The World Cup

[LustForLeith]

Now that the football season is over, thoughts turn to the World Cup..!

Struggling to get excited about this. Thankfully I’m not English as I’d be struggling to get excited about this squad.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44138600

What’s people’s thoughts on it? Whose your tip to win it? Which team will disappoint? Whose your dark horses that will probably go out in the first round?

[David_D]

I have said for a while I think Nigeria will do well. No real reasoning behind it just a hunch. Then they drew probably the worst group in Argentina, Iceland and Croatia so could easily be over by group stages for me.

[LustForLeith]

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I have said for a while I think Nigeria will do well. No real reasoning behind it just a hunch. Then they drew probably the worst group in Argentina, Iceland and Croatia so could easily be over by group stages for me.

Loving the Nigerian kits. They should get a goal start for the quality of them

[Scott Allan Key]

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Now that the football season is over, thoughts turn to the World Cup..!

Struggling to get excited about this. Thankfully I’m not English as I’d be struggling to get excited about this squad.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44138600

What’s people’s thoughts on it? Whose your tip to win it? Which team will disappoint? Whose your dark horses that will probably go out in the first round?

I’d like to say Morocco and Iran will impress as dark horses, but given they are both with Spain and Portugal I can’t see both progressing. Iran have Carlos Queiroz as coach and have a very impressive qualification record and are bringing through both creative and goal scoring players now to go with their miserly defence.

I don’t know who’ll win it but I’d wager Germany won’t be far away.

[IGRIGI]

I think the action off the pitch will be more exciting than the action on it.

[LustForLeith]

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I think the action off the pitch will be more exciting than the action on it.

I was thinking the same but I’m sure on the ITV documentary the other night there was a Russian hooligan who said 90 per cent of Russian hooligans have signed an agreement not to cause trouble.

So that puts paid to that then

[Scott Allan Key]

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I was thinking the same but I’m sure on the ITV documentary the other night there was a Russian hooligan who said 90 per cent of Russian hooligans have signed an agreement not to cause trouble.

So that puts paid to that then

I predict a ‘goading’, then.

[Scouse Hibee]

I see the England squad is being slated by many already. Squads of yesteryear went with great expectations and failed miserably, this one has no chance apparently and will probably fail miserably. No difference really, I hope we do well, we probably won't. I love the WC though and hope Brazil live up to expectations.

[LustForLeith]

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I see the England squad is being slated by many already. Squads of yesteryear went with great expectations and failed miserably, this one has no chance apparently and will probably fail miserably. No difference really, I hope we do well, we probably won't. I love the WC though and hope Brazil live up to expectations.

I really don’t mind if England win it as it will give them something to talk about other than 1966. There’s very little chance they will with that squad though. There seems to be a lot of defenders it midfielders who play in defence.

Brazil need to make up for the embarrassment of the last one where they stumbled around until they got hammered off Germany. Was it Fred who touched the ball three times and two of them were from kick offs in one match?

[GreenNWhiteArmy]

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I see the England squad is being slated by many already. Squads of yesteryear went with great expectations and failed miserably, this one has no chance apparently and will probably fail miserably. No difference really, I hope we do well, we probably won't. I love the WC though and hope Brazil live up to expectations.

I was just saying to my mate today that in all the years I can remember, this could be the "worst" England squad to head to a major tournament. Imagine it this was the time they went and done something??

As it is, Brazil, Germany, Spain, France and Argentina all wipe the floor with them in knockout football imo

[Bristolhibby]

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I was just saying to my mate today that in all the years I can remember, this could be the "worst" England squad to head to a major tournament. Imagine it this was the time they went and done something??

As it is, Brazil, Germany, Spain, France and Argentina all wipe the floor with them in knockout football imo

Was saying this to the lad at work. Expectation is low, pressure should be off.

They should be home by the second round. Quarters at best.

Anyone know what their “route to the final” could be?

J

[Tornadoes70]

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I was just saying to my mate today that in all the years I can remember, this could be the "worst" England squad to head to a major tournament. Imagine it this was the time they went and done something??

As it is, Brazil, Germany, Spain, France and Argentina all wipe the floor with them in knockout football imo

Probably similar to the vast majority of us I'd be surprised nay shocked if the winners were not one of this group, in saying that it'd be terrific if a dark horse did go on to win it just for sheer novelty.

I'm going to put a small wager on Argentina to win it outright as they normally give a good account of themselves and have almost as good a chance as any of the rest.

Looking forward to hopefully watching some great games and also hope it passes without incident from any crowd disorder.

Mon the Cabbage!!!

[Lancs Harp]

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Probably similar to the vast majority of us I'd be surprised nay shocked if the winners were not one of this group, in saying that it'd be terrific if a dark horse did go on to win it just for sheer novelty.

I'm going to put a small wager on Argentina to win it outright as they normally give a good account of themselves and have almost as good a chance as any of the rest.

Looking forward to hopefully watching some great games and also hope it passes without incident from any crowd disorder.

Mon the Cabbage!!!

