World Cup 2018 discussion thread

[RustyBin5]

Jesus h Christ - unbelievable. I take it the Columbians were not spurned on by Alan Hansens off the cuff remark and would of carried out such a ruthless thing anyway. Escobar aswell ! Probably a common second name there like jones /smith but the circumstances make it all the more ominous .


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He scored the own goal that put them out in 94. Here’s the goal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFjke_ahBYY

[mickylall]

Hansen's comment wasn't about Escobar it was about another player in a different game, still a completely ridiculous thing to say
There is an excellent documentary by 30 for 30 covering the run up and aftermath of that world cup for Colombia, they never stood a chance after the opening loss to Romania - family members murdered and threats to all players involved before they even played the second game. A tragedy as Escobar looked like a real hero to his people and a top quality player having just been signed ( I think ) by AC Milan, would have been the first Colombian to play in Europe

[mickylall]

Documentary here if you have a spare 1 hour 45, it's well worth a view

http://watchdocumentaries.com/the-two-escobars/

[mickylall]

Really looking forward to two great games today between the four strongest teams, a great day of football - shame that Cavani is out but the good news is ... Hoddle dropped again

[thegoat]

You really have been drinking the city cool aid too much!!

I don't care who he plays for, or his background or his gun tattoo - he just plays awfully for England and should not start the next match. Yes he is good for city but he has a much stronger team around him. His stats for England, 41 games 2 goals. Your point about him playing in the wrong position is fair, just don't play him!! stick loftus cheek in there or rashford instead.

I get all that you are saying, but again, you’re missing my point.
In all previous tournaments the England scapegoat is picked after the event, be it Rooney. Beckham, Neville etc.
Sterling was targeted before he even left these shores. I know he hasn’t performed, but who has ? Dier? Alli? Young?
If there was a clamour to replace any other player I’m yet to see it.

Sterling gets booed at almost every stadium he plays at. Why do you think this is?

Tribal allegiances have nothing to do with my argument. If Lingard was doing the same role and was called out for it, I’d argue the point for him too. Even though he’s rubbish 😎

I’m almost hoping he is dropped for the Sweden game( he won’t be) just so people might appreciate how much work he gets through and how one dimensional England will be with Kane isolated.

[mickylall]

If you read the thread there are a few of us that want Sterling to do well, the dog's abuse he gets is way out of order from the journos - it's disgusting but it's what the English press do best, try to torpedo the national team before we've even kicked a ball. The Mail headline was going to be ( paraphrase ) 'England through but Sterling hasn't scored for 1000 days'. Come on WTF? As soon as Sterling went off Colombia were none stop attack, he's a threat and the opposition know it but he's out of position playing a role that is unfamiliar to him
There have been a few disappointments including Alli who I thought was going to be fantastic but he doesn't look fit
But I really can't stand club supporters calling for 'their' players to retire from international football and bollox to England, for once they actually look like they are playing as a team now we've finally got rid of the old guard. We are the youngest squad at the World Cup and they deserve every bit of support we can give them
I've never taken much notice of Harry Maguire but I now have a massive man crush on him and Kieron Trippier, Kane has been a brilliant captain and despite my disbelief at him becoming manager Southgate has been an inspired choice
Despite club differences let's just get behind them

[mickylall]

Going to be an interesting half hour now

[stefmcd]

Horrendous goalkeeping error.

[thegoat]

If you read the thread there are a few of us that want Sterling to do well, the dog's abuse he gets is way out of order from the journos - it's disgusting but it's what the English press do best, try to torpedo the national team before we've even kicked a ball. The Mail headline was going to be ( paraphrase ) 'England through but Sterling hasn't scored for 1000 days'. Come on WTF? As soon as Sterling went off Colombia were none stop attack, he's a threat and the opposition know it but he's out of position playing a role that is unfamiliar to him
There have been a few disappointments including Alli who I thought was going to be fantastic but he doesn't look fit
But I really can't stand club supporters calling for 'their' players to retire from international football and bollox to England, for once they actually look like they are playing as a team now we've finally got rid of the old guard. We are the youngest squad at the World Cup and they deserve every bit of support we can give them
I've never taken much notice of Harry Maguire but I now have a massive man crush on him and Kieron Trippier, Kane has been a brilliant captain and despite my disbelief at him becoming manager Southgate has been an inspired choice
Despite club differences let's just get behind them

Micky
I agree with all that, honestly I do.

I wouldn't have dreamt of any City players representing England a few years back, never mind four at once. I always remember Utd fans wishing Beckham, Scholes etc. Would retire from England and concentrate on domestic games and wondered why.
Funny, you highlight the Mail. Matt Lawton on his feed had a headline calling out Sterling just two minutes after the final whistle. It was pulled relatively early as the story was attacked by almost everyone . It's out somewhere but I wouldn't post a link to that crap anyway.
From his tattoo to his eating habits, buying his mum a house to having a dirty car, he is hounded. It's bizarre and some people swallow it all. Remember, Sterling was attacked outside City's training ground by some balloon who had his girlfriend and child in his car. He got out and booted Sterling before a game. !!
I said before that your lot are one of the very very few sets of fans who don't boo him, maybe because you have a rivalry with Liverpool.

