just be great :8. Someone should get the groups merged/replaced with the OP lol.

[Geraint]

If my exams are finished it's gonna be mint as. Out in the day then watch the footy with no stress on your back. Sorted. :8

[TaffTalk]

Come on Holland. Brazil don't stand a chance. Its not like the old days with Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Dida, Ronaldinho. Kaka and Adriano are fast over the hill.

Also, England will stand a better chance if Bobby Charlton plays up front. Realisticly, it's just not going to happen. Continental football is a different class.

[Black_Apalachi]

After England I'm supportin Spain.

[Jack.Lfc]

France will win it.

[CHA!NGANG]

Brazil aren't past it at all... :S

They have:

Julio Cesar in goal who's one of the best in the world. (sp.)

Dani Alves, Maicon, Rafinha, Filipe as full backs who, well Dani Alves and Maicon are the two best RB's in the world and Rafinha and Filipe are better than Johnson...

Lucio and Juan as CB's and they have others too.

Kaka, Ronaldinho, Diego, Melo as Midfielders/attacking mids.

Pato, Robinho, Luis Fabiano as strikers.

They have a more than capable team to win it by far if they play something like:

Cesar, Dani Alves, Lucio, Juan, Maicon, Melo, Kaka, Diego, Pato, Luis Fabiano, Ronaldinho/Robinho.

That team is a lot better than almost ever team bar Spain and even then it's about even, and I've probably missed some Brazil players out too. Pato and Ronaldinho aren't in the Brazil team atm but I'm sure they'll make it to the WC, mad if they don't.

And yeah, England first, Spain 2nd.

[Black_Apalachi]

lol I bet Robinho is world class when he plays for Brazil

[Eoin]

mon the ivory coast like!

id hate for it to happen, but ive got a feeling france are going to win it :(

[-Heart]

mon the ivory coast like!

id hate for it to happen, but ive got a feeling france are going to win it :(
The French won't get anywhere NEAR the final. Very average team now.

[Bun]

i actually honestly believe england will win it, i haven't even been drinking or anything.

[Nixt]

i actually honestly believe england will win it, i haven't even been drinking or anything.

You know I am with you on this, I'm getting this real vibe.

[Tash.]

Like others have said, I can't wait for this at all. Just hope I get to see the games thats all. I'll obviously be supporting England but Spain definitely after England.

[StefanWolves]

I like how the vibe is already starting for England WC 2010. :)

[-Heart]

Odds to win 2010 FIFA World Cup
Spain 9/2
England 5/1
Brazil 5/1
Argentina 9/1
Italy 12/1
Germany 12/1
Netherlands 14/1
France 14/1
Portugal 28/1
Ivory Coast 28/1
Chile 40/1
Paraguay 50/1
Ghana 66/1
Serbia 66/1
Cameroon 80/1
Mexico 80/1
Nigeria 80/1
USA 80/1
Uruguay 100/1
South Africa 125/1
Australia 125/1
Denmark 125/1
Greece 150/1
Switzerland 200/1
South Korea 200/1
Slovenia 200/1
Slovakia 250/1
Japan 250/1
Algeria 250/1
Honduras 750/1
New Zealand 1000/1
North Korea 2000/1

Interesting odds, very surprised we're that high up. Can't see us winning it this year, semi-finals at best. Personally I think Algeria's odds might change after AFCON in which they've already beaten the Ivory Coast and are close to winning it all in the semi-finals. Also quite surprised at Argentina who are 4th favourites to lift the trophy, and they've been quite terrible for their high expectations under Maradona.

Thoughts on these odds?

[Browney]

Thought netherlands would be in with a better chance than us.

[StefanWolves]

English bookmakers backing the English football team? maybe because English people are putting a lot of money on the English team winning the cup? because the English are optimistic?

Get my point? :P

[-Heart]

English bookmakers backing the English football team? maybe because English people are putting a lot of money on the English team winning the cup? because the English are optimistic?

