Honestly don't think this group is a foregone conclusion yet, I only saw the 2nd half and France were shocking, nonetheless they could still easily turn over South Africa, and Mexico aren't likely to simply go out for the draw with Uruguay as they'd be left to play Argentina, whereas if they win they'd have what should be an easier tie.

Also the fact I backed Mexico and Uruguay to advance from this group at 7/1 means it aint happening!

The offside law as it stands now does throw up the occasional problem where an inactive offside player receives the ball straight after and gets an advantage from being in an offside position.

But that is countered by the 10,000 occasions when offside hasn't been given against players offside but never playing any part in an attack.

The offside law is probably at it's finest since the law was introduced. FIFA deserve huge credit for making the change.

So now we can have multiple players off-side as long as the ball isn't played to them all hoping that the linesman won't remember which ones were originally offside in the resulting free for all.....yes that's better.

How often does that happen?

Most of the time the strikers are striving to be onside because they are wanting the ball played to them.

It is very, very rare when someone is loitering offside and manages to get the ball straight after and gain an advantage by being offside.

It used to happen often in every game that players would be given offside when they were clearly not involved in play and wouldn't be involved in play.

The offside law is better now, even if there's the occasional advantage gained when someone doesn't deserve it.

Anyway.........I was concerned that the old feller Blanco of Mexico would run out of puff before he got to the ball for his penalty.....such was the length of his run up..

Well FIFA obviously agrees with you.
But it's damned un-British I tell you.
When I wur a lad.....etc..

Have you seen his partner? Go on the WAG thread and check the last page, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw she was with him.

I'm not sure how bad Gourcuff was in game 1, but was he bad enough to justify himself being dropped, but not Govou?

Gourcuff, IMO, is the closest thing France have to Zidane. The only player who plays with composure and creativity, the only player who can pull the strings from the advanced midfield position, yet he put Ribery centrally?

I'd have stuck Ribery on the right if he was going for a right footed right winger, or, if needs be, put Gourcuff there as he's an excellent crosser.

But what have the French FA been doing the past few years? As if Euro 2008 wasn't bad enough, they kept Domenech and now it's two major international tournaments where they've flopped at the groups, despite having a pool of players amongst the 5 best in world football. Madness. Good luck to Blanc, he'll have a job 'n half on his hands turning that shower around.

Domenech's ruining the French side and has been for a few years now, Benzema should've gone with the squad, regardless of how many appearance he did or didn't make for Madrid he's exactly what France are missing, exactly what Henry gave them during the past few major tournaments, pace, good movement on and off the ball and he's a goalscorer. Playing Anelka up front on his own during game one didn't help and persisting with it too. He's too stubborn, like with Malouda in the Uruguay game they fell out so he left out of the starting line up and never brought him on until around 60-70 mins.

He's persisted with Govou, God alone knows why - Ribery should be on the right as you say. I think Blanc will do ok with them because the squad is there and he has huge potential as a top class coach.

Anyway..........I am looking forward to Korea beating Nigeria 3-0 and Greece beating Argentina 3-0 and Argentina ( who people say are through) going home.
It won't happen ....but to see the look on Maradona's face (the little cheating b@stard) would be priceless.