I promise not to bark on about England too much, but as time goes on even more pundits and ex-Pro's are bought out of the woodwork with soundbites and opinions.
As far as I see it our players are not tired, if they are, then everybody else's are too. 4 or 5 of the German side that beat England played more games in their "regular season" than every single England player. And Germany have a winter break! Infact if we did have a winter break in England, you already see mini friendly tournaments cropping up all over Europe, and our teams would be first in the money making queue to participate in those. A fair few of the England squad haven't played a full season for their club sides due to injury, so they are not fit, rather than tired. If they are tired, then perhaps it comes down to spending too much time together in Austria and South Africa beforehand without any time to chill out and relax. Keepers shouldn't be physically tired during post season either - what's that all about?
Under Fabio there has been no scope for creativity or individuality - it is too military for my liking, and I think that the players have felt that too. They do not like to be dictated too - when they can do this, or why they shouldn't do that, or who they can or can't talk or socialise with. Have we seen a mini revoloution and have we performed badly due to the players wanting the Manager out?
Gareth Southgate mentioned that there are hardly any players from the top World sides that play in the Premiership. Few Brazilians, Germans, Italians, Argentinians, Spaniards ply their trade in England. aT the moment we have good players playing against good players. We need our players to play against great players and great players to play with eachother and not against eachother. The best players simply don't play in England. We get average non-UE Journeymen Internationals pimping themsleves to the highest bidder, before taking the money and then like a mercenary, moving on when they are bored or a better offer is waved under their noses.
Some things I have learnt from the World Cup this week!
Clive Tittesley this week told us that the South Americans have to play eachother home and away to qualify for the World Cup. Is that how it works then? How much does that man get paid to talk utter drivel every day.
Ceasar the Brazilain keeper still hasn't decided whether he should be dressing like Ali G or MC Hammer.
Chilian Jean Beausour and Ex-Hednesford Superstar Ashley Williams are twins!
In my mind every player from every country and every offical communicate with eachother in English. That can't be right can it?
Holland, Brazil, Paraguay and Spain all find themselves in the last 8 to join Uruguay, Ghana, Germany and Argentina.
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Monday, 28 June 2010
World Cup. Days 16 & 17. Round of 16.
Pretty much as we expected then? You can "If we only" this, or "We very nearly" that, but England's very negative and inexplicable way of playing football was outed by the very team we didn't want to expose it. Right from the start of the World Cup the players struggled to adapt to an inept system suited and familiar only to the increasingly annoying and wierd Uncle-esque Manager.
3 goals in 4 games isn't good enough, especially as only one of them was scored by a striker. Too many players weren't fit and when you include those injured beforehand then there were an awful lot of wasted plane tickets - the FA should have saved the money to pay Fabio's compensation.
Nobody looked motivated and we certainly don't have any more than 2, 3 at the very most who would get in any other International Top 10 side. England are very likely to drop out of the World's Top 10 at the end of the month and I can see no way of getting back in. International Football is all about development and Englands' Under 21's got through round after round of last summer's tournament without any real trouble. How many of those were in this WC squad? How many of these names do you actually see play for their League teams?
Scott Loach, Martin Cranie, Craig Gardner, Lee Cattermole, Nedum Onuoha, Michael Mancienne, James Milner, Mark Noble (c),Adam Johnson, Fabrice Muamba, Jack Rodwell, Theo Walcott, Micah Richards, Kieran Gibbs, Joe Lewis, Andrew Taylor, Richard Stearman, James Tomkins, Andrew Driver, Danny Rose.
Now the Germans; Manuel Neuer, Andreas Beck, Sebastian Beonisch, Benedikt Howedes, Jerome Boateng, Sami Khedira (c), Mesut Ozil, Marcel Schmelzer, Sandro Wagner, Fabian Johnson, Daniel Schwaab, Mats Hummels, Dennis Aogo, Gonzalo Castro,
Florian Fromlowitz, Tobias Sippel, Patrick Ebert, Marko Marin, Dennis Grote, Daniel Adlung, Anis Ben-Hatira, Cinedu Ede.
The only players in both sqauds are Joe Harte, who was suspended for that U21 Final, and James Milner. Germany have no less than 6 players. That says everything.
The next England Manager needs to stop picking players on reputation and make a stance. Out with the old and in with the new. How many of this WC squad will be in the next European Championships Squad? (presuming we qualify). The answer will be too many! Teams in the English Premier League need to start buying, coaching, developing and playing English youngsters. As an organisation the EPL need to force rules through that dictate to member clubs an amount of English players there needs to be in every matchday squad. 5 out of 18 matchday players for instance is less than a third, and most if not every Premiership club could already accomodate this. We aren't the Welsh, Scottish or Irish Premier Leagues, those players need to be kept out of the equation. Why would we help them out? Would they do the same to us?
The bars inside Wembley all need to be re-named "The Roots and Branch's", instead of the Legends names they are currently adorned with. England doesn't need looking at, the English game and the EPL does. It doesn't matter who plays for England as long as we win. Thats what the big bosses don't understand, they are scared of picking back-firing players and changing tactics. If that was a League team on Sunday, they would be fined for fielding an under-strength side. I didn't hear the fans boo the players off on Sunday - no doubt they deserved it and even more so than against Algeria. Things have gone wrong and won't be fixed for the Euro's and probably not for the next World Cup. We could even be talking about a generation. Things need to change now, or as far as the England Team are concerned nothing will change for the future.
Paraguay, Ghana and Argentina all proceed with little problem, and have me checking my family tree to find a possible link to dual nationality.
3 goals in 4 games isn't good enough, especially as only one of them was scored by a striker. Too many players weren't fit and when you include those injured beforehand then there were an awful lot of wasted plane tickets - the FA should have saved the money to pay Fabio's compensation.
Nobody looked motivated and we certainly don't have any more than 2, 3 at the very most who would get in any other International Top 10 side. England are very likely to drop out of the World's Top 10 at the end of the month and I can see no way of getting back in. International Football is all about development and Englands' Under 21's got through round after round of last summer's tournament without any real trouble. How many of those were in this WC squad? How many of these names do you actually see play for their League teams?
Scott Loach, Martin Cranie, Craig Gardner, Lee Cattermole, Nedum Onuoha, Michael Mancienne, James Milner, Mark Noble (c),Adam Johnson, Fabrice Muamba, Jack Rodwell, Theo Walcott, Micah Richards, Kieran Gibbs, Joe Lewis, Andrew Taylor, Richard Stearman, James Tomkins, Andrew Driver, Danny Rose.
Now the Germans; Manuel Neuer, Andreas Beck, Sebastian Beonisch, Benedikt Howedes, Jerome Boateng, Sami Khedira (c), Mesut Ozil, Marcel Schmelzer, Sandro Wagner, Fabian Johnson, Daniel Schwaab, Mats Hummels, Dennis Aogo, Gonzalo Castro,
Florian Fromlowitz, Tobias Sippel, Patrick Ebert, Marko Marin, Dennis Grote, Daniel Adlung, Anis Ben-Hatira, Cinedu Ede.
The only players in both sqauds are Joe Harte, who was suspended for that U21 Final, and James Milner. Germany have no less than 6 players. That says everything.
The next England Manager needs to stop picking players on reputation and make a stance. Out with the old and in with the new. How many of this WC squad will be in the next European Championships Squad? (presuming we qualify). The answer will be too many! Teams in the English Premier League need to start buying, coaching, developing and playing English youngsters. As an organisation the EPL need to force rules through that dictate to member clubs an amount of English players there needs to be in every matchday squad. 5 out of 18 matchday players for instance is less than a third, and most if not every Premiership club could already accomodate this. We aren't the Welsh, Scottish or Irish Premier Leagues, those players need to be kept out of the equation. Why would we help them out? Would they do the same to us?
