FIFA World Cup 2014

[cactus.]

 

 

Is there going to be a prediction league for the World Cup finals? I'd take part

 

I reckon there should be. Would be more than happy to set one up. Anyone else interested?

 

 

Of course!

 

Brazil just named their squad: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/07/brazil-world-cup-squad-luiz-felipe-scolari-selecao

[I cucked Alex Jones]

A bit surprised to see Coutinho and Leandro Castán not in the squad. A year ago i wouldn't have thought Maicon would play in another World Cup, but with his form for Roma he deserved to make the squad.

[Hodgey.]

 

 

 

Is there going to be a prediction league for the World Cup finals? I'd take part

 

I reckon there should be. Would be more than happy to set one up. Anyone else interested?

 

 

Of course!

 

Yeah there will be one. We had one for Euro 2012 (which I won by the way, just saying) and I think AndyGanteks set it up. I'm sure nearer the time someone will sort a topic out for it.

[Beanee]

COME ON ENGLAND!

[GTA_stu]

I'd be down for the prediction league. I tend to get bored when it's stretched out over a season and always lose interest somewhere along the way. But with a short time frame like this I should be able to see it out. I think.

 

It's really not far away now. It seemed just yesterday that it was 100 days to go, and now it's a little over a month.

[dante財閥]

If the squad selection is right I actually have high hopes for En-ger-land this world cup.

 

We've finally started developing players with flair and good ability. We actually have proper attacking wingers now, it's madness.

 

If Sturridge continues his prem form, Rooney steps up and Ox and Lallana have a break out tournament we may even reach the semi-finals. (one step above are usual spot, the quarters)

 

COME ON ENGLANDDDD

[cactus.]

Is Sterling expected to be in the team? Honestly, I'd say bench Rooney, it's a little past time to be expecting him to "step up" for England.

[dante財閥]

Well you never know how Woy is going to sway, unfortunately even though we've developed players that have finally started to play like the rest of the world in terms of skill and flair, our managerial mind set is still stuck in the 70's. If you gave an English manager the Brazilian squad, he'd have them playing like Stoke F.C.

 

But honestly, considering Sterling's season it'd be a joke if he was left out.

[Vercetti42]

Anyone else rooting for Belgium? I will. Such a talented young squad.

[Hodgey.]

If the squad selection is right I actually have high hopes for En-ger-land this world cup.

 

Nope, nope and nope.

 

England aren't getting anywhere near the final never mind winning the whole thing. Quarter finals at best.

[dante財閥]

 

If the squad selection is right I actually have high hopes for En-ger-land this world cup.

 

Nope, nope and nope.

 

England aren't getting anywhere near the final never mind winning the whole thing. Quarter finals at best.

 

Only thing that concerns me is our management staff.

 

These players are the most effective we've had in a long while.

[Josh]

We tend to perform best when we know precisely how good we are. When we get delusions of gradneur is when we end up cocking up in the knockout rounds. I would put us in the second round and then after that it's a series of one-off games against teams that are of a similar or a little greater strength than us. So I see no reason why we couldn't possibly go all the way.

 

Whether or not it's at all remotely likely though is another thing -- I think I'd probably view a Quarter Final performance as a relative success.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Josh

[GTA_stu]

These players are the most effective we've had in a long while.

 

Really? On paper I'd say this is our weakest squad for decades that we've taken to a WC. Plus a lot of our players that have had good seasons are pretty much unproven at international level. Sterling, Lallana, Barkley etc. Look at the squads we had in the early to late 2000's, the likes of Ferdinand, Terry, Ashley Cole, Lampard, Gerrard at their primes. This squad pales in comparison. We haven't even been playing well or anything, it's still the same boring system that looks uncreative unimaginative and unexciting.

 

I really doubt we'll get out of the group.

[Max]

 

 

Is there going to be a prediction league for the World Cup finals? I'd take part

I reckon there should be. Would be more than happy to set one up. Anyone else interested?

I'll play, and I'll pin this topic and the prediction league for the duration of the tournament too. Go ahead mate.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Max

[dante財閥]

 

These players are the most effective we've had in a long while.

 

Really? On paper I'd say this is our weakest squad for decades that we've taken to a WC. Plus a lot of our players that have had good seasons are pretty much unproven at international level. Sterling, Lallana, Barkley etc. Look at the squads we had in the early to late 2000's, the likes of Ferdinand, Terry, Ashley Cole, Lampard, Gerrard at their primes. This squad pales in comparison. We haven't even been playing well or anything, it's still the same boring system that looks uncreative unimaginative and unexciting.

 

I really doubt we'll get out of the group.

