All ready for a top heavy South American knockout round - PREDICTIONS

Group stage over. Thank god. England's utter humiliation can move into the background and the real business can begin.
The last 16 begins tomorrow and it looks to be epic. South America is over ruling the six European countries left in the World Cup, with the two african minnows still in their.
And it is just too close to call, everyone has an opinion, every has a prediction. But I don't think they matter because no one knows on this World Cup.
Saying that this is a prediction blog so I wouldn't listen to me after that statement.
However the best prediction I have heard so far is from David Moyes. The genius that over saw the slump that Manchester United had last season believed Spain would win because the climate suits them. Great shout Dave!
Anyway here we go, I will now and try and predict who will win what, I hope it comes off, but I'm almost certain it won't!

Saturday June 28
Brazil vs Chile
Live on BBC

The host nation in terms of performances have under achieved, but in terms of results Neymar and his samba boys have got the job done.
Neymar himself has been the only standout man so far for the Brazilians, but I am sure some of their flair players will come to the forefront soon enough.
However Chile are looking more than impressive as they are led by Neymar's fellow Barca boy Alexis Sanchez.
Another one too close to call, but here is my shout.
Brazil 3-2 Chile (AET)

 

Can golden boy strike again?

Saturday June 28
Columbia vs Uruguay
Live on ITV (Won't be watching because of Adrian Chiles)

Another all South American on Saturday with the over achieving Columbians leading the way as one of the World Cups top sides.
Not much to say on this one really other than the Columbian players can breath easy at the fact they won't have to wear bite proof clothing as Luis Suarez has been sent home.
And the fact that with Suarez going home, means Uruguay are major underdogs.
Columbia 3-1 Uruguay

 Don't worry boys you're safe!

Sunday June 29
Holland vs Mexico
Live on ITV

For me this is the standout game going into the last 16.
Mexico solid at the back and have rarely conceded, but in this World Cup the dutch look unbelievable going forward.
Providing there is no superman show from RVP, Robben and co, the Mexicans a chance.
And I would like to see Mexico go through just to see their manager go mental on the touchline again.
But to be honest I can't really see it.
Holland 4-2 Mexico

 10, 10, 10, 10!

Sunday June 29
Costa Rica vs Greece
Live on ITV

Most will regard this to be a low profile clash in the last 16.
However after the unpredictable poor games we have had so far in this tournament, this could be the dark horse of the group.
Costa Rica have looked class and Greece have got the job done, but I am going for another big Greek show to upset the apple cart.
Costa Rica 1-2 Greece

Monday June 30
Germany vs Algeria
 Live on TV

Could be a bit of squeaky bum time in this one for Germany, because Algeria have been another underdog to flourish in this tournament.
And fresh in the memory will be the 1982 fiasco which saw Algeria bow out on their World Cup debut.
The only result that would see them go out was a 1-0 win for Germany over Austria.
Guess what happened? The Algerians were up in arms and they will be out for revenge, and I think they will be close to getting it.
However I do hope Klose scores. He has been fantastic for Germany, a fox in the box who has never scored a World Cup goal from further out than the penalty spot.
Germany 2-1 Algeria

 Can be beat fat Ronaldo's record?

Monday June 30
France vs Nigeria
Live on BBC

France for me have been by far and away the best team in this competition.
Maybe not far and away but the best side and that is without Ribery and Nasri.
This one for more is a foregone conclusion.
France 4-1 Nigeria

Tuesday July 1
Argentina vs Switzerland
Live on BBC
Messi and co are hitting top form on the break, but are still in first gear at the back.
The handy work from the little Barca man is being undone by defensive frailties and this could go against them.
The Swiss are looking good going forward, however the Argie's could be too strong.
Argentina 2-1 Switzerland (AET)

Tuesday July 1
Belgium vs USA
Live on ITV

Massive, massive banana skin here. USA are killing it, Klinsmann is changing the landscape of American 'Soccer.'
Expectation seems to have weighed down the Belgians.
Dempsey can lead his side to glory. USA USA USA.
Belgium 1-2 USA (AET)

Saaaaaccceeerr legend!

