View Full Version : world cup predictions
generaljimmy
07-06-2006, 02:15 AM
its only a few days away folks, come on what do you think? i've just been watching the boys from brazil and they had an amazing team back in 82, arguably up there with 70 and better than now (imo) but they were undone by italian pragmatism. im stikcing my neck out and reckon italy will beat them again this time in the second round.
also think luca toni will be top goalscorer, but unsure who's gonna win it. my hearts saying england but really unsure! lets all 'av a vote and see what we reckon. included are all the major teams here i think, but ideas on surprise nations (i think paraguay are gonna make the quarters, beat sweden then germany in next round), ealry casualties and top goalscorers are also welcome.
its two days away, amazing stuff!
its two days away, amazing stuff!
Quite liderally staggering great mate.
mooney
07-06-2006, 10:29 AM
I dont think you'll get many serious replies on here mate, except for mine maybe.
I am going to go for England to win. Why not? I;ve gone for them in all other past comps and they havnt won, so I may aswell continue. Plus we have the best squad we've had in a long time.
Top goalscorer, erm, I dont really know.
Shock exits - Holland.
Suprises - Ivory Cost
Hawkster
07-06-2006, 12:52 PM
I think Italy may be the shock exit! They aren't looking to good at the mo although they can raise their game when it matters I guess........
As much as I hate to say it, I think Argentina will win it this year.
generaljimmy
07-06-2006, 01:11 PM
Quite liderally staggering great mate.
dont you support everton mate?
generaljimmy
07-06-2006, 01:14 PM
I think Italy may be the shock exit! They aren't looking to good at the mo although they can raise their game when it matters I guess........
they're looking good mate, beat germany 4-1 the other week. i think italy may even win it 2 b honest, think they're gonna scrape through the group games by beating czech republic in final match after unconvincing performances against gahna and usa, and then edge brazil out. but they could finish bottom of their group at the same time
Kieran
07-06-2006, 01:49 PM
Brazil/Holland//England
Hawkster
07-06-2006, 01:56 PM
I thought Italy had all sorts of internal problems at the mo! Maybe I'm wrong then! :oops:
I've just drawn Holland in the office sweepstake so hopefully they will do ok!
Obviously I want England to win though!
mooney
07-06-2006, 02:02 PM
I thought Italy had all sorts of internal problems at the mo! !
there'll be no Italian ref's their, thats for sure, though I;m quite positive that other may be open to a bribe if the money was right....
generaljimmy
07-06-2006, 02:04 PM
yeah there is that match fixing malarkey hanging over their heads. still reckon there gonna do it, best goalie in the world will kepp ronaldinho, kaka et al at bay and my man toni will bag the winner in a thrilling 2-1 victory that goes to extra time.
Quite liderally staggering great mate.
dont you support everton mate?
I do, does the answer in someway to contradict what I said ?
generaljimmy
07-06-2006, 02:26 PM
well when you've been hell bent on rubbishing the majority of the magic of the world cup in your posts so far mate, id say that it does slightly yes
Mooney supports Carlisle.
Does that mean his opinions are even less valid?
What a weak argument.
Tony Montana
07-06-2006, 03:08 PM
I reckon USA will qualify at the expense of the Czech Rep.
Spain will finally do well.
mooney
07-06-2006, 03:16 PM
I reckon USA will qualify at the expense of the Czech Rep.
Spain will finally do well.
Good call on the USofA. They did well last time around and I think that thier squad are mostly based in Europe now. I predict Brian McBride to bag a few.
Spain, well maybe. They still dont have a great defense, though Raul is always a danger and maybe Fabregas will shine though - if he plays.
mooney
07-06-2006, 03:18 PM
Mooney supports Carlisle.
Does that mean his opinions are even less valid?
What a weak argument.
Come on, please dont turn this into another thread about who likes England and who doesnt. We've all been there and done that. either contribute to the topic or go and moan somewhere else. :wink:
mooney
07-06-2006, 03:20 PM
Come on, please dont turn this into another thread about who likes England and who doesnt. We've all been there and done that. either contribute to the topic or go and moan somewhere else. :wink:
Quite liderally staggering great mate.
Same for you Dad. If you dont want to say anything relevant, why bother? Continue the argument on the other thread.
