The Official 2018 Russia World Cup natter

[The Brummie]

Martin O’Neill. FFS.

[Mothersruin]

coldel said:

Mothersruin said:

Neither are up there with Sissoko.

Anyway, Brazil Vs Costa Rica. Could be a goodie.

Not seen much from Costa Rica so far (England walked it too) I would expect Brazil to be comfortable if they can get over their hangover from the last WC.

I have a hunch there's going to be lots of melodramatics and rolling around at the slightest whiff of a touch.

[Puggit]

The Brummie said:

Martin O’Neill. FFS.

The only one who correctly called the Australian penalty from VAR as shouldn't have been given.

[mizx]

Should really move on to today, but I was reading through this on Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/8sxuk1/ar...

Didn't cross my mind just who else is missing from their squad besides the obvious Icardi etc. Rdiculous team selection as it was with the players left on the bench, doesn't seem that suprising they lost like that.

[m3sye]

mizx said:

Should really move on to today, but I was reading through this on Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/8sxuk1/ar...

Didn't cross my mind just who else is missing from their squad besides the obvious Icardi etc. Rdiculous team selection as it was with the players left on the bench, doesn't seem that suprising they lost like that.

Their manager is fking clueless - has no idea how to set a team up to play

All this nonsense about Messi is ridiculous

[snake_oil]

m3sye said:

Their manager is fking clueless - has no idea how to set a team up to play

All this nonsense about Messi is ridiculous

Did you listen to the BBC World Cup podcast last night? Tim Vickery was on had some great insight into his playing style. In summary he's had great success in the past playing a certain system (fast high press) but he doesn't have the players to do it in this team.

Did you see them jogging back and basically standing still whilst Croatia ran in the 3rd last night? Shameful really, no matter how much you don't like the manager.

[coldel]

Yes Messi has been let down by his team, he is there to provide a capability but you need a certain level of performance from everyone else. Portugal are much better at it than Argentina in that respect, they work hard around Ronaldo to close down, press, provide support etc. Argentina just aren't capable or worse, unwilling, to do it. Would have the result been any different for Argentina with Ronaldo playing instead? Of course not.

[coldel]

Brazil are far too slow in their build up, just stroking it about with no real intention. Neymar hits the deck for no apparent reason screaming then up and running fine 30 seconds later, first one of many?

[Puggit]

coldel said:

Brazil are far too slow in their build up, just stroking it about with no real intention. Neymar hits the deck for no apparent reason screaming then up and running fine 30 seconds later, first one of many?

Don't forget Neymar insists on taking the free kicks, and wastes them.

[coldel]

Puggit said:

coldel said:

Brazil are far too slow in their build up, just stroking it about with no real intention. Neymar hits the deck for no apparent reason screaming then up and running fine 30 seconds later, first one of many?

Don't forget Neymar insists on taking the free kicks, and wastes them.

Straight out the Harry Kane school of set-pieces!

[Mothersruin]

coldel said:

Puggit said:

coldel said:

Brazil are far too slow in their build up, just stroking it about with no real intention. Neymar hits the deck for no apparent reason screaming then up and running fine 30 seconds later, first one of many?

Don't forget Neymar insists on taking the free kicks, and wastes them.

Straight out the Harry Kane school of set-pieces!

Only if you have a dumb-arse manager in HK's case.

[coldel]

Mothersruin said:

coldel said:

Puggit said:

coldel said:

Brazil are far too slow in their build up, just stroking it about with no real intention. Neymar hits the deck for no apparent reason screaming then up and running fine 30 seconds later, first one of many?

Don't forget Neymar insists on taking the free kicks, and wastes them.

Straight out the Harry Kane school of set-pieces!

Only if you have a dumb-arse manager in HK's case.

Kane could have been man enough to say 'hey boss, I am crap at corners, but I am pretty good at putting the ball in the net' though lol

Not sure what to make of the fouling on Neymar, he does almost show the ball to draw the tackle, then whip it away with no intention to play anything further and just goes down waiting for the foul. Could be clever play, but also makes for a very boring game when he is on the ball.

[cuprabob]

Let's hope the 2nd half is a bit better...

[Mothersruin]

Yup.

Dull.

[GTO-3R]

From what i've seen so far this WC, we've got nothing to fear and should go for this!

[cuprabob]

To be fair, it normally doesn't liven up until the knock out stages. We've just been lucky that we've had a couple of excellent games this time.

Normally the ultimate winners of the tournament start poorly and gain momentum as they progress

[Puggit]

Commmentator "The ball was there and Neymar was entitled to go for it" - ummm, no it wasn't. It was in the keeper's hands!

[Mothersruin]

One thing that hasn't been really apparent, apart from the usual dirtiness of certain teams, are the national ways of playing.

Now it seems like everyone has a similar game with variances in talent. Maybe because everyone is now playing in each other's leagues?

[cuprabob]

Good save...

[The Brummie]

Neymar should have got a red card.

Another back flop diving champion.

wker.