The bars inside Wembley all need to be re-named "The Roots and Branch's", instead of the Legends names they are currently adorned with. England doesn't need looking at, the English game and the EPL does. It doesn't matter who plays for England as long as we win. Thats what the big bosses don't understand, they are scared of picking back-firing players and changing tactics. If that was a League team on Sunday, they would be fined for fielding an under-strength side. I didn't hear the fans boo the players off on Sunday - no doubt they deserved it and even more so than against Algeria. Things have gone wrong and won't be fixed for the Euro's and probably not for the next World Cup. We could even be talking about a generation. Things need to change now, or as far as the England Team are concerned nothing will change for the future.
Paraguay, Ghana and Argentina all proceed with little problem, and have me checking my family tree to find a possible link to dual nationality.
Saturday, 26 June 2010
World Cup. Days 14 & 15, Matches 41-48
You would think that some of these games would be no-brainers for TV schedulers, however they have really flattered to decieve and have been some of the most tergid and unspectacular so far.
One exception to the rule was Italy knocked out by the Slovakian minnows. Italy have a pretty poor record in the World Cup and have been knocked out in the 1st round, as many times as they have progressed from it! Their conquerers will be rubbing their hands with glee, albeit for 4 more days. Italy are living on the glories from the past couple of tournaments and (like France) need a total clear out from top to bottom. Paraguay and New Zealand didn't muster a goal, so I didn't muster the effort to watch any highlights. Football is a two way thing right?
Cameroon have a host of players from decent teams all across Europe, and kinda played as though they have never sen eachother before, and can't communicate with eachother either. Their Manager has never shown any knowledge of whatever he took from any coaching courses attended, or experience from any jobs. He will more than likely continue on the carousel of Frenchmen controlling African Nations. Denmark on the other hand never recovered from the own goal in their opening match and couldn't possibly believe they would progress with Premier League reserves and rejects.
Portugal and Brazil started cheating ten barrells of crap out of eachother, in a similar vain to what Chile and Spain started to do. The only difference is Chile and Spain had more on the game and they both had to play ball instead of play keep ball. Switzerland can count themselves unlucky not to go through, but just like England they have immense trouble in scoring goals. Ivory Coast had nothing to play for and Honduras (probably) played for peanuts in their respective games. Certianly not a couple of days for the football purist and now the real stuff starts.
One exception to the rule was Italy knocked out by the Slovakian minnows. Italy have a pretty poor record in the World Cup and have been knocked out in the 1st round, as many times as they have progressed from it! Their conquerers will be rubbing their hands with glee, albeit for 4 more days. Italy are living on the glories from the past couple of tournaments and (like France) need a total clear out from top to bottom. Paraguay and New Zealand didn't muster a goal, so I didn't muster the effort to watch any highlights. Football is a two way thing right?
Cameroon have a host of players from decent teams all across Europe, and kinda played as though they have never sen eachother before, and can't communicate with eachother either. Their Manager has never shown any knowledge of whatever he took from any coaching courses attended, or experience from any jobs. He will more than likely continue on the carousel of Frenchmen controlling African Nations. Denmark on the other hand never recovered from the own goal in their opening match and couldn't possibly believe they would progress with Premier League reserves and rejects.
Portugal and Brazil started cheating ten barrells of crap out of eachother, in a similar vain to what Chile and Spain started to do. The only difference is Chile and Spain had more on the game and they both had to play ball instead of play keep ball. Switzerland can count themselves unlucky not to go through, but just like England they have immense trouble in scoring goals. Ivory Coast had nothing to play for and Honduras (probably) played for peanuts in their respective games. Certianly not a couple of days for the football purist and now the real stuff starts.
Thursday, 24 June 2010
World Cup. Days 12 & 13, Matches 33-40.
Two games kicking off at the same time on the same day. What do you think this is? The Premiership?
Is the technology not available for the Beeb and ITV to put on a multiscreen option, so that us poor cretins at home can watch both at once. If Sky can do it with 8 Champions League games, then it should be no problem for a Red Button 2! That way we wouldn't have to put up with the very laughable and cringeworthy commentary. Even Lawro seems to be getting bored of the football and talks about everything and anything else, its amazing how camp one Chap can sound!
Les Cheating Bleus not only cheated The Irish, but also themselves and their Country. Please let Domenench take over Liverpool. What an enjoyable season that would be. Good Ridance to them. Mexico and Uruguay both came through a Group that should have been dominated by the other two teams and quite how England played Mexico off the park at Wembley is astonoshing.
Argentina look pretty unstopable and if England can beat Germany then will no doubt face them in the Quarter Finals. Revenge is a dish best served cold, but not so cold its freezing!! South Korea salvage a place in the last 16, but have found things hard going but anybody facing them are not likely to breeze past their confidence and defensive tactics.
England didn't win their group because they didn't score enough goals, and that is going to be their trouble for the rest of the campaign. They played it on the floor and dispite the sandpit of a pitch, caused Slovenia problems. The failure to close the game off and revert back to "long ball" didn't go unnoticed and the players still gave the ball away too much. Anybody with any pace (and Germans have that!) will destroy Englands summer and it will end as abruptly as it began.
Serbia should have gone through with (or instead of) Germany, but Ghana have played some decent stuff and held the Germans off for a lot of the game, at the same time as attacking in numbers. To be honest though I was more interested in 59 Games all, Final Set. Imagine if that had happened in the Final - what would they have done then?
Is the technology not available for the Beeb and ITV to put on a multiscreen option, so that us poor cretins at home can watch both at once. If Sky can do it with 8 Champions League games, then it should be no problem for a Red Button 2! That way we wouldn't have to put up with the very laughable and cringeworthy commentary. Even Lawro seems to be getting bored of the football and talks about everything and anything else, its amazing how camp one Chap can sound!
Les Cheating Bleus not only cheated The Irish, but also themselves and their Country. Please let Domenench take over Liverpool. What an enjoyable season that would be. Good Ridance to them. Mexico and Uruguay both came through a Group that should have been dominated by the other two teams and quite how England played Mexico off the park at Wembley is astonoshing.
Argentina look pretty unstopable and if England can beat Germany then will no doubt face them in the Quarter Finals. Revenge is a dish best served cold, but not so cold its freezing!! South Korea salvage a place in the last 16, but have found things hard going but anybody facing them are not likely to breeze past their confidence and defensive tactics.
England didn't win their group because they didn't score enough goals, and that is going to be their trouble for the rest of the campaign. They played it on the floor and dispite the sandpit of a pitch, caused Slovenia problems. The failure to close the game off and revert back to "long ball" didn't go unnoticed and the players still gave the ball away too much. Anybody with any pace (and Germans have that!) will destroy Englands summer and it will end as abruptly as it began.
Serbia should have gone through with (or instead of) Germany, but Ghana have played some decent stuff and held the Germans off for a lot of the game, at the same time as attacking in numbers. To be honest though I was more interested in 59 Games all, Final Set. Imagine if that had happened in the Final - what would they have done then?
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
World Cup. Day 11, Matches 30, 31 & 32.
Portugal 7-0 North Korea
Chile 1-0 Switzerland
Spain 2-0 Honduras
7 or (seven) to fans of the vidiprinter isn't that common in the World Cup finals, but then again neither are North Korea. A poor team suffered at the hands of a good team and my "pick" in the sweepstake is beginning to look half decent. Kim Jong won't be too pleased and it might just be the last time some ever get out of the Country again. lol.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 2-0 (Who would have thought it!)
Chile capitalized on West Ham's Valon Behrami's red card for putting his hand in the air. They controlled the game and never let the Swiss into the game. For their part, they were never the same team that beat Spain and after the sending off played for a draw and to concede as few as many. Not like a German to impose negative tactics eh?
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 1-0 (Wa-Hey!)
Spain were Spain and Honduras were Rubbish. Too much concentration on giving the ball to one man who plies his trade in the Premiership and one of Wigan's subs!