Random1
07-06-2006, 04:22 PM
im stikcing my neck out and reckon italy will beat them again this time in the second round.
well bring it on, i say! gotta back england - no matter how many times i've said this in the past....this has got to be our year :) f*ck knows what's gonna happen with mr rooney, but fergie can p*ss off if he thinks he can override sven - imagine the tabloid change of stance if we do win as well...reckon it'd be pretty funny - in a remarkably hypocritical kinda way
Come on, please dont turn this into another thread about who likes England and who doesnt.
You have nice eyes.
f*ck knows what's gonna happen with mr rooney, but fergie can p*ss off if he thinks he can override sven
His club pay his wages.
I think Ferguson's got it completely right.
Him playing in the World Cup could jeopardise his career, or at least the coming season.
How would Liverpool fans feel if Gerrard was being rushed back when patently unfit? Given how much that would impact on the coming season...
Random1
07-06-2006, 05:34 PM
f*ck knows what's gonna happen with mr rooney, but fergie can p*ss off if he thinks he can override sven
His club pay his wages.
I think Ferguson's got it completely right.
Him playing in the World Cup could jeopardise his career, or at least the coming season.
How would Liverpool fans feel if Gerrard was being rushed back when patently unfit? Given how much that would impact on the coming season...
I hear what you're saying, but what I mean is that the FA can ultimately overrule Man U - I saw it on the news so it must be true!
generaljimmy
07-06-2006, 06:19 PM
Mooney supports Carlisle.
Does that mean his opinions are even less valid?
What a weak argument.
hardly a weak argument at all mate, your man dad here has been pointing out that the world cup is unxciting and dull, i think a jokey reference to him supporting everton has a element of relevance. i support leeds utd, who cant even get out fo the championship, and id fully expect that if i was to get on my high horse and say the world cup is wank and mostly full of shite teams playing shite football, some shi t would be coming my way about the ineptitude of shaun derry and kevin backwell's tactics. footy banter after all
i apologise now if getting excited over this tournament really is a sickening act
Random1
07-06-2006, 10:16 PM
[quote=nt]i apologise now if getting excited over this tournament really is a sickening act
It's a disgrace and should be stamped out immediately - before it's too late :wink: :roll: :lol:
mooney
08-06-2006, 10:19 AM
You have nice eyes.
Ooo, tis been a while since I heard that one. :D
How the hell did that come about again?
mooney
08-06-2006, 10:21 AM
Him playing in the World Cup could jeopardise his career, or at least the coming season.
Then again though, it is only Man U.
well when you've been hell bent on rubbishing the majority of the magic of the world cup in your posts so far mate, id say that it does slightly yes
The magic of the World Cup ?
Which magic's that ?
Also, why is it relevant who I support ?
hardly a weak argument at all mate, your man dad here has been pointing out that the world cup is unxciting and dull, i think a jokey reference to him supporting everton has a element of relevance.
You're wrong. It's completely irrelevant.
i apologise now if getting excited over this tournament really is a sickening act
It's only sickening because there's nothing to get excited about.
Before England's first game people were wanking on about how they WILL win the World Cup, how great they are, how they're this and how they're that.
Completely ignoring that actually, they're not very good.
There is no basis for this belief, no evidence to support it and no reason for it.
THAT is what does my head in.
Now people getting excited about decent matches, that's ace, I thought the Ghana Italy game was pretty decent, co-incidentally, I think either team would beat England, but that's another matter.
Get excited about something that deserves it, not just fo the sake of it.
generaljimmy
13-06-2006, 11:11 AM
well done, ghana italy is exactly what the f uck im talking about when i say the magic of the world cup. as is ivory coast argentina, and a decent czech republic side making a quite fancied usa look rubbish. and im sure u saw the magic in australia coming back to whoop japans arse yesterday too :wink:
sure england looked pretty shoddy at times, but with the way sweden were there's evry chance we could be group winners by thu if we beat trinidad and they dont beat paraguay. its lookin like an easy ecuador match in the next round too, so the quarter finals are more than likely without even breaking a sweat, and then hopefully we'll start looking like world beaters. teams have started much worse in the world cup finals and ended up doing very well, west germany got embarassed by their eastern neighbours on home soil but ended up overcmoing by the far best team in the world holland in the final that year. argentina got shown up by nine man camerron in 90 but made it to the final. and italy didnt even win a game in their group stages in 1982, and then rossi scored a stunning hatrick to knock out brazil and tardelli ran around the pitch screaming his own name as they overcame germany thanks to a goal from him.
so far then, still the possibility england might do something to make a nation proud and pletny of top class football matches. why on earth did i bother getting excited eh?
well done, ghana italy is exactly what the f uck im talking about when i say the magic of the world cup. as is ivory coast argentina, and a decent czech republic side making a quite fancied usa look rubbish. and im sure u saw the magic in australia coming back to whoop japans arse yesterday too :wink:
Ghana Italy was good, Ivory Coast Argentina was the usual stuff really, it wasn't a great game, just Argentina looking pretty good and then being under a lot of pressure... Didn't see the Czech Republic game.
