I watched the ESPN 30 for 30: The 2 Escobars last night and I think a few refs could use the Pablo treatment in this World Cup.
Right, Im sorry but some things need to be addressed. Before I even get to the main course, Ash, no. Yes, you were definatley worth your win and top of the group but absolutley no chance I would fancy USA to beat Argentina, Germany, Holland, Spain, Portugal or who I think could be a very good outside bet to win.... Uraguy! Anyway, Engerland. For fucksake, that was atrocious tonight. Seriously. For a team with grand delusions of winning the world cup, to finish runners up in the easiest possible group, take off your main superstar and play with effectivley 1 upfront for 20 minutes and hold out for a win against Slovenia is nothing short of a disgrace. Yes, I am a firm believer that you can only beat whats put infront of you, you can only pish with the cock you'v got. But potential world cup winning teams don't play with backs to the wall against slovenia for the last 10 minutes or fight to keep the ball in the corner. England need a big boost of adrenalin or reality right now, or they will 100% be sent packing in the round of 16. For the record, I laughed heartily when I heard the commentator say Slovenia were out as USA had scored a last minute goal, meaning every possibility of a next round meet up with der hun! Since I was in the pub, I couldnt really make out Lawrensons nonsense. Was he as scathing of england as both he and mcarthy have been of teams such as Greece who have served us up nothing but defensive crap? Doubtful. Lawrenson is someone I would happily punch in the face repeatedly, he really is a cock of the highest order. Right, my pizza's ready and I need to pish out the 6 pints I've embibed. Rant over.
No chance? We've beaten Spain before. I'm not saying the U.S. is primed to win it all. I'm just saying, on any given day we can compete with the best. It seems a bit dismissive to say a team that just won it's group has "absolutely no chance" against any of the teams you listed. Sure those teams are all more talented but, as they say, "that's why they play the games".
I can't believe how excited some people are over the win against Slovenia. Fuck sake, we should be making mince meat out of teams like this, not hanging on in the last minutes, using that shithouse tactic of running the clock down by taking the ball into the corner! The Germans have been totally overrated by the media. None of their players really stands out for me, not even the Turkish kid who everyone is raving about. If England play to their best we should beat the Germans comfortably IMO. But we need to get a move on, we look nothing like the team that obliterated our opponents in qualifying!
Slovakia is really playing well. Italy might be headed home. I liked how the referee got after the Slovakian goalkeeper after he flopped and stayed down for a while.
No chance, I stand by that. To be honest it would appear you have contracted Englishitis if you really think that. Granted, USA have played well and thouroughly deserved to win the group, showed great spirit to come back from being down in two matches and played attatcking football in the final one. But reality check time. USA have only won one game and that was against the mighty Algeria!
How did the U.S. beat Spain in the Confederations Cup? There's no such thing as "no chance" at this stage of the WC. The teams that have advanced to this point can compete with anyone and have a chance to pull one out. Upsets are almost a statistical certainty in tournaments like this. That's why they play the games instead of assigning wins and losses based on roster strength. We played attacking football in the second half against Slovenia and scored 3 goals (one of which was disallowed for no reason). Yeah but we're also undefeated and we deserved the win over Slovenia. Once again, I'm not here predicting glory for the U.S. from here on out. I'm just saying I like our chances to claim points in any individual match.
Yesterday was an improvement, but we still didn't look like a top team. That's how I'd have expected us to play against the USA, not the third match Sunday should be fun... As for Italy... Surely this must be the first WC where the previous ones finalists both exited at the group stage?
So for you England folk, how was Milner's play against Slovenia? All I saw was that nice ball he had for Defoe.
I thought he had a decent game, one of the better England players. He did his duties well and was inventive coming forward
It's my wedding anniversary on Sunday. Originally, we were going to have a nice day out. Guess what my darling husband has suggested we do instead? Clue: it involves the pub and beer. COME ON GERMANY!!!!!!!!
The Welsh part of me wants to break out my old Lothar Matthaus top... Just stuck a tenner on Japan after last night's heroics.
Don't be selfish Summerteeth, you have an anniversary every year, there is only a World Cup once every four years. Quite frankly you have only yourself to blame for not realizing when you got married that you were going to have this crossover between the World Cup and your Wedding Anniversary every four years. That's just piss poor planning.