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***Official*** 2018 World Cup thread (and Drinking Guide) (3 Viewers)

gianmarco said:
There are few "big games" less interesting to watch than a World Cup 3rd place match. 

Virtually zero interest in this outcome and only occasionally putting it on to watch.

I'm still not quite sure why they even play this.
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One reason they play it is because fans travel so far - at least they can be assured of getting 2 games, even if its an exhibition game for 2 of the 4 finalists.  I'm somewhat surprised at the lineups; thought there would be more reserve players starting.

 
ChiefD said:
This is what I love about soccer coaches and announcers. They actually say stuff of substance. Vermes does this all the time - he never minces words or gives coach speak.
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any rumors out of KC about Vermes and the US coaching job?  I know he interviewed for the GM job and came away a bit disgusted.

 
CletiusMaximus said:
One reason they play it is because fans travel so far - at least they can be assured of getting 2 games, even if its an exhibition game for 2 of the 4 finalists.  I'm somewhat surprised at the lineups; thought there would be more reserve players starting.
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not that it effected lineup choices but out of interest, does 3rd place bring home more money than 4th?

 
Jaysus said:
Who is the best team in England with nobody on this English Squad?  Southmapton? West Ham? Wolverhampton?
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Everton?

If not for Welbeck, who arguably shouldn't be there and I don't think has played, it's Arsenal, right?

 
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gianmarco said:
Everton?

If not for Welbeck, who arguably shouldn't be there and I don't think has played, it's Arsenal, right?
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Pickford plays for Everton.  Has Welbeck played at all?

(JUST checked - he was on for 11 mins vs Belgium the frist time)

 
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not since England won way back in 1966 has any player playing concurrently for Manchester United ever won a WC.  Pogba gas a chance to break this streak tomorrow.

 
NewlyRetired said:
any rumors out of KC about Vermes and the US coaching job?  I know he interviewed for the GM job and came away a bit disgusted.
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There have been several articles written, and he has been asked a bunch of times. On THIS subject he has used coachspeak: “I am building my program with Sporting, I am committed to Kansas City, etc...”

I personally believe that two years ago when he completely restructured how Sporting plays he was testing a program that he could filter down to the Sporting Academy and lower through the Sporting affiliations in KC. A lot of leagues here play under their umbrella, but not necessarily their academy if that makes sense.

He started working on a build out of the back style, and they have been a much better possession club over the last two seasons. I personally believe he did this as somewhat of a tryout also for US Soccer - to give a glimpse into what he could build.

He is the guy, imo, that would be an excellent technical director for US Soccer. He probably would not take one or the other - he is a guy that is stubborn enough to tell them to pound sand. Meaning, he would want to be technical director and coach. Or GM and coach. However they do it. He wants to build a program, which US Soccer desparately needs.

Which means he won’t get it.

 
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Eephus said:
Shelvy would have probably been suspended

But he is the type of player that this England squad was sorely lacking.  The midfield lacked a creative spark all tournament long.
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Maybe I'm spacing on someone, but isn't this always true?  After Gascoigne, who's been good in that role?

 
Hazard is surely gone. What a great world cup he's had. They'll go for Mbappe if he's available, but I think Hazard will be an easier target as long as Real doesn't **** around with the money, something they don't typically do.

Barring some superb out of the blue performance tomorrow, it seems the Golden Ball discussion will be Hazard, Modric or Kante.  Its Kante easily for me, although DM probably isn't sexy enough for FIFA. If Croatia wins tomorrow, probably Modric, otherwise its Hazard.

 
I guess this closes the book on this Golden Generation of Belgian football.  They've been good but were never quite able to get over the top. 

There's still talent there; Hazard and de Bruyne will be 31 for Qatar and Lukaku will be 29.  The defense will have to be reconstructed and as much as I defend Martinez, I'm not sure that's his specialty.  Most of Belgium's U21 team is domestically based and no young players were factors for the senior squad in the WC.

 
CletiusMaximus said:
Hazard is surely gone. What a great world cup he's had. They'll go for Mbappe if he's available, but I think Hazard will be an easier target as long as Real doesn't **** around with the money, something they don't typically do.

Barring some superb out of the blue performance tomorrow, it seems the Golden Ball discussion will be Hazard, Modric or Kante.  Its Kante easily for me, although DM probably isn't sexy enough for FIFA. If Croatia wins tomorrow, probably Modric, otherwise its Hazard.
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Kante, Mbappe or Modric

 
Christo said:
As much #####ing as we've all done about Sterling, I think Alli was my biggest disappointment for England this tournament.
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At least Dele scored...

But, truthfully, he was out of position in a CM role.  He plays as more of a second striker to Kane for Spurs.  He is not really a creative passer - his strength comes from movement off the ball.

Dele should have played in Sterling's role, and Loftus-Cheek probably should have played in Dele's role - ideally Southgate should have brought a more creative CM to the WC, but given what was on the bench, RLC, makes most sense.

 
English players who I thought played well - over the course of the tournament:

1.  Trippier - obviously

2.  Maguire

3.  Pickford

4.  Stones

 
Christo said:
Sterling should never start for England again.
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Since I don't watch much EPL, this WC was the most I've had a chance to watch Sterling.  He's like the George Costanza of football - every decision he makes, he should do the opposite.  He shoots when he should try and go by someone, he tries to by someone when he should shoot.  Very often, he doesn't seem to have an idea in mind when he passes.  He's got a great deal of speed, but falls well short of the hype he receives, in my opinion.

 
Eephus said:
English or otherwise, there aren’t a lot of trequartistas in the EPL.  James Ward-Prowse can’t get a game at Soton. 
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It's a fairly dead position, really, replaced by a shadow striker in front of a flat midfield 4, or 2 inside forwards playing off a central striker.

In any case, one of the most difficult problems to overcome in international football is finding formations that a) play to the strengths of the talent you have while b) not getting exposed but your opposition.  Croatia has certainly figured this part out.  France less so, but they have enough talent to overcome it.

 
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