merse
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Post by merse on Jun 18, 2010 11:07:00 GMT
 It's great to have your first hand reports Jo'Burg, I would love to be there and think a South African World Cup is so special. It must be a relief for the Northern European teams to be able to at last play a finals on their own terms in weather conditions akin to what they are used to..................the playing surfaces too look absolute perfection, brilliant stadiums and only altitude to cater for; but then at least the effects don't seem to be anything like they were when combined with the heat of Mexico when the finals have been held there. The French have been truly dreadful ~ I can't recall one single shot on target last night and the sulking and indifference to his team mates' plight coming from Annelka is really disgraceful. Since they lost the World Cup Final to Italy four years ago the French have gone down the toilet in a fashion that suggests they still haven't got over losing that final and that despite their superb production line they are merely producing self centred, individuals rather than those of a strong team ethic and selfless mental toughness that will often over come those of greater talent.. When you look at the talent available, the training resources they have and the conveyor belt of talent coming out of Clairefontein, which has been up and running as their National Training Centre for 22 years now whilst in this country we STILL haven't got such a facility; I would question the priorities of their system ~ or is it their natural national phschique to be like that? All the most talented footballers identified from the Greater Paris area are accomodated there from the age of 13 upwards on a residential basis and they are in turn registerd with all the leading French clubs. At 15 they then move out to those clubs and the production line of talent is truly remarkable. In addidtion there are 12 "Satelite" centres dotted around France known as "Elite Centres d' Excellence" to cater for the provincial talent. A wonderful system and light years ahead of this more club orientated country but then, club football in France is a level below that of this country in terms of the pulling power and general appeal to the population at large; so all credit to them for setting this up with so much more foresight than we in England have ever shown. For those of you interested, Clairefontein is situated in the Chevreusse Valley, just South West of Paris near Rambouilet; the weekend residence of the French President and in terms of comparability, similar in location to Chelsea's Cobham (Surrey) training ground.
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merse
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Post by merse on Jun 18, 2010 13:42:38 GMT
So the Germans can miss a penalty (their first in 28 years of World Cup Finals including pen shoot outs!) and they can put in a mediocre performance..................no different to anyone else and that brings a sense of perspective to following England. No need to get in a paddy over tonight's game, no need to get wound up over Robert Green. This England manager knows what he is doing and in Fabio we trust. This seems to be the lowest key mentality towards England and their World Cup prospects since the time we won it in 1966. Then it was so laid back you could even turn up and pay on the night for the Wembley opener against Uruguay as it was far from being a sell out. Even around here, the Algerians appear to have mysteriously diasppeared ~ either that or they are all taking a siesta but the disappearance of nearly all the Algerian flags fom the neighbourhood since their awful disp[lay against Slovenia has told a story. For months they have been winding up for tonight's game and now it's here where are they? Well the French have lost, the Spanish have lost and so too have the Germans whilst WE haven't ~ let's keep it that way
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Post by loyalgull on Jun 18, 2010 13:50:27 GMT
there is no doubt this is becoming the craziest world cup ever,anyone and everyone are practically capable of beating each other,i agree we can do very well,we have to believe,but forecasting any result is nigh on impossible.The germans and argentinians both looked strong,but form changes,so a good performance tonight keeps us in the mix,nobody stands out,apart from argentina after two games,they were dire in qualification and fortunate to get here,i reckon they will crumble at some point.All makes for an interesting world cup even with up to now not much to shout about
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Post by stefano on Jun 25, 2010 21:10:07 GMT
Haven't seen a fox in rural Devon for the last two weeks. Must be the sound of those vuvuzelas keeping their heads down as they probably expect a pack of Beagle Hounds behind it!  |
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Post by ospelgull on Jul 1, 2010 15:38:55 GMT
Well for the English it might be over but there are some countries were World Cup Fever reaches it climax!
Tomorrow the Dutch take on the Brazilians and the majority of the country is confident and thus looking forward for this match. It'll prove to be a very tough match if you ask me with both teams equal in terms of quality.
