The College Dropout

I agree. Of course some countries would circumvent any such rule with daft citizenship loopholes, one I'm glad that England haven't gone down. It's a stupid suggestion IMO. Apart from running States, I don't see what nationality has to do with a job. Also the English FA definition of English is loose at best. English parents but never lived in England is fine. But spending 5 years in the country and becoming a British citizen is not fine. Not born here, don't have English parents but being 'raised' here for some period of time is also fine. Don't get it personally.

It's not really 'every single situation that relates to football as a sport', is it? I've done research on the teams facing the teams I support in the WC. There's simply not a team doing much better than England who have all the weaknesses England do, I simply pointed that out. Me pointing out that Costa Rica having a fairly experienced and settled international team, in the same system doesn't have to get you so upset.

They've had the same coach since 2011 and he's largely stuck with the same team, as evidenced by the majority of the team having a good number of caps and being fairly mature in age. When Bryan Oviedo played really well for Everton it was said he played as a wingback in a back 5 for Costa Rica. It was given as a reason why he looked so dangerous going forward as that's important for a wingback. Same applies with Chile. They've had Bieslian style tactics since 2007 give or take a year or two with another style of management. So unlike England - Costa Rica have had the same team, play in the same shape for at least the last 4 years more or less. Even with players dropping out - they've kept the same system (in formation at least). England switched formations fairly recently, changed the LB, midfield duo, attacking partnerships and the widemen constantly over the last 36 months. Only a handful of the starters and players coming off the bench have more than 30 caps. Considerably less as starters. I'm sorry for having more footballing knowledge & common sense than yourself. Like I said, there's not many teams coming to the WC with such little experience or talent and have come to play attacking football. This is a pretty different team from the one that qualified for the tournament even.

Far too simplistic this sort of comment given the other teams coping perfectly well at the World Cup with less. Other sides are simply better teams. Playing with philosophies and teams ingrained over a number of years. Chile and Costa Rica in particular. No other side as ill-fitting as our own has decided to go play 'attacking' football with a brand new team. We can't play like The Dutch we don't have the individuals. Can't play like Chile, don't have the coach or team.

Happy for him.

Untested team - fails the test. Normally we've had a solid defence, we didn't have that this time. And we lack genuine class going forward. This was always a likely occurrence.

Both teams poorer than expected too.

Wouldn't have been mad if it was a draw, couldn't complain if we'd lost. Ghana were frustrating, looking at it objectively. for a team not blessed with creativity we made it very hard for ourselves. 2 very poor goals to concede. The Opare lad had a mare.

Poor game. Very one-sided for the majority and that side had little creativity.

Dissappointing from Ghana. Played like old school England, very flat in midfield, flat upfront and worst of all lacked hunger and desire. Think the coach has to shoulder 90% of the blame. Even still, very unfortunate to lose. USA scored with both of their decent chances which came from very sloppy defending.

Nigeria really a miss an Okocha type player. African teams of yesteryear had a number of those types. Now most top level CM's have played large portions of their career at DM.

Is Pard's coaching the Nigerian lads?

Well I am as Ghanaian as Danny Welbeck fwiw. If we put USA to the sword again, i'm confident of a point against Portugal.

Holy hindsight Batman. USA will lose against Ghana. Again. 3Peat on the way.

Hate lazy stereotypes. But Iran look unable to cope with Nigeria physically.

If Shola scores at the World Cup, we riot.

C'mon you Super Eagles!

Savage needs to shut up sometimes

World Cup has been too exciting so far. 0-0 or 1-0 written all over it.

stfu man. Let them enjoy the game. Campbell's loving it

Germany-Portugal, Naija kicking off on the green grass, and the quadrennial Yankee-Ghana war. I really do think 2nd spot in the US-Ghana group is very available if Ronaldo is anything less than totally fit. They are no better than the other "average" European sides without him. Why do you associate yourself with Ghanamen? because I am Ghanaian.

Indeed.

My gut was dive and bottle job / fix. Before a single replay. He falls like it's a dive ffs.

Already decided i'm just going to watch the football and ignore all the coverage because of him Anyone who voluntarily watches ITV before kick-off, at half time or at full time deserves everything they get and more. I don't tend to watch ITV for football very often and this World Cup aside i'm going to try not to make a habit of it. I was looking forward to this because of that, what happened instead they sat back and let Brazil have possession which to me seemed pointless considering the strengths of the team. In no way shape or form, should Gustavo and Paulinho see more of the ball than Modric and Rakitic. While I agree they've for the measure of the two in central midfield. Trying to win the possession battle would've made Hulk, Oscar and Neymar extremely dangerous and the rest of the team wouldn't be able to cope although early in the second half they had a better midfield 'block' and controlled the tempo more without being gung-ho. But I see the logic behind - sit deep and counter. Gustavo and Paulinho can't hurt us if they play in front of us. Let's bring them on then Luca and Ivan can spring fast counters - move the ball quickly, maybe even beat a CM and get on your bikes in support. In the first half for 20 minutes that worked a treat. Once settled (in hindsight) they should've tried to get more control like thy did early in the second. Also both lads have been firmer in the tackle in many games this season and that unlocked the plan. Even then Pletikosa should've saved (all) the first goal.