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Post by Stealth on Jun 30, 2010 18:32:40 GMT
There's usually one or two players that you've never heard of before the World Cup that have outstanding tournaments. However, this time, it seems to be the already established stars who have risen to the occasion - with the usual exception of Ronaldo who, once again, has been his usual anonymous self when it comes to the really important matches.
On the other hand the imperious Messi, despite not yet scoring, has been fantastic, along with Gonzalez Higuain and Carlos Tevez, making Argentina probably the most potent attacking threat, Fabiano has looked pretty good for Brazil & Robben has changed Holland to a definite challenger but, is there any better striker than David Villa anywhere in the world? Not only scores incredible goals but he gets hat fulls (107 in 166 matches for Valencia & 42 in 62 matches for Spain) and I'd love to know how many assists he has as he is also a brilliant playmaker. In short - the perfect footballer?
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Post by Lukiebakercafc on Jun 30, 2010 19:10:15 GMT
Villa has been fantastic once again, a big part of allowing Spain to essentially carry a passenger up front in the form of Fernando Torres, a great player but one who looks exhausted, not match-fit and is wildly out of form. Obviously the way the rest of the team have played has also allowed this but if their other striker wasn't in form there is no way Spain could continue to pick Torres on the off chance that he starts to flash the ability that we all know he has.
I agree that Argentina's attack consisting of Higuain, Tevez and of course Messi has been fantastic as well although I still think their defence will come unstuck against a potent attacking force (possibly the Germans.)
I've also been really impressed with Schweinsteiger and Ozil in particular for ze Germans (although their whole team looks balanced and skilled). Schweinsteiger runs the game from midfield and despite being only 25 plays like a seasoned veteran, one of the older heads in the team (he's already got 78 caps!) He also has the mark of every great player, no matter in what situation he receives the ball he seems to have eons of time to make a decision (usually the correct one) and execute his move. Pure class. Ozil is less consistent but has the ability to swing a game in an instant and is a constant threat to any defence and at 21 years old no reason why he can't get even better.
I also think Maicon's been very impressive, New Zealand's defence surprisingly so, Handanovic the Slovenian keeper and Birsa the Slovakian midfielder have all stood out to me at various points during the tournament. Oh and Stealth I agree with Robben and Fabiano and cannot wait to see them match-up in a couple of days.
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Post by Stealth on Jun 30, 2010 19:55:32 GMT
I'd forgotten the two German players Luke but agree they have both been brilliant - Ozil looks a star already at 21! I also forgot the Slovenian keeper who, again, I agree has been top class all round, not just making great saves but commanding his area very well also. The Dutch keeper, Stekelenburg, has been equally as good and, the outstanding player for the Dutch (as usual) has been Wesley Schneider. What I wouldn't give for him & Villa to appear in Spurs team!
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Post by Lukiebakercafc on Jun 30, 2010 20:06:58 GMT
Good shouts with Stekelenburg and Sneijder as well Stealth, your not exactly short of class at Spurs (especially with Luka signed on) but I think any team would love Villa and Sneijder, outstanding players. I know Messi is the consensus best player in the world but Villa can't be too far off? Less flashy perhaps but the amount of goals he scores and creates are irreplaceable.
Oh that Uruguayan striker alongside Forlan who scored a million goals for Ajax this season (can't for the life of me remember his name) has also looked fantastic. His second goal against the South Koreans...
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Post by Stealth on Jun 30, 2010 20:30:46 GMT
I think Messi is a superb player & can see why people think he's the world's best but I would still rather have Villa - he's such an effective player who can always rise to the occasion. Probably, along with Cruyff & Eusebio, my top three all time favourite players.
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fatmanstokie
Subs Bench
[M:25]
handle each situation like a dog.... if you can't eat it, or hump it, wee on it and walk away
Posts: 793
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Post by fatmanstokie on Jun 30, 2010 21:44:12 GMT
that wayne rooney chap, seems new on to the stage, think he could make a good championship player and maybe had the potental to move upwards eventually
and that robert green, seems a solid keeper for the future, didnt set a foot wrong
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Post by Bismarck on Jul 1, 2010 11:14:50 GMT
3 best players of the world cup so far
*David Villa *Schweinsteiger *Hondaman
Other top performers so far;
Juan, Higuain, Mueller, Matsui, Ronaldo, Robben, Gilberto silva and Forlan...
As for disappointments...
It seems this World Cup, many of the big players have not “turned up” and performed as we may have expected. Of course there is still a good few number of matches to go so this could change.
* Cristiano Ronaldo has scored just 1 goal and that was a bit lucky. Some excellent strikes but didn’t really ignite the tournament. Portugal are out now after losing to Spain so thats his chance of making a big impression over. * Torres – not done much. Been subbed on couple occasions. Must not be fit * Rooney – already talked about him on previous post and how something just wasn’t right – mentally?? not fit?? * Drogba – properly harsh to include him on list since he was injured * Messi – OK, properly unfair to put Messi here. He has been brilliant. Done everything apart from score a goal. * Kaka – until the last game he was only on the edge of the game but the match versus Chile he showed what he can do and hopefully he gets better for next game
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Post by Stealth on Jul 7, 2010 12:28:05 GMT
Now we know - not very well! Holland were not at their best but had too much for Uruguay who sadly missed Suarez.
Strange the amount of success South America had until the quarter finals at which stage it all seemed too much for them - even Argentina whose defence (as Luke correctly predicted) were taken apart by Germany (may be England weren't so bad after all!). It seems to be a temperament thing as all the South American teams lose discipline if they go behind with even Brazil (the side you'd think least likely to under Dunga) losing it a bit against the Dutch.
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Post by arover on Jul 7, 2010 16:14:47 GMT
Now we know - not very well! Holland were not at their best but had too much for Uruguay who sadly missed Suarez. Strange the amount of success South America had until the quarter finals at which stage it all seemed too much for them - even Argentina whose defence (as Luke correctly predicted) were taken apart by Germany (may be England weren't so bad after all!). It seems to be a temperament thing as all the South American teams lose discipline if they go behind with even Brazil (the side you'd think least likely to under Dunga) losing it a bit against the Dutch. No, no, no, no. Don't fall into that trap just because of the German performance against the Argentine. England were awful when they lost to Germany and they're still awful now. In 4 years time they'll still be awful, it's just the way it is.
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Post by Desktop Hoggy on Jul 7, 2010 16:26:49 GMT
Richard Kingson of Ghana, shown his worth for Ghana with some good shifts in goal, even though he's 3rd/4th choice at Wigan Athletic.
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Post by arover on Jul 7, 2010 16:32:30 GMT
So far Schweinsteiger has been the stand out player, Suarez proved to be a low dog and Rooney and the ridiculous Wright-Philips the 2 worst players on show by a long way.
Villa's very good too.
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