Official World Cup Spoiler Thread

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 12:52 pm

Ecuador is a surprise but T & T is the cinderella. I can't believe I'm rooting for them over England.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 1:00 pm

Crouch sux...

EDIT: Or maybe not

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 1:14 pm

England has no offensive ideas whatsoever, I see Rooney coming in for Crouch anytime soon, and as the match progresses, T & T is having more confidence in their play.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 1:39 pm

As bad as England's looked, if they keep their heads they'll score. The need to emulate the Germans. If you're going to play a team that's playing this negatively, you need to avoid getting frustrated. That said, Lampard doesn't look like he could find the goal with a map and GPS. And Crouch...

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 1:57 pm

RobVarak wrote:As bad as England's looked, if they keep their heads they'll score. The need to emulate the Germans. If you're going to play a team that's playing this negatively, you need to avoid getting frustrated. That said, Lampard doesn't look like he could find the goal with a map and GPS. And Crouch...

Crouch found that goal with Gerrard...England still was poor throughout the game and was lucky to not tie.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 1:59 pm

Maximum numer of points available = 6
Number of points England have = 6
Number of goals conceded = 0

Two games, two wins, no serious injuries, chance to rest some players vs Sweden = job done

To echo the words of an English soccer manager in the 70s...

"If you want entertainment, go and watch clowns"

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:07 pm

I'm with you, Dave. I was just reading over the Guardian play-by-play and I'm not sure I was watching the same game.

The laughingly bad finishing overshadowed the fact that T&T packed it in a la Greece, and England patiently kept whacking away. The same commentators who congratulated Germany for their "typically" German persistence and patience are hammering England for the exact same type of display against the same tactics and a full-strength defense.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:07 pm

Did Crouch do that stupid dance?

Boy people complain about TD celebrations in the NFL.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:11 pm

Hmmm, maybe the Germans can throw the game on Tues. against Ecuador so that they can eliminate Germany next Sat.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:13 pm

England World Cup Trophies Since 1966 = 0

Brazil is entertaining and successful. England is boring, lucky to get 6 points and will need to step it up for the 2nd round. Hey they could be facing Germany in round 2. Winner of 1B faces 2A (Germany or Ecuador).

One more thing to worry about, if Sweden wins today and then beats England you could still be facing Germany.

It's fun picking on Dave even though England wins. Ha!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:28 pm

Let's put it this way. If England's offense consists of a constant air game hoping that the lanky Crouch may aim one or two then their hope to go far won't last. Having said that, yeah they have 6 points and all but it's not as if they have beaten 2 world class Nations.

And no, Crouch did not do that stupid dance, I think he told his teammates that he wouldn't during this WC.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:32 pm

10spro wrote: And no, Crouch did not do that stupid dance, I think he told his teammates that he wouldn't during this WC.

He did promise, saying that it was too serious an occassion.

England would be better off if Lampard approached his finishing with the same seriousness that Crouch handles his dancing

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:38 pm

JRod wrote:England World Cup Trophies Since 1966 = 0

Brazil is entertaining and successful. England is boring, lucky to get 6 points and will need to step it up for the 2nd round. Hey they could be facing Germany in round 2. Winner of 1B faces 2A (Germany or Ecuador).

One more thing to worry about, if Sweden wins today and then beats England you could still be facing Germany.

It's fun picking on Dave even though England wins. Ha!

Heck, Ecuador has a 5 goal differencial, all they have to do is tie Germany on Tues.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:53 pm

Squid:
How do you figure? Maybe I don't get goal differential but...

Ecuador GF 5, GA 0
Germany GF 5 GA 2

So they have a two goal lead if they end up tied, right?

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:57 pm

Yup, if they tie, Ecuador is first and Germany is 2nd.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 4:52 pm

Wow -- Group B is a thrill per second. Four matches, four total goals scored.

At least the T&T-Sweden match was good.

Take care,
PK

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 11:13 pm

Dave must be on Prozak :

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 11:16 pm

I actually enjoyed the Sweeden TnT game...

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 12:41 am

XXXIV wrote:I actually enjoyed the Sweeden TnT game...

I didntmind today's England TNT game either.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 8:51 am

Zlax45 wrote:
XXXIV wrote:I actually enjoyed the Sweeden TnT game...
I didntmind today's England TNT game either.

Ugh. It reminded me of a chain gang using sledgehammers to crumble a brick wall. T&T played so defensively, so negatively -- and it's hard to blame them -- but England did nothing but swing the same hammer to try and break down T&T, at least in the first half.

England's offense in the first half consisted of:

1. Move the ball wide to Beckham.
2. Watch Becks swing a cross into the box, hoping to hit the head of The Crouching Stork.
3. Watch The Crouching Stork miss or head the ball wide.
4. Rinse, wash, repeat.

Finally England broke through in the second half, which seemed inevitable. Still, I think Gerrard needs to become more assertive offensively in the central midfield, his goal yesterday notwithstanding. Lampard just needs to remember the dimensions of the goal when he's shooting.

And I'm no England veteran, so maybe Dave or Jimmy can chime in, but has Michael Owen ever looked more unfit or anonymous in a major tournament? I know it's only been two games, but this guy has given England nothing so far. I guess it's hard to get your head on crosses when your strike partner is 4 feet taller than you.

Does Sven give Lennon a start against Sweden if Neville is still unfit? He looked pretty good yesterday.

Take care,
PK

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 9:39 am

He'd have to move to a 3-5-2 for that. He could maybe play Beckham behind Lennon, drop Lampard, bring on Carrick as a DMF and let Gerrard go forward more.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 9:43 am

We'll see what the Czechs do tomorrow against Ghana, but I think Argentina looks more impressive than any team right now. The Argies are slicing Serbia & Montenegro to bits in the first half.

Take care,
PK

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 9:45 am

pk500 wrote:We'll see what the Czechs do tomorrow against Ghana, but I think Argentina looks more impressive than any team right now. The Argies are slicing Serbia & Montenegro to bits in the first half.

Take care,
PK

Now it is 3-0...and still the first half in stoppage time.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 9:46 am

The expected powers are playing up to form.

For once.

Well except for France.

Edit: Ha, ESPN actually has a countdown to the Italy/US game. Guess the US and Mexico games get the best ratings.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 10:18 am

Unbelievable team goal by Cambiasso.

Can't wait for Ned/Arg....