So... no World Cup thread yet? (also featuring TTLG fantasy world cup game)

Fragony on 2/7/2006 at 15:14

I'll be cheering for germany, but very quietly so I won't be lynched by my countrymen. Germany is by far the most exciting team of the tournament, and they will win.

D'Arcy on 2/7/2006 at 15:50

Quote Posted by Shevers

I've always had a bit of a soft spot for Portugal

Unfortunately I have a feeling that your soft spot for Portugal is due to the worst possible reason (meaning: Jorge Cadete) ;)

Shevers on 2/7/2006 at 16:07

:laff: There's only one Jorge Cadete!

Naah, I just always quite liked them when I saw them, liked their midfield play (Except Deco :(). Oh, and my affection only grows every time they put England out on penalties.

Briareos H on 2/7/2006 at 16:41

Is it Euro 2008 already ?

BEAR on 2/7/2006 at 17:15

I hated to see England loose, I thought they were the better team. Rooney's antics were uncalled for, but I hated to see him sent off since I like to watch him play. I think Lennon needs to play more, Beckham is good for set pieces but Lennon brings incredible energy to the game.

I was pretty unimpressed with brazils playing, france deserved to win that game for sure.

Im not sure who to root for in italy vs germany, I have a feeling that with italy's dynamic explosive offense they may be able to beat germany. I think france will be able to beat portugal, I wasnt overly impressed with their play, it was good and clean but nothing special.

So, my pick for the cup game is france v italy. Hopefully.

SD on 2/7/2006 at 22:15

Quote Posted by BEAR

I think Lennon needs to play more, Beckham is good for set pieces but Lennon brings incredible energy to the game.

Now that Beckham has resigned the captaincy, his place in the team is no longer guaranteed, and it looks increasingly likely that Lennon will get his desrved speck on the right of midfield.

As to who the new captain will be, I think McClaren will choose Terry, who is a fine choice, but in my opinion he should look no further than Steven Gerrard who is one of the most inspirational players in world football.

If McClaren has any sense he will build his England team around Gerrard, relegating the found-out Lampard to the subs bench, and keep the talented Hargreaves in that holding midfielder role to allow Gerrard to roam like he does for Liverpool. I'm really optimistic that McClaren will make these necessary changes, but at the same time, I think we'll just be getting Sven mark II.

Myoldnamebroke on 3/7/2006 at 01:12

It's certainly what they should have done for this World Cup, but Lampard is still a quality player - he was just A Bit Rubbish in these games. It could well be a temperment thing - he often goes missing in the big European games for Chelsea as well - but this doesn't discount the talent he undoubtably has. Just because he's a rival to Gerrard doesn't mean he's useless.

SD on 3/7/2006 at 01:29

No, he's still a good player, he's just a highly over-rated one who has consistently failed to perform at the very highest level. Not just against Barcelona in the Champions League or for England at this World Cup, but even at Old Trafford last season when he was bossed out of the game by Darren Fletcher of all people.

Lampard needs people around him to do his donkey work. It's no coincidence that Michael Essien has looked different class for Ghana because he isn't hampered by Lampard cramping his style. Lampard is a passenger; Gerrard is a driver.

Lampard cannot tackle, cannot beat a man and isn't very quick. His passing is decent and he has a cracking shot, although 24 shots and 0 goals at this tournament tells its own story. Lampard is supposed to be the second best player in the world, but he hasn't even been the second best Chelsea player in the England side. He's not fit to lace Gerrard's boots.

zacharias on 3/7/2006 at 05:49

>Lampard cannot tackle, cannot beat a man and isn't very quick.

You could say the same about Becks really but he was an automatic selection over the last 6 years or so.
(But don't get me wrong, Lampard was poor and i would drop him.)

But Stevie G hardly looked like being 'the best midfielder in the world' at that tournament either.

thefonz on 3/7/2006 at 06:30

Being Scottish, I am of course delighted that England are out of it now. However saying that, i think they have the most potential - build the team around John Terry though; everyone knows that teams are built from defence so get Terry as the captain and go from there.

COME ON BRAZIL!

oh shi...