As for Australia - my brother said they were pretty lucky, Cahill should have been sent off before he got his second...
so far then, still the possibility england might do something to make a nation proud and pletny of top class football matches. why on earth did i bother getting excited eh?
The possibility England might make a nation proud ? Do you write for a tabloid ?? They looked shoddy, yes, they played how they have done for the last ten years, nothing special, not exactly exciting to watch and grinding out results.
That wouldn't make me proud or excited.
I've only seen one game that I'd describe as top class though - last nights.
The rest of them have been background noise.
Hawkster
13-06-2006, 12:45 PM
I know its only been a few days but based on the games so far I think this could turn out to be a classic world cup whoever wins! I still have faith in England but they need a good win on Thursday.
funk_engineer
13-06-2006, 12:57 PM
I know its only been a few days but based on the games so far I think this could turn out to be a classic world cup whoever wins! I still have faith in England but they need a good win on Thursday.
agreed could be the best since 90, we'll have to see how it pans out!
that new ball makes it even better, players having digs at goal from 40 yards! :shock:
goalkeepers must hate it! :lol: :lol:
mooney
13-06-2006, 01:23 PM
The rest of them have been background noise.
Thats because you were too busy knocking one out over Nora Batty in Last Of The Summer Wine
generaljimmy
14-06-2006, 12:45 AM
dad, after watching the way brazil made hard work of a seemingly average side tonight, yet still battling out the result, does that make them that different in their start from england? does this mean that now brazil have no chance of winning the world cup, seeing as they've only started marginally better than the poor performance england put in?
the england situation is no different after paraguay, a glut of world class players that can potenitally gel and win this world cup, but can also potentially do very little, its the ultimate paradox of watching our national side. seeing as we're looking like not playing a decent side till the quearters, and that will be more than likely a holland we shuld do away with, things are looking good so far for a succesful tournament, which is making at least the semi-finals.
generaljimmy
14-06-2006, 12:48 AM
the argentina vs ivory coast match was better than italy ghana, and was a very good spectacle for football. czech vs usa was good, and there was a decent enough level of interest in trinidad pullling off a miracle against sweden, australia's comeback yesterday and mexico looking good vs iran. not a bad showing for the world cup only being 5 days in. certainly a lot more than background noise
dad, after watching the way brazil made hard work of a seemingly average side tonight, yet still battling out the result, does that make them that different in their start from england? does this mean that now brazil have no chance of winning the world cup, seeing as they've only started marginally better than the poor performance england put in?
Firstly, Brazil were playing an (arguably) better team, secondly they hardly 'battled it out' in the style England did. While they didn't create a lot of clear cut chances, they still played football, they still looked to create, they still looked to 'out brazil' the opposition. They just didn't play very well.
England, however, 'battled it out' in the style they have done for the last five - ten years (that holland game aside).
the england situation is no different after paraguay, a glut of world class players that can potenitally gel and win this world cup
A glut of world class players ?
Jesus.
Rooney and Gerrard aside, who else is 'World Class' ?
Who else would get into Brazil's side, Italy's side, Argentina's side ??
the argentina vs ivory coast match was better than italy ghana
I wouldn't argue that, I thought the italy ghana game was better, but that's just personal opinion.
czech vs usa was good, and there was a decent enough level of interest in trinidad pullling off a miracle against sweden, australia's comeback yesterday and mexico looking good vs iran. not a bad showing for the world cup only being 5 days in. certainly a lot more than background noise
For you maybe, not for me.
Trinidad Sweden was one of the most tedious games I've seen in a long time. Luckily I didn't see France yesterday, as I was driving, but the commentators weren't overly impressed either.
