Agreed. All this romanticism about retaining possession is way over the top. It may be called the beautiful game but there's only so much stroking it around the park without creating something that one can put up with (and probably why the Germans are the most attractive team to watch in the comp). It's why RL is better because great defence in RL can be visually spectacular, whereas in football it can lead to too much stifling of attacking play.

Quote: Roddy B "With these tournaments being when they are, the chances of everybody playing top quality football are getting lower and lower. International breaks and so on are really extending seasons that are already long enough, the sport is becoming more and more demanding, which is resulting in players putting so much into their club seasons, they have very little left when it comes to the international calendar.'" Did you read this? www.newstatesman.com/lifestyle/l ... -out-shape

Quote: Roddy B "With these tournaments being when they are, the chances of everybody playing top quality football are getting lower and lower. International breaks and so on are really extending seasons that are already long enough, the sport is becoming more and more demanding, which is resulting in players putting so much into their club seasons, they have very little left when it comes to the international calendar.'" Did you read this? www.newstatesman.com/lifestyle/l ... -out-shape

It's you. Two poor games so far: France v England and Czechs v Portugal, but even those had their moments.

I think the standard has been high so far, certainly better than the last world cup.

Wouldn't go so far as to say terrible, but it's been a disappointment. I've actually lost interest to a certain extent as I've been unimpressed by the vast majority of sides. Germany are head and shoulders above the rest IMO.

Spain line up with no centre forward again.

I don't see why everyone jizzes themselves over spains football. A million intricate 2 yard passes resulting in one chance is not my idea of good football when the germans can create the same chance in less than 20 passes.

Germans more direct approach, for me, is more enjoyable to watch.

You're entitled to your opinion, but have a think about it for a second. As somebody tweeted the other day: "In fifty years time: How good were Spain, grandad? Oh, I don't know. I spent my life arguing they were dull."

They don't just pass it to create, they keep the ball so they can't be punished; their strength is their passing.

France, another side hoping, just hoping for a break.
Rubbish! All sides who play like that deserve to LOSE!
And so they are behind 1-0.
And similarly England will come and play with the same stupid mentality tomorrow.
I hope not!

And I'd turn around and say "Roy managed for fourty years but never made much of an impression. Kenny only managed for a few years but he won the league four times and probably would have won something in Europe had there not been a ban in place. Roy was probably the worst Liverpool manager I ever had the misfortune of seeing."