World Cup Draw Thread *spoilers*

[Participant]

On their day, England are capable of beating any other team in the world cup. Anyone who doesn't acknowledge that doesn't know football.

There's only a few teams capable of winning the world cup, with England definitely being one of them.

It would have to be a freak of a game or a lucky break for England imo.

Technically speaking, England are nowhere near Spain or Brazil or even Portugal; they have to rely on pace power and directness rather than sheer ability.

Every time a major tournament comes around people get excited, then we see England's lack of comfort on the ball and poor passing and control, and remember that nothing's really changed.

 

[Eddie]

My memory isn't what it used to be but are you both talking about the last games England had against Brazil and Spain? Those were two friendlies weren't they?

For the one against Brazil, didn't England have a lot of players missing for that one?

 

[engee]

My memory isn't what it used to be but are you both talking about the last games England had against Brazil and Spain? Those were two friendlies weren't they?

For the one against Brazil, didn't England have a lot of players missing for that one?

Im pretty sure England didn't have their first team out for either of them.

 

[jakeke]

My memory isn't what it used to be but are you both talking about the last games England had against Brazil and Spain? Those were two friendlies weren't they?

For the one against Brazil, didn't England have a lot of players missing for that one?

Yeah, England had a weakened team out. Still, England's first team aren't exactly much better technically than the second, so it doesn't really matter

 

[Eddie]

So basically, you're writing England's chances off based on their last two performances against said teams when on both occasions it was a friendly, with probably a load of subs used, and England didn't have their full strength team out?

You say honest and realistic but you're not basing your opinions on realistic performances and results. Those friendly games mean absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Jimbeam3678]

So basically, you're writing England's chances off based on their last two performances against said teams when on both occasions it was a friendly, with probably a load of subs used, and England didn't have their full strength team out?

You say honest and realistic but you're not basing your opinions on realistic performances and results. Those friendly games mean absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things.

^^^ this to be honest!!

However i think england are semi finalists at best

 

[Participant]

My memory isn't what it used to be but are you both talking about the last games England had against Brazil and Spain? Those were two friendlies weren't they?

I'm talking about every game I've seen England play since Euro '96. You just watch them and in pure footballing ability, they're nowhere near Spain or Brasil.

However I'm certainly not writing their chances off, I think if it all came together and luck was on our side, then it's possible. However I also think it's highly unlikely whilst we lack the technical ability of superior teams from parts of Europe and S. America.

Most of our players just don't look comfortable on the ball, unless we're playing a team that is scared of us and sits so far back when not in posession, that our players have acres of space in which to trap and control the ball. Rarely do I see our players calmly pass themselves out of an intense situation; they seem to prefer booting the ball half way up the pitch to the striker, hoping that the striker can make something out of the situation.

I don't want to be pessimistic about England's chances, but I also don't want to kid myself into believing that we're one of the best sides in the world in terms of technical footballing ability.

 

[jakeke]

So basically, you're writing England's chances off based on their last two performances against said teams when on both occasions it was a friendly, with probably a load of subs used, and England didn't have their full strength team out?

You say honest and realistic but you're not basing your opinions on realistic performances and results. Those friendly games mean absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things.

No, I'm writing them out based on performances of all top international teams since the Euro's. England haven't been good enough to dream about being the world's best.

 

[Tummy]

No, I'm writing them out based on performances of all top international teams since the Euro's. England haven't been good enough to dream about being the world's best.

This.

England are a million miles behind the likes of Spain, Brasil, Portugal, Argentina ect ect in terms of football.

England even at full strength lack the ability, vision, passing, movement and technique to challenge the best teams in the World.

We are like a lot of other teams, nearly men.

 

[jakeke]

Basically we're hoping on a whole lot of luck if we were going to win the tournament, Spain will be going in concentrating on their own game. I suppose that's the difference.

 

[Tummy]

Basically we're hoping on a whole lot of luck if we were going to win the tournament, Spain will be going in concentrating on their own game. I suppose that's the difference.

We could win it if like all the good teams die between now and the Final.

 

[Eddie]

However i think england are semi finalists at best

If they do manage to get to the semi-finals then they'll have done themselves and the country very proud indeed.

I'm talking about every game I've seen England play since Euro '96. You just watch them and in pure footballing ability, they're nowhere near Spain or Brasil.

However I'm certainly not writing their chances off, I think if it all came together and luck was on our side, then it's possible. However I also think it's highly unlikely whilst we lack the technical ability of superior teams from parts of Europe and S. America.

Most of our players just don't look comfortable on the ball, unless we're playing a team that is scared of us and sits so far back when not in posession, that our players have acres of space in which to trap and control the ball. Rarely do I see our players calmly pass themselves out of an intense situation; they seem to prefer booting the ball half way up the pitch to the striker, hoping that the striker can make something out of the situation.

