FIFA World Cup 2014

Posted by: Chris Dolan on 18 May 2014

Atletico Madrid win La Liga and Arsenal sneak the FA Cup. Citeh's money taints the Premiership - sadly.

 

So who is going to win the FIFA World Cup (sponsored by McDonalds). Is Suarez is going be the top scorer - or would he fail to score with Jordan? Eddie that is 

 

Well it's being held in Brazil - the smell up coffee and wake - imho - what do you guys think?

 

 

 

Posted on: 23 June 2014 by mista h
Originally Posted by MDS:
Originally Posted by mista h:
Originally Posted by MDS:
Originally Posted by Kevin-W:
Originally Posted by George J:

 

 

I think Hodgson as a manager is intelligent enough to know this, and should be given a chance to see what he can do with a young and still-developing team. Roll on Euro 16!

 

 

 

And I hope Hodgson stays for another tournament as well.

 

MDS

When he was with us i rated him as average at best,sorry not for me.

You have to ask yourself why did Liverpool boot him out so quick. check his history,the guy has had so many jobs over the years his Removal company had a job keeping up with him.

Mista h

Mista H - I know he wasn't a success at Liverpool but if we want an English manager who would be better?  The only one I can think of would be 'arry R. Unlike Hodgson he has no international or foreign experience but he seems to be able to get the best out of players and his teams play with a bit flair.  But I don't think the FA like his 'geezer' reputation.  Who if not Hodgson?

MDS 

MDS

Who says we want an English Manager......not me,it would not worry me if the England manger was from China and had 3 heads and 5 arms,so long as he was able to do the job. Go onto Wikipedia and have a look a RHs CV. I feel sorry for his misses every 2 years(sometimes less) he was moving or getting moved on. The current Liverpool manager did a fantastic job at Swansea and at the Pool. I also like Martinez at Everton. I think the other thing you have to question is do we have enough Quality English players to move foreward and improve,IMHO the answer is a big firm NO.

Mista H

Posted on: 23 June 2014 by MDS

Well, Mista H, if we're talking non-English managers it would be the 'special one' for me. A winner if ever there was one. 

Posted on: 23 June 2014 by MDS

Croatia seem to be struggling tactically and Mexico look more likely to score.  Croatia have to go for the win so will need to do something different in the second half. Should be interesting but I fear for Croatia if Mexico get the first goal.

Posted on: 23 June 2014 by MDS
Originally Posted by Wat:

I would be suspicious of a manager with 2 heads and 3 arms. The foreign managers we have had were not very good - especially Capello who was almost as bad as Don Revie. The best two managers we have had were Sir Alf and Sir Bobby. However, I find it hard to think of a manager who could do better than Roy. It is the lack of good young players and that is down to many of the young players themselves. Not having a go at those selected as good or not they were ready and willing. As Harry pointed out some  others have no dedicated: hopefully Spurs have unloaded those players and other teams have not been stupid enough to sign them. It is no wonder clubs prefer dedicated young foreign  players to those wasters. 

 

Yes i think we can do well if Lallana and Barkley develop, but beyond those in the current squad: I can't see much coming through. 

Gosh, I'd forgotten about the nightmare spell of Revie's but going that far back has served to remind me of another previous manager under whom England played some decent stuff.  It was only a short spell but the late Ron Greenwood seemed to bring something to the side that has eluded most.

    

Posted on: 23 June 2014 by MDS

'Little Pea' coming on for Mexico. Can see him nicking a goal.

Posted on: 23 June 2014 by MDS

Croatia lucky to get away with a hand-ball in the box.  The overweight Mexico manager is so animated he risks a heart attack!  

Posted on: 23 June 2014 by MDS

2-0 Mexico. Thoroughly deserved. That must be good night and goodbye Croatia.

Posted on: 23 June 2014 by MDS

And 'Little Pea' makes it 3-0. Can they catch Brazil on goal difference? 

Posted on: 23 June 2014 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by MDS:

And 'Little Pea' makes it 3-0. Can they catch Brazil on goal difference? 

Brazil have just scored a fourth - so maybe not.

Posted on: 23 June 2014 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by Kevin-W:
Originally Posted by MDS:

And 'Little Pea' makes it 3-0. Can they catch Brazil on goal difference? 

Brazil have just scored a fourth - so maybe not.

And now Croatia have scored! Thrilling stuff in both games - I am flicking madly between the two!

Posted on: 23 June 2014 by Hook

One of my favorite memories of this World Cup will be the slow motion celebration shots of Mexico's coach, Miguel Herrera!  His expressions are priceless!  

 

They seem to be getting stronger with each game played, and I would love to see them go far into the tournament. They look nothing like the team the US beat 2-0 last September. Their confidence is surging under Herrera, and Mexico/Netherlands should be a great match.

