World Cup 2018

[Orikoru]

Well last night's game was awesome. Watched in the pub with work lot and we were all loving it. Croatia's midfield is world class but to be honest the rest of their team is fairly average. Argentina on the other hand - this is the worst Argentina team in my lifetime, by far. I think they're being mis-managed as well to be fair - players like Dybala & Di Maria left on the bench while the unknown player Meza starts? Enzo Perez starting over Banega?? They're in a bit of trouble now. The first goal was hilarious, but an absolutely cracking finish all the same - respect for him for not just controlling it and scoring in a boring way. Second goal was also a stunner of course, Spurs legend Luka! And the last goal was just taking the mick really. Proper meltdown from the Argies as well, kicking the ball and Rakitic's head while he was on the ground for example.

I'm coming round to the thinking that Ronaldo is better than Messi now. Both playing in bang average national sides, you can see Ronaldo leading by example and dragging his team through, whereas it seems that Messi isn't able to do that really.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I'm coming round to the thinking that Ronaldo is better than Messi now. Both playing in bang average national sides, you can see Ronaldo leading by example and dragging his team through, whereas it seems that Messi isn't able to do that really.

Stop it, stop it now . Listening to S. American football experts pre tournament Messi dragged Argentina through qualifying. Their record when he missed games was awful. The way the team are is not particularly new, they have been poor for a while.

He is quiet for 2 games and suddenly Ronaldo is the better player? Portugal won the Euro's but Ronnie was barely visible. They defend well and pinch goals. It works for them, they have a system, something Argentina clearly does not have.

No knee jerk reactions please, these few games do not define either player at this stage.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

A quick note on the so called leaking of the team. Southgate has bent over backwards for the press. He has invited them to their training camp. They are playing fun sports with and against them. How are they rewarded? Some toe rag takes a long lens picture of a piece of paper that is open to view for a bout 3 seconds. This is then broadcast on every news media around.

I don't care if the information is not particularly earth shattering, it is a betrayal of trust.

Cheers media. I bet Gareth is really pleased with you.

 

[Orikoru]

A quick note on the so called leaking of the team. Southgate has bent over backwards for the press. He has invited them to their training camp. They are playing fun sports with and against them. How are they rewarded? Some toe rag takes a long lens picture of a piece of paper that is open to view for a bout 3 seconds. This is then broadcast on every news media around.

I don't care if the information is not particularly earth shattering, it is a betrayal of trust.

Cheers media. I bet Gareth is really pleased with you.

Hey, we know what our national media is like. I don't expect anything better from them. Every major tournament they have sought to derail and collapse the team, as if they're not even English at all and they actually want us to fail. I find the whole concept bizarre. I feel like if we won the World Cup at lot of the tabloids would be disappointed that they don't have the opportunity to throw someone under the bus.

 

[Hobbit]

Stop it, stop it now . Listening to S. American football experts pre tournament Messi dragged Argentina through qualifying. Their record when he missed games was awful. The way the team are is not particularly new, they have been poor for a while.

He is quiet for 2 games and suddenly Ronaldo is the better player? Portugal won the Euro's but Ronnie was barely visible. They defend well and pinch goals. It works for them, they have a system, something Argentina clearly does not have.

No knee jerk reactions please, these few games do not define either player at this stage.

Spot on!

Argentina have a few decent players, and that's all. Portugal have more decent players and are better organised.

The group stages are about weeding out the dross that's bulks up the finals. Lets see how it goes when its at the knockout stages when the top teams are against each other, not the pub teams. Then we'll see who the top players are.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

No point gloating about Argentina, they havent been knocked out yet.
They could still make the knock-outs, and go on to win the Cup.

 

[Crazyface]

Well done :thup: another great post reinforcing the fact you haven’t got a clue.

?????? Well that would make two of us as I was just agreeing with the post. Do you just like causing trouble on here?

 

[Orikoru]

No point gloating about Argentina, they havent been knocked out yet.
They could still make the knock-outs, and go on to win the Cup.

