The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup

[Rossie11]

Looking like you are right about Drogba

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_6191099,00.html

[Schkite]

Ferdinand out, shame.

[A Quinn Martin Production]

Looking like you are right about Drogba

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_6191099,00.html

Another Chelsea player who will be well rested for the new season   Michael Dawson on his way to SA to replace Ferdinand

[The Real Laoislad]

Ferdinand out, shame.

At least he won't have to do any random drug tests now...

[Capt Pat]

Germany do have the youngest squad I have ever seen them have. Only 2 or 3 in their thirties and one of them is a goalie. Not a lot of great players in the squad, Lahm Swinestagger, Podolski and Klose knows how to score in internationals. They will probably top their group.

Serbia have a few good players but Ghana look fairly average.

[eggy bread]

Ferdinand out, shame.

At least he won't have to do any random drug tests now...

Exactly, ah well what comes around goes around, cheats don't win in the end!

[Schkite]

Ferdinand out, shame.

At least he won't have to do any random drug tests now...

Exactly, ah well what comes around goes around, cheats don't win in the end!

By that logic John Terry and Ashley Cole should be getting injured any day now!

[stew]

Terry wil get shownup in the WC, he is fast becoming a liability and is not the player he was two years ago, I hope he has a stinker, shags the wags and the whole thing collaspes around them.

Rooney to be out injured before the first round is over, he doesnt look right at all and if he is done so are Engerland.

[paco]

So much for that bet of Ivory Coast making it out of the group of death.

[longrunsthefox]

Reports, possibly lies though, that Drogba broke his arm today and is out.

Good- a self indugent spoilt brat even by Premiership standards

[tyroneStatto]

ireland v england italia 90 on now on espn classic. both teams with a lot more better players then than they have now.

Probably but there was some rubbish football played in that game, Ireland got to the quarters by scoring two goals.

was young at the time so didnt understand tactics a great deal then, but looking back now ireland really had the players to be a lot more positive than they were, and if they were, actually could have got further in the tournament. i think this has always been a gripe of eamon dunphys and i think he's right. the players on both sides then looked like men whereas today's players look like boys.

[eggy bread]

Ferdinand out, shame.

At least he won't have to do any random drug tests now...

Exactly, ah well what comes around goes around, cheats don't win in the end!

By that logic John Terry and Ashley Cole should be getting injured any day now!

Were they also implicated in drug misuse?

[tyroneStatto]

I've a feeling Serbia could top that group. Germany are ravaged with injuries and have a very young side, Serbia should be well fit for them. England - Germany in the last 16 would be interesting

My tuppence worth
Germany are a big tournament team. No matter how good or bad they appear on paper they should still coast through this group for a few simple reasons.
They wont have one ounce of respect for any of other teams.
Germany probably have won more games in WCs than the other 3 combined have played in.
They will look on themselves as the big powerful nation V these 3 new kids on the block with the growing reputations.
Psychologically its a great start to have on teams.
It may look like a tough group but 9/2 for Germans to win all 3 games is a very tempting price.

agree with this but i would also include the italians. the reason is simply discipline. they can go 30 odd days couped up and there wont be a scandal etc unlike england.

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

Ferdinand out, shame.

At least he won't have to do any random drug tests now...

My memory may be failing me but have you recently accused other people of being obsessive?

Tough blow for players missing the World Cup. You'd have to feel for them. That's Ferdinand, Ballack, Drogba and Essien all out, all established stars for their countrys (all captains possibly, though not sure about Essien, is Appiah still playing for Ghana?).

[Schkite]

Ferdinand out, shame.

At least he won't have to do any random drug tests now...

Exactly, ah well what comes around goes around, cheats don't win in the end!

By that logic John Terry and Ashley Cole should be getting injured any day now!

Were they also implicated in drug misuse?

No but they are the biggest cheats in the England set-up! You know well what I meant.