Tuesday 15 June 2010

On A Whinge And a Prayer



What shall we do with Fabio Capello when he gets back, eh?


Put him in the stocks and throw carbonara sauce at him? Steal his glasses and make him wear crappity NHS jobs from the 1980s? Remove his pointy fingers and mount them on spikes whilst shouting 'How about that for a Capello Index?'


I've heard people saying crap like 'He's just putting out a McClaren team!' Well, yes, maybe, only the lads Cap picked seemed to get us to the finals of a major tournament with barely a hiccup. And not a brolly in sight.


I've heard people saying he shouldn't be stalling on a new contract. Christ knows, every working person in football, especially those that have a proven track record, know how to apply a bit of a leverage to a contract. And any road, if the man does a good job, he can walk away with my blessing, if no one else's.


I've heard bleating about picking Ledley King from people who were right chuffed the young crock was on the plane. I've heard the decision to play Green roundly poo-pooed even though Green was excellent against Mexico and James wasn't fit.


I mean I'm not one to back off from sticking the boot in, but I'm not exactly why I'd be lacing up my Doc Martens with the steel toecaps in at the moment.

There are reasons for criticism. Playing Milner was clearly an error but after half an hour the lad was back on the bench. Wright-Phillips is a liability a lot of the time. Joe Cole will have to come into things. But really, do we need this half-cocked character assassination from a bunch of beer-swilling numpties as they reel from stadium to hotel bar? (That's the journos, not the fans)


England have played one game of football. They looked ordinary. That's partly because they are ordinary. It's like ordering a burger and complaining cos all you got was a meat patty in a bap. If you think we're exceptional then you'll be amongst those people who stood up and roared when our saviour, a nice pipecleaner of a man with a reasonable first touch, got up off the bench for the last ten minutes.


I've talked up our chances cos I don't see the bloody point of being pessimistic when our team's got themselves to the World Cup without a single nail bitten or sphincter tightened. Besides which, I support Middlesbrough FC, so I spend the rest of the sodding year doing me best Eeyore impression.


But I'm not daft enough to think that we'll win it without a big dose of luck, and some truly inspirational stuff from Rooney and/or Gerrard. Only shameless jackass hacks and bullet-headed bootboys believe we have some sort of divine right to bag a trophy.


Before long, we'll have the usual guff about how the Premier League is the best league in the world and yet the national team still disappoints, quickly followed by fingers of blame gesturing towards the selfish foreigners who pollute our game.


But the English squad is made up of players from that very top-flight and if there are any sparkling English diamonds pissing about in second elevens up and down the country then I haven't seen them.


And football is relentlessly subjective. Villa fans can't believe Ashley Young's at home. Brum finds despair that Roger Johnson didn't even get mentioned. And if I hear one more person express shock that Gareth Bale didn't get the nod, I'm going to do something drastic and, I dunno, drink cider. He's Welsh, for God's sake!


But then there are swathes of ugly lifeless tree plantations being grown up and down the hillsides of Europe in order that eighty gazillion square inches of newspaper can be pumped out onto our streets every morning - and there's only so much real stuff can go in them before we get onto reams and reams of tedious speculation.

And largely, that boils down to either idle malice in the direction of people we used to laud to the pigging skies, be that an errant footballer or some secret cellulite, or some plastic-faced publicity-junkie with a life with about as much depth as Norfolk.


But really, people, what the hell cause have we got to start pinging arrows in the direction of the manager? Or even making Rob Green effigies in the same way that many unbelievably dense people did in the direction of St. David of Beckingham in 1998?


It's not even that it's incomprehensible that folk get wound up. We all bloody do. But it happens every time, and often before there's any need to stick photos of your favourite letdowns on the pub dartboard.


I expect Marcello Lippi is getting similar short shrift from the baying hounds of the Italian press who can idly forget that his team are the World Champions.


But me, I'm winding my neck in till we finally 'crash out' - which is the official way in which we exit tournaments - and I'm going to try and enjoy the tournament, which ain't that easy when there's more moaners around you than your average swingers' party.


Otherwise all this whingeing and whining is going to sound like so many vuvuzelas.












652 comments:

  1. OK... Robbo, why did you triple space your paragraphs... was it to make the post appear longer.... just curious.

    As I said in the last blog... the England US game is gone and forgotten... I'm looking forward to the Ivory Coast Portugal game... hopefully we'll see some good football for a change.

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  2. Oh blast you Blog......... I fot I'd nailed it this time mate.

    Well, I'll settle for silver this time, aint bad.
    My question though is, if as most people say, the Vuvuzela ball gives keepers the mares, why do we have all these boring 0-0, 1-1, and 1-0 scores. Really, why?

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  3. And who else did?
    The thing is, the day I heard the Vuvuzela Ball was that fast and will be a menace to the goalies, I thought it's about time..... was salivating all the way for the opening match, and what else, Man of the Match is a goalie, next game 0-0, three games later, ZZZZZZZZ, and then the Germans, then back to 1-0.

