Football 2013-2014

[Bobs]

Biggest news of the day for me has to be Bosnia qualifying, well deserved after getting so close in recent times.

I watched Wales v Belgium and a point could be crucial for us in terms of seeding pot for the euro 2016 qualification. Belgium look a very confident team, I can see them being strong in their world cup group, but think they may struggle when they come up against one of the big boys. As for Wales we look better now than we did 12 months ago which is progress, I just wish we could find what it is Wenger has fed Ramsey this summer, bottle it and give it to our other players!

[pink_triangle]

My point there was, that they nearly never qualified, and then won it, so it doesn't matter how strong or weak you are in qualifying, you all start from the same level in a World Cup.

[pink_triangle]

And great point for Belgium, it was pathetic that they were in group 6 last time, they should at least make pot 4 next time, and the top 3 qualify, if the draw is favourable you have a big chance of qualifying, which would be nice to see!

[Bobs]

Our current world ranking would have us losing in the euro play offs, so in theory we should be in with a chance. It will depend to a great extent on the draw and injuries which are out of our control.

[kaosmark2]

As for who will win it, I can't see a European team winning it, Belgium, Spain and Germany have to be the biggest threat (Especially Spain, they play in hot conditions, so you feel they'd be the most acclimatized to the weather) and other than Ivory Coast, I think the African teams are the weakest they've been in a while, especially without the African unity in the last one, Ghana could prove to be difficult to beat mind!

Brazil showed that they can do it infront of their own fans, in the Confeds cup. Argentina? Well i think they'll choke, and Colombia will be the surprise package of the South Americans.

And great point for Belgium, it was pathetic that they were in group 6 last time, they should at least make pot 4 next time, and the top 3 qualify, if the draw is favourable you have a big chance of qualifying, which would be nice to see!

Uruguay struggled to begin with, but they're getting a little better, i think they'll have to go through a play off, but they'll better New Zealand surely. Colombia are very strong, they may surprise a few. Ecuador always strong in Qualifiers, but never really do too well in the Tournament, and i can't say i know anything about Chile to say if they're good or not.

England, well there best case scenario could be Belgium, Australia, and Burkina Faso... Then again, you can't possibly say can you?

[Bobs]

I think the way the seeding works out is that the top 7 teams are seeded, and the Host, which is Brazil, and at present Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Colombia, Belgium and Uruguay.

If other world cups are to go by, we'll face a team from Asia/OFC/Africa, Europe (Englands pot) and Central and South America.

The worst scenario would be something like Brazil, England, Ivory Coast and Chile because the South American teams will know how to play in the climate, as will the african teams, not forgetting the strength of their squads. You can dismiss Drogba as being not as good, but he's still a threat, added to Toure, Traore and co, they are a good group of players.

I won't underestimate Belgium purely because they're a good nation, i'm not naive enough to dismiss Netherlands either, but i just don't think a European team will win it, and if they do, it'll be Spain, as i strongly agree with you on that.

I still think Colombia will be the surprise package, whilst i don't think they'll win it, there is no doubting their talent, Falcao, Rodriguez, Zuniga, Sanchez and Guarín are all excellent footballers, and they've been very dangerous of late, i'd certainly rate them higher than Uruguay.

But Overall, i'd say it doesn't really matter, there should be no pressure on England at all, they should turn around now, look at the younger players like Morrison, Barkley, Wilshere, Townsend et al, and say you're in, and players like Young, Milner who have nad their chance, just don't take them, they rarely contribute anything significant, and aren't cut out for it. They need to look at the form players, For example, Tom Huddlestone, is finally showing his potential at Hull, as he's finally getting game time, and if he plays the way he has been, why shouldn't he be included?

A good mix of experience with Youth, and then just see what happens, they could get stuffed, but at least it's valuable experience for the younger players!

[eFestivals]

It's weird seeing England actually look like a half decent football team.

I didn't think you were old enough to remember 1966?

