THE 2010 WORLD CUP THREAD

[Digifiend]

The permutation is simple. We need to win the last game. The USA also qualify if they win theirs.

League table:
Slovenia 4pts
USA 2pts
England 2pts
Algeria 1pt

If both the US and England win, they'll both have 5pts and overtake Slovenia. Slovenia qualify if they at least draw.

[chrissmillie]

Well England haven't lost yet.

I reckon somethings going on behind the scenes that we don't know about.

I know Craig Brown feels it's very strange that he's not telling the players the team before the day of the match. Although Broon's was never the most interesting team to watch, he certainly knew a bit about tactics (and what he did at Motherwell last season was simply amazing). Maybe there is something in that.

If England could roll over Egypt* three-nil (although at Wembley), they should certainly be able to beat Algeria.

(*I know Algeria qualified at the expense of the Pharaohs but that was a shock result in African football)

[steelclaw]

Chris,
One of my best school mates was half scottish so in 1974 I was supporting Scotland, I think I even did in 1978.

As you say it's only a game.

Spurs have had some great Scottish players
Steve Archibald
John Duncan
Alan Gilzean
Alfie Conn(Super Star)
Dave Mackay
John White

[Jonny Whizz]

I thought England were absolutely rubbish last night - it is the worst I can ever remember them playing. Although watching them in Germany four years ago was painful, at least guys like Owen Hargreaves and Joe Cole were playing well - of those two, Hargreaves hasn't gone to South Africa and Cole hasn't played.

Gerrard is wasted on the left wing in my opinion. Barry didn't impress me much, he kept losing the ball (mind you so did the whole team) and his national hero status in his absence through injury looked ridiculous. Also, why on earth was Crouch put on the wing for the last few minutes? Rooney should have been moved out wide, Crouch simply doesn't have the attributes needed to be a good winger.

Overall though, the worst decision was probably to play David James in goal, he just seemed to create panic in the defence and his clearances were all too often erratic (English goalies don't punch the ball). We've got to recall Robert Green for the next match, James seemed dodgy last night and Hart is too inexperienced to cope with the pressure in my opinion (remember Scott Carson?).

Capello seems to be paying the price for going back on his policy of only selecting players in good form - the selection of players like Upson and Carrick proves this.

[STARBOY]

Steelclaw - no one, unless they are Scottish will ever know how we felt in 1978 after that debacle -

England are not out by a long way. You are all still to raw from the game and as rotten as that performance was last night, they will qualify and will probably win the section when they beat Slovakia (if they can't do that then, like Scotland with Iran and Peru in '78 it just means you're not good enough - no other excuses). The English media need to understand (as the fans do)that you just don't turn up and beat "Johnny Foriegner" 5-0 anymore (you might want to ).

How did England fans on feel about Rooneys "outburst" or indeed the England fans booing the team when in reality you are still very much in it????

Chirs - what a great position to be in re Algeria USA and England all in one section lol it's perversly fun when your rivals (and you have 3) are not doing well - but in this situation at least 1 will get through and I reckon 2 (USA and England) ah well there's always the knock out games to laugh and or cry at

Hey its only a game!

[chrissmillie]

The English media need to understand (as the fans do)that you just don't turn up and beat "Johnny Foriegner" 5-0 anymore (you might want to ).

And players like Rooney saying “Against Algeria we can not be at our best and win the game.” Asked what he knows of his side’s next opponents, Rooney replied: “Not much. Belhadj from Portsmouth, but I don’t really know much more about them." Total arrogance.

Mind you, the Sun always knew it would be the Group of Death

[Brendan McGuire]

I find Rooney's arrogance utterly astonishing. His comment as a he walked off the pitch last night sums it all up. You can't play like an uncooked floppy suasage for ninety minutes and then expect total adulation from your supporters. But he does!

[steelclaw]

Oh come on you Scots support England don't be so horrible, is it because all your best players come to England to play.

At least England are in the world cup, how many years since Scotland got there 12, and never got past round one
But England have been crap the last 2 games.

