[Century's Best]

Someone said in a recently closed WR thread that Argentina is much better than England.

I disagree.

Argentina has always had a wealth of talent at its disposal, but its 2009 form was far from impressive. Blame Diego Maradona and his awful coaching for turning a solid team into a struggling side without an identity. Last week's defeat vs. Spain showed clearly what a team is (Spain) and what a team isn't (Argentina).

England may not have the pound-for-pound raw talent of Argentina, but like Spain the English have formed a cohesive squad. It is not for naught and it is no coincidence that the Three Lions roared through World Cup qualifying, with routs over strong Croatia on English soil and in Zagreb, thus avenging the Croatians' elimination of England from Euro 2008.

If the English stay healthy, we will see a far stronger team in 2010 than what we witnessed when the English faced my Brazil last week. I would say that if Argentina and England meet in 2010, I'd put my money on the English, because they have more confidence and teamwork right now, and because unlike the Argentines, the English have a serious, professional manager in charge of their squad.

Frankly, I think the two strongest contenders from Europe right now are Spain and England, followed by Germany, then the rest.

[Crazy_Yank]

I agree with your post. I think Spain is the best in Europe and my prediction to be the world cup champion.

[BocaFan]

Originally Posted by Century's Best

Argentina has always had a wealth of talent at its disposal, but its 2009 form was far from impressive. Blame Diego Maradona and his awful coaching for turning a solid team into a struggling side without an identity. Last week's defeat vs. Spain showed clearly what a team is (Spain) and what a team isn't (Argentina).

There are plenty of examples to back-up a claim that Argentina sucks right now but you probably picked the worst one. If Argentina plays like they did during the second-half against Spain they can beat anybody in South Africa. Spain won on a late penalty... at home.., not exactly a great example to illustrate that there is a significant gap b/w the 2 teams.

[RobTheFool]

I agree with your post, but it's hard to judge just how much we have come on since Capello took over, as every time we have played a good team in a friendly we have been battered by injuries. Needless to say, we are much better than before. I think Argentina are just a disaster waiting to happen under Maradonna.

Brazil and Spain are firm favourites. I'd rate our chances as fairly equal to Germany's, just behind those two, with France, Portugal, Netherlands and Argentina all in the 3rd tier of favourites.

[El Mas Chingon.]

duh

[Chicken Wings]

Hmmmm......

Let me think about this one.

Argentina 2 World Cups and the Hand of God
England 1 World Cup and Fish and Chips

Yup. I'm gonna have to lean torward the Argies on this one.

[El Mas Chingon.]

Better yet

Argentines playing in Euro 08 - 1
Limeys playing in Euro 08 - 0

[Century's Best]

Originally Posted by RobTheFool

I agree with your post, but it's hard to judge just how much we have come on since Capello took over, as every time we have played a good team in a friendly we have been battered by injuries. Needless to say, we are much better than before. I think Argentina are just a disaster waiting to happen under Maradonna.

Brazil and Spain are firm favourites. I'd rate our chances as fairly equal to Germany's, just behind those two, with France, Portugal, Netherlands and Argentina all in the 3rd tier of favourites.

England should get the "Most Improved NT Since The Last World Cup" award if there was such a thing. Your side obliterated the competition in World Cup qualifying. Granted, you lost 2-1 to Spain, but you did better than the Argentines did this past Saturday; and, you did defeat Germany on home ground.

I am very aware that we have about 200 days till kickoff and that is plenty of time for a manager to build a real team and for injured players to get back in shape. Argentina, as I said, has the talent to do well in 2010, but if what we saw lately is what we see in 2010, I wouldn't bet on them.

Hence my conclusion right now that England is not only not worse than Argentina right now, but also that right now, England is better than Argentina... despite the claims of a Brazilian poster here a few days ago.

[sinner78]

Who was the argie in euro 08 ,piedaras??

[Century's Best]

Originally Posted by NapoliSupporter

There are plenty of examples to back-up a claim that Argentina sucks right now but you probably picked the worst one. If Argentina plays like they did during the second-half against Spain they can beat anybody in South Africa. Spain won on a late penalty... at home.., not exactly a great example to illustrate that there is a significant gap b/w the 2 teams.

The scoreline, a 2-1 win for the Spaniards, doesn't illustrate what happened overall. Spain has a ready-made squad with an amazing midfield and very sound team chemistry. Their defeat to the USA at the Confeds was a bizarre result which would have never happened in a World Cup setting. Argentina, while a side w/ a good talent pool at its disposal, is still a team without an identity.

For a blunter assessment of how well the Argentine NT did vs. Spain, I suggest you visit the Argentine forums. They weren't too happy over there.

IF they get their house in order, the Argentines will be at least as good as the English come South Africa. But right now, England is better, no matter what some anti-English Brazilian fans here may say.