2nd round of games over

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

Don't think Brasil will win it now. Argentina must be favourites, but could burn themselves out. Spain have a great chance of going all the way. France are utter crap & I'm not impressed with the Dutch.

 

England - exactly as expected & Italy blowing hot & cold

[Knox_Harrington]

Czechs are f***ed with sub-alehouse forwards.

[Cobs]

still too early to call

[Cunny]

the only team to really impress in both games has been Argentina

if Spain had a defence they would run them close, but Pernia and Pablo looking fecking awful and they are dragging Puyol down to their level.

[Earl Hafler]

I can't wait for the Holland v Argentina game.

 

If England can get their a*** into gear, i think a semi against Brazil looks likely, with the winners meeting Argentina in the final.

 

If Hargreaves starts tonight, i reckon he'll have a good game and play alongside Gerrard in the next round. I rate Lampard but have not been impressed at all by his form and he or Beckham need to be dropped but Beckham is a cert. Why pass it like the Argies when, from 60 yards, you can get the ball within 3 feet of your forwards ?

[Figaro]

England haven't surprised me in the least - predictable long ball football and until SGE sorts out the midfield and let's Gerrard move forward more I can see them going out before the semis. Too conservative and too many off-form players.

 

Argentina will implode - I've heard that they are already forming sides inside the dressing room and not speaking. Messi should be a starter in every game but Peckerman won't do it because he knows he'll have Saviola, Crespo and Telvez throwing wobblers. Ayala has looked very solid but he hasn't really been tested yet, has he.

 

Brazil - can only get better as they can't get worse. They have probably one of the best players in the competition in Kaka. Individual brilliance at the right time has got them two wins but I want to see them against first-class opposition with a decent forward line as Emerson can't be all over the pitch every game. Roberto Carlos and Cafu are slow at getting back. Ronaldinho is looking very tired. Ronaldo is off-form and ill.

 

I liked the Dutch when I saw them. Van Basten has finally banished that fatalistic Dutch disease of dressing room in-fighting that usually sees them implode - even Horseface is being good. If they get a good result against Argentina they will go far. Not spectacular but efficient even when being pushed back and out played.

 

The Germans are the Germans but their defence is dodgy and the midfield disappears. As with Brazil I want to see what they can do against a decent team.

 

As for Spain - the historical legacy of never passing the quarter-finals will weigh heavily once they start the knock-out phase. Puyol is doing miracles atm but he can't keep that up throughout the tournament.

Personality clashes inside the dressing room between the new stars and the old guard may ruin things too unless Aragones can put his foot down. I can see them reaching the semis and then going out on penalties.

[D.Boon]

Argentina look better that i thought(and i had them as favourites)

 

Spains defence will let them down, same for Brazil.

 

England and Holland look dangerous in the later rounds.

[Bailo]

Fig, any ideas on Spain's team for the Saudi game? Will Luis/Xabi play or will Aragones follow through on his claim and play an entirely new XI?

[SkippyjonJones]

Brazil are still the team to beat ? even though their performances haven?t been great they have still got wins ? once they start clicking then they will be tough to stop.

 

England will do the same as normal ? have an absolute stormer in a knockout game then collapse like a house of cards in the next round.

 

Italy, germany, spain ? all in with shouts.

 

 

Trinidad to qualify today and go all the way!!!!

[_00_deathscar]

 

 

 

England and Holland look dangerous in the later rounds.

 

Is dangerous a snynoym for insipid?

[Romario]

Argentina look class so far in all departments.

 

Spain looked a little weak yesterday compared to the free rolling team I saw in the first game. Not 100% sure of thieir defence.

 

I think Holland will get better as the tournament goes on.

 

Surprised by Brazil but I think they'll turn it around.

 

The shock of the tournament I think will be england getting really far due to having such an easy ride so far. I can see them getting to the final some how playing ale house footie.

[McBain]

I want a Czech Rep v Spain final. I'd like my own country to do well and all that but the idea of Beckham lifting the cup gives me the heebie jeebies

 

I expect a Brazil v Argentina final but I think either France or Spain could well knock Brazil out in the 1/4s or Italy in the semi.

