Football Season 09-10/2010 World Cup Thread

[Undertaker]

I don't think it's that big a loss. England have ample defenders that are good enough, it's the keeper i'd be concerned with. Green will cost England. Similar if Lampard got injured. I don't think we would miss him in midfield. All he does is lose posession, beit through a poor pass or shooting from 75 yards out. If Rooney get's injured, you may as well come home. I'd give him the armband anyway. It might just mature him that little bit more thats required.

[Patrick Bateman]

Jar Jar's been injured most of the season anyway but his pace was important. Terry gets shown up by quick international strikers so whoever comes in will need some pace. Will it be Sicknote King or Carragher?

[Undertaker]

I think King will get first nod. Wouldn't be surprised if they switch to 3-5-2 and play three centre backs.

[Kris]

I think King will get first nod. Wouldn't be surprised if they switch to 3-5-2 and play three centre backs.

I suppose it is feasible - you could play Terry in the middle with King and Carragher on either side, allowing Johnson and Cole to push on - but it's a huge risk changing shape at this stage, and I don't think Capello has ever played with anything other than a back four.

In usual circumstances I'd be really gutted about Rio missing out but as Sean said, he's barely been fit all season. I just hope King's knee stays in tact. Carragher is too similar to Terry, Upson is well out of his depth at international level and Dawson doesn't have any experience in an England shirt.

You're right about Rob Green, by the way - he's never filled me with any confidence whatever. He's a good shot stopper but doesn't command his area with enough authority. I'd much prefer Joe Hart, who has barely put a foot wrong this season, but I think Capello has him down as third choice.

England have enough quality going forward to cause teams problems but there's a very soft centre and the top sides will take advantage.

[Patrick Bateman]

"The English Industrial Revolution underclass, I always hated that being associated with my sport, which is actually a quite beautiful sport."

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/spo ... 11320.html

[Drico One]

The analysis on RTE is regularly more entertaining than the match. Dunphy, Giles, Brady, et al are suitably removed from the incestuous nature of the English game to, heaven forfend, occasionally tell the truth. There's no sugar-coated nonsense here or "top, top player" guff. By now, they are a parody of themselves (see "Apres Match" on Youtube and compare with actual clips of the RTE analysis and tell me which is funnier) - but always compulsive viewing.

In this world, teams have to have the "moral courage" to play and must show "honesty of effort" at all times despite often containing "sunshine boys" and "headless chicken". A Garth Crooks interview with Sven-Goran Eriksson, relayed live from Frankfurt in 2006, was immediately described by Dunphy as "the first time two men have had sex live on the BBC." Dunphy himself was subsequently so obsequious in his regard for new panel addition Graeme Souness that same month that some wondered if RTE had quickly followed the BBC's lead...

I love the gifted peasantry, I mean, punditry of Dunphy, the narky grumpiness of Brady, and the curmudgeonly standards and insight of Giles. Throw in Bill "I'm only a fool" O'Herlihy to provoke all manner of hilarious lunacy (not to mention copious quantities of booze - hospitality or otherwise) and the soccer is only an enjoyable after-thought.

Drico.

[Undertaker]

I remember someone posting some clips ages ago. All very entertaining. However, Liam Brady has always been a total c*nt. Can't stand the bloke. Him and Andy Gray should have a death match.

[Patrick Bateman]

There were a load of women wearing Introspective cloaks at the opening ceremony.

[gregf]

World Cup ? Soccer isn't it, where you pass the ball by kicking it.
You win by kicking goals except in the semi-finals where you
win by laying down and pretending to be injured. (Hello It.....)

We play Germany first. Are they any good ?

[Patrick Bateman]

We play Germany first. Are they any good ?

It depends whether you've got Pele and erm, Sylvester Stallone on your side or not.....

[Undertaker]

Not the best of games tonight. Infact it's terrible. Give it to Ribery or Anelka and they can try and beat everyone and lose the ball. Has the manager banned them from crossing the ball?

[Patrick Bateman]

lol at that cheating c*nt Henry trying to get a penalty for handball just then. Oh, the irony.....

*edit* That funny-looking bloke who does the snooker announcing is out there! Is there anybody who the BBC hasn't taken along for a free jolly? I expect they'll cut to Sir Patrick Moore in a moment surveying the South African constellations, Union Jack monocle and all.

[Pani]

Both my tipps were wrong, I said 1-3 and 1-2.

The vuvuzelas are a bit annoying because no applause for certain
actions, whistles etc. can be heard anymore, that is not what I 'd
call 'mood'.

[Pani]

We play Germany first. Are they any good ?

I hope so.

[Undertaker]

The vuvuzelas are a bit annoying because no applause for certain
actions, whistles etc. can be heard anymore, that is not what I 'd
call 'mood'.

It sounds like a giant wasp. What a bonus having one of those blown in your ear for 90 minutes.