Get my point? :P
Because we're very very stupid and delusional. If we win the World Cup, I will shave my head bold. I will also put a picture of it up on this very website.

Also, you sure it's an english bookmakers? Even so, we're RIDICULOUSLY optimistic.

[StefanWolves]

I like optimistic. Rather be optimistic than pessimistic. **** it, ENGLAND WILL WIN THE WORLD CUP!

=)

[Bun]

Because we're very very stupid and delusional. If we win the World Cup, I will shave my head bold. I will also put a picture of it up on this very website.

Also, you sure it's an english bookmakers? Even so, we're RIDICULOUSLY optimistic.
i don't want to turn this into an argument (mainly because i'm only one infraction from getting banned again lol :(), but i think if the whole country gets behind england, and we stopped being the pessimistic see-it-to-believe-it downers, i think we would stand a really good chance. personally i only see one time who could match us, which is of course being spain, but with it being winter in SA, i could see english grit beating spanish flare. under fabio capello not only have england vastly improved their results, but their all round performances. in the past teams have never really feared england as we have been a overrated bunch of world class players with no connection, but capello is making the chemistry happen.




p.s. stevie g nack torres in training yeh? :P

[Blinger1]

i'm hoping australia or switzerland get far in this. even though we play germany in our table i thought

[Bun]

i'm hoping australia or switzerland get far in this. even though we play germany in our table i thought
you do, he hasn't put them in the tables he's put them in the continents they've qualified from. list of tables v. check england's group of death. (H)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/tables/default.stm

[Blinger1]

C'mon, even Australia would win in that group.

[adaym]

I like optimistic. Rather be optimistic than pessimistic. **** it, ENGLAND WILL WIN THE WORLD CUP!

=)
Sick of being banned now.

I'm a realist. England won't win it.

[StefanWolves]

Optimism ladssss =)

[Immenseman]

Why would we be optimistic?! When we've played decent teams under Capello - Holland, Spain and Brazil. We were outplayed.

[Bun]

Sick of being banned now.

I'm a realist. England won't win it.
you're getting confused between realism and pessism. england are one of the favourites, and therefore it IS realistic to say england have a chance.

[Black_Apalachi]

Bloody hell! Deffo worth throwin a quid on New Zealand and North Korea!!!

[adaym]

no.

pessimism would be me saying that england will lose every game, not score a goal and be thrashed 10-0 by algeria. that's pessimism.

i think england will do well (depending on squad selection (NO ******* JAMES, FERDINAND, HESKEY, OWEN OR BECKHAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) but i don't think they will win it.

other teams have too much talent - i.e spain/france/germany

[Bun]

no.

pessimism would be me saying that england will lose every game, not score a goal and be thrashed 10-0 by algeria. that's pessimism.

i think england will do well (depending on squad selection (NO ******* JAMES, FERDINAND, HESKEY, OWEN OR BECKHAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) but i don't think they will win it.

other teams have too much talent - i.e spain/france/germany
no, that's stupid.

i'm not going to slate you for your opinion, but to say england don't have a chance of winning it is not realistic, we have just as much talent as any other country just the fact you see them play week in/week out and actually play in challenging leagues, you don't see it.

[StefanWolves]

no.

pessimism would be me saying that england will lose every game, not score a goal and be thrashed 10-0 by algeria. that's pessimism.

i think england will do well (depending on squad selection (NO ******* JAMES, FERDINAND, HESKEY, OWEN OR BECKHAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) but i don't think they will win it.

other teams have too much talent - i.e spain/france/germany

france? france? FRANCE? that's a ******* insult :(

[adaym]

spain?

you have fabregas who can't get a game. reina, diego lopez, carzola, alonso etc etc. heaps.

france have talent, it's just domenech is a *** and doesn't use it.

OH AND I NEVER SAID ENGLAND DON'T HAVE A CHANCE. stop putting words in my mouth. they do have a chance, i just don't think they will.

[StefanWolves]

I haven't ******* said anything since your last ******* post lol

Calm down.

