World Cup Russia 2018

[Orikoru]

I don’t think they’ll do to well either, BUT they are touted by the bookies and media and done so without him being near the squad. Their odds haven’t suddently jumped 10 points at his exclusion.

He was part part of the squad 2 years ago and they went there with short odds again if I recall. How’d that work out?

he has only himself to blame, from what I’ve read about him, he’s a numpty and plenty of managers has disciplined him, so Martínez is just one of a few idiots....

Fair, the likes of Hazard and De Bruyne will carry them to a certain degree of course. I know Radja is known for being a smoker and likes to let his hair down, I'm just saying the player he has become these days, I'd have though you find a way for him to be in your squad that's all. Belgium have a strong first team, but once you look at the bench there's not really anyone of similar quality to come in. So I am stunned he was included in their 28 provisional squad. Plus, as I said earlier, Martinez didn't claim it was down to attitude, he gave some nonsense reason about it being a tactical decision, despite Nainggolan being a very versatile player.

Edit: With regards to the bookies odds, I always feel they're a bit artificially over-backed by English punters since the majority of their first team players play in England.

 

[Papas1982]

Fair, the likes of Hazard and De Bruyne will carry them to a certain degree of course. I know Radja is known for being a smoker and likes to let his hair down, I'm just saying the player he has become these days, I'd have though you find a way for him to be in your squad that's all. Belgium have a strong first team, but once you look at the bench there's not really anyone of similar quality to come in. So I am stunned he was included in their 28 provisional squad. Plus, as I said earlier, Martinez didn't claim it was down to attitude, he gave some nonsense reason about it being a tactical decision, despite Nainggolan being a very versatile player.

Edit: With regards to the bookies odds, I always feel they're a bit artificially over-backed by English punters since the majority of their first team players play in England.

I think you could be right re the bookies.

I agree Martinez should have dealt with it better. His ‘tactical’ reason imo is much what I’ve said I that they got there without him and don’t need him, but it’s a weak one. I’d have more respect if he just came out and said he did;t want his influence or disruption.

 

[Orikoru]

I think you could be right re the bookies.

I agree Martinez should have dealt with it better. His ‘tactical’ reason imo is much what I’ve said I that they got there without him and don’t need him, but it’s a weak one. I’d have more respect if he just came out and said he did;t want his influence or disruption.

Yeah, exactly that.

 

[Dan2501]

Belgium would have a good chance if they had a decent manager. No Nainggolan, no Origi, but instead he's picked two players who play their football in China, a 32 year old defender who plays in the MLS, Fellaini and how the hell has Chadli got in? He's only played 4 games for WBA this season. I can see them having a disappointing campaign personally. If Hazard and Mertens have a tough time I think they'll struggle to score enough goals to compete, KDB can't do it all on his own. If they had a fit and firing Batshuayi and an in-form Lukaku they might do a bit better but Batman's been injured and Lukaku has not had a brilliant season at all.

Then you've got to factor in Martinez's lack of tactical nouse in regards to defending, his Everton side were one of the most disorganised defensive teams I've ever seen, we were awful. He's just fortunate he's got a leader like Kompany at the back as without him I don't think they'll be good enough to organise themselves and defend well enough. They don't really have a brilliant Defensive Midfielder either. Dembele is more box-to-box, so you're left with Dendoncker who has heaps of potential but has been playing primarily as a centre half for Anderlecht and is very inexperienced at the highest level. Left-back is also a bit of a worry for them. Lukaku is explosive going forward but isn't a brilliant defender and their only other option is dropping a CB like Vermaelen or Vertonghen in at LB which isn't great, I can't see either of those two being able to control someone like Messi or even Sterling down the right-side.

They'll get through the group stage I imagine but I'd be amazed if they got anywhere close to winning it. Brazil, France and Germany look the strongest sides to me and then Argentina's front 3 of Messi, Aguero and Dybala will scare any defence. Brazil's all around squad looks superb - you look at a side like this and you have to be a bit worried about facing them:

Ederson

Alves
Marcelo
Silva
Miranda

Fernandinho
Casemiro
Coutinho

Neymar
Firmino
Jesus

but then France have a scary amount of depth. You look at Ben Yedder, Coman, Martial, Lacazette, Digne, Rabiot and Zouma - and they're the players that didn't even make the squad. Mbappe, Dembele and Greizmann is an unbelievable front 3 - especially with Pogba, Kante and Matiudi/Tolisso sat behind them. What a team. Then you can never write off the Germans - their squad looks incredibly solid as always.

