# England World Cup squad named: **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 9, 2002, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061 "2002-05-09T12:29:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Jabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@Jabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jabba)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2002, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/61 "2002-05-14T13:39:31Z")
I’ll join in the prediction game. Always makes these things more interesting, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2002, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/62 "2002-05-14T14:23:01Z")
RIP, Valery. ☹ BTW, I love that Nike ad. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2002, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/63 "2002-05-14T14:33:25Z")
I’d like in. It’s just a shame that France and Argentina can’t meet in the final (at least I don’t think it’s possible). That would be some game. Outside of them I think Italy are in with a good shout. As for England; I have a horrible feeling that Ljunberg will take our defense apart, but we’ll beat Argentina, come second in the group and get mullered by the French. A question for the Irish posters: Don’t you think that not taking Garry Doherty is a mistake? He’s good in two positions, has never let Ireland down and is definately one for the future. (On a similar line I think it’s a terrible shame that Stephen Carr is staying at home, even if he leaves the Lane in the Summer (as I hear rumoured rather too loudly for my liking) ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2002, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/64 "2002-05-14T15:01:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ruadh \* > \*\*Bloody South Africa were ahead of us! :mad: \*\* Oooi!! Them’s fighting words buddy!!! Seriously - the [full list](http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/sow_cupodds.html) makes interesting reading: ```auto Odds FIFA ranking ---- ------------ France 4/1 1 Argentina 4/1 2 Italy 5/1 4 Spain 6/1 7 Brazil 13/2 3 England 9/1 12 Portugal 12/1 6 Germany 12/1 10 Cameroon 40/1 19 Russia 66/1 24 Poland 66/1 33 Turkey 80/1 25 Sweden 80/1 16 Ireland 80/1 18 Paraguay 80/1 15 Japan 80/1 38 Croatia 80/1 23 Uruguay 100/1 22 Nigeria 100/1 32 Ecuador 100/1 37 Belgium 100/1 21 Denmark 125/1 19 Senegal 150/1 44 Mexico 150/1 8 Korea Republic 150/1 41 United States 300/1 13 Slovenia 300/1 28 Costa Rica 300/1 27 Tunisia 500/1 29 South Africa 500/1 36 Saudi Arabia 750/1 35 China 750/1 52 ``` I don’t know where **ruadh** got his(her?) odds from but these have South Africa in thier “deserved” place of third from the bottom ☹☹ [This site](http://www.soccer-betting-odds.com/soccer_odds.htm) treats us a little better… But back to the odds - why are Mexico ranked so high but have such poor odds?? Both Eaquador and Croatia are ranked below them but given better odds. 9/1 on England winning is simply preying on optimistic souls dreams… Gp ---
**Author:** ![ObiWan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e47774/32.png) [@ObiWan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ObiWan)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2002, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/65 "2002-05-14T15:02:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by **owlstretchingtime** \* > > It’s just a shame that France and Argentina can’t meet in the final (at least I don’t think it’s possible). That would be some game. You’re quite correct, the latest they can meet is in the semi-finals (they would both need to win their respective groups). As for our group, I think it’s very tough to predict the outcome. The one advantage of a hard group though is that everyone takes points off everyone else, so losing a game is not an absolute disaster (as evidenced by Liverpool this season in the Champions League ‘group of death’). One win might do us. What makes our group even _more_ competitive is that the team finishing second will most likely have to play France! ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2002, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/66 "2002-05-14T15:03:29Z")
Oops - sorry for the mess - didn’t preview… :o ---
**Author:** ![manwithaplan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@manwithaplan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manwithaplan)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2002, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/67 "2002-05-14T15:07:54Z")
Count me in too. On the Gary Doherty issue, I agree with **Twisty**. I’m not overly convinced of Doherty’s credentials but he couldn’t possibly be as useless as David Connolly. It can’t hurt to have a utility player in the squad either. I agree with Carsley’s inclusion too. I don’t subscribe to the idea that Healy can do everything Carsley can and can pass a ball too. Carsley has the experience and has finished the season well with Everton. Healy is unproven, was released on loan by Celtic and has been playing Nationwide football. I’m more ambivalent about Kennedy - I’m not sure Reid would have been much of an improvement but maybe he deserved the call-up for his good performances in friendlies. Overall it’s much of a muchness. Anyone seen Tom Humphries championing Phil Babb in the papers recently? The only Irish centre half with pace, won the double this year with Sporting Lisbon etc. He still scares the shit out of me though. I’m with **Ruadh** on France. I like Italy too, if they can break their three world cup penalty shoot-out losing streak. ---
