[sbu_large_image] Dugout Discussion
29 June 2014 3432 comments
Paul Paul
Share:

Sunday evening brings us another couple of World Cup fixtures to focus on after the knockout stages got underway last night. Louis Van Gaal’s free-scoring Holland are bidding to join Brazil and Colombia for a place in the last eight but face a tough task in the 5pm kick-off – opponents Mexico conceded just once in the group stages and have already stopped Neymar and co from finding the net:

Holland: Cillessen; Vlaar, De Vrij, Blind; Verhaegh, De Jong, Wijnaldum Kuyt; Sneijder; Van Persie, Robben,

Mexico: Ochoa; Aguilar, Rodriguez, Marquez, Moreno, Layun; Herrera, Salcido, Guardado; Dos Santos, Peralta,

The Dutch welcome back Robin Van Persie from suspension after their skipper served a one-match ban against Chile in the previous match. Van Persie is one of only two changes to the XI that beat the South Americans, with Paul Verhaegh replacing Daryl Janmaat on the right of the midfield four – Dirk Kuyt keeps his place on the opposite flank, with Daley Blind utilised in the back-three once again by Van Gaal. The United striker will be hoping to continue the form that has seen him score in both his appearances thus far, whilst Arjen Robben owners will also have high expectations after the Bayern man served up three goals and an assist over the group stages.

Mexico make just one enforced alteration from the side that won 3-1 against Croatia in the final match of Group A, with former Fulham man Carlos Salcido handed his first start of the tournament. Up front, Giovanni dos Santos will be desperate to open his account for the campaign, whilst his fellow forward Oribe Peralta – along with skipper Rafael Marquez – has already chipped in with a goal and assist over the opening three fixtures.

Later this evening, Costa Rica and Greece go head-to-head after both sides exceeded our expectations to reach the last 16. Jorge Luiz Pinto’s side cannot be underestimated after topping the so-called “Group of Death”, with wins over Uruguay and Italy underpinned by a defensive resilience that has served up two clean sheets in three matches. Pinto is understandably expected to keep faith in a 5-4-1 formation, with Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell carrying the main threat further up the pitch.

Despite a last-gasp win over Ivory Coast, Greece have failed to impress. That 2-1 triumph was the only time Fernando Santos’ side found the net in the group stages and, even then, they had to rely upon defensive mistakes from the Africans to make a breakthrough. With a converted spot-kick and assist to his name, Giorgos Samaras has been the main up top for the Greeks – once again, we can expect Santos’ side to keep it tight at the back and look for a goal on the counter.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

3,432 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Declan
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Cmon RVP(c)

    Open Controls
  2. Les Bleus
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Predictions? 1-1 penalties to Netherlands

    Open Controls
    1. Declan
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      2-1 Netherlands

      Open Controls
    2. GTS
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      3-1 Netherlands

      Open Controls
    3. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      1-0 Mexico

      Open Controls
    4. X T I A N
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      3-1 Netherlands

      Open Controls
    5. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      4-1

      Open Controls
    6. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      2-0 Dutch

      Open Controls
    7. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      3 - 2 Mexico

      Open Controls
    8. Pilleri
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      0-0 regular time

      Netherlands wins in the end

      Open Controls
  3. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    It's all about the Sun game for me.

    10pt goals for RVP Robben and Blind please 🙂

    Open Controls
    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      JRod went up to 70pts today 😛

      Open Controls
      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Nice!

        My work is organising our money league, and I asked to change one of players to JRod last minute.

        Best. Decision. Ever.

        I think it's won me 1st place.

        Open Controls
        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Same here, had him from the start. No one else has him. My lead? 70pts 😛

          Open Controls
  4. Arvin-ation
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Captain Herrera or Ochoa?

    Open Controls
    1. Declan
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Ochoa

      Open Controls
  5. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Anybody not got Robben in the Fox game ?

    Open Controls
    1. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      o/

      Open Controls
      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Blimey..are you feeling lonely..?. Good shout though.

        Open Controls
        1. Epic Fail
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          I don't play the Fox game.

          Open Controls
    2. Ben Mee Over A Table
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Posted about it in the last article. I'm going to get destroyed.

