World Cup 2014 Thread

Discussion in 'General Football & Other Sport' started by nornironhorn, Oct 16, 2013.

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  1. WFCChris234

    WFCChris234 Academy Graduate

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    Squad looks good. My line up would be something like:
    -------- Hart ----------
    Johnson - Cahill - Jagielka - Baines
    ---- Gerrard -- Wilshere ------
    Lallana -- Rooney -- Sterling
    ------- Sturridge --------
     
    WFCChris234, May 12, 2014
    #211
  2. nornironhorn

    nornironhorn Administrator

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    Liverpool have something England don't though... Suarez.

    Liverpool wouldn't have gotten as close to City without him
     
    nornironhorn, May 12, 2014
    #212
  3. Cude>2<

    Cude>2< First Team Captain

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    That said, am I the only one whose a bit bemused by Flanagan's involvement as a back up? Surely Gibbs should be ahead of him?

    The one I do feel for is Barry, who I never rated, but I feel has done well this season and could be handy for holding onto a lead if needed.
     
    Cude>2<, May 12, 2014
    #213
  4. Prentice

    Prentice Administrator

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    Flanagans had a decent season with Liverpool really, I'd personally have him in the squad over Johnson as I don't rate Johnson at all. (Flanagan's naturally a RB)

    Don't think Barry should be anywhere near an England side, still have horrific memories of Ozil leaving him for dead, and Ozil isn't even that f'ing quick
     
    Prentice, May 12, 2014
    #214
  5. HELGO

    HELGO Reservist

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    Wouldn't have taken foster after his self exile. Anyone who moans about not wanting to travel just to sit on the bench so retired from England, is an absolute ******. Hopefully he doesn't get to play.
     
    HELGO, May 12, 2014
    #215
  6. JH93

    JH93 Squad Player

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    I'm happy with that, it's not often I get results or Watford teams even close to right, so I'll take getting a 23 man squad.

    Almost what I'd go with. I'd choose Henderson over Barkley/Lampard, Lallana from Lallana/Wilshere and swap Rooney and Sturridge.

    Can't Flanagan play on the left or right? Gibbs is very left footed from what I've seen of him, certainly no evidence he could play on the right if needed. Given we have Shaw and Baines on the left but just Johnson (sigh, and Smalling) on the right, I think a RB who can play LB is a better option than just a LB.

    Saying that, I'd prefer to bring Stones in regardless and have him cover RB and CB.

    Wasn't part of his reason that he had had so many injuries that staying in England and resting rather than sitting on the bench for England would be better for him long term? Thought I remembered that.
     
    JH93, May 12, 2014
    #216
  7. El distraído

    El distraído Johnny Foreigner

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    Smudger are you a sports journalist?
     
    El distraído, May 12, 2014
    #217
  8. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach

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    I have written some articles Cheeks now and then. I used to do PES Option Files which take an enormous amount of time to compile in the past especially for u21, u18 players. Now that FM is about there is a formula used by some OF makers which makes the process of accurately describing players far easier. Keep my eyes on South America for the most part.

    These are all the definite squads so far announced along with England. Most other teams still have a 30 man shortlist.
     
    Smudger, May 12, 2014
    #218
  9. reids

    reids First Team

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    I watch a hell of a lot of world football, and glad to see David Accam make the Ghana squad, one of my favourite players to watch in the world right now, plays in Sweden for Helsingborg, been waiting for his big move for a couple of years now, might come after the world cup!
     
    reids, May 12, 2014
    #219
  10. nornironhorn

    nornironhorn Administrator

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    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26730772

    This guy was also selected for Ghana's preliminary squad. Great story.

    I actually played against a Glentoran Legends team last week on their home pitch. The team had 3 members of NI's 1982 World Cup squad
     
    nornironhorn, May 13, 2014
    #220
  11. Cthulhu

    Cthulhu Keyboard Warrior

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    World Cup thread

    So it'll soon be here.

    England squad has been announced and Hodgeson is taking a risk on playing youth, apparently,
    you've just got to roll a hard 6

    So who is in the squad, let's cast an eye:

    Goalkeepers:

    Hart - error prone Hart is the darling of headline scapegoaters across the land, he may have played a few more games for city this year had his hair been right

    Foster the amber nectar

    Forster - like foster but more piratey ?