I still don't agree on the France thing though, :P.

[adaym]

wasn't talking to you boyo.

come on, gignac, gourcrouff, gomis, cheyrou, sissoko, sakho but apparently over 35's only. it's like ac milan with domenech.

[Black_Apalachi]

no.

pessimism would be me saying that england will lose every game, not score a goal and be thrashed 10-0 by algeria. that's pessimism.

i think england will do well (depending on squad selection (NO ******* JAMES, FERDINAND, HESKEY, OWEN OR BECKHAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) but i don't think they will win it.

other teams have too much talent - i.e spain/france/germany

I hope Heskey plays purely because I like him and it wouldn't make a difference anyway (pessimism) :P.

[adaym]

I hope Heskey plays purely because I like him and it wouldn't make a difference anyway (pessimism) :P.
HE IS DOG ****E.

let's be fair.

put it this way. if mr.£6m a year chooses owen, beckham, heskey or james thEN WE WON'T WIN IT!

i'm logging off before i get banned again lol, drink does funny things. but point still stands.

[Black_Apalachi]

HE IS DOG ****E.

let's be fair.

put it this way. if mr.£6m a year chooses owen, beckham, heskey or james thEN WE WON'T WIN IT!

i'm logging off before i get banned again lol, drink does funny things. but point still stands.

Yeah but


I hope Heskey plays purely because I like him and it wouldn't make a difference anyway (pessimism) :P.

[Bun]

spain?

you have fabregas who can't get a game. reina, diego lopez, carzola, alonso etc etc. heaps.

france have talent, it's just domenech is a *** and doesn't use it.

OH AND I NEVER SAID ENGLAND DON'T HAVE A CHANCE. stop putting words in my mouth. they do have a chance, i just don't think they will.
yes which is fair enough but to say you're being a realist by saying you don't think they will is uncorrect. how much did you have to drink lol? :S

HE IS DOG ****E.

let's be fair.

put it this way. if mr.£6m a year chooses owen, beckham, heskey or james thEN WE WON'T WIN IT!

i'm logging off before i get banned again lol, drink does funny things. but point still stands.
agree to disagree?

[Geraint]

heskey will 100% be there as capello says england need him.

[adaym]

heskey will 100% be there as capello says england need him.
CROUCH. COLE.

heskey is ********.

[Bun]

CROUCH. COLE.

heskey is ********.
at last, we agree on something.

[Black_Apalachi]

Haha that's awesome! I know Heskey is piss poor but I still love seein him play :P

[adaym]

Haha that's awesome! I know Heskey is piss poor but I still love seein him play :P
so you can laugh at his disability? or inability, so to speak.

when he has a good day he is OK. best form was at leicester and he couldn't replicate it at liverpool and IMHO he should've stayed at wigan but... money talks.

[Black_Apalachi]

He was my favourite player at Liverpool. Then Owen... then Riise... then Hyypia... then Alosno...

I've learned my lesson; don't have a favourite player.

[Bun]

so you can laugh at his disability? or inability, so to speak.

when he has a good day he is OK. best form was at leicester and he couldn't replicate it at liverpool and IMHO he should've stayed at wigan but... money talks.
the fat useless donkey scored in the last minute against boro in a final in the 90s to take it to a replay, which we lost.

He was my favourite player at Liverpool. Then Owen... then Riise... then Hyypia... then Alosno...

I've learned my lesson; don't have a favourite player.
then Torres... then Gerrard...? :D

[CHA!NGANG]

I'd bet against England winning. Yes we have a good team, and we will get far but winning, we're missing something.

Spain have the most talent, Brazil have the most balance, and France have a good squad but **** coach.

[Jibbish]

Is fabregas in spains first team? or bench? -_-

[Geraint]

Is fabregas in spains first team? or bench? -_-

it shows how good they are when arguably the best player in the world at the moment can't get into spain's team.

[CHA!NGANG]

Well he's pushing forward. 2 years ago he didn't get a sniff at starting but since the Euros he's been starting a bit but even then it's not every game.