**Author:** ![manwithaplan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@manwithaplan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manwithaplan)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2002, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/68 "2002-05-14T15:32:38Z")
**GP** , That’s down to the way the FIFA world rankings work. Not enough weight is given to the quality of opposition in determining rankings. Mexico, like the USA, are a big fish in a small pond[sub]grumble, bastards still beat us in the '94 world cup, grumble[/sub] It’s a sobering thought for us Paddies that the bookies rate two of our group opponents ahead of us. When the draw was made, people would have you believe that we would stroll into the second round. Like England, our first game is crucial. For the English supporters, what has Steve McManaman done to piss off Sven? I’m not a huge fan but surely he merits consideration if Dyer and Gerrard are out. He may not be a 90 minute contributer but he’s a good ‘Plan B’ and would change things up nicely if brought on late in a game. Danny Murphy and Trevor Sinclair are hardly world beaters in any case. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2002, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/69 "2002-05-14T16:29:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by manwithaplan \* > \*\* > > Anyone seen Tom Humphries championing Phil Babb in the papers recently? The only Irish centre half with pace, won the double this year with Sporting Lisbon etc. He still scares the shit out of me though. > > \*\* And you would have good reason to be. The News of the World have got a pretty good line (hint hint!) on what Mr Babb and his very dodgy mates are into. They’ll get him soon enough, but he is _allegedly_ involved with some heavy duty baddies. The press have all but named him in previous articles, but have not quite done so. A useless “guvnor” and “born again ex boxer” ought to watch themselves too. As to Mcmanaman, I think an earlier poster got it spot on; as far as Sven is concerned it’s either Macca OR Fowler, not both at once. Le Saux must wonder how many black cats he’s run over whilst breaking mirrors under ladders. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2002, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/70 "2002-05-14T16:48:11Z")
I’m going to go with Argentina for the championship. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2002, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/71 "2002-05-14T17:55:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by London\_Calling \* > **Didn’t ruadh excuse herself last time on some spurious pretext ?** No, I did not. I excused myself on the grounds I was already in a prediction league (as indicated by the link I provided to it in the thread!). So there 😛 Yeah, I’m in for this one. Oh, and I have no clue where those odds I got were from … some big foldout poster someone left on a table in the lunchroom at work … must say 125-1 sounds much better than 300-1 though ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2002, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/72 "2002-05-14T22:03:17Z")
I shall be in on the game of predictions. If that’s alright. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/73 "2002-05-15T10:42:13Z")
Just when you think things couldn’t get worse (Vega, Rebrov…), I learn that Iain Duncan-Smith has just become a Tottenham season ticket holder. Fuck off, Sir ! On the betting thing: I started a thread a while back looking at the potential for increasing the punter percentage by adopting what I called (something like) the ‘patriot effect’. That is; people who live in, say, England, are more likely to bet on England – so the price in England on England winning should be less than in, say, France (where they’ll be more bets on France winning). Taking the top seven or so teams, it looked like by betting online around the world you could seriously increase your odds (betting on England in France, France in Australia, Italy in Germany, etc) – 'course, the slight issue of exchange rates comes into play but it’s all over in seven weeks so, hopefully, there wouldn’t be too great a fluctuation. Worst place for odds anywhere in the world seemed to be Las Vegas. Interesting. Anyway, just to recap: The following are in and when we start the real competition (thread), a link to _this_ thread will notify the following that the games afoot: **Coldfire Crusoe Jaba kabbes London\_Calling Manwithaplan ObiWan Owl ruadh Tansu TwistofFate** Err…that’s a full team so far (Coldie’s in goal, Coldie’s in goal !) – a bugger to collate and tabulate all the results but hey ho. The more the merrier. Volunteers with a reasonable (better than me) knowledge of Excel, maybe ? As usual, the **First Prize** will likely be a night of unbridled passion with the Mod/Admin of your choice. Second place, obviously, secures _two_ nights of passion with same – har, har. Ah ! The oldies… ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/74 "2002-05-15T10:51:59Z")
I suppose that should read: ‘A link _from_ this thread…’ ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/75 "2002-05-15T11:08:14Z")
[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=115214](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=115214) Ask and ye shall recieve. Seek and you shall find. Ask and it shall be given unto you, Alleluliah. Sing Hosanna! Sing Hosanna! Henrick Larrsson is the King of Kings! ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/76 "2002-05-15T11:16:16Z")
Gotcha ya ! You can always rely on the impetuosity of youth…Thanks for volunteering and good luck with it, Twisty !..I see hours of collation type fun ahead of you 😃 Lady and Gents, shall we adjourn ? ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/77 "2002-05-15T11:21:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by London\_Calling \* > **(Coldie’s in goal, Coldie’s in goal !)** Given my nationality, it beats any situation in which I have to kick a penalty. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/78 "2002-05-15T11:48:20Z")
IF **TwistofFate** doesn’t mind my interference at this late stage, I’d enjoy a “virtual flutter”… BTW - have you seen that [Germany lost to Wales](http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/en/020514/2/hna.html) last night!!! Gp ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/79 "2002-05-15T11:56:40Z")
no problem GP. I can add anyone into my excel spreadsheet until the deadline, and then unfortunately its curtains after that. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061/80 "2002-05-15T11:58:08Z")
Excellent, **grimpixie**. Coldie’s the sub, Coldie’s the sub ! 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-world-cup-squad-named/108061.md?page=5)