[TheGayTent]

I didn't think you were old enough to remember 1966?

[PDAD]

I didn't think you were old enough to remember 1966?

[LondonTom]

I am pleased with that game, we looked half decent at times, decent first half...bit shaky and dull in the 2nd until the final 20 minutes or so. Still seem unsure how to keep the ball at times....but it's coming together a bit more. They seem to be playing as a team more and not giving up. And it was a fairly tough group, Poland and Ukraine are half decent sides that hard away are games due to the fans they have. (Even last night, the Poland fans were giving it some !).

As for Brazil, young Ravel will lead us to glory I'm sure

Edited October 16, 2013 by LondonTom

[pink_triangle]

I am pleased with that game, we looked half decent at times, decent first half...bit shaky and dull in the 2nd until the final 20 minutes or so. Still seem unsure how to keep the ball at times....but it's coming together a bit more. They seem to be playing as a team more and not giving up. And it was a fairly tough group, Poland and Ukraine are half decent sides that hard away are games due to the fans they have. (Even last night, the Poland fans were giving it some !).

[TheGayTent]

The defence still scares the shit out of me. A combination of Smalling, Cahill, and Jagielka isn't good enough to get past the last 16 of a World Cup IMO. Not unless the front 6 play so well that it negates the poor defence and/or they get a very fortunate draw.

Anyone see the Morrison/Zaha handbags?

[kaosmark2]

When England play Ukraine/Poland type teams in the actual tournament they occasionally draw but generally beat these teams. Englands failings in tournaments have not been down to consistency in terms of results against these types of teams, but against the top teams who they rarely play in qualifying, due tot he nature of seeding.

[eFestivals]

Out of the group IMO.

It depends if we meet a decent team, or not.

1990 - the year of those powerhouses of football, Belgium, and the Camaroon.

[kaosmark2]

It depends if we meet a decent team, or not.

1990 - the year of those powerhouses of football, Belgium, and the Camaroon.

[TheGayTent]

It depends if we meet a decent team, or not.

1990 - the year of those powerhouses of football, Belgium, and the Camaroon.

[eFestivals]

Cameroon came out of a very tough group that year, beating the World Cup holders and qualifying with a game to spare.

yep, they were one of those teams that have a great tournament ... but who then proved it a fluke by not getting close to that level ever again.

That 'best ever WC' (since '66) was one where we lost to the first decent team we played, and scraped results against not-great teams.

Things got so ridiculous from it that David Platt became a star - that's how bad England really were.

[TheGayTent]

I think any South American/African team will beat us. Any. England also won't be in the group of top seeds, so there's a high chance that team will win.

[TheGayTent]

yep, they were one of those teams that have a great tournament ... but who then proved it a fluke by not getting close to that level ever again.

That 'best ever WC' (since '66) was one where we lost to the first decent team we played, and scraped results against not-great teams.

Things got so ridiculous from it that David Platt became a star - that's how bad England really were.

[strummer77]

I think any South American/African team will beat us. Any. England also won't be in the group of top seeds, so there's a high chance that team will win.

Edited October 16, 2013 by strummer77

[TheGayTent]

We could face Switzerland. They are top seeds.

[pink_triangle]

USA?

[eFestivals]

I think you're exaggerating but would agree to a point. 4 years in football is a hell of a long time (how many of the players in England's 2010 squad will make Rio?).

Roger Miller could have made (i think) eight WC's over his playing career, if he'd played like he did in 1990 for all of his playing career.

[pink_triangle]

That 'best ever WC' (since '66) was one where we lost to the first decent team we played, and scraped results against not-great teams.

[kaosmark2]

I think you could well be right in terms if the South Americans. Not sure I'd agree about the Africans though. 2 of the 5 African nations would be tough draws but still winnable games. The other 3 I'd back England more times than not. After all, even allowing for their improvement on the whole, England have played African nations on 17 occasions and are yet to lose.