Look at Spains midfield:

Navas, Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso, Fabregas, Silva, Mata.

Then Torres and Villa upfront so they have to play 4 midfielders really to allow Villa and Torres to play so picking 4 out of them is very hard. I'd be surprised to see Fabregas not start most games this world cup though because of his form, maturity and talent but it depends.

[Geraint]

Senna also who's class. I can't see him starting. Xavi and Iniesta play at Barca so they'll start. Can't see them changing formation to fit him in either. Big dilemma for the del Bosque but a good one at that. Spanish could struggle upfront if Torres stays injured though.

[Jibbish]

Senna also who's class. I can't see him starting. Xavi and Iniesta play at Barca so they'll start. Can't see them changing formation to fit him in either. Big dilemma for the del Bosque but a good one at that. Spanish could struggle upfront if Torres stays injured though.
dont they have negredo or w.e too?

[Geraint]

They certainly do, forgot about him. They have Guiza too but they're hardly names that would frighten a top class back line.

[CHA!NGANG]

They have Llorente too (sp.) who's 6 ft 6 I think and a good striker so he'd be good to throw on to add something different. The benifit Spain have is that if Torres or Villa get injured, they can just play 4-5-1. They have enough midfielders to do it and I'm sure they will have enough attacking power from midfield to cover so really they can get away with it. The only position Spain are weak at really is LB. They don't really have anyone that's world class to play there but apart from that then there extreamly strong. It would be intresting to see who the CB's are although I expect that Puyol will start.

[Jibbish]

it's ridiculous how much talent spain have lmao
and we have heskey....

[-Heart]

Thought I'd bump this, as we are now just over 3 months away from the 2010 FIFA World Cup. My god time has flown by, it seems so close now.

[Catzsy]

Thought I'd bump this, as we are now just over 3 months away from the 2010 FIFA World Cup. My god time has flown by, it seems so close now.

I will see if it can be stickied now :)

[-Heart]

I will see if it can be stickied now :)
Thanks :).

[Mexel]

for the world cup, can we have this as like the discussion thread but can we make seperate threads for matches and that? I hate having to scroll though loads of pages of stuff i dont want to read just to find somthing interesting

[-Heart]

for the world cup, can we have this as like the discussion thread but can we make seperate threads for matches and that? I hate having to scroll though loads of pages of stuff i dont want to read just to find somthing interesting
Yeah good idea.

[Black_Apalachi]

I wish I was more excited

[ihatehash]

ok this is how I think it will work out

Last 16
France V Greece
Argentina V Mexico
England V Ghana
Germany V USA
Netherlands V New Zealand (may be being a bit bias)
Denmark V Italy
Brazil v Switzerland
Portugal V Spain

Quaterfinals
Netherlands V Italy
France V Argentina
Germany V England
Brazil V Spain

Semifinals
Netherlands V Germany
Argentina V Spain

Netherlands V Spain

Spain to win finals

[Adamm]

Brazil to win.

So my bet says anyway.

[-Heart]

Domenech has said that if his players arn't fit for a training camp of the 18th May, they won't be participating in France's World Cup squad.

Har de har.

[CHA!NGANG]

He's a terrible manager anyway. Picks the complete wrong teams much like Maradona.

[-Heart]

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1198741.html#blatter+2010+will+success

Interesting (if that's the right word for it) news conference from Mr.Blatter.

[AlexOC]

Blatter can shove his face up my arse.

He's useless.

[CrackSplat]

i'm saying that Argentina, Spain or Brazil is going to win the cup.
FERNANDO TORRES!

[Black_Apalachi]

i'm saying that Argentina, Spain or Brazil is going to win the cup.
FERNANDO TORRES!

Woahh, don't go out on a limb there.

[W00TZEH]

I hope we won't have to just post in this thread when the World Cup comes around.

