The Official World Cup Thread

[PSumbler]

Iran really do look dreadful

Aren't they ranked in the World's top 25 though?

 

[J_B]

Iran really do look dreadful

Aren't they ranked in the World's top 25 though?

One place below Wales at 20th.

 

[Resolvenjack]

Can't wait to hear from Rio 'We beat both of these' Ferdinand & his co commentators at half time.

 

[J_B]

"Against a team that sits deep you have to move the ball quickly"

Are you listening Russ?

 

[monmouth]

"Against a team that sits deep you have to move the ball quickly"

Are you listening Russ?

Never mind that, are you listening Pagey?

 

[PSumbler]

One place below Wales at 20th.

That tells us all we need to know about the validity of the rankings system :lol:

 

[Pegojack]

Wonder if Ntcham will get a start this afternoon?

 

[JackSomething]

Don't know about a backs to wall draw, USA are only 3 places higher ranked than us mind according to FIFA...

As pointed out above, the world rankings are bollocks. Iran are 20th and look how bad they are.

Our very best players are probably better than the USA's best players, but their strength across the team is way above ours. Even more so if we're missing a first-choice player or two.

I'll be very pleased with a point and over the moon if we manage all 3.

Edited to say that a lot of our players have now played in 2 major international tournaments. Don't know if the Gold Cup can really be compared to a Euros, so hopefully a few of them will have stage fright.

 

[JackSomething]

Actually I just double checked their squad and 14 of them play in the top-flight in a strong league (PL, La Liga, Ligue Un, Serie A, Bundesliga). I thought it was more than that.

Still think it will be a big test, but maybe the gap between the squads isn't as great as I thought.

 

[PSumbler]

How is that a penalty when the first half one isnt?

 

[CygnusX1]

Harsh penalty that

 

[Pegojack]

Harsh penalty that

Shirt pull as well as an arm block.

 

[Darran]

https://twitter.com/bethfishersport/status/1594708211193597954?s=21&t=XyoFp85odkkIADWwczeIzg

 

[J_B]

No consistency yet again.

 

[JackSomething]

How is that a penalty when the first half one isnt?

Innit. My pet theory is that referees around the world hate it and are doing everything they can to undermine it by being so inconsistent.

Maguire's was far more of a penalty than that was. If you call the referee over to look at the replays of all the corners in any game, there'd probably be a penalty given the vast majority of times.