[colcool007]

Oh come on you Scots support England don't be so horrible, is it because all your best players come to England to play.

At least England are in the world cup, how many years since Scotland got there 12, and never got past round one
But England have been crap the last 2 games.

SC, they haven't even been that good. Mind you, work will be amusing on Monday...

[AndyB]

Don't forget, Scotland were the only undefeated team in 1974. Thanks, Maureen! (assuming you get the same annoying ads after the news). Two draws and a win still weren't enough for them to qualify.

At least it should mean an end to all this 1966 all over again stuff they spout every four years. I'm sick of it.

[STARBOY]

Steel' I agree with you 100% England at least got to the World Cup and fair do's you did it in style (and KIV I still reckon you'll get to next round at least). Scotland have been unlucky in some years and down right awful in others.

I remember in 74 or 78 an English football commentator ssaying on BBC "We (England) may not be here , so lets all get behind Scotland we're all English after all" -thats the sort of thing that causes problems - and we all know it wasnt a mix up some folk do think that (well back then they did). On the other hand some English players like Emilyn Hughes, Jimmy Greaves, Alan Ball etc used to rib Scotland something wicked, but it was done it a really clever way and with no malice - total gents and legends.

Most Scots don't support England simply as its a major world football rivalry, the oldest in the world - but mostly it becasue of the ruddy arrogant English media (not the fans or players, they're generally very honest) If your not Scottish, Welsh, Irish or English and living here you wont get it.

Honestly, most Scots football fans want England to do well, just not win it (and most Scots who are not footy fans either want you to do well/win it or really don't care one way or the other).

I just think its fun and a laugh its only a game after all - enjoy your World Cup as Steel says at least ou got there.

[Digifiend]

But England have been crap the last 2 games.

Understatement of the year!

[steelclaw]

Steel' I agree with you 100% England at least got to the World Cup and fair do's you did it in style (and KIV I still reckon you'll get to next round at least). Scotland have been unlucky in some years and down right awful in others.

I remember in 74 or 78 an English football commentator ssaying on BBC "We (England) may not be here , so lets all get behind Scotland we're all English after all" -thats the sort of thing that causes problems - and we all know it wasnt a mix up some folk do think that (well back then they did). On the other hand some English players like Emilyn Hughes, Jimmy Greaves, Alan Ball etc used to rib Scotland something wicked, but it was done it a really clever way and with no malice - total gents and legends.

Most Scots don't support England simply as its a major world football rivalry, the oldest in the world - but mostly it becasue of the ruddy arrogant English media (not the fans or players, they're generally very honest) If your not Scottish, Welsh, Irish or English and living here you wont get it.

Honestly, most Scots football fans want England to do well, just not win it (and most Scots who are not footy fans either want you to do well/win it or really don't care one way or the other).

I just think its fun and a laugh its only a game after all - enjoy your World Cup as Steel says at least ou got there.

Starboy I like a lot of other English fans supported Scotland in the 1970's Worldcup as a lot of Scottish players were playing for English clubs(and my half scottish best mate)and it was just nice seeing some familiar faces/players, but I was young then and I didn't really know that such hostility existed between our countries it might not have been as bad then as it seems to today although a lot of is light hearted.

Anyway I would rather Spurs did well then England if I was truthful

[STARBOY]

That's a shame if it is percieved (or indeed if it is) worse now than before thats unacceptable, too me (and my mates) its' only sporting rivalry to us. To my eternal shame I supported England in 66 and 1970 lol and always support Enlgish clubs in Europe unless playing a Scottish team (or they are Arsenal or Man Utd LOL) and Im a big Melchester Rovers fan (unless they are playing Princess Park ) .

[alanultron5]

It's rather like the old joke.... Q "What do you call a Scotsman in the second round of the World Cup?" ...... A = "Referee!!" Not meant maliciously i'm sure!

`Ere` England were in worse postion in 86` when they lost to Portugal and only drew with Morrocco! Mind you-Bobby Robson was more flexible than Cappello, so we just don't know if things will change!

My nomination for finest World Cup ever = `Mexico 1970`