World Cup 2022. The football discussion thread.

[Mr Moofo]

Hard to argue, but apart from Harry M, none of them played well, every other name was anonymous out there, but Rice and Mount stood out as the worst to me. Saks didn't do much but did try, as did Bellingham

I would have to agree Saka and Bellingham didn't seem to be able to control the ball - Rice and Mount just didn't turn up. but there was no flow, no urgency and the total opposite to Pep's style of play that seems to work

[Dodgy69]

It was typical England shite. Far too slow in possession, no runs, no options for player with ball. Out of possession, far too slow closing down so opposition given plenty of time to make their pass. Really missing a creative midfielder.

Whoever manages makes little difference, but no doubt we'll somehow progress a little further.


France and Argentina later, hoping for better entertainment.

[Felix]

Bugger i could sniff a Saudi equaliser till that right blooper

[weeksy]

Whoever manages makes little difference

I get your point but how is that possible? The manager decides the style of play, build up, passing, possession etc. That's their whole job. Klopp changed Liverpool, Pep changed city, etc. Why else employ a manager.

But a lot of teams now are mirrors of every other team, 1 is possession, 1 is defense. The possession team try and break down the defence. The defensively minded team try and hit them on the break. It's been that in 75% of the games, but even more so in domestic leagues too.

There's little individuality, little inspiration, the Brazil side doesn't have the 70s flair, they're all just robot clones of eachother

[Dodgy69]

Utd post Fergie....many managers, little progress.

France 4 - 1.

[Count Steer]

Utd post Fergie....many managers, little progress.

Since Ferguson's time there seems to be a trend for clubs to recruit without much reference to the manager. 'We've bought x, get him in the team'. Managers don't seem to have the power, unless they're rather special.

The current England manager was OKish at a certain level but not exactly elite. He just has to work with what the system produces.

However, if you want a world beating national team, a study of what Belgium did is worthwhile. They started, more or less, at school level and worked up from there. (Doing something that seems to happen naturally in Brazil. Get kids playing, nurture the talent, work on getting them to play as a team later). That impetus has waned a bit but Belgium are still turning out good young players...which, if you look at the standard of their league, is even more impressive/surprising.

[Yorick]

I've always thought Man Utd needed to sign Mbappe

[Felix]

One of the better games

[weeksy]

I've always thought Man Utd needed to sign Mbappe

Lol they can dream. They're fodder. Sure they're having a beeter season now than previously, but they're just not seen as a team you'd want to go to to make it big.

[Felix]

Cant stand when the camera zooms into the Man U manager. Giovanni Van Bronckhorst is another, they just stand there making stupid faces

[Yorick]

I've always thought Man Utd needed to sign Mbappe

Lol they can dream. They're fodder. Sure they're having a beeter season now than previously, but they're just not seen as a team you'd want to go to to make it big.

If they get Saudis buying the club, big money does talk.

[Dodgy69]

One of the better games

Yep, and Denmark were still in it to the end.

Argentina 2 - 1. Think I've got this one.

[weeksy]

One of the better games

Yep, and Denmark were still in it to the end.

Argentina 2 - 1. Think I've got this one.

Why with 5 mins left we're Denmark passing it along the back line 300 times when 2-1 down?

[DefTrap]

If they get Saudis buying the club, big money does talk.

Money certainly talks. 18 months ago Newcastle were relegation fodder, now look at them.! The scousers have short memories, it's not long since they were bumbling around with Roy hodgson.

[wull]

I’ve just seen on the BBC news website footage of Ronaldo being fouled which led to the penalty.

He’s a cheating diving cunt!

[Dodgy69]

One of the better games

Yep, and Denmark were still in it to the end.

Argentina 2 - 1. Think I've got this one.

Why with 5 mins left we're Denmark passing it along the back line 300 times when 2-1 down?

Only takes a big boot.

[Felix]

I’ve just seen on the BBC news website footage of Ronaldo being fouled which led to the penalty.

He’s a cheating diving cunt!

The Olympic diver Ronaldo

[Yorick]

If they get Saudis buying the club, big money does talk.

Money certainly talks. 18 months ago Newcastle were relegation fodder, now look at them.! The scousers have short memories, it's not long since they were bumbling around with Roy hodgson.

And the 2020 champs are only 9 points from relegation. 16 points from top. It's a funny old game.

[weeksy]

If they get Saudis buying the club, big money does talk.

Money certainly talks. 18 months ago Newcastle were relegation fodder, now look at them.! The scousers have short memories, it's not long since they were bumbling around with Roy hodgson.

They still can't attract £100m + players. That takes time and champions League football at a minimum

[Bigyin]

I had big hopes for the Argentina Mexico game but it’s looking disappointing …… Argentina don’t win this and it’s home time