Spain seem to have mastered the ball better than most and know how to work it in their favour. Villa and Sesc (when he came on) managed to make everything revolve against themselves and a long way off the team they were in Austria & Switzerland, are going to be tough to score against - and that is all they will have to do. Going forward will look after itself.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 3-2 (Right Result again)
Chile 1-0 Switzerland
Spain 2-0 Honduras
7 or (seven) to fans of the vidiprinter isn't that common in the World Cup finals, but then again neither are North Korea. A poor team suffered at the hands of a good team and my "pick" in the sweepstake is beginning to look half decent. Kim Jong won't be too pleased and it might just be the last time some ever get out of the Country again. lol.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 2-0 (Who would have thought it!)
Chile capitalized on West Ham's Valon Behrami's red card for putting his hand in the air. They controlled the game and never let the Swiss into the game. For their part, they were never the same team that beat Spain and after the sending off played for a draw and to concede as few as many. Not like a German to impose negative tactics eh?
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 1-0 (Wa-Hey!)
Spain were Spain and Honduras were Rubbish. Too much concentration on giving the ball to one man who plies his trade in the Premiership and one of Wigan's subs!
Spain seem to have mastered the ball better than most and know how to work it in their favour. Villa and Sesc (when he came on) managed to make everything revolve against themselves and a long way off the team they were in Austria & Switzerland, are going to be tough to score against - and that is all they will have to do. Going forward will look after itself.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 3-2 (Right Result again)
Monday, 21 June 2010
World Cup. Day 10, Matches 27, 28 & 29.
Slovakia 0-2 Paraguay
Italy 1-1 New Zealand
Brasil 3-1 Cote d'Ivoire
Are you bored yet? Some strange performances and even stranger refs, but of course this is the World Cup and that is why we love it. The BBC Bus seems to end up in even more wierd places and Adeboyor is still rambling on when no-one can understand him. England have gone backwards and the written and tv press are persistant in their efforts to destroy the hopes of their own Country. If you would have asked me before the competition kicked off, I would have said that there was no chance of us winning the World Cup. There are far too many teams better than England, and the odds would be stacked against us in beating 1, let alone 3 or 4 of them. We have to be more realistic and as good as it might be for TV makers and brewers, anyone who thought otherwise has to be deluded. It is true that England can beat anyone on their day, but to have 4 of those days in 2 weeks is impossible and will not happen.
In 1990 we drew our first 2 games and won the 3rd with a goal scored by a defender.
In 1994 we sat on a beach and watched everyone else suffer
In 1998 we lost to Romania and needed a win in the final group game. We got it.
In 2002 We were undone by the draw and played Brazil earlier than we would have liked.
In 2006 We were not anywhere near our best and only plodded through an "easy" group. It always happens to England, we are a Nation living on 1966. I very much doubt we would have won that World Cup if it was anywhere else in the world apart from England. Roll on Wednesday and Slovenia. Is it just me or does anyone else want to see a flag bearer knock the ball of that silly little podium at the entrance to the tunnel?
Italy 1-1 New Zealand
Brasil 3-1 Cote d'Ivoire
Are you bored yet? Some strange performances and even stranger refs, but of course this is the World Cup and that is why we love it. The BBC Bus seems to end up in even more wierd places and Adeboyor is still rambling on when no-one can understand him. England have gone backwards and the written and tv press are persistant in their efforts to destroy the hopes of their own Country. If you would have asked me before the competition kicked off, I would have said that there was no chance of us winning the World Cup. There are far too many teams better than England, and the odds would be stacked against us in beating 1, let alone 3 or 4 of them. We have to be more realistic and as good as it might be for TV makers and brewers, anyone who thought otherwise has to be deluded. It is true that England can beat anyone on their day, but to have 4 of those days in 2 weeks is impossible and will not happen.
In 1990 we drew our first 2 games and won the 3rd with a goal scored by a defender.
In 1994 we sat on a beach and watched everyone else suffer
In 1998 we lost to Romania and needed a win in the final group game. We got it.
In 2002 We were undone by the draw and played Brazil earlier than we would have liked.
In 2006 We were not anywhere near our best and only plodded through an "easy" group. It always happens to England, we are a Nation living on 1966. I very much doubt we would have won that World Cup if it was anywhere else in the world apart from England. Roll on Wednesday and Slovenia. Is it just me or does anyone else want to see a flag bearer knock the ball of that silly little podium at the entrance to the tunnel?
Sunday, 20 June 2010
World Cup. Day 9, Matches 24, 25 & 26.
Netherlands 1-0 Japan
Ghana 1-1 Australia
Cameroon 1-2 Denmark
Not the best of days, but certainly not the worst. We certainly havn't been handed a football feast, we are still seemingly on the first course. Things are taking shape and it won't be too long before everything becomes clear.
Holland have to be one of the new favourites although history will tell you that they always fade in knock out football. They have the players to progress further, but the jury is out on whether they have the temprament and attitude to go far. As long as those blonde girls in short skirts continue to watch games (Thanks Robbie Earle) then I will too.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 2-1 (Result never in doubt!)
Ghana should have beaten the 10 Aussies, and never again can an Australian accuse anyone from England from whinging. Step forward Harry Kewell! Ghana didn't seem to want to go on and win and their penalty was one of very few shots on target, especially when they know they will probably have to win their last game to go through. Australia kinda did themselves proud, apart from the sending off. As if a Referee is going to recind a red card after watching a replay on a big screen - even if he did watch it it was handball and it prevented a goal. Deliberate or not it is still a red card. I sometimes wish players would read the rules of the game they play - it would make things a whole lot easier.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 2-3 (There will be a goalfest at some point!)
I didn't see much of the Cameroon/Denmark game as I was in a Church in Penkridge watching my Mom Ordained as a Priest. You see, somethings are more important than the World Cup! It didn't help when studio pundits describe it as the best game of the World Cup so far. lol. At least I caught the winning goal on a tinchy screen in the Chippy on the way home.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 1-1 (Nearly there, but Cameroon not good enough!)
Ghana 1-1 Australia
Cameroon 1-2 Denmark
Not the best of days, but certainly not the worst. We certainly havn't been handed a football feast, we are still seemingly on the first course. Things are taking shape and it won't be too long before everything becomes clear.
Holland have to be one of the new favourites although history will tell you that they always fade in knock out football. They have the players to progress further, but the jury is out on whether they have the temprament and attitude to go far. As long as those blonde girls in short skirts continue to watch games (Thanks Robbie Earle) then I will too.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 2-1 (Result never in doubt!)
Ghana should have beaten the 10 Aussies, and never again can an Australian accuse anyone from England from whinging. Step forward Harry Kewell! Ghana didn't seem to want to go on and win and their penalty was one of very few shots on target, especially when they know they will probably have to win their last game to go through. Australia kinda did themselves proud, apart from the sending off. As if a Referee is going to recind a red card after watching a replay on a big screen - even if he did watch it it was handball and it prevented a goal. Deliberate or not it is still a red card. I sometimes wish players would read the rules of the game they play - it would make things a whole lot easier.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 2-3 (There will be a goalfest at some point!)
I didn't see much of the Cameroon/Denmark game as I was in a Church in Penkridge watching my Mom Ordained as a Priest. You see, somethings are more important than the World Cup! It didn't help when studio pundits describe it as the best game of the World Cup so far. lol. At least I caught the winning goal on a tinchy screen in the Chippy on the way home.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 1-1 (Nearly there, but Cameroon not good enough!)
Saturday, 19 June 2010
World Cup. Day 8, Matches 21,22 & 23.
Germany 0-1 Serbia
Slovenia 2-2 USA
England 0-0 Algeria
We started and ended the day with shocks. Firstly Germany played like they had just met at Kindergarden for the very frist time and then England played worse than they did last Saturday.
Serbia battled away and were very lucky to get away with some poor German finishing and a well saved Penalty. Half the team they were in their first game, the Germans were uncomfortable and had no motivation or Plan B. Nine times out of 10 Serbia would have lost this game, but on the day they were the better team.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 2-1 (Boooo!)
All England fans would have prefered a draw (to favour us) and so it proved, but only just. USA had a good goal ruled out for reasons only known to the ref, who was so far out of his debth he drowned a couple of times. Slovenia are the best team in the group so far and have been playing football as football should be played.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 1-2 (Some way to go!)
