World Cup

[c1973]

PS Is is Holland or The Netherlands.

We all say Holland but it is the Netherlands. There is no country named Holland. Holland (north & south) are 2 of 12 provinces in the Netherlands.

If you're from Holland you're a Hollander and if you're from any other province you're Dutch.

Hope that helps.

 

[guest100718]

We all say Holland but it is the Netherlands. There is no country named Holland. Holland (north & south) are 2 of 12 provinces in the Netherlands.

If you're from Holland you're a Hollander and if you're from any other province you're Dutch.

Hope that helps.

wikipedia thanks you.

 

[c1973]

wikipedia thanks you.

Close. Unfortunately no cigar for Paddy though.

 

[Pin-seeker]

Regardless of what happens I hope the FA stick with Hodgeson.

 

[chrisd]

Iphone autocorrect and tired eyes are good!

basically I didn't think that Spain would through the game as has been suggested because of costa. Too many winers in the team to do that. Also, they were gash in the confederations cup last year.

I'm still struggling with that?????

 

[Papas1982]

I'm still struggling with that?????

I am having a mare.
I swear my phone has a mind of its own. Will proof read this one.

Somebody suggested the Spanish may not have tried due to not wanting a nationalised player (costa).

I tried and failed twice to say " I don't think Spain would throw the game because of costa. They have too many winners and I don't believe they would do it. They also struggled in the confederations cup. I think it's the end of an era. Football is cyclical and the era of Spain's tic a tap style is coming to an end".

 

[Hacker Khan]

I am having a mare.
I swear my phone has a mind of its own. Will proof read this one.

Somebody suggested the Spanish may not have tried due to not wanting a nationalised player (costa).

I tried and failed twice to say " I don't think Spain would throw the game because of costa. They have too many winners and I don't believe they would do it. They also struggled in the confederations cup. I think it's the end of an era. Football is cyclical and the era of Spain's tic a tap style is coming to an end".

I preferred the first version myself.

 

[Papas1982]

I preferred the first version myself.

Be nice, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry!

 

[Hacker Khan]

Anybody changing their mind on their winners then after what you have seen so far? I went for Argentina but fancy Germany and even France to do quite well now.

Yup, not fancying Spain so much now...

 

[Hacker Khan]

Be nice, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry!

Well I was going to argue that I don't think it's the end of ticy tacky or whatever it is called, but it's just Spain and Barcelona (as both teams are very similar in make up) do not have the players of sufficient quality to do it now.

Xavi and Inesta who were the main architects of it are past their peak, and no one is good enough to do to the standard they did. But if you found a bunch of players who had the skills to do it like Spain have had for a few years then that team would be pretty hard to beat.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I still wouldn't write Spain or Barcelona off yet in regards their tactics - they took the wrong strikers - should have taken Llorente and Negredo and Negredo should have started. Costa is ( as well as being Brazilian ) overrated - decent enough target man who had one good season - he won't score many in the prem if he goes to Chelsea. Losing Thiago wasn't helpful because he brings a lot of energy as well as great skill on the ball. And the keeper was very poor because he hasn't played all season long - players like Pique have suffered with confidence all season long - EC2016 they will be challenging again IMO

 

[Papas1982]

Well I was going to argue that I don't think it's the end of ticy tacky or whatever it is called, but it's just Spain and Barcelona (as both teams are very similar in make up) do not have the players of sufficient quality to do it now.

Xavi and Inesta who were the main architects of it are past their peak, and no one is good enough to do to the standard they did. But if you found a bunch of players who had the skills to do it like Spain have had for a few years then that team would be pretty hard to beat.

Thats a fair point. But I believe generally different styles had periods of dominance. For me, I believe teams took a while to get their heads around the tactics. They'd be chasing the ball as they weren't used to giving up so much possession. Now the teams taking over at least in cl, appear happier to let teams keep ball in own half then press heavily as soon as half way line ready to counter.

People le used to think the power of arsenal was unbeatable when they had big players. Now wenger doesn't want anyone above 6ft lol.

 

[rosecott]

We all say Holland but it is the Netherlands. There is no country named Holland. Holland (north & south) are 2 of 12 provinces in the Netherlands.

If you're from Holland you're a Hollander and if you're from any other province you're Dutch.

Hope that helps.

You could also be from Holland in Lincolnshire.

 

[Papas1982]

I still wouldn't write Spain or Barcelona off yet in regards their tactics - they took the wrong strikers - should have taken Llorente and Negredo and Negredo should have started. Costa is ( as well as being Brazilian ) overrated - decent enough target man who had one good season - he won't score many in the prem if he goes to Chelsea. Losing Thiago wasn't helpful because he brings a lot of energy as well as great skill on the ball. And the keeper was very poor because he hasn't played all season long - players like Pique have suffered with confidence all season long - EC2016 they will be challenging again IMO

Im not saying they've no hope. But I think the fear factor will be gone. I remember watching quite few of barcas games during their pomp that would finish 4-5 nil and they'd score them all in second half. I think since teams have got wise to their tactics it's become more difficult. They'll still compete just don't believe they'll dominate. I agree negredo should have gone, but in place of Torres not costa, he may be a one season wonder. But still deserved his chance above fernando. Sentiment has harmed Spain in a few positions.

I think it's shown that they style of footy needs a striker at their peak, Spain have struggled since Torres decline and barca weren't as dominant with messi have a poor (by his standard) season.

 

[c1973]

Colombia looking good to go through now.

 

[Pin-seeker]

I still wouldn't write Spain or Barcelona off yet in regards their tactics - they took the wrong strikers - should have taken Llorente and Negredo and Negredo should have started. Costa is ( as well as being Brazilian ) overrated - decent enough target man who had one good season - he won't score many in the prem if he goes to Chelsea. Losing Thiago wasn't helpful because he brings a lot of energy as well as great skill on the ball. And the keeper was very poor because he hasn't played all season long - players like Pique have suffered with confidence all season long - EC2016 they will be challenging again IMO

You do know Costa finished 2nd highest scorer in La Liga (behind a none Spaniard)
Won the League whilst playing for a team who were rank outsiders.
Got to the CL Final.
That's probably why they took him:thup:

Saying what players should have played after a team fails is like picking a bet after knowing the results come in. It holds no merit :thup:

 

[JCW]

You do know Costa finished 2nd highest scorer in La Liga (behind a none Spaniard)


Won the League whilst playing for a team who were rank outsiders.



Got to the CL Final.
That's probably why they took him:thup:

Saying what players should have played after a team fails is like picking a bet after knowing the results come in. It holds no merit :thup:

Its Liverpool Phil , has something to say about everything , must be after homers posting record

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Turns out the officials are from Spain. Coincidence that's the same language as Uruguay. What odds a dodgy decision or their players influencing the officials to get a player booked/sent off. FIFA clearly have it in for us since we moaned about Blatter being corrupt (allegedly)

 

[c1973]

Turns out the officials are from Spain. Coincidence that's the same language as Uruguay. What odds a dodgy decision or their players influencing the officials to get a player booked/sent off. FIFA clearly have it in for us since we moaned about Blatter being corrupt (allegedly)

Jeezo, I'm willing to bet a healthy amount of the officials speak English, does that mean they would favour English speaking nations?

 

[Pin-seeker]

Turns out the officials are from Spain. Coincidence that's the same language as Uruguay. What odds a dodgy decision or their players influencing the officials to get a player booked/sent off. FIFA clearly have it in for us since we moaned about Blatter being corrupt (allegedly)

Throw Suarez's antics into the equation & it's worrying