 

But that is what is so exciting. All the players you've mentioned are a completely different mold to the players before them. We've never been able to adapt to modern football before. All of our players are physical, straight forward and possess little to no flair because it is how we've been coached for generations. This time around we are going into the WC with gifted risk taking players who have been coached to beat their man and extend their flair in attack. It is something we've never really witnessed as an England international team before.

Edited May 9, 2014 by Geth

[cactus.]

The 2010 England squad would be much weaker compared to this one, wouldn't you say?

 

re: Prediction League,

 

can I make a request to whoever sets it up, that aside from predicting team progress and scores, can we add a few extra categories just for fun? For example, predict the Golden Boot winner, First team to be mathematically eliminated, First red card, and some stuff like that? These categories could simply be hit or miss for points, like you either get it nailed on for X amount of points, or nothing at all.

[Hodgey.]

The 2010 England squad would be much weaker compared to this one, wouldn't you say?

 

The 2010 squad was much better and much more experienced than the squad we have at the moment. With this squad I'd be surprised if we made it out of the Group stage. However in 2010 we should of atleast made the semis but we under performed.

[Max]

It's a hard one to call. 2010 England squad had an experienced spine that had mostly won sh*t loads with their clubs domestically. World class defensively in particular. Though for the most part they massively under-performed whenever they were in an England shirt and we did have Heskey...

 

This England squad is virtually the opposite. Far more raw talent than experience, loads more pace and forward intent, but, very little experience, particularly at a World Cup and an absolutely sh*t defense by comparison.

 

I think we'll be much nicer to watch this World Cup than 2010 but we have absolutely no hope.

 

EDIT: And while I'm here and the World Cup officially starts in a month, I'm going to pin it. The Tournament starts here lads!

Edited May 12, 2014 by Max

[cactus.]

What makes you think they should have made it to the semis, though? England did very well in qualifying, I'll give you that, but with a squad that has Green, Cole, Warnock, Heskey, Defoe and barely crawled out of a piss easy group, I'd say you were lucky that Germany only handed your asses to you 4-1 (heck, I'll give you the 4-2!) There was nothing about that team that should have made it to the semi finals.

 

I'm going to borrow a point I saw elsewhere and thought it was a good one, but Enland finally look set to be able to compete in a shootout: Gerrard, Baines, Lambert, Rooney, Lampard..not bad!

 

Less experienced this time around, sure, but by mixing in some talented youth I think you've got nothing to lose. I think England and Uruguay will both emerge from your group.

[SouthLand]

Honestly, i doubt we reach the final this year... But who knows.

[Der_Don]

Honestly, i doubt we reach the final this year... But who knows.

Do you support the National Team? Genuine question, since you hate Barca and half of the National team consist of Barca-players.

[Hodgey.]

What makes you think they should have made it to the semis, though? England did very well in qualifying, I'll give you that, but with a squad that has Green, Cole, Warnock, Heskey, Defoe and barely crawled out of a piss easy group, I'd say you were lucky that Germany only handed your asses to you 4-1 (heck, I'll give you the 4-2!) There was nothing about that team that should have made it to the semi finals.

 

I'm going to borrow a point I saw elsewhere and thought it was a good one, but Enland finally look set to be able to compete in a shootout: Gerrard, Baines, Lambert, Rooney, Lampard..not bad!

 

Less experienced this time around, sure, but by mixing in some talented youth I think you've got nothing to lose. I think England and Uruguay will both emerge from your group.

 

There was everything about that team that should of made the semis. The defence was solid with Terry and Cole, lets not forget at that time they where at the top of their games. You could also say the same for Gerrard and Lampard and we had Rooney up front. The spine of that team was very good with alot of experience.

However like I said we under performed. We should of never of finished second in the group and if we didn't finish second we would of never of played Germany. We would of played Ghana which would of been a much easier game, or should of been on paper atleast. That would of progressed us further than we ended up doing so.

 

As for pens, it doesn't matter. As soon as those players pull on a England shirt they'll f*ck the pens up, it's what we do.

[cactus.]

As for pens, it doesn't matter. As soon as those players pull on a England shirt they'll f*ck the pens up, it's what we do.

 

 

Can't argue with that, lol.

 

I agree you did have a very good defense. As the rest, it looks great on paper, but history told you it's just not going to work. The Gerrard/Lampard midfield partnership has never bore fruit for England, yet that's what you played. Rooney has largely been a chronic under-performer for England, yet that's the striker you relied on. So it was hardly surprising when the team fell flat when faced with some proper competition.

 

Will this summer be the same? who knows. But I'm quite excited for this English team because it seems for the first time in a while you're going to be fielding players who are in form instead of what their name's are. Lampard is definitely an odd choice, not sure how he's going to be used, but all over the pitch you've got some talented youth who can ideally produce some exciting stuff.