 

[Orikoru]

I have a prediction game going with some pals and I've gone for a France Germany final (Germany winning it), with Brazil and Spain as the losing semi-finalists. France have an immense squad but I think Germany shade it. They have the best defence (most of it Bayern), top class midfield, and dangerous attackers including Sane, and Reus who touch wood is finally fit for a major tournament (maybe not enough to start though - we shall see). Müller is a bit of a goal machine in tournaments too.

 

[User62651]

Seems that Pele's prediction that an African team would win the world cup looks further away than ever. Around 1990-02 there seemed to be a move up from 'lesser' teams but it's dwindled and the usual powerhouses seem streets ahead of any newbies knocking on the door these days - Brazil,France,Spain,Germany well above the rest with Argentina not far behind.
Cant see Belguim or Portugal doing much. If England make last 8 that's a half decent tournament I think.

 

[Dan2501]

See I see Germany's midfield and attack as their strongest assets this World Cup. Reus has been excellent, Sane's been brilliant for City, they've got the electric pace of Timo Werner and Muller as you said always turns up for the big tournaments. Then in the midfield you don't get much better than Toni Kroos, then you put him alongside the superb Gundogan and the supremely talented and very highly-rated Leon Goretzka and you've got a heck of a midfield. I think Goretzka could turn out to be one of the stars of the tournament.

The defence haven't been brilliant though this year. Boateng's hardly played, Neuer has only played 3 times for Bayern this year and as a result Ter Stegen will more than likely take the gloves, and Hummels and Sule who have played in Boateng's absence have been criticised for being clumsy and too slow. They do have arguably the best right back in the world though in Joshua Kimmich who has been magnificent in all competitions this season and Jonathan Tah who will be their defensive leader in years to come but not sure their defence is looking particularly strong this year - not compared to previous years anyway.

 

[Hacker Khan]

See I see Germany's midfield and attack as their strongest assets this World Cup. Reus has been excellent, Sane's been brilliant for City, they've got the electric pace of Timo Werner and Muller as you said always turns up for the big tournaments. Then in the midfield you don't get much better than Toni Kroos, then you put him alongside the superb Gundogan and the supremely talented and very highly-rated Leon Goretzka and you've got a heck of a midfield. I think Goretzka could turn out to be one of the stars of the tournament.

The defence haven't been brilliant though this year. Boateng's hardly played, Neuer has only played 3 times for Bayern this year and as a result Ter Stegen will more than likely take the gloves, and Hummels and Sule who have played in Boateng's absence have been criticised for being clumsy and too slow. They do have arguably the best right back in the world though in Joshua Kimmich who has been magnificent in all competitions this season and Jonathan Tah who will be their defensive leader in years to come but not sure their defence is looking particularly strong this year - not compared to previous years anyway.

So does their weakness in defence that mean they will not do as well as expected and only lose in the final, as opposed to wining it?

 

[Orikoru]

Seems that Pele's prediction that an African team would win the world cup looks further away than ever. Around 1990-02 there seemed to be a move up from 'lesser' teams but it's dwindled and the usual powerhouses seem streets ahead of any newbies knocking on the door these days - Brazil,France,Spain,Germany well above the rest with Argentina not far behind.
Cant see Belguim or Portugal doing much. If England make last 8 that's a half decent tournament I think.

After reading your post I've just looked up the Fifa world rankings and I'm stunned to learn that Tunisia are the highest ranked African side in 14th! Only one behind us!! How on earth?? Now I'm worried about us getting out of the group all over again.

After them the next highest is Senegal in 28th.

 

[Orikoru]

See I see Germany's midfield and attack as their strongest assets this World Cup. Reus has been excellent, Sane's been brilliant for City, they've got the electric pace of Timo Werner and Muller as you said always turns up for the big tournaments. Then in the midfield you don't get much better than Toni Kroos, then you put him alongside the superb Gundogan and the supremely talented and very highly-rated Leon Goretzka and you've got a heck of a midfield. I think Goretzka could turn out to be one of the stars of the tournament.

The defence haven't been brilliant though this year. Boateng's hardly played, Neuer has only played 3 times for Bayern this year and as a result Ter Stegen will more than likely take the gloves, and Hummels and Sule who have played in Boateng's absence have been criticised for being clumsy and too slow. They do have arguably the best right back in the world though in Joshua Kimmich who has been magnificent in all competitions this season and Jonathan Tah who will be their defensive leader in years to come but not sure their defence is looking particularly strong this year - not compared to previous years anyway.

I knew about Neuer - but Stegen is a more than able replacement. I didn't realise that about Boateng though actually. Not sure Goretzka will start many games as you have completely neglected Ozil, who will surely start most if not all games. Plus Khedira usually gets the nod in a holding role.