World Cup 2018.
The place for all general topics not related to the Saddlers, plus the ever-popular Prediction League. Keep it fun.
Forum rules
Be nice. Play fair.
Be nice. Play fair.
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Kevlar - UTS Veteran
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World Cup 2018.
Well someone is gonna start it off , so it may as well be me.
Where we gonna finish ? Ko'd by Brazil for me.
Whom have we left out who should have gone ? Jonjo Shelvey for me .
Anyone who says "I ain't interested or bothered , or they get paid too much "........... I just don't believe you. You must be a United fan , or Villa fan getting over losing to Fulham.
Where we gonna finish ? Ko'd by Brazil for me.
Whom have we left out who should have gone ? Jonjo Shelvey for me .
Anyone who says "I ain't interested or bothered , or they get paid too much "........... I just don't believe you. You must be a United fan , or Villa fan getting over losing to Fulham.
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SaigonSaddler - Site Addict
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Re: World Cup 2018.
Can't say I'm overly thrilled at the moment, both because Russia acquired it through nefarious means and because England are utter cack.
I kind of gave up on them after the German thrashing, when it was clear they couldn't really be that arsed. Iceland was simply hilarious.
We'll see. Walsall and England, definitely in that order. :|
I kind of gave up on them after the German thrashing, when it was clear they couldn't really be that arsed. Iceland was simply hilarious.
We'll see. Walsall and England, definitely in that order. :|
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derbysaddler - Site Addict
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Re: World Cup 2018.
I'll be happy if England progress and do well obviously. But its more that I have a problem with the world cup itself. FIFA just whore it out to any shady nation with stacks of resource wealth funds hidden behind the sofa. The world cup is supposed to be about nations from the world coming together in the name of sport without the burden of race, religion or politics.
Hosting the thing in places like Russia and Qatar pisses all over that.
Hosting the thing in places like Russia and Qatar pisses all over that.
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chunkster - Site Addict
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Re: World Cup 2018.
I saw a program last week about Russia and hosting the World Cup, and racism is rife, I can see black or mixed race players walking off showing it up to be the farce that is :| as to how well we will do, I don’t think we will get passed the group stage.
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Manchester Saddler - Site Addict
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Re: World Cup 2018.
chunkster wrote:I saw a program last week about Russia and hosting the World Cup, and racism is rife, I can see black or mixed race players walking off showing it up to be the farce that is :| as to how well we will do, I don’t think we will get passed the group stage.
I think we'll get past the group stage - but that's it.
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tinned - Site Addict
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Re: World Cup 2018.
I've had a premonition. Come New Years Eve we will hear the news of the Queen bestowing the title of "Sir" onto Gareth Southgate.
You heard it here first :-)
You heard it here first :-)
- swampysaddler
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Re: World Cup 2018.
tinned wrote:I've had a premonition. Come New Years Eve we will hear the news of the Queen bestowing the title of "Sir" onto Gareth Southgate.
You heard it here first :-)
Keep taking that medication.
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tinned - Site Addict
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Re: World Cup 2018.
swampysaddler wrote:tinned wrote:I've had a premonition. Come New Years Eve we will hear the news of the Queen bestowing the title of "Sir" onto Gareth Southgate.
You heard it here first :-)
Keep taking that medication.
I think it's all my medication that is to blame for these predictions :wink:
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yoda - Site Addict
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Re: World Cup 2018.
Kevlar wrote:
Anyone who says "I ain't interested or bothered , "........... I just don't believe you. .
Unfortunate because I really don't. I think the last World Cup game I watched was when Zidane headbutted that Italian.
I think its partly because I'm not very patriotic anyway, partly because I don't like the idea that crude individuals like Wayne Rooney and prima donnas like Steven Gerrard somehow 'represent' me and partly because the players themselves don't really seem interested in international football these days. I think their apathy comes across.
- Cully
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Re: World Cup 2018.
Whilst I understand the general malaise, for want of a better word, around every England appearance in major tournaments and accept that there has been a predictable cycle of boorish players, over hyped media nonsense and the inevitable Sun type headlines which appear at these times, I sense a real change in attitude with this squad and with the manager himself.
I wasn’t overly optimistic when he was appointed but I’ve welcomed the open and cavalier attitude shown in a number of games. Defensively we still look a bit rubbish but there have been occasions in most of the matches played under Southgate where we look positevly dangerous.
For anyone who went to any of the games in France it was all hope and no glory, the game in StEtienne contained a total of 90 seconds excitement ie after Rashford came on at the end, the rest was pure Walsall, a dirge of entertainment and aimless tactics.
Perhaps this time, with so many peoples expectations at an all time low, we may actually surprise a few teams. I’m putting money on our progress as far as the semi finals 8)
For everybody who continue to be upset at FIFAs shenanigans then let me be the first to inform you that they are investigating holding the tournament on the moon, package prices for transport, accommodation and tickets for the games start at around £5million Nb oxygen is an extra by the way.
