World Cup 2006

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 17 May 2006, 10:05

Any predictions for the cup?

Ladbrokes odds here

Anyone playing Metro fantasy football - shall we do a POL league?

Most importantly, will Rooney's foot recover? How will Walcott fare?

I'm honing my Metro work league team, and gazing greedily over Ladbrokes odds with a view to a tasty perm. In reality this means I will be in mid-table obscurity for the fantasy league, and may as well just hand over the cash to the nice staff at the bookies - but it's still fun.

gilo · Post by **gilo** » 17 May 2006, 17:22

I should be involved in a predicto score syndicate which I should be able to forward to you if you're interested.

Regarding the World Cup I was amused by an interview with Mr Wenger (the profanity filter won't let me put his first name, or the name of the club!) who said that Theo Walcott may make a great contribution for England. When asked why Theo had not even made a subs appearance for the Gunners, Wenger replied that the recent run of games the Gunners have had were too important!

My prediction? Watch out for France, I think they've got good odds at the moment.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 17 May 2006, 18:05

I think that Rooney's injury has probably halved England's chances of making the latter stages and if he is unable to take part it will be a great loss not just to England but to the whole tournament.

Like most people, Eriksson included, I have not seen Walcott play but the scene is certainly set for him. I think what his selection does demonstrate though is the dearth of world class strikers in England right now. Our strength is in midfield and we have to hope that players like Gerrard and Joe Cole are able to burst forward to support Owen. If that doesn't work we will just have to try to hit Crouch with as many crosses as possible and hope the ball somehow bounces off his head into the net.

I'm invited round to a friends to watch England's opening game on 40 inches of high definition LCD and really looking forward to the competition.

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 17 May 2006, 20:36

Dadaist wrote: Anyone playing Metro fantasy football - shall we do a POL league?

I'm in for a POL league.

Supporting-wise, has to be T&T - only way Scotland are in this World Cup, and a added bonus of playing England as well.

gilo · Post by **gilo** » 17 May 2006, 22:22

Bob Jefferson wrote:I'm invited round to a friends to watch England's opening game on 40 inches of high definition LCD and really looking forward to the competition.

Spill the beans -

Forget France, I forgot Henry's a choker. I think you might be right about Rooney and England's chances, they need other options than the fluke off the back of Crouchy's head.

Post by **wangi** » 18 May 2006, 03:39

Bob Jefferson wrote:I think that Rooney's injury has probably halved England's chances of making the latter stages and if he is unable to take part it will be a great loss not just to England but to the whole tournament.

Barff, it's that same story as Beckham last time round... Plus it'll be a convenient excuse when England don't do well, again.

ifstar · Post by **ifstar** » 18 May 2006, 18:31

Bob Jefferson wrote: I'm invited round to a friends to watch England's opening game on 40 inches of high definition LCD and really looking forward to the competition.

So did you finally opt to by a fancy tv then?

Have you got Telewest or Sky, as Telewest have secured the rights to boradcast the ITV matches in HD but Sky haven't!

I think the final will be Brazil v Germany/France (can't decide which of them will win the semi!)

Am up for joining the Metro WC league too.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 18 May 2006, 20:05

No, I settled for the Toshiba CRT in the end for a small fraction of the price and I'm very pleased with it. Interestingly though, Samsung have just brought out an HD ready CRT (though the geeks on the AV forum reckon it has geometry problems) and another from Phillips is due soon.

I persuaded a friend to buy the Sony Bravia a few weeks previously as an insurance policy.

PortyConvert · Post by **PortyConvert** » 19 May 2006, 17:34

C'mon the T&T !!!!!!

I'm bracing myself for the english media nonsense.... at least Wimbledon will break it up....

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 19 May 2006, 19:08

PortyConvert wrote:I'm bracing myself got the english media nonsense....

Already got a taste of it with the Champions League final on Wednesday....and Andy Gray was joining in too.

gilo · Post by **gilo** » 06 Jun 2006, 22:56

Feeling pleased, just got sorted for Saturday with some ridiculously huged sized telly for the match, yippee.
En-ger-land En-ger-land etc. etc.

Franck · Post by **Franck** » 07 Jun 2006, 17:08

Got an inkling for either Argentina or Italy.Not very original admittedly, but if you do a top scorer/winner double, the odds improve.

Tevez/Argentina 125/1
Toni/Italy 40/1
Being a narrow-minded Scot, I hope England get pumped in each of their 3 group games...Sweden/Paraguay realistic, T&T a mere pipe-dream.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 07 Jun 2006, 17:26

Franck wrote:Being a narrow-minded Scot, I hope England get pumped in each of their 3 group games...Sweden/Paraguay realistic, T&T a mere pipe-dream.

Franck wrote:I am an Evertonian. I live in Liverpool. Sefton, actually. Merseyside, anyway.

So that was someone else's Hillsborough story then Franck? I wasn't sure at the time you posted if you were writing about yourself or not.

I've got Paraguay, Iran and Brazil in the sweep at work. Last time round I managed to win the wooden spoon for having the lowest scoring teams but reckon Brazil has snookered my chances this time. I'm also hoping that England don't progress too far in the competition as Homer has told me I'll be going off on our family holiday without him as he couldn't possibly miss out on watching a potential England victory in the company of his Scottish pals...

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 08 Jun 2006, 12:49

I am one of the Scots that hope England do well.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 08 Jun 2006, 12:52

I'm also a Scot that wants England to do well.

ali · Post by **ali** » 08 Jun 2006, 14:01

Pal of Porty wrote:I am one of the Scots that hope England do well.

Porty wrote:I'm also a Scot that wants England to do well.

me too.

not!

Cleopas · Post by **Cleopas** » 08 Jun 2006, 14:24

I'm NOT backing England.

