All a bit bloody academic really but....

[Guest]

<img src="graemlins/images/icons/rolleyes.gif" border="0" alt="[rolleyes]" /> finally got the hard drive fixed after three weeks but what the 'eck<p>Congrats to GNFC didn't think you would do it but you played some great football and good luck in the Conf. Hard luck Canvey - your day will come - and Aldershot - not even the bridesmaid...again!<p>We had a great year - already looking for the friendlies - what a summer World Cup football and Braintree looking forward to the second season in the Prem <p>Brazil... its just like watching Brazil - yer ok nothing like it but hey I've got World Cup Fever - and I'm off to watch the lads and any other matches I can - counting the days - anybody else going????<p>See you all next season <img src="graemlins/coolsmoke.gif" border="0" alt="" />

[CANV EFM]

lucky b..tard.. i thought i had blagged a little work trip to tokyo which would have set me up for the argy game on the friday night , but alas no go, gonna be a quiet afternoon workwise in london that day... so how are we gonna do? the group looks tough (and to be honest i wont be backing this with any money).. im going for a scrappy draw with the ulrika boys

a draw against the malvinas muppets in a great game

and a undeserved win against africas finest to see us through

[Cressing Toad]

Every world cup since 1966 (which i remember) I've been over expectant of England. My heart tells me we can win it, my brain says we won't get past the first round Becks or no Becks. Its not the manager, its the strength of our domestic competition thats doing us. Players get so immersed when playing the English game with its non-stop thrills, spills, workrate and high balls the foreigners find us too predictable too often.<p>They know too much about us via our televised league matches we can't surprise 'em. Everyone thinks Man utd are the bees knees of world football coz they win our championship year after year, but i reckon when they play the top European sides they look a bit dim, thinking they can replicate their obviously successful domestic formula of - If Spurs are 3 up at half time we,ll score 5 and win. The foreigners don't play like that (Africans and Brazilians excepted perhaps). Real Madrid and Bayern Munich consider the opposition and articulate a game plan for each game to neutralise the opposition not just sign all the best players going and tell 'em to rip the opposition apart like Fergie does his boys.<p>I hope we do something, but I don't raise my expectations like i used to, the dissapointment over the years has hurt too much.

[Simon BTFC]

I think we're defensively suspect - a first choice back 4 of Mills, Ferdinand, Campbell and Cole contains little to reassure me that we'll keep many clean sheets. Reckon we can score goals against most opposition though. V little strength in depth in the side, if one of the midfield gets injured and we're reduced to playing the likes of Murphy or Hargreaves then we'll struggle. Owen MUST stay fit and hope that Heskey remembers how to score. Predictions: England to get through group stage but get knocked out by France in next round. Germany to be surprise package of competition. Cameroun to do well.....

[jc]

The trouble is, we have actually been drawn in the toughest group possible. Argentina are the strongest seeds in my view, we NEVER beat Sweden, and Nigeria were the strongest side from the final pot of teams in the draw. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

 

To be honest, I'll be happy with anything past the group stage. As for winners, aside from Argentina I think that Italy, however dull they are to watch, are defensively superb and are in with a great chance. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" />

[Guest]

<img border="0" title="" alt="[big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> All just about to unfold lads so we will see - anyway signing off for the summer - I have had my pack from the FA telling what I can and can't do - I have to hide the beer gut tattoo, apparantly it's offensive to take me top of in public- no change there then and I must treat my hosts with the upmost respect! Gee never would have thought of that!!

 

Got a Braintree flag ready but could cause the locals some problems as they probably have only learnt that football = Man Utd.

 

Taking the long route via Cambodia(!!) so will arrive just in time to see proceedings kick-off.

 

See y'all after me long hot summer of content!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

[Guest]

Irony, may see you there...look out for the well travelled Stortford England flag. 4 of us from the Club going plus a few Wealdstone Lads. Staying in the Prince Hotel in downtown Tokyo for the duration (rail travel to the games). We're all lairy drunks, so should blend in well :-)

[Guest]

Found a photo of the Prince Hotel, Toyko

 

Prince Hotel, Tokyo

 

Did you know they'd built a life size reproduction of the Eiffel Tower next door and painted it red and white?

[SteveP]

After seeing England win their game in Athens I came to te decision that supporting England away is about one of the best laughs you can have. I went on a lads holiday to Corfu (memo to self, never go there again!!) We took a 13 hour journey from Corfu to Athens over 3 ferry journeys and countless roads but it was so worth it when we got there and saw a Beckham wondergoal at the last minute.

 

I'd love to catch England playing in the World Cup. But for those not going here's the good news. Japan is in one of the geolically unstable areas for Earthquakes, oh yeah and on this unstable ground they run 5 or 6 major Nuclear Reactors, you go at your own risk.

 

For anyone who has read that and feels frightened, don't be, I am only writing it out of jealousy <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

[Guest]

I confused you there Farmie. It is actually the Sunshine City Prince Hotel.

 

Which can be found here.