World Cup 2018

[Carver]

I already wrote it that I wouldn't be too surprised if we fail to defend the title. We've failed to do it 3-times before (England only 1-time, so you're better here...ah wait, you could only defend it one time at all )

Only Brazil could defend the title once in 1962 (edit: oops, totally forgot the Italians, as usual . They defended their (highly dubious won) title of 1934 in 1938)

Anyway, the minimum target for Germany is the semi-final. If we are out before this, the tournament will be regarded as a failure. Although this never happened under Jogi Löw yet in 6 tournaments but it is always a possibility.

For England reaching the semi finals would be the greatest success after 1966 and for Germany it's the "minimum target" for calling this tournament a success. So different are the aspirations.

Yeah well our Premier League is far superior and richer than your Bundesliga.

Oh and at least our players show emotion, German players don't show any as they are and always have been like robots. They are not happy when they win nor are they sad when they lose. The only thing they are programmed to do is be efficient and pull a stiff upper lip.

All so devoid of a conscience.

 

[Carver]

We have been winning against better nations the past 4 years now.

Well when it comes to the actual tournament we will see if that's still the case.

 

[G.B]

We have been winning against better nations the past 4 years now.

Yeah, but you've all been doping for 4 years.

Been saying this since they lifted the cup. Germany have seen quality players (and quality people) like Lahm and Schweini retire and their leadership qualities have not been replaced.
The midfield is talented, yes. But neither Götze nor Kroos pull their finger out when the going gets tough.
Defence? Meh. To me it looks like a lot of world-class being 2 years older (so, slower) apart from Kimmich. Mal sehen.

Our list is out. Deschamps opted with 5 midfielders and 7 forwards. Extremely risky for me.

I stand by my opinion. Brazil/Spain to win.

Rudiger, Sule, Tah, Ginter? They've got good depth in defence and Hummels is still a boss. Not the strongest at full back but Kimmich is as good a Lahm replacement as you could ask for (certainly better than playing Howedes at right back) and Hector always seems to do a job for them. Their midfield is stacked in every position and we might finally get to see Reus at a big tournament for the first time since 2012, though he'll probably break his ankle in a warm-up game or something.

They'll be competitive imo. Slight underdogs with France and Spain being favourites for me. Don't think Brazil will come close tbh.

 

[mistermagic]

Yeah well our Premier League is far superior and richer than your Bundesliga.

Oh and at least our players show emotion, German players don't show any as they are and always have been like robots. They are not happy when they win nor are they sad when they lose. The only thing they are programmed to do is be efficient and pull a stiff upper lip.

All so devoid of a conscience.

How old are you?

Rudiger, Sule, Tah, Ginter? They've got good depth in defence and Hummels is still a boss. Not the strongest at full back but Kimmich is as good a Lahm replacement as you could ask for (certainly better than playing Howedes at right back) and Hector always seems to do a job for them. Their midfield is stacked in every position and we might finally get to see Reus at a big tournament for the first time since 2012, though he'll probably break his ankle in a warm-up game or something.

They'll be competitive imo. Slight underdogs with France and Spain being favourites for me. Don't think Brazil will come close tbh.

Never rated Rüdiger and just because he plays for Chelsea doesn't mean he's a good player. The rest you mentioned are alright but haven't been given much of a chance. This summer's their chance but are they prepared?
I'm not really denying that Germany have players. Just not big-game ones.

 

[Super_horns]

No Ruben Neves in the Portugal squad - guess being the best player in the Championship counts for much .

 

[G.B]

How old are you?


Never rated Rüdiger and just because he plays for Chelsea doesn't mean he's a good player. The rest you mentioned are alright but haven't been given much of a chance. This summer's their chance but are they prepared?
I'm not really denying that Germany have players. Just not big-game ones.

They're German. Of course they're prepared.

We'll agree to disagree I guess. That squad is littered with players with multiple championships under their belts.

 

[Dirk]

How old are you?

Yeah, but you've all been doping for 4 years.

Rudiger, Sule, Tah, Ginter? They've got good depth in defence and Hummels is still a boss. Not the strongest at full back but Kimmich is as good a Lahm replacement as you could ask for (certainly better than playing Howedes at right back) and Hector always seems to do a job for them. Their midfield is stacked in every position and we might finally get to see Reus at a big tournament for the first time since 2012, though he'll probably break his ankle in a warm-up game or something.

Always a joy to read your comments about German Football, G.B.
Oh yes, keep fingers crossed for Marco Reus for his first ever tournament. Hope he doesn't break his arm when he wanks in the training camp just short before the flight to Russia . Nah seriously, I am really happy for him that it looks like he makes it this time, he's so fragile that you always hold your breath when he's tackled by some "brute" defender

They'll be competitive imo. Slight underdogs with France and Spain being favourites for me. Don't think Brazil will come close tbh.

Exactly my opinion. Last year I would've voted France above Spain, they've impressed me very much. But they have sometimes this "laissez-faire" attitude in competitve matches (like against Luxembourg with the 0-0 at home. And Spain impressed me the most when we played against them in the friendly a few weeks ago. Seldom you see a team attacking us at home in our own half like Spain did

No Ruben Neves in the Portugal squad - guess being the best player in the Championship counts for much .

