World Cup 2018

[Audax]

So, I'm sure one has read up or remembers how Argentina made the Dutch wait for the National Anthem.

Accusations of speed use by the Argies, that's pretty well known.

Throwing games for Argentina to advance, grain shipments from Peru, call it a great World Cup. We can all read up on it ourselves.

By the way, this is why they play these games at the same time now, so no one can cheat.

 

 

 

 

[Husky]

25 minutes ago, Tom said:

You always go out to win but it does look like the runners up in our group will get the rub, the right hand side of this looks a much easier path than the left

Potentially the next 2 rounds could be Japan and then the winner of Sweden v Switzerland, you couldn’t ask for a kinder path to the semi final 

Spain must be rubbing their hands.

Who'd have thought, VAR was actually conspiring against England in the game vs Panama.

Edited June 27, 2018 by Husky

[Audax]

It isn't about FIFA in this case.

http://www.football-oranje.com/world-cup-1978kidnapconspiraciesand-another-dutch-final-defeat/

Actually, I think Scotland had some sort of memorable game as well.

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The game against Scotland is still remembered as one of the all time classic World Cup games, thanks to Archie Gemmills jinking run and finish, while Johnny Reps blast from 30 yards into the top corner wasn’t too bad either.

But a good article, one can believe what they want. I think it was a pretty awful World Cup where Peru threw a match for Argentina to advance. Lots of articles on it and all world cups.

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[perthblue02]

6 minutes ago, Audax said:

So, I'm sure one has read up or remembers how Argentina made the Dutch wait for the National Anthem.

Accusations of speed use by the Argies, that's pretty well known.

Throwing games for Argentina to advance, grain shipments from Peru, call it a great World Cup. We can all read up on it ourselves.

By the way, this is why they play these games at the same time now, so no one can cheat.

 

 

 

 

I thought that was because of 1982 when West Germany and their neighbours Austria passed the ball to each other with no shots  for 90 minutes to knock Algeria out , who had played the previous day

EDIT:  It was that game that prompted the same day for games 

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jun/13/1982-world-cup-algeria

Edited June 27, 2018 by perthblue02

[Ewood Ace]

15 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Argentina 78 was pretty good, unless you come from Jockland.

The Peru game against Argentina was iffy to say the least. And is disliked it when in 74 & 78 you had no knock out stages and instead had another group stage.

[RevidgeBlue]

1 hour ago, Ewood Ace said:

For me this World Cup already ranks alongside 1970 as the best World Cup I have seen. And I think it is going to get even better when the knock out stages commence.

I was too young to remember 1966 but for me the 1970 tournament will never be beaten. Pele, the incomparable Brazil side, the best England team we've had and the first tournament in colour under glorious sunshine.

I Don't think the tournament this year is particularly high on quality but the intrigue comes from the fact that none of the fancied sides have particularly impressed to date. So it's extremely open.

Hate to say it but England have a puncher's chance but only if we can keep Kane fully fit and firing. Still Don't expect us to win it yet though.

Edited June 27, 2018 by RevidgeBlue

[speeeeeeedie]

41 minutes ago, Baz said:

Also assuming Brazil top their group, we have to lose to Belgium, it's a much easier route to the semi-finals.

I'm of the opposite opinion. A win builds momentum, something that England never get at tournaments. Most fans complain about England's defence. Another game playing together will do them good.

[RevidgeBlue]

Just now, speeeeeeedie said:

I'm of the opposite opinion. A win builds momentum, something that England never get at tournaments. Most fans complain about England's defence. Another game playing together will do them good.

Also, if you're going to win it you're going to have to meet the best at some stage anyway. Might as well get it out of the way early.

[jim mk2]

Reports of flag flying at half mast over Buckingham Palace.........

[Baz]

France, Argentina, Uruguay, Portugal, Brazil and possibly Colombia versus Russia, Spain, Croatia, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and Japan. Is very possible (and we kick off last of all the group's, so we'll know for certain). 

Understand the you have to beat the best  to win it argument, but one poor game against the first lot and we're home, poor game versus some in the second half (bar Spain), and you could still progress.

Let the other side of the draw knock each other out, pick up suspensions etc. 

If it was Rovers in the FA Cup would you sooner beat United, City and Spurs and get to the quarter final, or play Barnsley, Oxford, Brentford, Luton etc and beat Southampton in the final?

Edited June 27, 2018 by Baz
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[Commondore]

That's Holland, Italy and Germany we've sent home so far. Who's next? Taking on all comers! 

[Doaksie]

Putting it out there; has Marcelo shat himself?

[Husky]

Phil Jones could help England win the World Cup after all.

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 . . . by getting sent off.

 

 

 

 

[Husky]

Switzerland aren't being stupid. They are playing for 2nd place (and that right side draw).

Serbia appear to have a duff striker than couldn't even score against Rovers ?

