Andy

Watched the match yesterday and found myself just getting on with my day afterwards as if I'd just watched Everton lose to Stoke or something. I want to care but it's gone, they've sucked it out of me.

Class player. Just doesn't waste the ball at all. Having him and Veratti in midfield almost completely nullified the sending off.

He never was shit tbf, he was just wasted

Strange request, but no bother

Restored it for him, it's awful when posts vanish like that without explanation

Sad but inevitable news. He fashioned some great memories and was unplayable on his day. There's obviously something not right if you look at his history though - Pardew and Bruce may be muppets but his ill-fated relationships with managers and teammates goes beyond those two. Massive shame because if he was right mentally he could've been a world beater; you have to wonder what he's like behind closed doors. Having said that like he clearly shouldnt be leaving when the likes of Gouffran get a game week in week out.

My hopes are so up that I'm actually posting in Football. Please happen.

I find it hard to dislike Neymar like, even though he's obviously soft as shite, an emotional wreck and a bit of an pillock. He's handled the pressure of this world cup way better than the majority of his teammates and I didn't think he had it in him to raise his game the way he did in the first few games in particular. Pretty sure he's talking rubbish about nearly being paralysed mind, but it's understandable that he'd probably be a bit bitter over what happened.

Argies will sit back for 90 minutes and look to pick off Germany's suicidal high-line. They were shite tonight but I reckon their name's on the trophy.

It's shite, but it's been part of the game for years that like.

Marcelo wasn't though. Different phases of play and all that.

He's onside there tbf. No he isn't He is like Compare how close his left foot is to the badly-placed line with how close the ball is to it. Looks behind the ball therefore onside... Aye.

He's onside there tbf. No he isn't He is like Compare how close his left foot is to the badly-placed line with how close the ball is to it.

He's onside there tbf.

What have you seen to suggest they're not very good? Genuine question, I don't really take much interest in the qualifiers tbh. I think they were 1 win in 7 before the tournament and drew 1-1 with Luxembourg a week before the start with a full strength side, and 0-0 with Ireland the week before. They played a lot experimental formations in the build up though. They lack a bit pace but Italy are a pretty solid side at full strength I think. Confident they'll beat Uruguay and Costa Rica then? No.

What have you seen to suggest they're not very good? Genuine question, I don't really take much interest in the qualifiers tbh. I think they were 1 win in 7 before the tournament and drew 1-1 with Luxembourg a week before the start with a full strength side, and 0-0 with Ireland the week before. They played a lot experimental formations in the build up though. They lack a bit pace but Italy are a pretty solid side at full strength I think.

Think it's more to do with the fact the vast majority of their best 11 have declined as players. Aye. Bring that team from four years ago forward in time and they'd still win this world cup. They're just not as good as they used to be in key areas.

Somebody should put all this in a dossier of some kind and send it to the club.

Agreed. England shouldn't be losing to these. Been a vintage Italian performance so far tbh.

He really is beginning to resemble someone we all love. Fred's always like this for Brazil. He has a knack of doing absolutely nowt then scoring.

I'd love to know how Carr feels about all this. Not that buy I into this notion of his scouting being on a prophetic level like some, but Pardew's making him look really shite.

Aye, it's worse

Aye coz Real Madrid never do that do they? Not the set piece part , no. Eh? Of course they do. Have you watched them play against Barcelona at any point over the last decade? Atletico are basically adopting the same approach but doing it better. Under Carlo? Nope. That might have something to do with the fact that they're actually on par with Barcelona this year, though. The likes of Di Maria are as bad as anyone for rolling around looking for free kicks.

Aye coz Real Madrid never do that do they? Not the set piece part , no. Eh? Of course they do. Have you watched them play against Barcelona at any point over the last decade? Atletico are basically adopting the same approach but doing it better.