Mitas' World Cup Blog Thread

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Mitas' World Cup Blog Thread
Tweet Topic Started: May 11 2010, 02:14 PM (487 Views)
* Mitas	May 11 2010, 02:14 PM Post #1
It truly was a Shawshank redemption Posts: 12,129 Group: Retired Staff Member #2,993 Joined: December 16, 2007 Gender Male Favourite Anime DBZ What Browser do you use? Google Chrome Favourite Manga DBZ, Full Metal Alchemist	In anticipation of the World Cup this sumer, I'm going to start a blog thread that I'll carry on up to and through to the end of the 2010 World Cup. I'll update it a couple times a week leading up to the World Cup and it'll probably end up being daily updates during the tournament. Any feedback via comments is appreciated and if you agree or disagree with what I've said then feel free to debate. Edit: Here's the link to my blog page - http://dansworldcupblog.blogspot.com/ Edited by Mitas, May 12 2010, 10:43 AM.
	"Then you've got the chance to do better next time." "Next time?" "Course. Doing better next time. That's what life is."


*DSXIII*	May 11 2010, 02:53 PM Post #2
Posts: 1,947 Group: Guardian Member #2,240 Joined: April 3, 2007 Gender Male Country United States	Sounds good. I'll be keeping an eye on this.



+ Pelador	May 11 2010, 10:42 PM Post #3
Crazy Awesome Legend Posts: 25,663 Group: Legend Member #4,634 Joined: December 12, 2009 Gender Not Specified Country None Favourite Anime HunterxHunter What Browser do you use? Firefox Favourite Manga Dragonball	Me too. The world cup is definately my favourite football tournament. I predict England will reach the semi finals before a crap referee knocks us out. Spain or a really obscure team will win. Lets hope terrorists don't ruin it too.
	http://www.youtube.com/user/jonjits


