0asis wrote:England probably do have better players than Mexico, not going to deny that, but Mexico play like a team and not individuals. Most of the Mexican players have never been heard of before. Doesn't mean to say they're not a good set of players. But at the end of the day it's about working as a unit, not as individuals and England look far superior on paper, but that doesn't mean they are on the pitch.
You brand Mexico's group as being poor, you're right it was but then again England's group wasn't exactly difficult, so that argument doesn't wash at all. At the end of of it all you can only beat what's put in front of you .
Mexico have changed a lot over the past four years, they are a lot stronger as a team then what they were in that World Cup. Whether they are able to go further this time remains to be seen as I say they can be hit and miss at times.
As you say England have much better players than Mexico so they should be able to get thru matches if they fall into the dreaded penalty shoot outs. It's funny how teams like Portugal etc have absolutely no problems taking penalties yet England do. And more excuses heat and humidity, these players trained for a few weeks in the heat of Japan, they should of adjusted to it, Germany did, and Germany has a much cooler climate than in England. I'll agree England were outplayed in the second half, that's because they allowed themselves to be dominated.
England have the potential to go further than Mexico in the World Cup doesn't mean they will. A fair few of England's players have mixed it up with some of Europe's finest, on paper they look far superior but football's not played on paper, it's played on the pitch so again there's a 50% chance of England beating Mexico.
As I said England havea great set of individual talent, if England can work together as a unit they have a good chance of doing well, but they must show the right mentality and attitude to do well. Mexico have Fonseca, Andres Guardado, Jared Borgetti, Marquez and Sanchez, so the Mexicans have a good set of players who work as a unit and play some outstanding and exciting football.
Fair enough thats your opinion, nothing wrong with that and England have a great chance as long as the players have the right mentality, attitude and don't lose bottle in big matches and penalty shoot outs and the same applies to Sven, he must not be too cautious in this tournament.
Germany had an easier draw than England in the world cup, when they faced Brazil in the final they were also outclassed.
The brazilians are all comfortable in posession and despite the fact that they were a player down they were keeping the ball for long periods. In heat and humidty after a long season that will affect most players (especially europeans who dont play in them type of conditions).
To lose on penalties is unlucky, perhaps they should of made sure they won the game in normal time but lets be realistic when it gets to the knockout stages in major tournaments most games are really tight as nobody wants to lose, thats why there are so many penalty shoot outs nowadays.
You are using Mexico's good results in the confederations cup as a benchmark ?
a) Its a tournament that i dont rate at all.
b) 2 of the teams in there group were not the best.
Where i accept they did well, they played Japan (no mugs, but England would have no problems) Greece (the luckiest EVER european champions) and fair enough Brazil....a country they play often and are bound to get the odd decent result against.
If you think the climate has nothing to do with it and the players should of adjusted thats just plain wrong, they may of adjusted but they wont be as used to playing in conditions like that as Brazil and the asian teams.
If you think Englands group was easy (which it was) then imagine they faced some of the central american sides ?
It is one of the poorest qualifying sections for the competition and the fact that Mexico are in there wont help when it comes to facing proper opponents.
I think Mexico will give anyone a game, but if they face anyone of Spain Holland England Germany Italy or the likes of Brazil & Argentina they will come unstuck, i would also fancy Ivory Coast turning them over.
They never will be candidates to win the world cup.
The only thing i accept of your argument is the fact that Sven has picked the wrong squad, but still with that squad if we play Mexico there is no way we will go out, no matter how technically superior you feel they may be.