Edited June 27, 2018 by Husky

[speeeeeeedie]

6 minutes ago, Husky said:

Switzerland aren't being stupid. They are playing for 2nd place (and that right side draw).

Serbia appear to have a duff striker than couldn't even score against Rovers ?

Serbia look technically proficient with little end product. They knock it around well but have to lump it high for Mitrovic as he can't do anything else.

Brazil haven't impressed either.

[Ewood Ace]

Brazil have basically spent the last 20 minutes passing to Neymar so he can score, the problem is Neymar is not as good as he is hyped up to be and is not in the same class as Coutinho.

[RevidgeBlue]

Just now, Ewood Ace said:

Brazil have basically spent the last 20 minutes passing to Neymar so he can score, the problem is Neymar is not as good as he is hyped up to be and is not in the same class as Coutinho.

For me Neymar is rather like Raheem Sterling in being a player I just Don't get.

They must play well at times when I'm Not watching them but whenever I watch them live I'm left wondering what all the fuss is about.

Messi on the other hand is the complete opposite. An absolute genius on a completely different plane to his team mates even in sides as good as Barcelona or Argentina.

[Audax]

Boy, an interesting golden boot award chase, I sure don't want to jinx anyone.

https://uk.soccerway.com/international/world/world-cup/2018-russia/group-stage/r32579/

Kane

Ronaldo

Lukaku

Cheryshev

Diego Costa

And that's just the beginning.

 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

3 hours ago, Doaksie said:

Putting it out there; has Marcelo shat himself?

That went through my mind as well.

[joey_big_nose]

We have to play to win. We need to build a head of steam, and I could see anyone knocking us out, so I wouldn't get too clever in trying to pick which half of the draw we are in.

[Baz]

31 minutes ago, joey_big_nose said:

We have to play to win. We need to build a head of steam, and I could see anyone knocking us out, so I wouldn't get too clever in trying to pick which half of the draw we are in.

You don't need to be 'clever', - as the last game to kick off, and at zero risk of elimination, we are in the perfect position to choose, because of the last 2 performances.

If Belgium are already talking about resting half their team, why wouldn't we follow the same logic?  How much credit / impetus can you take from winning the game if the Belgians are happy for second place anyway?

The only thing resting on tomorrow's game is if we finish top or second. An opportunity to give tired players, those with knocks, those on a booking a game off, and some who haven't had a game a run out.

The competition is about who's there at the end, and winning the thing. No one will care if we avoid the tough half of the draw, and in just a couple of years no-one will even remember. League cup for example -Spurs routed Chelsea in a pulsating derby, there first win over them in years at the time, we played a poor Sheff Weds team from the league below, and just edged it. Who cares, we won the final.

We could even draw, and still finish second if we pick up 2 more yellows than them.  

[Sparks Rover]

1 hour ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

That went through my mind as well.

He went and sat on the bench. Bet his mates weren't too happy

[RevidgeBlue]

49 minutes ago, Baz said:

You don't need to be 'clever', - as the last game to kick off, and at zero risk of elimination, we are in the perfect position to choose, because of the last 2 performances.

If Belgium are already talking about resting half their team, why wouldn't we follow the same logic?  How much credit / impetus can you take from winning the game if the Belgians are happy for second place anyway?

The only thing resting on tomorrow's game is if we finish top or second. An opportunity to give tired players, those with knocks, those on a booking a game off, and some who haven't had a game a run out.

The competition is about who's there at the end, and winning the thing. No one will care if we avoid the tough half of the draw, and in just a couple of years no-one will even remember. League cup for example -Spurs routed Chelsea in a pulsating derby, there first win over them in years at the time, we played a poor Sheff Weds team from the league below, and just edged it. Who cares, we won the final.

We could even draw, and still finish second if we pick up 2 more yellows than them.  

So what do you suggest if we look like We're in danger of drawing and finishing top  then? Instruct the team to start kicking lumps out of the opposition?

I understand the need to make a few changes to give one or two players a game but all this talk in the media today of it being maybe advantageous to finish second to go into the easier half of the draw is complete nonsense imo.

If we lose then it will be a real momentum and confidence killer no matter which combination of players are put out. If we win the camp will be absolutely bouncing after topping the group with three wins out of three.

For me, play your normal game and just beat whoever is put in front of you.

[Stuart]

12 hours ago, Baz said:

Haven't seen the first Korean goal, but on radio they said without VAR wouldn't be given?

 

And then we all know the Germans would have nicked one.

So maybe it's actually going to work?

This is why I like VAR. In the last a dodgy decision from a weak linesman would have given the ‘bigger’ side and advantage. Probably leading to them winning. It seems more objective now.

[arbitro]

Just now, Stuart said:

This is why I like VAR. In the last a dodgy decision from a weak linesman would have given the ‘bigger’ side and advantage. Probably leading to them winning. It seems more objective now.

And that is where VAR is infallible when dealing with matters of fact. The wider aspect which involves the opinions of several people is the problem.