    Take me back to 1954 when the ball was heavier, slower, pigskin, and the scores were averaging 5 per game......... need i say more?

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  4. adampsb said...

    So Rod you feel that putting the keeper who in the course of the league season conceded the LEAST GOALS and kept the MOST CLEAN SHEETS in goal is stupid.

    I think Capello doesn't need to worry about you taking his job any time soon

    -----------------------------------------------

    Obviously thats not what I said Adam but I am buoyed by the fact that you are clutching at straws here. My argument is about blaming Green 100% for the USA result.

    Also clean sheets aren't everything, Birmingham had the longest unbeaten run this year pretty much because they're a very well organised team. I don't think you can say the same about Pompey and definitely not about West Ham. Obviously if the 10 men infront of you are better organised you're gonna have less saves to make - therefore more clean sheets.

    -------------------------------------------------

    Why Did You Ngog Rafa said...

    Funny that really, I mean I see your point about James being one of best in the world?? As just look at all the teams wanting his signature after Pompey were relegated.................. Teams like Milan and Madrid and Man Utd and Bayern etc.............

    Aherm.

    ------------------------------------------------

    I guess thats why I said maybe. Also being one the best keepers in the world doesn't mean being in the top 4 or 5. It could be a group of 20 players.

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  5. New Zealand are called Black Caps in cricket and All Whites in football. Interesting.

    G'day all.

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  6. I heard from a localite here (obviously not a regular football watcher) that World Cup begins today as Samba Boys take field against North Korea.

    Some people only know one team - Brazil.

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  7. i want england to win so much i feel ill

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  8. WOW!!! That was massive by Ronaldo. This is what I'm talking about. Really.........

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  9. SS11 said...
    I heard from a localite here (obviously not a regular football watcher) that World Cup begins today as Samba Boys take field against North Korea.

    Some people only know one team - Brazil.
    ==========================================
    I consider those people daft.

    But anyways, and the NEw Zealand Rugby team is the All Blacks. Go figure

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  10. Afternoon all. Another fine day on the sofa watching football. Shame the Kiwis ruined my bet with that late equaliser. Good to see that the Gelled Tumbler is still gelled and tumbling.

    Robbo, I'm not complaining but, why the picture of the big breasted blonde? Cracking pic but I'm struggling to see the relevance of it unless the girl has two of the new Jubalani balls (or whatever they're called) stuffed down her top.

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  11. ABout 15th to 20-th ish - give or take a few???

    Never thought I'd say this lads - but I am very dissapointed with the WC - and Im not complaining about the quality of the bog roll

    Which fecking idiot decided to introduce this new ball - and to do it now - it may be 1st game itus but why create an excuse - it may be a red herring but ffs - and how come the germans have had it a year?

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  12. BTW - nice blog as ever Robbo - and Im sure you will have noticed Davcid Bond got a good kicking last night 0 verbally of course...

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  13. Its like watching a team managed by Steve ("Das Ist Verbotten" - nee "How You Shay") McLaren

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  14. The Ivory Coast/Portugal game is a bit disapointing.. IC have gone out to force a win and Portugal have gone out not to lose.... hopefully the second half will be better.

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  15. North Korea v Italy 1966 to whet your appetite for tonight
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZcARgTqADU&feature=player_embedded

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  16. No evidence of a cover-up???? How does that work?

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  17. Good afternoom mass debaters.

    The British media largely suck, its the same every tournament, they are the enemy within, gutter press toe rags.

    From the disscusion from the last blog, I think Green was 100% to blame for the goal, it was a silly mistake, ut to say he's 100% to blame is just wrong, it's a team game and the team weren't good enough to pick themselves up and get the victory, the mistake was made in the first half, therefor plenty of time to rectify it.

    But I understand why some "think" that the blame lays squarly on his shoulders, the gutter press has the nation brain washed into believing you always need to find a scapegoat, you need a finger to point, to say that's the bad guy. (thanks Tony M) e.g "The wally with the brolly", "The Hand of Clod", "Ten men one little boy", the list goes on and on. As Robbo said, they build people up just to bring them down. Scumbags!

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  18. Exactly bloody right. Capello's done fantastically well. I've always thought Sven got undue criticism - taking a team with Danny Mills as first choice right back to the quarters of the WC.

    Let's just try and get behind the boys. 1-1 wasn't a bad result. It's what I thought before the game.

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  19. Sorry lads - even the link to N Korea v Itally is a bit dull - whats happended to footy!!!!

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  20. Time for the second half... type to y'all later.

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  21. Overall though, fair play to Saville, never thought I'd ever see this day. The whole towns in shock.

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  22. I'm nursing a basterd of a hangover, started drinking at around 11:30am in the Dungheap due to the Oranje game, one Dutch victory later, the party was in full swing, more footy (can't remember much of the Italy game) and copius amounts of drink followed untill I ended up, sometime around 3am, sprawled across the bathroom floor. Why do cold tiles feel so good when you're smashed?
    The other half wasn't too impressed (girls eh?) at my increadible drinking feat especially 'cos it's her birthday today, so I'll have to be on my best behaviour. Better get a few drinks in, otherwise I won't be able to function properly. Cheers Lads.