If Wayne Rooney ever reads this then I want him to explain how he has the nerve to slag off his own fans, when he can't even be bothered to open his big fat gob and sing his National Anthem. One way to earn respect Mr Rooney, especially if you play so poorly on the pitch. He deserves to be dropped for 1) his performances, 2) his attitude 3) his lack of National pride and 4) humiliating those who pay his wages.
This is of course all down to the Manager and his lack of tactics and the preference for picking players who aren't fit and because of who they are, rather than those who don't have a big name on the back of their shirt. Remember David Beckham would be playing if he wasn't injured and Rio hasn't been missed at all. We will go out of this World Cup, not because of conceding 1 goal against USA, but because we haven't scored enough goals. Step up to the plate and show us what you have got.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 1-0 (I should have known better!)
Slovenia 2-2 USA
England 0-0 Algeria
We started and ended the day with shocks. Firstly Germany played like they had just met at Kindergarden for the very frist time and then England played worse than they did last Saturday.
Serbia battled away and were very lucky to get away with some poor German finishing and a well saved Penalty. Half the team they were in their first game, the Germans were uncomfortable and had no motivation or Plan B. Nine times out of 10 Serbia would have lost this game, but on the day they were the better team.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 2-1 (Boooo!)
All England fans would have prefered a draw (to favour us) and so it proved, but only just. USA had a good goal ruled out for reasons only known to the ref, who was so far out of his debth he drowned a couple of times. Slovenia are the best team in the group so far and have been playing football as football should be played.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 1-2 (Some way to go!)
If Wayne Rooney ever reads this then I want him to explain how he has the nerve to slag off his own fans, when he can't even be bothered to open his big fat gob and sing his National Anthem. One way to earn respect Mr Rooney, especially if you play so poorly on the pitch. He deserves to be dropped for 1) his performances, 2) his attitude 3) his lack of National pride and 4) humiliating those who pay his wages.
This is of course all down to the Manager and his lack of tactics and the preference for picking players who aren't fit and because of who they are, rather than those who don't have a big name on the back of their shirt. Remember David Beckham would be playing if he wasn't injured and Rio hasn't been missed at all. We will go out of this World Cup, not because of conceding 1 goal against USA, but because we haven't scored enough goals. Step up to the plate and show us what you have got.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 1-0 (I should have known better!)
Friday, 18 June 2010
World Cup. Day 7, Matches 18, 19 & 20.
Argentina 4-1 South Korea
Greece 2-1 Nigeria
France 0-2 Mexico
Jules Rimet has been exhumed and the World Cup has woken up. Into Week 2 and the excitement increases, the nerves tingle and players start to rise to the occasion. The Free Seats Stadium along with all the other half empty grounds is a poor show, and Blatter's Baby isn't yet proving to be the success he wanted it to be.
Argentina overpowered Korea Republic as FIFA like to call them and were better in every department. They do look dangerous and all other teams should start to worry. You can't but worry! They look the best all round team in the tournament and if it wasn't for Diego Armando I would probably want them to win the whole thing.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 3-1 (Damn Hatricks!!)
Greece were diabolical and looked like the Durham City of the World Cup, but somehow managed to score not once, but twice. For an African side to play so badly in Africa won't go down to well but they haven't looked like a team who deserve anything either. They certainly try and with the experience of their Manager, they should be doing much much better.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 1-1 (Not quite there yet!)
Les Cheating Bleus. Bye, bye. Good Ridance. Terry Henry couldn't even get on as a sub. What does that tell you? Mexico took full advantage of the French failings and got the whole world cheering.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 1-0 (Head over heart again!)
Greece 2-1 Nigeria
France 0-2 Mexico
Jules Rimet has been exhumed and the World Cup has woken up. Into Week 2 and the excitement increases, the nerves tingle and players start to rise to the occasion. The Free Seats Stadium along with all the other half empty grounds is a poor show, and Blatter's Baby isn't yet proving to be the success he wanted it to be.
Argentina overpowered Korea Republic as FIFA like to call them and were better in every department. They do look dangerous and all other teams should start to worry. You can't but worry! They look the best all round team in the tournament and if it wasn't for Diego Armando I would probably want them to win the whole thing.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 3-1 (Damn Hatricks!!)
Greece were diabolical and looked like the Durham City of the World Cup, but somehow managed to score not once, but twice. For an African side to play so badly in Africa won't go down to well but they haven't looked like a team who deserve anything either. They certainly try and with the experience of their Manager, they should be doing much much better.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 1-1 (Not quite there yet!)
Les Cheating Bleus. Bye, bye. Good Ridance. Terry Henry couldn't even get on as a sub. What does that tell you? Mexico took full advantage of the French failings and got the whole world cheering.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 1-0 (Head over heart again!)
Thursday, 17 June 2010
World Cup. Day 6, Matches 15,16 & 17.
La Bicolor 0-1 La Roja
La Furia Roja 0-1 Schweizer Nati
Bafana Bafana 0-3 La Celeste
Chile and Honduras didn't whet my appetite before the game and it didn't do anything for me when I was watching it either. Two pretty poor teams from The Americas battling it out in the midday sun. Both of them only have a couple of world class players and not one of them seemed up for it. I saw Chile play at Wembley a few years ago and Marcelo Salas scored a brace against England. They could have done with him in this match. However...
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 0-1 (C'mon!)
Switzerland are seemingly parenial qualifiers, but nearly always fail to live up to their own hype (a bit like England). Spain cocked up and couldn't recover, they didn't muster much and the two David's playing upfront together didn't compliment eachother at all. Spain were waiting for Torres to do something, to do anything, but to do nothing was never in the equation. They will probably still qualify (a bit like England) and they might still win it (not at all like England). Well done Switzerland and well done to Spain for not turning up.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 3-0 (Bah Humbug!)
South Africa were pretty nieve and only ended up outplyaing themselves. They probably thought that the point from the opening game would help carry them through. They were very much mistaken and I don't think that they are good enough to have qualified if they hadn't have done by hosting the tournament. Too reliant on Premiership stars for inspiration and too little skill in other departments. Lets hope once South Africa "go home" they take all the horns with them.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 1-1 (More like Banana than Bafana)
La Furia Roja 0-1 Schweizer Nati
Bafana Bafana 0-3 La Celeste
Chile and Honduras didn't whet my appetite before the game and it didn't do anything for me when I was watching it either. Two pretty poor teams from The Americas battling it out in the midday sun. Both of them only have a couple of world class players and not one of them seemed up for it. I saw Chile play at Wembley a few years ago and Marcelo Salas scored a brace against England. They could have done with him in this match. However...
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 0-1 (C'mon!)
Switzerland are seemingly parenial qualifiers, but nearly always fail to live up to their own hype (a bit like England). Spain cocked up and couldn't recover, they didn't muster much and the two David's playing upfront together didn't compliment eachother at all. Spain were waiting for Torres to do something, to do anything, but to do nothing was never in the equation. They will probably still qualify (a bit like England) and they might still win it (not at all like England). Well done Switzerland and well done to Spain for not turning up.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 3-0 (Bah Humbug!)
South Africa were pretty nieve and only ended up outplyaing themselves. They probably thought that the point from the opening game would help carry them through. They were very much mistaken and I don't think that they are good enough to have qualified if they hadn't have done by hosting the tournament. Too reliant on Premiership stars for inspiration and too little skill in other departments. Lets hope once South Africa "go home" they take all the horns with them.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 1-1 (More like Banana than Bafana)
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
World Cup. Day 5, Matches 12,13 & 14
All Whites 1-1 Bonjovni Jondovci
Les Elephants 0-0 Seleccao Das Quinas
A Selecao 2-1 Chollima
Carrying on the tradition of using team nicknames I have no idea what 4 of the above phrases or words mean. 1 sounds like a rock band, 2 are Portugese and seperated only by an individual letter and the remaining one doesn't appear to relate to anything at all to do with football - but what does in North Korea?
