World Cup LD

[Alastor]

It seems like Van Gaal is drawing focus onto himself rather than his players which is a tactic I can understand when a team with lofty expectations has fallen short. However, pre-tournament not many people thought Holland would do very well or even get out of their group but they have far exceeded those initial expectations with a largely inexperienced squad.

So while I can understand what Van Gaal is doing and why he feels the need to do it, on the other hand it would be nice if he had gone the other direction and praise the players for how far they progressed. Maybe he just doesn't want to use his player's capabilities (or lack thereof) as an excuse?

One more game and then he can start kicking some United backsides into shape again.

Erm...he publicly undermined his first choice keeper by basically suggesting he is useless in penalties and then disclosed that 2 players refused to take the first penalty against Argentina when there was on need to.

He isn't Ferguson or Mourinho who deflect attention away from the team that did badly. Van Gaal is just a giant prick.

 

[Барбоса]

You could say that he is taking some attention away from his players with this "unbeaten" bollocks but he was hardly doing when he said that they refused to take the first penalty.

He just loves being the centre of attention regardless if it is best for his team.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

Erm...he publicly undermined his first choice keeper by basically suggesting he is useless in penalties and then disclosed that 2 players refused to take the first penalty against Argentina when there was on need to.

He isn't Ferguson or Mourinho who deflect attention away from the team that did badly. Van Gaal is just a giant prick.

But his first choice keeper IS useless at penalties! As proved by his assist in Maxi's penalty

As soon as Vlaar started walking up to take the first penalty, lots of people thought it strange that a defender would take the first one. What more did Van Gaal do except confirm what everyone else thought had happened? He didn't name the 2 players who supposedly refused to take the first one.

He may be a prick but I'll point you to Strachan's "no morality in football" speech and leave it at that.

 

[Alastor]

But his first choice keeper IS useless at penalties! As proved by his assist in Maxi's penalty

As soon as Vlaar started walking up to take the first penalty, lots of people thought it strange that a defender would take the first one. What more did Van Gaal do except confirm what everyone else thought had happened? He didn't name the 2 players who supposedly refused to take the first one.

He may be a prick but I'll point you to Strachan's "no morality in football" speech and leave it at that.

He could have simply left out the part where two players refused to take the first penalty. Just saying he thought the MoTM had the confidence to take it is enough since Vlaar was already part of the list of players to take the first 5.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

Meh. He told the truth about what happened.

In hindsight, starting with Krul and leaving Van Persie on the bench may have served him better knowing that Van Persie wasn't going to be at full strength and would likely need to be subbed at one stage or another, which then closed the door on the Krul for Cillesin substitution trick. Of course, Krul starting may have seemed like a) he was playing for penalties from the off or that b) he was chucking their starter goalkeeper completely under the bus.

Not that I think it will come to penalties with Brazil but I wouldn't mind seeing Krul get the start today and given how little Van Gaal regards the play-off game, he could throw on some secondary players from the off anyway.

 

[Dirk]

Van Gaal also said FIFA can shove their play-off for third?

 

[Blade]

Oh, Brazil. You so silly.

 

[Барбоса]

Well, that should have been a red but not a penalty.

 

[Барбоса]

It has been said many, many, many times but David Luiz hasn't a fucking clue what he is doing at centre half.

He sells himself at virtually every opportunity.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

So far the story of the game is 2 yellows that shouldn't have been and Brazil not learning their lessons from the Germany beating.

 

[Барбоса]

So far the story of the game is 2 yellows that shouldn't have been and Brazil not learning their lessons from the Germany beating.

And David Luiz making PSG look like bigger and bigger mugs at every opportunity.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

73 minutes for Holland to push Brazil's goals conceded into double figures over 2 games. Can see it happening.

And David Luiz making PSG look like bigger and bigger mugs at every opportunity.

Aye that too. I can imagine Mourinho having a right good chuckle to himself now.

 

[Loveless]

Here we go again. I fear for the safety of these players if Brazil get hammered again.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

Here we go again. I fear for the safety of these players if Brazil get hammered again.

 

[Барбоса]

In other hilarious news, apparently North Korean TV is telling its people that they have reached the World Cup final to play Portugal...

 

[Lee]

Well they are reigning champions.

 

[Blade]

In other hilarious news, apparently North Korean TV is telling its people that they have reached the World Cup final to play Portugal...

Is this a revenge story after they played Portugal in 2010?

Edit: Nevermind, it's fake. That's really disappointing.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

This ref is a shithouse.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

I don't think anyone is going to be annoyed at Cillesen being subbed this time. Good guy Van Gaal!

 

[Dirk]

Somebody's getting murdered tonight.

 

[Blade]

I take some comfort in knowing that Robin Van Persie will never win the World Cup.

I'm not bitter at all.

 

[Барбоса]

The Dutch penalty is another instance where I think the rules of the game should be changed.

Technically, it should not have been a penalty as the infringement took place outside the box and did not carry on into it; however, I think that there should be room in the rules for that kind of foul - defender is the last man and attacker is heading straight for goal with the ball under control - to be given as a penalty, as well as a red card, even if it is not in the box.

 

[Lee]

So I fancy North Korea to take this 5-0.

 

[Blade]

So I fancy North Korea to take this 5-0.

After which, the Portuguese bow to the glorious leader of the greatest country in the world.

Also, Germany to take this 2-1.

 

[Dan Severn's Moustache]

Pele was often perceived as the anti-oracle.