[Adamm]

i'm saying that Argentina, Spain or Brazil is going to win the cup.
FERNANDO TORRES!
I think one of the 32 teams competing will win it.

[Geraint]

USA to beat North Korea and start a war. You heard it here first.

[Smits]

Some good trailers on youtube with the world cup song.

That songs my ringtone haha

[-Heart]

34 days to go :D.

[-Heart]

Fantastic World Cup song from K'naan, sorry for double post.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syjqTV4Ubag

[Simmzay]

I've been meaning to find the remix of that song that I saw on a youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MAeDCE5vQc only part of the song plays.

[Geraint]

The Pepsi advert with Messi at the end makes me laugh everytime.

[Black_Apalachi]

Torres looks like such a girl on the Pepsi posters I've seen. I saw one in Tesco and thought it looked like him but wasn't him, then next time I saw it I noticed his name at the bottom lol

[CHA!NGANG]

Brazil squad hasn't got Pato, Ronaldinho, Diego. Not surprised about Diego, but the other two I am slightly.

[StefanWolves]

No Pato? that's outrageous.

[CHA!NGANG]

Diaby instead of Nasri? You're having a laugh...

[Geraint]

On paper, the best team there is Spain by far. Dunga's brought a more defensive team to Brazil which could help. Argentina's team is full of players for their league.

[CHA!NGANG]

On paper, the best team there is Spain by far. Dunga's brought a more defensive team to Brazil which could help. Argentina's team is full of players for their league.

Argentina is another Joke. No Zanetti or Cambiasso...

Spain have a good manager, and a good balance.

Argentina could probably end up playing 4-2-4 if they brought those two players along:

Zanetti - Demichelis (sp.) - Samuel - Heinze
---------- Mascherano - Cambiasso -----------
Messi -------------- Tevez -------------- Aguero
--------------------- Higuain ----------------------

They'd still have Milito and Lavezzi on the bench who are amazing forwards. Shame about the defence and keeper.

[StefanWolves]

Yeah but he's a **** manager, which is why they will do nothing in the WC.

[tm]

Betting update:

Overall winner
Spain 4/1 FAVOURITE
Brazil 5/1
England 6/1
Argentina 13/2
Italy 12/1
Holland 12/1
Germany 14/1
France 20/1
Portugal 25/1
Ivory Coast 28/1
Chile 40/1
Paraguay 40/1
Ghana 66/1
Mexico 66/1
Serbia 66/1
Usa 66/1
Uruguay 66/1
Denmark 100/1
Nigeria 100/1
Cameroon 100/1
Greece 125/1
South Africa 125/1
Australia 125/1
Switzerland 200/1
Slovakia 250/1
Slovenia 250/1
South Korea 250/1
Japan 300/1
Algeria 500/1
Honduras 750/1
North Korea 750/1
New Zealand 1000/1

Top Scorer
Messi, Lionel 8/1 FAVOURITE
Rooney, Wayne 9/1
Villa, David 9/1
Fabiano, Luis 10/1
Torres, Fernando 12/1
Ronaldo, Cristiano 14/1
Higuain, Gonzalo 16/1
Van Persie, Robin 22/1
Aguero, Sergio 25/1
Drogba, Didier 25/1
Klose, Miroslav 25/1
Milito, Diego 25/1
Negredo, Alvaro 25/1
Llorente, Fernando 25/1
Defoe, Jermaine 33/1
Nilmar 33/1
Robinho 33/1

Good value bets IMHO
Italy to win 12-1
Holland to win 12-1
Torres top scorer 12-1
Van Persie top scorer 22-1

from betfred.com - 12/05/2010

[CHA!NGANG]

I wouldn't mind taking that RVP Bet seeing as he's the freshest world class striker in the world at the moment, and has a few friendlys to get back to full form. He's scored 2 goals in his last 2 games for us, and missed a few chances which when he's on form he would smash in.

Holland also have a good team so they should get quite far although the defence is questionable.

[Black_Apalachi]

As if England is third favourite!!!!