      Open Controls
      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Didn't see it, just got in. Wish I'd ditched him now.

        Open Controls
        1. Bubz
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Why?

          Open Controls
          1. Dr Dream
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            It's not very exciting having the same team as everybody else...not in that game anyway. Dunno what I was thinking. Should have gone RVP and Hazard over Robben and Benzema or something...Started the week in 19OR = going nowhere...

            Open Controls
            1. Bubz
              • 13 Years
              12 years, 2 months ago

              That attitude is what made me go into a spiral in rank last season in FPL 😆 . I know what you mean.

              Open Controls
              1. Dr Dream
                • 13 Years
                12 years, 2 months ago

                Yeah but at least you gave it a go..you and Doosra. You didn't need to be a genius to know Suarez was a good pick...along with 3 million others.

                Open Controls
        2. Ben Mee Over A Table
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah, why? I figured he would have to have an off game eventually, and Mexico have been quite tight at the back and are quick too, which negates his best asset. But he's still pretty damn likely to score.

          Open Controls
  6. Shels
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    ffffsssssss holland playing now WTF i thaught was funking france ffs missed putting in blind by about 2 secounds.. red card blind now

    Open Controls
    1. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      😀

      Open Controls
      1. Shels
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        this match is awfull to watch now, not enjoying it 🙁 blind gone into middle

        Open Controls
        1. Dr Dream
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          That's where my Gimenez pick ended up playing against Colombia...4pts incoming for you.

          Open Controls
          1. Shels
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            i hope he gets 4 :/ he on the bench for me

            Open Controls
  7. Damo.
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Wonders how and why this site has become obsessed with talking in the third person.
    Scratches balls. Watches match

    Open Controls
    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      GB agrees. He thinks it's crazy.

      Open Controls
      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Jafooli begs to differ.

        Open Controls
        1. JT's Dog
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Mark says stop it

          Open Controls
  8. Bubz
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Just keep it tight at the back Netherlands!

    Open Controls
    1. Fray Bentos
      • 17 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Forget double Dutch, triple Dutch here!

      Open Controls
  9. JT's Dog
    12 years, 2 months ago

    That's the worst balloon animal I have ever seen

    Open Controls
    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      😆

      Open Controls
  10. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    What has Martin O'Neill said? He's getting some horrible abuse about whatever it is on my Twitter feed.

    Open Controls
    1. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      He said LVG's coaching isn't revolutionary. Plenty of teams have used this so called revolutionary 532 system etc. He was spot on.

      Open Controls
      1. THE Wild Rover
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Well he actually claimed to have started it. Sort of

        Open Controls
      2. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Ah, that too then. Certainly gone down well on the interweb. Apparently he's a 'bitter abu'.

        Open Controls
    2. Lord Dragon
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Said van gaal gets on like he invented the 5-3-2, but Martin said he was using the formation 20 years ago etc etc

      Open Controls
      1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks Nedved51.

        Open Controls
    3. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Never mind, apparently he called Robben Holland's main man.

      Open Controls
  11. Tomlette Greggs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Netherlands about to make a change already?

    Open Controls
    1. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      de Jong off

      Open Controls
      1. Nomar
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Transferred him in on Friday in McDonald's game.

        Fail.

        Open Controls
      2. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Reported

        Open Controls
    2. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Not good news for them.

      Open Controls
  12. Bubz
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Wtf. Was de Jong injured?

    Open Controls
    1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Must have been. Didn't look it, mind.

      Open Controls
    2. The Missing Link
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah, muscle strain

      Open Controls
  13. Demí
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    De Jong(C) fail

    Open Controls
    1. 4vets
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Ouch!

      Open Controls
  14. JT's Dog
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Nigel de long
    He didn't last long
    If I ain't wrong
    This could be a song

    Open Controls
    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Nigel de Jong
      Forgot his bong
      He's left the pitch
      Cause he's got a stitch

      Open Controls
      1. JT's Dog
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Nigel de long
        He wasn't on song
        Had to go off
        Cause he forgot his thong

        Open Controls
        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Nigel De Jong
          Thought he was wrong
          But he went to the bog
          To drop a log

          Open Controls
          1. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            *Ode to Jason Puncheon

            Open Controls
      2. Shels
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Nigel de Jong's
        touchline song
        indi on
        holland gone

        Open Controls
  15. ManofKent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    There goes my Dutch player...

