Joined: Oct 15 2003 Posts: 53839 Location: North Yorkshire
Dally wrote:Whereas England aren't dodgy at the back? Weak goalkeepers, two slow central defenders and two full-backs who we aren't sure can even tackle. Another injury and what have we got left? As to flair, apart from Rooney we have absolutely none. Fitness we're way behind Brasil and Germany. So, if I were a betting man I'd say we have virtually zero chance of winning it (although, if we get through the group successfully the favourable draw might allow us to flatter to deceive by getting to an advanced stage).
As I said way up the thread we reverted in match 1 to the style of the darkest days of england football - long-ball aimlessly played up. I bote that since I made that comment the Kaiser has said the same thing.
We have issues at the back like most teams, that makes us no better or worse. We don't have weak goalkeepers, Green made one error, it happens. England are not noted for having flair players so a lack of them in out teams is nothing new but have players who can beat a man and create chances and that's all it takes. As for fitness I could not say, neither can you unless you have inside knowledge.
Comp is wide open, if a team like England can be a little more adventurous and play with confidence and not fear then they have a chance, there are no teams to be worried about, some good teams yes but nothing unbeatable.
Apart from the few teams that haven't played so far, if you were to evaluate everyone's performance (apart from the Germans beating a poor Aussie side) you'd say that they have no chance of winning the thing. Not one team has played with any urgency. It's all been slow tempo tip-tapping it around in midfield with barely a sight of goal all game. We didn't exactly create a hatful of chances but there were more than most sides.
Unfortunately all we see on here is people taking every opportunity to criticise. If that was England last night against North Korea, just imagine the reaction.
Joined: Oct 19 2003 Posts: 17898 Location: Packed like sardines, in a tin
PAUL M wrote:So far this WC is the biggest boreathon ever, poor football and a distinct lack of flair players.
Should get better with the second round of matches
On 5 live last night someone said that the first round is the "fear round" as no one wants to lose their first game. The second round is "panic round" as everyone now wants to win. That alone should make the second lot of games, starting tonight, much more interesting.
Chris28 wrote:On 5 live last night someone said that the first round is the "fear round" as no one wants to lose their first game. The second round is "panic round" as everyone now wants to win. That alone should make the second lot of games, starting tonight, much more interesting.
I hope
Before the start of the last world cup I read an article which stated that, if you draw your first game, the likelihood that there would still be something to play for come match 3 is extremely high, something like 90 odd percent, but I can't remember it exactly.
World Cup's often start slowly, think of how many countries are described as "typically slow starters" it's because the tournaments are as a whole, for a whole number of reasons - players are getting used to playing together for the first time in a while etc, as well as the fear factor etc.
The fact there are 32 teams doesn't help, as it does mean there are more fairly weak teams who are more likely to have a defensive approach too.
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