Kitchandro Posted 19 May 2014 Posted 19 May 2014 Colombia are expected to do well aren't they? I actually think it could be England. For once we're expected to do bugger all but big parts of our squad are actually much better than 4 years ago. We're unknown in the sense that this will be the first World Cup for a number of our squad and crucially for several players who will start. I think this is a positive thing. The pressure should be off and the young players seem to feel it less - look at Rooney in Euro 2004, Owen in 98, Gazza in 90 etc. If we play positively I think we could do well, I'm much more positive about this bunch than the shambles that have been at the last couple of tournaments. That said, we could easily go out in the group I think Japan will do well, I like the look of them. I must say I haven't paid much attention to Croatia, maybe I should the way some people are talking about them. It would certainly be a surprise if Chile did well, a tough draw and likely to play Brazil in the 2nd round if they get through that. In contrast, France is a good shout, they have a favourable draw.
Guest Kopfkino Posted 19 May 2014 Posted 19 May 2014 Colombia are expected to do well aren't they? I actually think it could be England. For once we're expected to do bugger all but big parts of our squad are actually much better than 4 years ago. We're unknown in the sense that this will be the first World Cup for a number of our squad and crucially for several players who will start. I think this is a positive thing. The pressure should be off and the young players seem to feel it less - look at Rooney in Euro 2004, Owen in 98, Gazza in 90 etc. If we play positively I think we could do well, I'm much more positive about this bunch than the shambles that have been at the last couple of tournaments. That said, we could easily go out in the group I think Japan will do well, I like the look of them. I must say I haven't paid much attention to Croatia, maybe I should the way some people are talking about them. It would certainly be a surprise if Chile did well, a tough draw and likely to play Brazil in the 2nd round if they get through that. In contrast, France is a good shout, they have a favourable draw. Regarding Chile, they tend to do better when they don't have a lot of the ball, when they're not expected to take the game to a team but instead defend and counter, a bit like they did against us, plus its in South America. I think they could get something against the Dutch and sneak through. Granted they'll struggle against Brazil in the next round but they wouldn't make it easy for them. The one thing that might let them down is discipline
Kitchandro Posted 19 May 2014 Posted 19 May 2014 Regarding Chile, they tend to do better when they don't have a lot of the ball, when they're not expected to take the game to a team but instead defend and counter, a bit like they did against us, plus its in South America. I think they could get something against the Dutch and sneak through. Granted they'll struggle against Brazil in the next round but they wouldn't make it easy for them. The one thing that might let them down is discipline Yeh I do think they're a good side based on what I've seen, I enjoyed watching them 4 years ago too. I have a soft spot for Chile, from back in the days when Salas was up front for them. I just think the draw is against them, they'll have done well to make the 2nd round and marvellous to go any further.
brockmyster Posted 19 May 2014 Posted 19 May 2014 It has to be bosnia for me, reckon they will get out the group with argentina
Sharpe's Fox Posted 19 May 2014 Posted 19 May 2014 France will be disqualified and Sweden will come in and win it Denmark '92 style.
Dan Posted 19 May 2014 Posted 19 May 2014 Colombia are expected to do well aren't they? I actually think it could be England. For once we're expected to do bugger all but big parts of our squad are actually much better than 4 years ago. We're unknown in the sense that this will be the first World Cup for a number of our squad and crucially for several players who will start. I think this is a positive thing. The pressure should be off and the young players seem to feel it less - look at Rooney in Euro 2004, Owen in 98, Gazza in 90 etc. If we play positively I think we could do well, I'm much more positive about this bunch than the shambles that have been at the last couple of tournaments. That said, we could easily go out in the group I think Japan will do well, I like the look of them. I must say I haven't paid much attention to Croatia, maybe I should the way some people are talking about them. It would certainly be a surprise if Chile did well, a tough draw and likely to play Brazil in the 2nd round if they get through that. In contrast, France is a good shout, they have a favourable draw. Very good post to be fair. It's one of the strongest groups there is. I rate Japan but I think they're in a deceptively tough group. Croatia have made me take notice because of mainly.. Modric and Rakitic. Probably the two most in form midfielders in Spain this season and both happen to be Croats. I think Modric is one of the best players on the planet and Rakitic is a serious talent too. Milan Badelj is a very good midfielder (though Hamburg had an awful season) and Mateo Kovacic is a bright prospect at Inter. Mandzukic will give anyone a tough time. I think they're certainly a better side than Mexico anyway who are the other side you'd have to go through in that group (can't see Cameroon picking up a point), Mexico's squad actually looks extremely average. France are a very strange side. I don't think there's that much between them and Switzerland.
