World Cup Preview – Group C
England
Kevin Keegan may of loved it if Manchester United lost way back when but I would be just as pleased if England were to bow out in the same old heart breaking fashion. It’s nothing against the English players or even the English fans it’s the fact I can’t stand the English press. Considering they are the ones who invited the game they have been blown by in terms of development by the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Italy and dare I say the Dutch and Portugal. Just look at the results and what the latter two countries are able to produce in talent these last 20 years compared to a country much larger like England. Yet if you read the English press you’d be left wondering why are those group games even being played, even the World Cup for that matter. They should just hand the World Cup over to England and be done with it. With that and mind coupled with the failure to qualify for Euro 2008 England went out and hired one of the best coaches in the world. He may not be the Special One but Fabio Capello is special in his own right. The best part of this hire is Capello doesn’t feel, think or care about the ghosts who have haunted England in the past with their failures due to red cards and penalty kicks. Capello is exactly the type of coach who can get these England players to focus on the game and not on the past.
Even before Rio Ferdinand went out with a new injury the England backline is a question mark. Can Ledley King’s knee hold up? If not can Jamie Carragher better his form after a rough year at Liverpool? Will Glen Johnson drive Capello nuts playing right back. In the midfield what about Gareth Barry who looks to miss the U.S match. How does he slot into the England lineup after a long layoff. The issue I have with thise team going into the World Cup is aside from Wayne Rooney and John Terry everyone else on this team is replaceable. From the goalie to Rooney’s attack partner (if they go 4-4-2) there isn’t a set starting 11 yet as aside from maybe Joe Cole everyone else on this England hasn’t jumped up and cliamed there spot in the starting lineup. Based on form right now would there be a huge difference between Shuan Wright Phillips and Aaron Lennon for example? If your an England you would want one or the other to set it up and cliam that spot.
I’ve love for that E.A.S.Y headline to bite England in the ass and while I do think the U.S can take a point at least from England just seem them being too much for Slovenia and Algeria.
Key Player – Wayne Rooney (shocking I know)
Sinnacle Prediction – 1st in Group C
United States
It’s always interesting to read about the United States and football. If you are reading about the U.S from an American based news outlet you would think they can make it to the semi finals. If you read about the U.S from an European news outlet you would think they are one of the worst teams in the World Cup. As always the truth falls in the middle. Bob Bradley is a one trick pony as a coach but it’s a good trick as his teams are well orgainzed and tough to break down. They are always in a much better group than 2006. The Czech’s and Ghana had the talent and speed to get passed a clogged up American midfield and while they drew Italy playing against a team who simply doesn’t make mistakes on the big stage wasn’t in their favour. Against England they face a team who plays in the same style as the U.S with many U.S based players who either play in England or have played in the EPL. To that effect one of the best things to happen with this U.S team is the success of Landon Donovan who was a hit with Everton and should have the confidence to feel like he can play against any team in the world. I also loved how Donovan blamed his ex-wife for a loss of form and how leaving her improved his game. Big question mark with the States is the fitness of Oguchi Onyewu who has yet to play a full 90 minutes since coming back from his knee injury? This team on paper at least isn’t the type who can score 2-3 goals a game at the elite level so they better be able to keep a clean sheet if they are to repeat the run of 2002.
Key Player – Clint Dempsey (Too easy to see Donovan, with England focusing on Donovan see Dempsey being able to move around a bit plus Dempsey was the best player during the forgettable 2006 World Cup)
Sinnacle Prediction – 2nd in Group C
Algeria
People say countries like Portugal have an issue with nationalized players from other countries playing in the National team but then you look at Algeria who have 17 players playing on the team that were born in France. Making their first apperance in the World Cup since Mexico 1986 Algeria should have a just happy to be there feeling especially after a blood and guts battle to even make it to South Africa by defeating Egypt to finally receive their invite. After being out of the World Cup for so long these players are just going to soak in the experience, enjoy it then go home after three games.
Key Player – Karim Ziani
Sinnacle Prediction 4th in Group C
Slovenia
Everyone should have a ton of respect for Slovenia for being such a tiny country and to make it into the World Cup out of Europe says a great deal about these players. Slovenia could of easily packed it in once they went down 2-0 on the road against Russia in the World Cup playoff. Instead they battled back by getting a late away goal then got a 1-0 win at home to advance on away goals and send Guus Hiddink on his way to coach Turkey. Much like Algeria just don’t take a shine to countries who are new to the World Cup scene even more so in this group where England should prove too much for either country and the United States should learn from their failures of 2006.
Key Player – Milivoje Novakovič
Sinnacle Predicition – 3rd in Group C