2014 World Cup thread

Alcaraz said:
To be fair to Bento, their isn't much he can do. Portugal really aren't a good side and their weaknesses are further explemfied considering that Ronaldo isn't fully fit either. They have lacked a top-class striker for ages and a top-class midfielder who can control the game ever since Deco retired. Their defense is shambles with Pepe being a nutcase in general and Coentrao injured. Only real positive has been William Carvalho
Click to expand...

That's nonsense.

It's all well and good having a system and building it around your best player. It's another thing having favourites and not picking people over those favourites.

Alves, Patricio, Veloso all haven't been good enough for a very long time but he refuses to name others in their place. Beto arguably a better keeper, while the side is so much more balanced with Carvalho in it. Jose Fonte has been brilliant for Southampton for 2+ years but he still has never been called up, never mind capped.
 
DMF said:
That's nonsense.

It's all well and good having a system and building it around your best player. It's another thing having favourites and not picking people over those favourites.

Alves, Patricio, Veloso all haven't been good enough for a very long time but he refuses to name others in their place. Beto arguably a better keeper, while the side is so much more balanced with Carvalho in it. Jose Fonte has been brilliant for Southampton for 2+ years but he still has never been called up, never mind capped.
Click to expand...

Aye I was just basing my observation on the squad that Portugal brought to the WC. I expected them to probably scrape through to the round of 16 in second place before falling apart against the first decent team they faced in the knockout rounds. Then Ronaldo got injured ...

Didnt really know about this 'favoritism' approach by Bento
 
The thing that has struck me so far is the number of teams that have put on a really good performance with mainly average players. We need to find a manager who can put 11 out on the pitch and the end product is a team effort that is greater than the sum of the individual parts ( not the other way round as has been the case for years. ) Clough used to do it years ago with Derby and Forest, we need to find a present day version.
 
Maybe it is something to do with the heat in Brazil but to see so many players go to the ground with cramp within the 90 minutes is astonishing considering the fitness and conditioning of todays players. Wether it's to waste time or it's actually a player with a cramp condition I am stunned I have seen so much in this World Cup.
 
IanC said:
Maybe it is something to do with the heat in Brazil but to see so many players go to the ground with cramp within the 90 minutes is astonishing considering the fitness and conditioning of todays players. Wether it's to waste time or it's actually a player with a cramp condition I am stunned I have seen so much in this World Cup.
Click to expand...

Some of the games in the north are played in pretty brutal heat, getting close to 30 degrees with high humidity isn't going to be fun.
 
If Del Bosque had actually chose to play Villa in the first 2 games instead of Costa, things might have been quite different....

I have nothing but respect for Villa and it's quite saddening to see him in tears after being subbed today, having played possibly his last international game.
 
Sam Wallace of the Independent just posted this:

Hodgson announces team for Costa Rica: Foster, Jones, Smalling, Cahill, Shaw, Milner, Lampard, Wilshere, Barkley, Sturridge, Lallana
 
LFCMarshall said:
Sam Wallace of the Independent just posted this:

Hodgson announces team for Costa Rica: Foster, Jones, Smalling, Cahill, Shaw, Milner, Lampard, Wilshere, Barkley, Sturridge, Lallana
Click to expand...

I... would be okay with that. Apart from Foster, he needs a shot.
 
Last edited:
DMF said:
That's nonsense.

It's all well and good having a system and building it around your best player. It's another thing having favourites and not picking people over those favourites.

Alves, Patricio, Veloso all haven't been good enough for a very long time but he refuses to name others in their place. Beto arguably a better keeper, while the side is so much more balanced with Carvalho in it. Jose Fonte has been brilliant for Southampton for 2+ years but he still has never been called up, never mind capped.
Click to expand...

I have no idea why Luis Neto isn't given a shot ahead of Alves. His turning circle is at least better than that of a truck's. Fonte would be a decent choice too.

As for the earlier point about lacking a "top-class midfielder who can control the game", Joao Moutinho is good. Really good. Like top five in his role in the world good.
 
LFCMarshall said:
Sam Wallace of the Independent just posted this:

Hodgson announces team for Costa Rica: Foster, Jones, Smalling, Cahill, Shaw, Milner, Lampard, Wilshere, Barkley, Sturridge, Lallana
Click to expand...

Can somebody please explain to me how and why Foster is England's no.2?! What purpose does it serve to the English national team by giving playing time to a 31 year-old mid-table keeper over someone that actually has potential to compete with Hart?
 
Huh, I read it as Forster. No idea why FOSTER is starting.

Aannddyy said:
Can somebody please explain to me how and why Foster is England's no.2?! What purpose does it serve to the English national team by giving playing time to a 31 year-old mid-table keeper over someone that actually has potential to compete with Hart?
Click to expand...

Especially given Foster retired from international duty then just waltzed straight back in at the cost of younger keepers who would've loved a shot like Ruddy.
 
Fred finally gets on the scoresheet.

It must of been the growing of the tache that has transformed him.
 
Last edited:
He would score sooner or later this game, Cameroon's defense is horrendous.

Edit: Sorry not offside, saw it wrong.
 
Thats Brazil finishing top... Fernandinho proving more worth to Brazil in 45 minutes than Paulinho has for 225 minutes.
 
GodCubed said:
I have no idea why Luis Neto isn't given a shot ahead of Alves. His turning circle is at least better than that of a truck's. Fonte would be a decent choice too.

As for the earlier point about lacking a "top-class midfielder who can control the game", Joao Moutinho is good. Really good. Like top five in his role in the world good.
Click to expand...

Neto is okay, but as I said Bento just has favourites. The fact Neto is behind even Ricardo Costa (although he had a decent game vs USA) is ridiculous. Shame that Carrico never turned out as he should, he was a captain in the making.

The squad is depleted with injuries as it is, but players like Danny (incredible playmaker on his day), Bruma (excellent goalscoring winger), Jose Fonte (NEVER CALLED UP!?!?!), Ricardo Quaresma (enigma, but on his day incredible) could all add something to the side but Bento doesn't rate them above the likes of Varela (I love him now), Alves (awful for ages), Veloso (good but shouldn't be starting), Nani (hot and cold, shouldn't be guaranteed a spot) just is awful.

Bento needs his job taken from him and given to a younger coach with modern ideas. I'd love to try and tempt AVB into the international scene, but I can't see it just yet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

FMBase

Beta

Resources

Back
Top