Hope these predictions don't end up like Moysey's!

The biter should be banned, but Mills wants jail time? Really?

One, two, three bites and you're out. That should be the message sent from FIFA to the utterly disgusting and disturbed Luis Suarez.
I have nothing against Suarez the player, but as a human being and as a person the man is vile, he is mental.
He has previous and should be punished, heavily punished. He got just two games for biting Otman Bakkal whilst playing for Ajax.

 

STRIKE ONE!

Ten games for biting Chelsea's Branislac Ivanovic followed, and in between that there was an eight game ban for racial abuse.
He is just a disgusting man, he treated Liverpool like dirt after they stuck by him following his flesh eating antics.

 

STRIKE TWO!

Everyone thought he was revived, a new man after seeing top doctors and so on, but he wasn't. A little peckish in the World Cup and he bits Giorgio Chiellini.
In front of millions world wide, and dozens of cameras and he expects to get away with it. He claims he ran into the shoulder of the Italian defender.
Going down holding his teeth was pretty conclusive evidence he laid his fangs into him.
But it's okay, he should get away with it really because the English press are campaigning to get him banned, they have a vendetta against him.
That's according to the Uruguayan press. Saying that they're arguing that the photo of Chiellini's shoulder is photo shopped.  I don't think they will be getting a job on CSI any time soon.
The book should be thrown at Suarez, six month ban, two year ban, wear a muzzle for the rest of his career, they are all valid points.

 

AND YOUR OUT!

I very rarely look at two sides to an argument because I am a stubborn person, but after reading Danny Mills' comments, I had a think about it and took a step back.
The average former England full back said this:
"It has to be the longest ban in football ever. A worldwide ban, not just an international ban.
"It is the third time it has happened and it is a clear bite this time, in a tournament of this magnitude, the most watched tournament in the world. They have got to throw him in jail and lock him up forever."
 Sorry jailed forever? Are you off your chops Danny?
If something like this happened on the street, yes someone would maybe go to court and get a record. But they shouldn't go to jail forever. What is he talking about?
Think of all the footballers playing now or in the past who should never play football again because of their off the field misdemeanors.
Lee Hughes was my childhood hero. Scored for fun for my boy hood club West Brom, lightening pace and a great celebration.
However he was involved in a hit and run and killed someone prompting a lengthy jail term. Since release Hughes has gone on to play for Port Vale, Oldham, Notts County and Forest Green Rovers. In my eyes this shouldn't have happened. He has killed someone and he shouldn't have the privilege of playing football again, especially after an early release.

 

Hughes should never have returned to football

Marlon King. A string of high profile court appearances and run ins with the police. A sexual assualt was probably the biggest crime he has committed, yet he returned time after time playing in decent leagues, but he still continued to break the law.
Plymouth stopper Luke McCormick was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving when driving with excess alcohol.
He killed two children and was sentenced to seven years, of which he served four. He is back playing for the Pilgrims now. That is utterly disgracful.
And another one in the pipeline is Ched Evans. Convicted for raping a 19-year-old girl. The Sheffield United forward is completing a five year sentence, and he is expected to be released in the near future.
The Blades are set to offer him a new contract. That is disgraceful Mr Mills. Yes biting someone is bad, three times is even worse. But it doesn't warrant a life time ban or a life time jail sentence.
These players, Hughes, King, Evans, McCormick. They didn't get lifetime jail terms, so how can you expect Suarez to get one.
Lifetime football bans should be given to these criminals.
However it could be argued that if Suarez had bitten someone in the street and not on a football field he would be a criminal. That is another matter though.
The fact is Danny Mills' comments are some of the most absurd I have ever seen in football.
Sort yourself out Danny. And get of the TV your punditry is terrible.

