George Bailey

He will die of something one day, then he will have died of something

Fair point. I certainly wouldn't say they are 'just a bunch of hackers', clearly they have some quality. The fact that someone as abjectly ordinary as Fred can get a run of games, with Jo being the alternative speaks volumes for me. Neither fit to wear the shirt imo. Must be tough for them in many ways, comparisons always being drawn, but that's part of Brazils legacy. For a while they were the worlds side in many ways, an aspiration, much like Kinnear and Pardews Newcastle. I agree that for years Brazil have been a shadow of the 70 and 82 sides, maybe they will never reach that again tbh. Thing for me is that the greatest side/team I ever saw was the 72/74/76 German sides, they were my icons...and I find it hard to say that the Spain side of 08/10/12 did what they didn't in terms of winning....and with a style eclipsing the Germans. So the poor Brazilian lads are on a bit of a hiding when held up to Zico, Eder, Rivalinho, Pele et al... Just wish they would play a bit more, cos they have the players who can imo....

Not often I read anything by Neil and disagree. This Brazil side are a pale shadow and they have employed some very aggressive and dirty tactics (classic Scolari). Fernhandinho in particular, but not him alone. Think Vickery is spot on when he says they no longer win with flow and rhythm, but with moments. I don't even see them playing that way, haven't for ages tbh. Yeah Neymar is decent and if given a freerer reign the likes of Oscar and even Hulk could contribute to a much more attractive style. For me that's what has been impressive about Colombia,Costa Rica France, Chile, hell even Australia and the USA, during the tournament. Fast, attractive. open football. Not hyperbole to say this is a poor side, with very dubious qualities and a strong arm approach imo...Playing like the Dutch of the last wc final. (fucking hate the Dutch, which is my irrational thing ) Would have loved France, Colombia, Costa Rica to have made it..

Germay will piss all over this utter garbage of a Brazil side..imo What the fuck does Fred actually do? Utterly inept at this level. They are a 'clattering' midfield, no particular flare anywhere (Neymar apart), sentiment and long lost memories always sem to cloud the issue when it comes to Brazil. If Colombia had shown more belief, not been kicked lumps out of by Fernadinho et al, the ref had shown some early cards they could have beaten this lot. Germay v Holland final for me. Germans winning, cos they know how to.

In...............a...........fucking..............nutshell. Utter morons from owner to maanger to boardroom level. Clueless, morally bankrupt cretins. Sickening sale for a pittance if it goes ahead. One of the Taylors as rb.....ugh.

Fair play to them. O0 Hope they get hammered mind.

would love him here He'd hardly score a goal. Fit right in then.

Gonna get to the point of there being no tackles. The 'high foot' thing does my head in as well (pardon the pun).

At which that cheating cunt Robben is a master. Was nailed on he was going to be looking for it, naive of Marquez certainly, but for me Robben is the epitome of the ultimate cheating, winging, diving twat. He had been looking for the opportunity for large parts of the secomd half. Gifted and talented as he is (not to the ludicrous notions of 3rd best in the world ) Mexico retreated far too much and invited the pressure. Now the arrogant fuckers will march into the semis quite easily I would imagine.

Cracking world cup this is turning out to be, cracking. Great games, upsets, goals galore, controversy, fittest women ever in the stands, all round fantastic! Next fridays game should be well tasty. Fancy a narrow Brazil win, carried on by the wave of emotion. Looking forward to seeing the French tomorrow, they're gonna be force in 2016 in their own backyard. Some really good sides, playing attractive open football: Breath of fresh air Germans to win it still for me though.

One of the very few diasppointments for me of this WC. Poor from the start really,only seen glimpses.

Not a fan of the incredibly arrogant Dutch. Van Gaal will fit in oerfectly at Manure.

