The official 2010 World Cup thread

[ratty]

Gerrard is close on his day, but I agree, the only "Galactico" we have is Rooney. Semi finals and out!

[matthew123]

This is my list of world class players going to WC for thes 4 countries: -

England: Rooney, Lampard, Gerrard, A.Cole

Argentina: Messi, Tevez, Mascherano

Brazil: - Robinho, Kaka

Spain: Xavi, Iniesta, Torres, Reina, Casillas

[ratty]

What are people thinking in terms of boozers to watch the matches??

[SeanMacGabhann]

My plan was to watch other countries games in associated bars - Holland in de Hems in Chinatown, that sort of thing

I watched England 2002 games in the back room of the old Mag - good times

EDT if you can arrive early usually has best footie atmos but I might wander over to The Old Nuns Head for something different

[matthew123]

I watched a few England games at last WC in CPT lounge and that was pretty good if you tire of being on tip toes at EDT

[Jah Lush]

Gotta be the CPT.

[ratty]

Is the CPT not a bit pokey?

[Brendan]

SeanMacGabhann Wrote:

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> My plan was to watch other countries games in

> associated bars - Holland in de Hems in Chinatown,

> that sort of thing

That?s a good idea. I?m sure given some thought you could find an appropriate venue for each team in London.

Algeria

Argentina

Australia: Plenty but none that I would really recommend.

Brazil

Cameroon

Chile

Denmark: The Phoenix

England

France

Germany: I?m sure I ended up at a comedy/Oktober fest theme park style bar near Old Street when on a stag do once.

Ghana

Greece

Honduras

Italy

Ivory Coast

Japan

Korea DPR

Korea Republic

Mexico

Netherlands

New Zealand: See Australia

Nigeria

Paraguay

Portugal: One of the cafes on Stockwell Road

Serbia

Slovakia

Slovenia

South Africa: See Australia

Spain: Bradley?s near Tottenham Court Road?

Switzerland: The Swiss Cottage.

United States

Uruguay

That?s all I can come up with. I?m sure others could be a lot more creative than me though.

[Jah Lush]

ratty Wrote:

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> Is the CPT not a bit pokey?

Not really. They have a big screen now in the other bar too. Hoopers is good as well though if that's nearer you.

[SeanMacGabhann]

a few more :

Algeria

Argentina

Australia: Plenty but none that I would really recommend.

Brazil - Barraco caf? in Kilburn

Cameroon

Chile

Denmark: The Phoenix

England

France

Germany: I?m sure I ended up at a comedy/Oktober fest theme park style bar near Old Street when on a stag do once.

Ghana

Greece ? Green Lanes area?

Honduras

Italy -

Ivory Coast

Japan

Korea DPR

Korea Republic

Mexico -

Netherlands ? de Hems in Chinatown

New Zealand: See Australia

Nigeria ? Oriwu Spot behind Sainsbos on DKH ? gotta be!

Paraguay

Portugal: One of the cafes on Stockwell Road

Serbia ? isn?the waitress in TN Serbian ? let?s ask her

Slovakia

Slovenia

South Africa: See Australia

Spain: Bradley?s near Tottenham Court Road?

Switzerland: The Swiss Cottage.

United States - Christophers American bar and Grill

Uruguay

[ruffers]

Brazil - Guanabara. Went there in the last World Cup and it rocks.

[ratty]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> ratty Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Is the CPT not a bit pokey?

>

> Not really. They have a big screen now in the

> other bar too. Hoopers is good as well though if

> that's nearer you.

Want somewhere with a singy crowd!!

[Brendan]

Cape Town?

[ratty]

I'd rather remove my ball sacks! :p

[Brendan]

Sacks?

Although I'm sure they could arrange that there.

[Brendan]

SA 2 Columbia 1 and that?s a team who get knee capped by drug lords if they lose and once had a goalie with the biggest box in the world.

We?re gonna have the lot of you come this world trophy thingy.

[ratty]

The only minor probelm is Aaron Mokoena!

[Brendan]

What the fuk's that?

[ruffers]

Barry - fit enough apparently.

Walcott not in the 22 - good decision. Just not good enough.

Carrick in it - eh? Looked shot to me the other day.

King in - hmm.

SWP in - bit unsure about that, he seems to me to have forgotten how to take a man on about a year ago, I'd have put Adam Johnson in.

Baines had his chances to impress and didn't take them I guess but Warnock seems a bit out of the blue,

[matthew123]

matthew123 Wrote:

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> This is the England 23 that I think will go to WC,

> in order of probabiliy

>

> K: James, Green, Hart

>

> D: Terry, A.Cole, Johnson, Rio, King, Carragher,

> Warnock

>

> M: Lampard, Gerrard, Lennon, Carrick, SWP, J.Cole,

> Milner, Barry

>

> A: Rooney, Defoe, Heskey, Crouch, Walcott

1 wrong - Upson included instead of Walcott.

I think it is a mistake not having an extra man who can play upfront. England were exposed 4 years ago with only 4 strikers and strikers always seem to be the ones who get injured due to how they are targetted.

[jimmy two times]

I'm glad England have been so poor in the friendlies. We usually go into major championships looking like worldbeaters and end up leaving them looking like pillocks. Hopefully those roles will be reveresed this time round.

[Jah Lush]

England's final 23-man squad for World Cup 2010:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green.

Defenders: Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock.

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Forwards: Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney.

I agree with not taking Walcott. He's not good enough, runs up blind alleys, constantly loses the ball and no end product. He had his chances in being selected in the last two games and just didn't take them. He was very poor. Including Wright-Phillips ahead of him is a good move as he can play on either flank. Taking Adam Johnson would have been too much of a gamble with only 12 minutes experience. Likewise Huddlestone over Carrick makes sense as Carrick has more experience but he'll need to pull his finger out and find some form if he gets to play whilst Barry is injured. Really pleased that Joe Cole has made the cut. He's top quality and gives us plenty of options with his versatility especially as he can play just behind the front man as well as midfield and the wings.

[jimmy two times]

Yeah and hopefully he'll be plying his trade over at the lane next season. (tu)

[Jah Lush]

I really hope so Jimmy.

[jimmy two times]

This is a bit left field, but I always wonder why no international squads gamble on only bringing 2 keepers so that they can have an extra outfield player? I can't recall ever seeing a time when England had to use their third choice keeper. It would be a gamble, but a calculated one. Still, don't listen to me. I don't think there should be a defensive wall when the opposition have got a free kick outside the area so what do I know.