Mexico Iran again wasn't exactly edge of the seat excitement. Unless you're one of those people who think that more than two goals means it was a great game.
mooney
14-06-2006, 10:21 AM
the argentina vs ivory coast match was better than italy ghana
I wouldn't argue that, I thought the italy ghana game was better, but that's just personal opinion.
czech vs usa was good, and there was a decent enough level of interest in trinidad pullling off a miracle against sweden, australia's comeback yesterday and mexico looking good vs iran. not a bad showing for the world cup only being 5 days in. certainly a lot more than background noise
For you maybe, not for me.
Trinidad Sweden was one of the most tedious games I've seen in a long time. Luckily I didn't see France yesterday, as I was driving, but the commentators weren't overly impressed either.
Mexico Iran again wasn't exactly edge of the seat excitement. Unless you're one of those people who think that more than two goals means it was a great game.
For someone who's not to bothered about it, you seem to be either listening to it on the radio or having it on the Tv as background. Why have it on in the background if your not bothered? Whats the point? Why not put some soothing music on or watch repeats of Friends?
For someone who's not to bothered about it, you seem to be either listening to it on the radio or having it on the Tv as background. Why have it on in the background if your not bothered? Whats the point? Why not put some soothing music on or watch repeats of Friends?
It's been on in pubs / bars where I've been. I've watched the Argentina brazil and italy games at home, I wanted to watch them.
The mexico game was on at my sisters when I was there, it was on in the background.
The radio commentary was quite interesting, from a footballing point of view.
mooney
14-06-2006, 03:11 PM
The radio commentary was quite interesting, from a footballing point of view.
With todays technology - and by pressing the red button on your digital remote - you can now watch the footy with any number of commentaries - whether it be normal, radio or just the noise of the crowd. I wanted to watch the game with Five Live on too but when I did it the radio commentary was a few seconds ahead.....a bit dissapointing when you know someone's going to score before you actually see it!
generaljimmy
14-06-2006, 08:56 PM
Rooney and Gerrard aside, who else is 'World Class' ?
david beckham
john terry
rio ferdinand
micheal owen
frank lampard
ashely cole
gary neville
granted theres probably better players than all of those in the world in their position, but one or two maybe. yeah england were scrappy, they just diodnt perform any better than they needed to, just like brazil yesterday.
the fact of the matter is the only thing thats holding england back at the moment is the coach, but he might pull it through for england, and we might then have a torunament where we prove our class, maybe not win it, but prove the class in the side. To suggest that this is impossible is pure folly.
Biscanaldo
14-06-2006, 10:00 PM
Rooney and Gerrard aside, who else is 'World Class' ?
gary neville
.
HAHAHAHAH
funniest thing ive heard all year :lol:
guest
14-06-2006, 10:19 PM
Rooney and Gerrard aside, who else is 'World Class' ?
gary neville
.
HAHAHAHAH
funniest thing ive heard all year :lol:
isnt he injured... massive blow
Rooney and Gerrard aside, who else is 'World Class' ?
david beckham
john terry
rio ferdinand
micheal owen
frank lampard
ashely cole
gary neville
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHSAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHHA
AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH
FUCKING HELL.
adam meade
15-06-2006, 11:23 AM
Rooney and Gerrard aside, who else is 'World Class' ?
gary neville
.
HAHAHAHAH
funniest thing ive heard all year :lol:
name 3 better right backs then bellend
Along with Gerrard, Rooney and Neville I would also say that Terry and Owen are world class.
nocturne
15-06-2006, 12:51 PM
I can see what Dad is saying about 'world class' being overused but I think that Terry, Cole are world class. Our whole back four would get in the Brazil team. Cafu played ok but he maybe too old this time.
As for predictions I am doing ok. I predicted on the tfunkshun forum that I thought italy/spain would win, and Luca Toni/David Villa would get the golden boot.
As it panned out I put money on Spain to win the WC, and Luca Toni to get the golden boot in the end.
I am still smiting from my crazy bet attempt. I wanted odds on South Korea to score 5 from outside the box, Bet365 couldn't sort it for me, and the bastards only went and scored two like that in the first game now.
mooney
15-06-2006, 01:44 PM
[quote="generaljimmy"]
john terry
rio ferdinand
ashely cole
gary neville/quote]
I know I dont particularly like Gary Neville (and he does have a tendancy to play people onside) but as a collective, these four are immense. Paul Robinson also makes our back five a tough line to break down.
I know Italy always have a good defense, but they do have an ageing Cannavorro and two "new" full backs. Anyone who has the job of filling Maldini's position has a serious job on their hands and, knowing the Italian fans, they wont be forgiving.