[JackBuddy]

I know our chances of winning are unlikely, but I don't know why everyone is playing down our chances of going far in the tournament. Like Spain, we also have one of the best squads on paper IMO (bar a couple of positions). We've been to recent WC's with worse... think Trevor Sinclair, Danny Mills etc. People forget Spain were always the great underachievers in international football until they won Euro 2008. There's no reason we can't do something similar and have a similar turnaround.

Rooney, Ferdinand, Gerrard, Lampard, Terry, Cole could walk into any team in the world. Lennon and Walcott can single handedly tear defences to pieces.

Where's the faith!?

[CHA!NGANG]

I know our chances of winning are unlikely, but I don't know why everyone is playing down our chances of going far in the tournament. Like Spain, we also have one of the best squads on paper IMO (bar a couple of positions). We've been to recent WC's with worse... think Trevor Sinclair, Danny Mills etc. People forget Spain were always the great underachievers in international football until they won Euro 2008. There's no reason we can't do something similar and have a similar turnaround.

Rooney, Ferdinand, Gerrard, Lampard, Terry, Cole could walk into any team in the world. Lennon and Walcott can single handedly tear defences to pieces.

Where's the faith!?

I don't see it happening because:

A) The England team is more a team of players, rather then a team.
B) We have a problem with positioning. Gerrard at LM doesn't work tbh.
C) Injuries and burnout. A lot of other countries have a break during Christmas, the PL doesn't. The PL is the toughest league in the world, and it takes it out on the players.
D) England have a strong first XI, but the squad itself isn't as strong as 3/4 other teams.

[StefanWolves]

I don't see it happening because:
B) We have a problem with positioning. Gerrard at LM doesn't work tbh.
C) Injuries and burnout. A lot of other countries have a break during Christmas, the PL doesn't. The PL is the toughest league in the world, and it takes it out on the players.
D) England have a strong first XI, but the squad itself isn't as strong as 3/4 other teams.
A) I would have said that two years ago, when wolly with the brolly was in charge, but now I think it has changed because of Capello.

B) I agree

C)No, that doesn't matter at all. So far we have been very lucky, we will be taking our strongest squad (if Barry is fit, forget David Beckham, I don't think he would have got into the team, would have only been a squad player), have you seen Spains injuries? 1. Torres, 2. Xavi (unlikely to be fit), 3. Iniesta major fitness doubt, 4 Fabregas, probably won't be fit enough. Compared to other teams England have been VERY LUCKY when it comes to injuries, so don't give me that crap. The break doesn't mean nothing. You could argue that the PL ending a week earlier than the Seria A and La Liga, they only have what? two weeks break for Christmas, right? one week isn't going to make any difference.

D) does it matter if our WHOLE squad isn't full of big names? does it really matter? people go on about France having a big squad, even Spain, England's matches up to those, it's just that people for some reason, are bias towards their own national team, which I find pathetic.

And TBH i'd pick England's defence over any other national defence in the world. Our strength and depth in defence & midfield is really good, it's just strikers that we lack depth and a bit more quality in. If we had another Rooney (like Spain have Torres and Villa), then everyone would be raging about England like they are Spain and Brazil.

England have the perfect squad of players to play 4-5-1/4-3-3, why he doesn't even try it is beyond me.

[CHA!NGANG]

B) I agree

C)No, that doesn't matter at all. So far we have been very lucky, we will be taking our strongest squad (if Barry is fit, forget David Beckham, I don't think he would have got into the team, would have only been a squad player), have you seen Spains injuries? 1. Torres, 2. Xavi (unlikely to be fit), 3. Iniesta major fitness doubt, 4 Fabregas, probably won't be fit enough. Compared to other teams England have been VERY LUCKY when it comes to injuries, so don't give me that crap. The break doesn't mean nothing. You could argue that the PL ending a week earlier than the Seria A and La Liga, they only have what? two weeks break for Christmas, right? one week isn't going to make any difference.