    Defenders:

    I don't watch the premiership so my knowledge in this area is patchey

    Johnson average
    Cahill average
    Jagielka - think he pied for Sheffield United so no good
    Jones average
    Smalling too small
    Baines, less piratey version of John Barnes
    Shaw apparently wanted for 28 gazillion pounds so definetly good and not overrated
    No Ashley cole - expect him being dumb in the studio then


    Midfielders:
    Gerrard - youth
    Lampard 65 year old youth team albatross around the neck of the England team and main booing target Wilshere,
    Henderson,
    Oxlade-Chamberlain ******* son of gravy and watford goalkeeping legend
    Milner square face
    Sterling euro unless UKIP gets in
    Lallana possible muslamic
    Barkley

    Forwards:
    Rooney, potato faced oap lover - always does well for England
    Welbeck ****
    Sturridge
    Lambert 48 year old ex dog paint factory worked

    Stand-by list: Ruddy, Flanagan, Stones, Carrick, Cleverley, Carroll, Defoe

    Jesus Christ cleverley?? Really
     
    Cthulhu, May 13, 2014
    #221
  12. Diamond

    Diamond First Team

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    Well as in turning up unfit?
     
    Diamond, May 13, 2014
    #222
  13. nornironhorn

    nornironhorn Administrator

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    nornironhorn, May 13, 2014
    #223
  14. simms

    simms vBookie

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    -------------- Hart --------------

    Johnson - Cahill - Jagielka - Baines

    -------Gerrard------Henderson

    ---------------Lampard --------------

    -- Sturridge --------------------Lallana
    -----------------Rooney

    Would be my pick. Maybe Barkley in for lampard but I think he'd get overrun in midfield and someone with experience is a bit better, or at least bring on Lampard if he is being overrun. Also have Sturridge and Lallana swapping positions and giving width and give them freedom to be creative. Allow Johnson and Baines to overlap and break quickly while Gerrard and Henderson can cover them when out of position if we lose the ball. And Gerrard should be spraying balls all over the park in a Pirlo role.
     
    simms, May 13, 2014
    #224
  15. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

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    I'd have put your team reviews in a standalone thread Smudger as they'll soon get lost on this one.
     
    UEA_Hornet, May 13, 2014
    #225
  16. wfcSinatra

    wfcSinatra Predictor Choker 14/15

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    Agreed. 'Smudgers World Cup Thread'
     
    wfcSinatra, May 13, 2014
    #226
  17. Godfather

    Godfather bricklayer extraordinaire

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    Getting on but he was by far our best player against Germany in the last WC.
    I know he doesn't particularly suit England but I've always considered him classy, it's a shame if he misses out ...

    However after the season Gerrard's just had you'd be a fool to drop him for Frank so yeah.
     
    Godfather, May 13, 2014
    #227
  18. GoingDown

    GoingDown "The Stability"

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    Why, because he was good a few years ago?

    He's past it. Especially at international level. If he starts a game in Brazil, Hodgson should be sent home immediately.
     
    GoingDown, May 13, 2014
    #228
  19. nornironhorn

    nornironhorn Administrator

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    So all the provisional squads have been announced, some notable omissions: (not counting those due to injury)

    Cole
    Nasri
    Clichy
    Pastore
    Kaka
    Ronaldinho
    Robinho
    Lucas Moura
    Coutinho
    Miranda
    Felipe Luis
    Tevez
    Isco
    Lamela
    Kruse
    Sam
    Nainggolan
    Gomez

    Probably missed some other big names too
     
    nornironhorn, May 14, 2014
    #229
  20. El distraído

    El distraído Johnny Foreigner

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    Pastore, Tevez, Isco?? Wow..
     
    El distraído, May 14, 2014
    #230
  21. JH93

    JH93 Squad Player

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    Imagine the lineup you could make from players not going to the World Cup. I know all teams deserve the chance to go, but it's disappointing to see players like Ibrahimovic miss out when much lower quality players are there.
     
    JH93, May 14, 2014
    #231
  22. Filbert

    Filbert Leicester supporting bloke

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    Such an abundance of attacking midfielders/wingers too.

    Cole
    Nasri
    Clichy
    Pastore
    Kaka
    Ronaldinho
    Robinho
    Lucas Moura
    Coutinho
    Miranda
    Felipe Luis
    Tevez
    Isco
    Lamela
    Kruse
    Sam
    Nainggolan
    Gomez
     
    Filbert, May 14, 2014
    #232
  23. nascot

    nascot First Team

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    Was the same problem for Best and Giggs. Extremely talented players but missed out due to never qualifying. Same will happen to Bale.
     
    nascot, May 14, 2014
    #233
  24. reids

    reids First Team

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    [​IMG]
     
    reids, May 14, 2014
    #234
  25. JH93

    JH93 Squad Player

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    And that's just ones left out of squads.

    You've got Cech, Ibrahimovic etc too.
     
