Danny 1,244 Posted May 19, 2018 (edited) AKA who are England worse than? Rough go below, wouldn't necessarily say we're better than Croatia, Uruguay or Colombia but on paper I've put as above them. Dont rate Portugal massively but Ronaldo is the difference between being the worst European side to winning the World Cup Argentina France Germany Brazil Belgium Spain Portugal England Croatia Uruguay Colombia 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spike 2,737 Posted May 19, 2018 Argentina, aka the team that nearly choked qualifying for this World Cup, the team that choked the last World Cup final, the team that had possible the best two player selections in both the 2006 and and 2010 World Cups and the team that choked the last two Copa Americas? Yeah they are winning fuck all. Love you heaps, but you've got shite. I'd put Uruguay and Croatia, head and shoulders above England, in nearly every department. Colombia perhaps equal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spike 2,737 Posted May 19, 2018 Portugal are one of the better European teams. I don't rate France, and only Germany, Spain, and maybe Belgium have better squads. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 1,386 Posted May 19, 2018 1. Germany 2. Brazil 3. France 4. Spain 5. Argentina 6. Belgium 7. Portugal 8. Uruguay 9. England 10. Croatia 11. Colombia 12. Denmark 13. Mexico 14. Poland 15. Sweden 16. Switzerland 17. Serbia 18. Nigeria 19. Peru 20. Iceland 21. Senegal 22. Japan 23. Egypt 24. Australia 25. Morocco 26. Tunisia 27. Costa Rica 28. Russia 29. South Korea 30. Iran 31. Saudi Arabia 32. Panama 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted May 19, 2018 15 minutes ago, Spike said: Argentina, aka the team that nearly choked qualifying for this World Cup, the team that choked the last World Cup final, the team that had possible the best two player selections in both the 2006 and and 2010 World Cups and the team that choked the last two Copa Americas? Yeah they are winning fuck all. Love you heaps, but you've got shite. I'd put Uruguay and Croatia, head and shoulders above England, in nearly every department. Colombia perhaps equal. Croatia aren't head and shoulders over England, no chance. They are about equal if not a little worse. They are one of the most overrated teams on the planet. Each to their own though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted May 19, 2018 2 minutes ago, Dan said: 1. Germany 2. Brazil 3. France 4. Spain 5. Argentina 6. Belgium 7. Portugal 8. Uruguay 9. England 10. Croatia 11. Colombia 12. Denmark 13. Mexico 14. Poland 15. Sweden 16. Switzerland 17. Serbia 18. Nigeria 19. Peru 20. Iceland 21. Senegal 22. Japan 23. Egypt 24. Australia 25. Morocco 26. Tunisia 27. Costa Rica 28. Russia 29. South Korea 30. Iran 31. Saudi Arabia 32. Panama Think many are underestimating the Saudi's. I've seen a bit of them and they have a very complicated style of play. Very fast and technical and played in a tougher qualifying group than some Europeans. Not great of course but I wouldn't rank them second to bottom. Panama for me are by far the worst. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 1,386 Posted May 19, 2018 Just now, Blue said: Think many are underestimating the Saudi's. I've seen a bit of them and they have a very complicated style of play. Very fast and technical and played in a tougher qualifying group than some Europeans. Not great of course but I wouldn't rank them second to bottom. Panama for me are by far the worst. I don't buy that bit. Asia's not that hard a qualifying group. I'll agree South America's harder than Europe but not Asia. I'll admit I've not watched loads of them but I see them as a convenient opening game for the Russians. You can get 10/1 (11.00) on Saudi Arabia to beat them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted May 19, 2018 Just now, Dan said: I don't buy that bit. Asia's not that hard a qualifying group. I'll agree South America's harder than Europe but not Asia. I'll admit I've not watched loads of them but I see them as a convenient opening game for the Russians. You can get 10/1 (11.00) on Saudi Arabia to beat them. I said qualifying group, not zone. They had Japan and Australia, that's tougher than the likes of Slovakia and San Marino, lets be completely fair. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 1,386 Posted May 19, 2018 5 minutes ago, Blue said: I said qualifying group, not zone. They had Japan and Australia, that's tougher than the likes of Slovakia and San Marino, lets be completely fair. Both Japan and Australia also qualified. Neither Slovakia or San Marino did. