George McLeod, Fan Blogger. 7th December 2009
USA, Algeria and Slovenia? Did the latter two even qualify for the World Cup? This was what was going through my head as I saw England's Group C for the first time on Sky Sports News. With USA being the most challenging team in the Group, I could quite comfortably already start to think who we'll get in the Second Stage. Germany, Australia, Ghana or Serbia? Think it's obvious who we want to avoid.
I feel like I'm being maybe too confident, but let's face it, it's an easy group and the easiest group any of the top seeds got. After reviewing the teams though we can't start getting too over-confident.
Algeria are a team I don't know much about, other than the fact they have Pompey's Nadir Belhadj. I saw their goal that sent them through to the finals v Egypt though and it was a great strike. I heard they also played very well so I hope we don't play with too much complacency. They're a team that will give 110%, especially as their playing England so I hope Capello keeps the players motivated and disciplined because there's always at least one shock in any World Cup.
There's also Slovenia who shouldn't really be giving England any real problems either. Saying that though, they beat Russia to get there: a team with talent such as Andrey Arshavin, Yuri Zhirkov and Roman Pavlyuchenko; all three of which play for Premiership clubs all in the top 4 as I write this. So if they up-staged Russia then Slovenia can't be a team who we'll easily beat 3, 4, 5 nil.
A group to look out for though is the tournaments 'Group of Death', Group G: Brazil, Ivory Coast, North Korea and Portugal. Sorry North Korea, but I don't have much faith in you.
Let's see what happens once June 2010 approaches us though.
I'm looking forward to the World Cup though. I always do. For me, Brazil and Spain are the teams to look out for. Brazil can boast players such as Kaka, Dani Alves and Luis Fabiano: players capable of winning any World Cup or major tournament. But then Spain have the talent of Cesc, Xavi & Iniesta (they come as a pair now) and Fernando Torres. I wouldn't be surprised if either lifted the trophy came July.
But as I said, there's always a surprise and it could be one of the African Teams; two teams that stick out are Ghana and Ivory Coast. Both have extremely impressive recent form and their players suggest that they're no pushovers. Drogba leads the line for Ivory Coast where Ghana have Michael Essien holding the midfield.
I apologise as this has absolutely nothing to do with City, but I just thought I'd share my views as I know we'll all be watching the finals whilst we have a City-free summer.
So I welcome any suggestions on who you think will win the World Cup or maybe who you think we'll be the 'surprise package'. I'd also like to say see whether or not you agree with my views on what to expect in 2010 - email webteam@exetercityfc.co.uk with your comments on any blogs.
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