I agree with everyone of them apart from Argentina/Nigeria. Id have Argentina/Iceland out of that group
I've entered my (former) works world cup comp and on my predictor I have England getting knocked out in Semi final.
Agreed Ron, but it gives me a good excuse to watch most of the games(probably on tv upstairs) whilst the wife watches her rubbish downstairs lol
I think we could do really well. I'm quite excited by the atmosphere in the squad and Southgate as a manager. If we could make the quarters and lose the fear /negativity it could be very interesting.
Hopefully you are right Dan. For further progression it may pay to finish second in the group - the group winner goes into the top half of the draw in the knock-out phase which will likely mean Brazil in the QF and France in the SF. Finishing second would mean probably either Poland or Columbia, then zee Germans (who look beatable and we owe them one), then possibly Argentina or Spain in the semi. On another subject, I thought I'd read somewhere that the format changes introduced for this World Cup will make it possible for 3rd placed teams to qualify for the knockout stages, but this doesn't seem to be the case. Or is that being introduced in 2022? EDIT - my bad, the increase to 48 teams will be for the 2026 World Cup. 16 groups of 3 where the first and second placed teams go into the knockout round of 32. That is utter ****e
Right lads I might have time after all to do a World Cup compo.will have to post a thread today though as flat out during the week.any interest?would want to get at least ten volunteers to make it viable
England should get the at least the QF, then they will play a big hitter. Uruguay Russia Spain Portugal France Denmark Argentina Croatial Brazil Switzerland Germany Sweden England Belgium Poland Colombia
Clearly Gareth Southgate has learned a great deal along the way about how to manage a group of footballers (probably one of the most difficult groups of people to manage) and he has the whole squad in harmony and relaxed; a massive plus. I just wonder if we have the class to go all he way. We don't have one match winner whereas some teams have two or more. Not convinced about our defence. They look OK against 2nd rate opposition but against stars like Messi, Ronaldo and several more they could be exposed. Our strike force is not World class either. We are not a prolific goal scoring outfit, even against weaker opposition. That to me is a worry. Given enough game play, Rashford could be the one to cause most damage (he is not a sub -he needs to start games). Vardy is to some extent living on past glories with Leicester and imo can only be used as a sub. Kane is lethal in and around the penalty area but they have to get the ball to him first; he isn't the most mobile person on the pitch. What's his name (the little **** I call him) will take on players but often one too many. Lingard is full of promise but again, at this level, probably a sub. Is that our strike force? If it is, I think we will struggle. Should get through the group stage but if they struggle to get a draw with Tunisia it won't look too promising.
England are at present are going through a change, a good change in my view with the youngsters coming through. In my opinion I think we could make the quarters but then we would face if all goes as expected either Germany or Brazil, this could be a bridge to far but the experience will put us in good sted for the Euro's in two years. So for me Belgium France Brazil or spain Will win it this year. Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Tunisia is a difficult start too, they can defend very well as a unit, will be hard to break down as Spain found out yesterday.
I'll give it a go Ste, just don't make it to complicated.[emoji3] Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Obviously you'll have your own idea for a comp but the one I have done with work is pretty good. So If I mate just explain what they've done with it. First of all there are 25 matches selected. These are set and the same for everyone. You then have to pick a correct score for each of these games. A correct score gets you 5 points a correct result gets you 2 points. Out of these 25 games you have to pick 5 jokers. A joker doubles you points for that particular game. Next you have to pick the round of 16 teams. Just which teams will make it not the correct fixtures or scores or anything like that. (5 points per correct team) Then the quarter final teams. (10 points per correct teams) Then the semi final teams. (15 points per correct team) Then the final. (20 points per correct team) Then nominate your winner. (25 points) And finally nominate your golden boot. (20 points) Everyone makes all of their selections before the tournament starts and then sit back and see what happens.
I'm with NDS. Straight bets or predicting results/scores is about as complicated as I can get. However, whatever you come up with I'll have a go.
England have absolutely no chance, nowhere near good enough in any area of the pitch. Many on this thread should be standing before a Zulu council awaiting sanctions.
I don't normally get caught up on hype around an England tournament I'm usually very cynical but I'm having faith in youth and unity this time round. I may, and likely will be wrong but it's first major tournament we've been in for a long time that I'm excited about