So the only an Englishman should manage England postion. Not that I'm disagreeing with the relevance for many, but for me that's a part of the problem we have. I would argue that it should always be the best qualified for the position, irrespective of nationality, communication issues aside. i deally yes i would say if we have the talented managers/coaches then that's the ideal position, i would think most countries would feel that way tbh. But if we don't, and at this moment I'm not sure we have, then to look at other nationals doesn't bother me one jot. i would have hoped we have moved on from the recent past (60+ years ago) between Germany and us for that to be a major issue. Maybe for a generation or two ago, but not now surely? I remember my dad (who would be in his late 90s now) having real problems with Nissans investment locally in the 70s (many of his friends had been captured in Burma etc), and whilst thoroughly disagreeing with his point I understood them. As a nation i think, hope, we have moved on a bit? Although when you watch documentaries like the one on C5 or was it 4 re hooliganism and links to far right groups etc, the other week, you have to wionder. Love to see a Vierra/klinsman/Henry involved myself.

Why not? Not being antagonistic, genuine question.

I would rry and utilise some of the layers who have actually won a World Cup,or done very well in one, and who have played in England somehow. Turn the negative of 'foreign' players playing in the league to a positive. We have players who have the experience of winning the thing, or having made finals/semis, and having been around the mentality and squads in tournaments that have some degree of affection for us imo. Not saying they should be manager, but having a Vierra, Klinsman type involved somehow would be a thing I would look at. Even just to give advice/ support re playing in a tournament, how they did things, the positivity etc. Having as many 'winners' involved could only benefit us. Too revolutionary for the FA probably, but what can the likes of Neville, Gerrard etc bring to the party? (as much as I actually like Neville): the memories of failure...sadly the only British players with the experience are all dead or in their 70s/80s!!

if only he had decided to play for us eh. I personally ain't a fan of the chopping and changing national teams, seems wrong that a guy who played for England at U21 full international level,and is one of leading scorers at that level for us, then ends up playing for Nigeria. Wrong in my book.

Probs been asked and missed it, sorry if that's the case, but whats that song that all the crowds at every game are singing?? heard it at every game. I assume its a Brazilian football thing?

Agree he's not had the mare he did 4 years ago, and he has a major part to play in the next few years. (2016 defo)...but we also know what he can, and indeed can't do in these tournaments. for me I want see the younger ones get game time. Ox has to be injured, if not Woy wants shot for having not included him so far. We have good under 20s/21s coming through, lets get the buggers into the set up asap and see some squad development in the next 2 years or so... sadly FA will play safe, and it'll be the same old same old... Good point made today on 5 live by I think Winter (maybe Custiss), about needing some of our lot to get abroad and play. I think this is a major set back for us and one of the PL massive negatives (too much money to turn down). We need to get them away from UK, experience more styles of play etc and get more rounded life expereince too. Would only benefit us imo

Personally yes. nowt on the game at all, time to start with one eye on the future not the past imo. Plenty quality amongst the young uns to put out a balnced side without resorting to captain fantastic et al. Won't happen in a million years though.

Love the Jormans personally, ever since 72 and THE greatest international side ever....72/74 side. Outstanding. Admittedly the 90s was hard to take , to put it mildly, but have got to admire the power and will of this side. The team to beat for me, conditions may dictate otherwise but they're favourites for me...

Yep. ridiculous to say the lad has no ability or can't play and compete a very good level...If he is utilised correctly. And once again we come back to Mr Pardew.... Delighted fo him with that finish and performance last night, and for Debuchy (despite his flaws), and for Cabaye as well if I'm honest.

Elliott in goal I see.

wow!!!

Something with a bit more fucking oomph, positive feel and bouncability would be nice.

Definitley a part of the problem no doubt. Media too, the over arching 'negative' or 'fearfull' feel we always have approaching games/tournaments. Would like to see us embrace a tournament for the fun of it a bit more. the fear factor is always lurking too much for me. Plus the national bloody anthem is such a dire, dirge of a 'tune'. Depressing at the best of times, may as well have 'Abide with me' to set the utter negative tone...Love the passion and positivity you see from other nations whilst our lot painfully twat out that piece of shit.