    Open Controls
    1. JT's Dog
      12 years, 2 months ago

      With the guy you used to call you're friend

      Open Controls
      1. JT's Dog
        12 years, 2 months ago

        *your

        Open Controls
        1. THE Wild Rover
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          The extra post has ruined the continuation so I won't adding the next line 😛

          Open Controls
  16. Shels
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    dutch dient arm up for long.. if dutch go out van gaal will be to blame surley

    Open Controls
    1. THE Wild Rover
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Is there a translator in the house? 🙂

      Open Controls
      1. Shels
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        🙂 warm :/

        Open Controls
  17. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Blint OOP?

    Open Controls
  18. Tommytour
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    If Netherlands lose I will have to WC in Fox game

    Open Controls
  19. Saniul
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    What formation are Netherlands playing anyway?
    All I see on the pitch are 5 backs, and 5 strikers/attackers.

    You can't win a match like that. 😐

    Open Controls
    1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      4-3-3 apparently. Looks 5-3-2 to me.

      Open Controls
    2. Louis
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      5212

      Open Controls
  20. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Mexico should be 1-0 up

    Open Controls
  21. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Mexico looking much more dangerous at the moment!

    Open Controls
    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      It does have a high crime rate. Holland safer place to holiday.

      Open Controls
  22. LewanGOALski
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Herrera you gotta score sth like this 🙁

    Open Controls
  23. r0nh
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    In McDs, what is your rank?

    Mine is 40k after changing captain

    Open Controls
    1. Damo.
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      338,580 Vlaar (c) today

      Open Controls
    2. THE Wild Rover
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      3 Stars on my badge. Taking the supersize training tomorrow

      Open Controls
    3. Mr Sarcastic
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      About 500

      Open Controls
    4. LewanGOALski
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      207th atm 😎

      Open Controls
  24. Gubbins94.
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    That is what I mean about the space the Dutch cb's give away. There were 3 players unmarked in a dangerous position.

    Open Controls
    1. THE Wild Rover
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      They should have just given a penalty away

      Open Controls
  25. Saniul
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    United could've bought this Herrera. 😉

    Open Controls
    1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Would've probably still offered up 30m.

      Open Controls
  26. The Missing Link
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Thought Herrera was a cdm 😀

    Open Controls
    1. Lord Dragon
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Same, I brought him in for the rbs, a goal would be ok too 🙂

      Open Controls
  27. Mavric Marco
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Afternoon gents,
    Any other Man Utd fans hoping Holland get knocked out.?
    LvG's got more important things to be doing 😉

    Open Controls
    1. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Hope they win it to give the players a massive lift

      Open Controls
  28. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Herrera looks like a good buy so far.

    Open Controls
    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Well done Man U.

      Open Controls
      1. Tommytour
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Wrong Herrera 😉

        Open Controls
    2. Louis
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      They bought Ander Herrera from Bilbao, not this one.

      Open Controls
    3. Mavric Marco
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Errr, he's spanish! 🙂

      Open Controls
    4. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Lot of biters so far WK!

      Open Controls
  29. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Ed Woodward must be pleased watching Herrera here, although slightly confused at the same time why he signed his name Ander and not Hector.

    Open Controls
    1. The Missing Link
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      😀

      Open Controls
    2. THE Wild Rover
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Edward Woodward would, would you?

      Open Controls
  30. Shakshuka
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Is it safe to access MCD from mobile devices now? Thanks

    Open Controls
    1. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Although some people had trouble making changes on the iPhone earlier, I didn't have any problems a couple of days ago. Worked like a charm.

      If changing formation though, remove a player first, and then change formation.

      Open Controls
    2. Mr Sarcastic
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      I suppose so, but I'm still avoiding it.
      Already stressing, because I need to make my team/transfers for semis by ipad.

      Open Controls
    3. FPL Daniel
      • 17 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Don't dare I say

      Open Controls
    4. Shakshuka
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks guys, ill proceed with caution

      Open Controls