England warm up v Ecuador

[mr_nool]

I find it really hard to get worked up about the world cup thus year.
Sweden is not in it, and I have a feeling that the Dutch are gonna crash and burn.
I'll also miss the first round of the group stages, since we're on holiday, and missing the start just feels wrong. But maybe I will get into it once I watched a game or two.

I really hope I'm wrong about the Dutch. The WC issues nicer when your home country is doing well. The WC four years was one big party. We placed our tv on the sidewalk outside our house and watched both the semi final and the final together with all the neighbors on the street.

[dikdok]

Get barkley signed up that lad is gonna be special under our manager

Yes....

We would be absolutely crazy if we didn't at least try for him this summer - he just oozes creativity.

Would be wonderful to have a quality outfield player who's English... how much do you think?

[Dameerto]

No idea, but probably a lot - he's had a good season, is in form, and he looks likely to feature during the World Cup (not to mention he's English which carries a premium in the Prem).

[twosips]

They'd ask for something crazy pushing £40m no doubt

[Avalon]

World Cups are always a spectacle. 2010 felt a little flat but usually ace. This one will be even more important as both 2018 and 2022 will be absolutely farcical (assuming 2022 will still be held in Qatar) .

I kind of feel like Argentina will do something big too. Don't know much about teams outside of Europe but can never rule Spain or Germany out.

I think Spain and Germany are gimmes for the semis.

I'd like to see Chile really give Brazil a game as I think they'll meet up. Chile could be the team that surprises us all. Who knows. Just want it to get started tbh.

Chile is having a tough group with Netherlands and Spain in it as well.

[jimtolmie_tache]

I really hope I'm wrong about the Dutch. The WC issues nicer when your home country is doing well. The WC four years was one big party. We placed our tv on the sidewalk outside our house and watched both the semi final and the final together with all the neighbors on the street.

I want the Dutch to get through the group, pref as winners to avoid Brazil... and then keep going through the rounds, ideally after extra time and penalties... before coming to a shuddering halt in the Semi-finals against Germany. And then a defeat in the 3rd/4th play-off against Belgium.

This keeps van Gaal and van Persie out there for as long as possible, and delays the Rags' pre-season preparations for a second successive year, without giving them the momentum and positive attitude that would come from a World Cup win. Losing to Germany and Belgium. That would hammer them...

Sorry OP if youre Dutch and all. We have to look at the bigger picture!

[mr_nool]

I really hope I'm wrong about the Dutch. The WC issues nicer when your home country is doing well. The WC four years was one big party. We placed our tv on the sidewalk outside our house and watched both the semi final and the final together with all the neighbors on the street.

I want the Dutch to get through the group, pref as winners to avoid Brazil... and then keep going through the rounds, ideally after extra time and penalties... before coming to a shuddering halt in the Semi-finals against Germany. And then a defeat in the 3rd/4th play-off against Belgium.

This keeps van Gaal and van Persie out there for as long as possible, and delays the Rags' pre-season preparations for a second successive year, without giving them the momentum and positive attitude that would come from a World Cup win. Losing to Germany and Belgium. That would hammer them...

Sorry OP if youre Dutch and all. We have to look at the bigger picture!

I'm not Dutch, mate, just living in the Netherlands. But it's hard not to get into the spirit when the family in law, your mates, and basically everyone around you are in an orange frenzy.

[dazby]

I bet they are all shitting their pants after our magnificent 0-1 loss to Croatia. Might as well just forfeit really.

[jimtolmie_tache]

I really hope I'm wrong about the Dutch. The WC issues nicer when your home country is doing well. The WC four years was one big party. We placed our tv on the sidewalk outside our house and watched both the semi final and the final together with all the neighbors on the street.

I want the Dutch to get through the group, pref as winners to avoid Brazil... and then keep going through the rounds, ideally after extra time and penalties... before coming to a shuddering halt in the Semi-finals against Germany. And then a defeat in the 3rd/4th play-off against Belgium.

This keeps van Gaal and van Persie out there for as long as possible, and delays the Rags' pre-season preparations for a second successive year, without giving them the momentum and positive attitude that would come from a World Cup win. Losing to Germany and Belgium. That would hammer them...

