World Cup Thread.

Aaaaaaand England is done for also. Rooney finally scores a tap in after missing so many other chances during the game and a few minutes later they cough up the lead. SMH!

Suarez. Beast. Hodgson needs to go. Now.

BritPat said:

Hodgson needs to go. Now.

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He can take Gerrard, Jagielka, Johnson & Rooney with him too.

Time to start blooding the talented younger players.

Major ********** said:

Aaaaaaand England is done for also. Rooney finally scores a tap in after missing so many other chances during the game and a few minutes later they cough up the lead. SMH!

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I wouldn't speak too soon. Italy should win tonight and, if they do, do you really think it is that unimaginable that Italy will beat Uruguay? Do you then, if that happens, really think it is unimaginable for England to beat Costa Rica?

The Uruguay loss was a freak result. They rarely play that badly. You have England/Costa Rica and then Italy/Uruguay on at the same time...so Uruguay can't knowingly play for a draw if we win.

BritPat said:

Suarez. Beast. Hodgson needs to go. Now.

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Haven't you got tired of blaming a manager every two years when England perennially fail to live up to the billing everyone...although it seems only everyone outside of England...gives us?

It's become far too often for it to be a managerial issue. We are always so far behind the likes of much smaller countries because the FA have no idea what they are doing with youth development.

Erikson, McLaren, Capello and Hodgson haven't all gotten it wrong.

Big-T said:

He can take Gerrard, Jagielka, Johnson & Rooney with him too.

Time to start blooding the talented younger players.

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Oh...because leaving out the likes of Ashley Cole has one done us wonders in this world cup.........

UK_Pat37 said:

Haven't you got tired of blaming a manager every two years when England perennially fail to live up to the billing everyone...although it seems only everyone outside of England...gives us?

It's become far too often for it to be a managerial issue. We are always so far behind the likes of much smaller countries because the FA have no idea what they are doing with youth development.

Erikson, McLaren, Capello and Hodgson haven't all gotten it wrong.

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Me personally?

Capello and Erikssen were good for England, good in terms of results, in terms of profile, in terms of meeting expectations. England aren't world beaters, but should be capable of putting up a fight against the best, and under those two largely did. I didn't want either to lose their job, especially Capello who I rate as one of THE great managers.

But Hodgson is utterly clueless. England will always be nearly-men, but with him in charge they'll end up as never-men. I've seen his 'ability' as a mananger at first hand and he's a dinosaur, in thoughts, style and deeds.

England need a Brendan Rodgers; a Roberto Martinez; a Jurgen Klopp. Forward thinking, bold, progressive.

BritPat said:

Me personally?

Capello and Erikssen were good for England, good in terms of results, in terms of profile, in terms of meeting expectations. England aren't world beaters, but should be capable of putting up a fight against the best, and under those two largely did. I didn't want either to lose their job, especially Capello who I rate as one of THE great managers.

But Hodgson is utterly clueless. England will always be nearly-men, but with him in charge they'll end up as never-men. I've seen his 'ability' as a mananger at first hand and he's a dinosaur, in thoughts, style and deeds.

England need a Brendan Rodgers; a Roberto Martinez; a Jurgen Klopp. Forward thinking, bold, progressive.

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I have been listening to Martinez on ESPN and I am EXTREMELY impressed: thoughtful, clear-minded, tough, sees things from the players' point of view and (I think) will be a sophisticated tactician.

One thing that's plainly obvious is that a few years ago, international teams seemed hell-bent on killing the game and trying to nick a 1-0 win. For whatever reason, almost everyone seems to go for it now. It's great to see.

Mike, I agree, I didn't want Martinez at Liverpool as I didn't believe he had what it takes, but he seemed to learn a lot in his final year at Wigan and Everton were excellent last year. He's still prone to bouts of naivety in terms of tactics (as is Rodgers), but mostly his teams are set up well. He'll be at one of the top clubs in the world in the next few years.

Been really impressed by Italy under Prandelli, they should have won the Euro's the other year, even with a lack of top quality. He's managed to turn some less than heralded names into very good performers. Candreva and Darmian were phenomenal against England, and the life he's breathed into Pirlo has been unbelievable.

As Bumble would say, start the car! Or plane, in this case.

Good match so far between Costa Rica and Italy. What a goal that was! And right after the missed call, too.

France score twice in a minute, the Swiss are crumbling.

BritPat said:

France score twice in a minute, the Swiss are crumbling.

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The Swiss must have forgotten that there was a game today.

Penalty for France, stupid stupid challenge by Djourou.

Terrible effort by Benzema but then Cabaye inexplicably smashes the rebound onto the post. Crazy. They should be out of sight.

BritPat said:

France score twice in a minute, the Swiss are crumbling.

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Swiss should never crumble. Bleu and aged parmesan do.

shmessy said:

Swiss should never crumble. Bleu and aged parmesan do.

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OK. They're in meltdown.

shmessy said:

Swiss should never crumble. Bleu and aged parmesan do.

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They're full of holes, though.

Outstanding performance from France, 5-0, sensational football for the fifth.

Really enjoying the World Cup. I love the fact that Costa Rica has advanced to the knockout round.
Italy population - 60 million
Costa Rica population - 4.8 million.

Costa Rica 1 Italy - 0