The Official World Cup 2010 Thread

[Urban Hat€monger ?]

I'd have Joe Hart over Foster anyday.

It's only because he's at Man Utd he's there. It's certainly not on merit.

[Mojo]

I think hes got lots of potential but then again so do Hart and Kirkland. I know Kirkland isnt exactly a young man but he's getting better and better i think. I think it could be a massive headache deciding what keeper to take to the next major tournament but for this one i'd have to go with James. Green would have to be be in killer form between now and then to get the nod surely.

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by mojopinuk

I think hes got lots of potential but then again so do Hart and Kirkland. I know Kirkland isnt exactly a young man but he's getting better and better i think. I think it could be a massive headache deciding what keeper to take to the next major tournament but for this one i'd have to go with James. Green would have to be be in killer form between now and then to get the nod surely.

Kirkland would probably be my number 2 after James and isn`t as prone to the terrible mistakes that plague the other keepers.

[jackhammer]

Now that the English season is over and we are all generally disappointed with our respective teams, let's turn our attention to the World Cup.

Predictions? Dark horses? Timetable planned out?

Even though I work nights it seems that I can see England's group games and the second round (whatever permutations) without losing anytime off work which is a godsend but the quarters onwards are a minefield to work out regarding work so I will take it as it comes.

I will be in Germany at a music festival for their (England) second group game and although it will be on via giant screens it will be at 9:30 PM Euro time so I'm not sure whether I can catch it in it's entirety until I get a timetable of the festival.

[Alfred]

I don't think I'll be following it much this year, but regardless I'll be cheering for France, just like I did back in '06.

[TheCunningStunt]

Engurland! Engurland! Engurland!

Yeah, I think we'll go out at the quarters on penalties, to Portugal no doubt.

[right-track]

^ That's what I like to see...optimism!

[TheCunningStunt]

We're English, it's the way we work. Not won it since 1966 but every year we still carry that belief, to be honest - I believe. But the likeliness of it is we'll get knocked out and we will find a scapegoat for it.

[Bulldog]

Originally Posted by TheCunningStunt

We're English, it's the way we work. Not won it since 1966 but every year we still carry that belief, to be honest - I believe. But the likeliness of it is we'll get knocked out and we will find a scapegoat for it.

My money's on that either being whoever goes in goal for us or the ref.

As for predictions, I can speculate all I like but, of course, all it takes is one stupid mistake, one stroke of bad luck or one player barely turning up and we're on our way back home, regardless of which round it is. So long as the lads don't send me to sleep like they did back in '06 I guess I'll be happy. In fact, I'm just hoping for a good tournament - Germany 2006 was far and away the most boring excuse for a major football tournament I've ever seen.

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by jackhammer

Now that the English season is over and we are all generally disappointed with our respective teams, let's turn our attention to the World Cup.

Predictions? Dark horses? Timetable planned out?

Even though I work nights it seems that I can see England's group games and the second round (whatever permutations) without losing anytime off work which is a godsend but the quarters onwards are a minefield to work out regarding work so I will take it as it comes.

I will be in Germany at a music festival for their (England) second group game and although it will be on via giant screens it will be at 9:30 PM Euro time so I'm not sure whether I can catch it in it's entirety until I get a timetable of the festival.

Spain are the best team but usually the best team doesn`t win but I still expect to see a final four of Spain, Brazil, Holland and possibly Argentina given the world class ability of a lot of their players but let down by the weak link of Maradona as manager.

As for teams to break the top floor above both Italy and France have the ability to do so and as much as I hate to say it, it wouldn`t surprise me if Germany grinded their way into the top four as they always seem to do.

With Capello in charge England have a manager to get the very best out of them and if certain key players perform to their abilities there no reason why they shouldn`t join Italy and France etc as contenders as well.

The other angle is the African angle, just how well will African teams do in their own continent of which Ghana and Ivory Coast etc are all more than capable of going the whole way in the tournament.

As I`ve written this Spain are still going to be the team to beat with a rock solid defence, outstanding midfield and a dream attack.

Casillas, Xavi, Iniesta, Silva, Villa, Torres are all world class players and players such as Puyol, Pique, Senna and Xavi Alonso give the team real backbone and strength, that`s 10 outstanding players that will take some beating.