Finnegan Posted 20 May 2014 Posted 20 May 2014 Outside of South America, Japan. They'll be used to hot and humid, they've a decent side, they'll have massive support. Why not eh?
leicsmac Posted 20 May 2014 Posted 20 May 2014 South Korea The fact that I'm living there notwithstanding, this. They have all the benefits Finnegan describes below, but with an easier group to boot. Belgium should be OK but Algeria are frankly pish (sorry, Riyad) and Russia will have a nightmare with the conditions. Wouldn't put it past them to top the group and give Portugal a nasty shock in the second round (think Germany would be too strong though). Think they'd have their work cut out against Argentina (potentially) in the QF, mind. Outside of South America, Japan. They'll be used to hot and humid, they've a decent side, they'll have massive support. Why not eh? See above.
Finnegan Posted 20 May 2014 Posted 20 May 2014 In regards suppo (not that it's a huge factor) I'm willing to bet there's a few more Japanese in Brazil than Koreans.
leicsmac Posted 20 May 2014 Posted 20 May 2014 In regards suppo (not that it's a huge factor) I'm willing to bet there's a few more Japanese in Brazil than Koreans. No disagreement there, big expat population there already, isn't there? Would actually make Japan reasonable potential surprise package too for the reasons you've said.
Dan Posted 20 May 2014 Posted 20 May 2014 Group C is full of dark horses. What are the odds the Greeks manage to grind their way through that group? I think Group C is one of the most interesting of the lot.
Tommeh Posted 20 May 2014 Posted 20 May 2014 Portugal. Anything is possible with the best player on the planet. 5/1 to make the semi's will see some cash.
Manwell Pablo Posted 20 May 2014 Posted 20 May 2014 Very good post to be fair. It's one of the strongest groups there is. I rate Japan but I think they're in a deceptively tough group. Croatia have made me take notice because of mainly.. Modric and Rakitic. Probably the two most in form midfielders in Spain this season and both happen to be Croats. I think Modric is one of the best players on the planet and Rakitic is a serious talent too. Milan Badelj is a very good midfielder (though Hamburg had an awful season) and Mateo Kovacic is a bright prospect at Inter. Mandzukic will give anyone a tough time. I think they're certainly a better side than Mexico anyway who are the other side you'd have to go through in that group (can't see Cameroon picking up a point), Mexico's squad actually looks extremely average. France are a very strange side. I don't think there's that much between them and Switzerland. Thing with Mexico is they always seem to get through the group stages by hook or crook.
Kitchandro Posted 20 May 2014 Posted 20 May 2014 Thing with Mexico is they always seem to get through the group stages by hook or crook. I think they've always been a decent side though (another South American team I enjoy watching) this could be the weakest Mexico team in years judging by their qualifying campaign.
Manwell Pablo Posted 20 May 2014 Posted 20 May 2014 I think they've always been a decent side though (another South American team I enjoy watching) this could be the weakest Mexico team in years judging by their qualifying campaign. Yeah they aren't great. Dos Santos, and Hernandez are a decent international strike force, Marquez is still playing but he's ancient now and so is Salcido, they'll be slow at the back. conversely I'm not a huge fan of Manzukic but Croatia are strong everywhere else especially in the middile. It is surprising how trends can play a part at World Cups though.
Amin Posted 20 May 2014 Posted 20 May 2014 It's a shame that Carlos Vela refuses to play for Mexico, a front three of Hernandez, dos Santos and Vela could've been quite potent.
Ric Flair Posted 20 May 2014 Posted 20 May 2014 Outside of South America, Japan. They'll be used to hot and humid, they've a decent side, they'll have massive support. Why not eh? England will smash them 5-0 in the last 16
Dan Posted 20 May 2014 Posted 20 May 2014 Thing with Mexico is they always seem to get through the group stages by hook or crook. You aren't wrong but they really aren't all that IMO. Made a real mess of their qualifying campaign and absolutely scraped through what should've been one of the easiest qualifying campaigns anyone could've had. Looking at the squad they've named, I'm pretty unimpressed. If England came up against them I'd be confident of beating them.
Manwell Pablo Posted 21 May 2014 Posted 21 May 2014 You aren't wrong but they really aren't all that IMO. Made a real mess of their qualifying campaign and absolutely scraped through what should've been one of the easiest qualifying campaigns anyone could've had. Looking at the squad they've named, I'm pretty unimpressed. If England came up against them I'd be confident of beating them. Their never amazing are they, Raphel Marquez was their best player for about ten years. They just always seem to manage to skank out the group. Croatia could book the trend though with the players they've got they could do well, could possibly even upset the Brazilian apple cart in the first game, will be an interesting opener.
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