I wasn’t overly optimistic when he was appointed but I’ve welcomed the open and cavalier attitude shown in a number of games. Defensively we still look a bit rubbish but there have been occasions in most of the matches played under Southgate where we look positevly dangerous.
For anyone who went to any of the games in France it was all hope and no glory, the game in StEtienne contained a total of 90 seconds excitement ie after Rashford came on at the end, the rest was pure Walsall, a dirge of entertainment and aimless tactics.
Perhaps this time, with so many peoples expectations at an all time low, we may actually surprise a few teams. I’m putting money on our progress as far as the semi finals 8)
For everybody who continue to be upset at FIFAs shenanigans then let me be the first to inform you that they are investigating holding the tournament on the moon, package prices for transport, accommodation and tickets for the games start at around £5million Nb oxygen is an extra by the way.
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The Red Prince - Site Addict
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Re: World Cup 2018.
Notice both Wilshere and Hart are sounding off about what they could have brought to the team, which is precisely why it's a good idea they didn't go, arrogant twerps!
I see Platini is now saying they rigged the 98 World Cup so it'd be a France-Brazil final!
I see Platini is now saying they rigged the 98 World Cup so it'd be a France-Brazil final!
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Super Gabor - UTS Legend
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Re: World Cup 2018.
Not got that pre-World Cup buzz yet. Maybe I'm lacking the Panini sticker book or wall chart to get me in the spirit. It will seem very strange without the Dutch and Italians there.
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Cowshed - UTS Veteran
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Re: World Cup 2018.
Looking at the squad you realise that Kane apart none of our players would get into the b teams of Germany,France Spain Argentina or Brazil
Hope the youngsters play with no fear or pressure there certainly isn’t any expectation back home to concern them
You never know
Hope the youngsters play with no fear or pressure there certainly isn’t any expectation back home to concern them
You never know
- swampysaddler
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Re: World Cup 2018.
Cowshed wrote:Looking at the squad you realise that Kane apart none of our players would get into the b teams of Germany,France Spain Argentina or Brazil
Hope the youngsters play with no fear or pressure there certainly isn’t any expectation back home to concern them
You never know
So Deli Ali, John Stones, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Trent Alexander Arnold, Jamie Vardy have all become cack players overnight ?
If you want to reel of the entire squad I will.
- Cully
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Re: World Cup 2018.
Cowshed wrote:Looking at the squad you realise that Kane apart none of our players would get into the b teams of Germany,France Spain Argentina or Brazil
Hope the youngsters play with no fear or pressure there certainly isn’t any expectation back home to concern them
You never know
Harsh words Mr. Shed, and if I were Gareth Southgate them I’d be happy to pin those words on the dressing room wall.
Couldn’t give a turd about the opposition and I hope the team doesn’t, the less respect the better in my opinion.
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Cowshed - UTS Veteran
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Re: World Cup 2018.
swampysaddler wrote:Cowshed wrote:Looking at the squad you realise that Kane apart none of our players would get into the b teams of Germany,France Spain Argentina or Brazil
Hope the youngsters play with no fear or pressure there certainly isn’t any expectation back home to concern them
You never know
So Deli Ali, John Stones, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Trent Alexander Arnold, Jamie Vardy have all become cack players overnight ?
If you want to reel of the entire squad I will.
In the context of the tournament, ability wise , these players are average at best, we can’t fall back on experience but our advantage will be energy so as I say you never know the right ref and a bit of luck.
Taking into account Tunisia are only one place below us in fifa world rankings then I would be amazed if we won any more matches than the one against panama.
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Cowshed - UTS Veteran
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Re: World Cup 2018.
Cully wrote:Cowshed wrote:Looking at the squad you realise that Kane apart none of our players would get into the b teams of Germany,France Spain Argentina or Brazil
Hope the youngsters play with no fear or pressure there certainly isn’t any expectation back home to concern them
You never know
Harsh words Mr. Shed, and if I were Gareth Southgate them I’d be happy to pin those words on the dressing room wall.
Couldn’t give a turd about the opposition and I hope the team doesn’t, the less respect the better in my opinion.
There’s no point Southgate pinning anything on the wall these kids minds will be focused on whose shirt they are going to get after the game :)
- EvenFlow
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Re: World Cup 2018.
Cowshed wrote:In the context of the tournament, ability wise , these players are average at best, we can’t fall back on experience but our advantage will be energy so as I say you never know the right ref and a bit of luck.
Whitney for England.
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chunkster - Site Addict
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Re: World Cup 2018.
Looks like my prediction of players walking off the pitch for being racially abused has been addressed by FIFA. apparently teams that do that could be disqualified :| The route to go down is to report them, ye that will show em :roll: unless of course the teams of the fans doing it get thrown out?