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  23. twenty-ninth!!! woo-hooo..thirty to go..

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  24. You should get a half-bottle of Buckfast H2H. That stuff has magical qualities.

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  25. I'll look into that, Rod.

    I always find a few beers and some greasy grub and I'm sorted.
    A humburger and some fried eggs have been consumed and I'm on my second helping of beer, I'm feeling bettr already.

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  26. Fcuking divers couldnot score a goal. Boooing world cup.

    Cmon Brazil, you chance to live upto the favorites tag.

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  27. H2H, what did the peeps in Dungheap think about 2-0 win? Celebrations alright, but I felt the game was a bit slow at times and not usual fluid stuff. Luckily they got that own goal at start of the 2nd half.

    RvP was on fire pre-world cup, hopefully he's saving for latter stages of the world cup. I was impressed with Elia. Is he on Wenger's radar?

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  28. SS11.

    We all expected a little bit more from the lads, but a wins a win! So instead of flowing footy we had flowing beer, it's all good.
    After yesterday Elia will be on everybodies rader. (He was great against Ghana in the warm ups too)

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  29. Nice Blog as usual Robbo!

    "do we need this half-cocked character assassination from a bunch of beer-swilling numpties"

    - that'll be your old muckas at the *spit* Beeb Phil MCnumpty and Mr Bond I presume.

    Anyway looking forward to Bra V N/Kor later. It'll either be murder for the Koreans or... a 1-1 draw! (couldn't happen, could it?)

    ;-)

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  30. 2 points Robbo

    1. Natural breasts are far more appealing, alluring, artistic, beautiful, erotic, powerful and, dare I say it, without sounding mysoginistic, SEXIER than a couple of Jubalanis filled with expensive sand (i.e. photo above).

    2. This blog feels like a reactionary piece to counteract David (Dickhead) Bond's dire blog on the PBC (Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation).

    Come on Robbo. Rise above it. You have the talent and the wit to be your own man. Be yourself. Let the humour and insight flow naturally. No disrespect to Chris Charles but you are now editor free.

    Hit us with your rhythm stick (arrrgh, I don't mean literally of course).

    COME ON ROBBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  31. Yes H2H. I do expect Elia to be on the transfer rumours after the cup. Hope he can continue all the way to finals.

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  32. 38th, 'ello Lads,

    Nice to see you Blog, thought you were hitchin' a lift to SA.

    Good stuff Robbo, spot on. Some media outlets would moderate that.

    Can we have more pictures of Dubai talent please?

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  33. A topical snippet just in :
    There is more money being spent on breast implants and Viagra today than on Alzheimer's research... This means that by 2040, there should be a large elderly population with perky boobs and huge erections and absolutely no recollection of what to do with them.

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  34. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  35. Fantastic 1st half from N/Korea. Defended as a unit and not afraid to have a go when they had the ball. The number 9 looks pretty dangerous too.

    Robinho showed a little of his class, but no other stand out player for Brazil. Was Kaka on the pitch?

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  36. Bluddy Hell, my baggie draw team (North Korea) have scored a 'glorious' goal. They did not bring shame to their 'great' nation and the statue of the great (dead) president and the father of the 'glorious' nation smiles on the sons of the nation. etc. etc.

    Evenning all.

    that Bond. Davind Bond. Got some ass-slapping seldom witnessed in blogland.

    What a wuss.

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  37. haha, Spitster, I reckon he's more shaken than stirred!

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  38. Trott, I bet he(david Bond) shall now be known as "the man with the golden underpants."



    Amazing what great joy some of them footy lads can bring to all when they pull their heads out of their arses and play it like its supposed to be funking played. Have fun.

    What a pass from Robinho.

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  39. Yeah and those lads get pussy galore!

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  40. Spitfire, I reckon your goalkeeper's family are this minute standing before the firing squad, and the glorious goal scorers family now have sandals for all their feet.

    Trott, Bond - Shaken and a stirrer!

    Well done N/Korea, thats what the world cup is about, pub standard team giving it to the dream team! Glad they weren't in our group... N/Korea that is ;-)

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  41. That Bond, that Mcnumppty and add that Bevan, equally crass article about Italy

    great summary Robbo, and obviously fully agree with your comment about journos

    btw was that meant to be "beer-swilling Mcnumpties"

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  42. noooo, say it ain't so Tone, you mean we have to go back and read more irresistible garbage?

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  43. Rod, thanks for the earlier support about Heskey.

    As only I and Jacks from the Yarm 5 agreed on FC's choice of Emile, and he was one of the better players on Saturday, I cant see how how Adam can say Bent is better doing what FC wants EH to do

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  44. Trott
    I have to read it during the day cos I cant get on here.
    It was fun reading the comments on Bond, I would say aprrox 95% wanted to call him a cunt

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  45. Some banter going on between Bild in Germany and the Sun.

    seeing as they are Bild and Sun (both owned by Murdoch btw.) it will go down the drain pretty soon.

