Didnt watch Japan-Cameroon but saw the goal. I would have never bet on Japan and yet they made it through. With regards to Italy-Paraguay, that match was entertaining - nothing special. On one side, Italy looked like an average team and I daresay Italy'll be kicked off in the knockout. On the other, Paraguay showed up not good and not bad - cannot tell.
As for France, I heard Domenech should send Malouda on for Gourcuff. Malouda could come on the left wing instead of Ribery and then Ribery would be the playmaker! Anelka and Govou remain. That sounds much better anyway!
Whatsup wrote:
Didnt watch Japan-Cameroon but saw the goal. I would have never bet on Japan and yet they made it through. With regards to Italy-Paraguay, that match was entertaining - nothing special. On one side, Italy looked like an average team and I daresay Italy'll be kicked off in the knockout. On the other, Paraguay showed up not good and not bad - cannot tell.
As for France, I heard Domenech should send Malouda on for Gourcuff. Malouda could come on the left wing instead of Ribery and then Ribery would be the playmaker! Anelka and Govou remain. That sounds much better anyway!
The team that wins the world cup is nearly always a team that doesn't impress in the group stages. I think that Italy will be extremely dangerous in the knock-outs.
I don't think that Gourcuff should be left out. He is the only proper playmaker in the squad and he wasn't that bad either. He connected well with his team mates with some good passes. Govou played much worse IMO.
ruben wrote:
Japan is well organized and disciplined.
Cameroon is like every African team. Disorganized and chaotic. There was no plan of attack. They just did whatever they felt like.
And I feel almost startled by those asiatic teams. They've really improved and may likely go further - pay attention.
ponka00 wrote:
The team that wins the world cup is nearly always a team that doesn't impress in the group stages. I think that Italy will be extremely dangerous in the knock-outs.
I don't think that Gourcuff should be left out. He is the only proper playmaker in the squad and he wasn't that bad either. He connected well with his team mates with some good passes. Govou played much worse IMO.
Firstly, you are right but Italy seem to struggle to score once in a match and it wouldnt shock me at all to see them thrown away from the knockout-start.
Secondly, Gourcuff is sincerely not appreciated by his teammates and that brings on lots of difficulties to avoid. Besides, I didnt find Gourcuff usefull and he played bad as a playmaker either. As I said in another post ealier, Govou and Anelka should be sent off for Gignac and Henry to come on. That being said, that's merely a point of view.
Edited by Whatsup on 14-06-2010 23:39
Funny how Italy instantly looked world class the moment they went 4-4-2. De Rossi is a beast and the moment he was unleashed....jesus.
Basically, Marchisio was both being dreadful and robbing Montolivo and De Rossi of space. And taking off Marchisio to go 4-4-2 gave them the space back.
Italy have a problem in midfield. Without Totti they have no one to split the defence other than Cossu. And Lippi won't play Cossu.
But if they're going to play as they did today when they go 4-4-2, it's irrelevant. They were amazingly good once they did.
Whatsup wrote:
As for France, I heard Domenech should send Malouda on for Gourcuff. Malouda could come on the left wing instead of Ribery and then Ribery would be the playmaker! Anelka and Govou remain. That sounds much better anyway!
ruben wrote:
Japan is well organized and disciplined.
Imagine how good they might be if their coach wasn't an idiot who keeps their 4-5 best players on the bench for the sake of playing the guys he likes
ruben wrote:
Cameroon is like every African team. Disorganized and chaotic. There was no plan of attack. They just did whatever they felt like.
Not every African team. South Africa are decently organized. Ghana are very well organized.
ruben wrote:
If Italy gets 2nd in their group round it's over. Then they face the Netherlands in 1/8th finals. They'll lose as bad as in 08
Doubt it.
Then again, Cannavaro is dreadful
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
ruben wrote:
If Italy gets 2nd in their group round it's over. Then they face the Netherlands in 1/8th finals. They'll lose as bad as in 08
Are you serious?
He is dutch. I suppose there is a half decent possibility it could happen...I don't think Italy will cope with the flair, pace and guile provided by the Netherlands attack, even if it only turns up for c. 20 minutes a match
I really enjoyed yesterdays evening game, I thought Paraguay were combative and pushed Italy out of a comfort zone and challenged them to find a way through.
