Just for a change, I am not going to start with the World Cup; but I am going to talk about my home team Plymouth Argyle. I have just learned that Plymouth have hired Peter Reid as manager and I have to say that I am optimistic about the future despite the Pilgrims playing League One football this season! Reid had a seven year spell at Sunderland taking the Wearsiders through two promotions into the Premier League; let’s hope he can do the same for Plymouth! It’s just a shame that Argyle had to be demoted before Sturrock and his equally useless successor Mariner were removed from the managerial position at Home Park! Now it’s time to see what the Liverpudlian can do for the Greens; let’s face it, Reid doesn’t have much to live upto after Sturrock/Mariner!
In the World Cup; defending world champions Italy are the second big name team to crash out of the World Cup at the group stage, following hot on the heels of France’s indignant World Cup exit. The Italians finished last in their group with only two points losing their final match 3- 2 against Slovakia after two disappointing 1 – 1 draws. Slovakia’s win over the Italians earned them a place in the knock-out stages while Japan made it through to the final sixteen with an excellent 3 – 1 win over Denmark in their final group game. Both Brazil and Portugal make it through to the final sixteen after a scoreless draw; the Ivory Coast won their final group game 3 – 0 but couldn’t score enough goals to overturn Portugal’s goal difference should the Portuguese be beaten by Brazil. Only two more group games to be played and that will decide whether Spain become the third big name to exit the World Cup or not. Switzerland have a very good chance of knocking out the Spaniards if they win their game against Honduras. And finally, England will face Germany on Sunday afternoon; if Rooney is going to find his form for England; this is the time to do it; beating Germany will be the biggest possible boost in confidence England could get; I hope it doesn’t come down to penalties; England’s record from the penalty spot against Germany isn’t good!!!