It HAS to be Brazil.

Izzie · Post by **Izzie** » 08 Jun 2006, 16:51

Who cares.Its only 11 overgrown little boys running after a ball

It just cant be ENGLAND that wins,we will never hear the end of it

Franck · Post by **Franck** » 09 Jun 2006, 13:37

Marya wrote:So that was someone else's Hillsborough story then Franck? I wasn't sure at the time you posted if you were writing about yourself or not.

Sorry, yes it's not my story.Looking back at that thread, it looks like my story but thankfully it's not.

Actually, I'm really sorry for any confusion there, I was just copying & pasting a letter I found on t'internet and should have been clearer.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 09 Jun 2006, 13:52

Franck wrote:
Marya wrote:So that was someone else's Hillsborough story then Franck? I wasn't sure at the time you posted if you were writing about yourself or not.
Sorry, yes it's not my story.Looking back at that thread, it looks like my story but thankfully it's not.

Actually, I'm really sorry for any confusion there, I was just copying & pasting a letter I found on t'internet and should have been clearer.

No worries Franck. I'm just glad it wasn't your own personal experience.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 10 Jun 2006, 22:16

Porty wrote:I'm also a Scot that wants England to do well.

And I'm a Scott who doesn't care one way or the other

Novastar · Post by **Novastar** » 15 Jun 2006, 09:32

Dadaist wrote: Any predictions for the cup?

Tunisia win it in a startling display of skill against Brazil.

Well I can dream

ali · Post by **ali** » 15 Jun 2006, 18:04

Oh the power of prayer!!!!

come on T & T!!!!

ali · Post by **ali** » 15 Jun 2006, 18:37

Scoreless at half time against one of the poorest sides ever to play in the World Cup finals.

T&T must be ashamed of themselves.

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 15 Jun 2006, 18:44

ali · Post by **ali** » 15 Jun 2006, 18:49

Dadaist wrote:

it does look a bit like wayne doesn't it??

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 15 Jun 2006, 18:51

I was going to be happy either way tonight. I've got Gerrard and Owen on my Metro fantasy team - that or watch England get beat. It's all good.

The robot (cyborg) was meant to be Crouch.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 15 Jun 2006, 18:51

I think you will find that it takes a bit more than God to stop us.

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 15 Jun 2006, 18:52

That Beckham-Crouch 1-2 is dangerous.

ali · Post by **ali** » 15 Jun 2006, 18:53

Dadaist wrote:I was going to be happy either way tonight. I've got Gerrard and Owen on my Metro fantasy team - that or watch England get beat. It's all good.

The robot (cyborg) was meant to be Crouch.

haha sorry

I saw it and I thought of "our" wayne.

beezer of a goal from gerrard tho.

Novastar · Post by **Novastar** » 16 Jun 2006, 17:35

Looked very ropey. I think the skills are there but there was some awful tactics. At one point it seemed to be a case of kick it round midfield for 5 minutes then belt it as hard as you can in the direction of the goal in the hope Crouch might be able to header it (which he didn't seem to do once).

Nothing seemed to happen till they spaced out (no not like that

) and started passing around a bit.

Think Sweden will be the crunch game. They need to stop expermenting and play - win the game BEFORE you start playing around.

Wonder if they have any football pundit jobs open at Sky

seanie · Post by **seanie** » 16 Jun 2006, 20:57

They've undoubtedly a team with a great deal of talent and considerable skills, but some skills are lacking. Basic one-two passing and movement seems beyond a lot of them. They've looked ponderous and predictable.

I expect they'll improve. But they need to play high tempo. More like the premiership. They have a midfield with huge attacking potential and decent in defence. But as a holding mid-field they're crap. Too often, against decent opposition, they're midfield has dissapeared. They've dropped deep and been unable to pass their way forward. They've ended up hoofing balls forward in the hope they'll bounce of someone into the goal.

If they're going to progress thay need to get Gerrard, Lampard , Beckham etc high up the field attacking. Beckham has possibly the sweetest cross in the game. But he can't tackle to save himself. He's needed up the field even if it means more exposure at the back.

Oh and Crouch is a hair pulling cheat.

C'mon Larrson; King of Kings.

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 16 Jun 2006, 21:18

And just how good did Argentina play today

if they keep up that kind of form I couldn't see anyone living with them. And that against a team that supposedly had one of the most secure defences in the World Cup.

Although, according to Lineker, England and Argentina winning their respective groups will mean they won't have to meet until the final.

England will need to show a lot more than they've shown already if they're to make an impression on this tournament. Along with France, they've looked, to me, the most disappointing of the 'big' teams.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 16 Jun 2006, 22:37

England were poor but you just can't play the high tempo game that suits them against a team that have 11 men behind the ball. Without Rooney, they don't seem to have the guile to cut through a packed defence. Having said that, I was pretty confident they would eventually get the break-through last night. They could have made it much easier for themselves if they had taken one of the several good chances they spurned.

I think they will play much better against better opposition, a team that is willing to take them on rather than just contain them. Hopefully, they will be a bit more relaxed against Sweden and play the kind of stuff that we know these players are capable of. I would play Rooney and Owen together for 60 minutes and try to use both Crouch and Walcott at some point depending on how the game goes. Lennon on from the beginning and get both him and Joe Cole running at players.

Actually, I think that things like team selection and substitutions should be decided by popular vote. To bring on Rooney, press your red button now sort of thing.

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 16 Jun 2006, 22:53

Saviola done good for me today on the Metro tip.

I'm looking to harvest some points from the remaining "good vs donkey" matches before having to make some difficult choices.

How much did Saudi pay to get to be in the cup?

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

World Cup 2006

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