What a thoroughly stupid remark. You hate the English so much you should be institutionalised. Go stand before the Zulu council yourself and let us know how you get on, that's if you escape the cooking pot.
Interesting that the first person to like this post was a Scot. They're not Zulus - but I wouldn't expect you to get that.
Group D is one tough mother: Argentina Iceland Croatia Nigeria Even the favourites, the tango kings, will do well to win one game. Would like to see Nigeria go through, there are some talented players in this squad which is in very capable hands with its German/French coach.
I think the positive for this England team is that they seem to be a team. The so called golden generation admitted not long ago that they couldn't leave their club loyalties behind when on England duty. This squad isn't full of World Class players and I don't think anyone is suggesting otherwise. However it's exciting to see a young team with little expectation attached go out and represent your Country. Lets face it recent tournaments have been horrendous so good performances and progress through to the knockout stages (quarter finals?) would make this England fan happy.
Plus we have Harry Kane. Always helps to have the best striker in the world currently (Not including messi/ronaldo in that) France v Spain final does look tempting though @ 18/1 I think we have a good chance, very hard to win back-to-back world cups so Germany will struggle not as good either, Brazil/Argentina/Urugay, very rare south americans win a WC held in europe, only happened once in about 10? Spain are notorious WC bottlejobs though, apart from when the one time they won it they've always done pretty poor, just don't rate Belgium as a cohesive unit. Think France have the best team/squad on paper by far, but think we're very under rated, no real pressure, young team, good all round team, world class striker. We defo have our best chance since 2002. Regardless it would be nice if we just keep Southgate no matter what though, instead of keep changing the manager every time, give him 2 world cups especially as this is a pretty young team
Goal difference will probably see Belgium win our group though but the 2nd round should be comfortable regardless.
"Vicious winding-up by the Scots is to be expected, however, that seems to be what the barbarous Picts do best, isn't it?"
I dont hate the english, just calling it like it is. Theyd be at least 50/1 if it wasnt england. Faith, belief, togertherness etc isnt going to win the world cup, Gareth Southgate isnt going to win the world cup, dont be absurd. Its the stereotypical English arrogance, a team that needed a last minute blunder from stuart armstrong to avoid defeat against Scotland, a squad of mainly inexperienced average players and people saying they can win the world cup. England should just be happy to be there like Ireland, Wales or Scotland would be, you are not a contender to win it. Can only think of rangers fans as being more deluded thinking they can stop celtic, everyone else just accepts reality. Doesnt make me a bad celtic fan to admit we cant win the champions league, we still enjoy being in it.
I am damned if I'm deluded, and certainly not arrogant with regard to England's chances. Most English people on here have been very realistic as to their squad's chances. Personally, I would be very happy if this young and talented squad made it into the knockout stage. Any advancement afterwards would be a huge bonus. Your huge dislike for your neighbours south of the border clouds any football judgement you might possess. And yes, I am happy to be there. Have an enjoyable week! Guess I'd better stay away for a while, this bloody World Cup is getting me into hot water. EOS, definitely.
Poland or Columbia in the round of sixteen for England. In my part of 'Auld Reekie' our Polish visitors could be going bammy; this 'Bavarian' intends remaining indoors on that particular evening should this pairing come about! I plead that you do not 'stay away' as balanced and thoughtful judgements are disappearing on the wireless as the tournament approaches. A victory over Columbia or Poland has already been assumed by many British commentators/pundits and that either Brazil or Germany in the quarter finals will be the end. Keep on posting; support or dislike for neighbouring nations, especially the smaller less successful for/to the larger more successful, during international sports/football tournaments is illogical! Canada - USA in World or Olympic ice hockey competitions, The Czech Republic (Czechoslovakia) - Russia (USSR) in ice hockey again, Austria - Switzerland in downhill skiing, Germany - take your pick in association football. Just musing; your 'boys' could be doing with Tony Currie for the next month or so!
Thank you, BK, I do not deserve your kind words. Yes, indeed, that fine midfielder Tony Currie would be an asset to any team, a good guy. Oh Lord, your information on who England play if they can advance is, erm, illuminating. Poland will bust their asses to beat us, of course, and they are a good side. Colombia, well, any South American team merits full respect. Daren't look beyond that! Wish some of Chelsea's natural ebullience would rub off on me. He's not being deluded or arrogant at all, it's just the way he is. Win or lose he still stays cheerful and optimistic, nothing wrong with that at all, surely. I must concur that Scotland should be in Russia too. The late scrambled draw by England was indeed unfortunate for Scotland (I do believe England have improved since then?), but they possibly shot themselves in the foot with that final drawn game against tiny Slovenia. However, Balkon teams are very very difficult opponents, England only managed to beat Slovenia in the dying seconds in the away game. Hope I've got my facts right here, did not check anything. Argentina will know they've been in a game when they play Croatia, the latter are very tough opponents for any side.
As much As I politically supported the break up of the USSR and Yugoslavia it certainly scuppered the chances of the nation of my birth qualifying for the finals of 'footie' tournaments. Twas lucky I did not get on with my Dad as, when he called up (under the influence) the BBC in June 1966 to remind them that this was a victory for the whole of Great Britain and not solely England, this action only increased and strengthened my fascination for the lads in the plain white shirt and black shorts with the elegant young midfielder. Little did I know how that day would influence the rest of my life; funny old world innit! Always puzzled me why players like Tony Currie and Alan Hudson did not get more caps for England. Had they been Italian, Spanish or German (Overath and Netzer) they would each have played in excess of fifty times for your country. Functionality seemed to be the rule. Not sure about the current state of the Colombian international team however the similarity between England and Poland seems obvious. Each have one truly top (world class?) player and strangely they play in the same position. The remainder are good solid players who play weekly for 'lesser' clubs or are on the fringes of the first eleven for more prestigious and successful clubs. That reminds me; I had better get over to Sainsbury's to 'borrow' a World Cup wall chart from a newspaper!
Tony Currie fine player as he undoubtedly was is now 68 years old. Any pace he had will surely have left him by now.
The best striker in the world? Lol...not sure about that outside those you quote . Let's remember what Kane did in the last major tournament before we get too carried away. He was pretty useless and now he has the extra burden of captain to carry. Let's hope he can cope with those demands. Let's also hope Gareth doesn't get Kane taking all free kicks...corners...thrown one etc with Woy Hodgson got him doing... I think we will reach the quarter finals which is the least we should expect. I think they are going with quite an exciting squad actually... but we will probably lose to Germany in the quarter finals. If however you believe England can make it to the final then England v Germany final is available at 40/1 ..and could possibly happen if avoiding each other at the quarter finals..
I don't know why everyone is knocking the Spurs players. You wait. Kane is one of the best strikers in the world, dele alli is gonna be up there with gazza and Eric dier is gonna be on the radar of all the top clubs in Europe after this World Cup. If they played for a club that wears red the media would be creaming their pants.shoot me down if I'm wrong. I've got broad shoulders.
