Crowds have been jumping up and down for years, goes back to at least the 70's with different variations and songs to go with it.  If I was to guess I would say somewhere in Brazil or Argentina first.

As for the players kind of since they have done the protracted presentations on the pitch with tinsel and fireworks.

I dont get the walcott hate in the press.  Wenger picks him whenever he is fit and is a good judge of a player.  An unknown french player is played for Arsenal and they instantly walk into the French squad or at least given a chance.  English ones seem to get overlooked for mid table bench warmers.  Wright Philips hasnt been first choice and Young hasnt impressed me much this year.  Walcott had a lot of injuries again this year though which is the one thing I am wary about we always seem to bring injury prone players and it bite us in the bum.

As for Carrager I cant understand that, he just isnt good enough anymore even less pace than he had and he wasnt quick in the first place.  One of the reasons why Liverpool finished as low as they did.  Its a shame Gibbs (he was keeping clichy out) got that injury when he did and the later setback because he is far better than Carrager and is a decent backup midfield player too.  I guess the one thing he has going for him is experience.

I still think the fact he was taken at a very young age, after hardly kicking a ball in the premeirship, and then unused in the last world cup  sticks in the memory of a lot of folk.

Dead dead excited about the World Cup    
Twill be nice to get together with our pals and once again heap foul and obscene abuse on Ronaldo. Oh! We'll support England too.

Hiya Joe, I read a while back one of your best sporting memories was England winning the world cup. Was the feeling throughout the country before the competition started that we could win it,  I understand you would of been a youngster around that time, and might not remember, 

Yes! Nationally there was a feeling and an expectation of a win. I can remember thinking that Brazil were certainties. Brazil were suspiciously kicked out of the competition. Argentina were also cheated out of the competition. Couple of dodgy goals mebbees. We weren't complaining at that time

I was reading up on the whole tournament recently, I was surprised  Brazil didn't make it out of the group stage.  I was interested in where we now live in an age where expectancy to win is usually high, bordering on it's impossible to loose, (depending what you read)  what the expectancy was like back then in 1966. 

The best part was being able to watch games at my local ground. Sell all our tickets? We couldn't sell all our tickets!

Who do we all think will win the World Cup then? I have a funny feeling about the Dutch this year... Which means they'll probably get knocked out in the group stage now that I've mentioned it...

I fancied Spain after their Euro 08 win, not sure how many of that squad are still playing, or if Torres will be fit,  I'll predict how far I think England can go, once I've seen the final squad through injuries,

Gutted Forest are not in the play off final, not keen on Davies although I did like what he did at Preston... oh well they will have to try harder this season.


Blackpool have done well better than what they are expecting and good for them, now they are in the PO final

I didn't know until this morning that the 2nd leg had been played.

The curse of finishing third strikes again. 

I do hope Portugal and Madrid fail but always hope Ronnie does well apart from against England.



Looks like David Villa could be off to Barcelona...

& Martin O'Neill staying at Villa.

Was never no chance of him leaving.


Villa linked with Hugo Rodellega.. Wigan have done great with these players they get then sell like Valencia and Palacios.

john terry taken to hospital today after suffering foot injury in training......he left wearing a protective boot and reports suggest he will miss both the cup final and world cup.........rumours flying it's a broken metatarsal,but chelsea say he was walking freely and are playing it down......scan results due tomorrow

 Better not be or the Sun advertisement will be true.

Every season I think they'll sell one too many and go down, I think they are sailing close to that wind now. But they sure have the knack of finding these players, Although I think Palacios was a Palace find originally.

hiya Spongey, L.T.N.S.  Hope all is well,  

If it's a hospital trip, don't sound too good.

True, could be setting themselves up for a fall.



Best of luck to Fulham.

hiyas rzb xx.....all well here ta...hope  you and yours are too?......it doesn't sound too good but i guess it's just wait and see.........and helloooooooo to you too darlo xx

I have a dreadful feeling that it may be Brazil. Any local team will do me. An all Europe final again, would be great.

I'm not sure how together Argentina are as a team, but I just wonder if slipping in the back door after struggling through the qualifying stages may work in their favour. They are now 4to favs to win.

I still have Spain 9/2
Brazil 4
England 11/2
Argentina 7

Fulham 1-1 now...game on!

Again Erickson didnt use a lot of players he brought in that world cup he wasnt the only youngster not used though he was the youngest.  Personally it smacks as almost a vendetta on the part of some journalists.

Great team but their manager is as mad as a box of frogs.

Its between Brazil and Spain for me depending on injuries and who gets picked.  Germany will probably still get to at least the semi final.  Last 8 would be a good result for England, too many countries with a better squad than us and it will be so hot, heat just doesnt suit the way we play.

SHame for Fulham...great effort though...


On Theo Walcott he perplexes me...he seems to have no sort of footballing brain half the time.  I've lost count of the times watching Arsenal me and the other half will look at each other and wonder what the hell he was thinking when he makes the wrong pass which he often does.

Gutted for Fulham,


Why is it always the team full of tw*ts win the trophies

Really disappointed for Fulham
Still, at least they got there, unlike others.
Thrilled for the Bluebirds. I live within earshot of the stadium when the wind's in the right direction, so I could hear the buzz coming from there from my back garden!

sounded like a great evening, I thought Cardiff had blown it at one stage. having gone 1-3 behind last night.   Who would of thought of either Cardiff or Blackpool in the premeirship.

I know, what a turn-up. I really think Cardiff will have a tough task against Blackpool though, especially if they're going to carry on being that dodgy at the back.

It would be great for Cardiff with the new stadium to go up, they seem to be getting
closer each season. Dave Jones has done a great job there.

Isn't Forlan an enigma? Did you know that Middlesbrough signed him? Man Utd nicked him off us at the airport. As you can imagine, his resulting form pleased us.

Tell me about it..
Two trips to Wembley this season - no cups.

Same happened to us with Berbatov... thank f*ck for that

£30m plus in the bank, I'll second that.

Been looking at the draw. As long as we hold our nerve we stay in the easier side **crosses fingers**
Likely fixtures on the other side are Italy v Spain and Germany v Argentina. Alas! I'm back home before the German game

Disappointed for Fulham, Atletico Madrid were much better and even though they have some decent players such an average team.


Cardiff for the PL.


Forlan coming to United maybe was at a time where too much was expected of him, shame it didn't work out as if he played like he's doing now would have been good for the team.

Condolences for Fulhan a bitter disappointment in such a long match