Round of 16 Matches

[Nymzee]

Bollocks to individual threads for these.

 

[Alan Whittle]

First.

 

[Simon Buttle]

Most of these will be wrong no doubt:

USA
Argentina
France
England
Japan
Brazil
Morocco
Portugal

 

[davek]

This is a bold move.

 

[Billy Dean]

The "Bracket" or The "Second Phase"

Back when I was a lad, circa 1982, we referred to the later rounds of a World Cup as "the second phase". That was probably because it wasn't a straight knockout but a hybrid system of groups and semi-finals. But the term stuck and, frankly, it still sounds grander than "the bracket" or "pelvic...

www.grandoldteam.com

 

[Rita_Poon]

The "Bracket" or The "Second Phase"

Back when I was a lad, circa 1982, we referred to the later rounds of a World Cup as "the second phase". That was probably because it wasn't a straight knockout but a hybrid system of groups and semi-finals. But the term stuck and, frankly, it still sounds grander than "the bracket" or "pelvic...

www.grandoldteam.com

First phase, second phase, lets call var in...

 

[FrenchDarrenBent]

Only 3,5 weeks until Everton-time

 

[carolinablue232]

Ferreira who hasn’t played a minute now starts in the knockouts. Zimmerman also back in for CCV. I still don’t understand Gregg. The better choices are right in front of his face and he’s too stubborn to see it.

 

[Rook]

If Kudus having a good tourney meant that he's now out of our league/affordability then its only fair that it should work the other way. Inter Milan should be forced to give us Lukaku and pay his salary.

 

[WA Toffee]

Ausyralia are just going to go and win the whole bleedin thing aren't they?

 

[Rook]

Ferreira who hasn’t played a minute now starts in the knockouts. Zimmerman also back in for CCV. I still don’t understand Gregg. The better choices are right in front of his face and he’s too stubborn to see it.

Zimmerman isn't great but IDK Vickers really lit the world on fire. Iran was all to happy to make it easy for our back line for more than 1/2 the match which made him look decent early. Either one is probably one of our lesser starting players but the rationale that Zimmerman is better when we have less of the ball and CCV is better when we are living in the attacking end looks like it makes sense.

 

[USABlue]

Ferreira who hasn’t played a minute now starts in the knockouts. Zimmerman also back in for CCV. I still don’t understand Gregg. The better choices are right in front of his face and he’s too stubborn to see it.

Apparently ccv was specifically because Iran was going to play a low block and I'm assuming Sargent isn't fit so we get Jesus (Gregg seems to have no interest in a false 9)

Not saying I agree with all of this but think this is his rationale.

I'm more concerned about him getting the subs right this time especially considering it can go to extra time. We've started great in the first half every game then dropped off 2nd half

 

[Rook]

Ferreira wins the you get to start because I have no choice to play you award. Might has well throw the short guy in I guess. Probably gonna have to beat this defense w/ pace anyway.

 

[carolinablue232]

Ferreira wins the you get to start because I have no choice to play you award. Might has well throw the short guy in I guess. Probably gonna have to beat this defense w/ pace anyway.

He does have a choice though. Reyna or Aaronson with Weah up front. Persisting with mediocre strikers does not lead to goals. It didn’t before the tournament. It hasn’t in the tournament. He’s too bloody stubborn to just got his actual attacking talent on the field. Hopefully Jesus plays a blinder. But are we more likely to score with Pulisic, Ferreira, Weah or Pulisic, Weah, Reyna? It’s pretty obvious.

 

[Rook]

Apparently ccv was specifically because Iran was going to play a low block and I'm assuming Sargent isn't fit so we get Jesus (Gregg seems to have no interest in a false 9)

Not saying I agree with all of this but think this is his rationale.

I'm more concerned about him getting the subs right this time especially considering it can go to extra time. We've started great in the first half every game then dropped off 2nd half

If Pulisic has to leave in the 1st half we better have at least be a goal up by halftime because they'll have 4-5 fresh players on by the 60th.