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted May 19, 2018 Just now, Dan said: Both Japan and Australia also qualified. Neither Slovakia or San Marino did. I know, that was my point. Its not as hard to qualify from Asia as it is in Europe, but the group that Saudi Arabia had was tougher than some European groups. I think someone like Japan can get out of Iceland's group for example, but not Portugal's. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 1,386 Posted May 19, 2018 4 minutes ago, Blue said: I know, that was my point. Its not as hard to qualify from Asia as it is in Europe, but the group that Saudi Arabia had was tougher than some European groups. I think someone like Japan can get out of Iceland's group for example, but not Portugal's. I'm not sure Japan come through that group in all honesty. Saudi Arabia are in a handy position because they're one of the stronger teams in the continent and there's a bit of margin for error. Basically the five in Asia that made it were the likely five. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted May 19, 2018 (edited) 2 minutes ago, Dan said: I'm not sure Japan come through that group in all honesty. Saudi Arabia are in a handy position because they're one of the stronger teams in the continent and there's a bit of margin for error. Basically the five in Asia that made it were the likely five. While I agree with that last sentence as everyone else in Asia are crap, the best teams are still a bit underrated. Australia struggled due to their own errors in this campaign but I'm not sold that the 5 sides that qualified can't make it out of any of the groups in Europe. That's just me though. I'm just saying that they did have some competition. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 1,386 Posted May 19, 2018 3 minutes ago, Blue said: While I agree with that last sentence as everyone else in Asia are crap, the best teams are still a bit underrated. Australia struggled due to their own errors in this campaign but I'm not sold that the 5 sides that qualified can't make it out of any of the groups in Europe. That's just me though. I'm just saying that they did have some competition. I'd be amazed if Saudi Arabia got out of the group Sweden were in for example. I'm going off limited knowledge here but Sweden came through as tough a route as they could've asked for. France and Holland in the group stage and then Italy in the play-offs, and they came through the lot. A super effort that makes me think they're a dark horse to do well in this tournament. Respect their manager telling Zlatan where to go as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted May 19, 2018 Just now, Dan said: I'd be amazed if Saudi Arabia got out of the group Sweden were in for example. I'm going off limited knowledge here but Sweden came through as tough a route as they could've asked for. France and Holland in the group stage and then Italy in the play-offs, and they came through the lot. A super effort that makes me think they're a dark horse to do well in this tournament. Respect their manager telling Zlatan where to go as well. I don't think so either mate, but for example I'd fancy them to fight in Wales' group. They've gotten results against Japan and Australia, who I think are better teams than the Saudi's. Ireland are a hugely limited side that got shown up against an actual good side in Denmark, that's kind of where I'm getting at. Saudi Arabia are your typical Arab/Middle Eastern side. Very fast pace and very good on the dribble. Overall, not great quality and I don't want to make predictions yet by saying they are the second worst team, but even if they are, I think they aren't as bad as some give them credit for, which tells me how close the 32 teams are together. Well, 31 I would say. Panama are far below the rest. Its tough to say at this point at least for me. Saudi Arabia definitely don't have the quality of someone like Serbia or Croatia, and while I'm not saying they are better, but I think you'd surely agree that those 2 lack work ethic and underachieve often. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Devil-Dick Willie 1,738 Posted May 19, 2018 1. France 2. Germany 3. Spain 4. Brazil 5. Argentina 6. Portugal 7. Belgium 8. Uruguay 9. Switzerland 10. Croatia 11. Colombia 12. Denmark 13. Engand 14. Mexico 15. Sweden 16. Poland 17. Serbia 18. Iceland 19. Peru 20. Nigeria 21. Senegal 22. Japan 23. Russia 24. Morocco 25. Egypt 26. Tunisia 27. Costa Rica 28. South Korea 29. Saudi arabia 30. Australia 31. Iran 32. Panama 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spike 2,737 Posted May 19, 2018 27 minutes ago, Blue said: Croatia aren't head and shoulders over England, no chance. They are about equal if not a little worse. They are one of the most overrated teams on the planet. Each to their own though. What position does England excel at that Croatia doesn't? What forward is a better target man than Mandzukic? What playmaker is better than Modric? What winger is better than Perisic? What fullback is better than Vrasjliko? Does England have a better goalie than Subasic? Actually I'll cede that England have better centre-halves than Croatia. England has Vardy and Kane. What midfield does England have? Hendo is good but he is a grafter, Alli is barely a midfielder, playing as more of a deep forward, and Loftus-Cheek is inexperienced right now. England literally has two central midfielders this tournament. