World Cup 2006

[enathan1085]

Originally Posted by bbloke

As well as watching matches on TV, it's also possible to watch the matches and/or highlights using the BBC web site:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...06/default.stm




Edit: Ah, it says it is viewable to UK users only... Sorry!

Well I've had luck watching the games on my work computer using TVAnts. About the only thing the craptacular computer here is good for. Only downside is I have to keep distracting myself from the games to work on these models in front of me. Sadly I've yet to find a streaming video equivalent (to TVAnts, PPLive, SOPCast, etc.) for Mac OS X. All the games are during working hours anyway though, so for now TVAnts on the bloody horrific windows box at work is how I get my world cup fix during the weekdays.

Speaking of which, the Netherlands - Ivory Coast game was quite titillating. I would've liked to see Ivory Coast advance but alas, 'tis not to be. Now I'm stuck pulling for Czech, Brazil (I've been in love with Brazil football since grade school), and Spain (who looked in top form against the Ukraine, hopefully they can keep their game up to par).

[Rhisiart]

Originally Posted by bbloke

Eeek, although England won 2-0, it was a close run thing with the match between England and Trinidad and Tobago!

England don't seem to have a game plan. Subsitute Lennon made all the difference against T&T. Rooney is a fabulous player, but is over-hyped as England's talisman.

Originally Posted by lilbandit

Have to say that Sven is imo an absolute joke.

Sven will be packing his bags soon. His post-World Cup replacement, Steve McClaren, will probably court less controversy, so perhaps the press will let him get on with the job.

For what it's worth, my money has always been on Argentina to win the cup (although I wouldn't put it past Germany to pull something off).

[lilbandit]

Watching Argentina today it's hard not to be impressed. Messi came on and scored too, great to see him back in action! Anybody impressed with Italy?

[Rhisiart]

Cautiously

[bbloke]

Originally Posted by lilbandit

bbloke, what do you make of Sven? He's getting a terrible time on Irish coverage of World Cup. I love football and would watch it all day if I had the chance (Thank God for World Cup!!) Summer is always hard, go into withdrawal every year! Have to say that Sven is imo an absolute joke. Remember the pictures of him meeting with Abramovich? I swear that he did it to score a pay rise for himself. Leaving Dafoe at home, playing an unfit Owen and Rooney and bringing a 17 year old who never played a first team game for his club to the greatest football stage in the world?? Won't play Carrick despite having a great season and being the only holding midfielder in the squad? Long balls to Crouch seem to be the only tactic and Beckham is looking more and more past it (dead balls aside). I'd play Lennon ahead of him. Beckham finished the last game playing right back!!

Well, where to start? I'm not really a massive football/soccer fan. I know enough to know what people are talking about and I tend to watch international games, but I couldn't claim to be an expert.

My general feelings about Sven has been mixed. At first, I thought he was a good manager and he might turn things round. After some time, I began to think he was very conservative and was not playing to our strengths very well. He seemed, to me, to play people out of position, be too defensive, make some odd substitutions, tinker with the squad a bit too much, and general not allow the games to flow as we would like (going by Premier League experiences). It seemed like the team just didn't gel and didn't work together well. Stupid mistakes were often made, and I wondered how much of this (such as diabolical passing or badly timed runs, from people who normally would know better!) was due to confusion when it came to specific roles and tactics.

People have recently pointed out that he actually has the best record, as far as England managers go. I was surprised to learn this and started to wonder if we need to give him a little more credit. Even so, I've not been happy with the performances at the World Cup so far. To sum it up, it feels like England has some excellent talent, possibly some players who can hold their own against any other in the world, and yet, when put together as a team, it just doesn't work. It's a frustrating lack of realization of potential.

Not bringing Defoe was bad, in my view. Our strike force consists of two people coming back from injury and who are not yet fit (Owen and Rooney), and one unusual character who, to his credit, has actually not done too badly (Crouch). Joe Cole has also been very good, and I think he should keep playing. With Lampard and Gerrard, they are both very talented and it is hard to know how to fit them both into the squad, if possible. I think Terry has proven to be excellent and a good long term prospect. I'm not quite sure why Sven keeps using Hargreaves, although I know he is supposed to be better than the media give him credit for. Lennon really seemed to bring a lot to the game against Trinidad and Tobago, and I'd like to see more of him in future. To many people's surprise, Sven's subsitutions in that match actually proved effective!

In summary, I just feel England are not performing as well as they are capable of, and I don't know if that comes down to the manager or not. On the other hand, although England have lacked flair and a command of their game, they have at least won both games and have not conceded a goal. I think many fans would rather see England "play well" if you know what I mean, not just get points. As Sven will be leaving after the World Cup, I'll give him of the benefit of the doubt for now and hope England "comes good" as time goes on. *cringe*

[fryke]

Okay. We're almost in the next round now. (We being Switzerland...) I just _wish_ - although it's certainly not the most noble thought - that France will actually lose vs. Togo. There are three reasons for this thought:

1.) Switzerland could then even lose their final match against Korea.
2.) Togo was a good competitor in this group and needs more than 0 points.
3.) France definitely simply is _not_ the good team they once were. And I think they don't belong in the next round. Pity for Zidane? No.

[Rhisiart]

Originally Posted by fryke

Switzerland could then even lose their final match against Korea.

Sorry Fryke old boy, but I fear Switzerland will lose their final match against South Korea.

Originally Posted by bbloke

I think many fans would rather see England "play well" if you know what I mean, not just get points.

Now that England are through to the next round, I am sure most of their fans will now just want them to win the cup, even if the games are scrappy. I would be delighted if they did.

Dal i fynd Lloegr (Welsh for "C'mon Eng-er-land!").

[fryke]

Hm. We'll see, m'dear. ... But as I said. As long as France loses against Togo (and they've yet to show some decent football in this World Cup and now Zidane is missing...), it doesn't even matter that much. I certainly _hope_ Switzerland defies South Korea. They don't look unbeatable at all.