Gary's Predictions

The World Cup,it truely is the best competition in the world.It is amazing,people everywhere are talking about it,even those who do not regularly follow the game.It sparks opinion's and gets people talking.It is a passion,your country has 23 players representing your flag,your anthemn and your culture.It is that big and that is why we love it.The colours,the sounds,the agony and the ecstasy.Football is a cruel game but it is also very rewarding.Ireland are not there,so in a way we can enjoy it more.....but give me that agony and ecstasy feeling anyday of the week!!

Injuries are the unfortunate part of the game.I spoke to my good friend Kieran Costello,and as he said "you could make a world class team from those who have pulled out with injury"!!!!

I have been thinking a lot about my predictions,although it does take the enjoyment out of the game.Football tournaments like this require that little bit of luck,I feel this is always the case with knockout competitions.Looking back on the past formed my judgements.

Teams who win the World Cup have a habit of starting off at a slow pace and then BANG!!!!Its a marathon,not a sprint.They don't peak too early.Keep your cards close to your chest!!!

The best managers are clearly Capello,Lippi and Del Bosque.Lippi has won it,whilst the other two have won major trophies in their time.These guys know how to win and that is a big bonus for their respective teams.However,with that said,who were Phil Scolari or Aimee Jacquet before they won it????Thats why it is important not to underestimate Dunga or Diego Maradonna.Both have contrasting styles.One is very meticulous,whilst the other is SUPER spontaneous(no need to explain who is who in this case!!!)Both have won the World cup as players and Franz Beckanbeur is a framework to show you can win it as both a player and a coach.Both have made pretty big calls too ie no Cambiasso or Zanetti for Argentina and no Mr Ronaldinho for Brazil.Managers who have won this competition have made big calls in the past,no Romario for Brazil in 2002 when Big Phil Scolari won it!!!

In the past I think we have seen that strikers don't win you world cups (yes I hear you with your Maradonna for Argentina in 1986(handball!!!!!) and the 3 R's for Brazil in 2002(Brazil are the exception to every rule in football by the way!!!).It will definetely help your team no doubt.I mean Spain's two strikers are world beaters and that could well be the difference!!!!!However,I look at midfields and defences that have won this.France in 98,what a midfield and what a defence!!!!!Strikers(young Henry wasn't a world star then,a flop for Newcastle United was their main man :P) and Italy in 2006(Totti and Del boy are good on their day but don't tell me that they won Italy the world cup!!!!!).Italy had a great defence and a classy midfield.It was longevity that formed it(hell some of them are still there so who knows!!!!!).This is why I will rule out Argie,because I am not convinced by the rest of the team,strikers are amazing and all add something different but the rest of the team doesn't quite cut it.

Captains,these guys are vital!Cannavaro,Dunga,Deschamps,Cafu!!!!I can't really see past Gerrard,Cannavaro,Lucio and Casillas for this.Lahm,Mascherano......I don't think so.

Finally,that little bit of magic ala Zidane,Ronaldo,Cannavaro(yes a defender,I love a tackle......its an art people)!!!!!!!There are quite a few on show.

WORLD CUP WINNER 2010:

Brazil

I think the name alone gets your heart beating(to the samba!!!!!!).Imagine representing this country,that crest alone inspires you and has an aura that no other team has.Brazil are always the team to beat in my opinion.They do have a tough enough group(bar one obvious team :P) but I feel this is their year.Their coach has won it as a player,has made some big calls(Pato and Ronaldinho).He sticks to his guns and you need this as a manager.He doesnt listen to the press or pundits,he is his own man.He has a bit of caution,that maybe Brazil need.Kaka has had a quite season,so I expect him to step up.Robinho,we are talking about different player to that of the Citeh Robinho,he steps it up for Brazil!!!!You have your past winners(2002) in Lucio,Kaka,Gilberto Silva etc...You have the best right back(s) in the world (Maicon and Danny Alves(possibly playing midfield)).Look at their defence,half of it constitutes the Inter Milan treble winning defence (Cesar(little niggle now),Maicon,Lucio0.So in a way,Mourinho will be there in spirt........"You will join Real Madrid!!!!!!!"Fabiano has a great record for Brazil.Klose has proven that you don't need to be a big name to score in a World cup(toto scillachi too!!!!!)!!!!Gilberto Silva was invincible for a season too.

I have too much to say to be honest so I will leave it at that.Top scorers or player of the tournament,well........maybe tomorrow before it kicks off but the winner is the most important thing on this site,because thats the name that will be carved into the most amazing trophy in the World.......The World Cup :-)

Gary