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 1,386 Posted May 19, 2018 2 minutes ago, Blue said: I don't think so either mate, but for example I'd fancy them to fight in Wales' group. They've gotten results against Japan and Australia, who I think are better teams than the Saudi's. Ireland are a hugely limited side that got shown up against an actual good side in Denmark, that's kind of where I'm getting at. Saudi Arabia are your typical Arab/Middle Eastern side. Very fast pace and very good on the dribble. Overall, not great quality and I don't want to make predictions yet by saying they are the second worst team, but even if they are, I think they aren't as bad as some give them credit for, which tells me how close the 32 teams are together. Well, 31 I would say. Panama are far below the rest. Its tough to say at this point at least for me. Saudi Arabia definitely don't have the quality of someone like Serbia or Croatia, and while I'm not saying they are better, but I think you'd surely agree that those 2 lack work ethic and underachieve often. I really don't know how they'd fare against Wales or Ireland to be honest, that was probably the most interesting group of the lot as there was no clear winner. If Saudi Arabia aren't 31st, who are? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 1,386 Posted May 19, 2018 1 minute ago, Spike said: What position does England excel at that Croatia doesn't? What forward is a better target man than Mandzukic? What playmaker is better than Modric? What winger is better than Perisic? What fullback is better than Vrasjliko? Does England have a better goalie than Subasic? Actually I'll cede that England have better centre-halves than Croatia. England has Vardy and Kane. What midfield does England have? Hendo is good but he is a grafter, Alli is barely a midfielder, playing as more of a deep forward, and Loftus-Cheek is inexperienced right now. England literally has two central midfielders this tournament. I often find Croatia flatter to deceive as well. While England notoriously do I actually think Southgate might actually be building something that's greater than the sum of its parts - and it's the first time in a long time I can say that about an England manager. Croatia have some great players but Brian was right, they, and Serbia (and they're as bad as anyone for this) do under-achieve. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spike 2,737 Posted May 19, 2018 3 minutes ago, Devil-Dick Willie said: 1. France 30. Australia 31. Iran 32. Panama lmao France at number 1. What do they have? They don't have any leaders, and outside of Griezmann, Kante, and Giroud are full of international under performers. I expect nothing short of mediocrity from them. Just like 2010 and 2002. They'll do what France do best, lose. Won a rigged '98 WC, a rigged Champions League, and a Euros with only the best player alive at the time (platini). And Australia might actually do better than I thought. Some of the boys are coming off very solid seasons. A win against Peru and a draw against Les Noires or the Danes and I'd be a happy man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spike 2,737 Posted May 19, 2018 3 minutes ago, Dan said: I often find Croatia flatter to deceive as well. While England notoriously do I actually think Southgate might actually be building something that's greater than the sum of its parts - and it's the first time in a long time I can say that about an England manager. Croatia have some great players but Brian was right, they, and Serbia (and they're as bad as anyone for this) do under-achieve. I do believe England have a brighter future than Croatia but that midfield is almost (if not worse) than Croatia's defence. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted May 19, 2018 4 minutes ago, Dan said: I really don't know how they'd fare against Wales or Ireland to be honest, that was probably the most interesting group of the lot as there was no clear winner. If Saudi Arabia aren't 31st, who are? To be honest, I think we'll see that at the World Cup. Perhaps now its totally fair to keep them there, but I feel they aren't far below your Japan or your Australia, where as someone like Panama I can tell you now are by far the worst. