The Official World Cup 2018 Megathread

[Parkins left foot]

Interesting that in the last five World Cups, four times the holders have gone out in the group stage.

Teams hanging on to "winners" for far too long you'd probably say. Thinking back to France in 2002, they were still playing Petit and Leboeuf I think who were obviously miles past it - also stuck with Barthez despite him coming off a shocker of a season with United.

A bit of simplistic thinking? - those who have done it before can again, even though they are all 4 yrs older & may not really be in form

 

[GLASGOWOLF]

Football's coming home

 

[Parkins left foot]

Indications that Kane will play v Belgium as he really fancies the Golden Boot - fine as long as he holds up as if he scores we are more likely to win anyway

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

So now if Brazil finish second in their group (which I think they will at best - Serbia could well do a number on them and Switzerland aren't losing to Csta Rica) does anyone still want to rack up silly cards to finish second??

Avoiding Croatia and Spain is now FAR more important.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

So now if Brazil finish second in their group (which I think they will at best - Serbia could well do a number on them and Switzerland aren't losing to Csta Rica) does anyone still want to rack up silly cards to finish second??

Avoiding Croatia and Spain is now FAR more important.

I think we should tell our captain and best player by an absolute mile who is demonstrably motivated by goalscoring awards that no Harry, you can't play, we're going to behave like a right bunch of cunts because everything is a competition as to who can be the most pointlessly dickish. We can't just play the game, oh no.

It was bollocks five days ago, it was bollocks this morning and it's bollocks now.

 

[Tony Towner]

Brazil will win tonight along with their group and if we win ours and beat probably Columbia then that's who we will play. In my mind we are still looking at a path to the semi final which is Japan (Poland look shot) then Switzerland/Sweden or Columbia then Brazil. There is still a very clear easier path there.

 

[b3h]

Werner has let me down in my team top goal scorer acc . Was doing really well in it man, had a cash out available for a bit now. Bloody Germans

/Betting chat

I don't really buy into the anti Germany lark. Actually bummed off them for years (they have been awesome at times..) much to friends and families disgust

 

[Tony Towner]

I think we should tell our captain and best player by an absolute mile who is demonstrably motivated by goalscoring awards that no Harry, you can't play, we're going to behave like a right bunch of $#@!s because everything is a competition as to who can be the most pointlessly dickish. We can't just play the game, oh no.

It was bollocks five days ago, it was bollocks this morning and it's bollocks now.

Yet, the general view from the press is we are making between 6&8 changes and Kane is one of them

 

[b3h]

Gratz Freddy btw!

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Brazil will win tonight along with their group and if we win ours and beat probably Columbia then that's who we will play. In my mind we are still looking at a path to the semi final which is Japan (Poland look shot) then Switzerland/Sweden or Columbia then Brazil. There is still a very clear easier path there.

So you've still got to play Brazil at some point. And they don't even look especially swish. Remember they didn't score against Costa Rica until the 91st minute. 0-0 in that one wouldn't have been unfair.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Brazil will win tonight along with their group and if we win ours and beat probably Columbia then that's who we will play. In my mind we are still looking at a path to the semi final which is Japan (Poland look shot) then Switzerland/Sweden or Columbia then Brazil. There is still a very clear easier path there.

Errrrr

Switzerland are playing a shit team. Brazil aren't

On top of that, Japan are playing a wounded Poland. Colombia are playing a decent Senegal. Basically - a Japanese draw is the PERFECT result for us there. It means that the group winners cannot play Colombia whatever.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Yet, the general view from the press is we are making between 6&8 changes and Kane is one of them

Guardian have Kane starting. I don't read any other papers in any great detail.

I would swap the wingbacks (Rose is better than FuckingYoung anyway), I'd leave Walker out because he's on a booking, Dier for Henderson makes little difference either way, there's four changes and I'm fine with that. Hey, make it five. I don't care if Rashford starts ahead of Sterling.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I bet we don't make that many changes if Brazil don't win their group. I also bet that in those circumstances Hazard and Lukaku mysteriously recover for Belgium.

 

[Tony Towner]

Guardian have Kane starting. I don't read any other papers in any great detail.

I would swap the wingbacks (Rose is better than $#@!ingYoung anyway), I'd leave Walker out because he's on a booking, Dier for Henderson makes little difference either way, there's four changes and I'm fine with that.

Dier did the press conference today so he's playing. IF Martinez makes 10 changes like it's speculated he will, we'll win whoever we put out. Overall I'd take their starting 11 over ours, but our squad is deeper.

 

[Tony Towner]

Errrrr

Switzerland are playing a $#@! team. Brazil aren't

On top of that, Japan are playing a wounded Poland. Colombia are playing a decent Senegal. Basically - a Japanese draw is the PERFECT result for us there. It means that the group winners cannot play Colombia whatever.

Well we will know in a few hours. Agree with your comment above about everyone's motivations changing if Brazil don't top the group

 

[Freddeno]

Gratz Freddy btw!

Thanks, still think Belgium or Spain will win it..have to stick with Belgium

 

[Sniffer]

Thanks, still think Belgium or Spain will win it..have to stick with Belgium

Congratulations Fred!

 

[Sniffer]

The Five live commentary with Sutton shouting and laughing his head off when Neuer was on the wing and dispossessed for the 2nd South Korea goal was priceless.

 

[Parkins left foot]

Playing to contrive the draw through after that is pointless - just go out and win the game in front of you

Do that 7 times and you win the WC - not rocket science

 

[The Bear]

I'd rather play Brazil as early as possible. If they make it to the quarters/semis then that means they've picked up some form.