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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 56
Under 16 Player
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Under 16 Player
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 56 |
I propose we take care of Brazil and we meet eachother again in the finals so we can have the game we were supposed to have in the groups stages, since we both had nothing to play for. Sounds like a good aggreement to me. It's plausible it could happen, seeing everyone seems to be able to win from eachother. Form of the day.
And now watch me eat my words as tonight Japan kicks our behind by beating us in a very dry 1-0 due to a mistake by Kompany because his wheelchair got stuck in the grass while turning.
Though I'd still love A Belgium - England final. But that's whisfull thinking according to me rational side.
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 23,084
Liverpool Legend
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Liverpool Legend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 23,084 |
I have a soft spot for Belgium and an even bigger soft spot for Delirium Tremens... when rationality goes out the window.
That job interview was going so well until I realized I was fukked up on acid in the middle of a cornfield naked and talking to a scarecrow.
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,746
Under 23 Player
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Under 23 Player
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,746 |
I have enjoyed the World Cup so far, the 2 games yesterday were excellent.
The problem for me is that I am used to World Cup's being dominated by the best players in the world of their era, they put there name on it and produce outstanding performances.
Players like Maradonna/Gascoigne/Mattaaus/Gullit/Ronaldo (Brazil)/Zidanne/Baggio etc. International football now is dominated by team play, so it is more difficult for the individual to stand out, tactics have changed.
So far, I cannot think of an outstanding player who has put his mark on this world cup? same for the last few World Cups.
MBappé? Or maybe it's a bit too soon to say that? But he was outstanding yesterday! Much too early for Mbappe, but he did look impressive, a players has too dominate a tournament, if he carries on playing like that and France win the world cup, then he has made his mark at it, as the outstanding player. It's abit like Cup finals, people remember the great ones when a player has stood out and won it, like Owen against Arsenal in 2001 or Gerard in 2006. I also think the amount of CL games we see, regularly seeing these world players takes the excitement away allot, like in 1982/86/90 World Cups, we rarely saw the greats like Maradonna/Gullit/Platini/Baggio/Rossi/Matthaus as the leagues didn't get much coverage and your home TV country only showed games involving their countries team (if the had coverage) In European Cup, so there was a real excitement to see them play in a World Cup. Now we have seen all these players before, and seen the likes of Messi & Ronaldo player better, when surrounded by their club teams, who have better quality round them. I think that sums it up for me too. After our last 16 game we now have Sweden who are through to this stage themselves without being no great shakes. I wonder how opinions may change with a couple of iffy results elsewhere? Say Brazil beat Belgium and Uruguay beat France. We have a potentially explosive semi final there that quite possibly won't end with 22 players on the pitch. Russia could beat Croatia as home advantage is key still to them. We might edge the winner in a semi and then face a team with a big name or two suspended. All big ifs and buts but still plausible given the sides already sat at home looking at us and rubbing their eyes in disbelief that we are still there. We have the likely Golden Boot winner who has 3 penalties and a lucky diverted clip off his heel accounting for 4 of his 6 goals. We are the only former winner in the bottom half of the draw and the draw has been more than kind as we had 2 weak teams that we faced before a meaningless game v Belgium which will count for nothing if we were to meet in the final. We could become the most boring team to win this and similar in the way that Portugal won the European Championships last time out. Not that we set out that way its just the way it is panning out so far. I know it sounds like I am pouring cold water on this but believe me when I say that I want us to win this as much as the next man. I have 2 flags on my car to show my support and I am proud to be English but we are doing this with 2 or 3 players consistently playing poorly. We are not a good side but then who is? France are looking the best but they beat a very poor Argentina 4-3 and as an England fan I would have fancied our chances v both defences that day. Anyone can win it lets hope it is us.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 22,926
Liverpool Legend
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Liverpool Legend
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 22,926 |
I have enjoyed the World Cup so far, the 2 games yesterday were excellent.
The problem for me is that I am used to World Cup's being dominated by the best players in the world of their era, they put there name on it and produce outstanding performances.
Players like Maradonna/Gascoigne/Mattaaus/Gullit/Ronaldo (Brazil)/Zidanne/Baggio etc. International football now is dominated by team play, so it is more difficult for the individual to stand out, tactics have changed.
So far, I cannot think of an outstanding player who has put his mark on this world cup? same for the last few World Cups.
