Every time I've seen Nani play for Portugal he's been absolutely atrocious. Portugal's World Cup hopes rest solely on Ronaldo's shoulders. I don't think they'll even get out of the group.
I remember Ronaldo's wonder goal against the Spanish in the Euros, that Nani decided to head in when it was already going in, and getting the goal ruled off side in the process. The Portuguese do have a knack though of defying the odds in big tournaments, and having a good run, despite there team being pretty poor, with the exception of Ronaldo. I could certainly see them making the QF or SF, as they tend to raise there game for the big tournaments
Aye, but they're in the group of death with the best team in the world IMO, so Germany is almost guaranteed to get out of the group, and the other spot will be fought for by the USA, Portugal, and Ghana. Ghana is weaker than they have been the past two tournaments, but their still the best African team IMO. The USA has a strong squad that plays really well together and has a great coaching staff in place. The USA will grab the second spot, partially because I'm biased, but aside from Ronaldo the Portugal team isn't much better than the US team, but American teams have historically been much better as a team than they are as individuals. Under Klinnsman we're not a sit back, defend for our lives and hit on the counter with pace team. We're much more possession orientated and direct. There's much more confidence in our play than there ever was before and the team is setup to get the best out of every player. We don't play the best players on merit like many countries do. Klinnsman will put the 11 players on the field that will get the best result even if that means benching our best player.
It isn't the group of death, there are tougher groups than that. Our group with Uruguay, Italy and Costa Rica is tougher, as is the group with Spain, Holland, Chile and Australia. You guys have improved over the years, but your good world ranking is largely down to the fact you play poor sides like Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago and Canada all the time. If you where a European side, you wouldn't even qualify for the WC, as there are better sides in Europe that haven't even qualified, like Sweden, Ukraine and Turkey among others. If you really think you'll get out of that group, then I think your in for a nasty shock, as I think Portugal would have been quite happy with there draw, as they'll see yourselves and Ghana as easy pickings. I personally think you'll struggle to even win a game in that group, as even Ghana look stronger than you guys. USA are still along way off being a top footballing nation, they've got along way to go, before there taken seriously at WCs
Nani is ****. End of. We've been waiting for him to be constantly good for years now but he simply can't do it. The reason being is because he's ****ing ****.
I would disagree, and his last game for Portugal was the best evidence of that. In the game, the "out" ball for Portugal in most of their attack went through Nani on the right. And he was virtually faultless that day. As for the team, Ronaldo is ofcourse their talisman but it's poor to suggest it's solely down to him. They work the ball as a team, absolutely no doubt about it. They lack the quality up front and unfortunately Meireles is no longer the CM he used to be, but they have quality all over the pitch with Pepe, Alves, Coentrao, Nani and Veloso. We'll hopefully see more of the young lad Carvalho too.
Nothing to do with beating the likes of Germany, Italy, Mexico a few times, Bosnia, along with drawing teams like Russia then? The smaller teams like Cuba, Trinidad ect, we don't actually play that often. In CONCACAF, there's multiple play off rounds for the smaller teams to get into the actual WCQ. We play Mexico, Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Jamaica more than anyone else. Minus Jamaica they're all decent teams. 3 of them being in the World Cup. We also robbed Panama of a World Cup spot scoring two goals in injury time to beat them 3-2 to knock them out of the qualifying spot. The plan for Portugal is simple, man mark Ronaldo, much like we did last year in the Madrid game. I admittedly have only watched Portugal a few times and every time Nani fails to impress. Ronaldo is the sole reason they're in the World Cup. They have a good team, but we can and will go toe to toe with them. If Ronaldo has a poor tournament so will they. I'm not claiming we're a football powerhouse, but we're a much better team than given credit for. The 13th overall FIFA ranking is fair IMO. We're not as talented as some teams, but our team has the us vs the world mentality and it shows. http://m.mlssoccer.com/worldcup/201...r-joachim-low-names-30-man-provisional-roster There's Germany's 30 man roster for the camp, which is scary considering only 5 players are over the age of 28. They'll more than likely win all 3 games. Ghana IMO is the weakest of the teams, not by much but I think they'll lose all 3 games. The winner of the Portugal USA game will go through to the next round. My opinion anyways, but any result against Germany would greatly effect the outcome of the group. Uruguay are a decent side, but apart from Suarez and Cavani they aren't that intimidating, Costa Rica is a decent team and they have the advantage of playing in a familiar climate., but are considerably less talented than the other 3 teams. Same goes for Australia, they'll be lucky to have a goal differential of -10. Group G is the only group where any 4 teams have a reasonable chance of going through the next round IMO. In a neutral venue I'd have the USA and Ukraine about even, and slightly ahead of Sweden and turkey. Sweden is in a similar boat as Portugal with being highly dependent on their star player, but Ibra's supporting cast isn't as good as Ronaldo's.
Apparently new FIFA rankings came out and we're now 14th and Chile moved up to 13th. Someone on the MLSoccer.com calculated the average of each groups FIFA rankings. See below. A - 23.25 B - 22 C - 20.75 D - 15 E - 20.5 F - 28.25 G - 14.25 H - 27.5
Might as well sign more strikers in addition to Cavani! Just play a 10-0-0 formation. Probably have a better defensive record than we did this season!
It seems we have pushed Chelsea into second place at 5/1. Don`t know what has caused this, is Van Gaal known to be an admirer of Cavani?
According to the rankings USA are better than Holland, France, Ivory Coast and Russia. Switzerland are also a better side than England, Italy, Belgium, France and Holland. So let's be honest here, the ratings aren't a fair guide. The bookies know this too, that's why they rate you as 22nd best side in the WC with odds of 250/1. It isn't an impossible group for you to get out of, but your gonna need either Germany or Portugal to under perform, as both of those sides will have to much quality for yourselfs and Ghana
Think the two biggest games of the group will be USA vs Portugal and Portugal vs Germany. [video=youtube;GWi7FiAOzm8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWi7FiAOzm8[/video] Remember when Portugal where one of the favorites to win the World Cup and the USA where supposed get knocked out of the group stages?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...o-quit-Manchester-United-for-Inter-Milan.html If it true, good luck to him, he's been a great servant for us over the last couple of years.
Matth has it arse about tit, Evra has been a great servant to us apart from the last couple of years. He is Manchester United to the core though and his loss of form is down to age not lack of effort.
Evra was a great player at his peak, arguably the best left back we've ever had. Better than Irwin IMO. His form has dipped though as he's aged