D) does it matter if our WHOLE squad isn't full of big names? does it really matter? people go on about France having a big squad, even Spain, England's matches up to those, it's just that people for some reason, are bias towards their own national team, which I find pathetic.

You say Xavi, Torres, Iniesta, Fabregas.

They are all returning to action in the next 1-2 weeks bar Xavi. Torres has said he should be fit for the WC, Iniesta is returning for Barca today/tomorrow I think, and Fabregas is almost fit. So they are all coming back just as the WC starts. Obviously Xavi is the exception because he has been injured and has been playing on the injury, but he said he should be able to play in the WC, and if not Fabregas will start instead. Also, by injuries, I don't mean current injuries I mean injuries within the WC. Rooney is a 50/50 if he'll be fit properly or not. Same for King and Ferdinand. Gerrard hasn't been on form, Barry, who knows about him. Johnson has been injured too but I donno whats happening with him. The English league is the toughest league in the world, and that does take a tole on the players.

D) I know you're very patriotic and i've seen that from all your other posts, but there are squads that are better than Englands. Englands first team with no injuries can beat any team in the world on there day. I'm not biased towards England, I'm just realistic.

I hope England win, and they can do it, but there's too many things which it's dependant on.

[StefanWolves]

You say Xavi, Torres, Iniesta, Fabregas.

They are all returning to action in the next 1-2 weeks bar Xavi. Torres has said he should be fit for the WC, Iniesta is returning for Barca today/tomorrow I think, and Fabregas is almost fit. So they are all coming back just as the WC starts. Obviously Xavi is the exception because he has been injured and has been playing on the injury, but he said he should be able to play in the WC, and if not Fabregas will start instead. Also, by injuries, I don't mean current injuries I mean injuries within the WC. Rooney is a 50/50 if he'll be fit properly or not. Same for King and Ferdinand. Gerrard hasn't been on form, Barry, who knows about him. Johnson has been injured too but I donno whats happening with him. The English league is the toughest league in the world, and that does take a tole on the players.
Rooney is 50/50? no he's fit and has got 4 weeks to relax before he starts training again King I know is injured as always but he MAY not be needed, even if he is didn't he play like 4 games in 10 days for Spurs? he can handle it, Ferdinand will be fine, again four weeks to relax before the WC. Johnson has seemed fine? dunno where you got that from... even if he wasn't fit we have Carragher who could player their, and he's a top defender.

All these so called 'injuries' are over hyped by our stupid media, mainly papers and Sky Sports News. For some reason they wish the worst upon their own national team which pisses me right off, take for instance John Terry's 'injury' last week, they blew it out of all proportion saying their sources said it was a 'metatarsal injury', oh wait yea he's fit to play today!

[CHA!NGANG]

Rooney has been struggling come the end of the season, I still think there's a risk that he could get injured or be tired. I hope he isn't though. Ferdinand, you can't say he'll be fine when he's had knocks this season. You never know with him. Johnson has been injured a fair bit this season and didn't play in the final few games for Liverpool because of it, so I'd hardly say that he's fine. Carragher is slow as hell and as a RB isn't great.

Agree about JT.

As for the formation, I agree about the 4-3-3 but I don't think he'll do it. Shame though as the squad is built for it but oh well.

[immense]

messi out of the world cup

[StefanWolves]

messi out of the world cup

is someone tellin porkies

[immense]

my mate told me, idk if he's joking, i can't see anything about it on bbc/ssn and he's not telling me how he knows

[Geraint]

C) Injuries and burnout. A lot of other countries have a break during Christmas, the PL doesn't. The PL is the toughest league in the world, and it takes it out on the players.
.

What difference does it make? There's the same amount of games and it could lead to fixture congestion later on in the season. Loads of players at the World Cup are in the Premier League.

[CHA!NGANG]

What difference does it make? There's the same amount of games and it could lead to fixture congestion later on in the season. Loads of players at the World Cup are in the Premier League.

A break half way through the season would make a big difference I think. 2 weeks is a fair bit of time for recovery.