I read that Portugal's coach Fernando Santos axed 10 players from the Euro 2016 team for his WC 2018 squad amongst them Renato Sanches and Eder.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Well when it comes to the actual tournament we will see if that's still the case.

It will.

 

[Carver]

It will.

No it wont because you are just there to make up the numbers.

 

[Libertadores FC]

No it wont because you are just there to make up the numbers.

If we are there to fill up the numbers, I can't imagine what England are then.

 

[Carver]

If we are there to fill up the numbers, I can't imagine what England are then.

We are there to WIN it and knock Germany out on penalties on the way.

 

[Libertadores FC]

We are there to WIN it and knock Germany out on penalties on the way.

lol

 

[Benji]

I'll be praying for Carver on the 28th of June.

 

[mistermagic]

I'm praying for him right now. Bless his soul.

 

[epic73]

England have about the same odds of winning the World Cup as the US do.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

I already wrote it that I wouldn't be too surprised if we fail to defend the title. We've failed to do it 3-times before (England only 1-time, so you're better here...ah wait, you could only defend it one time at all ).
Only Brazil could defend the title once in 1962 (edit: oops, totally forgot the Italians, as usual . They defended their (highly dubious won) title of 1934 in 1938)

Anyway, the minimum target for Germany is the semi-final. If we are out before this, the tournament will be regarded as a failure. Although this never happened under Jogi Löw yet in 6 tournaments but it is always a possibility.

For England reaching the semi finals would be the greatest success after 1966 and for Germany it's the "minimum target" for calling this tournament a success. So different are the aspirations.

A semi final with our present generation would be a ridiculous over-achievement, it's extremely unlikely. In the years to come things will improve and/or aspirations will rise given how well all England youth sides are doing. Right now, I'd snap your hand off for a Quarter Final place.

 

[Dirk]

A semi final with our present generation would be a ridiculous over-achievement, it's extremely unlikely. In the years to come things will improve and/or aspirations will rise given how well all England youth sides are doing. Right now, I'd snap your hand off for a Quarter Final place.

That's right, Mark. Very promising prospects from England's youth teams in the years to come. Very impressive tournament results. If this can be transformed to the adults team then maybe even in 4 years we can expect the first semi-final with an english team since the "stone age" (aka known as 1966).

 

[mistermagic]

A semi final with our present generation would be a ridiculous over-achievement, it's extremely unlikely. In the years to come things will improve and/or aspirations will rise given how well all England youth sides are doing. Right now, I'd snap your hand off for a Quarter Final place.

Reckon QF is not unachievable. All you have to do is finish top and hope to avoid Colombia (who would beat England if they met in the 1st KO stage imo). A quarter-final would the be against Brazil and, with their current squad, it would be no shame at all to lose against them.
It's how I think things will turn out for England this summer.

Of course you could get annihilated by Belgium 5-0 and fail to beat Panama. Either way.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

No room in the Spain squad for Morata, Marcus Alonso, or Bellerin. Diego Costa and Iago Aspas get in up front though...Perhaps Isco is more likely to play there rather than an out and out centre forward? Their midfield options are ridiculous.

 

[Carver]

I don't rate Belgium that much as a team, some very good players are there yes but I just don't think they are any good as a unit.

I think England can top the group providing we don't do that tournament thing we always do now and fail to beat inferior teams and only score something like 2/3 goals.

 

[SALTIRE]

England have about the same odds of winning the World Cup as the US do.

Even less so I'd say.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

I don't rate Belgium that much as a team, some very good players are there yes but I just don't think they are any good as a unit.

I think England can top the group providing we don't do that tournament thing we always do now and fail to beat inferior teams and only score something like 2/3 goals.

It's been intriging to watch the whole Martinez / Nainggolan issue unfold very publically in the press. When you look at what is a very strong squad, one area that doesn't stand out quite as much as others is the central midfield, and Nainggolan would definitely have added some quality there after an impressive season.

Usually it's England having these kinds of pre tournament fallings out and arguments!

 

[Chris FGR]

Oi Carver why are you so bullish about England on this thread but in the World Cup predicta you laughed at me for saying England would boss this and predicted Belgium to come above us?

 

[Abertawe]

is there an online predictor anywhere?

 

[Abertawe]

never mind should've just googled - official world cup page it's on

 

[Abertawe]

Actually the official one is wank - it's only doing groups atm. Is there a full one about?

 

[Libertadores FC]

You gonna stay up for our friendly tomorrow? SALTIRE

 

[SALTIRE]

You gonna stay up for our friendly tomorrow? SALTIRE

I didn't realise we were playing tomorrow? I did see on the news a report about the World Cup match in 1978, but didn't click. I'll look it out, check the time and see if I can watch, yep. You'll pummel us.

 

[Libertadores FC]

We kick off in 2 hours if you're still about SALTIRE

 

[SALTIRE]

We kick off in 2 hours if you're still about SALTIRE

Yeah still up, will get on it now. Probably only watch the first half as I have to be up sharpish today!