James

Neymar has completely regressed and sold out for the money and started to take too many shortcuts rather than properly trying to develop. As a result he has gone from being the worlds 3rd best player to outside of the top ten. Most Brazilians aren’t better than him but they would have been better off without him as he kills too many of their attacks

Two British nationals have been Novichoked, so coming home in protest?

We have to remember that keeping Townsend was Rafa’s first choice. Signing Ritchie was ultimately a response to losing that player. If we can sell a player to bring in a better one we should always do that.

Worried about Plea’s condition after his 1.5m appearances for France U19 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alassane_Pl%C3%A9a

Historically we have beaten Croatia but they do beat us from time to time. That’s about has far as it goes, capable of winning and capable of losing. I only see us as underdogs to Brazil, France and Uruguay. Playing against any other team I see us as being able to compete on our own terms.

Back 5 against Colombia

Same suit!

The game just didn’t feel competitive on either side it felt like a free game. That’s why we got Welbeck off the bench

Will have a better idea after Colombia really however even after Belgium everything feels a bit nice, a bit comfortable and just generally that luck is on our side. We’ve only had to compete for 135 mins so far and we don’t have to slog through game after game of world class players. Assuming I’m injured for Colombia won’t have to play a world class player until the semi.

Looking at the full list I think only Spain Croatia and Belgium can be happy with the next round reward they get for topping the group. Generally it feels like a much higher quality of qualifiers this year in terms of reputation, just the Germans Dutch and Italians missing.

I’m completely stumped as to how Delph is playing for England and Man City in 2018, Shelvey any day. I’m happy with our position to be honest I’d rather go out in the last 16 than the quarters before my hopes get to high. Was embarrassing watching the England mongs in the pub making out like we were going out of the World Cup.

Fell off my bike on my way home so yes

Apparently a Simpsons episode predicted a Mexico Portugal final and those crazy group games have now made that possible

So now we are getting well into the World Cup what are your pet hates either for this tournament or World Cups generally. For me (and we’ll see it tonight I’m sure) ITVs refusal to accept the historic ‘think it’s all over’ commentary of 66 as the legend everyone remembers and instead playing the much less memorable ‘and he has’ version. Also Clive Tydesley making commentary on Saudi Arabia vs Egypt all about Cristiano Ronaldo and Man Utd.

For me Godin has been the best player.

Neymar seems to have regressed, surrounded himself with the wrong people and gotten more selfish. Think Brazil would have won much more comfortably if he had been left out. Unless he sorts himself out quickly, it will be his fault if Brazil don’t win. I feel it’s the reverse situation to Messi and Ronaldo at Argentina / Portugal.

This Albanian thing is a right mess almost everyone has been charged by FIFA. It’s ridiculous that this has happened at a Switzerland game, not very neutral is it? This dual-nationality situation (in a number of nations) is starting to become a real problem and needs fixing as much as racism imo.

Whats the point in this? Assuming its the English media leaking it. Literally no one needs to know the line up yet, bar our opposition. Purely accidentally one of the coaches notebooks got photographed

There is still hope for Argentina tbh mostly because of the quality of Croatia (even with a second team) and the fact that Iceland and Nigeria could now go in all sorts of directions. In a way it isn’t fair that group games are on different days as it allows teams to adjust their mindsets accordingly. They need to find a new role for Messi though as it isn’t working.

It shows how bad Argentina and Portugal are when people can seriously envisage Iceland and Iran qualifying.

I know what my line would be - one holiday a year (your holiday) invite who you want plus stag dos if you are a groomsman or family member. If a mate invites you on holiday politely decline but come up with an appropriate apology such as bringing them along to your holiday or paying for a night out. I suppose you need to be generous to genuine friends and tight on hangers on. It’s a tough line but it is fair and achievable.

To be fair, he probably has mates that aren't absolutely minted that he might have wanted to go away with. These out of touch footballers having the audacity to go on holiday with their mates, outrageous. Surely he can afford to take them somewhere nicer and classier and still just as fun though?

FIFA aren’t happy with Russia, Blatter was allowed to attend the Portugal game as Putin’s personal guest.

So Russia have an improved chance of getting Iran in the 2nd round if Morocco can draw with Portugal. So when Portugal should have a blatant penalty to finish the match off, the referee’s headset breaks???

There were two others it was agreed at the time that that one was not a penalty.