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Exile - Jobsworth
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Re: World Cup 2018.
chunkster wrote:Looks like my prediction of players walking off the pitch for being racially abused has been addressed by FIFA. apparently teams that do that could be disqualified :| The route to go down is to report them, ye that will show em :roll: unless of course the teams of the fans doing it get thrown out?
Translated: we’ll kick that can down the road and issue a statement deploring racism after it’s over.
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chunkster - Site Addict
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Re: World Cup 2018.
yep :roll:Exile wrote:chunkster wrote:Looks like my prediction of players walking off the pitch for being racially abused has been addressed by FIFA. apparently teams that do that could be disqualified :| The route to go down is to report them, ye that will show em :roll: unless of course the teams of the fans doing it get thrown out?
Translated: we’ll kick that can down the road and issue a statement deploring racism after it’s over.
- El_Nombre
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Re: World Cup 2018.
Cowshed wrote:swampysaddler wrote:Cowshed wrote:Looking at the squad you realise that Kane apart none of our players would get into the b teams of Germany,France Spain Argentina or Brazil
Hope the youngsters play with no fear or pressure there certainly isn’t any expectation back home to concern them
You never know
So Deli Ali, John Stones, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Trent Alexander Arnold, Jamie Vardy have all become cack players overnight ?
If you want to reel of the entire squad I will.
In the context of the tournament, ability wise , these players are average at best, we can’t fall back on experience but our advantage will be energy so as I say you never know the right ref and a bit of luck.
Taking into account Tunisia are only one place below us in fifa world rankings then I would be amazed if we won any more matches than the one against panama.
I don't think we have a chance either but describing a player like Raheem Sterling who helped set a Premier League record this year or Trent A-A who will be lining up against Real Madrid in the European Cup final this week as average at best is crazy. Lot of potential, even if I don't think it will be realised this tournament.
But writing off youngsters after one tournament, or in this case before it's even started, is par for the course in this country.
- Mazza01
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Re: World Cup 2018.
Agree , plenty of above average players in that squad , Sterling , Kane , Ali , Walker just to name 4 would get into most teams at the tournament.
Problem is mentality , tactics and coaching will hold them back as per usual.
Problem is mentality , tactics and coaching will hold them back as per usual.
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tinned - Site Addict
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Re: World Cup 2018.
I'd rather have some young, hungry "kids" playing with passion than the older, more experienced pros we've had in past tournaments. The "been there and done it" brigade seem to lose their passion because they think that their £obscene/week wages means that they have made it and don't need to do anything to prove themselves. The Rooney rant in South Africa was a watershed moment to me and these millionaires.
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Exile - Jobsworth
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Re: World Cup 2018.
tinned wrote:I'd rather have some young, hungry "kids" playing with passion than the older, more experienced pros we've had in past tournaments. The "been there and done it" brigade seem to lose their passion because they think that their £obscene/week wages means that they have made it and don't need to do anything to prove themselves. The Rooney rant in South Africa was a watershed moment to me and these millionaires.
I said after the last fiasco that playing in a premiership team should exclude players from consideration for the England team. Maybe I was a bit harsh, but their ethic was rubbish. Clearly not playing for the shirt.
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SaigonSaddler - Site Addict
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Re: World Cup 2018.
Exile wrote:tinned wrote:I'd rather have some young, hungry "kids" playing with passion than the older, more experienced pros we've had in past tournaments. The "been there and done it" brigade seem to lose their passion because they think that their £obscene/week wages means that they have made it and don't need to do anything to prove themselves. The Rooney rant in South Africa was a watershed moment to me and these millionaires.
I said after the last fiasco that playing in a premiership team should exclude players from consideration for the England team. Maybe I was a bit harsh, but their ethic was rubbish. Clearly not playing for the shirt.
Can we not just shoot the most under-performing player of the week?
Players may try harder with the brains of errant collegaues spread across the dressing room walls.
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kshammer - Site Addict
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Re: World Cup 2018.
That French squad looks superb. Left some superb players out.
Interesting to see if it translates into a title challenge.
Interesting to see if it translates into a title challenge.
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chunkster - Site Addict
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Re: World Cup 2018.
I see Tunisia one of the supposed whipping boys of our group, drew away to Portugal tonight, coming back fro 2 goals down :|
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Exile - Jobsworth
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Re: World Cup 2018.
chunkster wrote:I see Tunisia one of the supposed whipping boys of our group, drew away to Portugal tonight, coming back fro 2 goals down :|
Cue comments like ‘there’s no easy games at this level’, etc. after we play them...
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chunkster - Site Addict
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Re: World Cup 2018.
And "everybody lifts their game when they play us"Exile wrote:chunkster wrote:I see Tunisia one of the supposed whipping boys of our group, drew away to Portugal tonight, coming back fro 2 goals down :|
Cue comments like ‘there’s no easy games at this level’, etc. after we play them...
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