Sorry OP if youre Dutch and all. We have to look at the bigger picture!

I'm not Dutch, mate, just living in the Netherlands. But it's hard not to get into the spirit when the family in law, your mates, and basically everyone around you are in an orange frenzy.

Fair enough. I wanted Holland to win last time cause of Nigel. But this time, if England don't win, I want Belgium. What could be better than seeing the great Vincent lift the trophy? Belgium are almost like 'the new England'. A side where everyone has someone to follow, unlike England squads of the recent past that have often been based around one divisive club (Rags in the 90s, Liverpool recently).

I saw the recent comments by Paul Scholes - he's become a bit of a gobshite recently, where did that come from? - that England should try to 'play like Liverpool'. What, come out like they're on drugs and try to score three goals in the opening ten minutes, then spend the last thirty minutes absolutely knackered while the opponents peg it all back and eventually get a late winner? Yeah, that'll be brilliant in tropical conditions. Tactical masterclass from Scholes, as Robbie Savage might say.

[mr_nool]

Paul Scholes was great on the pitch. He's not so great off it...

I reckon England has a good team, if Roy just dared making some of the tough and unpopular decisions mentioned earlier in this thread.
I also really want Belgium to do well, but I think that the pressure might get to them. It's not easy going into a tournament as the team that every one is watching. It's also a bit of no or never for a team like Belgium, at least concerning the WC (they will still have a good team for the next EC).

My dark horses are Bosnia and Chile. I really hope that Dzeko will have a great tournament!

[DoomMerchant]

Paul Scholes was great on the pitch. He's not so great off it...

I reckon England has a good team, if Roy just dared making some of the tough and unpopular decisions mentioned earlier in this thread.
I also really want Belgium to do well, but I think that the pressure might get to them. It's not easy going into a tournament as the team that every one is watching. It's also a bit of no or never for a team like Belgium, at least concerning the WC (they will still have a good team for the next EC).

My dark horses are Bosnia and Chile. I really hope that Dzeko will have a great tournament!

Same for me...I got a Bosnia tee I'm ready ito trot out and support the big spazzy one. Chile I just want to see Vidal mostly. I feel like a 12 year old.

Also I think the dutch will suck ass. Sadly. I root for the dutch and Italy but I can't see either doing much beyond Italy getting out of the group.

I also believe the pressure is too much for Belgium. Expectations are too high. They'll get out of the group but lose to Portugal perhaps in the knock outs.

Costa Rica could be this years team that doesn't lose a match and doesn't progress. Super defensive and organized but can't really make a difference. That country is footy mad so they'll be very proud of their boys just for putting the effort in. Great country. I'd love to retire there.

[Ted Hughes]

Paul Scholes was great on the pitch. He's not so great off it...

I reckon England has a good team, if Roy just dared making some of the tough and unpopular decisions mentioned earlier in this thread.
I also really want Belgium to do well, but I think that the pressure might get to them. It's not easy going into a tournament as the team that every one is watching. It's also a bit of no or never for a team like Belgium, at least concerning the WC (they will still have a good team for the next EC).

My dark horses are Bosnia and Chile. I really hope that Dzeko will have a great tournament!

Same for me...I got a Bosnia tee I'm ready ito trot out and support the big spazzy one. Chile I just want to see Vidal mostly. I feel like a 12 year old.

Also I think the dutch will suck ass. Sadly. I root for the dutch and Italy but I can't see either doing much beyond Italy getting out of the group.

I also believe the pressure is too much for Belgium. Expectations are too high. They'll get out of the group but lose to Portugal perhaps in the knock outs.

Costa Rica could be this years team that doesn't lose a match and doesn't progress. Super defensive and organized but can't really make a difference. That country is footy mad so they'll be very proud of their boys just for putting the effort in. Great country. I'd love to retire there.

I'd like Bosnia to do well, remains to be seen how their game works in the heat as with all teams from outside that area, but if it does function, they could be a handful.

Torn about Argentina. Seems as if they're being used by politicians but our lads are over there, so...