Cooksen
The Millennium Falcao
Ramos is good reason.Whats to hate about Spain?
The fact they pass too much?
Ramos is good reason.Whats to hate about Spain?
The fact they pass too much?
You're ruined it for me now, was going to record it!Netherlands 1-0, van Persie
tough to overlook the foreground of the picture.that skyline in the back compliments the stadium quite well - love that image.
You can borrow my time machine if you like, go back and stop me from posting that.You're ruined it for me now, was going to record it!![]()
Thanks man!You can borrow my time machine if you like, go back and stop me from posting that.
Looks like it didn't work.Thanks man!![]()
The current squad is a more talented than the 2012 Van Marwijk team which in was also negatively affected by infighting. Defense is built around a single club team and has been solid during both qualifying and the recent friendlies.The Netherlands side looks worse than the 2012 team and they got knocked out of the group easily. The only real hope for them is Robben in my opinion, and to a certain extent RVP if he decides to turn up. The midfield of Spain is just 2 classes above Hollands, especially with Strootman out, and the defense of the Netherlands has always been really shaky.
I think I would also say Chile are favorites going in the game against Holland, Netherlands will have a very hard time to get out of the group.
I watch every single Barcelona match, and very rarely I see Busquets dive. After all, he is defensive player. He is a master of drawing fouls though and genuinely gets fouled a lot.He just falls down everytime he can fall down. Some players actually try to stay on their feet but as soon as Busquets has a chance to hug the grass he does so. After he has fallen down he is almost always simulating some extend of pain and looks very annoyed at the other player and hopes the ref gives a yellow. He's just nasty and has very low sportsmanship. He is a great player though.
I am quite sure he will make some horendus dives again but only at crucial moments. He just is that kind of player.
RVP came into the Euros after his best season at Arsenal.The current squad is a more talented than the 2012 Van Marwijk team which in was also negatively affected by infighting. Defense is built around a single club team and has been solid during both qualifying and the recent friendlies.
Van Gaal is also a vastly better tactician than Van Marwijk. He could go all Mourinho by sitting deep, or pack the midfield like De Boer did against Barcelona this year. It's hard to predict.
Nah, the chances of Mata starting are basically 0. It'll be Koke and Mata out for Busquets and Xavi, possibly Silva out for Pedro too but I'd expect Silva.Do we think Mata will start for Spain? I'd be going:
--------Casillas--------
Azpilicueta Ramos Pique Alba
-----Alonso--Iniesta-----
---Mata---Koke---Silva---
--------Diego Costa-------
Might be a crazy line up but hey. Really think Spain may win the World Cup again judging by Brazil last night who weren't special.
Couldn't agree more. Busquets gets a hard time, his reputation was justified years ago but he's really toned his playacting down over the past few seasons.I watch every single Barcelona match, and very rarely I see Busquets dive. After all, he is defensive player. He is a master of drawing fouls though and genuinely gets fouled a lot. He doesn't dive any more than Xavi or Iniesta.
Fabregas and Sanchez, for example, are horrible divers. Bashing Busqeuts because he once exaggerated a contact 4 years ago is just a form of mass media retardation.
The only chance Xavi doesn't play is if he is injured.Do we think Mata will start for Spain? I'd be going:
--------Casillas--------
Azpilicueta Ramos Pique Alba
-----Alonso--Iniesta-----
---Mata---Koke---Silva---
--------Diego Costa-------
Might be a crazy line up but hey. Really think Spain may win the World Cup again judging by Brazil last night who weren't special.
Boring football is the tip of the ice berg for meWhats to hate about Spain?
The fact they pass too much?
You're talking like Spain is the most entertaining and attacking side in the world. I am not one of those "Oh Spain is so boring" people, I actually like them and I think they'll win the tournament, but they are actually very defensive team considering how much possession they have.I understand there was a lot of criticism back in Holland over how the Dutch played Spain in South Africa, we'll see if Van Gaal does much differently tbh. Because I'm not so sure they're equipped to do things much differently
I don't agree with that perspective at all and we can see the sit back, soak up pressure and wait to counter is the new movement in football after possession based footy has dominated for so long. It's on Del Bosque, Barcelona etc. to adapt to the new defenses to their style of play but it isn't boring because of it but as a consequence of what defenses due to combat itYou're talking like Spain is the most entertaining and attacking side in the world. I am not one of those "Oh Spain is so boring" people, I actually like them and I think they'll win the tournament, but they are actually very defensive team considering how much possession they have.
It will be a lot less scrappy and I'm sure. Many fans felt the team betrayed the the Dutch style of play in the final. A counterattacking side doesn't have to be ugly and cynical.I understand there was a lot of criticism back in Holland over how the Dutch played Spain in South Africa, we'll see if Van Gaal does much differently tbh. Because I'm not so sure they're equipped to do things much differently
The writing was on the wall in the latter stages of the qualifying campaign in 2011. The match against Sweden was the turning point where the team started to come apart.RVP came into the Euros after his best season at Arsenal.
VDV was a lot better than he is now
Sneijder was still at Inter and didn't play in the Turkish League yet.
MVB was part of the squad
Have to admit I don't know much about their defense, but it really doesn't look good on paper. I hope they surprise me but I can't see it, everybody had high expectations in 2012 and they crashed out with 0 points, now they don't look like they've improved in a major way.
Oh and it's not like Holland was unimpressive in the qualifiers prior to the Euros, they got comfortable wins as well. A WC game is just a completely other story.
I really fail to see how can someone blame Spain for that. It's all about their opponents - Spain plays with their defense set very high and if any team that dares to go at them, you will have the most exciting game.You're talking like Spain is the most entertaining and attacking side in the world. I am not one of those "Oh Spain is so boring" people, I actually like them and I think they'll win the tournament, but they are actually very defensive team considering how much possession they have.
What?Who many want Spain to win but RVP to score one for Spain to win? I one him two do that.
Who many want Spain to win but RVP to score one for Spain to win? I one him two do that.
Mark van Bommel was one of the best players in the squad.. i wish he was in the current squad.No MvB and VdV is simply a blessing. VdV is even more a defensive liability than Sneijder, and both can only play on 10 anyway. MVB was far past his best in 2012.