 

ATB.

 

Hook

 

 

 

Posted on: 23 June 2014 by OscillateWildly
Originally Posted by sjbabbey:

To be fair it was understandable that Hodgson would look to the Liverpool squad for available players given that neither City nor Chelsea's first teams are exactly brim full of young English players. Hodgson's game plan seems to have been to push up the 2 Fullbacks (Johnson and Baines) and rely on the holding midfield players to cover. In the event this didn't work out and Cahill and Jagielka were exposed to quick counterattacks.

 

I agree with you about the number of goals conceded by Liverpool last season but the difference is that whereas Liverpool played with a lot of pace and invention in attack and midfield (in part provided by Suarez but also by Coutinho, Sterling and Sturridge) which opened up opposing defences and created a lot of goal-scoring chances, this just did not happen in Brazil.

 

Yes look at Liverpool players, but then realise the cover isn't up to the job required, the forwards don't include the main man and one of the two you have is young - they tend to be up and down re performance. Liverpool were close to coming undone before they did, taking that 'score more' to the World Cup Finals was daft.

 

---

 

Jasonf,

 

You don't think Hodgson was swayed by Liverpool's final position? You think the cover was there, it just vanished in Brazil? To say otherwise is RAWKish conspiracy?

 

---

 

Lampard and Wilshere; if they are in a two, hope they are better than v Ecuador - no cover.

 

Cheers,

OW

Posted on: 23 June 2014 by mista h
Originally Posted by OscillateWildly:
Originally Posted by sjbabbey:

To be fair it was understandable that Hodgson would look to the Liverpool squad for available players given that neither City nor Chelsea's first teams are exactly brim full of young English players. Hodgson's game plan seems to have been to push up the 2 Fullbacks (Johnson and Baines) and rely on the holding midfield players to cover. In the event this didn't work out and Cahill and Jagielka were exposed to quick counterattacks.

 

I agree with you about the number of goals conceded by Liverpool last season but the difference is that whereas Liverpool played with a lot of pace and invention in attack and midfield (in part provided by Suarez but also by Coutinho, Sterling and Sturridge) which opened up opposing defences and created a lot of goal-scoring chances, this just did not happen in Brazil.

 

Yes look at Liverpool players, but then realise the cover isn't up to the job required, the forwards don't include the main man and one of the two you have is young - they tend to be up and down re performance. Liverpool were close to coming undone before they did, taking that 'score more' to the World Cup Finals was daft.

 

---

 

Jasonf,

 

You don't think Hodgson was swayed by Liverpool's final position? You think the cover was there, it just vanished in Brazil? To say otherwise is RAWKish conspiracy?

 

---

 

Lampard and Wilshere; if they are in a two, hope they are better than v Ecuador - no cover.

 

Cheers,

OW

OW

Not often we get Ladies on Footie threads,if i am not being nosey what English team do you support/follow.

Mista h

Posted on: 23 June 2014 by mista h
Originally Posted by MDS:

Well, Mista H, if we're talking non-English managers it would be the 'special one' for me. A winner if ever there was one. 

Got no problems with that MDS,he is Defo one i like. A man who knows when to make changes and is not afraid to make them. I remember some years back we were playing Chelsea at home,Joe Cole was not performing and after only 15 mins he had him off,no messing.

Mista h

Posted on: 24 June 2014 by Jasonf

Mullered!

 

Something to while away those lonely hours between games.

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27978489

 

Jason.

Posted on: 24 June 2014 by OscillateWildly
Originally Posted by mista h:

OW

Not often we get Ladies on Footie threads,if i am not being nosey what English team do you support/follow.

Mista h

 

Mista h,

 

Sorry; that was no lady, that was Grayson 'Claire' Perry - I didn't see the need for the gender selection on joining. How is the cat thing working out?

 

I used to go and watch, my nieces have taken the baton - now for the groan, 'Figures.'; Manchester United - Martin Buchan was my first favourite, and a bit later came Arthur Albiston and Steve Coppell.

 

To the Hodgson Liverpool thing I'll add a Manchester United one; playing Jones or Smalling at right back. Just because Ferguson did it, England managers and Moyes followed. The balance is lost - Rafael v Jones/Smalling. For Manchester United I'd like to see Varela given a chance, and for England I think Clyne deserved an opportunity in two of the friendly games. At the moment Flanagan overdoes the aggression - could be a problem at a World Cup.

 

Are you Fulham? From the FA Youth Cup, Roberts looks good - standout.

 

Cheers,

OW

Posted on: 24 June 2014 by Jasonf
Originally Posted by OscillateWildly:
Originally Posted by mista h:

OW

Not often we get Ladies on Footie threads,if i am not being nosey what English team do you support/follow.