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Post by jmgull on Jul 1, 2010 19:09:39 GMT
with both teams equal in terms of quality.  Not quite sure you'll get much agreement with that one outside of Holland mate. Good luck anyway... |
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Post by ospelgull on Jul 1, 2010 19:25:26 GMT
with both teams equal in terms of quality. Not quite sure you'll get much agreement with that one outside of Holland mate. Good luck anyway... And if you look at the clubs where the players are under contract... Real Madrid, Internazionale, AC Milan, Bayern Munchen, Arsenal, Liverpool, Hamburg ect ect I don't think Brazil's list is any better. And don't forget the 'star' players of the Dutch team are all in rich form. On the other hand, we never seem to beat them despite being equal or even better against them. Except for 1974.... We'll see it all tomorrow! |
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merse
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Post by merse on Jul 1, 2010 20:04:09 GMT
............And don't forget the 'star' players of the Dutch team are all in rich form.
On the other hand, we never seem to beat them despite being equal or even better against them. Except for 1974....
We'll see it all tomorrow! I wouldn't get too excited Ospel ~ your side is chronically short of pace with the exception of Elias who is there to come on and inject it. I think you have gone as far as that side can take you, which is still light years ahead of England's limits but nevertheless only quarter final standard. |
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merse
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Post by merse on Jul 1, 2010 21:55:26 GMT
Talking of Dutch footballers..................Anthony wore his Torquay United "Wembley 08" all yellow kit to training tonight and a parent asked me why he had a Dutch name on the back of his shirt as it was a player she had never heard of. The player's name? Van Danel of course! 
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Post by ospelgull on Jul 2, 2010 6:06:25 GMT
I wouldn't get too excited Ospel ~ your side is chronically short of pace with the exception of Elias who is there to come on and inject it. I think you have gone as far as that side can take you, which is still light years ahead of England's limits but nevertheless only quarter final standard. You won't see me getting too excited, only when the mighty Gulls or Ajax play. Don't know why but I've never 'fallen in love' with the Dutch national team. If they play against England it's the Three Lions that get my support. I must have been English in a previous life.  Elia is not the only one with pace, don't forget Robben and our right back Van der Wiel. If Sneijder and Robben have a magnificent match anything can happen! |
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merse
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Post by merse on Jul 2, 2010 7:45:38 GMT
Elia is not the only one with pace, don't forget Robben and our right back Van der Wiel. If Sneijder and Robben have a magnificent match anything can happen! I think Wesley Schneider is one of the world's great precision passers whilst Robben looks a whole lot more at ease playing World Cup for Holland than he ever did playing club football in England. You have to be very excited though about Elia ~ such grace and balance on the ball and an intelligent mover into space, I really think he could become a leading world performer.
Van der Wiel too is a great talent, but I still think your side overall lacks the pace and physique to overcome Brazil. Good luck though, I can't wait for kick off! |
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merse
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Post by merse on Jul 2, 2010 16:06:51 GMT
"I think Wesley Schneider is one of the world's great precision passers whilst Robben looks a whole lot more at ease playing World Cup for Holland than he ever did playing club football in England.............
but I still think your side overall lacks the pace and physique to overcome Brazil." Well the first part of my thoughts today were spot on, the last aside ~ spot off! Sorry to have been watching World Cup football whilst the rest of you were rooting around in layby research. Seems like the over reliance on Jesus came back to bite the Brazilians on the bum, one sight of a cross and their keeper throws one in..................quality (not) 
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Post by stefano on Jul 2, 2010 16:21:59 GMT
I think Wesley Schneider is one of the world's great precision passers whilst Robben looks a whole lot more at ease playing World Cup for Holland than he ever did playing club football in England.............
but I still think your side overall lacks the pace and physique to overcome Brazil. Sorry to have been watching World Cup football whilst the rest of you were rooting around in layby research. My lay-by observations were two minutes before kick off, then I joined in the Samba for a while before turning to Edam and Jenever in the second half. Tot ziens Brazil! ;D |
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Post by loyalgull on Jul 2, 2010 16:24:25 GMT
the old brazillian frailty in defence came back to haunt them again today,even as torquay fans we would have been cheesed of with poor defending like that
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jul 3, 2010 16:14:44 GMT
I think Wesley Schneider is one of the world's great precision passers My dear friend Wesley also knows where the goal is, mind you I did give him some very good tips how to improve his game the last time we went training together  |
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