***Vuvuzela Horn Tip*** On BBC Red Button options - Forget TV Commentary, forget 5Live Commentary, forget Chris Moyles & Comedy Dave Commentary (whatever the hell that was about on Tuesday dinnertime) Try the option with NO Commentary. It somehow blanks out a lot of the background noise too. On the other hand you could just press Mute.
New Zealand did well to get a point, and Slovakia had the determination to get all three, but sadly not the class of players. The best player was the son of the Manager and based on this match then neither will progress from the group. The All Whites is an inventive nickname for a team that wears all white and it doesn't get more boring than that.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 0-2 (Mmmm mint sauce)
Ivory Coast as they are known in every language other than French and FIFA are full of Premiership players and we know exactly what to expect, but got nothing. They looked lost until Drogba came on and if he can start, then will cause more problems. Christiano Ronaldo was cheating himself into free kicks and I can think of at least one place I would want to stick a horn and not mind hearing a low pitched screach.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 2-2 (At least the result was right!)
North Korea looked far from whipping boys, although that fella crying before kick off looked as though somebody had been whipping him. On the other hand, that just might be what happens to him when he returns home if he doesn't score. He can just hide in his comunist silver Hummer listening to his communist Slim Shady, talking to his communist mates on his communist mobile phone. Not your average North Korean then is he?
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 5-0 (A little over optimistic!)
Les Elephants 0-0 Seleccao Das Quinas
A Selecao 2-1 Chollima
Carrying on the tradition of using team nicknames I have no idea what 4 of the above phrases or words mean. 1 sounds like a rock band, 2 are Portugese and seperated only by an individual letter and the remaining one doesn't appear to relate to anything at all to do with football - but what does in North Korea?
***Vuvuzela Horn Tip*** On BBC Red Button options - Forget TV Commentary, forget 5Live Commentary, forget Chris Moyles & Comedy Dave Commentary (whatever the hell that was about on Tuesday dinnertime) Try the option with NO Commentary. It somehow blanks out a lot of the background noise too. On the other hand you could just press Mute.
New Zealand did well to get a point, and Slovakia had the determination to get all three, but sadly not the class of players. The best player was the son of the Manager and based on this match then neither will progress from the group. The All Whites is an inventive nickname for a team that wears all white and it doesn't get more boring than that.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 0-2 (Mmmm mint sauce)
Ivory Coast as they are known in every language other than French and FIFA are full of Premiership players and we know exactly what to expect, but got nothing. They looked lost until Drogba came on and if he can start, then will cause more problems. Christiano Ronaldo was cheating himself into free kicks and I can think of at least one place I would want to stick a horn and not mind hearing a low pitched screach.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 2-2 (At least the result was right!)
North Korea looked far from whipping boys, although that fella crying before kick off looked as though somebody had been whipping him. On the other hand, that just might be what happens to him when he returns home if he doesn't score. He can just hide in his comunist silver Hummer listening to his communist Slim Shady, talking to his communist mates on his communist mobile phone. Not your average North Korean then is he?
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 5-0 (A little over optimistic!)
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
World Cup. Day 4, Matches 9,10 & 11
Oranje 2-0 Danish Dynamite
Nippon Daihyo 1-0 Indomitable Lions
Azzurri 1-1 La Albirroja
The Tournament is still lacking something and doesn't appear to be in full swing yet. The horns are causing problems because the fans in the grounds can't get behind their teams. There is very little audible singing and chanting, and any players who need lifting can only hear a monotone of buzz - a bit like Adaboyor! England, Spain, Germany, Holland, Japan, they all like singing songs to support their teams. South Africa don't and here lies the problem. They have never known anything less - they probably even blow the blasted things when watching matches on tv. There is no point in going to games if you can't show your support. They aren't helping the tournament, they aren't helping the players and they aren't really helping other fans.
While I am moaning I might as well have a go at the ball too. Everyone who went to school knows that everything is lighter the less air/atmosphere there is. Hence when you create the "lightest, roundest" ball, it is going to behave differently at altitude than it is at sea level. Players do seem to have been misjudging it's flight and pace and it is a bit harder to control. It doesn't matter that the FA refused an invitiation to use it in the Premiership last season. It won't have been helpful as in England we don't play at altitude.
Holland won their game after Denmark conceded a poor own goal and then never got into the swing of things. Bendtner struggled for his country, like he does for his club and The Netherlands were the more composed and dangerous side.
HTFC Precition League Prediction 2-0 (Perfect!)
Cameroon flattered to decieve and their team full of Premiership wannabies and hasbeens didn't look that comfortable. Japan as you would expect were precise and workmanlike, and they took advantage of their oponents inability to create the chances needed. What else would you expect from a Man who couldn't even win anything at Rangers.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 0-1 (Doh!)
Italy always seem to start off slowly and this year is no exception. For times they lacked ideas and were off the pace. Paraguay were allowed to play their own style and impose themsleves on Italy. The Azzurri are the second most successful World Cup nation after Brazil, but will need to improve and spend more time attacking in their next game.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 3-0 (Not quite!)
Nippon Daihyo 1-0 Indomitable Lions
Azzurri 1-1 La Albirroja
The Tournament is still lacking something and doesn't appear to be in full swing yet. The horns are causing problems because the fans in the grounds can't get behind their teams. There is very little audible singing and chanting, and any players who need lifting can only hear a monotone of buzz - a bit like Adaboyor! England, Spain, Germany, Holland, Japan, they all like singing songs to support their teams. South Africa don't and here lies the problem. They have never known anything less - they probably even blow the blasted things when watching matches on tv. There is no point in going to games if you can't show your support. They aren't helping the tournament, they aren't helping the players and they aren't really helping other fans.
While I am moaning I might as well have a go at the ball too. Everyone who went to school knows that everything is lighter the less air/atmosphere there is. Hence when you create the "lightest, roundest" ball, it is going to behave differently at altitude than it is at sea level. Players do seem to have been misjudging it's flight and pace and it is a bit harder to control. It doesn't matter that the FA refused an invitiation to use it in the Premiership last season. It won't have been helpful as in England we don't play at altitude.
Holland won their game after Denmark conceded a poor own goal and then never got into the swing of things. Bendtner struggled for his country, like he does for his club and The Netherlands were the more composed and dangerous side.
HTFC Precition League Prediction 2-0 (Perfect!)
Cameroon flattered to decieve and their team full of Premiership wannabies and hasbeens didn't look that comfortable. Japan as you would expect were precise and workmanlike, and they took advantage of their oponents inability to create the chances needed. What else would you expect from a Man who couldn't even win anything at Rangers.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 0-1 (Doh!)
Italy always seem to start off slowly and this year is no exception. For times they lacked ideas and were off the pace. Paraguay were allowed to play their own style and impose themsleves on Italy. The Azzurri are the second most successful World Cup nation after Brazil, but will need to improve and spend more time attacking in their next game.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 3-0 (Not quite!)
Monday, 14 June 2010
World Cup. Day 3, Matches 6,7 & 8.
Les Fennecs 0 - 1 Zmajcek
Beli Orlovi 0 - 1 The Black Stars
DFB Elf 4 - 0 The Socceroos
3 unspectacular games, 3 needless sending off's and 3 happy Managers.
Neither Solvenia or Algeria will cause England or The States any problems as long as they concede first. Robert Koren scored, although the shot should have been saved, and was the only talking point about the worst match of the tournament so far.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 0-0 (So near and yet so far)
Serbia were pretty terrible and didn't offer anything, Ghana capitalized on that and took the points by attacking and playing football as football should be played. Expect them to be the top African side in the tournament.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 0-1 (Spot on!)
Australia suffered after Cahill got his marching orders, although the writing was on the wall well before then. Clinical play and reliability in every department made sure of the victory. A tad flattering on Germany, but Australia didn't muster much worthwhile and are going to improve markedly in every department.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 3-0 (Right result, wrong score)
Beli Orlovi 0 - 1 The Black Stars
DFB Elf 4 - 0 The Socceroos
3 unspectacular games, 3 needless sending off's and 3 happy Managers.
