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How many pro a and b coaches do Costa Rica have? Or Algeria? I've long suggested that we need to improve that, but the more I've seen this WC, the less sure I am that this is the absolute answer. Its not that Gerrard, sturridge, etc don't have skills or fitness in abundance. It's something else.
Read the article theotherjonv. There's no magic bullet. It's a combination of factors. Every World Cup will have a few plucky underdogs who make it through. ROI made it to the QFs in 1990 for chrissakes. 😆 Trying to replicate some mythical "sum of its parts" formula is a waste of time because nobody can put his finger on why that happens sometimes. 7 of the 8 QFS are those who would have been expected to be there. With the resources and money in the English game, England should be there too. Germany are more comparable to us in terms of structure and population. What we've seen in this World Cup is that defenders who come fifth in the EPL are simply not good enough to win games on the world stage and in warm climates. They are there or thereabouts in every tournament and are attractive to watch most of the time. They had a disastrous Euro 2000 and went about changing things. I predict England will have another disappointing Euro 2016...if they qualify.
Central Contracts. It will never happen, not now. With players all on individual contracts with different arrangements and timings the chance for such centralised contracts has long passed.
In this tournament, defence ( back 6) was too weak and inexperienced at the top level.
Ignoring PL standings, it's champions league experience that of more value. Should have taken Cashley and considered Terry, despite their personallity problems. Jag and Baines not up to same standard, and inexperienced at CL level. Johnson too recently.
And StevieG isn't at the right level as a defensive mid either, Not at 34 anyway. Especially as a two in midfield invariably outnumbered - need three proper mids not a 9, a 10 and two wingers. He makes a good fist of it for Liverpool by playing as a "quarterback" and trying to beat teams 4-3. But England don't have Suarez to make that work. Sturridge and Rooney are decent, but not that good to cover the defensive frailties.
Germany are more comparable to us in terms of structure and population
And holland is to Scotland and Ireland so we should be as good as them then.
The basic issue is that their players are better than Englands
How many of their team get in englands and vice versa.
IMHO One of the issues in the UK is we play a lot of sports and end up being mediocre at them all rather than just playing one or two very well- New Zealand are world beaters at rugby and rubbish at football and average at cricket for example.
A good friends two sons where both pretty good at football. His eldest went through the UK system and his youngest through the German one whilst they lived there for 4 years. He said it was chalk and cheese, the Germans where so far ahead in their youth football in all aspects, coaching, facilities, attitude and they played a mini tournament every 4-6 weeks so the kids had it ingrained into them how to play a series of matches with the goal being winning the final.
England have a problem in that we think we are better than we are, this leads us to try and play in a way we are not capable of. More limited teams recognise their weaknesses and adjust accordingly. We also pay far too much attention to the press, they are simply irrelevant.
One area on the pitch we always struggle with is keeping the ball. Our players just don't "show for it". Poor off-the-ball movement = poor options. Hence we constantly lose possession, put our back line under pressure and end up hoofing it.
Ill-motivated players IMO.
JY, the Netherlands has a population of just under 17 million. As for ROI, football is AFAIK, the fourth sport, having been overtaken by rugby a few years back. We, like Scotland have to depend on the chances of a "golden generation" happening every so often. Mind you, Germany has around 80 million, so perhaps population is not the main issue...I was just choosing somewhere with a similar demographic, climate, an FA that is "separate" from the top flight league, and many other similarities. England could be where France, Netherlands, Germany are if the will to change was there
The basic issue is that their players are better than Englands
I wonder why this is? Who makes a youngster with a talent for sport a good footballer, rugby player, tennis player, etc?
he Netherlands has a population of just under 17 million
Its tiny **** me that has really surprised me 😯 and 😳
I am genuinely really surprised by that.
Can I try Belgium* then 😉
the only pro I know [ Paul Grayson- rugbyist] was the captain of the cricket and football team and never played rugby till he was about 17 - he was midget back then.
IMHO he could have made it in a number of sports if he wanted to.
He chose rugby for the "social aspect" of the sport
IIRC the neville brothers played cricket for Lancashire as well
Perhaps there is a percentage of talent spread across a number of sports making them all a bit average rather than excelling at one
* nope 11 million there as well - see netherlands point above
It's also worth researching how Belgium have got to where they are from a decade or more of mediocrity.
Talking of which, I predict Belgium to win the tournament this time round 😀
One area on the pitch we always struggle with is keeping the ball. Our players just don't "show for it". Poor off-the-ball movement = poor options. Hence we constantly lose possession, put our back line under pressure and end up hoofing it.
It is nearly always depressing watching England, as you are constantly frustrated with basic skill levels compared with just about everyone they face. First touch control and passing just seems to be woeful, and there is very little movement and sharpness.
It's been good to get them out of the way quickly so I can actually relax and enjoy what has been a great tournament for skilful, fast-paced attacking football.
[url= http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_spot/2014/07/03/world_cup_player_introductions_a_deep_analysis_of_how_soccer_players_fold.html ]Who Won the World Cup of Arm-Folding?[/url] 😀
It's also worth researching how Belgium have got to where they are from a decade or more of mediocrity.
or Spain !
or Spain !
Your point? (Genuine question.)
Spain where pretty ordinary for the longest time before their European and World Cup wins, so that transformation is worth studying.
Oh right, I haven't read up on that. Their downfall in this World Cup is probably a good case against continuing to rely on a squad that has brought so much success - rather than developing young talent into the team. Although, it's forgivable I suppose, they'd swept all before them for a decade previously. IMO, the heavy defeat to the Netherlands is what did it for Spain. I don't think they were able to recover psychologically from it for the next few games. Yes, other teams had begun to figure out tick-tock, but they can't have been that bad so quickly.
