How Excited About the Upcoming World Cup?

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I'm sure one or two will still sneak the odd lassie into their room...

It happens in all sports though doesn't it really, players refraining from sex a few days before a major event.

Anything that will help, as we need all the help we can get . Capello has made some really illogical squad selections.. but he's not ben wrong yet, so I guess we have to trust him.

 

Serbia!? They were rubbish against us! Nobody who loses to New Zealand can expect to do anything good against real teams.

 

Serbia are weird, balkan weird. They can be absolutely brilliant and total and utter **** depending on the mood of the players.

 

They're a dangerous side.

 

There's been lots of teams with this rule over the years. I've no idea whether they do better or worse than other teams but managers seem to like it.

What are you upset about Barmy? I thought it was a good selection.

 

I think Darren Bent should have been in the squad, instead of Heskey. Heskey haven`t played too many games this season, and Bent is in the form of his life.

I am betting on Spain to win the WC though.

 

... and they put everyone to sleep vs. Poland.

Amen. Worst bit is that you never know which of the two will happen...

For obvious reasons I hope Barmy's right.

(Altough, I'd much rather kick the squad a few times then praise them, atm.)

 

I can't believe Heskey can still make the England team.

 

I'm not happy about Adam Johnson being left out. For the first time in years we have a genuine quality left winger to pick, but instead of taking him we pick the player whom he ousted out of his club team.. the mind boggles, really. I'm not happy about Matty Upson getting on the plane. We don't need all those CB's now we've drafted Carragher, but even if we did, Michael Dawson is a much better choice. Scotty Parker has a blinding season, especially compared to Michael Carrick, who shouldn't be anywhere near the England team. Why we've taken Heskey, God only knows. And I'd have probably taken Walcott, for the option. Basically Capello has taken a bunch of players who already have quite a few caps, just to play on the safe side. Typical Italian really. But like I say, he's rarely been wrong in the past so he deserves the benefit.

 

I don't blame him for playing safe. There's a big risk that players may buckle under the pressure or not be able to make the step up. Johnson in particular has only played a handul of games against top teams and may come unstuck if he tries his usual tricks against an Italian or German team. I don't think Parker has the quality for a team trying to play possession football.

I don't understand people complaining about Heskey. Despite all logic he seems to do a good job for England and there's no one else who can play that role. Bent would be in competition with Defoe, a fast goalscorer to spring from the bench.

 

What role is that? To miss sitters, lack pace OR power, and fall forward looking for the free kick every time to the ball goes up high? If we're looking for a target man, Crouch is your man, if you're looking for a 'battering ram', it's got to be Kevin Davies, who is twice the player Hesley is!The man has nothing in his locker at all.

 

You think Bendtner has the same role as Heskey ?

 

Heskey is a lot faster and more mobile than Crouch or Davies. If you played one of them the defence could push up and squeeze the space for Rooney and Gerrard. Heskey could threaten to run in behind and he'd have to score eventually if given enough chances.

 

England are just lucky that they won't have to play New Zealand. Go the mighty All Whites!

 

There is that.

 

I understand that when you only play a tournament every four years, there is a lot of turnover from one WC to the next. However, I do find it somewhat surprising that the finalists from the last WC are not even being talked about as contenders. I know Italy won the WC in 2006, and I think they beat France in the finals, and yet I don't know anyone who considers either of those teams serious contenders this year.

 

Both too old. Italy have no world class striker anymore, and France have deficiencies in too many areas, not least defence. Saying that, they both still have quality and if they hit their straps then they could easily find themselves in the semi's or so, but they shouldn't be talked about in the same breath as Spain etc. who simply have better players.

By the way Alders, do you want to know the only team to beat Spain in the last 2 years? The USA.

 

Italy are going to lose to New Zealand in their second game so no chance of them winning the World Cup after that. France only made it to the finals by cheating, so no chance of them winning the whole thing either.