So, another world cup tournament is about to begin, I suppose once it starts, I'll start to get into the thing, but then again! The last world cup in South Africa, wasn't the greatest, there were a smattering of good games and the best team won the trophy, which doesn't always happen. But as a an advert for the very best in football, it trails far behind the champions league.
Playing it in the summer doesn't help of course, though that wasn't really an excuse in South Africa, which was in their winter. It will be an excuse this time though. On of the reasons I can't really see this being a classic world cup will be the climate. It won't do England's chances any favours that's for sure. If England had the best team they'd ever had, they would still be almost certainly undone by the heat. The thing is how many other team will cope though, especially those based in the extreme humidity of the north.
As for England, as an attacking force, they are as strong as they have been for a long time. The midfield is questionable, there is talent there, but it depends on formations and who he selects, the balance between protecting the back four and assisting the attack doesn't look right to me. I certainly don't see Gerrard as the man to protect the one glaring weakness in the squad, the back four.
Centre half and right back don't look international standard, and time will tell whether Baines or Shaw have what it take. Cahill and Jagielka, neither with great pace, neither great on the ball, both are glorified stoppers really. It's not a United bias, but I would have Jones at centre half, there have been times when he's played there for United where he has looked really commanding, and the most important thing for me, he is better than both first choice centre backs on the ball. Of course how long he could stay fit, would have to be the big question there. As for right back, Johnson has always been shite with a capital S, but he seems to be getting worse. The fact Woy gave Milner a go at right back during the warm ups suggests he's onto that fact. Of course the fact Milner didn't set the world alight means the problem remains unsolved.
As to the winners, it's hard to see past Brazil or Spain. Brazil because they are the hosts and should be able to live with the heat as well as anybody else. Spain because they have by far the best squad and their possession game should help them in the climate, though it obviously won't help their pressing game. I'm struggling to see anybody beyond them two, Argentina have Messi and Portugal Ronaldo, but both rely far too heavily on their two geniuses to be confident in them going all the way. If push comes to shove I'd go for Brazil, not because they will be the best team, but because they will want it more. It would help if the country gets behind them of course, I'm not sure that's a total certainty with all the unrest in the country ahead of the next four weeks.
Music
Black Lips -Underneat the rainbow: The US indie/punk rock seventh album doesn't hit the heights of some of their previous efforts, but it's solid enough to be well worth a listen.
Metronomy - Love Letters: The fourth album from the indie/electronic/pop UK act. As with their last album it's a winner, Joseph Mount has a way with a catchy tune.
Real Estate - Atlas: The third album from the US indie jangly guitar act may well be their best yet, it's a real grower.
Sabina - Toujours: Debut solo abum of German born US based front woman of US outfit Brazilian Girls. With her accented vocal delivery, you can't help feel a little Nico in there, which works for me, but it really works with songs as strong as this.
Sam Sanders -Mirror, Mirror: A small compilation of a long forgotten US saxophonist, an excellent mix of jazz, funk and soul, leaves you wishing there was more material to unearth.
Sean Kuti & Eygpt 80 - A long way to the beginning: Another fine album from the Kuti clan, all the songs are pretty strong, but i love the opener IMF, catchy and angry as fuck.
We Are Scientists - TV en Francais: Another solid album from the US indie rockers, I've never noticed their influences come through as obviously, the track Overreacting owes a massive debt to Johnny Marr guitar work with the Smiths, good album.
Playing it in the summer doesn't help of course, though that wasn't really an excuse in South Africa, which was in their winter. It will be an excuse this time though. On of the reasons I can't really see this being a classic world cup will be the climate. It won't do England's chances any favours that's for sure. If England had the best team they'd ever had, they would still be almost certainly undone by the heat. The thing is how many other team will cope though, especially those based in the extreme humidity of the north.
As for England, as an attacking force, they are as strong as they have been for a long time. The midfield is questionable, there is talent there, but it depends on formations and who he selects, the balance between protecting the back four and assisting the attack doesn't look right to me. I certainly don't see Gerrard as the man to protect the one glaring weakness in the squad, the back four.
Centre half and right back don't look international standard, and time will tell whether Baines or Shaw have what it take. Cahill and Jagielka, neither with great pace, neither great on the ball, both are glorified stoppers really. It's not a United bias, but I would have Jones at centre half, there have been times when he's played there for United where he has looked really commanding, and the most important thing for me, he is better than both first choice centre backs on the ball. Of course how long he could stay fit, would have to be the big question there. As for right back, Johnson has always been shite with a capital S, but he seems to be getting worse. The fact Woy gave Milner a go at right back during the warm ups suggests he's onto that fact. Of course the fact Milner didn't set the world alight means the problem remains unsolved.
As to the winners, it's hard to see past Brazil or Spain. Brazil because they are the hosts and should be able to live with the heat as well as anybody else. Spain because they have by far the best squad and their possession game should help them in the climate, though it obviously won't help their pressing game. I'm struggling to see anybody beyond them two, Argentina have Messi and Portugal Ronaldo, but both rely far too heavily on their two geniuses to be confident in them going all the way. If push comes to shove I'd go for Brazil, not because they will be the best team, but because they will want it more. It would help if the country gets behind them of course, I'm not sure that's a total certainty with all the unrest in the country ahead of the next four weeks.
Music
Black Lips -Underneat the rainbow: The US indie/punk rock seventh album doesn't hit the heights of some of their previous efforts, but it's solid enough to be well worth a listen.
Metronomy - Love Letters: The fourth album from the indie/electronic/pop UK act. As with their last album it's a winner, Joseph Mount has a way with a catchy tune.
Real Estate - Atlas: The third album from the US indie jangly guitar act may well be their best yet, it's a real grower.
Sabina - Toujours: Debut solo abum of German born US based front woman of US outfit Brazilian Girls. With her accented vocal delivery, you can't help feel a little Nico in there, which works for me, but it really works with songs as strong as this.
Sam Sanders -Mirror, Mirror: A small compilation of a long forgotten US saxophonist, an excellent mix of jazz, funk and soul, leaves you wishing there was more material to unearth.
Sean Kuti & Eygpt 80 - A long way to the beginning: Another fine album from the Kuti clan, all the songs are pretty strong, but i love the opener IMF, catchy and angry as fuck.
We Are Scientists - TV en Francais: Another solid album from the US indie rockers, I've never noticed their influences come through as obviously, the track Overreacting owes a massive debt to Johnny Marr guitar work with the Smiths, good album.
No comments:
Post a Comment