France v Germany in 1hr
Who's d'ya want to get thru?
I would like Germany to go through, but have been banging on about France winning the thing from before the tournament started.
So...erm....France, with apologies to my teutonic ancestors.
I'd like to see both teams play full strength sides with players in their best position so Ozil in the middle, Benzema up top and not on left flank etc etc.
I hope today's games deliver the goods as they are potentially brilliant ties
really hope France smash them.
That ref has a lovely comb-over.
Achtung! Deutschland!
😆
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Gooooooooaaal! Deutschland! 
Deutschland!!!!!!
I've not seen a German dive like that since Das Boot.
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Dull
Cummon Deutschland! 😆
To think I blew off 5-a-side tonight to watch this...
Meh.
*tears up penultimate betting slip*
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😀
Deutschland! Deutschland! Deutschland!
I think Darcy just came 😀
I think Darcy just came
I was holding out in the hope that Terry 'Enry was doing the Beeb coverage. I guess he's doing a bit for French TV as well?
I hate to say it, but that was quite the capitulation from France.
Yeah, was hoping for a much better game given the quality of the sides. I think it was a triumph of tactics by a more experienced coach this evening. Germany had to try and stifle what has been a very dangerous French attack which they did very well. If anything the early goal killed it a bit. Really surprised France didn't rustle up an equaliser in all that time though. They looked very flat. Hopefully they'll revert to type and all have a big punch up on the flight home - can't be doing with this unity they've been displaying. No enough ennui for my liking.
Oh, I didn't realise, Terry's gone back to USAUSAUSA as the MLS is starting back up...bit bizarre during the World Cup. 😕
The MLS fixture structure, with the playoffs biznizz, is a bit odd.
'mon Columbia!
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Interesting Brazilian journo on 5Live. Basically saying all the Brazil 'fans' at the games will never have been to a league game in their life. Just full of the well to do who can actually afford and get a ticket. This is the reason there is no singing from the Brazilian fans, as they don't know the songs.
Bollocks.
Bloody hell. Hardly even five mins intae the game. It's been coming.
Dammit! I missed the goal ... 😡
Cummon Colombiana! Cummon!
It's the 'ol dominate group stages then get boffed in the knockout rounds scenario.
For example: France.
Ooooooo!
Well this is a much more exciting game.
*dons ITV cliche/borderline racist hat*
It's their latin passion!
Superb game so far! Can't see Brazil losing this, the way they are playing.
Good to see the ref constantly bottling it. 😡
Only seen the second half so far of the bra-col game. why do players go down so easily for minor touches, I've seen twice already where they could have stayed on their feet, have opted to fall, and rightly the ref has waved play on so they've lost the ball. Then if they do get the free kick, they take it short, but by now the oppo are back and organised. Baffling if you ask me.
This is a crap game now. Hacks/dives etc.
The ref is reaping being a pussy, and not dealing out yellow cards when deserved in the first half.
Cummon Colombiana! Cummon ... 😯
Interesting Brazilian journo on 5Live. Basically saying all the Brazil 'fans' at the games will never have been to a league game in their life. Just full of the well to do who can actually afford and get a ticket. This is the reason there is no singing from the Brazilian fans, as they don't know the songs.
Yeah, interesting that. Their cheering is, I dunno, either like the South Koreans or a bunch of school kids watching the Soccer Aid game.
And, yes, the ref is bottling it big time. How the **** Fernandinho is still on the pitch is a ****ing joke. Brazil are getting away with murder out there.
Yep, only seen 20 mins but from that, I think the ref is poor. And in general the standard has been very good and contributed to the speed and flow of the games.
Edit - got one now: on a technicality (delaying goalkeeper releasing ball)
When did Brazil become a bunch of cloggers?
Edit: James gets a yellow card? **** me.
That was noice, tho.
Shouldn't have been a free kick, but that was a bullet.
Ah **** it. Great free kick, but I'm sickened by this game so far.
Dammit! Colombiana is robbed!
Good goal nevertheless ...
🙄
Much as I want Brazil to be dumped out for their cheating ways, I have to concede that was a tremendous free-kick from Sideshow Bob.
Lovely free kick or not, I will be supporting everyone who Brazil come up against. Since the Fred penno in the first game, they have not impressed at all.
Fix
stuartie_c - Member... Sideshow Bob.
😆 True true ...
I thought Leo Sayer scored ... 😆
Agree with Jamie and Stuartie. Hard to imagine Phil Jagielka boshing one in like that!
Game on ?
Leo Sayer - even better!
Weird technique on that freekick.... he looks like he's tackling the ball, rather than striking it.
Cmon Col, let's have a goal
Danny Mills says that's not a pen.
****.
The fact he is advising the FA on the future of English football just makes me want to go in the corner and have a cry.
Come on.....
Keeper should be off
Woo. Interesting last ten then.
'Mon!!
The Japanese schoolgirls in the stadium have shut the **** up it seems 😛
Gooooaaallll Colombiana! 😆
Cummon you can win! 😀
Equalisers coming.
Ramires on? That'll stop the game descending into attritional fouls...
*cough*
COME ON COLOMBIA!
Pretty-girl cam is on form tonight.
All or nothing from Coulombia - it's going to be an electrifying finish
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Come on Colombia!
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Edit: Neymar looks broken. Makes Oscar look a dick for rolling over and over pretending to be hurt, when Neymar actually was.