The Football Complainer Returns

Well the squads are finalised, and with just over a week to go, I think most of us are ready for the World Cup. I’ve spent a bit of time (too much really) looking over the stats and different teams, and ready to announce my full predictions. Please don’t get offended, but here is TFC’s predictions for the Group staes and beyond. GROUP A: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay With Russia guaranteed as seeds, Group A was always likely to be the “Group of Life”, although I think Uruguay should qualify easily as group winners. I don’t know much about Saudi Arabia at all, but I can’t see them pulling up any trees, and Egypt and Russia will be fighting it out for second place. I would normally back the hosts, but I haven’t been impressed with them in what I’ve seen, so providing Mo Salah returns in time, I think Egypt will come second.   GROUP B: Portugal, Spain, Iran, Morocco Not much to say here, but I think everyone will be deeply shocked if the two European sides don’t...

So, the England World Cup squad has finally been announced, and I’m not too disappointed to be fair. Southgate chose 19 of the players I would have taken (with one extra on standby), and in all fairness, I can see logic in all four of the differences. Also, two of the players who I considered my bigger calls, in Nick Pope and Danny Welbeck, have made the plane, and Joe Hart has paid the price for bad form over the last few years. But following on from last week, here’s TFC’s views on the players from my squad who missed and who has replaced them. MISSED OUT: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton) I thought this one was likely to happen, and I’m only slightly disappointed Bertrand isn’t being utilised. While he has played well in a poor Soton side this season, a dismal season has ultimately put paid to any chance to his WC dream. At 28 he might still be playing in 2022, but hopefully by then Luke Shaw will have got his career back on track. GS has admitted leaving Bertrand was a diffic...