They can certainly take 2nd in the group but it's very, very unlikely that they win the cup. I was surprised people were tipping them before the tournament, let alone now. They don't have a top keeper, or any world class defenders - even the midfield is sorely lacking in quality. They are heavily reliant on the attack, and half of that is left sat on the bench by the manager. He'll be sacked after this tournament as well I'm sure.

 

[Crazyface]

Stop it, stop it now . Listening to S. American football experts pre tournament Messi dragged Argentina through qualifying. Their record when he missed games was awful. The way the team are is not particularly new, they have been poor for a while.

He is quiet for 2 games and suddenly Ronaldo is the better player? Portugal won the Euro's but Ronnie was barely visible. They defend well and pinch goals. It works for them, they have a system, something Argentina clearly does not have.

No knee jerk reactions please, these few games do not define either player at this stage.

I do like your posts in general, but to defend the midget V the God like Ronaldo? Maybe the heat is affecting you.....LOL

 

[Crazyface]

A quick note on the so called leaking of the team. Southgate has bent over backwards for the press. He has invited them to their training camp. They are playing fun sports with and against them. How are they rewarded? Some toe rag takes a long lens picture of a piece of paper that is open to view for a bout 3 seconds. This is then broadcast on every news media around.

I don't care if the information is not particularly earth shattering, it is a betrayal of trust.

Cheers media. I bet Gareth is really pleased with you.

See, back on form now !!! :thup:

 

[Deleted member 16999]

?????? Well that would make two of us as I was just agreeing with the post. Do you just like causing trouble on here?

Causing trouble? :rofl: :rofl: you’ve had more reaction to your posts and questioning of your football knowledge than I’ve had in a lifetime. :rofl:

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I do like your posts in general, but to defend the midget V the God like Ronaldo? Maybe the heat is affecting you.....LOL

When you look at the honours they have both won I believe Messi is just ahead of Ronaldo , when you look at the goals etc scored since Ronaldo arrived in the La Liga Messi is just ahead.

It’s all very subjective and there is no answer - that “midget” has won more trophies than any other player in the history of the game I suspect and he is just 30 with a good number of years left to keep adding the trophies and goals.

 

[pbrown7582]

Croatia's midfield is incredible. Modric, Rakitic, Brozovic and Perisic is as good as any midfield in the competition. It's working so far as well, looking more dangerous than Argentina at the minute.

Not a bad trio are they? Good open game at the moment. Not sure how I'd call this. A draw not a good result for Argentina so onus on them to get a result in a tight group

 

[Deleted member 16999]

No point gloating about Argentina, they havent been knocked out yet.
They could still make the knock-outs, and go on to win the Cup.

Same as Germany could, still good to celebrate them losing any game though.

 

[pbrown7582]

Is there still a Ronaldo or Messi debate?

Nope!

 

[pbrown7582]

Feel a bit sorry for Messi that behind he has a bunch of players clearly not good enough and also a manager who has swapped and changed constantly for months - shame his talent hasn’t been shown off more. Expect he will retire now at the end

AGAIN!!!!

 

[pbrown7582]

I don’t think we’ll ever have the definitive answer to the Messi v Ronaldo discussion, I just think we’re lucky to have them both around during our lifetimes.

Is the proper answer.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Same as Germany could, still good to celebrate them losing any game though.

Agree totally, but still too early to be writing them off thats all

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I do like your posts in general, but to defend the midget V the God like Ronaldo? Maybe the heat is affecting you.....LOL

Ha ha. Well it is about 18-20°C up here today and I am not used to it.

I do accept that part of my Messi v Ronaldo view is tainted by the fact that I find Ronnie to be an appalling self centred, narcissistic, selfish individual (on the football field). I like the fact that Messi is a team player and this definitely colours my opinion of him. If I was playing in a team I would want a Messi next to me, not a Ronaldo. I have had a Ronaldo in a team (scale down the quality obviously before anyone bites) and it does nothing for team moral or the fun factor.

As others have said, we should appreciate both of them being around in this same era.

See, back on form now !!! :thup:

:thup: I aim to please

 

[Crazyface]

Is there still a Ronaldo or Messi debate?

Nope !