Random Early thoughts on the World Cup

(Updated at the half time of Alg-Slo game)

Home soil factor counts. It really does. I mean RSA played quite a decent game against Mexico, and while I still do not see them going through, they might be a tougher opposition than expected. Considering the pedigree of their players otherwise, it can only be put down to those Vuvuzelas. (How I hate them!)

If only Forlan could buy one decent midfielder to supply half a dozen passes to him. We all know how many he scores week-in, week-out, but what was impressive was the effort he was making. Can’t say the same about star players all the time.

Sydney Govou’s miss in the 7^th minute against Uruguay has to be one of the contenders for the miss of the tournament

So has to be Higuain’s miss early in the game against Nigeria.

I expected Greece to struggle to reach the heights of 2004, but I never thought they would be this dis-interested.

Matches between Argentina, South Korea and Nigeria should be fun.

At the risk of stating the obvious, and the oft-repeated, it is scary when your substitute strikers are Diego Milito and Sergio Aguero.

Argentina’s forwards performances this season: Messi – 47 goals, Milito – 30 goals, Higuain – 29 goals, Tevez – 29 goals, Aguero – 20 goals. (includes goals in all competitions)

Argentina’s performance was very much like their coach – stuff to like and dislike at the same time. The biggest positive though: felt like Messi was playing in the Barca kit. If he keeps this form, Argentina can go really deep.

What’s common between Erikkson, McLaren, Capello, apart from the fact that they are/were all England managers?

They cannot find a way to play Gerard and Lampard together effectively in central midfield.

My 2 pence: If these two play together, we might always have a situation where the sum is lesser than the parts. They contribute so much because at club level simply because there is no one else to do that there. And when they are together, there is only so much they can do. Something like Kaka and Ronaldinho. May be Stevie G should play in the hole behind Rooney.

With all due respect to the Anfield faithful, Carragher looks old, and it shows.

For all the quality on the pitch of the English side, they cannot retain possession.

Emile Heskey’s position should not be listed as striker. He cannot strike even if his life depended on it.

Maradona was so active on the sidelines, I won’t be surprised if he put on the kit and came on a sub if things got really desperate.

Can’t believe Algeria and Slovenia actually beat Egypt and Russia, respectively, to get here. This is the worst game so far.

Contrast of the day: Argentina celebrated their win over Nigeria as if they had won the WC. Capello was so pissed after Gerard’s goal, as if England had conceded and not scored. All the more so considering the huge expectations in both nations.

Next words from XL.