The 2014 World Cup chat thread

[Archibald&Crooks]

Don't spam this otherwise it'll get locked.

 

[Gbspurs]

Don't spam this otherwise it'll get locked.

In all seriousness I'm quite excited about the world cup coming about. Typically my paternity leave is likely to be 2 weeks before it starts. Curses!

 

[Jamturk]

Judging by the past couple of seasons I think that this could be 1 of the worst world cups ever. On 1 side we have the possession based tika taka etc which has been defeated recently by the initial high press, low block retreat tactics.

I think that these finals could be remembered more by what happens off the pitch (domestic politics) than what happens on it.

 

[Dougal]

Stupid bloody competition.

 

[hughy]

Stupid bloody competition.

Thierry says hi.

 

[absolute bobbins]

Have we signed anyone yet?

 

[absolute bobbins]

Ooops, wrong thread

 

[RichieS]

Hey @Dinpomp , what's Croatia's preferred 11 these days? By my reckoning they should be a bloody good side and on a par with Belgium as "dark horses".

 

[thinktank]

Love it, can't wait.

 

[beats1]

Love it, can't wait.

It will be a interesting one but I fear this may not go well as the police have been struggling to contain the Favellas and innocent people have been shot with it being stretched

It has definitely been the worst modern world cup already in terms of effects on the country and how good its infrastructure is

 

[thinktank]

It will be a interesting one but I fear this may not go well as the police have been struggling to contain the Favellas and innocent people have been shot with it being stretched

It has definitely been the worst modern world cup already in terms of effects on the country and how good its infrastructure is

Well, it's happening so best to try and enjoy.

 

[beats1]

Well, it's happening so best to try and enjoy.

Indeed but its a shame as this was something I was really looking forward

lets just hope its built in time as one of the stadiums may have work stopped as the the temporary stand is being argued as being unsafe, its insane how bad its going. There is always scaremongering before a big sporting event but this has been the worse and I think it says it all when its less than a month to go and there are 3 unfinished stadiums. One of which they may not have a broadcasting centre and concession area as there isn't enough time

 

[thinktank]

Indeed but its a shame as this was something I was really looking forward

lets just hope its built in time as one of the stadiums may have work stopped as the the temporary stand is being argued as being unsafe, its insane how bad its going. There is always scaremongering before a big sporting event but this has been the worse and I think it says it all when its less than a month to go and there are 3 unfinished stadiums. One of which they may not have a broadcasting centre and concession area as there isn't enough time

Things are always ready in time one way or another though.

4 week frenzy is no doubt afoot.

 

[beats1]

Things are always ready in time one way or another though.

4 week frenzy is no doubt afoot.

True but normally people don't die to make it in time for the date of the opening date and fifa actually said they may drop stadiums

Which would screw over people going there and countries that may be based there

 

[Dinpomp]

Hey @Dinpomp , what's Croatia's preferred 11 these days? By my reckoning they should be a bloody good side and on a par with Belgium as "dark horses".

No one really knows for sure now as Kovac (the manager) took over late (just before the play-off) and seems to be leaning toward a team without a true defensive midfielder. There is only one true DM in the provisional 30-man squad (Vukojevic). Obviously our strength is in our midfield and he needs to figure out a way to best fit Modic-Rakitic-Kovacic together. Mandzukic is suspended for the game vs. Brazil so that's one of the question marks, at least for the first match. Another question mark is at left back where Strinic was a regular throughout qualifying but Pranjic played the playoff (Strinic was injured).

The way it looks now:

G: Pletikosa
RB: Srna
CB: Corluka (he's had a really good season at Lokomotiv Moscow, playing only as a CB)
CB: Lovren
LB: Strinic (or Pranjic)
M: Modric
M: Rakitic
M: Kovacic
M/F: Perisic
M/F: Olic
S: Mandzukic/Eduardo

Again, not really sure what Kovac has in plan. He likes the 4-3-2-1. He may opt for Vukojevic vs. Brazil and then leave him out vs. Cameroon and Mexico. I don't really know for sure. He said from day one (even when he started with the U21's) that he doesn't like playing with 2 DM's. And now he might go without any. Interesting, since he was a DM himself. One which we have had a hard time replacing since he retired. I think he believes with the central midfielders we have at our disposal, and their all-round ability and defensive responsibility, that we can compensate without a "pitbull" in the side. We'll see.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Still flabbergasted that Pletikosa used to be a part of our team...

 

[beats1]

Still flabbergasted that Pletikosa used to be a part of our team...

Was about to post the same thing, he was the reason Begovic changed his mind about signing with us lol

 

[beats1]

It seems one of the stadiums wont be finished for the world cup and will be played without a roof on one stand.

Im expecting a European winner this year, I don't think either south american heavyweights will do it

Belgium are the surprise package with their first tournament in a while or ever(i don't know)

 

[LukaMotion]

Brazil, Spain and Germany will be the favourites but I can see at least 8 different teams I think can win it:

Brazil
Spain
Germany
Argentina
France
Uruguay
Portugal
Belgium

 

[beats1]

Brazil, Spain and Germany will be the favourites but I can see at least 8 different teams I think can win it:

Brazil
Spain
Germany
Argentina
France
Uruguay
Portugal
Belgium

U put portugal and not Italy. Italy always handle themselves well in a tournament

Also Uruguay have been very bad recently