However, all of this is irrelevant if we cant score in the knockout stages.. If we dont (and the opposition dont) penalties will ensue, and then its a game of chance - one which will we probably whitey over qutie considerably!
generaljimmy
15-06-2006, 07:51 PM
only zambrotta is better in that position. laugh all day but those players qualify as wclass. Dispute it with truth, ie better players
Absolute fucking nonsense.
I love John Terry, I think he's superb. But he's not quick enough to be 'world-class'. He's SO good, but not that step up.
To say Neville or Ferdinand are world-class is frankly laughable, no matter how competent they are in the Premier League.
Ashley Cole has improved year on year, but is still defecient defensively.
Beyond that... Micheal Owen had a shout of being world-class five years ago, but injuries have made him a shadow of the player he was, much as I rated him them.
Lampard is a VERY effective player, but when I think of 'world class' I think of players who have a level of technique. That is different to being able to lamp it in from far out.
Beckham... can cross a ball. Yay.
david beckham
john terry
rio ferdinand
micheal owen
frank lampard
ashely cole
gary neville
granted theres probably better players than all of those in the world in their position, but one or two maybe.
Which means they're not world class. I'll sort of agree with you about Ashley Cole, I like him a lot, he's arguably up there... I'd forgotten him, but the rest of them ?? No chance.
To me, World Class implies that they'd get in any squad in the world. Are you seriously saying Joe Cole would get in any squad in the world ??
As for better right full backs than Neville - Cafu and Zambrotta are clearly better, not sure why you want three better players, as others are *arguably* better but not clearly better.
yeah england were scrappy, they just diodnt perform any better than they needed to, just like brazil yesterday.
Stop it now. England played without imagination, seemingly without a plan other than leather it to Owen or leather it to Crouch. There was no pattern, no nothing really.
Brazil didn't play well, but they still tried to play. The difference is, when they improve, they'd steamroller England. When England improve, they'd stifle Brazil and maybe scuff a goal.
Rather than blithely go with the tabloid line of "we didn't play well, but neither did they, so everything's ok" have a think about it, distance yourself from the bollocks that the press come out with and have a think about it.
the fact of the matter is the only thing thats holding england back at the moment is the coach, but he might pull it through for england, and we might then have a torunament where we prove our class, maybe not win it, but prove the class in the side. To suggest that this is impossible is pure folly.
Glad to see the expectations are coming down now. Only took two games to go from "we're going to win it" to "we might prove our class".
I can see what Dad is saying about 'world class' being overused but I think that Terry, Cole are world class. Our whole back four would get in the Brazil team. Cafu played ok but he maybe too old this time.
Cafu's ace. I hope you noticed that despite running and running and running, he STILL hardly broke sweat.
To say he's too old is to judge a book by it's cover.
mooney
16-06-2006, 10:26 AM
I love John Terry, I think he's superb. But he's not quick enough to be 'world-class'. He's SO good, but not that step up.
Who's a better centre half?
mooney
16-06-2006, 10:35 AM
Last nights performance was pretty dull. I admit that we wont win aything playing like that, however Its always difficult trying to break down 10 men who are sitting on the edge of the 18 yard line.
Positives from the game: It was good to see Rooney back, and Lennon was entertaining. Hopefully be seeing more of him in future matches.
John Terry WAS world class last night. Bollocks to all of you who say he isnt. It is a shame when your centre half is the man of the match.
As always with England, we dont really play to our full potential until we need to, which isnt the way to go about it, but I know that once we meet the bigger teams we will put in a performance worthy of some praise.
I still believe that we will do it..............
I love John Terry, I think he's superb. But he's not quick enough to be 'world-class'. He's SO good, but not that step up.
Who's a better centre half?
I don't think he has the technique to be described as world-class. I think the phrase is over-used. I consider world-class to be footballers of the highest order, not people who are effective (which is not decrying him at all, merely pointing out the difference).
I think he could succeed in other leagues though, because of his attributes.
You actually do him a disservice saying he was world-class last night. It was Trinidad & Tobago. He's either world-class or not, to base it on a game against 2nd division players from Scotland.
mooney
16-06-2006, 04:03 PM
you actually do him a disservice saying he was world-class last night. It was Trinidad & Tobago. He's either world-class or not, to base it on a game against 2nd division players from Scotland.
So your saying that if your playing a lesser opponent then you cant be World Class?
For instance, lets say Roger Federer was playing me in a game of tennis, from what your saying he would no longer be world class?
