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Author Topic: The world Cup Russia 2018 Thread  (Read 200703 times)
Panda Paws

« Reply #15 on: Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 09:29:51 »

Placing any weight on Fifa rankings is ridiculous, as I'm sure you're aware.

Poland and Switzerland are comfortably in the top 10 yet will both struggle to get out the groups. Spain are 10th, and are expected to go very close (before all of this stuff with the manager).

QFs is a realistic success.
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Reg Smeeton
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« Reply #16 on: Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 09:43:24 »

Placing any weight on Fifa rankings is ridiculous, as I'm sure you're aware.

Poland and Switzerland are comfortably in the top 10 yet will both struggle to get out the groups. Spain are 10th, and are expected to go very close (before all of this stuff with the manager).

QFs is a realistic success.

It just gives a bit of weight to considering the relative strengths of sides.  In recent years I've see England struggle against sides who are considered inferior, to the extent that I can see no reason why we should expect to beat Tunisia.

For me it's down to mental strength and desire, qualities sadly lacking in our players.  THe WC presents a golden opportunity for lads from countries like Tunisia.... what you might call Gamboa syndrome... Christian Gamboa, had a tidy WC for Costa Rica, who won the group we failed to qualify from, and on the back of it got a nice Prem contract (WBA) then a move to Celtic.... 30 games in 4 years, but lucrative.

Our lot just don't have that sort of motivation.
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The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey

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« Reply #17 on: Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 10:06:32 »

Linesmen, or whatever they are called nowadays, have been instructed not to flag for close offside decisions.

Wonder what definition of 'close' is going to be used.
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Reg Smeeton
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« Reply #18 on: Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 10:11:50 »

 So Lopetegui is sacked  Smiley

 Certainly different. Andres Iniesta, could do a caretaker job  Hmmm
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Quagmire

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« Reply #19 on: Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 10:12:15 »

So Spain have just sacked their manager because he agreed to take over at Real after the tournament, it’s almost Swindon esq.
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Quagmire

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« Reply #20 on: Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 10:12:53 »

Reg beat me to it.
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Batch
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« Reply #21 on: Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 10:15:43 »

So Lopetegui is sacked  Smiley

Not even Holland managed that level of implosion at a WC.
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Reg Smeeton
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« Reply #22 on: Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 10:18:58 »

Reg beat me to it.

When you think about it, makes sense... there has always been a schism between the Real and Barca players.  Barca players are not going to take kindly to being told what to do by Real's next manager.

Iniesta, would have the status to close that divide.  Anyway will be interesting to see what they do.  Pep is probably around somewhere.
« Last Edit: Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 10:21:07 by Reg Smeeton » Logged
Sippo
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« Reply #23 on: Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 10:21:47 »

Just throwing it out there, and extremely unlikely but Wenger?
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Nemo
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« Reply #24 on: Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 10:25:30 »

2026 World Cup venue being chosen today too. North America (Canada/USA/Mexico) or Morocco. Quite fancy a month in Morocco...
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horlock07

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« Reply #25 on: Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 10:33:15 »

When you compare the income that FIFA are going to get for each bid, there is sadly no way its going to be Morocco....
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fittons_coaching_badge

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« Reply #26 on: Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 10:42:51 »

England have only won 6 knockout games since 1966. SIX. Depressing or what.

Paraguay 1986
Belgium 1990
Cameroon 1990
Spain 1996
Denmark 2002
Ecuador 2006

Of those 6, I think Spain in Euro96 had 2 perfectly good goals disallowed and Lineker cheated to get a pen in WC 1990 .... FOOTBALLS COMING HOME!
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Abrahammer

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« Reply #27 on: Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 11:11:29 »

How many of those were even in 90 mins? Paraguay and the last 2 according to my memory

Anyway im tipping France, quality squad as long they can avoid falling out with each other.

As for England, it’s a great group and a great last 16 potential draw against a team from the weakest group. Should get to QF against Brazil or Germany and that’s where it will end
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Private Fraser

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« Reply #28 on: Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 11:16:39 »

....meanwhile, looking ahead, the joint USA, Canada, Mexico bid just got the nod for the 2026 WC (with 48 teams - so Scotland will have a chance!).  Hopefully, Trump will be long gone by then or travel between the three countries could be a long, drawn-out affair.
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Abrahammer

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« Reply #29 on: Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 11:21:24 »

Pretty surprised FIFA went with the sensible choice
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