* Mitas	May 12 2010, 10:42 AM Post #4
It truly was a Shawshank redemption Posts: 12,129 Group: Retired Staff Member #2,993 Joined: December 16, 2007 Gender Male Favourite Anime DBZ What Browser do you use? Google Chrome Favourite Manga DBZ, Full Metal Alchemist	Thanks guys, here's my first post. Let me know what you think: Fabio's Provisional World Cup Squad Fabio Capello released his 30-man provisional World Cup squad yesterday and there were a few surprise inclusions. Tom Huddlestone and Stephen Warnock were rewarded for their good performances for Tottenham and Aston Villa respectively, an injured Gareth Barry makes the cut and Joe Cole is chosen despite limited playing time due to injury. The final group of 23 players that will travel to South Africa will be announced on the 1st June. Between now and then England play two friendlies, against Mexico and Japan, and although Capello is probably decided on at least 20 members of his World Cup squad there will be opportunities for the uncertainties to show what they can bring to the team. Here's my take on the provisional squad and who I'd take in my 23 (in bold). Goalkeepers: Robert Green, Joe Hart, David James These three selections will all be on the plane to South Africa, so the only debate is who the starting goalkeeper will be against USA. Robert Green has been Capello's most recent first choice goalkeeper, taking David James' number one spot. Green has been solid enough for West Ham this season, but has been prone to the odd mistake. Joe Hart has been brilliant on loan for Birmingham and has easily made his case to be England's No.1. With James most likely being the third-choice, Joe Hart will probably feature heavily in the two pre-World Cup friendlies and if he plays well there's no reason why he won't start for England come tournament time. However it could be a risk going with a young, inexperienced goalkeeper so I'd give the nod to Robert Green who's been playing at the top level for much longer. Defenders: Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Leighton Baines, Jamie Carragher, Ledley King, Michael Dawson, Stephen Warnock, Matthew Upson The England back four picks itself: Ashley Cole is arguably the best left-back in the world, Glen Johnson is by far England's best right-back, despite his defensive frailties, and Terry and Ferdinand (if fit) will be one of the strongest central-defensive pairings at the tournament. The challenge begins when narrowing down the remaining 6 to 4 (Fabio Capello has said in an interview with FourFourTwo magazine that he will be picking two players for each position on the pitch, and three goalkeepers). Jamie Carragher, who was coaxed out of international retirement by Capello, is a certainty. Despite his level of play dropping in previous seasons, his ability to play all across the defence coupled with his experience makes him a handy player to have around. Michael Dawson has had an extremely good season for Tottenham and was key in their successful league campaign. He is Terry-like in his ability to throw himself in the way of shots and time his last-ditch tackles and has proven to be a strong aerial presence. Ledley King is a quality player and but for injury problems would be a certainty. The problem is that these injury problems are a reality and his fitness can be called into question. However he will most likely be playing a bit-part role in the tournament, and with other players capable of standing in at centre-back, I think he is a risk worth taking. Finally, a reserve left-back is needed. Before the Terry-Bridge scandal this was an area most of the nation agreed was locked up. Now it's up for grabs and for me it has to be Leighton Baines. He's been great for Everton this season and I would have taken him even if Wayne Bridge was available. When playing he provides an attacking threat through his crossing and free-kick taking abilities and he is also a sound defender. Sadly that leaves Stephen Warnock and Matthew Upson watching the tournament at home. Each had a respectable season, but they just aren't good enough to break into a strong defensive eight. Midfielders: Steven Gerrard, Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, Theo Walcott, Tom Huddlestone, Adam Johnson, James Milner, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick, Scott Parker There can be arguments about who England's starting four in midfield will be. Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard have been Capello's central pairing of choice, and if Barry can recover in time I'm pretty sure that's who he'll go with. Barry can sit back and break up play, allowing Lampard to be a threat going forward. This combination has ousted Steven Gerrard to the left of midfield. With Gareth Barry providing cover when Ashley Cole gets forward, Gerrard his allowed freedom to roam which should see him being a key player for England. The right wing is a position where we have an abundance of pace and Aaron Lennon should get the nod ahead of Walcott and Wright-Phillips. He's shown an improvement in his final ball (although his decision-making can still be criticised) and has the ability to weave in and out of defenders. Now we get to the reserve and impact players. Theo Walcott hasn't had an outstanding season, but he's still a great player to have on your bench (which he showed for Arsenal in that amazing performance against Barcelona). James Milner has arguably been Aston Villa's best player and his versatility will be key in getting him in the final squad. My last two spots go to Tom Huddlsetone and Adam Johnson. Huddlestone is a strong player who will provide some bite to the midfield when called upon and also has great passing ability. He's also a threat from long distance. Adam Johnson was signed by Manchester City in January and has put in some virtuoso performances. He's uncapped at senior level, but I believe that he can provide an impact of the bench and bring some youthful desire to the squad. That leaves Joe Cole, who I don't think has had enough time to get back to full fitness, Shaun Wright-Phillips, who is not up to the same level as other right-wingers in the squad, and Scott Parker and Michael Carrick who are both very similar to Gareth Barry and Tom Huddlestone. Strikers: Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Emile Heskey, Darren Bent It's most likely that only one of these strikers will be omitted from the final 23. Wayne Rooney is unarguably the first player on the plane. He's been phenomenal this season.. He has undoubted world-class technical abilities and a huge desire to win. On top of this he's shown improvements as a goal scorer by shouldering the goal-getting responsibilities for Manchester United. If England are to win the World Cup this year then it will be Wayne Rooney who leads them there. Perhaps the most controversial player in the England squad (which is saying a lot when you hang around John Terry and Ashley Cole), Emile Heskey will most likely get a starting spot besides Rooney. Despite being a striker that doesn't score goals, Rooney himself has said that he prefers Heskey as his strike partner and if that's what it takes to get the best out of your best player, then that's what's going to happen. In his defence, Heskey does a lot of unheralded work holding up the ball and getting in amongst defenders, and with goal threats in other ares of the pitch we can probably afford to have him start. Jermain Defoe is a striker that scores goals and that's what England will need on the bench. His pace and improved finishing will cause trouble amongst tired defences late in games. The final striker for me has to be Peter Crouch. A player that divides opinions like Marmite, he has a great goal-scoring record for England. His uniqueness as a player causes a lot of chaos amongst defenders who face up against him and he brings England a different dimension when they need it. Unfortunately that leaves Darren Bent, who will again be wondering what more he has to do to be included in England's World Cup squad. For me, he's too similar to Jermain Defoe and a World Cup squad needs a variety of options to choose from. That's my 23-man World Cup squad chosen and I think with this squad England definately have a great chance of winning in South Africa. There's a mixture of individual talent and team ethic, as well as a variety of options to go to in different scenarios. Capello has proven to be a disciplinarian who has a great ability in breeding teamwork amongst his players and I think he has the potential to deliver England the Jules Rimet trophy they've been craving for since '66. Terry Injury Scare This isn't an England World Cup blog, but I've just read that John Terry has suffered a suspected broken bone in his foot in a training session this morning. Terry went for a hospital scan earlier and the results are expected back on Thursday. If it ends up being as serious as first thought and Terry is ruled out of the tournament, this will throw a major spanner in Capello's World Cup works. Ferdinand has been suffering with a recurring back injury throughout the season and Ledley King's injury problems are well publicised. This would leave England with a back pairing of Michael Dawson and Jamie Carragher, with Matthew Upson (replacing Terry in the 23-man squad) on the bench. All three are capable centre-backs, but a once strong area for England is looking increasingly unstable. A three-man rotation of Dawson, King and Carragher could work. It would negate King's fitness troubles and also provide experience (Carragher and King) alongside Dawson who is relatively inexperienced at this top level. However an absence of Terry and Ferdinand takes away two of the biggest leaders in the England squad; the captain and the ex-captain. They also have more top level experience than all the other centre-backs in the squad. All of this, coupled with doubts surrounding each of England's goalkeepers, doesn't make for a promising start for England's World Cup campaign. And to think, they haven't even arrived in South Africa yet. Edited by Mitas, May 12 2010, 03:13 PM.
	"Then you've got the chance to do better next time." "Next time?" "Course. Doing better next time. That's what life is."