I know you have to factor in the genius that is Messi, but looking at the their qualifying campaign and their 6-1 annihilation against Spain recently I'd be shocked if Argentina were anywhere near the final. I think Colombia and Uruguay have as much chance from South America of lifting the coverted trophy. Brazil were easily the best team in qualification from South America but im pretty convinced the winner will come from Europe.

Really looking forward to it. Love the world cup.

[Tornadoes70]

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I know you have to factor in the genius that is Messi, but looking at the their qualifying campaign and their 6-1 annihilation against Spain recently I'd be shocked if Argentina were anywhere near the final. I think Colombia and Uruguay have as much chance from South America of lifting the coverted trophy. Brazil were easily the best team in qualification from South America but im pretty convinced the winner will come from Europe.

Really looking forward to it. Love the world cup.

Me too. Hopefully some brilliant games and great goals with some memorable individual standout moments included.

Mon the Cabbage!!!

[Mibbes Aye]

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I see the England squad is being slated by many already. Squads of yesteryear went with great expectations and failed miserably, this one has no chance apparently and will probably fail miserably. No difference really, I hope we do well, we probably won't. I love the WC though and hope Brazil live up to expectations.

I'm not sure why it's being slated, I think it's the best picks given the circumstances and Southgate knows the players really well. It actually looks balanced - a few youngsters and a few older players, but the vast majority firmly in their prime.

They are light on international caps but the outfield squad is massively weighted with players from top-six clubs with plenty European experience.

Alexander-Arnold is maybe the biggest surprise but he's going to be a Champions League finalist and shown up for Liverpool in the big games. Lallana would have been a certainty with a few more games this season, Southgate is a big admirer but not reckless, hence him being on stand-by. Wilshere is probably the most talented English midfielder as it stands but simply hasn't played enough games, pure and simple and I say that as an Arsenal fan.

Some scary-looking squads in the tournament - Germany and Brazil in particular and the Argentinian attack is formidable.

[cabbageandribs1875]

but the winner shall come from either one of

Spain
Germany
Brazil


Belgium the dark horse

[bingo70]

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but the winner shall come from either one of

Spain
Germany
Brazil


Belgium the dark horse

Surely Belgium can’t be considered dark horses? They must be one of the favourites.

[cabbageandribs1875]

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Surely Belgium can’t be considered dark horses? They must be one of the favourites.

i thought i had actually deleted that before posting

[Lago]

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I see the England squad is being slated by many already. Squads of yesteryear went with great expectations and failed miserably, this one has no chance apparently and will probably fail miserably. No difference really, I hope we do well, we probably won't. I love the WC though and hope Brazil live up to expectations.

Personally I think it is a pretty decent squad who could do reasonably well.

[angus hibby]

I’ve a sneaky feeling Roberto Martinez could get the Arsenal job. Has Thierry Henry on his coaching staff with Belgium too. if they do well at World Cup, he may be in demand and given his age, would imagine he’d look at getting back into a club management job. Although that would mean Arsenal waiting until after WC to appoint a manager and imagine they would have someone in place before that.

[Smartie]

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I see the England squad is being slated by many already. Squads of yesteryear went with great expectations and failed miserably, this one has no chance apparently and will probably fail miserably. No difference really, I hope we do well, we probably won't. I love the WC though and hope Brazil live up to expectations.

I'd say England are the dark horses - less expectation than ever but still with a strong squad.

They've done what they've needed to do for decades - ditched the players hanging around on reputation alone rather than form or ability.

The defence looks too suspect to win the thing, but they have loads of pace, a goal scorer in Kane and a decent amount of big game experience.

Watching this Europa League final is getting me in the mood for it.

[hibsbollah]

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I'd say England are the dark horses - less expectation than ever but still with a strong squad.

They've done what they've needed to do for decades - ditched the players hanging around on reputation alone rather than form or ability.

The defence looks too suspect to win the thing, but they have loads of pace, a goal scorer in Kane and a decent amount of big game experience.

Watching this Europa League final is getting me in the mood for it.

England look good going forward but no goalie, ropey centre backs and full backs who can't defend.

[bingo70]

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England look good going forward but no goalie, ropey centre backs and full backs who can't defend.

I don’t think they’ve got the midfield to really control a game against a top side.

In a one off game I think England are capable of beating anyone but I think the likelihood of them doing that against 3 or 4 top teams in a row is pretty slim.

[Lancs Harp]

Cant believe Brandon Barker didnt make the England squad.

[bingo70]

Fancy Egypt as the dark horses.

I don’t think they’ll win it but think they might sneak into the latter stages, they’ve got a goal scorer in Salah so anything is possible.

[RoslinInstHibby]

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Fancy Egypt as the dark horses.

I don’t think they’ll win it but think they might sneak into the latter stages, they’ve got a goal scorer in Salah so anything is possible.

They are a decent side, think they will do well

[SteveHFC]

Fancy France to win it this year. Got the best squad around.

[LustForLeith]

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Fancy France to win it this year. Got the best squad around.

Best haircuts and best swagger as well. They deserve a goal start too

[HibbyAndy]

France are the strongest team

[21.05.2016]

I love the world cup, football just about every night