Rousseau

1 minute ago, buster. said:

Mexico tested them to a degree but a team who lack quality in front of goal offer a limited challenge. Belguim are another kettle of fish and the quarter will be much more potentially dangerous for Brazil.

 

I strongly disagree with you re. James. 

Brazil? Yes, their decision-making was poor; they failed to trouble them too much. 

Belgium should trouble them, but I see Brazil really troubling the Belgium defence, which is rather poor. It should be a good game. 

Fair enough, RE James. It's no surprise, though, that in the game they (Columbia) struggled, James went off injured after 25 minutes... 

7 minutes ago, buster. said:

Playing with 10 men, they were good in the first half against Japan. Not surprisingly, faded in the second.

 

Difficult to say against the Poles, given that Poland gave the worst display I've seen at this WC. 

 

Senegal should have beat them but like Mexico yesterday, were unable to score. Note that they should have had a penalty in the first half. 

 

Today is the litmus test for both England and Columbia. It'll be interesting.

 

 

I think Quintero is their main man, James has talent but too often flatters to deceive.

 

 

I didn't see the Columbia-Senegal game, but I have been impressed by how they play. 

Very few of main contenders have actually been tested. Perhaps Brazil-Mexico was the only game that through up a decent test. 

James is their main man; he is one of the best midfielders in world football. 

4 minutes ago, buster. said:

Will all the noise about England having a great chance to win the WC make it more difficult for them to get over the immediate hurdle in front of them ?

 

The KO phase has seen some teams lift their levels.

Columbia have thus far been a mixture of mediocre and semi-decent. They appear to be there for the taking but scripts have been getting ripped up on a regular basis.......will this be the next ?

I think Columbia have been good thus far. 

A lot depends on James.

When's the TNS match?

This WC has been fabulous.

Which paper had labelled the figure "huge"?

That second Japan goal screwed almost every prediction!

All except one gained 1 point for the Correct Result.

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12 hours ago, buster. said:

AP Press....As expected, Rousseau, the experienced tipster on Gersnet has timed his WC run with care and despite being a point behind a newcomer is now installed as favourite for the crown.

 

Under-promise and over-deliver...  

#GPLIsComingHome

48 minutes ago, buster. said:

VAR refs look like they've gone easy on the Mexican because of Neymar's theatrics.

 

Defender was beyond stupid.

 

He knows VAR are there.

His team are only a goal behind.

The ball is out of play, no danger.

Absolutely; no need at all for the little dig -- a stamp, really. 

Neymar is still a t*t.  

Marvellous player, but I can do without the histrionics. 

47 minutes ago, buster. said:

We know what you are up to................trying to Keep the pressure  off yourself eh 

 

 

 

I'm not wrong in saying UKCrazyhorse and Malangsob have been the best thus far. 

I've snuck in there with a couple of Correct Scores recently, but that won't last. 

Danny Ings?

Sure...

It was a red on Neymar, if the Referee notices, but my, you wouldn't get tired of slapping that.

Absolute t*t of a player.

The majority gained points for this one, except those that didn't predict, and, interestingly, the 2 main contenders!

All except Malangsob and UKCrazyhorse gained 1 point for the Correct Result.

lenny3k and r_s gained 3 points for the Correct Score.

It's really heating up now!

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I predicted a Brazil win, but I wouldn't mind seeing Mexico win this. 

Oh... 3 minutes in and Neymar is rolling around.  

Denmark are interesting: they play with a Target-man in Cornelius, then also have another wide right, Poulsen, in a 4-2-3-1, which allows them to play long diagonals to him. 

Eriksen as the #10 drifts over to that right side to link-up play and create. 

They don't play with natural wingers at all. Braithwaite on the other 'wing' is a forward, who likes to drift inside. 

I wonder why it's only Rangers that seem to need two out-and-out wingers to be successful... 

Croatia were shot, mentally and physically; they just couldn't string two passes together.

Denmark weren't great either, but they made it work tactically. 

Croatia did this last time too: looked like real favourites, rest players in the third group game, then lose the plot in the knock-out stages. They were very fortunate to get through.

Let's hope the real Croatia turn up; that wasn't it.

Croatia are added to my b*stards list, for failing to give me my Correct Score; even missing a penalty with 3 minutes to go.

Again, very few points gained from this one.

Only Onevision picked up points, a Correct Result.

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4 minutes ago, cooponthewing said:

Why? That was anti-football from Russia which I seem to remember both Greece at Euro and ourselves en route to Manchester getting pilloried for.

Because they let me down Coop! I was on for a Correct Score for a 2-1 victory! B*astards.  

I agree, but it opens up the tournament. I wasn't fussed either way, apart from my prediction. 

Like I said on the prediction thread, I was willing Spain to win to get my points. Then switched allegiance for the penalties when the b*stards let me down. 

Get in!

Another excellent game, for different reasons. 

This tournament is wide open. Are Brazil the only 'favourites' left? England, maybe?

I've lost count the number of times in the past I've willed Spain to lose games, which they inevitably win. Today I was willing them to sneak it 2-1, as I had that prediction, but they let me down. 

Pleased to see them go out, and for Russia to go through.

Only one player picked up points in the Spain-Russia game: Forlanssister with a Correct Score!

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1 hour ago, Malangsob said:

This move makes little sense. Though I understand the thought process in that Coulibaly is a highly versatile player (CM/LM/RM/DM) he brings no skill set that we do not already possess. Not smart.

I don't know. I'd class the guy as a box-to-box midfield player, of which we've not actually got many; Docherty, maybe Jack, and that's it. 

I'm intrigued by these tall strikers (El Baabi is 6ft 5, Sadiq is 6ft 3). They're not just tall target-men either, as both are quick, with El Kaabi technically classed as a winger.

Predictions were split for the URU-POR game, with few gaining points, but those that did got good ones.

Bill, compo, whosthedado, Gonzo and BEARGER gained 1 point for the Correct Result.

Craig, Yorkie, Gaffer and r_s gained 3 points for the Correct Score.

No major change, but the pack closes in!

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