Nick Against the World (178 Viewers)

[Bjerknes]

Yeah, so it makes me wonder, is Nick just trying to kiss Paul's ass by swooning over England? There is just no way to put a positive spin on that performance, even if it was a fantastic result for England. Look, they got 3 points and the other match was drawn, and they did not have to risk Rooney in the process. A perfect result, but the performance was shit. That's all he needed to say.

Apart from a couple usual Lampard rockets, Frankie really had a mediocre match and Gerrard was not his usual self either. Crouch is simply status quo waste of space and Owen really did not receive good service. But I think there is one positive for England during that match and it was how they limited Paraguay to so few chances. Their defense looks very solid and it will undoubtedly carry them into the next round and probably beyond, but not any further unless they get that midfield going.

Andy, best thing about World Cup here in America - You can get to the bar 15 minutes before kickoff and still get a great seat!

Actually, my man, this bar is going to be PACKED. It is the only soccer specific bar in the region and supposedly it was even packed for the matches this afternoon. This means I'll be there an hour before kickoff just to be sure. Bushwallers was a hotspot in 2002 as well when, at 730 in the morning, the pub was packed and celebrating an earth-shaking victory against Portugal. I hope a repeat of that glorious day is upon us.

 

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[The Pado]

Actually, my man, this bar is going to be PACKED. It is the only soccer specific bar in the region and supposedly it was even packed for the matches this afternoon. This means I'll be there an hour before kickoff just to be sure. Bushwallers was a hotspot in 2002 as well when, at 730 in the morning, the pub was packed and celebrating an earth-shaking victory against Portugal. I hope a repeat of that glorious day is upon us.

No doubt, but I was referring to the bars of Raleigh. For three days running now I've been one of 3 fans in the bar for the World Cup. WTF?

 

[Bjerknes]

No doubt, but I was referring to the bars of Raleigh. For three days running now I've been one of 3 fans in the bar for the World Cup. WTF?

Now that's just sad. Or perhaps they want to stay away from Robert Padovano and his well-known shoe fettish.

 

[Bjerknes]

On the eve of the first named storm of the 2006 hurricane season, I thought I'd dig up a little inspiration for our administration in the event of another disaster.

 

[The Pado]

Now that's just sad. Or perhaps they want to stay away from The Pado and his well-known shoe fettish.

My name is The Pado. I don't know that other knob job you are referring too.

 

[3pac]

I swear the entire nation of germany is on coke. Good luck this evening andy, there are as many americans here as czechs.

 

[Slagathor]

The Ivory Coast will pose much more danger than Serbia, that's for sure. Even Drogba will be a handfull as he always finds a way to impose himself for his country, unlike his club form at Chelsea. I also expect Michel to field Kone instead of Kalou which will yet again be a problem for the Dutch because that guy looks pretty damn good. Not mention the Elephants are much more adept at attacking down the flanks than Serbia, and I can see your boys being exposed there... as opposed to centrally where you looked solid today.

I'm looking forward to our match as well, however there is still that cloud of worry hovering over my head. I know we can beat the Czechs because we can beat anyone on our day...it just depends if our day will be tomorrow, which I'm starting to doubt as we head closer to the match.

Koné I'm not too afraid of. I know him well from PSV, and so does André Ooijer in defense. I think we could cancel him out. Hell, if Michel wants to surprise us, he should field three forwards and make it Drogba, Koné AND Kalou. Not that he will, but as Sweden has proved: you can't afford to play chicken in the World Cup. Four defenders against Trinidad and Tobago

To use Johan Cruyff's logic (I'm not joking, he literally said this yesterday): "The ball is essential to this game, if we can hold on to it as much as possible our chances of winning will greatly increase. With both teams having less than great defences, it will really be a game of who scores the most goals"

I absolutely adore the 4-3-3. In my version I would deploy a striker like Trezeguet up top, a winger like Robben to drift to the flanks and burst through defenses, and a player such as Aimar who could drop deeper and pick up the ball or shift outside to a flank. Three attackers with the freedom to play. In my opinion there is not a more exciting system than the 4-3-3...absolutely delicious.

Yes you're a Juventus fan...

