You would not be laughing if you were chased by the guards in the nip through the woods...too many bad things can happen with all those prickly leaves and thorns and whatnot there!
Also my typing is a bit shocking tonight, just read my last post again there! That is what I get for watching football, being on facebook and being here at the same time!
There have been bigger upsets in previous WCs...North Korea beat Italy in 66 (Italy were the favourites to win the tournament, Italian teams had won 3 of the previous 4 European Cups), East Germany beat West Germany in 1974, Algeria beat Germany in 1982 and famously 2 African teams have beaten the world champions in the opening game of the next tournament, Senegal beat France in 2002 and Cameroon beat Argentina in 1990
West Germany beating Hungary in the 1954 World Cup final was a pretty big upset too. Similar enough to today's as Hungary had a phenomenal record over the previous 4 years.
Interesting to see if Spain rebound from the loss the way Italy did after we beat them in 1994. They could face an epic second round game against Brazil now. That is if they make it out of the group! They obviously still should, but you never know!
Messi for me. Ronaldo can be hit or miss, he might score but on the other hand he can be petulant and non-existant. However, Messi is involved in the game at all times. His attitude is brilliant. Plus he has so much more to his game than Ronaldo. Both score a lot of goals but Messi can tackle, dribble better and is a team player. Ronaldo is better in the air, but Messi is comfortably better.
I'd have Messi as the world's best. Then the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Ronaldo, Sneijder, Drogba, Vidic etc. There are actually quite a few players in this category behind Messi, too many to list here!
English clubs need to change their youth structure. Kids just do not learn the basics in the way the Spanish, Brazilians etc do. The English run them into the ground, creating big man mountains like Tom Huddlestone. But even the best English players treat the ball like hot coal, they are just so uncomfortable in possession.
Added pressure? Try playing for Italy where rotten tomatoes await their return if it is without the trophy. Or Brazil where winning the tournament is not just enough, it has to be done with style. The 1994 team are not liked as they were defensive. Every country has a media. Brazil, Spain and Argentina are under the most pressure as they are 100% expected to win in their countries.
Gerrard, Terry, Lampard, Rooney etc have years of winning at the highest level. They have the belief. That is the one thing that they in no way lack. Years of being told that they are the best players in the best league in the world should give them belief. They actually have way too much belief in their ability. Their chronic lack of technique and ability to dictate a game is a far bigger problem.
That being said, plenty of teams have been rubbish in the group stages and won a tournament. But I would be amazed if this English team won. It would not be in the best interests of football either.
It can be difficult for newbies (like me a few weeks ago!) as everybody here seems very friendly with each other...so if you are reading the threads, it can be intimidating entering a thread if it has some in-jokes, 2 people in tennis style back and forth posts or people diverting it into private chats (Oh hi Miss X, how are you, haven't seen you in a few days etc)
So I guess that plays a part in some people not sticking their necks out and saying hi!
I wasn't equating them just pointing out the sort of people promoting it and who it is being promoted towards. I am speaking as somebody who went to all home Ireland's qualifiers for the World Cup and most of the people who regularly go to the matches agree.
This whole anti-France agenda completely overshadowed the Irish teams performance. I get rivalry and fun/banter as part of football and gave a post about that in the main world cup thread. That is why Irish people can have friendly banter with English people about their team. But I just find the anti-France/anti-Henry stuff as not being driven by football fans. It is part of the usual once every 4 year brigade.
In fairness, he is only saying what most football people in Ireland have been saying since last November. It was a horrible, terrible night but we should be above the pathetic bitterness being used the sun, currys etc to sell products.
The people I hear and read saying most of the "I hate France...lets see them hammered" stuff are casual football fans drawn in by the world cup.
Nadal is already just one away from equaling Bjorn Bjorg's record of Roland Garros titles. Wonder how many more can he win or will he have the usual mid 20s drop off that tennis players have?
libroman Forum Posts (764)
I always miss the good stuff
RE: Neenaw, Can we please ......
Just had a loom at your streaking girls...nice one! ye have international admirers I see!