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World Cup 2022 thread (football only)


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The one thing that's stood out for me, is how European football has become so predictable and pedestrian.

You can watch European teams, how they are set up, and can predict exactly where the ball is going to go, exactly where the opponent's are going to react, press/ move to. It's become robotic.

Some players are just going through the motions. They know if they play a pass during a certain pattern, then it's ok. You've only got to watch them...they don't even look as to whether a forward pass can be made. 

It's become like chess. Where games and patterns are predictable.

Nations that are unpredictable are making a difference.

England imo, have players that could win this tournament, if they were allowed to play with freedom. 

I fear a chance could be missed if we play predictably and conforming.

If you've got players that can run at the opposition, create confusion outside of the norm, then it could work this tournament.

Let them free Gareth. Unlock the shackles. 

 

 

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1 hour ago, cidercity1987 said:

France's selection doesn't seem correct to Australia and Denmark in a three game competition

Not sure what to make of this one. See where you're coming from but the argument for France is why should they burn out their better players for the benefit of others? They've done their job which is why they're in the privileged position of being able to do it.

If England went out because England's strongest team lost against the strongest team of team X, but team X rested their best players and lost against team Y I wouldn't begrudge team X rather I'd be gutted England weren't good enough. 

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6 minutes ago, CheddarReds said:

Not sure what to make of this one. See where you're coming from but the argument for France is why should they burn out their better players for the benefit of others? They've done their job which is why they're in the privileged position of being able to do it.

If England went out because England's strongest team lost against the strongest team of team X, but team X rested their best players and lost against team Y I wouldn't begrudge team X rather I'd be gutted England weren't good enough. 

Agree, you earn the right to do what you like imho.

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7 hours ago, Port Said Red said:

I missed a few games over the weekend, but was that the first goal from a direct free kick this tournament?

It was. The last 2 direct free kick goals in the World Cup have both been scored by England. Last night and Trippier in the semi v Croatia in 2018. 

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8 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Agree, you earn the right to do what you like imho.

Exactly - France had already qualified so why not rest your most important players and give the other squad players some game time?

Its a meaningless result just  bragging rights for Tunisia.

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32 minutes ago, Super said:

Not sure why I quite like the Aussie football team yet I don't in other sports! :laugh:

Probably because none of them have been caught sandpapering the football.

I've just seen their goal. Really nice counter. Lovely dummy, then a nice weighted pass forward, patient finish.

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Right can anyone explain the offside rule one more time?

A little while ago it was explained that, even though offside when the original pass was made, a striker could be onside if a defender deliberately plays the ball. Griezmann is clearly offside to start, but the defender heads the ball and AG scores. I think it was only last season a CB header played someone on in exactly that sort of way, have I missed something ..... again ?

What I will say is, the BBC site is avoiding saying "Offside". I could see a case for a foul on the CB, and as the Ref was called to the monitor to look, normally that's what I'd think. But there was an offside call yesterday where the Ref went to the monitor to look.

What with this and the recent Spurs goal where I learnt that the ball direction didn't matter, I think I might as well give up.

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49 minutes ago, spudski said:

The one thing that's stood out for me, is how European football has become so predictable and pedestrian.

You can watch European teams, how they are set up, and can predict exactly where the ball is going to go, exactly where the opponent's are going to react, press/ move to. It's become robotic.

Some players are just going through the motions. They know if they play a pass during a certain pattern, then it's ok. You've only got to watch them...they don't even look as to whether a forward pass can be made. 

It's become like chess. Where games and patterns are predictable.

Nations that are unpredictable are making a difference.

England imo, have players that could win this tournament, if they were allowed to play with freedom. 

I fear a chance could be missed if we play predictably and conforming.

If you've got players that can run at the opposition, create confusion outside of the norm, then it could work this tournament.

Let them free Gareth. Unlock the shackles. 

 

 

Not just European foorball tbh, I think some of that rigidity has seeped down into South America too and even Mexico looked just dull compared to Mexico sides of the past who you knew would generally be quite entertaining even if quality varied. Costa Rica are also duller and more mechanical than past Costa Rica sides IMO.

I agree wirh your general point though.

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1 minute ago, Open End Numb Legs said:

There are more of them in the cricket team than just Warner. They can't help rubbing it in when they have superiority and cheating when they don't have it.

Back to the football, last night when England won there was no gloating, just handshakes and pats on the back.

Helped by the fact that they all know each other from league football. Bit like France and Tunisia too. 

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1 minute ago, Open End Numb Legs said:

There are more of them in the cricket team than just Warner. They can't help rubbing it in when they have superiority and cheating when they don't have it.

Back to the football, last night when England won there was no gloating, just handshakes and pats on the back.

Do you think we might gloat a bit if we win anything?

I would!

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2 hours ago, Open End Numb Legs said:

Fair point if we were talking about England, in this case (Wales) their manager is less experienced and he doesn't have the relative luxury of the great depth of England U21 players that Southgate had already worked with previously.

I am not a Bale fan at all but I could see the point Rush was making. They could ditch the over 30s and still have a half decent go at qualifications but it might take a long time by which time Page would have left and they could be in a bit of turmoil.

I agree there are pros and cons but my concern, apart from the fact that Bale can't put in anything like a 90 minute shift, is that younger players might feel they have to defer to him. Their natural game might be inhibited if they are thinking they have to give the ball to Bale all the time in the hope he might do something special.

By way of comparison, Marcus Smith at no.10 for the England Rugby Union team is inhibited by having Owen Farrell next to him dictating what he does. The only time he expressed himself was against New Zealand when Farrell was playing with an injury and Smith took control.

Bale may be able to make a difference in qualifying games if he is still capable of moments but I'd grasp the nettle asap. Looks like he will dictate when he retires rather than the manager though so it's a bit academic.

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I'm glad the penalty was saved as it was a poor decision to award it, and even for the ref to be asked to review. I do hope however that Argentina can score first as it would hopefully  change Poland's outlook to this game. 

For all his absolute brilliance, which is undeniable, penalties are Messi's weakness. He has missed a lot during his career and has openly admitted that he gets very nervous when taking them. 

Edited by RoystonFoote'snephew
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Just now, The Gasbuster said:

Poland really need to up their game second half

Really negative.  No interest in anything but defending.    Seems like they're playing for a draw already.     Very risky strategy.   Argentina could easily be two up if they'd taken the chances.

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1 minute ago, Port Said Red said:

Was it because it was on Messi? 

Yes. See also the one Ronaldo was given in Portugal's first game and the identical, though much clearer, one not given to Qatar in their second game.

Note also that a member of FIFA's technical committee praised Ronaldo for being so clever in winning his penalty.

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17 minutes ago, chinapig said:

I agree there are pros and cons but my concern, apart from the fact that Bale can't put in anything like a 90 minute shift, is that younger players might feel they have to defer to him. Their natural game might be inhibited if they are thinking they have to give the ball to Bale all the time in the hope he might do something special.

By way of comparison, Marcus Smith at no.10 for the England Rugby Union team is inhibited by having Owen Farrell next to him dictating what he does. The only time he expressed himself was against New Zealand when Farrell was playing with an injury and Smith took control.

Bale may be able to make a difference in qualifying games if he is still capable of moments but I'd grasp the nettle asap. Looks like he will dictate when he retires rather than the manager though so it's a bit academic.

I agree with a lot of that, my thoughts that I didn't explain but should have, was they might have Bale as a squad member, mostly on the bench maybe. I really don't like him and his hair cut but has huge experience that would be useful to them.

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