Neil

Slides in the Bigg Market. What a thought.

I like how it has become cool to hate on Belgium now Has it? I was just making a dick-ish comment. Think it's fair to say people got carried away simply because it's a new team. Still, get it together and they'll be a major force next summer, hope they live up to their potential. Maybe Euro 2016 will be their real hour?

http://robbro7.com/2013/11/20/looking-for-riquelme-part-i-discovering-a-genius/ Doesn't really quote very well, but an interesting blog about Riquelme. Nice read. Rory Smith ‏@RorySmithTimes 5m Good this - http://bit.ly/1ffzr3a - by @robbro7 on discovering Riquelme. My first Roman moment was in a La Paz pool hall in 2000. Rory Smith ‏@RorySmithTimes 3m Boca were on TV in the corner. They had a player who never ran anywhere+constantly tried absurd through balls. I've had a crush ever since.

Probably already mentioned but I see the mighty Belgium lost back-to-back games to Colombia and Japan.

Neil do you watch a lot of the Bundesliga or a lot of Real Madrid? Their footballing ability isn't THAT for off, the difference between both is that Ronaldo scores more for the team while Ribery works more for the team. I think Ronaldo is a better player, but you can't really say it's a no-contest in terms of footballing ability. Ronaldo is clearly the more spectacular player, but don't down on Bundesligas best player who also happened to qualify his team last night from a much harder position. I watch a fair bit of both. Ronaldo is on an entirely different level. This thing about "all Ronaldo does is score goals". That seems to be a comment based on his selfishness - and he sure is selfish, often with good reason - but he also contributes his fair share of assists and contributes plenty towards the chances of others. And, regarding goals, this isn't someone who's happened to score a few more. He has reached absurd levels, along with Messi. 31 goals in mid November ffs. That's utterly incredible and it's a complete disservice if people summarise that as "Ronaldo scores a lot" or "he's scored more than Ribery." We might not see these levels again for decades. A once-in-a-generation player, and we're lucky to have 2 of them in their pomp. Also, you're really stretching it if you're trying to imply that Ribery did more to get France through than Ronaldo did for Portugal. He scored every single goal, man. It's the definition of single-handedly winning it for your team.

It's honestly nothing short of a farce if Ronaldo doesn't win it this year. Ribery has the trophies and is an excellent player. I don't think the gap however is that close that the fact Ribery has won the treble should mean he wins the award. Ribery v Ronaldo is a no-contest if we're talking purely in terms of their footballing ability. Messi has still been absurdly brilliant but Ronaldo has shown more for me, not to mention the fact he simply looks hungrier, probably spurred on by this 'lack of respect' thing he's got inside his head. Whatever it is, it's motivating him to hit even higher levels - higher than Messi this season certainly.

Well then, maybe Walker isn't as dumb as he looks.

If we're talking purely who the best player is and who deserves it purely based on that, it's absurd if Ronaldo doesn't win it this year. Still think Ribery will get it based on the story of the Bayern Munich treble. Ronaldo simply looks hungrier than Messi currently, regardless of Messi's injury problems.

Think Inochi's talking to himself again. Seek help, mate.

I'm outraged by this opinion.

Yeah, out for a month I think.

As much as I still don't particularly rate Henderson, you're right.

England team to face Germany: Hart, Cole, Jagielka, Smalling, Walker, Cleverley, Gerrard, Lallana, Rooney, Townsend, Sturridge

Love a complete loss of any professionalism.

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/L-equipe-de-france-sur-leboncoin/417823 Someone has put the whole French team on a French auction site. For your "gardening and housework needs" in June 2014. Ho ho ho.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nF9lwIg1G8k/T9XT1r9vfxI/AAAAAAAAD8s/Oggi9k8Lu_U/s640/danishgirl.gif

Cameroon through.

Paid off for me, hope it pays off for you. As said, can't ignore those odds.

Had that very same bet vs Chiz a month or so ago. He often goes for T19 but in the big matches 4/1 is far too long.

6p YEA BOI Could've had £7.12 if I wasn't a greedy little shit.

They've scored. :lol: 1-1.

Ivory Coast going to Brazil.

Such blatant cheating from Drogba.

Last night on its own wasn't a sole, comprehensive summary but it just once again emphasised the problems we had. Swapping a few players can't be used as an excuse for being outplayed by a "lesser" South American team who were missing 2 of their most influential players. It told us a lot. It told us we are apparently unable to swap and rotate a few players without getting soundly defeated by an also weakened Chile at home. To skip over it and pretend it told us nothing it is a really dangerous attitude IMO. We need to learn from last night, and fast. I actually think we'll do better against Germany purely because no-one expects much and we'll let them have more of the ball and let them come to us.

Wouldn't really say so. It's sad to see how much our expectations have been justifiably lowered and how teams who are nowhere near the main favourites for next summer completely outplaying us. It's a deep-rooted issue which isn't going to be solved through expensive facilities or debating over whether 4-2-3-1 will suit us better. Err, right?