The Football (all sorts) Thread

[dirge]

I don't see why Verbeek insists on his 4-5-1 no matter what. When Australia went down 2-0 he stuck with it, even though it was clear that Australia wasn't getting any traction with one up front. It's great if you're hoping to nick a 1-0, but once you're down, you need to be more aggresive if you want a result. He refused to gamble, instead just putting a midfielder up front on his own after half time and bringing the striker into midfield.

Granted, Australia deserved to lose, but Verbeek's ridiculous stubborn love for 4-5-1 only made things worse.

I'll be glad when Verbeek is gone, and Australia has someone at the helm who actually knows how to make the most of the talent at their disposal rather than sticking to a formula and trying to shoehorn the limited supply of players into that system.

[i_amtrunks]

This is for you Bobby:
QUEEEEEEEENNNSSSLAAANNNDDDEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Nothing much more to say but NSW were abysmal, it's what happens when you pick thugs instead of footballers (Gallen got off somehow, and no charge for the O'Donnell headbutt...what the hell?). Hayne showed he is nowhere near as talented as he thinks he is.

NSW have to drop about half the squad, and start fresh. Gidley as fullback, Pearce and Campese in the halves (or Walsh at 6, whoever they pick, they have to stick with), Farah at 9 and captain, Idris, Jennings and the Morris boys in the backs, and pick a tough young forward pack, Leahroyd-Lars, Thurling, Heighington etc with Luke Lewis as a super sub.

And Spain beaten by the swiss... Spain not looking so good now are they?

[Sharky]

This is for you Bobby:
QUEEEEEEEENNNSSSLAAANNNDDDEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Nothing much more to say but NSW were abysmal, it's what happens when you pick thugs instead of footballers (Gallen got off somehow, and no charge for the O'Donnell headbutt...what the hell?).

Gallen getting off was a no brainer.. it was a fairy tap that rolled off the shoulder...if myles wasnt already concussed from a previous hit from white he would of got up... if they were to punish gallen for it the head high tackle by inglis i think on hayne ten minutes earlier was twice as bad since it was direct contact and odonnell well... he should be sitting on the side lines.......not just for the headbutt (which if anything is similar to haynes "headshove" on slater previously) but for the spear tackle alone... that was nasty.

then there was the elbows and forearms.. from both teams.. thurston kneeing the ball player when he was at marker... i remember greg bird got 10 weeks for that many a year ago.. thiaday lifting knees when charging the line...

yes nsw should drop half the squad but gidley included. id leave pearce there but bring in bird... farah cant defend for crap, but has a good kicking game which makes him better for attack... i would bring Tigers Chris Lawrence into the centre , he is a good line breaker and some speed. and jennings just for his speed

lewis wasnt here because of his suspension so i see him getting a recall.. and as much as he is a niggler the Blues need Gallen only because he consistantly gets 100+ meters gained he was the only forward for NSW to crack the 100 metre mark in O:II Hayne was the only other player..... For NSW Learoyd lars and brett white were the next closet in the 70 metre range..... Eniis racked up a huge 8 metres absolutly shocking for a hooker (Cam Smith ran 70)

but in saying that, doesnt matter how much they chop and change the squad... Queensland has to much clASSs... the core group of their squad has been consistant.. Smith Lockyer Slater Ingis Folau........ cant compete with the best in the business....

[Bartrim]

This is for you Bobby:
QUEEEEEEEENNNSSSLAAANNNDDDEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Nothing much more to say but NSW were abysmal, it's what happens when you pick thugs instead of footballers (Gallen got off somehow, and no charge for the O'Donnell headbutt...what the hell?). Hayne showed he is nowhere near as talented as he thinks he is.

NSW have to drop about half the squad, and start fresh. Gidley as fullback, Pearce and Campese in the halves (or Walsh at 6, whoever they pick, they have to stick with), Farah at 9 and captain, Idris, Jennings and the Morris boys in the backs, and pick a tough young forward pack, Leahroyd-Lars, Thurling, Heighington etc with Luke Lewis as a super sub.

I already told you I was supporting Queensland this series. The current Queensland side would beat any international team IMO. I wouldn't worry about O'Donnell I think he'll get in strife. NSW needs to stick with it's players not chop and change them as soon as they lose. I was actually close with the score I picked a 40-0 scoreline. I knew QLD's backs would have a field day as Hayne is a lazy defender. My NSW side would be with everyoine 100% fit

1. Dugan
2. B. Morris
3. Jennings
4. Lyon
5. Lawrence
6. Sutton
7. Gidley
13. Ryan
12. Hindmarsh (c) they need a workhorse to lead by example
11. Creagh
10. White
9. Farah
8. Galloway

Res

14. Lewis
15. Leahroyd- Lars
16. Snowden
17. Heighington

[dirge]

And Spain beaten by the swiss... Spain not looking so good now are they?

Oh, they looked good, but forgot to actually take the Swiss defence seriously. Basically they spent the first hour passing the ball around without really trying to test the Swiss defence - like that would be enough to eventually crack the Swiss and score. From memory I think the Spanish side, with something ridiculous like 75% possession, managed a single shot on goal in the first half hour.

Of course, the Swiss were always going to focus on getting their defence set for this game... and were going to need more than pretty passing & possession to break them down. It looked good, but I found myself pretty bored after a while - and was glad when Switzerland took the lead.

Switzerland's goal was sloppy & oppurtunistic, but it shouldn't have taken that goal for the Spanish to actually try and test the Swiss defence. And of course once they had the goal, Switzerland were essentially playing a 10-0-0 formation (not that I blame them).

[Sharky]

did anyone see brazils goal.... slotted nicley past the keeper with about half a metre of space......



great to watch..

[MV75]

Mmmm, so "we" won the origin again eh?

Yet another time when it makes the third match not worth following. This is getting pretty boring right now.

[1AZRAEL1]

Mmmm, so "we" won the origin again eh?

Yet another time when it makes the third match not worth following. This is getting pretty boring right now.

I'm a New South Welshman and even I knew QLD where gonna win, NSW have not had a good side in years.

You're right though, the next game ain't worth watching. Unless you wanted to watch a whitewash

[Bartrim]

You're right though, the next game ain't worth watching. Unless you wanted to watch a whitewash

Or a good bit of biff

[gamblor916]

did anyone see brazils goal.... slotted nicley past the keeper with about half a metre of space......



great to watch..

That was the best goal of the tournament so far. With the altitude and the new ball somehow I don't think a lot of goals are going to come from spot kicks.