[WC] World Cup 2010 - General Talk Thread (29 Viewers)

[bianconero]

England haven't looked good recently, but they got wins and that covers over anything in this country.

England. That first half especially was absolutely shocking.

That's fantastic.

Still hoping for a Joe Cole fucked Glenn Johnson rumor.

The hyperlatives seem relatively mild, and a sense of restraint is the currency so far. The performances today was a good one, as Japan are a strong team who will trouble some.

England are looking good to easily win their group, without breaking sweat, and should get to the 1/4's, or with a little luck 1/2's.

 

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[Ken]

I don't doubt England's ability to win their group, but that doesn't change they were poor today.

 

[IrishZebra]

The QF defeat and elimination of England is a National Holiday here

 

[swag]

The QF defeat and elimination of England is a National Holiday here

A round of Guinness on me for the entire nation next time.

 

[Nicholas]

The hyperlatives seem relatively mild, and a sense of restraint is the currency so far. The performances today was a good one, as Japan are a strong team who will trouble some.

England are looking good to easily win their group, without breaking sweat, and should get to the 1/4's, or with a little luck 1/2's.

Top post.

 

[JuveJay]

If Barry isn't fit then England's chances decrease considerably, because there is no one good enough to play the same role, which means he has to move Gerrard into central midfield with Lampard (a talking point on its own) and pick either Heskey or Crouch with Rooney, when he would rather play Gerrard off him.

 

[JBF]

Can't Milner take Barry's place?

 

[JuveJay]

He's not the same player. Milner is hard working but he isn't really a central midfielder, he is better down the flanks and would be perfect on the left wing, allowing A. Hole to overlap. If you look at the other options - Huddlestone (looked like a lumbering oaf against Mexico and Japan), Carrick (woefully out of form) and Parker (hasn't even played recently) then the options narrow down. What Capello would do for a fit Hargreaves.

 

[The Curr]

Pazzini: 'World Cup ball a disaster'
Saturday 29 May, 2010
Giampaolo Pazzini has joined goalkeeper Julio Cesar in complaining about the World Cup ball. “It’s a disaster.”

Inter and Brazil shot-stopper Julio Cesar moaned that the new Jabulani sphere for the tournament in South Africa was “terrible, horrible. It's like one of those balls you buy in the supermarket.”

Now Italy striker Pazzini has joined the chorus of disapproval about the Jabulani.

“The new balls are a disaster,” said the Sampdoria forward. “They always change direction mid-air.

“It’s not just a problem for the goalkeepers, but also the strikers. A cross comes in and you line up to head it, then the ball moves by half a metre and you end up missing it.”

The teams are practising with the new balls in their training camps ahead of the World Cup in South Africa.


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Buffon: 'World Cup ball is shameful'
Sunday 30 May, 2010
Gigi Buffon and Iker Casillas have joined the chorus of complaints about the Jabulani. “It’s shameful to play a World Cup with this ball.”

The new sphere for the 2010 tournament in South Africa has already caused controversy, as it was dubbed “a disaster” by the likes of Julio Cesar and Giampaolo Pazzini.

“So far preparations are going well, apart from one negative aspect that I feel the need to underline, just as my colleagues have done before me,” explained Buffon.

“I am referring to the football that is used in all the games for this tournament.

“The new model is absolutely inadequate and I think it is shameful that such an important competition as a World Cup with so many champions should be played with a ball like that.”

Players have complained that the ball moves mid-air and can change direction suddenly, making it difficult for both goalkeepers and outfield players.

“As for the rest, even if people don’t consider us to be favourites, I remain optimistic. After all, we are still the world champions.”

Spain are among the contenders thanks to their Euro 2008 triumph, but they too are unhappy with the Jabulani ball.

“It is truly sad that we have to play in a World Cup with such a horrendous ball,” said goalkeeper Casillas.

He made the comment after Spain scraped a 3-2 friendly victory over Saudi Arabia.

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

Propaganda The Adidas players never complain.

 

[JBF]

I actually found Milner better playing in the CM than on the flanks in the few Villa games I've watched this season. He'll do even better job assisting the Rooney&co than Barry that's for sure but the problem lies in his defensive abilities.

 

[Seven]

Most local teams don't use those new Adidas balls either. Even amateurs complain about them.

 

[JuveJay]

They always make them stupid just to see more goals, remember when the last World Cup started there were shots and goals going in from all angles, and then the better goalkeepers and adjustment later on lessened it. It's also probably why Lampard hit 3000 shots over the bar in that tournament, as the PL balls are harder. They might as well use a £1.99 air floater from Devlins, rather than spend millions developing it. They go in random directions as well.

 

[JuveJay]

He's pretty good there but the first half against Mexico - even though he was with a completely useless Carrick - showed that he would be a risk in that covering role. The problem that England already have is that the midfielders all want to go forward. Lampard to his credit can remain quite disciplined, but ideally you would have someone behind him to cover.

The other player that concerns me is Ferdinand, he hasn't look right at all since his injuries, and again today he got caught out and nearly cost a goal just from complacency trying to clear a ball.

 

[JBF]

Who will you support anyway JJ, Italy or England?

 

[JBF]

The last world cup was unforgettable regarding long distance goals. Maxi, Cole, Frings and Lahm's goals comes to mind. If this new ball can offer the same I'd be more than happy to have it but according to Pazzo it's a different story, the new ball change direction too often which could result in even less goals from distance and in Pazzo's case, headers.

 

[IrishZebra]

A round of Guinness on me for the entire nation next time.

Ah The Aul Guinna! No hangover only insane durchfall.

 

[The Curr]

Propaganda The Adidas players never complain.

Spain defender Alvaro Arbeloa, who also wears Adidas gear, had a simple answer when asked about the ball: "It's round, like always."

 

[Ken]

Brilliant.

 

[blondu]

http://www.sport.ro/cm-2010/cel-mai-tare-promo-la-un-meci-pentru-istorie-anglia-sua-video.html