* Itagaki Manabu	May 18 2010, 08:59 PM Post #5
Posts: 4,635 Group: Retired Staff Member #832 Joined: November 6, 2005	I think Bent should swap for heskey, and to bring Cole in as well.



* Mitas	May 18 2010, 10:34 PM Post #6
It truly was a Shawshank redemption Posts: 12,129 Group: Retired Staff Member #2,993 Joined: December 16, 2007 Gender Male Favourite Anime DBZ What Browser do you use? Google Chrome Favourite Manga DBZ, Full Metal Alchemist	I think Bent, Cole and Zamora all deserve a spot at the World Cup a lot more than Heskey does. But everyone who plays with Heskey have only good things to say about his style of play and what he brings to the team. Here's my next post: The World Cup is drawing ever closer and with each nation releasing it's preliminary World Cup squads we're beginning to see how the teams will look going into the tournament. Over the next week or two I'll be posting my breakdown of each of the World Cup groups, starting with (obviously) Group A. I'll be looking at each of the teams, picking out players who will play important roles and giving my predictions on who will make it through to the knockout stages. So without further ado, here's Group A: Group A France Mexico South Africa Uruguay France are the strongest team in this group and should come out on top. They have a squad brimming with talent. Nicolas Anelka will most likely spearhead the attack and despite his modest goal tally of 15 for the season, he did play on a Chelsea team with Didier Drogba (37 goals). Playing behind him will be the attacking trio of Ribery, Gourcuff and Henry. Ribery is perhaps one of the most dangerous attackers in football right now, something he has already shown on the big stage in the Champions League. He has great pace and the ability to get past his man and thread through pin-point passes for Anelka and Henry to capitalise on. Gourcuff is the reigning French Player of the Year and has really come out of his shell after moving to Bordeaux. His play-making abilities are up there with the best and he has the ability to change the game in a split-second of genius. He'll need to bring his national team form up to the high standard he has set at Bordeaux, but if he can do this then he will be a key figure in France's World Cup campaign. Lassana Diarra and Jeremy Toulalan will patrol the centre of the park, winning the ball and laying it off to France's creative force. In goal they have the more than capable Hugo Lloris who is an outstanding young goalkeeper. The major problem facing France is the unrest and lack of chemistry that plagues the squad. Raymond Domenech is not a popular figure after his stuttering qualifying campaign but he insists that his team will turn it around come the start of the tournament. That remains to be seen, but it's hard to see a team with so many experienced and quality players not bringing themselves together to make a push in what could prove to be the last World Cup for the likes of Thierry Henry and Anelka. The second qualifying place in Group A is open to each of the remaining three teams, but for me Mexico has the strongest case for a 2nd place finish. After a stint under Sven Goran-Eriksson that almost saw them miss out on a trip to South Africa, Javier Aguirre came in and guided them through safely. He is a much-respected figure in Mexico and his team have built up a great chemistry. They are a very balanced team with both fast, technically adept attacking players and strong defensive players. They are not afraid to sit back and absorb the opponent's attack and then use their pace on the break. Carlos Vela is the pivotal figure of the Mexico attack. He hasn't featured much for Arsenal this season but in these brief glimpses he has shown his undoubted ability. He is good on the ball and can both score and set-up goals. Next up we have Uruguay. Despite winning the tournament on two previous occasions, this squad is a farcry from those glory days. They lack creativity amongst their starting eleven and rely heavily on the goals of Diego Forlan. They are known for their rough playing style and will not shy away from heavy tackles. If they are to have a chance of making it to the second round then it will be on the back of a solid defence that will bully the opposition's attackers. However any team with Diego Forlan leading the attack isn't one to be taken lightly. If they can shut down opposing attacks and have Forlan pop up with a goal or two, then there's no reason why they can't grab that second spot. Lastly we have the hosts South Africa. There is a lot of hope amongst the South African supporters that they can turn heads at the World Cup, but it would be a great achievement for them just to make it out of the group. They are not a strong team and the majority of their squad play in the South African league. Their two biggest players are the Premiership's Benni McCarthy and Steven Piennar. Piennar has had a brilliant season for Everton and is the driving force in the South African midfield. He has to be on song if they are to enjoy any success, creating from the wing and helping with the goalscoring responsibilities. McCarthy has dropped off after his great debut season with Blackburn. He's going to need to find his scoring form again and what better motivation than the chance of becoming a hero in his home country. A wild card for them is striker Katlego Mphela who is the top scorer in the South African league and has scored 12 goals in his 26 appearances for Bafana Bafana. Beyond these three there isn't much attacking talent. The buzz of the home crowd may be enough to get them one victory, which everyone will be hoping for, but it won't be enough to see them through to the second round.
	"Then you've got the chance to do better next time." "Next time?" "Course. Doing better next time. That's what life is."


* Itagaki Manabu	May 19 2010, 08:14 PM Post #7
Posts: 4,635 Group: Retired Staff Member #832 Joined: November 6, 2005	Good ol Heskey haha, I think I agree with your Predictions Mitas : D lol I also got Chile in a last 8 sweepstakes I think they will come 2nd, which results them playing Portugal or Brazil, whoever comes first in their group.....so....yeah haha



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