I'm all for Rover6' suggestion. Probably a lot of cynics on here who'll go on about massive wages, "not our responsibility" and so on - and they are right. However, as I said, I am very positive to a letter of support, it can only be good both for the player and for our reputation for that matter. Good luck, and I hope you have a speedy recovery, Mr.Cissè.

And as mentioned in the great article (transfer thread) the Catenaccio football is long gone for Italy, they will score goals and create a lot of chances. A World Cup is a whole new arena for Toni to score though, scoring for fun in Serie A doesn't necessarily mean he will do the same in the World Cup. (That counts for all players obviously, and for some, like Ronaldo, it's usually the other way around!)

Torres has struggled all year, but he has the ability, so who knows. Too bad about Cissè, I want my bloody money back for that one!

The picture of Ewood Park in the LET section is beautiful, Dillo.

Luca Toni is an obvious favourite after scoring 31 goals for Fiorentina this season, but Italy has a lot of attacking players who can score, and there's usually a lot of teams scoring more goals than Italy. I have placed small bets on him, and on Trezeguet - both players "always" score. People might mock me for this, but if France puts together a good run in the WC, and Cissè gets the nod - I think he will score a lot. A good bet which can make a great payout, imo. As for Crouch, I doubt it, but it's not impossible obviously. It depends a lot on the team for all the candidates involved, RvN is an outsider - he's got every incentive to have a good World Cup. Then there's always Ronaldo and Miroslav Klose of course.. My bet: Luca Toni - outsider Djibril Cissè.

Notice, every time something about Italy comes up, the thread just stops. It's like magic..

Just out of interest, who's your number one? Best player, ever.

Zambrotta out for the first two matches, bad news for Italy, as Zaccardo is struggling also. (I miss Panucci goddamnit!) This probably means this lineup: Buffon Oddo, Nesta, Cannavaro ©, Grosso Camoranesi, de Rossi, Pirlo Totti Gilardino, Toni Alex Del Piero likely to replace Totti in the first match, unless Lippi feel's he can last the whole WC. Forza Italia

Quality!

STOP READING PAPERS! Until I see a quote from Mark Hughes or John Williams saying: Bellamy offer accepted, I won't worry about this one bit.

I've never seen that "amazing" quality in Mikel either, but "everyone" seem to think he's in the same mould as Messi and so on, so I won't judge him until I've seen a bit more of him.

If you say so

Yes, violence, racism or whatever in the stands in European competition should be punished by banning the team - if they don't solve the problem obviously. (which they haven't as of yet!) But to say English teams would have been banned for incidents like the ones last year, I don't think so. I know, it was a messy post.. Yes, the Premiership is extremely safe, and the same measures should be taken in Italy aswell. But when it comes to European matches, OUTSIDE the stadium, the Italians are not worse than anyone else. Come to think about it, most of the violence that has occured outside stadiums (on nights out after games) involve English fans, why is that? It could have course be because I don't get to read the other stories though..

I didn't say that either, re-read my post please.

Hopefully, Milan won't be dragged into this too much. Relegating both Milan and Juventus will be impossible methinks, it will be a catastrophy in terms of economy. Yes, a lot of things needs to be done, but without trying to start a huge debate; England isn't exactly Mother Teresa in Europe either.. (my point being, the hooligan problem is worst in domestic matches- things thrown onto the pitch excepted.)

Oh come on, don't take everything so bleeding literally, he's only saying he has a powerful shot for christ's sake.

I want Brazil to be defeated asap, just to see all the Brazil-biased people (if the shoe fits..? ) whine a bit.. also, I don't want England to go very far (not important to me, but if I get tired of Brazil-biase, you should read Norwegian media's coverage on England..) and preferably Italy to win with a half-injured Totti to win player-of-the-tournament! I've put a few pounds on Serbia and Montenegro at 120/1, so wouldn't mind them winning.. As for predictions.. Brazil is obviously a class team, but favourites tend to feck up.

I believe Serbia and Montenegro will surprise a lot of people, they have some very good players in their squad. They have a lot of good players, especially attacking wise - Vucinic, Kezman, Zigic, Milosevic - and a fantastic player in Dejan Stankovic. In defence, they have solid players like Vidic and Krstajic.

Disagree on the latter, he's just had a more defensive role in the Barca team. He runs all day, doesn't lose possession and has clever footwork and passing. I don't think Portugal will perform either, but that's certainly not because of Deco!

Fair enough, Pablo and Lopez are both good players. I've never rated Marchena though.. we'll see, I stand by my words - quarter final at most

Buffon, Cech, I'll leave the last one for someone else For me, Casillas would be third choice in Spain, but Reina lacks a bit of aerial presence whilst Victor does some of the same mistakes that Casillas tends to do. All three first class though.

Disagree. By all means a decent defender, but nothing more.

I think Atletico Madrid might be better off selling Torres, their game relies a bit too much on him doing something extraordinary. I still think he's the next top striker in the right club though, he has all the attributes needed - pace, technique, strength and also good aerial ability, plus leadership qualities. In the WC though, I think Spain will need bags of goals from Villa if they are to get anywhere near a final..

Their defence isn't good enough, as mentioned above - Puyol is class, but he doesn't have enough support from his fellow defenders. Ramos is overrated, Salgado is a wingback, whilst del Horno has had a poor season. Also, up front they lack goalscorers, they need a good World Cup from David Villa certainly.. Torres is imo a first class striker, but he won't score enough goals methinks. Xavi, Fabregas and Xabi Alonso are similar players in midfield, they do lack a bit of muscle there - even with the defensive minded Albelda and Senna. Quarter finals is my guess.