GROUP F - Germany, Mexico, Sweden, Korea

[Borussin]

I think you're spot on. I've never seen a team, I don't follow Spain closely so perhaps they did. I'm also relatively young to preface this, go from looking great to just complete and utter crap in the span of what, 6 months?

This side has a lot of miles on their legs, played together for years. I'd be interested in your opinion, who goes, who do you keep?

It's a tough one as to who goes, cos of the 'old guard' there are for sure some who should be and will be around for the Euros - Hummels, Neuer and Kroos being the big 3 to build around still.

I am sure Müller will also be there too. Even though he along with Khedira would be two I'd be looking to phase out, Özil too, although as frustrating as he is, he wasn't the worst today. But the sooner Germany start playing Julian Brandt from the start the better, and he can play that central role just fine already.

Also Boateng is one who should be on his way out, not that he isn't still a good player but his injuries pile up, and I actually like what I see of Sule, and with Jonathan Tah in the wings too - time to bring in a couple younger central defenders. Mario Gomez' time is up for sure too.

So yeah - outs: Boateng, Gomez, Khedira. Özil and Müller are on the bubble - I can see the argument for phasing them out, just not sure if it will happen. Also, there really isn't a need to have Rüdiger in the squad either - not that he's old, he just isn't very good. Germany have other better options. I'd also like to see Philipp Max brought in in place of Plattenhardt, as he offers far more going forward.

 

[Big Fat Sam]

That second half (both games) is about as exciting as I can remember for anything to do with football for a long time.

Literally constantly calculating which teams were where in the table throughout, stressing that a single German goal would ruin the whole thing.

Thinking that the best team in the group, Mexico, were on the verge of being dumped out by Sweden, who in the first half were absolutely abysmal in the final third!

Hoping but definitely not expecting minnows South Korea could hold out for a draw, but never in my wildest dreams thinking they could win the damn game.

A great day of action, loved it. That's what the World Cup is about.

 

[captainvindaloo]

Argentina

Argentina are their usual volatile selves. They are only as good as Messi on the day. They could still stumble on, but the sooner they get dumped out, the better IMHO.

 

[tsubaki]

If you're Irish and celebrate St. Patrick's day then there isn't any issue at all. In fact, if you don't celebrate it then it'd probably be seen as incredibly peculiar.

Add to that, if you're Scottish then St. Andrew's holds great reverence and St David's for the Welsh - think of the number of daffodils or what not on show etc.

However, within England there is unfortunately some horrible stigma (bigot? xenophobic? racist?) if you in any way show some pride and patriotism.

thats because the three Celtic nations were here first wheras the English are basically German colonials.

 

[captainvindaloo]

thats because the three Celtic nations were here first wheras the English are basically German colonials.

I would say we are more a Labrador, German Shepherd, Poodle, Bulldog, Terrier mix myself.

 

[Rook]

US still needs a new manager...This was the plan the whole time.

We'll still suck, because the players suck. But we won't really really suck!!!!

 

[Sinski]

It's a tough one as to who goes, cos of the 'old guard' there are for sure some who should be and will be around for the Euros - Hummels, Neuer and Kroos being the big 3 to build around still.

I am sure Müller will also be there too. Even though he along with Khedira would be two I'd be looking to phase out, Özil too, although as frustrating as he is, he wasn't the worst today. But the sooner Germany start playing Julian Brandt from the start the better, and he can play that central role just fine already.

Also Boateng is one who should be on his way out, not that he isn't still a good player but his injuries pile up, and I actually like what I see of Sule, and with Jonathan Tah in the wings too - time to bring in a couple younger central defenders. Mario Gomez' time is up for sure too.

So yeah - outs: Boateng, Gomez, Khedira. Özil and Müller are on the bubble - I can see the argument for phasing them out, just not sure if it will happen. Also, there really isn't a need to have Rüdiger in the squad either - not that he's old, he just isn't very good. Germany have other better options. I'd also like to see Philipp Max brought in in place of Plattenhardt, as he offers far more going forward.