Liverpool 2-1 England - Bottom line is, we are not good enough.

For years arguments with Manchester United fans have been brilliant, because they get so wound up. Now it seems to be Liverpool fans. Jokes flew around last night, with me personally chipping in saying that Gerrard cost England their place.
And obviously Suarez was another scouser at fault for his two goal showing, while only being half fit.
Johnson was another one who was targeted, a defender I think has been very very bad.
It is funny how people say all this being serious, because the tweets I were sending were to get bites from the Liverpool fans, which I was successful in.
Liverpool didn't cost the us our place, not having good enough players did.

They know the game is as good as up

However every football fan can dissect the two performances the way they want to. Things such as bombing Rooney, saying the next tournament will be ours, we have great youngsters, and the rest of the excuses that have come out.
Some of these are valid but they aren't the sole reason we are on the verge of crashing out.
The sole reason is Roy Hodgson hasn't got the resources to get England out of a group like this, we just aren't good enough.
Some of the comments about us being great for the next World Cup or Euro's are coming from well respected journalists on Twitter. It's just laughable.
But like I have said, some of the reasons that have been given for England crashing out are slightly true, and I am going to look at the different points, and some of the reasons I agree with.


Young team ready for next time. Not just yet.

In all the major tournaments in recent memory, when we have been dumped out, this has been the view of almost every England fan.
After the 2006 it was the case when players like Beckham and co bowed out. After a failed qualification campaign for Euro 2008, it was the same. And in 2010 and 2012 it has been the same again.
It seems like fans and some pundits need to change the record, and realise that we just aren't good enough.
I think as a young team we aren't good enough to make that step up and light up the world, but I think individually we do have some good young players who can be moulded into top players, to take us back up a level.
Since the days of having a back four made up of Neville, Ferdinand, Campbell and Cole, we have moved to Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka and Baines. Good players but not a patch on that previous back four of the early 2000's.
Players coming through such as Flanagan, Stones, Barkley, Sterling and Shaw are all good individual youngsters who by the time Euro 2016 comes around will be better players.
But we can't cling onto the fact we will have an excellent team next time because of a few good youngsters. Its nonsense.

Lack of cutting edge cost us.

People have slammed Rooney, but personally I don't think he has played too bad. Saying that, he could have had two or three already in this tournament and that is the difference between him and Suarez.
Suarez is a rat, I hate the bloke, but he is a tremendous footballer, and showed that last night while being at 50% fitness.
Against Italy, Rooney should have buried that chance at 2-1, back to 2-2 and England have a point and a great start.

Grabbed his elusive World Cup goal

Hit the bar last night which I think was unlucky through a mis-judged run, but at 1-0 last night with 25 minutes to go Rooney had a great chance. Either side of the keeper and it was in the back of the net. Suarez would have scored, Rooney didn't, that is the difference.
We need more spark, more cutting edge, an Owen or a Shearer, that has cost us in the end. It's not the only reason, but it has made the difference.

Should we have take JT

Granted he is one of the most hated men in the country, but he's a bloody good defender, better than anything else on show for England this World Cup.
JT is a born leader, an organiser, something that was still in the dressing room in the back four last night.
That spell of 15 minutes when Uruguay assurted their authority on the game highlighted just how big the defensive frailties of England were.
With JT in there it could have been a different story. We will never know, but I am almost sure it would have.

Deep lying midfielders? We have none.

A smaller problem, maybe one that no one noticed was the fact England have no natural deep lying midfielders.
We had Henderson and Gerrard in them positions this World Cup, good players, but not natural in that position.
Could be argued that was showed with the second Suarez goal as Gerrard's position was too high.  Maybe a natural CDM would have been deeper, but that is a little petty.
In the whole squad I don't think we do have one of them specialist players, and that is something that needs to be found.

Sturridge majorly found out.

