World Cup 2014, Brazil.

Think they have...rows which increase in height towards the middle.

 

I think the argies will win. Gonna place my bet next week along with an accumulator for the first round of games.

 

I have put more than that on
Also from my Madrid winnings

 

I keep seeing pictures of Lallana, Shaw and Lambert amongst the England squad and I just feel complete indifference, even antipathy. I didn't have this problem with Oxo and Theo...I think because their move probably brought them to the notice of the England manager. Saints got these three there and, despite the fact that two are still at Saints, I feel a sense of betrayal. Unreasonable perhaps, but how I feel.

 

I don't think it's unreasonable. This has been going on for so long there is an overwhelming sense of being under siege from all-quarters, realising that the iteration of the team you have loved for the past 5 years is being picked apart by the Premiership vultures and the watching media. When it actually happens, ie Poch leaving [don't let the door hit your arse, Mauricio] or Lambert [not Rickie, I'm purposely distancing myself], the inevitability feels closer. Personally, I think what has happened to Saints in the last 6 months stinks to high heaven. It has been said that Saints owe it to other clubs in the Premier League to stand firm and not cave in to glamour clubs, who simply want to pick off their budding new rival. It's cynical, but it works. I say stand firm because there are an awful lot of present Saints fans who would be understanding in the extreme if the present boardroom showed a bit of backbone and vision, but had to let the odd player go. Lambert going I can actually understand, although it hurts. I can't see the point of letting anyone else go. They are too valuable to us as a unit. Perhaps Fonte, even though I love him for his passion, simply because he is the oldest outfield player left.

 

Hopefully the next time that muppet Hodgson shows up at St Marys in his alter ego as a scout for Liverpool the fans will show him what they think of him.

 

I know Lambert has gone, but I am still so proud and chuffed for him to be where he is after everything

 

Italy squad contains Aquilani and Cassano, no Rossi or Destro. Apparently Ribery might miss out through injury too.

 

You do wonder where Italy's goals will come from.

Thanks to all of you for your suggested winners and I know a lot of people think European like Germany will do well (Spain and themselves have the best squad) but only one team has won a World Cup outside their own continent.

 

I think Italy have put together a very smart squad. Rossi's fitness is questionable, and Destro I don't know a ton about but he is not liked at Roma. Immobile has been the star goalscorer this season and he is there. Balotelli has had a good international career to date and is capable of genius moments, and Cassano is Mr Reliable who is just coming off a really impressive season at Parma. Do not underestimate the two Parma lads Cassano and Parolo; they have had a stunning year. They also have goals and a ton of great support play available in Insigne and Cerci, we all know what Pirlo provides, and Candreva has a great goal ratio for a winger at Lazio. Goals will not be a problem.

 

Germany only have one recognised striker? Odd....

 

Chile only have one proper centre back!

 

So will we next season

 

Who do italian names make players sound like geniuses? You know you must be good if your names ends in a vowel!

 

I went to the Italy game at craven cottage on Saturday.

Whilst it wasn't their first team by any means, immobile and cassano were not impressive at all. John o'sea and Alex Pearce dealt with them easily.

 

Italy haven't won a game in their last six attempts. Draws with Denmark, Armenia and Nigeria, as well as Ireland, included.

 

Yeah, that's a pretty significant stat. However, it's somewhat distorted by historical factors that no longer apply. Now that the players don't have to head off round the world by packet steamer, and have an army of nutritionists, physios, psychologists and god knows who else to assist them in adjusting to their new environment, playing in an alien continent probably isn't quite the disadvantage it used to be.

 

Wonder how Hodgson took it that the Saints players carry their own mattresses, though Lambert's will have been snatched off him at the airport

 

Yes, it was an old stat, Spain became only the second team after Brazil (twice) in 2010.