    Here are some of the 'suggestions' for English keepers from the fatherland wiht love.

    They include putting Prince Charles in goal with gloves attached to his "giant ears" that would stop any ball, giving UK citizenship to former German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, replacing Green with Harry Potter and painting the image of a female breast on the football, pointing out that "English men never miss their grasp at that sight."

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  46. Hi Spit
    I saw that in MOPO as well, look like we have to put up with it till we beat them

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  47. Hey Tone - I was sat in the George singing "Heskey Hesley Hesley" must admit it was just after he lasid it on for Stevie G

    Great ball from Rob To El

    Still looked a poor game tho - only saw second half - I fancy N Korea to win one though

    200million for a report - that moves us no furtehr forward and a long way back I fear

    Ive got an old scab - any one want to pick it!!!!!

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  48. Right Ive just wrapped myself up in cotton wool.....

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  49. Watching the news. we done some horrible things.

    Shame is, we are still doing them.

    Just elsewhere.

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  50. Spit - yep we did do some horrible things but I think we have learnt - for exampel All Creatures Great and Small is no longer....

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  51. FBH
    it wasnt that bad a game. I thought the NKs did very well, tho you knew when Brazil score it was over, even tho they didnt give up.

    Agreed that most games have not been that good, probably its the fear of losing the first game factor

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  52. James Corden is absolute crap

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  53. Hey the BP liability for thge spill is 75million as per an US Act of Pment (or similar) - the vested interests got what they wanted then .... wasnt it Bush Senior in power then - that sound corrupt!

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  54. Hate to say it but there have been only 3 or 4 games worth watching - makes the prem look exciting!!!???

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  55. But then the prem has over 60% foreign players

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  56. I can only watch the evening games. Most been on so far.

    2006 was great time. I was a student. Happy days.

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  57. which is what Kaiser Franz was saying

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  58. when he is not doing german beer adverts

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  59. Der Kaiser:

    why dont England use this kick up the arse to draw soem motivation?

    Remember how the Italians won last time?

    No one does.

    They were an ordinary team that kept going. kept being lucky.

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  60. Question: Will Edgar Davids take off his glasses once the new 3D TVs become available?

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  61. 1966 World Cup final with Vuvuzelas


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cI6S1vEI9I

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  62. Sorry that my inclusion of Ms Jodie Dimwit March has been lost on the dimmer people out there. The wiser souls will realise that her - temporary - appearance on this blog is an acknowledge of the kind of chavvy twerp that appear to clog up cyberspace. I will avoid such irreverant tosh in the future, sophisticates!

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  63. Whilst I will support England even after they get knocked out, our players need to understand they do not fall into the category of World Class players

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  64. Said the blogger from his suit in Dubai.

    You started it.

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  65. the last comment was meant for robbo.

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  66. So Robbo, how is the cool 40+ plus temp over there

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  67. heard that Robert Green had a wonderful day at training today. He faced 4,000 shots and never conceded one single goal. Tomorrow
    him and Emile Heskey will train with the rest of the squad!

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  68. Haven't been outside at all today. I don't need dry eyeballs that much. Didn't the Brazilians look huge next to the N koreans?

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  69. Also Robbo,

    been to Manama (Bahrain) already?

    Its the Amsterdam of the Persian Gulf. Sort of.

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  70. They'll be dancing in the streets of north korea tonight when the government informs its people of their teams stunning victory over Brazil. I mean winning 8-0 with only 7 players.

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  71. FBH, 75 million? That seems cheap. They're talking $20 billion over here.

    They could plug the hole with one of that lass's implants. (although she'd look a bit odd with just one huge knocker thereafter).

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  72. http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/article/9312/

    H2H you lucky lucky man. I take it these are regulars at the dungheap?

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  73. http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/paul-parker/article/25211/

    Paul parker was an average (at best) defender, but he is a shockingly bad blogger. Why didnt the BBC sign him up for the world cup.

    Bah...

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  74. STGP - Paul Parker was a great asset if a knockout match went the distance...such is the quality of a parker pen.

    I thought Robinho was good to watch tonight but the rest of the Brazil team weren't all that...

    Is anyone revising their tips to win it??

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  75. no, still England for me!

    and Kaka looks like he might be ready for Bolton!

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  76. Having watched at least a part of every game played I can only conclude the football being played is driven by the fear of losing rather than the desire to win. The possible exception to this is Germany, though Australia were sufficiently poor to make a judgement difficult.
    I'm not getting involved in the Green debate other than to say that SA 2010 is so far proving to be a goalkeepers graveyard. Perhaps this wonderfully round ball does have something to do with it, though I note the makers are claiming the ball is only likely to move at altitude.
    Before tonight's game there have been only 20 goals scored; in 2006 at the same stage there had been 30 goals scored. I'm not sure what can be accurately read into such a statistic but does it suggest that the game is not being played as attractively as it was only four years ago?

