The Official FIFA World Cup 2022 Megathread

[Alan]

Do we know that it was Neymar himself who wanted to go fifth? Couldn't that have been Tite's decision?

 

[WsWolf]

Could have been Tite but I doubt it. It's nearly always the player wanting to take the glory kick.

 

[Tyrannosaurus Dan]

It likely won't shock you to know that we don't cover the conflict in school here.

They don’t here either. I’ve got a History degree and I’ve never once learned about the Falklands.

 

[Johnny75]

With Brazil yesterday - anyone else love that Neymar didn't even get to take a pen? I always find it hilarious when a player demands the 5th kick as he wants to win the game then they lose beforehand.

Always put your best takers up first personally.

I think it's statsbomb that did an article on it some time ago that said they should be 1 or 4 as statistically you have the best chance of winning if those penalties go in.

 

[Tony Towner]

They don’t here either. I’ve got a History degree and I’ve never once learned about the Falklands.

They didn't when I was at school, but then when I was at school it wasn’t history

 

[Alan]

I think it's statsbomb that did an article on it some time ago that said they should be 1 or 4 as statistically you have the best chance of winning if those penalties go in.

You feeling okay? Not like you to follow the stats

 

[Derby Wolf]

I would love to visit Argentina. Wine in Mendoza. Gauchos. More beef than you can possibly eat. Mountains. Wonderful climate. Game at La Bombanera. Lots to like.

Plus Ushaia looks incredible. Most southerly city on the planet makes it a bucket list point.

Igazau Falls along the border with Brazil too, looks out of this world.

 

[Johnny75]

You feeling okay? Not like you to follow the stats

Oh Alan, you have me so wrong. I love proper analysis and I've read both Bill James and Michael Lewis stuff.

I just really get annoyed by bad sports analysis and bad application of it.

I think penalties is one of the true application of stats in football. Fixed positions, lots of data available, almost exactly like a baseball pitch.

The rest of stats in football is open to abuse and I'll just end up talking like Swiss Tony about them in the end (a very niche British comedy character you should check out).

 

[Alan]

That is the rub with statistics, ay? So often we only see the numbers that come out, when equally (if not more) important is the numbers that go in.

Bad in, bad out, etc.

 

[Tony Towner]

Commenting on football stats is very much like making love to a beautiful woman. Spend a couple of minutes eying them up and then unload everything you've got

 

[Alan]

At what point do we accept that Neves might just be a CB by instinct?

 

[WsWolf]

At what point do we accept that Neves might just be a CB by instinct?

Definitely tactical tonight. Being asked to drop deep and dictate the play as Morocco will sit in shape.

 

[Alan]

Fuck Bruno Fernandes but also holy shit that pass

 

[Carrotdude]

Got to be moving the ball a lot quicker against this kind of play by Morocco.

 

[Carrotdude]

I want Portugal to score simply to shut that fucking whistling up

 

[Alan]

I want Portugal to score simply to shut that fucking whistling up

Imagine a Moroccan league match!

 

[Carrotdude]

I know Morocco are very good at what they do but Christ it makes for a boring watch

 

[WsWolf]

Neves has been really poor so far. Portugal in general don't look at it as yet.

 

[Alan]

Boufal you idiot

 

[Alan]

Goalkeeping optional