Neither Solvenia or Algeria will cause England or The States any problems as long as they concede first. Robert Koren scored, although the shot should have been saved, and was the only talking point about the worst match of the tournament so far.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 0-0 (So near and yet so far)
Serbia were pretty terrible and didn't offer anything, Ghana capitalized on that and took the points by attacking and playing football as football should be played. Expect them to be the top African side in the tournament.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 0-1 (Spot on!)
Australia suffered after Cahill got his marching orders, although the writing was on the wall well before then. Clinical play and reliability in every department made sure of the victory. A tad flattering on Germany, but Australia didn't muster much worthwhile and are going to improve markedly in every department.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 3-0 (Right result, wrong score)
Sunday, 13 June 2010
World Cup. Day 2, Match No.5
Three Lions 1-1 Stars & Stripes
I decided to go and watch this game in Strikers Bar at Keys Park. The offer of cheep beer was to much to turn down! There was more of an atmosphere last night than at some HT home games, as well as a decent turn out from the locals. With a wedding in the other room, then it will have been a good weekend for the club's coffers too. Congratulations to the organisers. Didn't think I would ever see The Chairman glass collecting, but everyone was mucking in.
England didn't seem to do enough to win this game and Fabio Capello gambled and lost. Milner and King were not fully fit and probably were not going to last the 90 minutes anyway. In effect we wasted two substitutes, and then a third when Crouch came on with only 9 minutes to go.
Stevie Gerrard's goal was well taken after Heskey's excellent lay-off, and Rob Green will want to forget the night alltogether. A draw was a fair result wasn't it? USA are 14th to England's 8th in the FIFA rankings and are not to be taken lightly. Being England doesn't give us the right to beat everyone.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 2-1 (Heart over head!)
I decided to go and watch this game in Strikers Bar at Keys Park. The offer of cheep beer was to much to turn down! There was more of an atmosphere last night than at some HT home games, as well as a decent turn out from the locals. With a wedding in the other room, then it will have been a good weekend for the club's coffers too. Congratulations to the organisers. Didn't think I would ever see The Chairman glass collecting, but everyone was mucking in.
England didn't seem to do enough to win this game and Fabio Capello gambled and lost. Milner and King were not fully fit and probably were not going to last the 90 minutes anyway. In effect we wasted two substitutes, and then a third when Crouch came on with only 9 minutes to go.
Stevie Gerrard's goal was well taken after Heskey's excellent lay-off, and Rob Green will want to forget the night alltogether. A draw was a fair result wasn't it? USA are 14th to England's 8th in the FIFA rankings and are not to be taken lightly. Being England doesn't give us the right to beat everyone.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 2-1 (Heart over head!)
World Cup. Day 2, Match No.4
Albicelestes 1 - 0 Super Eagles
This was great end to end football, such a shame that it was mostly Nigeria's end! They were constantly hustled off the ball and their players were nearly always never in the right place at the right time. Gabriel Heinze scored the only goal from a corner, and with yellow seemingly the colour of choice for keepers this WC, Nigeria's did everything in his power to keep them in the game and was my Man of the Match.
At times Argentina were too intricate and took great pleasure in sitting back and keeping the ball. Had it not been for poor delivery and poor decision making, then Nigeria should and definately could have equalised. They gave a decent account of themselves but got a bit over excited at times. Argentina did whatever they needed to do and looked a constant threat. Maradona thought he was still a player and made every effort to kick the ball whenever it came within a sniff of his technical area. In a nutshell, thats about it!
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 4-0 (Right result, wrong score)
This was great end to end football, such a shame that it was mostly Nigeria's end! They were constantly hustled off the ball and their players were nearly always never in the right place at the right time. Gabriel Heinze scored the only goal from a corner, and with yellow seemingly the colour of choice for keepers this WC, Nigeria's did everything in his power to keep them in the game and was my Man of the Match.
At times Argentina were too intricate and took great pleasure in sitting back and keeping the ball. Had it not been for poor delivery and poor decision making, then Nigeria should and definately could have equalised. They gave a decent account of themselves but got a bit over excited at times. Argentina did whatever they needed to do and looked a constant threat. Maradona thought he was still a player and made every effort to kick the ball whenever it came within a sniff of his technical area. In a nutshell, thats about it!
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 4-0 (Right result, wrong score)
Saturday, 12 June 2010
World Cup. Day 2, Match No.3
Taeguk Warriors 2-0 Galanoleyki
Korean football is all about nicknames and Taeguk realtes to the symbol in the middle of the South Korean flag. Ji Sung Park's nickname translates as
"double-hearted oxygen tank" but more about him later.
In a half-empty stadium, whose roof panels are supposed to look like waves in the sea, two teams who have no chance of winning the tournament were ready to do battle. During their anthem there was one sole Korean saluting, while his fellow Countrymen covered their hearts with their hands.
Greece were worse than terrible, although they had more corners than a handfull of 50p peices. It was certainly a case of no risk defending from our Asian friends! Our European friends on the other hand were very negative and without inventiveness. Book the plane home now!
Korea played with smiles on their faces for 90 minutes and deserved their win. Jung Soo Lee scored a simple tap in after 6 defenders were caught ball watching, and then Park sporting a new slimline figure and a new haircut finished the scoring off with a well taken solo goal.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 0-1. How more wrong could I be?
Korean football is all about nicknames and Taeguk realtes to the symbol in the middle of the South Korean flag. Ji Sung Park's nickname translates as
"double-hearted oxygen tank" but more about him later.
In a half-empty stadium, whose roof panels are supposed to look like waves in the sea, two teams who have no chance of winning the tournament were ready to do battle. During their anthem there was one sole Korean saluting, while his fellow Countrymen covered their hearts with their hands.
Greece were worse than terrible, although they had more corners than a handfull of 50p peices. It was certainly a case of no risk defending from our Asian friends! Our European friends on the other hand were very negative and without inventiveness. Book the plane home now!
Korea played with smiles on their faces for 90 minutes and deserved their win. Jung Soo Lee scored a simple tap in after 6 defenders were caught ball watching, and then Park sporting a new slimline figure and a new haircut finished the scoring off with a well taken solo goal.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 0-1. How more wrong could I be?
Friday, 11 June 2010
World Cup. Day 1, Match No.2
La Celeste 0 - 0 Les Bleus
Not much at all to say about this game. Both teams cancelled each other out, France should have won it, they had the better players but they put in very little effort. They looked uncomfortable during their own National Anthem, and uncomfortable on the pitch too.
Uruguay tried, but were probably trying too hard not to lose, and were jumping all over the pitch into and out of tackles, rather than playing football on it. At least the first red card can't go to an England player now!
The BBC have scored an own goal with Adebayor as a studio guest. He talks too fast and it is very hard to understand what he has been talking about. Shearer and Hansen look like they know, but we all kind of know they didn't. Subtitles aren't an option, but after a couple of beers could be very helpfull. I think I prefer the ITV Studio too.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 2-1. What was I thinking??
Not much at all to say about this game. Both teams cancelled each other out, France should have won it, they had the better players but they put in very little effort. They looked uncomfortable during their own National Anthem, and uncomfortable on the pitch too.
Uruguay tried, but were probably trying too hard not to lose, and were jumping all over the pitch into and out of tackles, rather than playing football on it. At least the first red card can't go to an England player now!
The BBC have scored an own goal with Adebayor as a studio guest. He talks too fast and it is very hard to understand what he has been talking about. Shearer and Hansen look like they know, but we all kind of know they didn't. Subtitles aren't an option, but after a couple of beers could be very helpfull. I think I prefer the ITV Studio too.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 2-1. What was I thinking??
World Cup. Day 1, Match No.1
Bafana Bafana 1-1 El Tri
If you like human flags and dancing in National costume then you would have watched the opening ceremony, if like me you don't, then like me, you wouldn't have bothered. The South African players danced themselves out onto the pitch for their warm up, but judging by their first half performance they shouldn't have bothered.
