World Cup 2014 Super Thread copyright warning #1645

Pro. F wrote: »

Germany, Brazil, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Argentina have all had a hell of a lot more success than England in that time.

So? And?

You described England's World Cup record as being one of "perennial under achievement" But that simply isn't the case unless you believe that England are, or have been, a top-four nation in that time.

Top-eight is typical expectation from the English public and media, it's typical of whereabout they are in the World rankings around World Cup time and it's where England typically finish.

England's World Cup record is perennial mediocrity not under achievement.

I know I'm going to be unpopular here but fcuk England.

Beefy78 wrote: »

Difficult to produce great football on these sorts of pitches. I'd be tempted to give Rickie Lambert a lot of pitch time if I were Roy Hodgson. He's used to such lower-league conditions.

I bet the majority of Championship and even L1 pitches would be better than how that looks!

I see they have a turtle now as the official animal to predict the winner of every game.

If I was a betting man, I'd pick a team based solely on my own inkling and intuition, not because a turtle randomly swam towards a country's flag.

falan wrote: »

Are we sure that's a recent pic? That could be a picture from a few months ago for all we know? Just saying.

I guess the only way to find out is to watch the match on the day:)

*If that is the state of the pitch(es) then its truly shocking...

There seems to be contradictory claims about whether it was taken yesterday or four days ago.

As usual the English media have been quiet enough about their chances all year, but in the last few weeks as the tournament approaches, they come up with the usual BS of 'they might spring a few surprises'.
They ain't gonna get out of their group. They have a handful of good player, Hart, Gerrard (bit old to be considered great anymore), Rooney, Wiltshire and Sturridge. That's not going to be good enough against Italy or Uruguay, and there won't be any upsets from Costa Rica to give them a chance.
They are still going on about the so called 'Golden Generation' of 10 years ago, FFS. Slightly tarnished brass generation I'd have labeled them.

castletownman wrote: »

I see they have a turtle now as the official animal to predict the winner of every game.

If I was a betting man, I'd pick a team based solely on my own inkling and intuition, not because a turtle randomly swam towards a country's flag.

Really? Weird.

The Guardian has an article here about the state of the pitch and stadium at Manaus.

In and around the changing rooms, naked power cables could be seen dangling from the walls. According to reports, outside the stadium workers were still applying a final coat of asphalt, while several security doors could be seen in their packaging, still waiting to be fitted.

I've an awful feeling that a lot of people are going to get hurt at this world cup.

M!Ck^ wrote: »

My bets for the WC;

Argentina outright @ 5/1 EW
Higuain - Top Goalscorer @ 21/1 EW
Toure - Top Goalscorer @ 126/1 E/W :pac::pac:

Toure might miss the first game!

Knex. wrote: »

Dunno what to make of all the group spin off threads. Would rather it was all here save for the odd match thread, tbh.

Perhaps not feasible.

Wait for it, something cool is going to happen.