WC - South Africa 2010 discussion

[N. Platini]

Thought I would create a thread to discuss our current situation for qualification to WC2010 .

Serbia has just won , which takes them 8 points clear from us but we got two games in hand , which is against Faroe Islands and Romania .

Now I'm sure we will beat Faroe Islands , but Romania is a game I expect to be very frustrating to be watching . WE HAVE to take maximum points , so can we handle the pressure ?

Any dropped points before the match against Serbia , Serbia will have pretty much have 1st spot secured .

1. SERBIA 7 6 0 1 18
2. FRANCE 5 3 1 1 10
3. LITHUANIA 7 3 0 4 9
4. AUSTRIA 6 2 1 3 7
5. ROMANIA 6 2 1 3 7
6. FAROE ISLANDS 5 0 1 4 1

[lefutur]

I honestly think France is going to qualify no problem. This is an extremely easy group and despite the 0-0 draw against Romania the first time round I dont think Domenech will make the same mistake twice.

That being said, unless he can somehow inject some motivation and ideas into the players, I dont expect France to go far in South Africa.

Its not like France doesnt have the players to do well but up until now nothing suggests that they will shine on the world stage, to the contrary. I believe that putting Gourcuff into the playmaker role has been a small step forward but this team still cannot produce goals effectively. And since Domenech refuses to stray from his dogmatic belief in using 2 defensive midfielders (despite the fact that no other NT uses this strategy) it means that collective goals are very hard to come by and really the only goals France scores are from set plays or individual acts of brilliance (see Ribery).

Does this mean that Domenech isnt capable of change? In his mind he is capable of change as is witnessed by his squad rotation and numerous first time call ups. But I think he is also determined to see this particular philosophy through to the end, because he wants to prove his detractors wrong.

I hope that I am the one is wrong but only time will tell.

[N. Platini]

On paper I agree , this is an easy group for us but look at the position we're in .

We make things hard for ourselves and lets not forget that loss to Austria :eek: I have doubts if we can make 1st spot .

Goals are definately an issue aswell and has been for some time , we've only scored 7 goals in this group !

I was just thinking about the midfield in the central areas and it's really a shame Bodmer's career hasn't worked out the way it should've , he'd be perfect for a CM role .

Flamini is someone who could do well too , likes to get forward and his energy is something we could do with . I don't know what's Domenech's problem with him .

[N. Platini]

Also , the potential opponents for the play-off doesn't look great . Teams like Russia , Scotland , Portugal could be future opponents for us should we finish in 2nd spot .

[AfrcnHrbMan]

I'm also confident of qualifying. If it was that anomaly of a Austria game, no one would would have anything to complain about. Maximum points are there in the next two matches, and then the serbia match will have some big implications.

[Palacas]

Also , the potential opponents for the play-off doesn't look great . Teams like Russia , Scotland , Portugal could be future opponents for us should we finish in 2nd spot .

im pretty sure all the big team will conveniently not be matched against each other:D

[N. Platini]

Wish I had the same confidence as you guys .

Palacas , what makes you so sure ? :)

[zizouForlife]

this generation has the fewest goals scored ever by our national and on an individual basis, not even in 1990's did we perform so poorly in scoring considering we played few games and some players careers ended prematurely like cantona.... i dont believe we below par strikers i think its our style of play thats affecting this type of drought

[AfrcnHrbMan]

Where did you get that from? What is generation? post 06 to current? or post 02 to current?

[zizouForlife]

both

[StarrMatthieu]

i would like to know what players would people pick in this thread for the world cup in 2010, am going to list some players that i think should be in the 23 players picked! here are some...

Mathieu flamini ,Hatem ben arfa, Samir nasri, Yohann pele, Andre pierre gignac ,Hugo Lloris ,Julien Escude ,sebastien squillaci, Philippe Mexes, yoann gourcuff ,Karim benzema , Nicolas anelka , Gael clichy , Adil Rami , Thierry henry, Frank Ribery , Jeremy Toulalan , Lassana Diarra , abou diaby , Aly cissokho , william Gallas , Guillaume hoarau , Jeremy Menez ,

here is my list for the 23 in south africa

coach : Laurent blanc :D

[corolla]

i would like to know what players would people pick in this thread for the world cup in 2010, am going to list some players that i think should be in the 23 players picked! here are some...

Mathieu flamini ,Hatem ben arfa, Samir nasri, Yohann pele, Andre pierre gignac ,Hugo Lloris ,Julien Escude ,sebastien squillaci, Philippe Mexes, yoann gourcuff ,Karim benzema , Nicolas anelka , Gael clichy , Adil Rami , Thierry henry, Frank Ribery , Jeremy Toulalan , Lassana Diarra , abou diaby , Aly cissokho , william Gallas , Guillaume hoarau , Jeremy Menez ,

here is my list for the 23 in south africa

coach : Laurent blanc :D

Amen brother. Anyone think that many of these summer transfers involving French talent could really help Les Bleus if Domenech would pull his head out of his a$$? I mean if Obertan gets some quality playing time with Manchester Utd, that could make a world of difference for him. Also with all of the quality around him at Real, Benzema could really improve with more big match experience.

[Catracho_Azul]

Alhy Cissokho...who knows if he'll actually factor in this French squad.

[N. Platini]

Alhy Cissokho...who knows if he'll actually factor in this French squad.

Is it only me that doesn't know why there's such a big deal over this guy ?

[AfrcnHrbMan]

I remember him having one good game in the champions league last year, and all of sudden he's hot stuff. I don't watch the portugeuse league but I trust OL's eye for talent though.

[Suyuntuy]

It'd be hard to pick 23 right now. Starting with the keepers, Mandanda is not convincing anyone and Coupet may retire before the WC. Landreau doesn't seem to be as good when in blue, and Frey has quitted the team.

So what I think is likely, not what I want--

First Team:

------------Lloris-------------
Sagna---Toto---Gallas---Abidal
--------Lass-----Toulalan-----
Nasri--------YoYo-------Ribéry
------------Henry-------------

Second team:

------------Mandanda-------------
Fanni---Boumsong---Escudé---Evra
--------Diarra-------Flamini--------
Govou--------------------Malouda
--------Benzema---Gignac---------

Third GK: Landreau

Ray may take Anelka instead of Gignac or Flamini.

[N. Platini]

So what's everyone's predictions for the game with Romania ?

It's simple . No victory = first place is Serbia .

Domenech's selection will be done on the 27th .

[AfrcnHrbMan]

SuperDupont poopoos your prediction!!!
http://politoblog.com/image/divers/id_nationale.jpg





3-1 les bleus!!!

[Suyuntuy]

2-0 with Titi and Franck scoring.

[Palacas]

3-0 victory, Ribery, Gignac X2