The World Cup is NOT rubbish: World Cup of Holding Midfielders

I think this would be the world cup for holding midfielders (2).

France v Uruguay : best performers on the pitch probably Diaby and Toulalan

Germany: Schweinsteiger and Badstuber. Schweinsteiger effectively played the entire game around the half line, something unthinkable 2 years ago.

South Africa v Mexico: most influential for Mexico arguably Marquez and Torrado (whether or not he is a holding midfielder is debatable)

Usa v England: Whenever Rooney has the ball its usually USA's 2 central midfielders and one of their Centre-backs closing him down. Its always Rooney vs 3 USA players.

Netherlands v Denmark: De Jong and Bommel were majestic in the centre of the park Brazil will be playing with 2 holding midfielders;

and Spain would most likely play Busquets and Alonso

It is worth noting that only 3 strikers have scored goals in this world cup and excluding the Germany game, NONE from open play: Gyan (penalty) and Klose, Cacao. (Podolski and Kuyt were effectively played as midfielders in their respective games).

It is also worth noting the number of teams playing with a lone striker (or at least initially before a change in formations / substitutions): France, South Korea, Japan, USA, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, Ghana, Germany, Australia etc. Spain would most likely be doing so as well.

It seems like this world cup would also be one to signal the death of the traditional wingers. Most crosses have been overhit. And most of the RM and LMs of teams are used to support the strikers further infield rather than on the wings, with many teams playing either Strikers or midfielders that are not your typical / traditional wingers in the RM / LM role (think Iniesta, Silva, Kuyt, Podolski, Ji Sung, Eto'o etc). The players you see more often than not closer to the touchline are usually the Right backs or left backs (Lahm, Glen Johnson, Evra, Criscito, Paraguay's Torres, Van der wiel; and the lesser nations (Korea and Japan) are doing the same to a lesser effct; Spain's full backs will most likely play the same role) with the holding midfielders playing even deeper to support this formation (all playing on the half-line).

Perfect world cup for studying tactical formations or strategies (on the other hand arguably not because its all 4-5-1 )and am looking forward to Jonathan Wilson's round up or analysis. Blame it on Mourinho

Observations : The team to do well and go all the way (with the exception of Spain) would most likely be one which soaks up pressure the best. That's why Brazil are my favourites. Spain's (non)progress in the world cup would most likely come down to which holding midfielders contain them most effectively.

Observable trends (and deterimants of which teams will be succesful) : 4-5-1 ; ability to soak pressure; and ability hit teams on the counterattack. (Think Inter and Chelsea)

Currently Brazil are looking the best in all these areas. Contenders: Holland have the best DMs and if they can defend better and actually win penalties they will go a long way; I have faith in Germany (that's why they're my favourites, other than Spain from Europe), but their current crop don't look like they can win penalty shoot-outs. And that's why Argentina are shit and I think they wouldn't go far because they fail every single one of these criterias (The Other South American teams however are looking good: Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile).

And that's why I never rate England's chances (of even topping the group), their horrible at soaking up pressure (never done so in their lives) so they resort to a pressing game. You play a pressing game if you can actually pass well (Spain, Barcelona) but they can't. And what's the use of pressing games when all the other teams are not interested in attacking at all , sitting back and waiting for counter opportunites (all the 4-5-1's) ? You're just going to be running around in circles. AND, you can't see England playing on the counter because they can't (at least Argentina a shit team, can actually do that). Playing on the counter you need athletic players (Korea / African teams) or pace (Argentina, Brazil). England do have pace with err... SWP and Lennon. Good luck with that. And that's why I rate USA's chances so highly because their effective on the counter.

Suggestions for England: Wes Brown at right back (too bad, too late). Back line to play deeper. You are crap at the counter, so don't even try playing SWP, Lennon or Theo, and DON'T play on the counter cause you're just crap at it. Play possession football. Drop Heskey, play Gerrard behind Rooney. Play Glen Johnson (he's not a defender) at Right Midfield and Joe Cole on your left (arguably Gerrard and Joe Cole's positions are interchangeable, and if you keep doing that during the match, England might actually play good football). And given Cole/Gerrard's tendency to cut inside, A. Cole would be extremely effective making those upfield runs, and when he does so Gerrard / Cole would be in their much preferred attacking positions slightly closer to the centre. When Ashley makes those runs Barry and easily cover the left back position temporarily because of he's played there before. Centre (Holding) Midfielders will be Barry and Lampard, and make sure they don't do any forward runs and hold their positions. Now you're playing 4-5-1 / 4-2-3-1 / 4-4-1-1 . You can't counter so don't bother. Your left midfield (Cole) and 2nd striker / attacking midfielder (Gerrard) and maybe even your first striker (Rooney) are interchangeable so hard to mark. Both Your right midfield and left midfield are good at cutting inside. Barry and Lampard will dictate the tempo. And now you actually know how to pass the ball so you're playing possesion football. Now you slightly resemble the playing style of Spain, Germany and you look better than France on paper.

It will be nice if FIFA or the world finally acknowledges this role (holding midfielder) and award the Golden Ball to one of them, but unlikely.