Italy played pretty well in the second half, the delivery into the box was good from both teams. Paraguay are clearly a half decent side like the US and Mexico and will require respect by any potential second round opponent.
I didn't see the earlier games, Denmark appear to have played defensively, no great surprise but good riddence that they got beaten playing that way. Based on the other game you would expect Holland to stroll the group. I don't rate the Cameroon coach at all, as organised as Japan might be they are not really that good, Cameroon's second round prospects seem doomed.
Looking into the Crystal ball here sees Argentina probably winning Group B (they should have enough to wallop Greece and expose South Korea), Germany appear well placed to dominate Group D, Holland should top group E also. Group A, C and now F look less predictable with the 'top' seeds France, England and Italy drawing their opening games. We could see the doomsday scenerio of Argentina vs France, England vs Germany and Holland vs Italy and then South Korea/Nigeria vs Mexico/South Africa, USA/Slovenia vs Ghana, Denmark/Japan vs Paraguay/Slovakia.
It is worth keeping an eye on because this appears to be an oppurtunity for an African team (South Africa, Ghana or Nigeria) to make the Semi Final as the Group A winners second round meet the winner of the Group C winners second round in the Quarter Final.
Anyway I will put my crystal ball away, today I am supporting Slovakia, Portugal and Brazil and hopefully some more goals and attacking play.
Edited by Smowz on 15-06-2010 09:54
Smowz wrote:
I really enjoyed yesterdays evening game, I thought Paraguay were combative and pushed Italy out of a comfort zone and challenged them to find a way through.
Italy played pretty well in the second half, the delivery into the box was good from both teams. Paraguay are clearly a half decent side like the US and Mexico and will require respect by any potential second round opponent.
Bear in mind that Paraguay managed very well during the WC qualifying. Furthermore, they obviously have been realistic so far - that's btw what both France and England would have needed. It'll be all the same a big deal for Paraguay to hold on in the knockout stage
Smowz wrote:
Anyway I will put my crystal ball away, today I am supporting Slovakia, Portugal and Brazil and hopefully some more goals and attacking play.
Portugal and especially Brazil will make it in a stunning way for our eyes. Would bet on Brazil 5-0 North Korea and on Portugal 3-2 Ivory Coast. Cannot help me waiting for!
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
Who would you see then?? Gignac may come on to me.
Gourcuff and Govou have been making France die; hence any substitutions will be welcomed as long as they are sent offff Edited by Whatsup on 15-06-2010 12:17
Whatsup wrote:
[quote]issoisso wrote:
Gourcuff and Govou have been making France die; hence any substitutions will be welcomed as long as they are sent offff
France have several problems:
1. Anelka holds on to the ball for far too long and keeps trying to dribble past his markers. Which is stupid when he's got 2 or 3 on him. He may get past one, but getting past the others isn't gonna happen.
3. Govou's movement was very good, as it always is, but when he had the ball he was inconsequential.
France will do a lot better against Mexico than against Uruguay's system, as there will be more space to exploit.
Yes, Gourcuff didn't do much, but he had no space to do anything with. If he plays this poorly against Mexico where he will have more space, by all means drop him. But not based on the Uruguay game.
For once, Domenech got his tactics not completely wrong (a rarity!) but there's a motivation issue there. Players hate each other and hate the coach and are publicly criticising each other.
Without motivation and stability, they're not going anywhere. France at a very big risk of imploding
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
Whatsup wrote:
[quote]issoisso wrote:
Gourcuff and Govou have been making France die; hence any substitutions will be welcomed as long as they are sent offff
France have several problems:
1. Anelka holds on to the ball for far too long and keeps trying to dribble past his markers. Which is stupid when he's got 2 or 3 on him. He may get past one, but getting past the others isn't gonna happen.
3. Govou's movement was very good, as it always is, but when he had the ball he was inconsequential.
France will do a lot better against Mexico than against Uruguay's system, as there will be more space to exploit.
Yes, Gourcuff didn't do much, but he had no space to do anything with. If he plays this poorly against Mexico where he will have more space, by all means drop him. But not based on the Uruguay game.
For once, Domenech got his tactics not completely wrong (a rarity!) but there's a motivation issue there. Players hate each other and hate the coach and are publicly criticising each other.
Without motivation and stability, they're not going anywhere. France at a very big risk of imploding
Everything'll change after the WC with Blanc (at least I very much hope so).