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  77. good call preach...i agree
    i also agree with the reason mentioned earlier...it's the 1st matches which teams daresn't lose.
    even a bore draw means you have a chance of progressing come the second match.

    ...and to win the thing...i think it'll be a surprise, like Greece in the euros (2004 i think?)

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  78. Preach, that's an interesting stat which actually slightly contradicts the goalkeeper problem. However, have there been the same number of shots on target as at the same stage last time? Are the players playing in fear of attacking and letting fly? Is the focus in these early games indeed on not to lose before winning? The plot thickens.

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  79. 59, All i remember Parker doing for England was deflecting that free kick over shiltons head in the 1990 semi.

    good pun though mate

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  80. Crikey Robbo, I don't want to besmirch your reputation but that was a 'measured' blog. England will of course win their next two but then the lap of the Gods...
    Could only see bits tonight but at least North Korea *tried.*

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  81. All I remember Parker doing was driving a pink Rolls Royce

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  82. Trott - that was my point mate - I can see it now - some Oli Company Execs sat in the boardroom - hang on what happens if one of our minions makes a mistake - you know - the people we should train - but then again they are from the Philipines and Eithiopia - what would be the pont - but if they did frig up whats my liability

    Erm - sir I hate to say but under current law the company liability is unlimited

    Well lets change the Law - Get geoarge on the phone - either the minnions pay or limit the company liability!!!

    (p.s. our lads from across the small pnd havent bit yet - are they becoming too reasonabkle?)

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  83. Sir - George Bushg is on the phone firstly to ask you for the generous contribution to his election campaign and secondly to ask what he can do for you.

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  84. ohhhh, there's an agreement in place? I didn't realise that. That's excellent news but I've been thinking since it started that it'd wind up with insurance companies and all this nonsense about making BP pay from Obama's cronies is nothing more than grandstanding. Shame all the same.

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  85. tone1947 said...
    All I remember Parker doing was driving a pink Rolls Royce

    ---------------------------------------

    I think he quit his driving job in the 70s and worked on a new invention, a coat with a fur lined hood...

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  86. Football is about inches (apart from this WC which is about a shite ball and a vulva) - if Paul Parker had been slightly better or slightly worse at blovking that shot - if gazza's foot had been an inch higher when the ball bounced over it (yeah somne say he didnt reach it - he did - it went over his foot) - and if this new effing ball wasnt so effing precise Englands shite players mayer score more .... not sure my argument continued to the edn of the sentence but Im not bothered - England out in the quarters or semis>???

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  87. Trott - I was talking to some bloke in the pub!!! Honest - he works in Oils and Gasses??? But he is an Ipswich fan (his weord accent gave it away) (but the fact he likes Keane confised me!!!) - anyway he said - it must be true - it was said in the boozer - hang on I have forgotten what he said - apols 0 I must have been pissed.

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  88. just watched sumat on telly - but I recorded it (I would say taped but who tapes these day) last Christmas - its effin weird wathcing the adverts - xmas stuff and snow at the same time as WC - anyone been to the January sales - thems look like bargains!!!!

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  89. At least round 2 starts soon - Im beginning to think we need an imperfect ball!!!!!!!!!

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  90. he works in oils and gasses? you mean he farts when he paints?

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  91. Hello friends. I very tire, but Yuri & me got just one thought. Should Dunga ask for money back on Captain Birdseye outfit as not come with beard?

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  92. Konn - thanls for joining us from yr twitting mate - write us a good story - England Winnign WC???

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  93. Konn - you can ask him how he got the fishhyt fingers!!!!

    Miss you on here!!!

    I hear you and Spit are getting married soon :)

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  94. Hey FBH that some story you want. English patriot like you is best write. "It is thinking it all over. Precisely!" be work-in-progress punchline.

    Hope WC come alive soon. So far too much sustaining beetroot, not enough revel making balalaika & vodka.

    Good night excellent friends!

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  95. You Kon are - how you shay - goods man!! :)

    Nite lads

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  96. And, from earlier in the blog, the New Zealand basketball team are called the Tall Blacks - go figure!

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  97. The fear of losing has stifled the tournament to date - Even the German game would have turned dour had Garcia scored in the 3rd minute.

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  98. Been too tired/busy to comment recently. Froze my nuts off watching the USA game at the official FIFA site in Sydney - I think I'll be in a warm pub on Saturday morning - and I think Capello would have got a few things confirmed during the game but they're things we all know/knew and none of them should surprise anyone.

