2006 World Cup - Was it worth the effort?

[westboy]

I'm not a bitter england fan bringing the topic up a few months later...well actually I am but I strongly believe the state of the game at the moment would be better if the WC had not taken place.

Not only is it having an effect on premiership players, Henry the most notable example but the blatant cheating that happened has left a nasty stain on football.

Well done to Italy though - I thought it was the sole highlight seeing not only an underdog country win the WC (I don't mean to be patronising but Brazil were the favourites) but one with huge problems back hom at the time. However the quality of the football on the whole was awful.

Opinions please...

[Nafe]

I agree, England were getting scrapped efforts from it all which leaves the fans happy but uncomfortable if you know what I mean. On paper, England are a great squad, they just can't seem to gel as everyone would like them too. Maybe it was to do with the manager at the time? however, I can't see McClaren doing much.

As for the physical side, I feel players weren't given enough time off, Henry literally played in the world cup had a few days off and was wipped back into the Prem. Its an awkward schedule to fit for European football.

I'm not a die hard England fan, I don't feel comfortable about the managerial position and the way England play sometimes.

[RedRabbit]

Overall I found the quality of the matches to be sub par. I've seen more exciting matches in EPL and the CL.

As for 'world cup hangover', I don't believe in it at all. Players had 1-2 months after it ended before returning. That's more than enough time to recover mentally and from most physical injuries.

As for the officiating, I found it inconsistent but this due to the different style of league the refs are exposed to.

I for one would welcome cloning Pierluigi Collina and have him and his clones officiate every WC match :D

[cliffy]

italy only won by cheating! I would have loved to see france or germany win the world cup, obviously England more but it was never gonna happen.

[westboy]

Overall I found the quality of the matches to be sub par. I've seen more exciting matches in EPL and the CL.

As for 'world cup hangover', I don't believe in it at all. Players had 1-2 months after it ended before returning. That's more than enough time to recover mentally and from most physical injuries.

As for the officiating, I found it inconsistent but this due to the different style of league the refs are exposed to.

I for one would welcome cloning Pierluigi Collina and have him and his clones officiate every WC match :D


obviously not an everton fan...

I think Henry's absence from Arsenal is partly due to the WC, it's just a question of too much football rather than not having a long enough break

[Nafe]

obviously not an everton fan...

I think Henry's absence from Arsenal is partly due to the WC, it's just a question of too much football rather than not having a long enough break

I agree, there was an interview posted on Arsenal.com and he said himself that he's played non stop football for over a year, and then with the WC, the physical side of it obviously took its toll on him.

[almouchie]

i dont know if i would go as far as say scrap the WC
but in my short WC watching experience this has been the least impressive as far as quality of football played
I still have fond memories of USA94, France 98, & Japan/Korea 02 & they had better games, teams, matches & performances

as far as tiredness after WC, its very true
the finals finishe in July, & players barely get 3 weeks off b4 having to join thier clubs for preseason , so I dont see the 2 month RR is mentioning.
whats sure, is that something gotta give,
too many matches, too many trophies, it will have a burden on players, & in future will shorten many careers