Soccer Thread

Adam White · May 18, 2016, 09:47:33 AM

To be honest, I can't really decide who I think will win the whole thing. Germany seem the strongest, but they hardly set the world alight during qualifying (they lost and drew to the lowly Irish, for example).

I think Group B is interesting in that it contains two British teams. It's a shame (somewhat) that Scotland didn't qualify, as it would be great to see all the so-called 'home nations' competing. If England bother turning up, I think they stand a chance. But their form in recent tournaments has been quite poor and until I see evidence to the contrary, I will expect them to just get out of the group and exit during the quarterfinals (on penalties, of course).

TimmyB · May 18, 2016, 11:14:29 AM

I'll be pulling for Croatia, simply because my son-in-law is of Croatian descent and I know about a lot of the players through talking with him. As for underdogs, I'll pull for England, especially if they play the new kids and not the old guard.

fsquid · May 18, 2016, 12:29:54 PM

I'll watch all the Iceland matches. Should be fun to watch that minnow country. Germany is my favorite and I don't think England's back four will allow it to even get to the semis.

JaxAvondale · May 18, 2016, 12:31:02 PM

Quote from: TimmyB on May 18, 2016, 11:14:29 AM
I'll be pulling for Croatia, simply because my son-in-law is of Croatian descent and I know about a lot of the players through talking with him. As for underdogs, I'll pull for England, especially if they play the new kids and not the old guard.

Croatia has a good team. There are a lot of good players in the Balkan region.

TimmyB · May 18, 2016, 12:57:24 PM

Quote from: fsquid on May 18, 2016, 12:29:54 PM
I'll watch all the Iceland matches. Should be fun to watch that minnow country. Germany is my favorite and I don't think England's back four will allow it to even get to the semis.

Iceland could surprise someone. It will be interesting to see if Smalling tries to get away with the same tackling of people in the box for England that he does with MU. He should have given away 10 penalties this year, if the refs had done their job.

Adam White · May 18, 2016, 01:42:06 PM

Quote from: fsquid on May 18, 2016, 12:29:54 PM
I'll watch all the Iceland matches. Should be fun to watch that minnow country. Germany is my favorite and I don't think England's back four will allow it to even get to the semis.

If Hodgson chooses (and starts) both Walker and Rose, England will be okay. Especially if he puts Dier in front of the back four.

Gamblor · May 18, 2016, 03:05:23 PM

^ You make it sound so easy but my experience watching and rooting for the Three Lions makes it very difficult to believe Roy will do the right thing. Need a real boss, not a caretaker

Adam White · May 18, 2016, 03:26:00 PM

Quote from: Gamblor on May 18, 2016, 03:05:23 PM
^ You make it sound so easy but my experience watching and rooting for the Three Lions makes it very difficult to believe Roy will do the right thing. Need a real boss, not a caretaker

I'm no huge England supporter, but Roy's a good manager. I don't think it's fair to call him a caretaker. England won all their games in qualifying and yeah, they didn't have the toughest group (and they've done that - or close to it - before and still failed). But they looked good when Roy played the new look younger team in that friendly against Germany in March.

I doubt England will win it, but I'm a bit more optimistic for them this year.

Gamblor · May 18, 2016, 05:04:32 PM

Caretaker is the word he and the English FA have used repeatedly to describe his role/agenda (it is not necessarily a bad thing). His selections don't always make sense though. Taking Wilshire (and I'm an Arsenal fan) who played in 3 games all year and not the likes of Mark Noble who had an outstanding season leading the hammers makes no sense

Adam White · May 18, 2016, 05:15:37 PM

Quote from: Gamblor on May 18, 2016, 05:04:32 PM
Caretaker is the word he and the English FA have used repeatedly to describe his role/agenda (it is not necessarily a bad thing). His selections don't always make sense though. Taking Wilshire (and I'm an Arsenal fan) who played in 3 games all year and not the likes of Mark Noble who had an outstanding season leading the hammers makes no sense

I've never heard him referred to as a caretaker, but I don't pay too much attention to be honest.

I wonder about some of his choices, though I sometimes think that might be due to FA meddling. Wilshere makes no sense - he's not that good anyway, regardless of his lack of playing time this year.

And he should've picked Defoe.

Gamblor · May 18, 2016, 05:29:03 PM

Totally agree about Defoe, I also think he should have brought Andy Carroll.

TimmyB · May 18, 2016, 08:06:56 PM

Don't overlook Rashford, guys. The kid is insanely composed for a teenager, and he can score goals for Manchester United, which is quite a statement, this year!

Adam White · May 19, 2016, 05:13:22 AM

Quote from: TimmyB on May 18, 2016, 08:06:56 PM
Don't overlook Rashford, guys. The kid is insanely composed for a teenager, and he can score goals for Manchester United, which is quite a statement, this year!

He seems promising - I think he averaged about a goal every other match with United. He's young, though, and there just isn't enough evidence yet that he can sustain his form.

Remember how everybody claimed Harry Kane was a one season wonder after scoring 21 goals in the 2014-15 Premier League season?

TimmyB · May 19, 2016, 01:40:01 PM

Quote from: Adam White on May 19, 2016, 05:13:22 AM
Quote from: TimmyB on May 18, 2016, 08:06:56 PM
Don't overlook Rashford, guys. The kid is insanely composed for a teenager, and he can score goals for Manchester United, which is quite a statement, this year!

He seems promising - I think he averaged about a goal every other match with United. He's young, though, and there just isn't enough evidence yet that he can sustain his form.

Remember how everybody claimed Harry Kane was a one season wonder after scoring 21 goals in the 2014-15 Premier League season?

I realize he doesn't have the body of work; at his age, how could he? However, he is big, strong, fast, and relatively fearless. He is MILES ahead of Rooney, as a striker. The sad thing is, I'm sure Roy will keep Rooney, because he is <<gasp>> "our captain". Sorry, man, it's about results, and Rooney's days are (or should be) quite numbered, at least in the main striker role.

Adam White · May 19, 2016, 02:34:14 PM

Quote from: TimmyB on May 19, 2016, 01:40:01 PM
Quote from: Adam White on May 19, 2016, 05:13:22 AM
Quote from: TimmyB on May 18, 2016, 08:06:56 PM
Don't overlook Rashford, guys. The kid is insanely composed for a teenager, and he can score goals for Manchester United, which is quite a statement, this year!

He seems promising - I think he averaged about a goal every other match with United. He's young, though, and there just isn't enough evidence yet that he can sustain his form.

Remember how everybody claimed Harry Kane was a one season wonder after scoring 21 goals in the 2014-15 Premier League season?

I realize he doesn't have the body of work; at his age, how could he? However, he is big, strong, fast, and relatively fearless. He is MILES ahead of Rooney, as a striker. The sad thing is, I'm sure Roy will keep Rooney, because he is <<gasp>> "our captain". Sorry, man, it's about results, and Rooney's days are (or should be) quite numbered, at least in the main striker role.

I definitely think Rooney should stay home. As I said, Defoe is a better choice and I agree that Carroll might be worth a punt. Rooney is clearly past his prime. It's possible he will recover his form (or some of it), but I wouldn't risk taking him to France.

Hodgson would be better of playing different players - no matter who he plays, he'll be slated in the press if England don't win. And that's not likely to happen anyway. May as well make a go of it and try something different.