    England do not have a reliable goalkeeper but who else do you pick? Calamity? Heskey struggles to score in a brothel but is great helping others do so - he may not be but that pass was world class.
    Anyone recovering from illness will not be fit enough to play a top flight international for more than 5 minutes - I'm surprised he lasted 30.
    Ledley King picks up injuries faster than a scotsman closes his wallet.
    Carragher needs a zimmer frame.
    Lennon and SWP are great at finding blind alleys.
    Rooney can disappear for long periods during a game (10 months).
    Lampard and Gerard struggle to play in the same team.
    Glen Johnson looks great going forward - still not sure what's going to happen when he's asked to defend.
    Why is anyone surprised with that?
    What England need is a dose of luck with a few of the chances they do create and some more to stop the goals pouring in when they lapse defensively. If that happens - semi-finals here we come as we won't meet any real opposition until then. Though everyone in that part of the draw is saying the same thing.

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  99. "Cristiano Ronaldo says referees should offer more protection for skilful players at the World Cup, after Portugal's opening 0-0 draw with Ivory Coast."

    Isn't he precious.

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  100. Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo added his voice to the complaints about the wall of sound being made by the vuvuzela trumpets at the World Cup. "It is difficult for anyone on the pitch to concentrate," he said.

    Isn't he precious?

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  101. Spain on deck (wonder if they're any good?)

    bit bored by most of the matches so far, to be honest... hopefully the 2nd round of group play opens up a bit... even the Oranje were drab in victory (instead of brilliant in defeat!)

    South Korea still on course for the hardware, as long as Kim-Jong Ill or rancid dogmeat don't eff things up!

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  102. "Someone tackled me, I did nothing and I got a yellow ... It’s not fair. Sometimes I don’t understand the referees." - Cristiano Ronaldo 14th June 2010.

    Isn't he precious?

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  103. "Sometimes it is difficult for me when referees give fouls because they think I dive."

    Guess who?

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  104. for all the Cristiano haters - he actually had an excellent performance today.... he got an opponent carded with zero contact, made a new friend (who somehow resisted butting him in the face), and neither his spray-tan nor his hair gel were sullied... what more could Earth's biggest pussy ask for?!

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  105. Ronaldo hater - moi?

    Never. I love the guy, I just wish he'd stop whinging, falling over so much, putting so much effort (and product) into his image and just play some football.

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  106. I got egged leavin the bar tonight. I hate eggs.

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  107. the commentator said after Ronny's dive that "the World Cup has been mercifully free of players trying to con the ref" ....no shit, it's his first game, 7 minutes in and the Ivory Coast lad gets a ridiculous yellow!

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  108. 'ello Rodders, late night? How's Colleen?

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  109. Shes not speaking to me apparently. Texted her what maybe was a little too lewd a text. Unfortunately shes a chemistry teacher in Belfast so during the week I'm all lonesome and prone to such moments of madness.

    I fucking stink of eggs.

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  110. Zeb - you may need to recalibrate your ironymeter at this late hour!

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  111. spoken plainly - i despise Ronaldo (all of them).

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  112. Best player in the world without doubt.

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  113. The eggs definitely would be, messi that is.

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  114. Morning lads......... Boring world cup this is. I'm gonna blow my vuvuzela just for the fun of it.

    There goes BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

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  115. Yeah, organizing a World Cup, there's another thing gery do much better than the others.

    To be fair, they now how to get masses of people concentrated in one place, queuing orderly, waiting their turn . . . . . ... to be entertained.

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  116. Great. The early game today (and the only one that's on at a reasonable hour here) is the Chile/Honduras clash. What's the chances of that being a cracking encounter? But it's a sports filled night as that game clashes with the State of Origin thugfest which starts an hour or so before. Hopefully, NSW will be getting 'caned' (there's a joke there for the Aussies out there if you look hard enough) and we'll be able to switch over to the WC (never a better acronym at the moment) without causing a riot in the pub.

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  117. I'm joining your Love Ronaldo club Zeb.

    G'day all.

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  118. Zeb.. I've heard Chile are a decent team... so with a bit of luck you should see a few goals.

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  119. I looked bloody hard Zeb and I just managed to catch it... very subtle mate.

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  120. Those germans are real gassers Spit when it comes to getting masses of people together.

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  121. Upson on his West Ham team mate Green "But he is a big boy and has handled it really well. He just has to put it behind him and move on."

    =================================='

    I thought that is what he did the other night against the yanks.

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  122. That's true Bo. If you keep your balls in front of you, you won't go too far wrong.

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  123. Headline from the Sydney Morning Herald: Australasia 1 - Slovakia 1

    Those Aussie always claiming the small successes from across the ditch as their own.

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  124. How was Ronaldo given man of the match in last night's game... one great shot at goal... the rest of the time on the deck looking for free kicks... that was his game... I don't understand how they give these awards out.

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  125. Is that really the headlines Zeb?

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  126. You're working late today mate... how come?

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  127. Every Wednesday I'm here until about.... now. Footy training doesn't start to 7.00pm. It'll be a short one tonight as well as the league is on. And, yes, that was in the SMH this morning.

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  128. Beckenbauer's a gas too eh and what about Joachim Loew's haircut - I'd sack his stylist.

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  129. Footy training?... Football, Ruby, Aussie Rules?

