Who's going to win the World Cup?

[ewerk 31204]

England can win the WC but I'd be surprised if they did, not enough match-winners there in an England shirt.

[Guest alex]

It's also worth pointing out we failed to qualify for 3 of the world cups since 1970 btw. Just for a bit of context you understand

Aye that needed pointing out to me like....

Not saying it did, but it makes your made up statistic even less meaningful. In my view

[Renton 22001]

One thing that always bugs me about England is this attitude if X hadn't happened we would have won it. Take the Beckham incident in 1998. People claim we would have won it had it not been for that one foul, and therefore burnt effigies etc. But iirc Argentina were then knocked out by Holland, who were knocked out by Brazil, who lost heavily in the final to France. We had no chance.

[Guest alex]

So this is the stevie disagrees with anyone who doesn't think England will win it because he thinks England will just cause they will thread now?

No. It's the Stevie argues his corner as to why I think England can win the World Cup. Alex I can admit when I'm wrong but I refuse to accept that 1986 defeat. Cheating bastards, cunts.

Aye, but so fucking what? It still happened. There's probably a few Japs in Papua New Guinea who think there's still a war on.

Edited June 2, 2010 by alex

[Wavey Davey 0]

One thing that always bugs me about England is this attitude if X hadn't happened we would have won it. Take the Beckham incident in 1998. People claim we would have won it had it not been for that one foul, and therefore burnt effigies etc. But iirc Argentina were then knocked out by Holland, who were knocked out by Brazil, who lost heavily in the final to France. We had no chance.

 

Not that I don't agree, but we have had a fair amount 'if only' moments. Mostly self inflicted, like.

[Guest Barrack Road]

England can win the WC but I'd be surprised if they did, not enough match-winners there in an England shirt.

Rooney - one of the most feared strikers in the world

Lampard - leading centre midfielder scorer in top leagues over 10 years

Gerrard - won CL on his own

Joe Cole - dont need to say anything

 

etc.. etc...etc..

[Guest Barrack Road]

It's also worth pointing out we failed to qualify for 3 of the world cups since 1970 btw. Just for a bit of context you understand

Aye that needed pointing out to me like....

Not saying it did, but it makes your made up statistic even less meaningful. In my view

40 years and one defeat

[ewerk 31204]

England can win the WC but I'd be surprised if they did, not enough match-winners there in an England shirt.

Rooney - one of the most feared strikers in the world

Lampard - leading centre midfielder scorer in top leagues over 10 years

Gerrard - won CL on his own

Joe Cole - dont need to say anything

 

etc.. etc...etc..

 

'In an England shirt' was the main point I was making.

[Guest alex]

It's also worth pointing out we failed to qualify for 3 of the world cups since 1970 btw. Just for a bit of context you understand

Aye that needed pointing out to me like....

Not saying it did, but it makes your made up statistic even less meaningful. In my view

40 years and one defeat

And no trophies.

[Guest Barrack Road]

One thing that always bugs me about England is this attitude if X hadn't happened we would have won it. Take the Beckham incident in 1998. People claim we would have won it had it not been for that one foul, and therefore burnt effigies etc. But iirc Argentina were then knocked out by Holland, who were knocked out by Brazil, who lost heavily in the final to France. We had no chance.

We had a canny side but all those teams were better than us I agree.

[Happy Face 29]

Here's why I think we'll win it though.

• There's no wanky World Cup songs
  

 

 

[Barney 0]

Here's why I think we'll win it though.

• 
  
• There's no wanky World Cup songs
  

 

 

 

[Renton 22001]

One thing that always bugs me about England is this attitude if X hadn't happened we would have won it. Take the Beckham incident in 1998. People claim we would have won it had it not been for that one foul, and therefore burnt effigies etc. But iirc Argentina were then knocked out by Holland, who were knocked out by Brazil, who lost heavily in the final to France. We had no chance.

We had a canny side but all those teams were better than us I agree.

 

Better than now imo. Our best chance of a major trophy was Euro 96 which we really should have won. Our next best chance will again be at home if we get some new talent through and win the bid imo. But when Milner is being hailed as one of our best up and coming players you've got to worry.

[Happy Face 29]

[TicTacWoe 0]

I reckon England could win or at least get to the final providing nothing crazy happens (or a penalty shoot out for that matter, there doesn't seem to be too many confident/competent takers in the squad).

 

I reckon Brazil might be somewhat overrated to be honest and have a very tough group to begin with nevermind what comes afterwards. Argentina could do it in spite of the manager but should have brought Cambiasso.

 

The thing with people saying there isn't a better team than spain is that the best team often doesn't win the world cup. I could horrifyingly see someone like France stumble there way into the final again, as an example, not saying it will happen though.

 

Despite all this, I voted for Spain, just in case Triesman was right

[Happy Face 29]

[The Fish 10965]

Brazil are my tips for the tops. I think this Brazil are far stronger defensively this time round, I think they'll not be the razzle dazzle team, but I think they're going to be far more effective.

