World Cup so far - tedium or terrific?

[birdieman]

What's the verdict on the 'festival of football' so far?

We're nearly a week in and I have to say I haven't seen any great matches yet. The standard of play from some teams isn't any better than the Championship, possibly worse.

Been wandering off during games to chip golf balls, make cups of tea etc, not riveting stuff.

Argentina, Germany and Brazil have offered some good stuff but the rest has been fairly forgettable.

The standout players have been Robhinho, Messi and Forlan.

The hosts looked awful yesterday and were wholly outclassed by Uruguay!

I hope by the 3rd game of the group stages when things really matter we'll see some better stuff.

Have I got it wrong, anyone think its been brilliant?

 

[Robobum]

Cagey.

There is so much importance put on not losing the first match that everyone plays with shackles on. Couple that with most players not having played a competitive game for a month then it's tough to be fluent straight off the bat.

It can only get better....fingers crossed.

 

[Deleted member 1418]

Have found it all very tedious so far and, bar the England game, have found it hard to keep interested beyond the opening 20 minutes of each game I have started to watch!

Hopefully it's down to most teams not wanting to be beaten in their early matches thus keeping their qualification hopes for the next round going to the final round of group matches.

The only good thing is that it can't get any more boring than what it already is!!

 

[USER1999]

Biggest disappointment so far was Spain.

To me, I think the coaches are mainly responsible for the bore fest, sending out teams with no real attacking edge, in the hope of a nil-nil, or nicking a one-nil.

Why keep 19 goal (and more assists) Cesc on the bench when you are 1-0 down? Daft. Why not start with Torres and Villa up front?

Hopefully the 3rd group game will see some gung ho stuff, when it is win or go home.

 

[CVG]

I think it's been great, allowed me to catch up on watching all the stuff I've recorded over the last few weeks!

Not seen a single minute of any coverage and have no intention of doing so, I just don't understand what the fuss is about?

My only worry is I may run out of things to watch, so will probably have to go down the range and practise!

Enjoy it you football fans, but please don't assume everybody else are fans of the game or the circus that goes with it.

 

[BrianDamage]

Yep it's been a total snoozefest thusfar.

As for Torres being on the bench we'll I'd say that's down to the fact he's coming back from injury not a defensive tactic.

 

[Crazyface]

2nd attempt to this will be briefer, is that a word. Germany best so far so will go home early. Robinho great fun to watch. Messy missed as many sitters as A.Cole used to. England have set themselves up to come home early. Watch out for internet meltdown when they play Slovenia and we all attempt to watch it at work.

 

[freddielong]

I once heard the definition of stupidity was to keep doing the same thing and expect a different outcome, kind of reminded me of spain yesterday

 

[CrapHacker]

I've caught the early games on the car radio, and only seen the later games.

I'm happy. Beats normal daytime radio, for sure.

And as for the football, I'm happy with it.

On one game, a pundit was going on about how dull the game was, and how little had happened, apart from one good save, and someone hitting the bar ( it might have been a close miss I forget )but the game had only been going 17 minutes at the time ! Get real!

Yes it's been cagey, but then it always is, and for teams like North Korea, it's been great watching them stand up to the big boys, and have their moment in the sun.

Just think, if Portugal and Ivory coast both stuff Korea, what will Brazil have to pull out the bag when they next take the field.

It's fascinating, entralling, and occassionally brilliant.

(Ok there have been some periods of extreme boredom in between )

But you get that even with the Premiership.

 

[19th]

Re pundits being unreal....Mike McC. must be the biggest turnoff on this planet.

Love him being interviewed after his games in the EPL, very honest normally but he is wrong for the World Cup.

Puts you to sleep listening to his drone... if the game is poor he makes it worse.

 

[JustOne]

I think it's been great so far, unpredictable too (which makes it better perhaps?)

The only thing I can't stand is Mark Lawrenson's commentary - that man is so negative and depressing, a right whinger!

 

[Robobum]

The only think I can't stand is Mark Lawrenson's commentary - that man is so negative and depressing, a right whinger!

He'd fit right in with psoting about England on here then!!

 

[JustOne]

He'd fit right in with psoting about England on here then!!

If he's Anti-Heskey then I take it all back!

 

[StuartD]

It has been pretty poor so far but what has been even worse are the guys in the studio

We have had Shearer say we know very little about the two teams before Algeria vs Slovenia. I am sorry pal you are an “expert” in your field so get off your lazy ass and do some research on them. I am sure the BBC has vast archives that could be used to find out some info. We also have had a case where they could not name an Italian sub that came on and changed the game. Lee Dixon??? (Possibly) named a player to watch in the Slovakia team and we had Hansen laugh that he had been handed the name on a sheet of paper just before they went on air. Other than his name and club Dixon could tell us no moreabout him. We have had a gem from Mick McCarthy saying he didn’t realise that the Veron playing for Argentina was the one that played for Man U years ago FFS!!!! It was one of Maradonas first managerial decisions to bring him back and it caused a fair bit of controversy

It appears if it’s not England they can’t be bothered and are there for a jolly. If I had prepared myself so poorly before hand for my Job I would be out the door. The BBC should be asking for more.


The other side is not much better with the usual bland clichés. As for Keegans “It was a very, very good performance, good enough to win any game” about ENGLAND was bad enough but what was even worse was everybody else just let it go. Nobody had the balls to say he was talking crap and ask questions many of which have been posted on the forum.

Dare I say it but bring back Martin O Neil or even Ian Wright who show some passion for the game.

 

[birdieman]

Mick McCarthy and Mark Lawrenson - so cheery they could be the new chuckle brothers?

Lawro already looks like one of them -

 

[RGDave]

TEDIUM.

Discounting the 3-0 yesterday.

Spain's game vs. Switzerland had me well and truly frustrated.
Football should be about goals.

I think we should demand that only 10 men start the games. A bit more room to play and it'd be a goal-fest.

In 1966 (or whatever) the players were slow and gaps were gaps. These days, watch an attack from a team like Spain and it's just an impenetrable fortress.

 

[Spoff]

Not been that interested in football for a while now, my sone is nearly six and has bought into it big time, I've enjoyed watching his happiness at the games, as dire as they have been.

North Korea have been a breath of fresh air, no diving, no complaining to the referee. Great stuff.

 

[CannyFifer]

Not done much for me I'm afraid apart from argentina turning it on in flashes. my son is glued to it though with his sun dream teams at hand adding or deducting points. agree with the so called experts being clueless, Edgar Davids? Adebayor seems the most clued up. wish it was on sky as these guys are a bit more passionate and honest

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Not a great advert for football and I think FIFA will be far from happy. Poor matches, no real action, an unplayable ball and defence minded coaches. Oh the beautiful game

 

[Golfmmad]

Agree with others that said first group games are always cautious.It will get better! Already today we've seen Greece beat Nigeria, which for me was a real surprise. Didn't watch all the game but from what I saw it was more exciting, with chances missed on both sides, especially Nigeria.

It pains me to say it but best team by far, Argentina, and best player, Messi.

Hope after tomorrow evening I'll be changing my mind!