Round of 16 matches

[sledger]

Tim Vickery made a really interesting point last night about Brazil and them playing Fred up front.

In his view Fred's immobility and the fact that he hardly ever touches the ball is not necessarily a reason to criticse him, as the entire reason he's in the side is because the way he's slow and plays higher up the pitch forces the oppo's defenders back, and allows Neymar, Oscar and the full backs etc... far more space in the gap between midfield and defence to use the ball and score goals. The only reason he's in the side is to free up this space for the others to play, because Brazil don't have enough quality to play with a Spanish style false nine.

I'm not entirely sure I agree with all of what he says, but it does make a lot of sense. I'll be paying close attention to today's game to see how much truth there is to this idea.

Love him as a pundit though, you'd never EVER get anything like this kind of thoughtful input from the pundits sat in the TV studio.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

& one of them is Greece, who are barely even a football side at all.

Against Yurp losing spots is that no Asian sides qualified at all. In fact I don't think they even won a single game.

Wouldn't complain if South America got to keep the host spot from this year.

If 6 out of 10 makes too much of a joke out of qualifying, merge them with the rest of the Americas.

 

[Pothas]

Tim Vickery made a really interesting point last night about Brazil and them playing Fred up front.

In his view Fred's immobility and the fact that he hardly ever touches the ball is not necessarily a reason to criticse him, as the entire reason he's in the side is because the way he's slow and plays higher up the pitch forces the oppo's defenders back, and allows Neymar, Oscar and the full backs etc... far more space in the gap between midfield and defence to use the ball and score goals. The only reason he's in the side is to free up this space for the others to play, because Brazil don't have enough quality to play with a Spanish style false nine.

I'm not entirely sure I agree with all of what he says, but it does make a lot of sense. I'll be paying close attention to today's game to see how much truth there is to this idea.

Love him as a pundit though, you'd never EVER get anything like this kind of thoughtful input from the pundits sat in the TV studio.

and it all happens with Dotun Adebayo, it is such a ridiculous mix. My favourite radio show by far.

 

[sledger]

and it all happens with Dotun Adebayo, it is such a ridiculous mix. My favourite radio show by far.

Haha, yes, see my comments on him in the coverage complaints thread.

 

[Tangles]

That's as pure a teamwork vs. individual quality match-up as you'll see.

I feel like Belgium's pattern of a frustrating first hour followed by good late counter-attacking might look a bit better against quality teams. Back four has plenty of mistakes in it though.

USA is better than they faced in the group but it's a dangerous game for the USA. The US don't keep clean sheets so they are likely to have to score multiple times to win. Belgium will double down on Dempsey which will put pressure on someone else to step up.

18M Americans watched the last game which is a record. It was also the highest watched stream on ESPN ever. Both of those would of been higher if it wasn't the middle of a work day. Scenes if thousands of people watching outdoor big screens in Chicago and NY have made this a huge WC here. I haven't seen anything line it before.

Klinsman will need to get the players in the right mind to face Belgium. Too often in the past the US has been to content with getting out of the group. In the knockout rounds anything can happen.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Lol. This could be a bloodbath.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Great delivery, but Sideshow Shyte scoring is plain wrong.

 

[Tangles]

Almost looks an own goal from 1 of the angles.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Yeah that's an own goal I reckon.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I think the football gods would prefer that, yes.

Neymar never looks up, does he?

&, I realise it's been said before, but Gene Hackman is a shoo in to play Big Phil in the biopic of his life, isn't he?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Lol. Comedic stuff.

Clinical from Sanchez tho.

 

[Tangles]

Why is Fred in the team? He's shocking. No control, pace or hold up play. Did he win the spot in a radio phone in competition?

Goal makes it interesting.

 

[Spark]

That really was biblically awful defending. Quite the stunned silence from the crowd afterwards too.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Christ he's a hack, Fred.

 

[Spark]

Christ he's a hack, Fred.

That attempt there was even worse. Barely made contact with the ball.

 

[Pothas]

This is like an extreme league one match.

 

[Tangles]

Christ he's a hack, Fred.

Porn tache hasn't helped. Comical though.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Neymar with the Run With Ball, direct personal instructions today.

 

[grecian]

Webb being called brave by the Beeb team for not giving a clear penalty. I really don't get it.

 

[Tangles]

Be caller 9 and you could win the number 9 shirt and play in the WC.

So generous of Brasil to let a guy of the street play up front.