By Gordon Thomson
May 29 2002

It's not often there is much about Airdrie to see in the World Cup but when does that ever stop us enjoying it? Well for the first time we officially don't even have a team whilst the tourney is on, so it's understandable that most of our minds will be elsewhere this year.

After this mornings news that Clydebank fans have been turned down in their bid to rescue that club, Airdrie United's future could hinge on their short term survival. Happy days, NOT!

So the World Cup will no doubt be some sort of anaesthetic for our Airdrie misery. If anyone out there thinks like me they'll be seeing Airdrie's influence on World football in just about every game. Look how many teams (everyone except England?) play with what is known internationally as the "three quarters" position, or in Italian "Triquatro". Any self respecting Airdrie fan calls it the "Paul Harvey position". Veron, Totti, Zidane, Ballack, etc. hang your heads in shame.

So who should we be watching out for? The obvious ones spring to mind as they are there every year. France will possibly be stronger than four years ago. Remember they won despite Guivarch. This time they've got goal machine Trezuget (my choice as potential top scorer) up front flanked by Wiltord and Henry, and supported by Zidane when fit of course. With Viera and Petit behind them in central midfield and their attacking full backs, allied to their substantial squad the French should be a good bet for at least the semi finals and I'd say a 50/50 chance of retaining their title. I can't remember Airdrie ever playing that style of football with what is essentially a 4213 formation. It goes to show that if you don't need to be negative to be consistently good.

A majority of Scots will be big Argentina fans at least for the first fortnight. Unfortunately Ramiro, Prest and Pacifico just failed to miss Biesla's final 23 for the tournament and it'll be interesting to see how his 3313 formation copes when under pressure. Imagine last season Airdrie going with McManus, Stewart and James in defence, MacFarlane, Reilly and McPherson in midfield, Taylor in the Harvey position, and Vareille, Coyle and Roberts up front. Given our lack of quality from full back at times that may not have been a bad tactic. It will be interesting for sure, but I think the lack of width could be exposed by the likes of Lizarazu, Beckham (if fit), Carlos and Ljungberg in full flow.

I'm not too sure about Brazil. They are at their best when the spotlight is elsewhere and it's fair to say they aren't high on most peoples list this year. They too are changing tactics this time out with a three man defence being touted to allow Cafu and Carlos to bomb forward, probably literally. Brazil used to cope with a back four and a midfield diamond with two up front. This time the back three will at least include Lucio who lit up the Champions League final whilst playing defence for Leverkusen. Rivaldo will probably play in the Harvey position behind Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Anyone who watched the dramatic climax of the Italian league this season won't have been impressed by Ronaldo who played @&*! and looked a complete and utter wreck. It sadly reminds me of Stevie Gray. Just like Gray could'nt exorcise his demons to reclaim his previous majesty, so Ronaldo must make this tournament his own. But does he have the mental strength?

Spain and Portugal always resurrect painful memories for me. Love him or loathe him, Archibald gave us a style of play which I don't honestly think we'll see again. Watching Spain and particularly Portugal reminds me of the wonderful control and movement we had become accustomed to with Jesus, Antonio, Fabrice and of course DAVEED. That's not to say Spain or Portugal are as good as us but you know how it is. Spain have some exiting players in Raul, Morientes, Hierro and Mendieta to be a force, but with Spain being as united a country as the UK it's difficult to see them display enough pride and unity to get any further than the quarters. Too many Basques, Catalans, Andalucians etc., who, to an outsider like me, don't look like they're pulling together. A country with too many ghosts? Portugal meanwhile will either by woefully disappointing or incredibly exiting. If Figo can put his ghastly Champions League display behind him and is fully fit he could be a major star. With Cuoto, Gomes, Suosa, Conceicao and the Costas in their squad they could be this years dark horses. I think a semi will be their limit though but only if Figo is fit.

Germany are a hard one to judge. They'll still play with their 3412 formation which won them the World Cup in 1990 and was stolen by Alex MacDonald to great effect for four of the most successful years in Airdrie's history in the mid nineties. As mentioned earlier Ballack should be their Harvey in Deisler's absence, and much will depend on his ability to stamp his presence on the world stage. I fear that the Germans haven't got enough to get beyond the quarters this time despite a recent improvement. Lets hope they get England at some point though to give the tourney some spice.

And what of England then? Losing Gerrard was a blow and their hopes now rest firmly on Beckham's foot, Dyer's knee, and the largely forgotten Owen hamstring. I think Gary Neville could be their biggest loss though as the Paul Jack-a-like, Danny Mills will undoubtedly screw up at some point, probably maiming Kily Gonzalez or something crazy like that. Neville is always getting slated, but he has matured into a decent player and has great captain like qualities which England WILL miss. And how can any country have so many unfit midfielders and still leave behind stars like Bowyer and MacMannequin, and other decent players like Carrick, Lampard and Anderton? Quarter finals maximum this time at at push.

I've deliberately left the Italians to last as they are my personal favourites for the tournament. Not that I care that much who wins it. The Italians don't seem to have much quality or style in midfield, but their goalies, defence and forwards are among the best in the tournament, and they've got a strong, strong squad. Look at the goalies. Who'd you leave out? Toldo? Buffoon? Arrabiata? They'll usually play the same efficient 3412 formation as the Germans with Cannavaro, Nesta and Maldini in defence. I get the feeling I could play in goals behind those three. Add to that the defensive midfield four which will include the tigerish Rino Gattuso and Luigi Di Biagio the Italians will be hard to break down. In the Harvey position they have the sublime Francesco Totti (still most famous in Britain for Paul Elliots faux pas "I love Totti") who will be a major star of this tournament. Up front they'll most likely start with Inzaghi and Vieri. Inzaghi has no shortage of critics, but he reminds me so much of Owenie. Just like Coyle he isn't the greatest technician in the build up, but he has the same knack of sniffing out chances. Just like Owenie he is always getting caught offside, and similarly they both work so hard that defenders usually leave their strike partners at crucial times which generally goes unnoticed but contributes to much to the team. The fact that DelPiero is being held back may inspire the Juve star to come out of the blocks, when he gets his chance, like he has a point to prove may be the crucial catalyst for the Italians. As I said I think it's Italy v. France in the Final with the Italians just shading it.

What do you think? Leave your thoughts on the message boards.