FIFA World Cup group stages

[Gingerfinch]

That was nasty from Defour, he made NO attempt for the ball and waited for the mans leg to stamp on, disgraceful.

It was a poor tackle, but I can forgive him that by his reaction to his red card. Took the sending off, helped the bloke up to the floor, shook his hand and apologised, then walked off giving the ref a pat on the shoulder.

As I said, poor tackle, but it was nice to see a player react in an adult way.

We've all seen the red mist in sport, and it's easy to criticise. Fair play if he took the red like a man.

[mikesiva]

What's your favourite game of the group stages? Mine is Argentina-Nigeria, and I'm watching that again....

I've deleted my recordings of all other matches, but I will probably keep this one.

[Gingerfinch]

What's your favourite game of the group stages? Mine is Argentina-Nigeria, and I'm watching that again....

I've deleted my recordings of all other matches, but I will probably keep this one.

I haven't seen them all, but Germany - Ghana was terrific. Holland - Australia also.

As for the England games. I would like to think the Italy game was good for the neutral.

[Aidan11]

What's your favourite game of the group stages? Mine is Argentina-Nigeria, and I'm watching that again....

I've deleted my recordings of all other matches, but I will probably keep this one.

Netherlands thumping of Spain for me.

[from_the_stands]

This gave me a bit of a giggle;

http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/our-2014-fifa-world-cup-in-brazil-sookometer-is-your-definitive-guide-to-footballs-worst-sooks/story-fnkjl6g2-1226967472066

[yuppie]

This gave me a bit of a giggle;

http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/our-2014-fifa-world-cup-in-brazil-sookometer-is-your-definitive-guide-to-footballs-worst-sooks/story-fnkjl6g2-1226967472066

[Durhamfootman]

What's your favourite game of the group stages? Mine is Argentina-Nigeria, and I'm watching that again....

I've deleted my recordings of all other matches, but I will probably keep this one.

Netherlands thumping of Spain for me.

I enjoyed that immensely, but the second half of Germany Ghana was a credit to the sport. Pure football, and no shenanigans of any description. Was there even a yellow card in that game? maybe one in injury time.

[yuppie]

Just wondering if anyone thinkss Ashley cole would have done a better job than Baines. Baines was on a bit of a hiding being exposed with no cover, but defensively cole might have been a better bet in the way England played?

[Durhamfootman]

Just wondering if anyone thinkss Ashley cole would have done a better job than Baines. Baines was on a bit of a hiding being exposed with no cover, but defensively cole might have been a better bet in the way England played?

we have to move on from these 150 cap non-achievers at some stage.

I've seen lots of stuff about England being poor in defence, and the way they defended set pieces, but the fact remains that we scored 2 goals in 3 games, and we didn't score many in the pre comp warm up matches either.

Until we find a top quality striker, who doesn't miss 5 sitters in a game with absolutely no pressure on, we aint going to do squat. Sturridge is no more an international quality striker than Rooney is, or Defoe was.

And we have to find a way to keep more of our whippets fit going into these things, because our lack of attacking pace killed us in this one

[Gingerfinch]

Just wondering if anyone thinkss Ashley cole would have done a better job than Baines. Baines was on a bit of a hiding being exposed with no cover, but defensively cole might have been a better bet in the way England played?

I said before the tournament that we needed our best defender, as that's what we'd be doing for most of the time. Baines is fine against weaker sides, ie, who don't attack with pace and players, but as shown, not great when up against the better teams. Reading the comments on here, Shaw would have been a better bet.

[yuppie]

Just wondering if anyone thinkss Ashley cole would have done a better job than Baines. Baines was on a bit of a hiding being exposed with no cover, but defensively cole might have been a better bet in the way England played?

we have to move on from these 150 cap non-achievers at some stage.

I've seen lots of stuff about England being poor in defence, and the way they defended set pieces, but the fact remains that we scored 2 goals in 3 games, and we didn't score many in the pre comp warm up matches either.

Until we find a top quality striker, who doesn't miss 5 sitters in a game with absolutely no pressure on, we aint going to do squat. Sturridge is no more an international quality striker than Rooney is, or Defoe was.

And we have to find a way to keep more of our whippets fit going into these things, because our lack of attacking pace killed us in this one

Could easily have moved on after the world cup. Agree that england have trouble scoring, but not coneding means you dont loose. In hindsight for me Cole would have been better a LB but thats only one small problem for England.

What is a worry is that Bainse will have to improve to fully replace Cole at international level

[yuppie]

Just wondering if anyone thinkss Ashley cole would have done a better job than Baines. Baines was on a bit of a hiding being exposed with no cover, but defensively cole might have been a better bet in the way England played?

I said before the tournament that we needed our best defender, as that's what we'd be doing for most of the time. Baines is fine against weaker sides, ie, who don't attack with pace and players, but as shown, not great when up against the better teams. Reading the comments on here, Shaw would have been a better bet.

Now Shaws at United can soon see him starting at LB for England

[SaintPowelly]

The defence wasn't too blame for the WC exit...Sterling,Rooney,Sturridge and Welbeck all stood on the halfway line chatting as the Italy second goal went in, was.

[Gingerfinch]

The defence wasn't too blame for the WC exit...Sterling,Rooney,Sturridge and Welbeck all stood on the halfway line chatting as the Italy second goal went in, was.

The team were to blame, but both full backs were poor, even if they didn't get much help. In all, we didn't defend, finish, or cross well. Hence, we're at home.

[braveneutral]

I see Queiroz has resigned as Iran manager.

Got the telegram too late that the united job was available.