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Devil-Dick Willie 1,738 Posted May 19, 2018 1 minute ago, Spike said: lmao France at number 1. What do they have? They don't have any leaders, and outside of Griezmann, Kante, and Giroud are full of international under performers. I expect nothing short of mediocrity from them. Just like 2010 and 2002. They'll do what France do best, lose. Won a rigged '98 WC, a rigged Champions League, and a Euros with only the best player alive at the time (platini). And Australia might actually do better than I thought. Some of the boys are coming off very solid seasons. A win against Peru and a draw against Les Noires or the Danes and I'd be a happy man. It's just my opinion of the teams on paper. And Australia will probably beat Peru in a shithouse grindy game where Peru have more chances but Aus win through set pieces and crosses. We've seen it before. But no chance against France and Denmark with it all to play for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spike 2,737 Posted May 19, 2018 Just now, Devil-Dick Willie said: It's just my opinion of the teams on paper. And Australia will probably beat Peru in a shithouse grindy game where Peru have more chances but Aus win through set pieces and crosses. We've seen it before. But no chance against France and Denmark with it all to play for. The French are divas and have no balls, they'd walk into the match croissant in hand, and their wive's boyfriends watching, with a bucketful of arrogance as strong as Bordeaux wine. By all rights they should smash Australia 8-0 but the French are wankers. I expect worse from the Danes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted May 19, 2018 2 minutes ago, Devil-Dick Willie said: It's just my opinion of the teams on paper. And Australia will probably beat Peru in a shithouse grindy game where Peru have more chances but Aus win through set pieces and crosses. We've seen it before. But no chance against France and Denmark with it all to play for. That sounds like a classic Australia win and a classic Peru loss! I'm confident we will beat the Aussies though. At least at the time of writing, anyways. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 1,386 Posted May 19, 2018 France do have a shocking tournament in their locker to be fair. They've got some super players but I don't think they'll win the whole thing. I think Spain go well under the radar. They could win it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spike 2,737 Posted May 19, 2018 1 minute ago, Blue said: That sounds like a classic Australia win and a classic Peru loss! I'm confident we will beat the Aussies though. At least at the time of writing, anyways. No chance in hell. Australians hate losing more than they like winning. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Berserker 1,313 Posted May 19, 2018 1 minute ago, Blue said: That sounds like a classic Australia win and a classic Peru loss! I'm confident we will beat the Aussies though. At least at the time of writing, anyways. Tell you what, you win, you upload a video eating a Hamster. OZ wins, Dannyboy eats a bucket of ashes and uploads it as well, everybody wins. 1 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted May 19, 2018 Just now, Dan said: France do have a shocking tournament in their locker to be fair. They've got some super players but I don't think they'll win the whole thing. I think Spain go well under the radar. They could win it. To be honest, I don't see this France generation to be special compared to what they've had before. I don't see how these players are better than what they had in 1998 or 2006. I'm not saying its a bad team, insane depth and some great players and yes, its true they don't always play like a team. I wouldn't call this a "golden generation" though. Its just a normal moment for France. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted May 19, 2018 1 minute ago, Berserker said: Tell you what, you win, you upload a video eating a Hamster. OZ wins, Dannyboy eats a bucket of ashes and uploads it as well, everybody wins. I'm not in the Andes at the moment, but I have eaten Guinea Pig before in Huancayo and Cuzco. I would do it, but I'm gonna be spending the World Cup in Lima! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spike 2,737 Posted May 19, 2018 I fully predict another incident like Franck Ribery being so insanely jealous of Yoan Gourcuff that he turns all the Muslim and African players against Gourcuff and makes the locker room a divided piece of shit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites