How far would we have gone at WC 2010?

[back of the net]

My feelings on France will largely depend on the Euros draw. If we draw them in the Euros, I would like to see France do reasonably well, chances are Domenech will stay in charge for another campaign and then REVENGE!!

On the group, i think we would progress but Uruguay and Mexico are no pushovers. SA are very poor althou have a new manager in place. All futile talk at this stage.

Appreciate what your saying elroy but even if France win the WC - i can see Domenech resigning as coach once the tournament ends - i believe no matter what happens (even if they win it) , he will resign or the FFF will force him to resign.

If France win it , it will be down to their players rather than Domenech, i think he knows that his time is up after Sth Africa

France - A team where the players manage the manager rather than the manager managing the players imo

[Stuttgart88]

I wouldn't be surprised if Domenech gets the chop before the finals. The Irish outcome was worst case for him (financial bonuses apart) and best case for his detractors.

"We got through but only because we cheated" is good enough reason for L. Blanc or someone to come in before the WC especially if their friendlies don't go too well.

[Qwerty]

Back to the topic at hand, looking at the groups I have to say this must be the weakest WC in a long time. There really are no very good teams never mind great teams. Maybe the competition will reveal a great team but I have to say it's a great chance for an African team to win one at last. That would be great. Although I will be rooting for Argentina =)

[Junior]

As per usual Id also like the Argies to do well.

Though it would be good to see an African team do well. Ivory Coast are strong (I believe, though Im no expert). Drogba has been in great form of late with a bit less play acting, would be good to see how he does on the world stage. And they play in great colours!!

[paul_oshea]

The dyslexic irish team.

[Murfinator]

Back to the topic at hand, looking at the groups I have to say this must be the weakest WC in a long time. There really are no very good teams never mind great teams. Maybe the competition will reveal a great team but I have to say it's a great chance for an African team to win one at last. That would be great. Although I will be rooting for Argentina =)

Brazil and Spain have had very good results in recent times so they're definitely the two to beat. Germany have been consistently strong in the past 6 years or so as well, semi in the last world cup, final in the euros, unbeaten in qualifying. When you look beyond those 3 there's a lot of question marks around the other big name teams.

France have been woeful for years, Italy have struggled since the last world cup and look a shadow of what they were with a lot of key players struggling for form, Portugal look shakey at the best of times, Argentina had an abysmal campaign with a very questionable manager and Russia, Czech Republic and Croatia didn't even qualify.

USA and Mexico are two teams I'd tag as ones to watch. Both got easy groups they're both well capable of topping and their form lately has been reasonably good. A lot of the african teams are too gung-ho in their style of play to outdo the more wily experienced teams. The exception to that is Egypt who are incredibly cunning and full of match intelligence but they're not there so I'm not expecting an African team in the last 8.