Group B: Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia

[NUFAN]

As if the heartbreaking loss isn't enough, we now have Craig Foster's microphone working for a post game "analysis". I feel sorry for the great Les Murray having to sit next to him.

Foster "If we had their players, we would have won the game". LOL, so bad.

 

[Burgey]

A disturbingly English characteristic, to be happy with a dignified defeat

 

[Pothas]

No midfield. Again.

Dunno. Mascherano, Gago and and Di Maria is not bad.

They looked a lot better once they changed formation so think we have to wait and see on Argentina.

 

[sledger]

Thought Argentina were distinctly average and Colombia is rated behind them so .....

The FIFA rankings are a joke, if those are what you are referring to.

 

[Burgey]

Foster "If we had their players, we would have won the game". LOL, so bad.

Sbs should have got Simon Hill on loan from Fox for the WC. He's a good caller IMO

 

[Pothas]

Germany also got areas of weakness, a horrible schedule and if Furball is to believed a dreadful manager.

 

[sledger]

Dunno. Mascherano, Gago and and Di Maria is not bad.

They looked a lot better once they changed formation so think we have to wait and see on Argentina.

Maybe, but I'd count Di Maria as more of a forward than a midfielder. So far as I can see they don't really have anyone who plays in the midfield area who doesn't play very deep or very advanced. They might get it together a bit as the tournament goes on, but I think against a good side they might struggle to link up attacks, and could leave lots of space to be exploited.

Edit: I also don't much rate Gago. Though I will admit that at least 50% of this is down to him being rubbish in Football Manager for me.

 

[Ikki]

So gutted...

 

[NUFAN]

Thought Argentina were distinctly average and Colombia is rated behind them so .....

So really when you said every other side is rubbish in areas, you didn't include any teams rated below Argentina. Nice one, who knows where you rate Argentina..

 

[Pothas]

Maybe, but I'd count Di Maria as more of a forward than a midfielder. So far as I can see they don't really have anyone who plays in that midfield area who doesn't play very deep or very advanced. They might get it together a bit as the tournament goes on, but I think against a good side they might struggle to link up attacks, and could leave lots of space to be exploited.

Di Maria has played that role for Madrid for the last few months and has generally done it brilliantly.

It is an area of concern for sure and Gago is going to be really important but they have only played in what is now likely to be their preferred formation for 45 minutes, way to early to judge them.

 

[Burgey]

Chilean fans trashing the media centre at Maracana. Plainly the Canterbury Bulldogs of the World Cup. The team should be expelled immediately, the match vs Spain declared a draw, and their for-and-against null and void.

 

[Pothas]

No Xavi.

 

[sledger]

No surprise to see Pedro included.

 

[Pothas]

This could be so good.

 

[Spark]

Hahaha, wtf was Vidal trying to do after that header? Palm it towards the goal?

 

[Cabinet96]

This is fun.

 

[Cabinet96]

Furball to comment.

 

[silentstriker]

Wow Chile.......I had some of the best food in Chile, so I'm rooting for them but still....can Spain really be out of the tournament?

 

[Pothas]

Spain have been awful, in general play they have been so much worse than they were against the Dutch.

Got to love Chile though.

 

[OverratedSanity]

This is just great