Why is the world cup so much better than 4 years ago?

[Thermopylae 15,287]

Perhaps the defending is just rubbish but all the games so far have been very entertaining ... I think the fact that it's in Brazil has energized all the players because any footballer worth his salt will want to shine and show the world he can play when he gets off the plane in Rio and is met by 200 million sambaing soccer junkies

[The Godfather 71,992]

Players were probably having mini fits 4 years ago due to those horn things folk were blowing into every few seconds.

[.Williamson. 82,439]

It has absolutely nothing to do with it being in Brazil

[watty. 5,753]

No vuvuzelas

[Lando 249]

Just a wee bit of no parking the buses by the gaffers in the group stages from what I have seen so far. No unnecessary draws so far. 37 goals in 4 days. Quite a Golazo fest tourney with the Flying Dutchmen tallying 5 goals. 3 clean sheets so far (Mexico, Colombia and France).

Interesting quick analysis of the goalfest at the Brasil WC:

http://www.cityam.com/blog/1402915935/world-cup-2014-are-we-record-goal-tally

[TheBluenose1972 1,405]

Just a wee bit of no parking the buses by the gaffers in the group stages from what I have seen so far. No unnecessary draws so far. 37 goals in 4 days. Quite a Golazo fest tourney with the Flying Dutchmen tallying 5 goals. 3 clean sheets so far (Mexico, Colombia and France).

Interesting quick analysis of the goalfest at the Brasil WC:

http://www.cityam.co...cord-goal-tally

Apart from Italy no team has parked the bus and it's been good counter attacking football. I really hope Ally has been watching teams leaving a player or two up in midfield while defending at corners.

[TheKingObv 10,647]

Variance

[simplythebest 11,453]

It's been a good start but we'll see how long it lasts

[Wearethepeople72 1,845]

Because teams are desperate to get off to a good start by winning their first game, rather than being overly cautious and settling for draws which is what usually happens in many group stage games.

[.Williamson. 82,439]

Neil Lennon being involved is making it for me

[G.E.C. 18,800]

Better teams. I didn't enjoy the last one with Slovakia, Slovenia and New Zealand etc. No disrespect to any of them.

[corkinator 611]

I think having no Scotland or tartan arseholes automatically raises any World Cup from mediocrity.

[Lando 249]

Apart from Italy no team has parked the bus and it's been good counter attacking football. I really hope Ally has been watching teams leaving a player or two up in midfield while defending at corners.

I also read that Greece parked the bus, but did they really do that? Colombia managed to keep Samaras in check. What I like about this WC tourney is assertive and aggressive football coupled with a little more physical play.

The goal fest continues at 41 goals with 11 games played so far. The average would be 3.7 per match.

[Ibroxholm 2,280]

The ball.

[EatDolphins 5,355]

Better teams. I didn't enjoy the last one with Slovakia, Slovenia and New Zealand etc. No disrespect to any of them.

Slovakia (or Slovenia I can't remember) produced the best game of that tournament.

[G.E.C. 18,800]

Slovakia (or Slovenia I can't remember) produced the best game of that tournament.

Yeah, 3-2 against Italy. Just quite strange seeing them when the likes of Russia, Czech Republic etc failed to qualify.

[King Jela 20,371]

Pirlo isn't injured

[harlands plater 16,988]

Apart from Italy no team has parked the bus and it's been good counter attacking football. I really hope Ally has been watching teams leaving a player or two up in midfield while defending at corners.

The only thing Ally will have noticed is RVP's headed goal which was classic route one football. No midfield required.

[TheBluenose1972 1,405]

The only thing Ally will have noticed is RVP's headed goal which was classic route one football. No midfield required.

Lets hope Daly was watching then!

[General Custer 516]

You'll burst a blood vessel if you don't calm down

[Thermopylae 15,287]

The only thing Ally will have noticed is RVP's headed goal which was classic route one football. No midfield required.

It was a thing of beauty

[bluenosebrad 452]

The French are not doing the boycott or inhouse fighting?? this year

[harlands plater 16,988]

It was a thing of beauty

Big DJ scored goals like that every week back in 70s. So good we still play that way now.

[Thermopylae 15,287]

He was such a good header of the ball wasn't he

[Thermopylae 15,287]

I think the difference between this world cup and the last one shows how important it is to play it in a country with a strong footballing tradition and IMO that's a another big nail in qatar's coffin