I say again, I find it bizarre that the papers choose a scapegoat before he's even put a shirt on and even more bizarre is that fans will believe it all.

- - - Updated - - -

Horrendous goalkeeping error.

Rightly getting pelters from Neville. 😂😂

[mickylall]

Micky
I agree with all that, honestly I do.

I wouldn't have dreamt of any City players representing England a few years back, never mind four at once. I always remember Utd fans wishing Beckham, Scholes etc. Would retire from England and concentrate on domestic games and wondered why.

Mate that's exactly where I'm coming from, it was always Utd fans because they had the best players so were always singled out for the worst criticism which caused cliques in the national team. This time they actually seem to be playing for one another
BTW I'm actually a Liverpool fan and I genuinely would be made up for Sterling if he stuffed a couple of goals in just to shut his critics up, the constant crap he has to put up with must be horrendous . Nothing to do with how much he earns or what he does with his money, he's trying his best for the national team at a World Cup

[stefmcd]

I wish men played football.

[mickylall]

Ref looks like he's auditioning for the next series of Glee

Hahaa, blubbing in the wall!

[thegoat]

BTW I'm actually a Liverpool fan

Well in that case, all your opinions don't count anymore 😂

I'm enjoying this France-Uruguay game. The French are looking very strong.

[stefmcd]

In fairness to Sterling, Argentina have no idea how to use Aguerro and Messi. I'd say Sterling fulfils a team role better than either of those 2 legends.

[mickylall]

Well in that case, all your opinions don't count anymore.

Good job this isn't the Bear Pit you poor simpleton

France have made this look very easy

[RustyBin5]

Horrendous goalkeeping error.

He’s lucky he’s not Colombian

[RustyBin5]

That was remarkably businesslike by France. Dispatched a dangerous opponent with a minimum of fuss.

[MB2]

More news on the Col vs Eng game.

http://sport.bt.com/football/petitio...11364282019420

Does that trigger a parliamentary debate ?


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[thegoat]

I'm really looking forward to this one.

[mickylall]

Hoping for a really good game here, Belgium 2-1.

Good news from Russia - back on the BBC so no Hoddle

[mickylall]

Belgium always look better with Kompany at the back ( just for the goat )

[thegoat]

Belgium always look better with Kompany at the back ( just for the goat )

Pffft
Fourth choice at City 

Also, I like the idea that Belgium fans have vowed to down a drink in one every time Neymar ends up on the floor. Now that could be a heavy night

[mickylall]

Belgium from the back

Courtois
Kompany
DeBruine
Hazard
Lukaku

Not too shabby

[Dave+63]

Brazil are looking a bit tasty right now.

I still reckon France will win it though, beating us in the final!

[RustyBin5]

Belgium on their way

[stefmcd]

To the semis....

[Dave+63]

I think this could be won by the odd goal in seven.

[mickylall]

Goat will claim that for Citeh

[thegoat]

Goat will claim that for Citeh

Harry Kane nicked it on the way in 👍

[RustyBin5]

Very bold prediction. It won’t end 1-0 🤣

[bwest76]

Vardys dad was Icelandic apparently.....
Albert Steptoensson.

[RustyBin5]

What a GOALLLLLL

[thegoat]

Goat will claim that for Citeh

He ll claim that one though

[mickylall]

2-0 Citeh

[stefmcd]

Belgium too deadly on counter. This could be 4 or 5 - 0 as Brazil keep pushing.

[Dave+63]

I think a France/Belgium semi is going to be one to watch!

[RustyBin5]

Could go the same way as Germany Brazil a few years ago - 7-1 wasn’t it? Although if Brazil score next it’s intetestinvb

[dkpw]

Not at all bad for, what did Farage call Belgium again, oh yes, a "non-country."

Very exciting match!

[RustyBin5]

I think a France/Belgium semi is going to be one to watch!

England Croatia other semi, its like the European championships

[RustyBin5]

New prediction. 7-4 🤣

[Dave+63]

New prediction. 7-4 🤣

To who?

[Dandandanman]

Bus of Nermar.

[thieuster]

Funny: watching BraBel in Germany on a German TV channel. Absolutely non-biased comments, btw

[RustyBin5]

To who?

Harry Kane.

[Kingstepper]

Mrs K just asked if Lineker and co were in Russia. I had assumed they were but made me think - are they and if so why?

[Dave+63]

Mrs K just asked if Lineker and co were in Russia. I had assumed they were but made me think - are they and if so why?

I doubt it; the main presenters are usually back in the UK. There have been a few exceptions though, the Olympics bring one for example.

There’s no real need for them to be in Russia.

[dkpw]

Anyone know what watches the refs and linesmen are wearing?

[Dave+63]

Anyone know what watches the refs and linesmen are wearing?

Hublot smartwatches I believe.

[dkpw]

Hublot smartwatches I believe.

Thanks Dave.

[stefmcd]

Dirty dirty Neymar.