 

I think the pressure of actually being favourites for the competition will prey a lot harder on Spain's team than the reputation for choking did.

 

 

England just haven't a resolute defence, nor a free-scoring attack.

 

I just don't know how we are going to beat teams like Spain, Brazil or even Germany. They're just better than us.

[Happy Face 29]

I got North Korea in the sweep at work so I'm backing them all the way.

 

[Andrew 4857]

Brazil are my tips for the tops. I think this Brazil are far stronger defensively this time round, I think they'll not be the razzle dazzle team, but I think they're going to be far more effective.

 

I think the pressure of actually being favourites for the competition will prey a lot harder on Spain's team than the reputation for choking did.

 

 

England just haven't a resolute defence, nor a free-scoring attack.

 

I just don't know how we are going to beat teams like Spain, Brazil or even Germany. They're just better than us.

 

I agree with fish, brazil are organised now but still have a fantastic forward lineup

[Meenzer 15719]

With the exception of a few key players I think this is the most mediocre England side in a while. If anything happens to Rooney England are fucked. The defence and goal keepers in particular wouldn't inspire me with confidence either. Yes, England have a great manager, but that won't make up for the deficits on the pitch imo. Expect the usual hype and disappointment, I'm just looking forward to seeing some good games no matter who's playing.

 

This is the concern, and our opponents will be fully aware of it too. I can see him getting knacked early on and us reverting to a de facto 4-6-0, Rob Lee vs. Monaco style.

[JawD 99]

I always expect Spain to do well and they always fail. Bizarre side with cracking players that just dont do it in the WC. My concerns for us is also injuries. We seem to rely on Rooney and I can see him getting a knock. Also some key players like Barry & Cole have question marks over their fitness. Brazil are always one to watch as well. I'm kinda torn between Spain/Brazil with us getting to the Semi's. Plummed for Spain. Again.

[David Kelly 1260]

I can't see past spain. Cassilas, Puyol, Xavi, Fabregas, Iniesta, Torres and David Villa are all at least in the top ten in the world for their position and then you have the likes Sergio Ramos, Pique, Xavi Alonso and David Silva who are all brilliant too. I don't really see a weak link in their team (although I'm not sure who they have at left back) and I think the fact that they are the European champions will work in their favour.

I think we could win it but we have too many problems. We don't a definitive number one keeper, Ferdinand and Terry have been struggling with fitness and form all season, Johnson can't defend, we've never managed to sucessfully use Lampard and Gerrard to their full ability together, Lennon and Wright Phillips aren't good enough on the right (consistantly at least) and we are missing the variation (and class) that Beckham would have provided and we only have one top class striker.

If everything goes right we could win but I think other teams (Spain, Brazil, Holland & Argentina) have the players in reserve to cope with any problems they might have.

I do think that we have the best manager by quite a distance like and hopfully he will be the deciding factor!

[Guest alex]

I always expect Spain to do well and they always fail. Bizarre side with cracking players that just dont do it in the WC. My concerns for us is also injuries. We seem to rely on Rooney and I can see him getting a knock. Also some key players like Barry & Cole have question marks over their fitness. Brazil are always one to watch as well. I'm kinda torn between Spain/Brazil with us getting to the Semi's. Plummed for Spain. Again.

I don't think Spain have had the forwards in the past that they have now though.

[manc-mag 1]

With the exception of a few key players I think this is the most mediocre England side in a while. If anything happens to Rooney England are fucked. The defence and goal keepers in particular wouldn't inspire me with confidence either. Yes, England have a great manager, but that won't make up for the deficits on the pitch imo. Expect the usual hype and disappointment, I'm just looking forward to seeing some good games no matter who's playing.

 

This is the concern, and our opponents will be fully aware of it too. I can see him getting knacked early on and us reverting to a de facto 4-6-0, Rob Lee vs. Monaco style.

 

I don't even think he needs to get fucked injury wise either (which is a distinct possibility). I think he's probably the easiest player to 'get at' psychologically-there'll be better brains at work out there than him.

 

I admire Stevie's pride and enthusiasm; it's to be applauded as always and I'll be the same as everyone else, making every tackle and living every second once the competition starts but I think Renton's voice of realism is right on an objective level.

 

I actually think our defence is below average these days btw. Ledley King isn't a strong international centre half never mind a world class one.

[Guest Barrack Road]

With the exception of a few key players I think this is the most mediocre England side in a while. If anything happens to Rooney England are fucked. The defence and goal keepers in particular wouldn't inspire me with confidence either. Yes, England have a great manager, but that won't make up for the deficits on the pitch imo. Expect the usual hype and disappointment, I'm just looking forward to seeing some good games no matter who's playing.

 

This is the concern, and our opponents will be fully aware of it too. I can see him getting knacked early on and us reverting to a de facto 4-6-0, Rob Lee vs. Monaco style.

I'm pretty sure the toon ended the 7-1 against Spurs without a striker on the pitch.