World cup odds on England

[GlasgowBandit]

I'll have a friendly fiver with you we make the quarters bandit

Shouldn't bee too difficult unless you come up against Germany in the 2nd round.  I'll make it a friendly £10 yous don't make the semis!!

[mjrevie]

i disagree, first time in years i think they have a chance.

WE HEAR THIS EVERY SINGLE TOURNAMENT!!!!

EVERY SINGLE TIME, ITS "THIS IS OUR BEST CHANCE SINCE 1966". I BET YOU LOT WERE SAYING THAT IN 1970!!!

(No caps lock wasnt stuck on, i just wanted to shout!!!)

[matt674]

On a different thread http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=9902.105 i offer odds of 1000-1 against England and still havent had any takers.

Maybe i'm not giving enough value?

[The Baron]

I'll have a friendly fiver with you we make the quarters bandit

Shouldn't bee too difficult unless you come up against Germany in the 2nd round.  I'll make it a friendly £10 yous don't make the semis!!

Germany? What is this obsession with so called "big nations"? Germany, France and Italy all have their worst teams in years.

Man for man, anyone who thinks England don't have a chance needs to watch some more football.

Please, with the exception of Brazil, someone show me a better international XI from one country. Go on... make me laugh. I cant wait to see this.

[Royal Flush]

I'll have a friendly fiver with you we make the quarters bandit

Shouldn't bee too difficult unless you come up against Germany in the 2nd round.  I'll make it a friendly £10 yous don't make the semis!!

Germany? What is this obsession with so called "big nations"? Germany, France and Italy all have their worst teams in years.

Man for man, anyone who thinks England don't have a chance needs to watch some more football.

Please, with the exception of Brazil, someone show me a better international XI from one country. Go on... make me laugh. I cant wait to see this.

Well list the England 11 then, not the best 11, the 11 who can actually play Tomorrow.

[The Baron]

                Robinson

Neville   Ferdinand  Terry  Cole

Beckham Lampard Gerrard Cole

        Owen   Crouchaldinho (Rooney when he's fit)



Come on then - let's see these amazing first XI's that are better than that. I need a laugh.

[thetank]

South Korea's XI

Ping

Sing   Bling   Bling   Zing

Ko   Mo    Jo    Po

La-La   Tinky Winky

[matt674]

teams written on paper dont win world cups, players performances on the day does. Lets see which team has the skill and tactical awareness to perform the best 7 times in the next 30 days.............

Then we will resume this thread then

[The Baron]

teams written on paper dont win world cups, players performances on the day does. Lets see which team has the skill and tactical awareness to perform the best 7 times in the next 30 days.............

Then we will resume this thread then

Fair comment. It's the reason I haven't backed England - I haven't seen them do enough as a team to warrant a belief they will win it.

This is a far cry from claiming that their first XI isn't world class though, because quite simply, it is. Considering the poor state of some other teams in the competition England have to be considered a top 3 or 4 nation IMO.

Trying to claim otherwise is a bit silly considering the calibre of some of their players.

Next thing, someone will be telling me that Brazil, whilst full of great individuals, don't have what it takes to be considered contenders!

[matt674]

teams written on paper dont win world cups, players performances on the day does. Lets see which team has the skill and tactical awareness to perform the best 7 times in the next 30 days.............

Then we will resume this thread then

Fair comment. It's the reason I haven't backed England - I haven't seen them do enough as a team to warrant a belief they will win it.

This is a far cry from claiming that their first XI isn't world class though, because quite simply, it is. Considering the poor state of some other teams in the competition England have to be considered a top 3 or 4 nation IMO.

Trying to claim otherwise is a bit silly considering the calibre of some of their players.

Next thing, someone will be telling me that Brazil, whilst full of great individuals, don't have what it takes to be considered contenders!

I agree with what you are saying about Englands first XI being one of the best in the tournament, but when things aren't going to plan (as has happened in previous major tournaments) will they have the tactical awareness to come up with plan B or plan C - does Sven even have a plan B or C?

This will be the first Major championship in about 16 years where i havent placed a bet on any of the overall outcomes, winner, top scorer etc because there just isnt anything that stands out as great value - every one of the leading contenders can lay claims to being able to field a quality first 11 but then all have several negative points as well which are not taken into consideration when it comes to the prices.

To be honest i will probably have a few correct score/first goalscorer bets on individual games but thats about it for this world cup. 

[Royal Flush]

                Robinson

Neville   Ferdinand  Terry  Cole

Beckham Lampard Gerrard Cole

        Owen   Crouchaldinho (Rooney when he's fit)



Come on then - let's see these amazing first XI's that are better than that. I need a laugh.

Robinson, world class? Me thinks not, he is nothing compared to keepers like Buffon.

Neville, thats a joke in itself. Rio and Cole are both very good players, but not world beaters. Terry is at the top of his field, he is a world class player.

Beckham again fits in the catergory of a top player, but i cant see him in a world XI! Same for Lampard and Cole. Gerrard is again top of his game, no better centre midfielder at the moment, but is he fit? Who knows.

Owen, just of from a long injury, who knows how he will play. Crouch, seriously?

[The Baron]

teams written on paper dont win world cups, players performances on the day does. Lets see which team has the skill and tactical awareness to perform the best 7 times in the next 30 days.............

Then we will resume this thread then

Fair comment. It's the reason I haven't backed England - I haven't seen them do enough as a team to warrant a belief they will win it.