The match of course started late, not suprisingly after both Jacob Zuma and Sepp Blatter officially declared the World Cup "open". Whatever that means! The Referee from Uzbekistan had already picked up the official kick off ball and both teams huddled themselves in the same half. There also appears to be more players on the pitch wearing those terrible lilac and orange boots, than there are horns in the stands. I can't decide which are more annoying, by Wednesday I will probably have an answer for you.
South Africa looked out of their depth in the 1st half, couldn't pass, couldn't control and Mexico looked very dangerous. The World Cup ball looked like it bounces too much and woe-be-tide any team who plays a long ball game, as their strikers won't get a sniff.
We then saw Mokoena do the Macarena after Siphiwe Tshabalala opened the scoring. Gary Suchalongname has also now found himself a contender to take his record score for a name in Scrabble! Rafael Marquez was left unmarked for the equaliser and it was certainly a classy finish, but he has spent a lot of his career at Barcelona and has been playing International football for 13 years. A fair result, our hearts probably wanted South Africa to win, but a draw will do them just fine.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 1-1. Get in!!
If you like human flags and dancing in National costume then you would have watched the opening ceremony, if like me you don't, then like me, you wouldn't have bothered. The South African players danced themselves out onto the pitch for their warm up, but judging by their first half performance they shouldn't have bothered.
The match of course started late, not suprisingly after both Jacob Zuma and Sepp Blatter officially declared the World Cup "open". Whatever that means! The Referee from Uzbekistan had already picked up the official kick off ball and both teams huddled themselves in the same half. There also appears to be more players on the pitch wearing those terrible lilac and orange boots, than there are horns in the stands. I can't decide which are more annoying, by Wednesday I will probably have an answer for you.
South Africa looked out of their depth in the 1st half, couldn't pass, couldn't control and Mexico looked very dangerous. The World Cup ball looked like it bounces too much and woe-be-tide any team who plays a long ball game, as their strikers won't get a sniff.
We then saw Mokoena do the Macarena after Siphiwe Tshabalala opened the scoring. Gary Suchalongname has also now found himself a contender to take his record score for a name in Scrabble! Rafael Marquez was left unmarked for the equaliser and it was certainly a classy finish, but he has spent a lot of his career at Barcelona and has been playing International football for 13 years. A fair result, our hearts probably wanted South Africa to win, but a draw will do them just fine.
HTFC Prediction League Prediction 1-1. Get in!!
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Just call me Stato
ITV4 have just shown a programme called " How to win the FIFA World Cup". Based on statistics from a Groningen University study, there are all kinds of indicators that make up a World Cup winning side. Taking an enormous amount of data they worked out that Brazil are best equipped to win this World Cup. France are second best equipped, followed by Holland & Germany. Nice one! Who would have thought that Brazil might win the World Cup? Incidently this Dutch study figured out England would win their group, but fail to reach the last 8.
In amongst all the drivel there were some, but not may semi-interesting things to consider, but as ITV doesn't carry to Rustenberg then our Coaching staff will be non the wiser.
As you might expect having a player sent off doesn't help. In the last World Cup there were 16 games where 1 player was sent off. 13 of those games ended in defeat for that side, bringing an end to the garbage when people say "we always play better with 10 men".
Out of the 32 teams in South Africa, Ghana are the team that have received the most yellow cards on average per game, proceded by Portugal and Chile. Cameroon have had the most red cards per game with Denmark & France close behind. Indeed Rigobert Song and Zinedene Didane are the only 2 players ever to have got sent off twice in World Cup's.
Brazil are the cleanest team with England in 3rd place. The 3 teams that commit the most fouls on average per game are Ghana, Japan, with Australia the dirtiest side. Obviously fouls not harsh enough to consider getting booked for!
On average Greece concede the most goals per game (3.3) with England the 3rd best placed (0.7), followed by Italy and then Brazil who only concede an average of 0.4 goals per game.
When it comes to the scoring of goals it is a completely different story. England are only 16th when it comes to goal attempts per game with a dreadfull average of 13 per game. The top 3 are Holland, Ivory Coast and then Germany with 18.25 attempts - thats a shot on goal every 5 minutes! England also feature in 16th place when it comes to actual goals scored in World Cup games. We suffer with only an everage of 1.2, as a comparison Brazil and Germany are joint 2nd with 1.9 and Spain top the scoring charts with an average of 2.0 goals scored per game.
England just don't shoot enough for us to win the World Cup.
When goals are scored in World Cup games from open play a whopping 86% are scored from inside the penalty area. With Emile Heskey in the squad, opposition teams must be quaking in their boots!
I can now reveal that penalties are NOT a lottery. It is a science.
1 in 5 knockout games at the World Cup are likely to be settled by penalties, so it it something that should be prepared for. From the last 3 World Cups, we know that you are 7 times more likely to win if you go first. Strikers score 74% of the time, Midfielders 58% and Defenders 69%. In total though only 66% of Penalties are scored in a shootout, compared to 86% in normal play.
If you are still awake then I can also tell you that players over 28 score 71% of the time and those players under 22 score 85% of the time.
86% of left footed players score their penalty and 69% of right footed players score theirs. The most successfull place is top left as the penalty taker stands.
In the last 5 World Cups England have only coverted 50% of their penalties in shoot outs - the worst record of any team going to South Africa. Germany have the best record and have not missed a single penalty in any shoot out since 1990.
When players face the goalkeeper to take a penalty they only score 69% of the time but a whopping 92% if they turn their back on the keeper first.
In open play England have a decent record though - its just those blasted shootouts! Only Italy, North Korea and France have a better record of converting penalties during 90 minutes.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Even I am asleep now and am actually writing this in my sleep!
Out of all the goals scored in the last World Cup 21% came from attacking full backs, 36% came from (but not directly from) a free kick, infact only 4.8% of all freekicks are scored direct from the kick. Italy however have not scored direct from a freekick in 52 attempts, but they do score the most goals from set-plays.
When it comes to corners, Germany only score an average once every 34 times so its a damn good job they are pretty good at everything else. The corner resulting in most goals at World Cups is an inswinger taken from the right, by a left footer. They need a university to tell you that??
Ghana, South Africa and France are the three most successfull teams at intercepting the ball, and Japan, France and Germany the three that make the most attacking runs.
Holland, Portugal and Brazil are the three best sides at passing to one of their own players.
Luck has nothing to do with who wins the World Cup - its simply the best team.
In amongst all the drivel there were some, but not may semi-interesting things to consider, but as ITV doesn't carry to Rustenberg then our Coaching staff will be non the wiser.
As you might expect having a player sent off doesn't help. In the last World Cup there were 16 games where 1 player was sent off. 13 of those games ended in defeat for that side, bringing an end to the garbage when people say "we always play better with 10 men".
Out of the 32 teams in South Africa, Ghana are the team that have received the most yellow cards on average per game, proceded by Portugal and Chile. Cameroon have had the most red cards per game with Denmark & France close behind. Indeed Rigobert Song and Zinedene Didane are the only 2 players ever to have got sent off twice in World Cup's.
Brazil are the cleanest team with England in 3rd place. The 3 teams that commit the most fouls on average per game are Ghana, Japan, with Australia the dirtiest side. Obviously fouls not harsh enough to consider getting booked for!
On average Greece concede the most goals per game (3.3) with England the 3rd best placed (0.7), followed by Italy and then Brazil who only concede an average of 0.4 goals per game.
When it comes to the scoring of goals it is a completely different story. England are only 16th when it comes to goal attempts per game with a dreadfull average of 13 per game. The top 3 are Holland, Ivory Coast and then Germany with 18.25 attempts - thats a shot on goal every 5 minutes! England also feature in 16th place when it comes to actual goals scored in World Cup games. We suffer with only an everage of 1.2, as a comparison Brazil and Germany are joint 2nd with 1.9 and Spain top the scoring charts with an average of 2.0 goals scored per game.
England just don't shoot enough for us to win the World Cup.
When goals are scored in World Cup games from open play a whopping 86% are scored from inside the penalty area. With Emile Heskey in the squad, opposition teams must be quaking in their boots!
