THE WORLD CUP THREAD!

[Dave]

I knew someone would do this sooner or later:

[Shockprowl]

Just got round to actually watching the vid of Henry's handball! Oh My God! The little cheating swine! That's so outrageous!



Perhaps it is justice that France are now looking a tad screwed!

[Bogatan]

Well that result makes the final games in group one interesting. Will we se the worlds most boring nil nil with zero shot on or off target I wonder? While South Africa and France batter each other senseless in the hope the above doesn't happen.

Andy

[Andy Turnbull]

Well done Mexico.

Totally deserved to win.

Andy

[Shockprowl]

England were utter utter utter utter utter utter udder PANTS!!!!!!!

WHAT HAPPENED?!?!?!

[bertie]

We woke up and it was all a dream.

[Andy Turnbull]

That was a dire showing last night from England. I was the only person in the pub cheering them on. Made for a few dirty looks now and then!

Andy

[Dave]

Unlucky not to have won.

The USA that is.

England were piss-poor and seemed to spend the 90 minutes kicking the ball against the Algerians. Never looked like scoring once whereas I felt Algeria might get something.

[blueshift]

I've not been following the football but wow, I had at least expected England to do well against those countries. What happens if they have to play a team that ISN'T 30 places beneath them in the rankings!

I'm guessing if England don't win the next game, they won't get through to the quarter finals? When was the last time that happened?

[Dave]

Last 16 next. Not sure when England last failed to get to the second round - well apart from 94 when we didn't even qualify.

[Dezzeh]

England dont even deserve to get to the last 16, considering the fact they are rated a top 10 in the world side, they are showing performances equivalent to my local pub's side.
Unless they manage to bag a miracle and beat Slovenia something like 4 - 0, thats it for another 4 years, which well, isnt really surprising.

My monies now on Germany and the US

[andrewbcalculating]

As I've got older, I've got less stressed over bad football results, if people remember on one of the old Hub forums the thread "Lets Kick Chelsea" was more or less me moaning about football.

Last night's England result hasn't got me down but it has highlighted the notion that Capello isn't strict in all areas of management. Gerrard had a bad game and his ball control was terrible but Capello didn't sub him because he is scared. Gerrard and Lampard can play together in the centre but they are the same type of attacking player so when they play together, they have to take it in turns to be restraint which isn't in their nature. Accommodating both players by playing Gerrard on the left isn't working and shows Capello's weak spot in his headmaster image. Capello doesn't have the guts to play only one of Gerrard or Lampard and he needed to bring off either of those players last night as both had bad games but Capello didn't have the strength to do so for the sake of the shape of the team. The like for like Lennon substitution just baffled me as well.

I would hope that Joe Cole plays on the left, Heskey is dropped and only one of Gerrard or Lampard plays on Wednesday evening but I can't see any of those things happening.

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[jameso]

Jun 19, 2010 10:42:20 GMT Dave said:

Last 16 next. Not sure when England last failed to get to the second round - well apart from 94 when we didn't even qualify.

Since winning in 66 England have never gone out in round one, but, on the other hand, they've failed to qualify at all three times since 66.

[Shockprowl]

Barry was pretty good, and I think we need to see Joe Cole. Rooney needs to sort himself out as well. I think 5 man midfield, with Joe Cole on the left, Barry in the middle, hopefully then allowing Lampard and Gerrard to support Rooney. And if Rooney plays like he did on Friday, let's give Dafoe a go for the 2nd half, at least he seemed to have some energy. Heskey, good in the first game, didn't seem to exist against Algeria. At least James was ok in goal. Who in defence now Carragher's out? Ghaaaa, it's a on a knife edge, it is! As cross as I am about the 'performance' on Friday, at least it's exciting.

Italy in the same boat as us, following that FANTASTIC performance by New Zealand. France in all sorts of turmoil, Germany beaten by Serbia, Spain by Switzerland- what's happening to the European big guns?

Looking forward to Brazil later.

[Dave]

Some good play from Brazil last night especially in the second half. Shortly after Ivory Coast's goal when they were on the attack again, I felt sorry for them as I didn't think they could get two more goals. Brazil had been by far the better team, but because of the hands involved in their second, I felt Ivory Coast would have good reason to feel hard done by if it ended 3-2.

And then my sympathy disappeared.

Disgraceful bit of play acting to get Kaka sent off. I know the Brazilians had been doing some over theatrical reactions to challenges (always disappointing - they don't need to) but that was just shocking.

[grahamthomson]

In the time it took me to go to the toilet last night Argentina scored their two goals.

Ah well. Sorry Greece.

All of our deliveries to work arrived super early this morning. All before 8 am, in fact. They're all racing around to get everything done before this afternoon's match starts!

[Cullen]

I'm braced for massive disappointment this afternoon.

[Stomski]

Office has put a TV in. Was going to record it, but no need now.

[Dezzeh]

Work has a big screen in the canteen showing the game, but I cant actually bring myself to watch.
Not feeling overly confident of Englands chances today..

[Shockprowl]

Mrs Shockers is safely at work, Piglet has been bribed with a new colouring book and the promise of uninterupted Cbeebies after the game, beer is chilling, and the pryer book is at hand.

I am ever so slightly massively mind-blowing worried that they're gunna get but-foocked, frankly. The camp doesn't seem together, and if they play like they did against Algeria the Slovenians will, indeed, but-foock us. If that happens, it'll be a complete disaster for English football.

[Dezzeh]

Perhaps my lack of faith was unfounded!

[Stomski]

Urgh damn you USA scoring right at the end to take top spot in the group.

There were spells in both halves when England really seemed great, but again periods where you just feel worried.

But a different team to the last few games, pressed well, solid passing (for the most part) and you didn't feel everytime the other team got the ball we'd get scored on.

Shame Rooney didn't score, but his role at creating chances is definitely important.

[jameso]

Much, much better from England. Could have been 3 or 4.

[grahamthomson]

They definitely seemed more assertive this afternoon. Maybe it was the red strip.

I wonder how many people will be ringing in sick at work tomorrow after a night of celebrating.

[jameso]

Well, England vs Germany. Wow.

[Shockprowl]

Phew! Much improved from England, but still a long way to go, so many missed chances that they should have scored from.

I'm really pleased it's Germany next! Shame it isn't a Semi, or even a Quarter final though, instead of only the last 16. I think Germany have the edge, I'm afraid. They've played very well, and have had a scare (against Serbia) which I think has made them even sharper. We're gunna have to improve a whole load again to beat them. Still, very exciting!!!

[Dezzeh]

Goodbye Italy. Oh my.

[Stomski]

Oh man these final group games are close! So much depending on other games etc.

Italy getting trounced by Slovakia, WTF IS GOING ON?!?!?!

[Stomski]

Spoke too soon, Italy pulled one back 2-1!!

[Stomski]

Wow, 3-2 Slovakia vs Italy. Italy finishing bottom of their group, guess top 16 isn't such a given anymore in this tournament.

Anyway, here's some interesting analysis of the England game the other night.