 

[Seven]

The Ivory Coast will pose much more danger than Serbia, that's for sure. Even Drogba will be a handfull as he always finds a way to impose himself for his country, unlike his club form at Chelsea. I also expect Michel to field Kone instead of Kalou which will yet again be a problem for the Dutch because that guy looks pretty damn good. Not mention the Elephants are much more adept at attacking down the flanks than Serbia, and I can see your boys being exposed there... as opposed to centrally where you looked solid today.

I'm looking forward to our match as well, however there is still that cloud of worry hovering over my head. I know we can beat the Czechs because we can beat anyone on our day...it just depends if our day will be tomorrow, which I'm starting to doubt as we head closer to the match.



I absolutely adore the 4-3-3. In my version I would deploy a striker like Trezeguet up top, a winger like Robben to drift to the flanks and burst through defenses, and a player such as Aimar who could drop deeper and pick up the ball or shift outside to a flank. Three attackers with the freedom to play. In my opinion there is not a more exciting system than the 4-3-3...absolutely delicious.

By far the worst system out there. It never ever works unless you're four times as strong as your opponents. I'm obviously talking about the Dutch 4-3-3 with two wingers here. Anyone who thought of that formation should be shot at the spot.

Then again, what you're describing isn't a 4-3-3. More like a 4-3-1-1-1.

 

[Martin]

Koné I'm not too afraid of. I know him well from PSV, and so does André Ooijer in defense. I think we could cancel him out. Hell, if Michel wants to surprise us, he should field three forwards and make it Drogba, Koné AND Kalou. Not that he will, but as Sweden has proved: you can't afford to play chicken in the World Cup. Four defenders against Trinidad and Tobago

I like Bakary Kone myself, he was also on the bench in the African Nations Cup and at times looked much better than "the PSV Kone" as the commentator kept calling him.
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/player/211352_KONE_Bakary.html

 

[Bjerknes]

By far the worst system out there. It never ever works unless you're four times as strong as your opponents. I'm obviously talking about the Dutch 4-3-3 with two wingers here. Anyone who thought of that formation should be shot at the spot.

Then again, what you're describing isn't a 4-3-3. More like a 4-3-1-1-1.

It's not the worst system out there. It's certainly nowhere near as terrible as Capello's 4-4-2, however I never said the 4-3-3 was the best system...only the most enterntaining. The one with two wingers flanking a lone striker is sometimes a bit dodgy, however with the right players in right positions it can certainly work. Mourinho uses that same system with Robben and Cole or Duff sometimes at Chelsea and look at his record, or even Zeman with his weak Lecce two seasons ago..

My system is just a 4-3-3 with more freedom in attack.

 

[Bjerknes]

Well, I'm off to the pub. Wish us luck.

Don't tread on me.

 

[JCK]

Good luck...Hopefully USA will come out with three points. This will be best match so far, by the way.

 

[Zé Tahir]

Australia v Japan is putting me to sleep

 

[Seven]

It's not the worst system out there. It's certainly nowhere near as terrible as Capello's 4-4-2, however I never said the 4-3-3 was the best system...only the most enterntaining. The one with two wingers flanking a lone striker is sometimes a bit dodgy, however with the right players in right positions it can certainly work. Mourinho uses that same system with Robben and Cole or Duff sometimes at Chelsea and look at his record, or even Zeman with his weak Lecce two seasons ago..

My system is just a 4-3-3 with more freedom in attack.

Your and Mourinho's isn't a pure "dutch" 4-3-3 though.

 

[Zé Tahir]

Hiddink is God, da?

 

[Seven]

No. Hiddink is nothing out of the ordinary. He's simply a good motivator. Australia were always going to win this. Japan was way too tired after 60 minutes.

 

[JCK]

Hiddink is God, da?

I made the exact same comment in the other thread

 

[Seven]

What about that obvious Cahill penalty foul though?

Anyways, congrats Australia, good game :thumbs:

 

[JCK]

What about that obvious Cahill penalty foul though?

Anyways, congrats Australia, good game :thumbs:

What about the Japanese goal that was an offside and probably a foul?

 

[Seven]

What about the Japanese goal that was an offside and probably a foul?

Agreed, that goal was a mockery .

I guess it was just overall poor refereeing.