Hawkster
16-06-2006, 04:14 PM
Have you seen the Argentina score?! Now that is world class!
So your saying that if your playing a lesser opponent then you cant be World Class?
I might be :wink:
What I'm actually saying is that using yesterday's game as 'proof' that he's world-class is horribly flawed.
I still think he's superb.
mooney
16-06-2006, 04:22 PM
Have you seen the Argentina score?! Now that is world class!
Ah, but its only against Serbia, so Nt would have you believe that they cant be World Class. However, if they were playing England though......... :wink:
A memorbale scoreline to say the least. I'm greatful that it looks like we will miss playing them in the quarters.
The Argies v the Dutch next week should be very interesting though.
mooney
16-06-2006, 04:26 PM
I might be :wink.
I'd make Roger Federer look like he had leprosy with my tennis skills anyway :wink:
Ah, but its only against Serbia, so Nt would have you believe that they cant be World Class. However, if they were playing England though......... :wink:
If you look at the level that Serbia & Montenegro's players play at, in comparison to the levels that Trinidad & Tobago's play at, then clearly Argentina's performance and result is far superior to England's.
generaljimmy
16-06-2006, 11:08 PM
[Glad to see the expectations are coming down now. Only took two games to go from "we're going to win it" to "we might prove our class".
I’ve never out and out said that we will win the world cup. I’ve said we had a chance, that we could possibly do it, and that we have the players capable of doing so, a judgement i still stand by. its ridiculously unimpressive watching the England team labour victories but the fact of the matter is so far they've done the job, albeit with very little style or panache. There needs to be a massive improvement, granted, but its still possible, this is even with the frightening performance from Argentina today.
generaljimmy
16-06-2006, 11:27 PM
And the definition of world class, this is in my eyes being in the top three or four players in that position in the world, hence the bracket world class. Now we can't go into history here, there isn't a single defender in the world that comes near Beckenbauer, or a talisman as effective as diego (sorry ronaldinho), but there are certainly three players in every position who are the best at that in the world right now. Hence the term world class, the definition speaks for itself. So using this criteria i'll re-asses my early players.
david beckham - a tricky one this, as the fact of the matter beckham is still an important match winner who is the greatest passer of a ball in football when on song. But the rest of his game isn’t strong enough to be considered in that bracket, so I’ll admit that maybe this isn't the case.
john terry - nesta is maybe better, but only puyol comes close other than him, and he isn’t as good as john terry. cannavaro isn’t quite the player he was and other than that no-one comes clsoe. And this bollocks about pace, moore was slow as fuck so does that make him un-world class also?
rio ferdinand - admittedly if rio never recovers his previous game he no longer has a claim to be world class. But four years ago he outshone every other defender in the world, and with his confidence fully restored is unrivalled in the world as a ball-playing centre half. So potentially the lad is, and has been world class. But not at the minute, so I’ll retract this judgement.
micheal owen - no-one has a better killer instinct than him, except for ruud van nistlerooy. Owen has always had peaks and troughs, remember him going 12 matches without a goal for liverpool in the earlier stages of his career? owen will come good for England, he always does.
frank lampard - this was probably a bit hasty, as lampard is an exceptional footballer but is beaten in the midfield stakes by riquelme, ballack and Steven Gerrad. by my own definition lamps isn't world class
ashley cole - there isnt a better left back in the world. occasionally can look defensively deficient, but still better than everyone in the world in his position. Only heinze comes close.
gary neville – zambrotta is pure class, and the only player who is better than gary neville in this role today. Thuram was three years ago, but no longer. So Neville, as much as that must piss everyone off, is world class. Cafu isn’t as strong defensively as gary but makes up for it other areas, so the two are basically equal, depending on your basis of football. Top three for gary, means world class.
So by this benchmark we have six definite world-class players, rooney, gerrad, Neville, Cole, Owen and terry. Only Brazil, Argentina and Italy have a similar amount of players in that bracket, with Spain shortly behind.
Coakley
17-06-2006, 02:01 AM
I think Spain will win the World Cup.
There....that settles it ; )
So by this benchmark we have six definite world-class players,
By your horribly flawed biased benchmark, yes we do.
I'd say defnitely Rooney, Gerrard (is clearly, even if he's being stifled currently), maybe Cole when fit and perhaps there's a case for Terry, because he's very effective.
If you take Lampard's goals out of his game, you have a player who gives the ball away constantly.
