Comments on: WFC Writers’ World Cup Predictions

By: WFC Writers’ World Cup Final Predictions | World Football Columns

WFC Writers’ World Cup Final Predictions | World Football Columns — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 23:47:28 +0000

[...] some truly shocking pre-tournament predictions, yours truly, Geoff ‘Kaiser’ Edwards, Martin ‘the Professor’ Palazzotto, [...]

By: geoffedwards

geoffedwards — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 10:34:11 +0000

The Guardian writers have a go too: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/jun/...

By: geoffedwards

geoffedwards — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:25:36 +0000

Steve, like your optimism. I can't share it however. I think what we don't have is a playmaker who can control a game.

I agree with what you say about the US. I think they may at least give England a scare tomorrow evening. I would be happy with a draw in that game.

Re Marin, he looks to be the ultimate impact sub at the moment, he could make a real name for himself this summer. I heard some rumours that Everton were going to make a bid for him. In that sense I hope, as an Evertonian, he has a bad tournament. If he does well I fear we'll have no chance of getting him.

I'd like to thank everyone too for their excellent contributions. And, whilst it was my idea, Martin did most of the work co-ordinating putting it together.

By: @fapresilli

@fapresilli — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:00:01 +0000

Sure Martin, lets say that if necessary.
My take is – it will be necessary because Kaká is not 100% (as Julio Cesar and Luis Fabiano), but he can play, I don't know about playing a hole match, with a back in his neck all the time…..

By: mpalazzotto

mpalazzotto — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 22:16:17 +0000

slow down and take a breath, there, Fab!

I'm assuming you mean that there is no sub to come on for Kaka should the need present. Gave me a start there, for a sec. I had to reassure myself that he was healthy with a quick google search.

Glad you liked the vuvuzela video. It's nice to know that people are noticing the special little treats I try to slip in here and there!

Thanks go out to everyone who contributed, however, and especially to Geoff, whose brainchild this was.

By: @fapresilli

@fapresilli — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:55:08 +0000

Thanks to Martin and Geoff for putting this togheter, the vuvuzela link is a real treat!
I almost changed my mind saturday, after that Karate move from Tanaka, but the ivorians are with their big name in ZA. Brazil has issues, one of them is kaka's replacement, inexistentent…..
I am trully impressed by the disbelief of all towards France and Italy, I think no one picked them to go to the semis, well we will see!!

By: Steve Atkinson

Steve Atkinson — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:52:56 +0000

I really like Pastore of Palermo and Argentina and hope he gets the opportunity to show what he can do, though with all that talent in front of him it seems unlikely. I think Nicolas Lodeiro of Uruguay would be my pick for young player making an impression – such great vision for one so young. Though would also say watch out for Marko Marin of Germany, an attacking midfielder of genuine quality.

I think the US have a great opportunity here, England are notoriously slow starters, and they have the quality to shine against the rest of their group. They have a squad full of experienced players, many of whom are coming into the tournament in fantastic form, Gomez and Buddle as mentioned but also Donovan and Dempsey who shone in the Premier League and Europa League this season. They will scare teams. The surprising player I'll go for Valbuena of France, such a quality winger who is exciting to watch and very dangerous, with the exceptional Gourcuff inside him he could have a break out World Cup. I also think that Landon Donovan may surprise a few people as well on the back of his time at Everton – I thought he looked sharp and used the ball intelligently, hopefully more of the same coming soon.

By: Steve Atkinson

Steve Atkinson — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:49:43 +0000

Great conglomerative article. It's difficult to call who will win as there are so many factors that can scupper individual nations. Spain and Brazil are probably best equipped to deal with injuries to key players, but if another team keeps their first team intact and hits form they could take it. With that in mind, I think Argentina are a great shout, so much attacking potential they can beat anyone on their day. Even England could win it amazingly, Capello has a habit of not losing competitive games, not a bad habit to have. I'll opt for England because of that, optimistic perhaps but they do have genuine quality in their side and more importantly on the bench in this campaign. Though as you say, would be great to see Holland win it, they always play great stuff and were superb at Euro 2008 until they met Russia.

I'll take David Villa for the golden boot, always dangerous and in a team that will create so many chances it's difficult to look beyond him and Torres for me. Villa is more prolific, so he gets my nod as top scorer.

By: geoffedwards

geoffedwards — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:26:04 +0000

I like David's claim that the Netherlands will win it. They've a huge amount of talent going forward. As he said there are questions about their defence but it certainly won't lack experience (van Bronckhorst, Heitinga) or talent (van der Wiel). The defence will also be shielded by 2 decent players in de Jong and van Bommel.

It would be great to see them win it for the 1st time. If only they could get past Brazil in the quarters…

By: Matt Dalton

Matt Dalton — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 18:39:18 +0000

I have to agree with your assessment, Steve. That kid, quite blatantly, has bucket loads of talent. He should be hoping to be knocking on the door at Old Trafford next season, most definitely.

By: Steven Jones

Steven Jones — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 18:32:12 +0000

I was going to pick him but I think he's going to start from the bench (has done in the last two friendlies). I've seen some of the goals he scored for Koln and they are Messi-esque. (Playing the one-two on the edge of the box and then curling it into the far corner). I can understand why Ferguson loaned him out due to his lack of physicality but I think he'd be good enough to get in the match-day squad next season especially since there's little chance of any signings at Old Trafford.

By: Matt Dalton

Matt Dalton — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:18:23 +0000

It's interesting to see everyone's opinions here and, in particular, I am interested by the picks for young players to shine. Pedro and Sanchez are both really good shouts, but I am surprised to see that nobody mentioned Zoran Tosic, of Manchester United. He was loaned out to Bundesliga side, FC Koln, after Christmas and played a major part in everything good they did after the winter break.