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  130. Good effort by the N. Koreans. Some of their countrymen might get to see it one day.
    Ivory Coast v Portugal was a bit of a disappointment but Ronaldo seems to be able to handle the pathetic balloon of a football okay.

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  131. Great to read some common sense analysis on the England team for a change!

    We should be aiming for the quarters, as that's about where we're ranked in the world, below that should be classed as a failure, above that would be remarkable.

    Having said that, I think we are over rated and will need a fair bit of luck to reach the last 8 let alone win the damn thing (we may need to get passed the impressive Germans in the next round after all - even if we don't slip up against Slovenia!)

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  132. Radar said...
    Great to read some common sense analysis on the England team for a change!

    ----------------------------------------------

    really? where did you read that, radar? i might give it a look.....

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  133. Hey Robbo has 299 followers!!!! Who is gunna be 300!!!! Fireworks time??? - 300 is a bit lame tho init? Now 500 - thats a number!!!

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  134. Rod you are an enigma wrapped in a riddle and drizzled in treacle - like a pancake????

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  135. There must and there shall be aspirin. If I don't have aspirin I shall die, here, on this f**king mountainside.

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  136. Been hitting the sauce again Rod?

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  137. My neighbour's dog used to bark all night and keep me awake - so one night I picked up the dog and put it in my garden - see how he likes it!!!

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  138. Well it was a great day for Derry yesterday. We had the shadow of Bloody Sunday hanging over us for nearly 40 years, and it was lifted yesterday. The whole town was buzzin!! Now all I've got is a horrible banging inside my head and as FBH so helpfully suggested I feel flat as a pancake. A pint of guinness every 20 minutes for 5 hours isn't a good idea. Not looking forward to the toilet later...

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  139. FBH... there are 299 follows on this blog... where the f**k are they all?... about 280 of em are lurkers.

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  140. I like that idea FBH... smart thinking.

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  141. Well lets be more accurate, it cost 191 million.

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  142. And thats only because the process was drawn out for 12 years due mostly to the soldiers lawyers trying their best to make it as difficult as possible. If they would have just told the truth, it would've been over in a week.

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  143. mornin' Lads, Chile v Honduras, liveliest game so far, frenetic.

    Rodders, what you celebrating today? Just be careful texting Colleen after 15 pints, never a good idea.

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  144. I'm trying my best to clear things up with her as we speak. Jesus women take some things really seriously don't they?

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  145. just remember, she's right about everything and you're wrong about everything unless you agree with her. She has the right to change her mind, in which case you must also change your mind to align your opinions with hers. This is the only way to ensure regular sex and any degree of harmony. You also need to anticipate the shifts in her opinion and learn to say "of course, you're right".

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  146. The Chile Hunduras game is the best so far (not much to beat though), both teams intent on attacking... although Honduras haven't seen that much of the ball.

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  147. you can go ahead n book Chile in the next round - they'll be no pushovers for Spain.

    should've had 4 or 5, though.

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  148. mornin' Trotsky - where you been watching?

    nice pink tie, Alexis - you look liek a freeging concierge.

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  149. Aye its all sorted now. Dunno what her problem was, all I said was she was an elephant.

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  150. GGGGOOOOOOAAALLLLL!!!! Happy days!!

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  151. Poor Spain. That should take the wind outve their sails a bit!!

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  152. Thats the last of the first games

    Does anybody want to win it?

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  153. You didnt qualify, thanks to TH

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  154. so, then, there you 'ave it.

    That draw is looking a better result every day.

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  155. wow tone, you offer it to rod, then take it away...how cruel...

    i still think it'll be an even WC with a surprise, and maybe not a very interesting, winner...

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  156. Wasnt meant like that, but he can take it(but not the cup)

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  157. 59th

    not a very interesting, winner-------England??????????

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  158. tone,

    are you predicting Italy will nab it again? Just like last time.

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  159. tone - i doubt england will win it, but it's looking more possible after every game...

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  160. We dont have world class players, despite what they think

    The only player who I seem to remember, lived up to his reputation was Messi, and thats only cos noone(plymouth) hit him

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  161. tried to watch Spain/Swiss and they put on Arsenal/Bolton by mistake!
    wtf?

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  162. Spit

    I dont think it will be Italy, and as for D_land impressive against a poor Oz team, lets see how do against Serbia, then Ghana

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  163. back to the GK problem, why didnt the FA not try to get a UK passport for Almunia, he could have been in goal
    LOL, honestly

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  164. Youse could've had Arteta as well in midfield.

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  165. Unfortunately I couldn't make it being related to Guy Fawkes and all.

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  166. Sorry, Robbo, but I'm going to have a moan-but not about England; it's about your former employers, the BBC and it's incessant drone about all things 'Africa' and apartheid and how the BBC saved the world. It's like one of those vyvy-what's-iz-face things going on and on and on.

    Bloody hell, I used to laugh at those poor saps who used to live behind the former 'Iron Curtain' with their Pravda newspaper, being propagandized all day long and now it's the UK with its own version-AND we pay 100 odd quid for it EVERY year.