[Figaro]

Fig, any ideas on Spain's team for the Saudi game? Will Luis/Xabi play or will Aragones follow through on his claim and play an entirely new XI?

 

Half and half - he'll rest Casillas, Puyol, Xavi, Cesc (card) and possibly Torres - although "El Niño" wants to play. I can see Reina, Iniesta, Raul, Joaquin and Reyes starting.

[RedHarvest]

Half and half - he'll rest Casillas, Puyol, Xavi, Cesc (card) and possibly Torres - although "El Niño" wants to play. I can see Reina, Iniesta, Raul, Joaquin and Reyes starting.

Spain have scary strength in depth there, as do Argentina - which is why I think one of these two will win it.

[Bailo]

Half and half - he'll rest Casillas, Puyol, Xavi, Cesc (card) and possibly Torres - although "El Niño" wants to play. I can see Reina, Iniesta, Raul, Joaquin and Reyes starting.

Hmm, interesting....it's scary when you realise Reyes hasn't played a single minute this WC!

[MarkD]

I backed both Spain and Argentina at good prices before the tournament and whilst Spain's defence can look 'wobbly' at times, I wouldn't swap either bet at this time. As mentioned above, it is the strength of both benches - especially midfields and attacks - that impresses most. If, as you say allude to Fig, Argentina are beginning to bicker and form cliques, its will be very ironic as they seem the most 'complete' team on the pitch - so far.

[Guest Kev]

I backed both Spain and Argentina at good prices before the tournament and whilst Spain's defence can look 'wobbly' at times, I wouldn't swap either bet at this time. As mentioned above, it is the strength of both benches - especially midfields and attacks - that impresses most. If, as you say allude to Fig, Argentina are beginning to bicker and form cliques, its will be very ironic as they seem the most 'complete' team on the pitch - so far.

 

Spain and Argentina do look weak in defence, and often when it comes to the knock-out stages it's the side with the better defence that wins. Group games don't often give the true overall picture.

[Swipe]

Ronaldo is off-form and ill.

 

 

 

I meant to ask you about that, mate. Could you post again the problems he's having?

 

I know you posted them all the other day but I was talking to a mate and he said "just what is it with Ronaldo? there has to be something more on his mind that just been overweight".

 

I remember you posted a list, but couldn't remember what you'd said.

 

Cheers.

[Des]

the idea of Beckham lifting the cup gives me the heebie jeebies

 

Is right. I don't mind Engurlund that much but the thought of the image of Beckham lifting the trophy being repeated forever and ever and ever is truly terrifying. There'll probably be a TV channel dedicated to showing it round the clock.

[Figaro]

I meant to ask you about that, mate. Could you post again the problems he's having?

 

I know you posted them all the other day but I was talking to a mate and he said "just what is it with Ronaldo? there has to be something more on his mind that just been overweight".

 

I remember you posted a list, but couldn't remember what you'd said.

 

Cheers.

 

From the original post:

 

Too many intense weight loss programmes and diets.

 

Has a serious renal problem that is being kept quiet.

 

He does not train in the normal sense - neither at Madrid nor with Brazil.

 

Psychologically he has never recovered from the injury in Italy.

 

He would rather be at home playing ping-pong or on the PS.

 

He has serious problems with his entourage and agent atm.

 

Plus he has never been as happy as he was when he was at Barca

 

 

FWIW Maradona thinks Ronaldo is finished too

[Ostrich Man]

 

FWIW Maradona thinks Ronaldo is finished too

so does my da....

[Swipe]

From the original post:

 

Too many intense weight loss programmes and diets.

 

Has a serious renal problem that is being kept quiet.

 

He does not train in the normal sense - neither at Madrid nor with Brazil.

 

Psychologically he has never recovered from the injury in Italy.

 

He would rather be at home playing ping-pong or on the PS.

 

He has serious problems with his entourage and agent atm.

 

Plus he has never been as happy as he was when he was at Barca

FWIW Maradona thinks Ronaldo is finished too

 

Cheers Fig