MBappé? Or maybe it's a bit too soon to say that? But he was outstanding yesterday! Much too early for Mbappe, but he did look impressive, a players has too dominate a tournament, if he carries on playing like that and France win the world cup, then he has made his mark at it, as the outstanding player. It's abit like Cup finals, people remember the great ones when a player has stood out and won it, like Owen against Arsenal in 2001 or Gerard in 2006. I also think the amount of CL games we see, regularly seeing these world players takes the excitement away allot, like in 1982/86/90 World Cups, we rarely saw the greats like Maradonna/Gullit/Platini/Baggio/Rossi/Matthaus as the leagues didn't get much coverage and your home TV country only showed games involving their countries team (if the had coverage) In European Cup, so there was a real excitement to see them play in a World Cup. Now we have seen all these players before, and seen the likes of Messi & Ronaldo player better, when surrounded by their club teams, who have better quality round them. I think that sums it up for me too. After our last 16 game we now have Sweden who are through to this stage themselves without being no great shakes. I wonder how opinions may change with a couple of iffy results elsewhere? Say Brazil beat Belgium and Uruguay beat France. We have a potentially explosive semi final there that quite possibly won't end with 22 players on the pitch. Russia could beat Croatia as home advantage is key still to them. We might edge the winner in a semi and then face a team with a big name or two suspended. All big ifs and buts but still plausible given the sides already sat at home looking at us and rubbing their eyes in disbelief that we are still there. We have the likely Golden Boot winner who has 3 penalties and a lucky diverted clip off his heel accounting for 4 of his 6 goals. We are the only former winner in the bottom half of the draw and the draw has been more than kind as we had 2 weak teams that we faced before a meaningless game v Belgium which will count for nothing if we were to meet in the final. We could become the most boring team to win this and similar in the way that Portugal won the European Championships last time out. Not that we set out that way its just the way it is panning out so far. I know it sounds like I am pouring cold water on this but believe me when I say that I want us to win this as much as the next man. I have 2 flags on my car to show my support and I am proud to be English but we are doing this with 2 or 3 players consistently playing poorly. We are not a good side but then who is? France are looking the best but they beat a very poor Argentina 4-3 and as an England fan I would have fancied our chances v both defences that day. Anyone can win it lets hope it is us. Fyi yellow cards get wiped out after the quarter finals
Last edited by TiredReds; 05/07/18 03:44 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,746
Under 23 Player
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Under 23 Player
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,746 |
There are quite a few players who would miss a semi final if booked in the quarter finals. We have 4 who could miss out most notably Henderson. Brazil have 3 including Coutinho and dive boy.
Most interesting is that between them Russia and Croatia have 11 players on one yellow card and could be significantly weakened if their quarter final turns into a war but Uruguay who have been known to really dish it out in the past have one player on a yellow.
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 6,054
1st Team Squad
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1st Team Squad
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 6,054 |
I think they changed the rule on yellow cards to avoid players missing the final, the only way to miss the final now is to get a straight red card in the semi final.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 22,926
Liverpool Legend
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Liverpool Legend
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 22,926 |
I think they changed the rule on yellow cards to avoid players missing the final, the only way to miss the final now is to get a straight red card in the semi final.
Indeed. The thing I am not sure of is if a second yellow card in the quarters gets wiped off as well for the semis. I think you do miss the semis if you collect a second card in the quarter final
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 6,054
1st Team Squad
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1st Team Squad
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 6,054 |
I think they changed the rule on yellow cards to avoid players missing the final, the only way to miss the final now is to get a straight red card in the semi final.
Indeed. The thing I am not sure of is if a second yellow card in the quarters gets wiped off as well for the semis. I think you do miss the semis if you collect a second card in the quarter final Yeah, I think if you go in the QF on a yellow and get a yellow during the game, your banned for the SF, as the cards are wiped after the QF, so anything accrued in the QF counts. It's better this way, I remember when Ballack got Germany to the final in 2002 but was banned, he was their main player and it ruined the final, same with Blanc in 98 after a bad dive got him a yellow he didn't deserve. You want to see the best players, if a player does something stupid and get's sent off in the SF they are still banned in the final.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,605
1st Team Squad
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1st Team Squad
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,605 |
The yellow cards are wiped out after the semis.
So a player who gets the second yellow in the quarters will miss the semi.
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 6,054
1st Team Squad
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1st Team Squad
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 6,054 |
The yellow cards are wiped out after the semis.
So a player who gets the second yellow in the quarters will miss the semi. You mean after the QF?
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