    Not just that, but Gary Lineker......AARRRGH.
    Dear oh dear, he just gets worse and worse. Isn't there a Lee Harvey Oswald footie fan out there when his country needs him?

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  167. It is sad reflection on english quality on offer really, that had they sorted Al with a UK Pass, he would have probably been picked ahead of Green. End he's made some howlers this season. I dont like his style of keeping as every time, I have sat close to the goal, I have never heard him speak to his defenders where as a good keeper must command his area in front of the goal.

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  168. Switzerland's training sessions have been accompanied by the continual hum of vuvuzela noise, with locals invited to display their musical talents to help Ottmar Hitzfeld's side get used to the noise ahead of their Group H opener against Spain.

    __

    seem to work wonders.

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  169. Spitfire, why on earth would you support a supposed national side with a Spanish born, Spanish speaking Spaniard in goal?

    It's bad enough having to put up with an Italian as manager without completely destroying the idea of national representation on the playing field. Oh, and don't mention Hargreaves and John Barnes, et al.

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  170. Anglichan said...

    Spitfire, why on earth would you support a supposed national side with a Spanish born, Spanish speaking Spaniard in goal?

    __________

    Erm, what are you on about? How did you incurr I was calling for Almunia to be included in the England squad?

    I am not happy he's allowed to pull on an Arsenal shirt let alone the one with 3lions on it. Not because he is Spanish, because he simply aint good/consistent enough.

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  171. Great goal by Forlan, helped by a slight deflection... The Saffers are trying hard but they have too many individuals in the side.

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  172. Great goal by Forlan, helped by a slight deflection... The Saffers are trying hard but they have too many individuals in the side.

    ____________

    Bo, are they playing with all 23 squad members again? Them cheaky africans!! as if the vulva blowing wasnt distracting enough.

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  173. They are playing well enough Spit... like many teams though, they falter in the last third of the pitch.

    As for Almunia... I can remember way back when I advocated him for an England start (not any more)... it does highlight the problem Engalnd has in goal... Hart (as H2 and yourself have been saying) does seem the obvious choice but I don't think Capello is going to select him... I think James will be keeping against Algeria.

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  174. If any player, wherever he is born, but is eligible to play for England under current qualification rule, and is good enough, then why should he not be picked.

    Every country uses those rules, stick your head in the sand, live in the past, and we will definietly go backwards

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  175. We have no such qualms when selecting the cricket team Tone.

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  176. tone,

    as I say for the people of foreign origins, if they are good enough to earn your passports by living here and paying taxes, they are most definitely good enough to play for you.


    I was reading a piece on gradual improvement in standards of football in spain over the last years (before they lost to switzerland, that is) and here are some telling numbers of those of you with the stats fetish

    UEFA A & PRO COACHES
    SPAIN -------------------- 14,860
    GERMANY ---------------- 6,570
    FRANCE ------------------- 2,588
    ITALY ----------------------- 1,810
    NETH'NDS ----------------- 1,137
    ENGLAND ----------------- 1,010

    And that is despite it taking 750 study hours to acquire a Pro Licence in Spain, compared with just 245 in England.

    What it tells me is the people teaching our kids how to play football are not trained properly themselves.

    Spain's victory at Euro 2008 was not an isolated success. Since 1998, Spanish youth teams from under-16 to under-21 level have won 19 Uefa and Fifa championships. During this same period, England have won just one - the U17s European Championship last month when they beat Spain in the final.

    Now, they may well not win the WC in 2010, but they have put a system in place and sooner or later, they will.

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  177. Bo,

    exactly. It seems all will be well, if the foreigners land some silverware.

    it starts at home countries. The day Andy Murray lands a grand slam, he'll be british. Till then, up north of the wall he go.

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  178. What the FUCK happened there only Jesus Navas knows... i bloddy hate him.... Spain were one-dimensional all the way.... and Casillas form has been poor during the Real Madrid season... how he gets selected ahead of Valdes is beyond me...

    And no Fabregas & Torres came on as sub. Villa thinks he's already won the Golden Boot or what.....

    Awfully Disgraceful & Shocking Performance... Buck up guys! I hope it was lull before the storm and Spain make a stunning comeback..

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  179. I actually think its quite amusing to see the spanish get beat.

    serves them right to think the swiss are push overs.

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  180. tone 1947 said, 'Every country uses those rules, stick your head in the sand, live in the past, and we will definietly go backwards '

    The 'rules' were made by FIFA. As for me, you could have players like Kaka, Torres and Messi representing England and winning every World Cup, but it wouldn't be 'England' and I wouldn't cheer for them any more than I'd cheer the Harlem Globetrotters.

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  181. Denis, you little Genius, sorry I missed ya. Not as sorry about missing you as I am about Emile missing the barn door but sorry all the same.

    All good here, every game on ESPN, they've even put in a venezuela filter to soften the volume a tad. Perfect!

    Fancy the Swiss in the final?

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