I think Spain should win this one quite comfortably now, would have been a different story had Balo been fit and De Rossi not been an idiot.

I think it's a bit of a surprise that Berardi wasn't called up.

I agree, they have a lot of attacking options who will only get better. Fack knows why Gilardino is there though...

Prandelli loved him when he managed Fiorentina.

Italy do have some really promising young players. Will be interesting to see just how far they go, though, and whether they can replace some of the ageing stars - Pirlo is almost irreplaceable, and I don't think there are enough promising young defenders in Italy, which is a real surprise.

Yeah, it's strange the situation with the defenders.

Astori at Cagliari is a very good defender, was actually linked with United this week, and De Sciglio at Milan is too.

This will be Pirlo's last tournament and I'm unsure whether he will still be as good as Italy need him to be; funnily enough a lot of us wondered the same about him at the Euros and he was World Class.

But Italy have a lot of attacking quality coming through, and as a nation they produce managers who know how to organise a defence- so even if they don't have a top defence they'll still probably be able to remain solid and with the future attacking options available to them then they could contend again in future. They can always try and get Musacchio if the Argies keep ignoring him.

I thought Florenzi, from Roma, was unlucky to miss out?

But Italy have a lot of attacking quality coming through, and as a nation they produce managers who know how to organise a defence
----
Prandelli doesn't.

Yeah I like Florenzi, he deserved a call up more than Destro.

OK- maybe they could swap Prandelli with Davide Moyes/Moyes Allegri?

Speaking of defences. A Chelsea fan is trying to tell me Pique is the 5th best defender in the world and has been amazing for Barca this season - apparently I haven't watched them enough because I find the idea laughable.

Oh dear...

Where is this?

http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewArticle/257463

Milan are an embarrassment, yet they're Italy's only representatives in the Champions League? WTF.

Milan are lucky the bottom 5 are so far adrift. If they'd been a bit stronger I wouldn't have been surprised to see Milan sucked into the relegation battle.

I've witnessed a Milan relegation before. If it meant the second coming of Sacchi I'd take it.

Hi Tino

Really? When was that?

You ok bro?

80-81 and 82-83. I don't massively remember the first but I do remember the second

Yep everything good, kiddie duty today as the other half's at work, but can't complain really. You?

Didn't know about those relegations, but I do remember though that back in those days that in Europe it was mainly about Juve and Inter. Milan weren't really in the picture, now I understand why.

I'm good ta Bambino no 3 will be here in May just in time for our 5th star as long as we don't meet your lot again

Yer Juve were good back then did you Platini had agreed terms with Wolves? We offered him a fortune he was interested then we went bust

No.3? How old's your eldest. 10 years between my two, it's hard work, like having to start from scratch all over again. Sorry, did that sound a bit downbeat?

The idea of Platini having been talks with an English club does ring a bell tbh, but I'd never have guessed it was Wolves. Who was that toothless guy -in the literal sense- who used to play for you? I still have an mental image of a really ugly bazza in gold & black from my football cards.

These guy http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=iwan+roberts&prmd=ivns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=MVocU5KjLonIhAfK04HQAg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#

Iwan Roberts. Scored a hatrick against west brom for us


Benjamin 15
Isabella 10

So yea a good gap

http://www.wolvesheroes.com/2012/07/01/when-wolves-hoped-platini-would-say-oui/

comment by Tino - Don't tell me what they said about me, Tell me why they were so comfortable to say it to you (U2087)
posted 19 minutes ago
These guy http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=iwan+roberts&prmd=ivns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=MVocU5KjLonIhAfK04HQAg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#

Iwan Roberts. Scored a hatrick against west brom for us


Benjamin 15
Isabella 10

So yea a good gap
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nah, the one I'm thinking is late 1970s...think I'd would remember who if you gave me a few names.

10 years too eh. My youngest's 2 1/2 now, and a right handful. at least your eldest's old enough to be entrusted with a spot of babysitting, you'll appreciate that.

Thought it might be Kenny Hibbett for a minute, but just checked some pics and it seems he has a full set. Dunno, maybe I'm just mixing images in my head and Joe Jordan scarred me for life.

I see Strootman is now among the list of players who are going to miss the World Cup.

Who was that toothless guy -in the literal sense- who used to play for you?
==============================================

Derek Dougan?