I don't want to be pessimistic about England's chances, but I also don't want to kid myself into believing that we're one of the best sides in the world in terms of technical footballing ability.

I understand exactly where you're coming from and I agree 100%. It's very hard to continue to support England when you look at all of the pain we've had to endure over the years. So many times we've been near enough promised good results and time after time we don't get them and are left with that empty feeling.

I know exactly what you mean about the technical ability aspect too, if I had a pound for every time I've sat and shook my head at some of Englands players and the messes they get themselves into. I just find it hard to understand why they can be breath-taking for their clubs but hopeless for England.

Since Capello has taken over though, I've seen a definite improvement in these areas as each game has come. I don't know what it is exactly but it's as if the players now know that if they want to play for England they have to deliver or the manager will pick someone else. Imo, they are looking a lot better these days than they have for a long time.

In all honesty I doubt very much that England will win the world cup. But that won't stop me supporting them throughout the tournament. It won't stop part of me thinking that if they all pull in the same direction, on the same day, they do actually have a chance of winning it.

No, I'm writing them out based on performances of all top international teams since the Euro's. England haven't been good enough to dream about being the world's best.

A lot can change in a few years and since Capello has took charge I've seen a definite improvement in England's play. I just hope they can pull it all together when they need to.

Still, I'll remain positive and not write them off just yet.

 

[jakeke]

There has been a definite improvement at England, but, wrap a bow around a bunch of decent players and they'll stay decent players. If England do win, you just feel it won't be a true representation of the best team in the world and so, they'll need a lot of luck at the tournament itself, I also think that Spain are that good, tecnically and team work, that even luck won't keep them from winning/getting to the final. The way they control games leaves little opportunity for freak results and that's why they've lost about once in 2 years.

 

[Participant]

I think the reason that English players seem so good in the prem. is partly that it's a much easier environment than the top level international stage. The atmosphere is familiar and easy, there's less pressure than at a world cup, the players aren't as good in general as in another top international team, the pace is frantic and the style is direct, which suits the players' abilities and is good to watch if that's your thing. That and the scouse players for example don't seem to really care about England. People like Gerrard seem to care more about their club than their country .

That's all debatable, I'm obviously not stating fact; I just don't think that we can expect players impressing on MoTD to translate into superb technical performances on the international stage.

Players in this country, for whatever reason, seem to lack the finesse of touch and inventiveness that players in Spain and Brasil do not.

 

[jakeke]

I reckon the only reason the Prem is so good is because of the foreigners anyway, if it was an all English league then nearly every team would play like the national team, fortunately we have some top notch foreign players with great amounts of personality and creativity which improve the football

 

[Smit]

Don't know why everyone is writing off England to be honest, they have an easy group which they should coast through and can even rest players in the final group game to keep players fresh for the knock-out stages.

Brasil IMO will struggle just to get through the group and won't be able to coast a game.

 

[Participant]

Don't know why everyone is writing off England to be honest, they have an easy group which they should coast through and can even rest players in the final group game to keep players fresh for the knock-out stages.

Saying that you doubt they'll win isn't the same as writing them off.

Brasil IMO will struggle just to get through the group and won't be able to coast a game.

There are pros and cons to that. The cons being as you mentioned above i.e. they probably won't be able to rest players in the last game, however they will be 'battle hardened' and more used to having to play challenging matches in the environment in question. This will serve them well for the later rounds whereas a team that has had no challenge will arguably be worse placed to progress when they eventually meet a team that will present difficulties.

In any case it's feasible that the USA could do us over meaning that we couldn't rest players for the next two games.

 

[Locky]

World cup is all luck anyway, alla Greece, Italy, as us being beat by Brazil and Spain in the last friendly's, well we had a b team out for them games, Don't judge teams on friendly's When there is a place in the final at stake I expect teams to play out of the skin and need luck to progress.

 

[Tummy]

Lucky? to what? only lose by 1 and 2 goals to Brasil and Spain?

Greece didn't win the World Cup.

Italy, were lucky to get past Oz (iirc a penatly decision that was harsh) but Italy were a very good, well organised side that year.

Brasil, will have a tough group to play in, but the flip side is they should be able to beat easily all the teams on current form and will be going in to the latter stages with some serious momentum and confidence.

England & USA to go through, but much like the Champions League it's all a formaility. It gets really tough from then on.

 

[Smit]

Brasil, will have a tough group to play in, but the flip side is they should be able to beat easily all the teams on current form and will be going in to the latter stages with some serious momentum and confidence.

On current form? W2 D1 L1
Sure they were not competitive games but you can't bring up Brasil's win over England if you disregard Brasils past 4 games

The African nations have an advantage because they are playing competitive games in the African cup of Nations so as long as Ivory Coast players can stay fit then I give them a good chance of qualifying from that group and I really wouldn't be surprised to see Brasil going out in the groups.