I think you are spot on. Too me the lineup used today just looked old and I cringed when he brought Müller on. Thought Draxler might have been a better choice. Also thought there was a lack of options for the center forward position especially when all there was in the squad was Werner and Gomez. I think Werner is a top player but he was not playing well and possibly not suited to the way they wanted to play and thought he could have been subbed as well.

 

[deipnosophist]

I’m wondering where Capt Jags is watching the WC. I suspect Germany now wishes they had a captain of his leadership quality

 

[deipnosophist]

Capt Jags best summed it up in that video with Warnock

 

[Hibbo]

Viva el Mexico. Nachos and Burritos.

 

[deipnosophist]

By the way, today again showed why the football world cup is so much better than the rugby.... New Zealand would never go out in the Group stages in the rugby.... Football is unpredictable as ****.....still have no idea who's gonna win this, the groups have been entertaining, now roll on the Knock out stages

NZers are the kopites of world football. @Walken

 

[Big Fat Sam]

I’m wondering where Capt Jags is watching the WC. I suspect Germany now wishes they had a captain of his leadership quality

Nothing like a bit of Middle East-based punditry to top up the already-bulging bank balance and prepare for the new season. At least he'll return with his famous Jagielka tan so he can at least look handsome while sat on our bench at the start of the season. Actually, who am I kidding? We all know he'll be leading us out.

 

[Yank]

It's a tough one as to who goes, cos of the 'old guard' there are for sure some who should be and will be around for the Euros - Hummels, Neuer and Kroos being the big 3 to build around still.

I am sure Müller will also be there too. Even though he along with Khedira would be two I'd be looking to phase out, Özil too, although as frustrating as he is, he wasn't the worst today. But the sooner Germany start playing Julian Brandt from the start the better, and he can play that central role just fine already.

Also Boateng is one who should be on his way out, not that he isn't still a good player but his injuries pile up, and I actually like what I see of Sule, and with Jonathan Tah in the wings too - time to bring in a couple younger central defenders. Mario Gomez' time is up for sure too.

So yeah - outs: Boateng, Gomez, Khedira. Özil and Müller are on the bubble - I can see the argument for phasing them out, just not sure if it will happen. Also, there really isn't a need to have Rüdiger in the squad either - not that he's old, he just isn't very good. Germany have other better options. I'd also like to see Philipp Max brought in in place of Plattenhardt, as he offers far more going forward.

Again, I agree with all of what you're saying. I haven't been Muller's biggest fan but I think he stays around. It means nothing, but I've generally became a big fan of him in what he does off the field or in his mentality. He says the right things, seems very competitive and despite what the side might have suggested, I don't think he's one to get complacent.

Ozil is Ozil. Always been a big defender of his, always thought the creativity he brings is a double edged sword. It can be beautiful, and make things work, or it can be the absolute most frustrating thing to see. I'm personally done with him at this point. I don't think he should represent the country again.

Boateng, absolute joke. I hope he leaves Bayern to go to Man City like I read. Gomez, he's just old and Khadeira is shot also.

The roster was just too stagnant. I don't understand why they brought those guys, I still think leaving Sane off was a mistake even though I don't think I can point to a game he'd make a difference in.

 

[mmmmsnouts]

Back on VAR, the referee was American and MLS has had the VAR system for nearly a year. Mark Geiger probably has more experience with refereeing a game using VAR than anyone else at the World Cup. I wonder if the issues people are having with it over there are because they’ve never had that tool available and don’t know how to work a game with VAR.

Over here VAR isn’t really controversial at all, but maybe that’s because all our sports have a system like it and we value getting close calls right by any means necessary.

 

[carolinablue232]

We'll still suck, because the players suck. But we won't really really suck!!!!

I’m mildly optimistic about the next crop. Don’t take that away from me yet.