Mista h

 

Mista h,

 

Sorry; that was no lady, that was Grayson 'Claire' Perry - I didn't see the need for the gender selection on joining. How is the cat thing working out?

 

I used to go and watch, my nieces have taken the baton - now for the groan, 'Figures.'; Manchester United - Martin Buchan was my first favourite, and a bit later came Arthur Albiston and Steve Coppell.

 

To the Hodgson Liverpool thing I'll add a Manchester United one; playing Jones or Smalling at right back. Just because Ferguson did it, England managers and Moyes followed. The balance is lost - Rafael v Jones/Smalling. For Manchester United I'd like to see Varela given a chance, and for England I think Clyne deserved an opportunity in two of the friendly games. At the moment Flanagan overdoes the aggression - could be a problem at a World Cup.

 

Are you Fulham? From the FA Youth Cup, Roberts looks good - standout.

 

Cheers,

OW

Yep, that is disappointing. Another Man U supporter struggling to come to terms with reality by exhibiting either blatant prejudice or manufacturing conspiracy theories toward Liverpool.

 

Personally, my criticism of Gerrard and Henderson is that they sat too deep and did not support the forwards, more so in the Uruguay game. Neither Suarez's goals had anything to do with the midfield not protecting the back four. As I saw it, the first goal was an error by Glen Johnson and the second was a lucky head on by Gerrard, which could have gone anywhere, and bad marking by non Liverpool full backs. And its very convenient that the England defence is "approximately" as good as that of Liverpool's, using your words...now that is stretching correlations.

 

In hindsight, I can see exactly how and now why you would speculate on your "Liverpool Myth" theory. But I don't see any correlation between the defeat to Uruguay and your conspiracy.

 

But I certainly do like your theory in general, as it just goes to show how well the work at Liverpool is developing under Brendan Rodgers, and that people are respecting it....that blooding young English/British talent is not a scary option in the EPL. I just hope Van Gal does the same at Man U and does not drop Rooney.

 

Jason.

Posted on: 24 June 2014 by mista h
Originally Posted by OscillateWildly:
Originally Posted by mista h:

OW

Not often we get Ladies on Footie threads,if i am not being nosey what English team do you support/follow.

Mista h

 

Mista h,

 

Sorry; that was no lady, that was Grayson 'Claire' Perry - I didn't see the need for the gender selection on joining. How is the cat thing working out?

 

I used to go and watch, my nieces have taken the baton - now for the groan, 'Figures.'; Manchester United - Martin Buchan was my first favourite, and a bit later came Arthur Albiston and Steve Coppell.

 

To the Hodgson Liverpool thing I'll add a Manchester United one; playing Jones or Smalling at right back. Just because Ferguson did it, England managers and Moyes followed. The balance is lost - Rafael v Jones/Smalling. For Manchester United I'd like to see Varela given a chance, and for England I think Clyne deserved an opportunity in two of the friendly games. At the moment Flanagan overdoes the aggression - could be a problem at a World Cup.

 

Are you Fulham? From the FA Youth Cup, Roberts looks good - standout.

 

Cheers

 

Suggest you change your profile OW,you are confusing everybody!!

Yep sorry to say as per my profile watched my first fulham game when the old man took me along as a young lad back in 1954. Up until just before christmas he still had his S/T,but then at almost 90 he had a couple of mild strokes and sad to say he has had to stop going.

Well spotted RE Patrick Roberts,at only 17 he has a bright future. The kid is quality and to good for Fulham. If he carries on as he is i would say in 12 months or so one of the big clubs will be in for him.

Mista h

Posted on: 24 June 2014 by OscillateWildly

Jasonf

 

Yep, that is disappointing. Another Man U supporter struggling to come to terms with reality by exhibiting either blatant prejudice or manufacturing conspiracy theories toward Liverpool.

 

---

 

Drivel.

 

My criticism is of Hodgson, yet you take it as an attack on Liverpool.

 

Gerrard lost the ball for the first, and his header should've gone forward re the second - mistakes by the defence followed ending in goals. Protecting the defence?

 

What level do you put the England defence; Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton? Maybe Spurs other than Liverpool.

 

It will be interesting to see how Rodgers adapts the team with Champions League and learning from the end of season games with Norwich City and Crystal Palace.

 

Cheers,

OW

Posted on: 24 June 2014 by Jasonf
Originally Posted by OscillateWildly:

Jasonf

 

Yep, that is disappointing. Another Man U supporter struggling to come to terms with reality by exhibiting either blatant prejudice or manufacturing conspiracy theories toward Liverpool.

 

---

 

Drivel.

