England - The best in the world already!

[Jaime]

I agree that in qualifying for this tournament, Wales did not even compete, as they have done in the past. But in general historical terms (i.e. since I've been watching football) I stand by my comment.

And don't get me started on Spain.....!

[Big Boy]

Wanderlust wrote:

I would like to ask you one simple question - did you think England played well?

They played well enough. Do you see a 1500mtr runner sprinting from the start? There are still 6 games to play, and the team have started with an injury handicap. That coupled with the extremes of heat at this time of year (I know its only mild by Thai standards) I think Sven got it right, not burning them out too early.

Jaime wrote:

most of the non-qualifying European teams are better than the likes of Paraguay

What makes you so certain? Central/South American teams don't qualify for anything if they're not good enough - those guys are passionate about the game - its a way out of the gutter for most of them. The thing is, we don't often get to see some of the less well known teams.

Just remember, there have only ever been 7 countries good enough to win the World Cup - Paraguay finished above one of them. Assuming that Burger is correct, they have also beaten one of the others and drew with another (all in competetive games).

The only way you, I or anybody else is going to find out who is the best, is wait until the final whisle blows on the tournament. Personally, I'm going to crow as loud as can, while I can.

[Bamboo Grove]

Jaime wrote:

Do you really think Trinidad & Tobago, Togo, etc are amongst the world's best 32 teams?

The Swedes might think so now.

[Jaime]

- those guys are passionate about the game - its a way out of the gutter for most of them.

Not really relevant - the Welsh are passionate about rugby - that doesn't make them world beaters though!

The thing is, we don't often get to see some of the less well known teams.

There was nothing in my post to suggest that they shouldn't be there, just that it is frustrating for some of the smaller nations in Europe to have to watch them. The mix is all part of the interest in the World Cup.

Personally, I'm going to crow as loud as can, while I can.

Carry on, but no need for the guns - I can see now that it means a lot more to you than it does to me!

As for Paraguay, I was genuinely surprised at their lack of technical competence, especially first half. Heading the ball was just one of the basic skills which it seemed had not been mastered. They were poor, whatever their recent record, and I honestly thought England should have put them away easily after watching the game for half an hour.

[caller]

Lets face facts, England were poor.

I have every understanding about the heat effecting us and I was amazed to hear the Swede say they hadn't prepared for that!

But what about his tactics after the decision to take Owen off? What was all that about? Downing in the squad still - that came as a shock to me when I got back home and morew so when I saw him on the pitch - amazing (not).

But Big Boys right, we've always been slow starters - remember in 66 we drew 0-0 with Uruguay in the 1st game - and a few players aren't 100%. That game would have helped them.

And Paraguay are no mugs, look at their results when qualifying, including a win against Argentina, who impressed yesterday.

[Big Boy]

OK Guys, my last word until Thursday.

Guess wrote:

In Italy, no matter what criticism you come out with about their style of play and their opening games etc .etc., every single person both on and off the pitch KNOWS that they have the best side in the world and that they are going to win.

This statement would be prettty much true of Brasil and Argentina also.

Again, well said Guess. I actually feel sorry for my fellow countrymen taking the line thats fed to them by the British media. Whatever happened to British and proud? I actually support Plymouth Argyle in the domestic league, and I'm always grateful for a win - whatever the circumstances. Maybe I'm better conditioned than most of you. If the English team plays equally as 'bad??' for the next 6 games, how many of these armchair critics running their team down now will suddenly jump on the Sven bandwaggon?

One point of clarification:
Jaime wrote:

Carry on, but no need for the guns - I can see now that it means a lot more to you than it does to me!

Sincere apologies to you if you misunderstood the guns. The guns were aimed at the Rasta's head (Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday).

[Burger]

One point of clarification:
Jaime wrote:

Carry on, but no need for the guns - I can see now that it means a lot more to you than it does to me!

Sincere apologies to you if you misunderstood the guns. The guns were aimed at the Rasta's head (Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday).

Big Boy, Wouldn't it be far more civil to assist the Rasta in finishing that big cigarette of his, rather than any unnecessary bloodshed

Burger

[olmate]

England won thier 1st match, Beckham scored a F$#cking ripper of a first goal, and all you guys can do is whinge about it. What planet do you live on?? It makes me wonder.

[Perente]

Ozzie 3, Japan 1. Our goalie should have been able to hold his own, there was only 2 of them pushing him out, but none-the-less, OZZIE, OZZIE, OZZIE, OY, OY, OY !!!!!

[Wanderlust]

Well done the Aussies! When Thai TV eventually 'allowed' us to watch the football rather than a recording of various dignitaries arriving to celebrate the King's 60 years, it was already half way through the second half, so I cannot comment on the overall game. However the boys from down under showed, in the 20 minutes I did see, the sort of commitment that I expect from an England team, which was sadly lacking against Paraguay (by the way I put the blame for this squarely with SGE, not the players). They didn't sit on the 2 - 1 lead they had established, with only a few minutes to go, they went and made the game safe. Some might say that is naive, but I say fair play to 'em!
Perente,
Sorry to inform you but it was a 'ripper' of a free kick by Beckham, but the goal goes to a Paraguay defender.
Big Boy,
I will await your reply until Thursday or after, but to me the performance is as important as the result. I want England to get respect from other nations because of how we play, not because we win - I want us to be universally acclaimed as the team that deserved to win, and that plainly isn't the case on many occasions. Even the win in '66 is marred by the 'was it over the line'/ Russian linesman debate, but you never hear anyone say that the Brazilians didn't deserve to win when they do, because they play the game the way it is meant to be played (one exception I can think of - Rivaldo getting a player sent off in the last WC). Of course sometimes you get lucky, and it's part of the game, but I don't want us to be just lucky, I want us to actually be the best!
Patriotic enough for you?

[Guess]

As has been said already. It is early days yet. However class is begining to tell a tale already.

I still maintain that this will be a European dominated competition with great performances from Czech Republic and Italy today and previous wins by England, Holland. Germany and Portugal. Only Sweden have dropped points so far.

We still have France, Croatia, Ukraine, Switzerland and Spain to play. I wish them all the best of luck especially Spain and France who can both produce the most entertaining soccer when they get there acts togrther.

There's a bit of European patriotism for you.

[lomuamart]

On a slightly different note, but relevant to watching England back home, I'd heard of some violence at the big screen showings in London, Manchester and Liverpool. Looks like they may cancel the rest
http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup ... 92,00.html

I suppose that as a lot of thugs got left behind, they're having their ultraviolence fun back in the UK and taking their frustrations out on children and old folk.
Animals.

[chelsea]

I was listening to Talksport in the UK and they have cancelled the ones in Liverpool and some in London at Canary Wharf.

[Guess]

I was listening to Talksport in the UK and they have cancelled the ones in Liverpool and some in London at Canary Wharf.

Surprise to hear about scousers but as for Canary wharf, it is midway between West Ham and Milwall so no surprise.

[chelsea]

They should have had it in West London, that sort of thugish behavior never happens in that end of town