All season I have said Sturridge had faults, not as good as people say. And I think it showed last night.
Hats off to Sturridge, great Premier League goal return and bagged a goal on Saturday. But unless he is alongside Suarez, he looks half the player.
He can't play the lone front man role as shown last night, and I think he is someone who needs multiple chances to get a goal.
Someone said to me on Twitter that he was bad because of the system we played. A silly comment in my view because pro footballers should be able to adapt to any system.

Best moment: The passion of Hart.

Looking on the bright side, what passion we saw from Joe Hart.
Screaming and swearing at ball boys to get the ball back, and kicking advertising boardings in the process. What a man!
Great passion from the keeper, and I think there was a lot more of that from England players than at the previous World Cup.
On the other hand, he might have had an itchy scalp. Dodgy batch of shampoo!

Hart beaten for the first goal

Don't Blame Roy!

We can't blame Roy and I think he has done as well as anyone could with the resources he has got at his disposal. As I have said before the bottom line is we are just not good enough.

SO there it is. My overview of last night and the miserable Three Lions campaign.
In more pressing matters I suffered a Gary Lewin moment while celebrating England's goal last night.
I'm putting it down to an over erratic celebration.

But after all this, technically it isn't over.
In the true England supporter style, we still believe!

Ta Ta Tika Taka and Goodbye Spain

Spain have been detoriating fast. Dropping, going down. Their latest lapse will now send them into surgery. Will Del Bosque be the surgeon or will there be a replacement. We will have to wait and see how they come out the other side.
That's the cycle the Spaniards are in now after crashing out of the World Cup as Champions.
Two defeats, seven conceded, one scored, doesn't look the best does it.
Lackluster, lathargic, and with lack of ideas, Spain were well and truly thumped by Holland, before Chile became too hot for them last night.

Got any ideas boys?

In all honesty I don't watch the majority of international games, qualifiers and friendlies for example.
However hearing results and reports on performances it has been safe to say Spain have been on rocky ground for a while.
Despite this every saw them as favourites, and in the back of my mind I thought they had an outside chance of grabbing a fourth consecutive major title.
The squad was an unbelievable one on paper, Champions League winners, La Liga winners, Premier League winners, but something I did find odd was the fact they only took three strikers.
Fernando Torres desperately lacking in goals for many years now, doesn't really deserve a place in the Spain squad if all honesty.
Deigo Costa hasn't been fit for the last two months. Yes he has had a tremendous season but I think Spain came unstuck by moulding their side around an unfit striker. Kick in the teeth that he isn't even Spanish too. How long until the fans turn on him. Fickle supporters.
David Villa is someone I thought would have feature more in this tournament. Great record for Spain, been in form this season and has helped Athletico to a La Liga title, yet he didn't get a sniff. Another odd choice by Del Bosque.

One of the best was one of the worst

But a 20-year-old journalist can sit behind a computer and spoute as much as he wants. This manager has won three major titles on the spin so what do I know!
It was a tragic one for Spain really, and painful to watch. Very much like the end of an era as Xabi Alonso said. Like when a great film has an awful ending.
However that is how football goes, but the thing that is getting my back up is the people slamming Spain.
People saying it is shocking from Spain, lack of effort for example. Utter tripe. This side has won title after title, but nothing lasts forever and their time in the sun has ended.
As Gary Lineker referenced Tika Taka last night on BBC One, it made me realise that the craze has ended.
Since the beginning of the highly successful Pep Guardiola side at Baracelona, everyone has been obssessed with Tika Taka.
Teams from the Premier League down to the rag arse rovers league have been trying to adopt the style that Messi, Xavi and co pulled off with ease.
Managers have been hung up on it and for many years it has been a joy to watch. Brilliant football, however since the demise of the Barca side this year, it seems to have gone out of the window.

