The England teenagers are really exciting. I reckon this year we'll at least make the QF and then 2026 World Cup we'll win it. As long as this tournament isn't a disaster I'd like to see Southgate given an 8 year contract.
Yeah definitely. These days nobody has a chance to make mistakes and learn and grow as the team progresses. Playing decent football and getting to the QF should be enough indication that we should be backing Southgate to blood all the great young talent we are going to have coming through like Foden and Brewster. He has changed the whole culture of the national team at all levels and England are not going to benefit from that if we chop and change if we don't win the next couple of tournaments.
I agree that Southgate should be given a long contract. Hopefully he will replicate the successes of Germany's manager Joachim Low, who helped bring through talented youngsters and deliver international success to a country that appeared to be on the decline. Of course if it's revealed that Southgate is out of his depth, and struggling to get out of group stages at major tournaments, then we should not persist with him out of misguided ideology and loyalty. However, he comes across well, has a clear plan and playing style for the country, as well as making big calls to leave out big name players in poor form.
Now the season is complete, it's World Cup time. Who are people's favourites for the tourny? I'm afraid I can't see past Germany for this one.
I don't think there are any outstanding teams this year, for once. I suppose you have the usual suspects, Brazil, Germany, Spain, Belgium..etc, but none of them are that strong to warrant favouritism. I still think that Argentina will eventually come good and get to the final, even though they had a struggle to get there - but any team with Messi and Aguero will be a dangerous beast. I think there will be huge upsets this year, the lesser fancied African teams will always cause a few problems, and i can see a lot of the big boys struggling. I think this could be the year of the underdog, like when Greece won the Euros back in 2004
Argentina have to do something one of these World Cups.. I know they made a final not that long ago, but with the talent they have they should have a trophy or two in the past decade
I don't think Argentina will be anywhere. Messi is no longer at the peak of his powers and he didn't make an impact in World Cups when he was. The African teams, however, are stronger than ever. If it's not Germany (and it won't be Belgium or Spain) then maybe it's their turn for a trophy.
Argentina are let down but a generally poor defence, they are too top heavy to be realistic tournament winners. Having said that, you cannot write off Messi and he's been consistently scoring ridiculous amounts of goals and contributing a shedload of assists. This is his last chance to win a World Cup, surely? I think a European country will win the tournament again. Agreed with Hampy that Germany should be considered favourites, and if I had to bet on any country winning it, it'll be the Germans, but I think France have a lot of quality and strength in depth and should be feasible contenders.
I think we'll finish second in our group with two routine (but unflattering) wins against Tunisia and Panama, before a loss to Belgium to finish second. In the first knockout round, where we will face the winner from Group H (a fairly open group that contains Poland, Senegal, Colombia, and Japan) will be tough. But I think we will narrowly win that match before losing in the quarter finals, most likely to Germany looking at the schedule.
Okay I have to confess to being absolutely lost to your viewpoint on football and whether half of what you write on here is on the wind up / for a laugh / or actually serious!? First of all, you go on about Keane staying almost 10 years! Then Messi is past yet - yet still banged 45 in 54 this season for club, and 4 in 5 competitive games for the Argies!? FINALLY low and behold, and African side to maybe win it !? I'm lost mate!
Westy, that's a bit harsh. There's no denying Messi is still the best striker, but, he is nowhere near as good as he was, and he doesn't always produce for the national team (but I still fancy them to go all the way). And as for dismissing the Africans, again, harsh...The European clubs are not as strong anymore . Belgium are fantastic, on paper but bottle it, which leaves France..and they go hot and cold. IMO, this is the most open championships for a very long time, and I believe an upset could well be on the cards
Agree that there could be an upset.. But I very doubt that an African team will win the world cup. In fact I'll happily wager that all 4 semi finalists come from Europe and South America
Ghana may well have already won it if it wasn't for Suarez and collectively they have far more top players now than at any time before. Messi has had a good season in a strong team in a weak league, but he's not as sharp as he was before Neymar and Suarez came along. I didn't say he was past his best I said he isn't at his peak (and he's not). If you have watched him play in previous tournaments you will know he has been pretty much anonymous and don't forget Argentina only scraped into a qualifying spot. As for Keane, the consensus seems to be that Hurst has got to rebuild virtually the whole team so it's fair to say Keane couldn't really have done a lot worse. I can only imagine you're lost because you haven't been watching the last couple of World Cups?
Happy to discuss this 'African nation winning the world cup' debate as I really can't see: Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia or Senegal doing anything at all in Russia. [Ghana didn't even qualify!] Some of the previous African sides have had some world class players (Eto'o, Drogba, Toure etc.) but can't see anyone at that standard in this years tournament, except for Salah but Egypt aren't good enough in the rest of the 10 positions to be a serious threat. In fact I can't see any African side making it out of their group