I'd say Owen was, but he's not the player he was. He's still good enough for the national team and effective when given chances, but nowhere near the top-ten strikers in the world. To compare the Owen of LFC to the player now makes no sense, given the injuries and time that have passed.
Ferdinand I'd love to know when you think he was the world's best defender, as I think I mustn't have been watching football at that point.
David Beckham would be marvellous if he could just trot on for set-pieces. He can't play centrally, but there's not enough movement for him to be useful in this team currently. Too many people want to play on the ball, not look for it. Superb crossing, but world-class? No chance.
Gary Neville's been a great player and he does his job well. But if that's world-class then there must be a dearth of right-sided players in the world. And there isn't. Cafu's better, Zambrotta, Alves off the top of my head, even Eboue is more effective at right-back these days.
Oh and comparing Moore's lack of pace to Terry's is farcical, given Moore played in a far, far slower-paced game.
Biscanaldo
17-06-2006, 11:36 PM
gary neville – zambrotta is pure class, and the only player who is better than gary neville in this role today. Thuram was three years ago, but no longer. So Neville, as much as that must piss everyone off, is world class. Cafu isn’t as strong defensively as gary but makes up for it other areas, so the two are basically equal, depending on your basis of football. Top three for gary, means world class.
.
You deluded fool :D
Pedro
18-06-2006, 02:35 AM
gary neville – zambrotta is pure class, and the only player who is better than gary neville in this role today. Thuram was three years ago, but no longer. So Neville, as much as that must piss everyone off, is world class. Cafu isn’t as strong defensively as gary but makes up for it other areas, so the two are basically equal, depending on your basis of football. Top three for gary, means world class.
.
You deluded fool :D
His distribution is fookin appalling. Just like that sorry excuse for facial hair. Prick.
World class my arse.
generaljimmy
18-06-2006, 10:18 PM
the neville argument could rage all day here, the fact is hes probably the most defensively sound right back in the world seems to have been overlooked, yes he's flawed in areas going forward, but he still has a case for the world class remark, if we're going on the basis of top three players in the world in that position. But i think we should stop this one as we’re better off agreeing to just disagree. NT, fair play for actually answering the debate with reasoned beleifs mind, it seems neville's views on scousers has appeared to incite this supposed laughter about the claim, not sure if this was on a club board based in another city the same response would come out. but football is nothing if it doesnt allow partisanship to effect beliefs hey, its the same charge your labelling at me after al! :lol:
and as i retracted my points about beckham, lampard and ferdinand, not sure why you're going on about it still? and as for when rio was considered one of the best defenders in the world, try before the coke scandal. and the last world cup, voted best defender at the tournament. sure hes a fucking joke these days but when he was at his peak he was a wonderful ball playing cente half. he could have been wolrd class i think is a more accurate description, he obviously isnt now.
and the terry pace debate, terry is faster than bobby moore was. the similairity lies in the fact that they share the same DIFFERENCE in pace compared to the rest of the players in their generation. So Moore was off the pace for the early seventies late sixties genration, terry is the same for it now. Ayala is still arguably a top calss defender and he's never been fast, and franco baresi was playin his stuff at the top of the tree just over ten years ago and he wasn;t the qucikest Like all of these players terry makes up for it by being an absolute rock, and by oozing the role of a champion and a winner much like our other english lionheart gerrad. only nesta is better in the world than him at the heart of a defence.
and finally owen doesnt look world class at the minute, but you can't write him off can you? there's a hell of a lot more water under this world cup bridge to pass just yet anyway, and if owen carries on looking lame, doesnt score any important goals and doesn't show any signs of class and sharpness ill retract my judgement. The great owen of LFC wasn't in his consistency after all, here is a player who's never bagged 20 premiership goals in one season. The reason he's world class is cos he performs on the biggest stages, the group stages against paraguay and trinidad arent these really.
the man was lethal for newcastle when he was fit this year and scored more goals per minute than any real striker of the last few years. He’s been more consistnet in his club football since leaving liverpool, playing in a harder league in only a bit-part role and then in a much weaker side in the premiership. So how does this make him a worse player?
the neville argument could rage all day here, the fact is hes probably the most defensively sound right back in the world seems to have been overlooked
Tony Hibbert is more defensively sound than him.
and finally owen doesnt look world class at the minute, but you can't write him off can you? there's a hell of a lot more water under this world cup bridge to pass just yet anyway, and if owen carries on looking lame
Ooof.
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