Chronic
Vital Football Hero
It's the tournament no one wanted, at a time no one wanted to play it.
It has disfigured the entire domestic season and given approval to a country guilty of the human rights abuses we claim to care so much about, at a time football is more preachy and political than ever. But on the plus side it did make some crooked old bastards at FIFA even richer, and that's the main thing.
Will England foist the knee on everybody else again? Will they embarrass themselves by doing it in the name of the usual non existent domestic issues or will they grow a pair and focus on genuine problems in the host nation? I think we all know the answer. They've already performed the most feeble gesture imaginable by flying in on a plane with an invisible rainbow flag on it so that probably gives us a great indication - they'll be silently disapproving. I hope they feel proud of themselves.
Will fans be thrown in prison for drinking and doing football fan things?
Just how hilarious will it be seeing the groups of fake fans paid to support nations they obviously aren't from? This could be the best bit. They've already wheeled out a bunch of Indians pretending to be England fans.
And the football. There will be the football. Who'll win that? For some reason Brazil are favourites. Maybe because it's 30 degrees there? But I'd at least have France, Portugal and England above them.
Yes, I think England have a serious chance. Doubt I'll be supporting them sadly, but do think the international playing field is more level (lower) than ever and the squad selection from Wokegate could be much worse. Abraham and/or Toney should have gone, maybe Smalling or Tomori too. But I can't remember having so few objections before. The midfield pair of Rice and Bellingham is strong and balanced, and Foden should start every game. The defence has played together a lot now and as a team I think they're more settled and cohesive than most. Ultimately what will cost them is having a tactical coward of a manager. But making the final is possible.
From United's point of view, Ndiaye is the main involvement. Must have a chance of playing. Senegal have a good chance of making the last 8. Just hope he doesn't get injured. Not sure if I want him doing too well. Might make a new contract impossible.
Otherwise, this break will give us a good chance to get players fit, so we can get them on the pitch and injure them again.
It has disfigured the entire domestic season and given approval to a country guilty of the human rights abuses we claim to care so much about, at a time football is more preachy and political than ever. But on the plus side it did make some crooked old bastards at FIFA even richer, and that's the main thing.
Will England foist the knee on everybody else again? Will they embarrass themselves by doing it in the name of the usual non existent domestic issues or will they grow a pair and focus on genuine problems in the host nation? I think we all know the answer. They've already performed the most feeble gesture imaginable by flying in on a plane with an invisible rainbow flag on it so that probably gives us a great indication - they'll be silently disapproving. I hope they feel proud of themselves.
Will fans be thrown in prison for drinking and doing football fan things?
Just how hilarious will it be seeing the groups of fake fans paid to support nations they obviously aren't from? This could be the best bit. They've already wheeled out a bunch of Indians pretending to be England fans.
And the football. There will be the football. Who'll win that? For some reason Brazil are favourites. Maybe because it's 30 degrees there? But I'd at least have France, Portugal and England above them.
Yes, I think England have a serious chance. Doubt I'll be supporting them sadly, but do think the international playing field is more level (lower) than ever and the squad selection from Wokegate could be much worse. Abraham and/or Toney should have gone, maybe Smalling or Tomori too. But I can't remember having so few objections before. The midfield pair of Rice and Bellingham is strong and balanced, and Foden should start every game. The defence has played together a lot now and as a team I think they're more settled and cohesive than most. Ultimately what will cost them is having a tactical coward of a manager. But making the final is possible.
From United's point of view, Ndiaye is the main involvement. Must have a chance of playing. Senegal have a good chance of making the last 8. Just hope he doesn't get injured. Not sure if I want him doing too well. Might make a new contract impossible.
Otherwise, this break will give us a good chance to get players fit, so we can get them on the pitch and injure them again.