 

My criticism is of Hodgson, yet you take it as an attack on Liverpool.

 

Gerrard lost the ball for the first, and his header should've gone forward re the second - mistakes by the defence followed ending in goals. Protecting the defence?

 

What level do you put the England defence; Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton? Maybe Spurs other than Liverpool.

 

It will be interesting to see how Rodgers adapts the team with Champions League and learning from the end of season games with Norwich City and Crystal Palace.

 

Cheers,

OW

And I say " manufactured drivel".....

 

By the way, I think I have been clearly critical of the Liverpool players, so I don't have a problem with that, but I think you are attempting to build a case (in hindsight) where there isn't one...and it shows.

 

Jason.

 

Posted on: 24 June 2014 by sjbabbey
Originally Posted by OscillateWildly:
Originally Posted by sjbabbey:

To be fair it was understandable that Hodgson would look to the Liverpool squad for available players given that neither City nor Chelsea's first teams are exactly brim full of young English players. Hodgson's game plan seems to have been to push up the 2 Fullbacks (Johnson and Baines) and rely on the holding midfield players to cover. In the event this didn't work out and Cahill and Jagielka were exposed to quick counterattacks.

 

I agree with you about the number of goals conceded by Liverpool last season but the difference is that whereas Liverpool played with a lot of pace and invention in attack and midfield (in part provided by Suarez but also by Coutinho, Sterling and Sturridge) which opened up opposing defences and created a lot of goal-scoring chances, this just did not happen in Brazil.

 

Yes look at Liverpool players, but then realise the cover isn't up to the job required, the forwards don't include the main man and one of the two you have is young - they tend to be up and down re performance. Liverpool were close to coming undone before they did, taking that 'score more' to the World Cup Finals was daft.

 

---

 

Jasonf,

 

You don't think Hodgson was swayed by Liverpool's final position? You think the cover was there, it just vanished in Brazil? To say otherwise is RAWKish conspiracy?

 

---

 

Lampard and Wilshere; if they are in a two, hope they are better than v Ecuador - no cover.

 

Cheers,

OW

I agree with you on the "score more" approach. It was not going to work unless England had the forwards who had the pace and invention up front. However Hodgson was under pressure to try an adventurous approach which he did by picking 2 fullbacks who are better going forward than defending (especially Johnson). Unfortunately, the pace of the international game is slower than that of the Premier League so this tactic was likely to be less successful.

 

I think it was generally accepted during the pre-tournament friendlies that the England defence was our weak link and this proved to be the case. Gerrard's errors did not help but he is not a central defender and ultimately it was poor positioning by Cahill who, as Rio Ferdinand pointed out, did not drop back, which contributed to England conceding.

 

Given that only Johnson of the England back four plays for Liverpool, I don't get your analogy between the England and Liverpool defences unless you're referring to their emphasis on the full backs getting forward. Then again I also struggle to understand why Rodgers doesn't pick Agger whenever he's fit. 

 

Finally, I take your point about Flanagan who clearly isn't the finished article.

 

Posted on: 24 June 2014 by OscillateWildly

Jason,

 

I don't think Hodgson would've tried what he did if Liverpool had finished 6th - fewer goals from the forwards. From Liverpool's season, the cover wasn't there - a myth that it was. It isn't hindsight, it was clear at the time. Just as it was clear at the time that the Crystal Palace game should've been shut down - it didn't take hindsight.

 

We won't agree, so I'll bid you good day.

 

sjbabbey; by Liverpool level I mean overall standard, quality. I think England are closer to the Spurs/Liverpool end.

 

mista h; profile adjusted.

 

Cheers,

OW

Posted on: 24 June 2014 by sjbabbey

OW,

 

Thanks for the clarification. I accept the premise that your comments are meant as a criticism of Hodgson's tactics/selections and not just "having a go" at Liverpool because they had a comparatively  successful season. 

 

I agree that the way they threw away a 3 goal lead over Palace was shocking. Of course Henderson was missing through suspension for that game.

 

Cheers

 

Steve

Posted on: 24 June 2014 by Fabio 1

untitled Diidn't know we had to play against these theet.Anyway bad Italian team and very bad referee.Ciao Italia.

Posted on: 24 June 2014 by MDS
Originally Posted by Fabio 1:

untitled Diidn't know we had to play against these theet.Anyway bad Italian team and very bad referee.Ciao Italia.

It will be interesting to see what if anything FIFA do about the latest Saurez incident.

 

I rather wonder if Italy's overly conservative approach was part of their downfall.  Not needing to win the final game and playing for a draw is always dangerous. In some ways I think had Italy drawn with England in their opening game they would have been more adventurous in their second and third games and probably have gone through. Still hindsight is a wonderful thing.