World Cup 2014, Brazil.

They keep the ball is what they do. All Italian sides know innately how to do this. It gives them a platform they can build from.

 

Who's your team captain?
http://worldcupresult.com/fifa-2014/

 

Most Italian sides have traditionally played on the break (catenaccio and all that).

 

They score on the break, usually following 24 passes to reach the half-way line. The style has become considerably more expansive of late though, you actually get multiple goals in Serie A games now. But patience in possession is still the key.

 

I wouldn't put it past Italy to win the whole thing.

 

I would.

 

BBC are posting a World Cup "memory" video every day until this year's Finals start, here is the list from #100-22....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26455673

 

Luis Suarez could be ruled out of the World Cup after he suffers a knee injury in training

 

If he does miss the World Cup then England will get out of the group.

 

Like Brazil and Germany, Italy are never out of the running to win it.

 

He has had surgery but they believe he will be fit for the World Cup....sounds unlikely I would have thought, at least for the initial games.

Have just said on Sky that Shaw is 19 the day before the WC Final...hope you need to celebrate your birthday in Brazil, Luke.

 

Lets hope he's not fit for the England game - Didn't stop Chile beating us with one world class player though.

 

Suarez saying that doctor told him 3 weeks before he is back in training...can't see him being fit for the initial games. I bet Liverpool are flying a doctor over there as we speak...you don't let a national side take risks with your biggest asset.

 

Chile are a far better team than Uruguay. Even when they're missing Vidal.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/world-cup/27513764

England are replicating "uncomfortable" conditions by training in extra layers, whilst having their bodies monitored by a team of Sports Scientists from Loughborough University. Cheeky little name drop for my Uni....

 

He has. If you look back at the couple of disallowed goals in extra time against Portugal and Argentina that would have put us ahead both times. The farce of the disallowed Lampard goal against Germany that would have drawn us level seconds before half time. The 'winker' moment.

There have been many decisions that have affected us in tournaments yet people prefer to harp on about how **** England were. International football isn't that great most of the time.

Holland getting to the final the other year when they had been pretty rubbish for most of the tournament and in the final they were worse than even their other performances. Yet they were only beaten in extra time and could have won the whole thing.

I won't write England off until they're out.......which may be after the second game but I doubt it. I think they might get a win in the first game and might even finish top of the group, but then I am as passionate about England as I am about Southampton and obviously got 3 lions tinted glasses to go with my red and white tinted ones.

Still a month to go and I'm going to drive everyone crazy singing the latest England song:

Dressed in red, white and blue, he's World Cup Willie
We all love him too, World Cup Willie
He's tough as a lion and never will give up
That's why Willie is favourite for the Cup
Willie, Willie, he's everybody's favourite for the Cup

Sing along guys and stop moaning.

 

Impsaint, I'm normally wrapped in World Cup fever by now. Give me a week or two and my old line will come out again..."I think we're gonna win it"

However, when I'm not wrapped up in our colours willing is on, I am realistic enough to realise we have little chance. I'd like to see us really go at teams, but we never seem to do that.

All the ifs and but and maybes count for nothing.

 

Did the World Cup sweepstake that I had set-up and organised today.

Who did I draw? Iran.


Oh well, maybe next time.

 

I thought the latest song was "Back Home"?

 

I'm in Hammers mode. Forget every year since the most memorable