This is a far cry from claiming that their first XI isn't world class though, because quite simply, it is. Considering the poor state of some other teams in the competition England have to be considered a top 3 or 4 nation IMO.

Trying to claim otherwise is a bit silly considering the calibre of some of their players.

Next thing, someone will be telling me that Brazil, whilst full of great individuals, don't have what it takes to be considered contenders!

I agree with what you are saying about Englands first XI being one of the best in the tournament, but when things aren't going to plan (as has happened in previous major tournaments) will they have the tactical awareness to come up with plan B or plan C - does Sven even have a plan B or C?
 

I agree. This is where england's downfall will be. If only we had big Phil.

[The Baron]

                Robinson

Neville   Ferdinand  Terry  Cole

Beckham Lampard Gerrard Cole

        Owen   Crouchaldinho (Rooney when he's fit)



Come on then - let's see these amazing first XI's that are better than that. I need a laugh.

Robinson, world class? Me thinks not, he is nothing compared to keepers like Buffon.

Neville, thats a joke in itself. Rio and Cole are both very good players, but not world beaters. Terry is at the top of his field, he is a world class player.

Beckham again fits in the catergory of a top player, but i cant see him in a world XI! Same for Lampard and Cole. Gerrard is again top of his game, no better centre midfielder at the moment, but is he fit? Who knows.

Owen, just of from a long injury, who knows how he will play. Crouch, seriously?

Robinson is not in the Casillas/Buffon mould as you point out but he's a top 5 keeper. (Look how Arsenal went a year unbeaten with Jens Lehmann and Liverpool won the Champions League with Dudek!!!! The back 4 plays a bigger role.)

Neville and Cole were the best two full backs at Euro 2004 by far. I don't understand why England's most capped player, the guy who's won everything at club level is a joke? Maybe you could explain that one to me. Also I cant think of a better left back in the world than Ashley Cole.

Rio Ferdinand was (until this season) considered the best centre half in the world and was England's best player in the 2002 World Cup. If he can be bothered he's the best centre half on earth. With big Sol and a ridiculously consistent Carragher to replace him I don't think he's a worry.

Terry - as you say - is at the top of his game.

Beckham, may not be at his peak any more but is still deadly from any set piece as the last 3 England games have proved. He has also played well for Madrid the last 6 months or so.

Lampard - what was it? 18 goals this season from midfield??

Gerrard. Nuff said.

Cole - a funny one coz I always disliked him but this season he's been different class. Pele said he was a Brazilian. Far and away the most improved England player and a threat to anyone as he showed against Barcelona the last two years. Anyone who keeps Robben/Duff/SWP on the bench has to be class.

Owen - the guy has 1 goal every 2 games at every level and is England's 4th highest scorer ever at 26. I agree he is probably not 100% fit but when he is he turns entrie games.

Crouchaldinho - 12 goals this season as a target man. 5 in his last 3 England games. By no means a world beater but he causes problems. More importantly, with Rooney coming back - who cares?

Rooney (when he's back) - nuff said.

Now we can agree or disagree all day long, but show me an inetrnational XI from another country that compares. Brazil don't count.

[AdamM]

I'll have a friendly fiver with you we make the quarters bandit

Shouldn't bee too difficult unless you come up against Germany in the 2nd round.  I'll make it a friendly £10 yous don't make the semis!!

ok, you're on

[Hairydude]

OK Baron Ill give it a bash,

player for player I'd say Italy have a stronger team than England-and altho Im scottish this is a strictly objective view:

Buffon(best Keeper in the world and better than Robinson by a stretch)

Zacardo(inexperienced and untested tho had a great season in serie A but Neville would win this battle due to experience)

Centre backs: Cannavaro and Nesta(John terry is on par with these players but the rest of england centre halfs are not anywhere near-possibly the best centre back partnership in the tournament)

Zambrotta: superb Juventus Fullback with vast experience, different type of fullback than Cole, a bit more defensive but rock solid and probably a better defender than cole tho for coles attacking abilities I would tie this

Camoranesi: has proved one of the best attacking midfielders in the past 12 months and everybit as good as Lampard if not better- would also tie this between the 2

Pirlo: has been excellent for Milan for the past 2 years his dead ball freekicks are more deadly than Beckhams and he would win this battle for me-even though Beckham has played well over the past 6 months Pirlo is technically a better player tho less experienced

Gattusso: excellent player who always fights for everything-a lot more defensive than Gerrard but never gives up. Gerrad IMO is the on form player at the moment and probably the best midfielder in the world at the moment-including over Ronaldinho so Gerrad would have to win this

Totti: I think Italy will play Totti on the left and by default wins hands down against any left sided midfielders England have, hes superb tho his temperament lets him down a bit- Joe cole looks likely to be employed down the left and although had a great season with Chelsea and got all the tricks in the book Totti is by a country mile a better player who also scores a lot more Goals

Laca Toni: Italys poacher and first player to score over 30 goals in serie A in something like 40 years- in terms of recent form better than, Crouch better than Owen, better than Walcott-simply superb player and expect him at Milan or Juve either this year or next

Del Piero: not had the greatest of seasons tho still a mainstay in the Juve squad-his last world cup and he'll want to make it a good one-last chance to get his hands on the world cup: over Rooney: if Rooney is only half fit I think Del Piero would win the battle but a fully fit Rooney is better-results pending depending which rooney you have

overall I would say Italy have a better 11 first team starters BUT they also have quality in depth- they have numerous players who can come in and cover for any of these players: Gilardino, Rossi, Inzaghi, peruzzi, Materazzi, Perotta, Iaquinta