Big fan of Ramos, but he was truly awful

Spain and Barca still play in that style, but teams can play against it now. It showed that this season with Barca, and showed it to a tee last night with Chile.
It could really have been much much more from Chile, as Barca's side, side, forward, back, side, side passing didn't work.
That seems the only feesable reason for Spain being out, apart from some dreadful defending.
But it is an end of an era for Spain, and RIP to Tika Taka, for now maybe.
Spaniards in theatre, still a pulse but a long way to go yet.

Faded Footballers: What ever happened to Jason Koumas?

Arguably my favourite ever Albion player. Pace, skill, class, attitude and ability in abundance, Jason Koumas had it all, but he never quite made it.
One thing he did do was make the plunge back down the leagues into the football wilderness.
Koumas made his name at Tranmere coming through the youth system in the late 90's and in the end bagged 25 goals in 127 games.
The flair player was a class act, and showed that leading the Prenton Park men to a famous 3-0 FA Cup win over Everton at Goodison Park in 2001.
He caught the eye of Gary Megson at Albion who took him on for £2.25 million, massive money for a team like West Brom at the time.
He was the Baggies player of the season in the Premier League but couldn't keep them up. During this time I met Koumas when I was just a primary school boy. He was my hero, and I was overawed by his presence.

Koumas back in the early days

He was a Welsh international born to Greek parents, which at the time seemed extremely weird. But as I grew older I realised Koumas wasn't the massive hero I once saw him as.
He had on and off spells at Albion, he got on with Megson, but when he was given the boot, Koumas and new man Bryan Robson didn't see eye to eye, with Robson questioning his attitude.
By this time it was clear to see that the Welshman had the personality about him, one of a spoilt child some would say.
Despite a successful loan spell at Cardiff and an apperant strike regarding contract negotations back at Albion, Koumas signed a new three year deal for the Baggies.
Under Tony Mowbray he flourished in a side that boasted the likes of Phillips, Gera and Kamara.
Albion missed out on the play-off win and Derby went up only to record the worst ever Premier League season.
However Koumas had seen enough and Jeremy Peace cashed in for £5.3 million. A huge loss to Albion he was a great player, however from here he seemed to go off the rails slightly.
After a bright start at Wigan, it went wrong with injury after injury and rumours had it after a spell at Cardiff in 2010, he returned to Wigan, and temporarily retired after being a free agent.
On researching this blog post Google throws up searches such as 'Jason Koumas depression' and 'Jason Koumas Drugs.'

Bags the Baggies a goal in the relegation 02/03 season

I should really have been expecting to see something like that as it is usually the case when a footballer goes off the scene.
Such a wasted talent if this was the case, however Koumas was back on the scene last summer.
He signed for Tranmere after apperantly 'enjoying his time out of the game.' If the drugs claim is true I am sure he did!
After catching a glimpse of him back at Prenton Park I was impressed. He bagged three goals in 29 appearances back at Tranmere. Following this he turned down a string of higher clubs to play for the club who gave him his big chance in the in football, back in League Two.
Respect to the man for that and now he is moving into a coaching role and could be club captain.
Not bad really, but I can only help think what if with Koumas.
We will never know, but he is another one of many who has fallen by the waste side.

Next FADED FOOTBALLER blog: Craig Gordon

Irvine not the best, but Albion fans should make do

Initial reactions to the appointment of Alan Irvine at West Brom were ones of disbelief.
As a baggie I was astounded after preparing myself for the Sherwood appointment. However sitting back and looking at the Irvine fiasco from another angle I think it could be a shrewd move.
I can see why all the baggies fans are up in arms about the appointment but the banners and demonstrations are pointless and distasteful.
They aren't going to do anything and they won't get Peace out. He is a frustrating chairman at times but the job he has done at Albion since he took over has been immense.
If every Albion fan had their wish and Peace threw the cheque book at any old flop we would be in the position of Portsmouth.