Also, yeah I know there are but every English player at the WC plays in the PL.

[StefanWolves]

The PL finished a week earlier than La Liga and Seria A? :S I don't think the one week break advantage is anything to shout about.

[CHA!NGANG]

The PL finished a week earlier than La Liga and Seria A? :S I don't think the one week break advantage is anything to shout about.

I think it makes more of a difference to have 2 weeks off in the middle of a season, rather than 1 week at the end.

[StefanWolves]

Theres more chance of getting an injury in a cluster of matches towards the end of the season (as their is in La Liga because of the break) than there is in the middle of the season.

[immense]

I don't think it can be used as an excuse like English people will do once England get knocked out in the Quarter Finals.

[Geraint]

typical. i made my world cup fantasy team at about 3 on saturday and half hour later ballack gets injured and is out of the world cup. my fantasy teams get no luck.

[Smits]

typical. i made my world cup fantasy team at about 3 on saturday and half hour later ballack gets injured and is out of the world cup. my fantasy teams get no luck.

Haha i did exactly the same. Dam

[happy-thriller]

Who do you think is going to win the 2010 World Cup

A.Italy
B.England
C.Spain
D.Brazil
E.Argentina
F.France
G.South Africa
H.Ivory Coast
I.USA
J.None of the Above ( Put your team on the reply )

[Jessicrawrr]

this shouldnt be in this section of the forum dude ;)

Edited by Garion (Assistant General Manager): Please leave moderating to the moderators :)!

[happy-thriller]

I dont know why I put this here, A common place to put fourms that involve sports :S






Italy :D

[Black_Apalachi]

C. Spain.

[CHA!NGANG]

Drogba is out of the WC apparently.

[JackBuddy]

Drogba is out of the WC apparently.
Shame, I have a bet on for Portugal to not make it past the group stage.

[Geraint]

Shame, I have a bet on for Portugal to not make it past the group stage.

always North Korea.

[JackBuddy]

always North Korea.
I'm sure Ivory Coast will be ok though, they'll have Zokora banging in the goals from midfield....

[CHA!NGANG]

I'm sure Ivory Coast will be ok though, they'll have Zokora banging in the goals from midfield....

Forget Zokora, they have Eboue ;)

[Banana Pancakes]

Forget Zokora, they have Eboue ;)

haha, + Rep

[immense]

http://www.skysports.com/football/world-cup-2010/story/0,27032,12016_6195171,00.html

england's loss big time imo!

[Black_Apalachi]

I don't see why he's making a big deal out of it, he could have just said yes not like he has any major plans. Anyway I'm glad he's not in the squad, I'd rather the likes of Torres come back without any broken legs cheers

[immense]

I'd rather Torres broke his leg and England win the world cup.

[Bun]

owning platinum stars atm!!!!!!!

[Adamm]

i think the winner will be north korea

[CHA!NGANG]

What a boring game the Platinum Stars game is. If England can't destroy this **** team how are we gona do against bigger teams.

[StefanWolves]

What a boring game the Platinum Stars game is. If England can't destroy this **** team how are we gona do against bigger teams.
you actually think that game meant anything at all?

anyway we beat them 3-0. Should have beat them by 6 or 7 tbh.

[immense]

didnt wna get injured etccccccccccccccc

[Arch]

Would be nice to see Portugal win it, although i have a feeling they won't make it past the group stage :(

[CHA!NGANG]

Why would that be nice? Any Englishman should hate the Portugese by now, especially the diving **** Ronaldo. Saying that, No idea if you're english or not.

[Black_Apalachi]

I would be happy for us to go out at the group stage just for the guarantee that he doesn't lift that trophy.

[JackBuddy]

"France end public training session after on-pitch row between players and coaching staff." & Anelka sent home. At least they're diverting attention away from England.

[Geraint]

They're refusing to train lol.

[Black_Apalachi]

I bet they'll come on against South Africa and demolish them

[Sameer!]

when is Brazil's game?