World Cup 2010 Thread!

[mycarsavw]

As a lifelong Spurs supporter, welcome to my world.

Promised lots, hyped up, hardly ever deliver.

Something's not right, there's no spirit...if the formation you're playing isn't working, change it. If the position you've been put in doesn't work for you, move/swap/change it. The players know how to play, why don't they take some fricking initiative and sort the shambles out?

[Barrichello]

Feeling nervous for Dk's game tonight against Cameroon, but its not so bad following a country with hardly any expectations heaped on them

Makes it more sweeter when you get a good result against all the odds.

[Splash]

How bad are things when Gareth Barry is the best player for your team?

[shadowmaster]

Oh well, another typical English performance. And I dont think they will beat Slovenia Algeria played very well, if they had some cutting edge up front they would have won the match.

[young_one]

We were awful last night, not seen us that bad since Sven was in charge.

What is annoying me is the constant bemoaning by the media about "high expectations put on the players before the world cup..." - Beating teams like Algeria, Slovenia and even the USA shouldn't be a high expectation for players who are rated the best in the world at club level and earn a massive wage accordingly.

[Barrichello]

Good win by the lads tonight, (despite the scary mistakes at times and living dangerously) but Kjær and Rommedahl were immense. Certainly the most entertaining game this world cup - roll on Japan!!

[TooNice]

Ah well, feel bad for Cameroon who played a good game (as did their opponent in fairness). Still, it'll make it easier for me to root for a team in the next game (I want Japan to go through).

[Barrichello]

Ah well, feel bad for Cameroon who played a good game (as did their opponent in fairness). Still, it'll make it easier for me to root for a team in the next game (I want Japan to go through).

Will be a big game match decider, Japan only need a draw and DK have to win so should be good.

Losing Simon Kjær for that match is going to a real blow though, not surprised to see the likes of Arsenal/Man utd/spurs all interested.... http://www.wikio.com/sports/soccer/s...rs/simon_kjaer

Anyway may the best team win! Kom så Danmark!!!

[shadowmaster]

After watching all the teams now, I have established that so far England have to be one the worst, or if not the worst team. Its not a lack of ability, its the lack of passion, where is the fire? Its pathetic, we might as well take 11 players from division 2 which for sure they may lack talent but at least some passion would be shown.

[Parm]

You never really go into an England game expecting us to obliterate the opposition with a scintilating display. When we do win it's usually from hard work or luck.

Such a dismal display against Algeria, arguably one of the worst in the tournament thus far. But, what surprised me most, was Wayne Rooney's performance.

Did he take all the concerns about his temperment too seriously? I've never seen him so timid for 90 minutes, completely disinterested with not a hint of fire in his belly. I don't think Rooney's the most skilled player around, but it's his must-win mentality that makes him stand out. He just didn't have that spark at all, very strange.

Anyhow, as dire as we were, my flag's still flying and I've still got fingers crossed for the Slovenia game. I try to look at it this way; surely we can't play that bad again?

I'm hoping Capello shakes up the squad. We do have 20+ players, let's not be shy to use them. Here's how I'd start against Slovenia:

GK: Joe Hart
LB: Ashley Cole
CB: John Terry
CB: Michael Dawson
RB: Glen Johnson
LM: Joe Cole
CM: Gareth Barry
CM: Frank Lampard
RM: James Milner
ST: Steven Gerrard
ST: Wayne Rooney

You'd hope that Cole, Barry, Lampard, Milner and Gerrard would be able to flood the midfield. Three of those five should be able to break forward and bridge the massive gap we have between the midfield and strikers.

England aside, cracking game between Denmark and Cameroon last night. Said to Cameroon go out, but credit to them for putting on a really good attacking display.

So many groups wide open, going to be a cracking set of games in the next few days.

[shadowmaster]

Yeah I agree I dont think we can play that badly again. Lets hope we beat Slovenia.

And I apologise England are not the worst team, France are. Completely forgot about their dismal performance the other day

[jim]

GK: Joe Hart
LB: Ashley Cole
CB: John Terry
CB: Michael Dawson
RB: Glen Johnson
LM: Joe Cole
CM: Gareth Barry
CM: Frank Lampard
RM: James Milner
ST: Steven Gerrard
ST: Wayne Rooney

More or less in agreement with you there.

No need to drop James though, he's experienced, level-headed, and did well last game. That's what we need right now.

Then I would send Carragher on the first bus home, and if necessary replace him with a rubber duck.

Only thing I disagree with you on is James Milner. If we're going to play 5 across midfield, we need some genuine wingers - having a winger who wants to come inside is no use, it needs to be someone who will hug the touchline and provide width. I agree that Lennon has been poor, but I still think he's our best option. Joe Cole definitely deserves a chance.

For me:

------------James------------
Johnson--Terry--Dawson--Cole
------------------------------
-------------Barry------------
Lennon-----Lampard------Cole
------------------------------
--------------Gerrard---------
----------Rooney-------------

[Mblaster]

Watching the Brazil - Ivory Coast game, Kakas second yellow card was a total joke. There was already a few occurrences of blatant diving and pretending to be injured, but this guy (from Ivory Coast) got a tap to the chest and just collapsed to the floor holding his face, what a complete twit.

Sometimes it's hard for the ref to spot this during the games, but in the replays it's so obvious, people obviously diving should just be banned for next match then maybe we'd see less of this cheating.

[Andy3536]

Watching the Brazil - Ivory Coast game, Kakas second yellow card was a total joke. There was already a few occurrences of blatant diving and pretending to be injured, but this guy (from Ivory Coast) got a tap to the chest and just collapsed to the floor holding his face, what a complete twit.

Sometimes it's hard for the ref to spot this during the games, but in the replays it's so obvious, people obviously diving should just be banned for next match then maybe we'd see less of this cheating.

Lol, it really was bizare.

But untill Fifa actually start calling it cheating and taking it seriously. The players will get away with it. Even when Refs don't spot it, there's no way for governing bodys to give follow up punishments after the games.
Should be changed really.

[TooNice]

I didn't know which of the 'underdog' I wanted to see through in this group, but now I'll go for NK, especially if they can play well in their next game.

[this_is_gav]

I didn't know which of the 'underdog' I wanted to see through in this group, but now I'll go for NK, especially if they can play well in their next game.

North Korea getting out of a group filled with Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal would certainly be a LOL moment.

That said, there have been a lot of LOL moments so far, so...

Cracking result for New Zealand yesterday.