I can now reveal that penalties are NOT a lottery. It is a science.
1 in 5 knockout games at the World Cup are likely to be settled by penalties, so it it something that should be prepared for. From the last 3 World Cups, we know that you are 7 times more likely to win if you go first. Strikers score 74% of the time, Midfielders 58% and Defenders 69%. In total though only 66% of Penalties are scored in a shootout, compared to 86% in normal play.
If you are still awake then I can also tell you that players over 28 score 71% of the time and those players under 22 score 85% of the time.
86% of left footed players score their penalty and 69% of right footed players score theirs. The most successfull place is top left as the penalty taker stands.
In the last 5 World Cups England have only coverted 50% of their penalties in shoot outs - the worst record of any team going to South Africa. Germany have the best record and have not missed a single penalty in any shoot out since 1990.
When players face the goalkeeper to take a penalty they only score 69% of the time but a whopping 92% if they turn their back on the keeper first.
In open play England have a decent record though - its just those blasted shootouts! Only Italy, North Korea and France have a better record of converting penalties during 90 minutes.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Even I am asleep now and am actually writing this in my sleep!
Out of all the goals scored in the last World Cup 21% came from attacking full backs, 36% came from (but not directly from) a free kick, infact only 4.8% of all freekicks are scored direct from the kick. Italy however have not scored direct from a freekick in 52 attempts, but they do score the most goals from set-plays.
When it comes to corners, Germany only score an average once every 34 times so its a damn good job they are pretty good at everything else. The corner resulting in most goals at World Cups is an inswinger taken from the right, by a left footer. They need a university to tell you that??
Ghana, South Africa and France are the three most successfull teams at intercepting the ball, and Japan, France and Germany the three that make the most attacking runs.
Holland, Portugal and Brazil are the three best sides at passing to one of their own players.
Luck has nothing to do with who wins the World Cup - its simply the best team.
More World Cup Stuff
Spainish players will receive a 600,000 Euro bonus if they manage to win the World Cup, more than any other Country would pay their players! Not sure if an incentive like that is good for the game. The World Cup needs to be about National pride, not personal greed. Players shouldn't get paid for playing for their Country - its a sense of achievement and an honour to represent your National side. So that brings me on to my next point.
How much is David Beckham being paid to take Pilates classes? He can't be doing it for free - his time doesn't come cheap, he obviously wants to help and must have been rubbing his hands when Fabio asked him to tag along. A player who can't play and a coach who can't coach, so what does that make him then? Deadwood? A liability? His LA Galaxy Manager and teammates can't be too pleased - isn't he supposed to be recovering from injury? The 2018 Organising Committee will be out in force in South Africa, so we could at least get him to do some proper work and help get us the World Cup!
Manchester Ciy seemed to have bucked the trend and started buying players before the World Cup. The German International Jerome Boateng looks set to pull on the blue shirt next season.
John Barnes appears in a Mars advert where he reinacts his 1990 "rap". Unfortunately age has caught up with him and it looks as though he has a football up his shirt rather than 3 lions on it.
Reading The Times today, one particular statistic jumped out at me. I don't know why, it just did, and I felt compelled to share it with you all. Emile Heskey has made 127 passes in World Cup Games, and if that wasn't as astonishing enough ALL of them have been under 35 yards.
How much is David Beckham being paid to take Pilates classes? He can't be doing it for free - his time doesn't come cheap, he obviously wants to help and must have been rubbing his hands when Fabio asked him to tag along. A player who can't play and a coach who can't coach, so what does that make him then? Deadwood? A liability? His LA Galaxy Manager and teammates can't be too pleased - isn't he supposed to be recovering from injury? The 2018 Organising Committee will be out in force in South Africa, so we could at least get him to do some proper work and help get us the World Cup!
Manchester Ciy seemed to have bucked the trend and started buying players before the World Cup. The German International Jerome Boateng looks set to pull on the blue shirt next season.
John Barnes appears in a Mars advert where he reinacts his 1990 "rap". Unfortunately age has caught up with him and it looks as though he has a football up his shirt rather than 3 lions on it.
Reading The Times today, one particular statistic jumped out at me. I don't know why, it just did, and I felt compelled to share it with you all. Emile Heskey has made 127 passes in World Cup Games, and if that wasn't as astonishing enough ALL of them have been under 35 yards.
Friday, 4 June 2010
World Cup Update
Rio Ferdiand is injured after an incident in training today and gets to fly home while Michael Dawson jumps on a plane the other way to sit on a bench for 4 weeks. (but probably 3)
Stevie G will get to wear the armband again as Captain. Gareth Barry plays keepie-up on his own for a couple of hours, Calamity James also avoids training, but at least his injury isn't as bad as his new afro hairstyle looks.
Didier Drogba breaks his arm after getting kicked by a Japanese defender, and is doubtfull for the tournament, as is Andrea Pirlo for Italy after he was injured on Wednesday.
China beat France 1-0 in a warm up game while Mexico beat Italy. Samuel Eto'o gets sent off for Cameroon as they are beaten by Portugal.
Kim Myong-Won, a striker who was used 3 times in North Korea's Qualifying campaign, was named as a goalkeeper by the Country's Manager in a pitiful attempt to add an extra outfield player to the squad. FIFA have stood their ground and told North Korea that a player listed as a goalkeeper cannot play anywhere else apart from in goal. Are you still with me?? So tell me this - What happens if Robert Green runs up and heads the winning goal from a corner in the final? Do they disallow the goal because he wasn't inbetween the sticks?
Incidently DPR Korea also went to vist Zimbabwe at the end of May and take part in a Training Camp on the request of that Country's Government. England, USA, Brazil and Australia were also invited but all declined the invitation.
It all kicks off in a week, and thanks to ITV's Official Guide all my match reports will contain the "nicknames" each particular National side is known by. Come on "The Three Lions".
Stevie G will get to wear the armband again as Captain. Gareth Barry plays keepie-up on his own for a couple of hours, Calamity James also avoids training, but at least his injury isn't as bad as his new afro hairstyle looks.
Didier Drogba breaks his arm after getting kicked by a Japanese defender, and is doubtfull for the tournament, as is Andrea Pirlo for Italy after he was injured on Wednesday.
China beat France 1-0 in a warm up game while Mexico beat Italy. Samuel Eto'o gets sent off for Cameroon as they are beaten by Portugal.
Kim Myong-Won, a striker who was used 3 times in North Korea's Qualifying campaign, was named as a goalkeeper by the Country's Manager in a pitiful attempt to add an extra outfield player to the squad. FIFA have stood their ground and told North Korea that a player listed as a goalkeeper cannot play anywhere else apart from in goal. Are you still with me?? So tell me this - What happens if Robert Green runs up and heads the winning goal from a corner in the final? Do they disallow the goal because he wasn't inbetween the sticks?
Incidently DPR Korea also went to vist Zimbabwe at the end of May and take part in a Training Camp on the request of that Country's Government. England, USA, Brazil and Australia were also invited but all declined the invitation.
It all kicks off in a week, and thanks to ITV's Official Guide all my match reports will contain the "nicknames" each particular National side is known by. Come on "The Three Lions".
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
World Cup Bets
Opened my wallet today and after the cloud of dust had settled placed a couple of bets. I am not too interested in hunting for odds, its much easier to pop into the Tote shop I walk past each day!
Diego Milito has competition from Tevez and The Barcelonan Magician, but at 33-1 is a decent each way flutter for top scorer.
I also couldn't resist having an "eightfold" on the group winners. What about France, Holland, Argentina, Italy, England, Brazil, Germany & Spain? Winnings won't be too much, but it makes it more interesting after the first few days.
Diego Milito has competition from Tevez and The Barcelonan Magician, but at 33-1 is a decent each way flutter for top scorer.
I also couldn't resist having an "eightfold" on the group winners. What about France, Holland, Argentina, Italy, England, Brazil, Germany & Spain? Winnings won't be too much, but it makes it more interesting after the first few days.
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