Peace is gambling on Irvine, but it could come off

He took over from Paul Thompson and guided West Brom from a Championship route one '1-0 to the Albion side' to being a side that has had four consecutive Premier League seasons.
He has done a great job, and his latest appointment could come off.
Terry Burton said it today's Birmingham Mail that he could be West Brom's Brendan Rodgers. A little too far for that at the moment, but I feel that when he mentioned Wenger that was a spot on comment.
Wenger had been sacked twice by small clubs in France before he came in at Arsenal and he went on to revolutionise that club.
That won't happen at Albion, but Irvine, who is regarded highly at Everton could be the one to grab his chance.
Poor records at Sheffield Wednesday and Preston North End don't bode well, but he has been brought in as a 'head coach' and has a big reputation on the training field.

Going to be a tough start for the new man

I think the baggies players will take to him, but we will have to see what happens.
However with Peace being slammed by the Albion faithful it would be a good time to back track and look at his managerial hiring and firing record.
So here goes:

Gary Megson
2000-2004

Megson was great at Albion. Passionate and got the job done.
Got Albion back in the big time after many years in the wilderness as fans suffered watching football under the likes of Little, Trewick, Hartford and Smith.
Pulled Albion away from relegation in an end of the season dash for points and then got them back in the big time, creating cult heroes in the process such as Hoult, Big Dave and Clement.
Built on a solid base Albion got to the big time, come down as many said they would, and re-built, moving back up again.
That second promotion season produced my one of the best games I had ever seen, the 4-3 comeback at Upton Park.
However his second stint was short lived after a bust up on the team bus.
It was time for Megson to go. Rumours said that he fell out with Peace, as he did with Thompson.
Always be down in Albion folklore though.

Was Peace right to sack him: Yes

Bryan Robson
2004-2006

Not the best of appointments but he did pull off the greatest of escapes.
Robins was never a good manager. He did a job, but in his third season he showed he wasn't a Premier League manager.
A manager who uses Ronnie Wallwork as his main midfield man was never going to work.
Unlucky for Robson who was arguably one of Albion's best ever players.

Was Peace right to sack him: Yes

Tony Mowbray
2006-2009

Mowbray will always be remembered for winning the league with Albion. I remember him for the moment we were relegated from the top flight with 26,000 fans wearing Mowbray masks chanting 'There's only one Tony Mowbray.'
Class manager, but odd that his teams couldn't defend despite him being a great defender.
Nabbed by Celtic in the end, but the grass isn't always greener Tony.

NOT SACKED

Roberto Di Matteo
2009-2011

Was unsure when he came, but what a job he did.
Got us back in the big time with an impressive season in the second tier.
Grabbed some great results back in the big time including the 3-2 win at Arsenal.
Under Roberto we would have stayed up and his sacking was a shocking one.
Showed that as he went on to win a Champions League.

Was Peace right to sack him: No

Roy Hodgson
2011-2012

Roy will always bring success and he did exactly that at Albion.
Built a solid side, kept us up, mid table finish again then went off to lead his country.
Peace couldn't have done anything to keep him, the job was too good to turn down.

NOT SACKED

Steve Clarke
2012-2013

Great assistant, but I didn't feel he would cut it as a manager.
Turned Albion into an expansive side, finishing eighth in the table.
Odemwingie and Lukaku's goals helped but Clarke had Albion playing the best football ever seen at The Hawthorns in my era.
Terribly unlucky to be sacked when he was, and we wouldn't have finished as low as 17th if he was still there for the remainder of the season.

Was Peace right to sack him: No

Pepe Mel
2014

Wrong appointment at the wrong time.
Shocking from Peace, however if he would have been a summer appointment with a clean slate and good funds, he would have been great.
He kept us up and did what he was asked to do, but still went.
There was potential for us to have a lot of Spanish players next season, and play that style of play he played at Betis.
Wasn't to be but a wise move.

Was Peace right to sack him: Yes

The majority of Peace's appointments and sackings have been excellent.
Time will tell with this one but I think he may have just got it right. We will see.