thanks my friend.

SO Brazil does not play with that same style and flair? bummer

it was a "beautifull" (for lack of a better word) style of play... seemed much different than the rest of the teams... is that a fair statement or was I seeing something that is not really there?

bada wrote:thanks my friend.

SO Brazil does not play with that same style and flair? bummer

it was a "beautifull" (for lack of a better word) style of play... seemed much different than the rest of the teams... is that a fair statement or was I seeing something that is not really there?

It certainly was a "beautiful" style of play.............I say was...........I see what TMC is saying that they play differently now but it definately has not gone completely (as you suspected).

I think its more that they simply dont have the kind of, or even level of, players they used to have in the "beautiful football" years.

I mean, name the world superstars that they have, name the incredible attacking talent they have..............compared to the old teams that played that way (Im not asking you to name them Bada. )

Brazil have always had that reputation and always played that way because of the immense attacking talent they had dictated that.............their coach Dunga, was a defensive mid field player in those teams, an orchestrator of all the attackers in front of him.............and now he realises that they simply dont have the devastating attacking talent that they used to have, so he has had to adapt it.

I actually think this is one the most open World Cups in history...........for me there is no clear favourite and all the big teams have their doubters and just that little "something" about that is considered a flaw.

Brazil = Defense and can they play "that" football.

Argentina = Their coach (Its Diego Maradona by the way Bada, must have head of him? hes considered probably the greatest player of all time and also one of the greatest f*ck ups) and whether he can keep it and them all together.

Spain = Can they stay injury free and can they/do they have that killer instinct and metal to get through the big games...........like they did in Euro 2008.........can they carry that on.

England = Boy..............we have the talent in individual positions..........our starting 11 (apart from goal keeper) would get into any other team in the world individually.............but it doesnt always come/work together.

Not in a passion sense but because we have quite bad imbalance in our midfield...........with the 2 best English mid-fielders being very similar and not able to play that well together.

Also, we have Rooney.........probably the best striker in the world at the moment.............but not really anyone who can play with him and get the best out of him, except for a tiring old war horse who misses more than he makes.

So theres always that doubt, imbalance because we have no real left sided players and "bad luck" factor with England.

Italy = They have all the organisation, tactical and defensive skills to go all the way.

But they have a real lack of flair and attacking prowess right now............even in the old Italy teams that were so defensive, they always a couple of game changing players up front.............but now, not so much.

France = F*ck the cheating bastards..............they will sink very fast............because they deserve it and just look like they dont give a crap.

Those are the considered favourites for me.............and they have quite obvious/major flaws and doubts..............not like previous tournaments where certain teams like Brazil, Italy, France, Spain just looked odds on and like near perfect teams.

Of course, there will be the surprise team that comes from no-where............usually an African or Asian team in the group stages (possibly Ivory Coast and South Korea) and then the surprise euro team that goes further than anyone expected (possibly Portugal, Holland or...........ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!)

bigstrads wrote:It certainly was a "beautiful" style of play.............I say was...........I see what TMC is saying that they play differently now but it definately has not gone completely (as you suspected).

I think its more that they simply dont have the kind of, or even level of, players they used to have in the "beautiful football" years.

I mean, name the world superstars that they have, name the incredible attacking talent they have..............compared to the old teams that played that way (Im not asking you to name them Bada. )

Brazil have always had that reputation and always played that way because of the immense attacking talent they had dictated that.............their coach Dunga, was a defensive mid field player in those teams, an orchestrator of all the attackers in front of him.............and now he realises that they simply dont have the devastating attacking talent that they used to have, so he has had to adapt it.

Eh... no. They do have those players. Ronaldinho was left at home, same with Adriano, Neymar, Paulo Henrique, Marcelo, Diego, David Luiz... Alves is not even a starter for them, Gilberto Silva or Kleberson are defensive minded guys that shouldn't even be there... and the list goes on and on.

Don't be fooled, they HAVE those players, but they're gonna watch the wold cup at home, because Dunga doesn't trust them. Dunga is an "italian" guy born in Brazil, and thus he only brings his own guys to the national team.

TMC wrote:

bigstrads wrote:It certainly was a "beautiful" style of play.............I say was...........I see what TMC is saying that they play differently now but it definately has not gone completely (as you suspected).

I think its more that they simply dont have the kind of, or even level of, players they used to have in the "beautiful football" years.

I mean, name the world superstars that they have, name the incredible attacking talent they have..............compared to the old teams that played that way (Im not asking you to name them Bada. )

Brazil have always had that reputation and always played that way because of the immense attacking talent they had dictated that.............their coach Dunga, was a defensive mid field player in those teams, an orchestrator of all the attackers in front of him.............and now he realises that they simply dont have the devastating attacking talent that they used to have, so he has had to adapt it.

Eh... no. They do have those players. Ronaldinho was left at home, same with Adriano, Neymar, Paulo Henrique, Marcelo, Diego, David Luiz... Alves is not even a starter for them, Gilberto Silva or Kleberson are defensive minded guys that shouldn't even be there... and the list goes on and on.

Don't be fooled, they HAVE those players, but they're gonna watch the wold cup at home, because Dunga doesn't trust them. Dunga is an "italian" guy born in Brazil, and thus he only brings his own guys to the national team.

Well................thats what I kind of meant................they dont have them at this World Cup/In this squad.

Its still a very strong squad..............its just safer and isnt the classic Brazil, just doesnt have those players that would/could take on a bunch of guys and produce that spectacular moment.

bigstrads wrote:Well................thats what I kind of meant................they dont have them at this World Cup/In this squad.

Its still a very strong squad..............its just safer and isnt the classic Brazil, just doesnt have those players that would/could take on a bunch of guys and produce that spectacular moment.

Cool. We agree, then.




btw, I'm really enjoying this pick'em so far...

Yay I'm 2nd place, and I dont even watch soccer!

One stupid handball from getting an extra two points!!!!!!!!

Two easy games today, one that can go either way... (which usually means... you guessed it right, a TIE!!! )

Pawno proudly bringing up the rear!! In more ways than one Im sure.

Portugal delivered the biggest hammering so far, 7-0 to North Korea.

Go boys!

Guys dont forget to update your knockout round picks now

:-)

Groupstages are over!!!

PAWNO wrote:Guys dont forget to update your knockout round picks now

:-)

Groupstages are over!!!

Tell that to Bada. He forgot to update his second page of the group stage picks...


Actually, that's the only reason you're above him in the standings...

TMC and I are the leaders.... Spain wins again!