    JH93, May 14, 2014
    #235
  26. nornironhorn

    nornironhorn Administrator

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    El Shaarawy is another who wasn't selected
     
    nornironhorn, May 15, 2014
    #236
  27. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach

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    Scolari apparently has issues with Coutinho and Moura in terms of their defensive efforts going back towards their goal which led to their omission. Moura is particularly surprising given the conditions he would be an invaluable impact substitution.

    For Pastore ditto. He is too inconsistent still and in his outing against Bolivia committed the same heinous crimes. Besides Sabella does not believe in the playmaking/enganche concept and has never had one in any side he has managed.

    Amazed that Nainggolan who can pop up with a goal has been omitted given the lack of depth Belgium have upfront in the absence of Benteke. Ferreira-Carrasco too who has impressed at Lille although his youth may have counted against him. Adrien Silva's omission the all action Sporting Lisbon midfielder will bite Bento in the bum should they pick up cards (as I expect they will). He was the form midfielder along with Perez in his role in the Liga Sagres.

    Caballero whose save denied Atletico the title last weekend may prove a fatal omission for Argentina given that Romero has been chosen. He is one of the best keepers in La Liga, the best Argentine keeper but for whatever bizarre reason he has been left out. Ditto for Gaitan who is not far off di Maria in his abilities.

    Argentina along with Brazil, Spain and Germany are probably the only countries that could field two competitive teams in a World Cup i.e 23 man squads. The lack of quality options for England on the other hand is worrying.

    Argentina for example:
    GK Caballero, Speroni, Rulli
    DF Peruzzi, Orban, Fazio, Musacchio, G.Rodriguez, L.Lopez, Ansaldi, Colocinni
    MF Pastore, Lamela, Gaitan, Kranevitter, L.Romero, Paredes, d'Alessandro
    FW Tevez, Icardi, Correa, Ferreyra, Barcos

    The bolded players could and should be in Sabella's team.
     
    Smudger, May 15, 2014
    #237
  28. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach

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    Honduran midfielder Oscar Garcia of Dynamo Houston should remain in his national squad despite picking up a minor hamstring strain against LA Galaxy last weekend. Steve Mandanda on the other hand suffered a cracked neck vertebra ruling him out of Deschamp's squad. Which means the hardly reliable Stephane Ruffier of St.Etienne has been called up.

    Should Lloris be injured there will be fun and games in the French net as Landreau is hardly the best either. For anyone thinking the Oranje has a chance of winning the Cup think again. Despite the youth of the side against Ecuador which ended 1-1 the defence is a shambles even if the experienced players show up and most of those are over the hill.

    [video=dailymotion;x1vbmfy]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1vbmfy_netherlands-vs-ecuador-1-1-all-goals-hd-international-friendly-17-05-14_sport[/video]

    The official song of this summers World Cup has also been released. It is a terrible abomination.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W3sWiZ-iO8

    Nothing tops the one for 1990 L'estata Italiana:
    [video=youtube;dTbMwJMqilI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTbMwJMqilI[/video]
     
    Smudger, May 20, 2014
    #238
  29. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator

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    Suarez is having an knee op and could be a doubt for the World Cup - but they expect him to be fit in 2 weeks.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27514880

    According to the BBC Phil Jones was out for 10 weeks with such an injury but then he is injury prone!

    Be handy from an England point of view but shame for the tournament as whole.

    Mind you he's not the only decent striker Uruguay have!
     
    wfc4ever, May 22, 2014
    #239
  30. Legends

    Legends Reservist

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    I can't believe anyone can recover from knee surgery that quickly. Would Liverpool be consulted? Not that I really care, it would be a better game if he was to play in the game against England.
     
    Legends, May 22, 2014
    #240
  31. Marc17

    Marc17 Academy Graduate

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    Germany got this on lock. I've already bet 1 'Orn on them! #HighRoller
     
    Marc17, May 22, 2014
    #241
  32. El distraído

    El distraído Johnny Foreigner

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    It could always be a ploy from the Uruguay camp to rattle their opponents.
     
    El distraído, May 22, 2014
    #242
  33. nornironhorn

    nornironhorn Administrator

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    Landon Donovan left out of USA's 23 man squad
     
    nornironhorn, May 23, 2014
    #243
  34. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

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    Pretty shocked about it, but the writing's been on the wall for some time now. He's more out of shape this season than I've ever seen him... Klinsmann's been pushing and pushing him, and he's never responded well to the German touch. He is pretty old now at 32, so maybe now it's time for him to go play for the LA Galaxy, oh wait...
     
    Fitz, May 23, 2014
    #244
  35. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach

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    Some media from abroad trying to whip up patriotic fervour for their respective teams.

    [video=youtube;6pjliE37ENY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pjliE37ENY[/video]
     
    Smudger, May 23, 2014
    #245
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