 

I'd say if you make it out of the group, which I think you will, this time you've got a real shot at making the semis.

Edited May 13, 2014 by TheCacti

[Hodgey.]

 

As for pens, it doesn't matter. As soon as those players pull on a England shirt they'll f*ck the pens up, it's what we do.

 

 

Can't argue with that, lol.

 

I agree you did have a very good defense. As the rest, it looks great on paper, but history told you it's just not going to work. The Gerrard/Lampard midfield partnership has never bore fruit for England, yet that's what you played. Rooney has largely been a chronic under-performer for England, yet that's the striker you relied on. So it was hardly surprising when the team fell flat when faced with some proper competition.

 

Will this summer be the same? who knows. But I'm quite excited for this English team because it seems for the first time in a while you're going to be fielding players who are in form instead of what they their name's are. Lampard is definitely an odd choice, not sure how he's going to be used, but all over the pitch you've got some talented youth who can ideally produce some exciting stuff.

 

I'd say if you make it out of the group, which I think you will, this time you've got a real shot at making the semis.

 

You're saying this from a hindsight point of view, where you are right yes but from what I remember before the 2010 WC alot of people in England (including myself) thought it would be different in the 2010 WC.

 

Yes Rooney is a under perormer for England but going into that WC we thought he would turn it around and this would be the tournament he would prove how good he was. Did he? No. Same with the Gerrard and Lampard partnership.

 

This time around there is no pressure on them. In 2010 like I said we expected big things this time around there isnt that buzz. Alot of people dont think we will make it out of the group stages never mind reach the semis. Even if we do make it out of the group stages the best we can hope for is quarter finals at best as we do have some great youth players attacking wise, but defensivley we dont have the top players you need in a WC. Johnson is a liability, Cahill is decent, Jagielka looks like he's always second away from making a mistake, Baines is good but hasn't really done anything at international level.

[SouthLand]

This is the First oficial list. Out of this list, 23 will make it to the World Cup.

 

 

 

 

Honestly, i doubt we reach the final this year... But who knows.

Do you support the National Team? Genuine question, since you hate Barca and half of the National team consist of Barca-players.

[Non Funkable Token]

Spain 30 men pre-list:

 

 

GK

 

Casillas (R. Madrid)

Reina (Napoli)

De Gea (M. United)

 

DF

 

Juanfran (At. Madrid)

Carvajal (R. Madrid)

Sergio Ramos (R. Madrid)

Azpilicueta (Chelsea)

Albiol (Napoli)

Piqué (Barcelona)

Javi Martínez (Bayern M.)

Jordi Alba (Barcelona)

 

MF

 

Alberto Moreno (Sevilla)

Xabi Alonso (R. Madrid)

Busquets (Barcelona)

Xavi (Barcelona)

Jesús Navas (M. City)

Koke (At. Madrid)

Cazorla (Arsenal)

Thiago Alcántara (Bayern M.)

Silva (M. CIty)

Iturraspe (Ath. Bilbao)

Mata (M. United)

Iniesta (Barcelona)

Cesc Fábregas (Barcelona)

 

ST

 

Pedro (Barcelona)

Diego Costa (At. Madrid)

Torres (Chelsea)

Villa (At. Madrid)

Llorente (Juventus)

Negredo (M. City)

 

 

7 players will fall from the list.

[cactus.]

@Hodgey, but then again, every major tournament produces major hype for England, doesn't it? so 2010 was no exception to that. I think having no hype this time around - at least that's the sense I get from the English media - is going to serve the team well. And you're right about the defensive liabilities, but maybe you can Liverpool your way to the semis

@Spain team,

I keep thinking Spain is going to flop at this tournament, but then I look at that team and think "holy f*ck!" How can they not win it?

And did you guys see the USA selection? Altidore in, baby!

 

*cries*

[Hodgey.]

@Hodgey, but then again, every major tournament produces major hype for England, doesn't it? so 2010 was no exception to that. I think having no hype this time around - at least that's the sense I get from the English media - is going to serve the team well. And you're right about the defensive liabilities, but maybe you can Liverpool your way to the semis

 

This time around there is no hype.

 

Dont you dare bring Liverpool into this.

[SouthLand]

@Spain team,

 

I keep thinking Spain is going to flop at this tournament, but then I look at that team and think "holy f*ck!" How can they not win it?

 

And did you guys see the USA selection? Altidore in, baby!

 

*cries*

 

Depends... some players are not even making an effort playing with their team.

I am glad that Arbeloa was kicked out and replaced with Carvajal.

[Non Funkable Token]

Arbeloa and Isco are the most noticeable absences in that list of Spain.