World Cup — Day Six

Hi Michael Kenrick, apologies for trespassing on this thread with an unrelated issue. I know that in the eyes of the law ignorance is no defence, but I must say that until I was denied access to the article 'When Legends Were Thin on the Ground' this morning, I was unaware of the 20 posts rule.

When there was a 5 post rule I complied 100%, and I appreciate that there has to be a way to prevent people from dominating the system, particularly when insults are traded. I mistakenly, assumed that there were no longer restrictions, when one or two people appeared to be 'hogging' not just one thread, but several.

I also appreciate that you have a difficult task, controlling the many threads that are on the go at the same time, however I believe that there ought to be a way to enable writers of articles to receive a bit of leeway. I'm expressing this point, not just as one who has contributed one or two articles, but as a fair-minded man.

With regard to the articles I have submitted, the majority of my posts are in answer to questions posed, or to confirm facts that arise from the articles. I would appreciate it if you could clarify the situation, for example does a block reply to 6 people constitute one post? It would be foolish of me to say that I wouldn't exceed the 20 post limit, because I know that I wouldn't be allowed to.

Michael, let John post as many times as he wishes on his own postings. He is a shining light for decency... and nostalgia... among so many others who post and do not know the meaning of the word "decency".

Perhaps John, you might wait for a little longer and reply to half-a-dozen or so posts at one time. I know that you do this already; you might do it more.

Twenty on one thread seems pretty generous to me.

This ruling should go to VAR for review, it doesn't look right to me.

For what it's worth, Michael, John McFarlane Snr has my support and I agree with Terry (#2): in this particular case, any limit should be lifted. I post this with respect to TW but Terry is right, John is a "special case".

As a newcomer, what exactly is that posting rule, please?

Derek (#7), no doubt Michael will provide a far better explanation but as an outline if you are posting on any specific thread, you can only post a limited number of times by way of response or additional information etc.

This is to stop people hogging any particular thread, as sometimes it can get out of hand.

Free John MacFarlane!

I echo the sentiments of everyone above. John is a credit to this website and surely his posting increases traffic, advertising revenue and so him posting as much as he wanted to is actually in the interest of the site?

Gueye continues his rich goalscoring form by netting for Senegal! Sort of.

An Everton man scores at the World Cup!

At least... I hope Gana gets credited with it.

Big deflection for the Senegal goal.

I believe that John should not be subjected to any caps. You don't need to police gentlemen. Along with Dave Abrahams and Tony, there is not a single post I can recall from these 3 gents which has been anything other than gentlemanly.

Gueye playing really well, all over the pitch. His shot was typical Gueye – not his strong point – but resulted in a goal.

I can see Senegal having a good tournament, a chance for the quarter-finals.

Gueye has actually passed the ball pretty well today. Maybe he can be the box to box player Silva likes to utilise?

When Gueye first joined Everton he really looked the business - right up there with the similar Kante at Chelsea. I loved the way he read the game, receiving, turning and laying off the ball – instantly and accurately! – to keep the game moving, as well as being a tenacious and efficient tackler.

Just before he went off to the African cup of nations that season, his form wobbled a bit. In his absence, Everton signed Schneiderlin, Davies started to play regularly and – in my book – Gana hasn't been as effective since.

To accommodate Schneiderlin, Gana's role and position was changed. I don't think it benefited either player, nor the team.

Get him back in the same role he played on first joining him and you will see the benefits for both the player and the team.

And... what a dog's dinner of a second goal for Senegal!

Yes, John is a gentleman. Please allow John limitless posts – reduce somebody else's posts (not mine, I'll email you names!).

And as Amit says, Abrahams “pere et fils” also a credit to this site.

Indeed, Jay, and just to think, when that Polish lad signed for West Brom, there were people on here bemoaning the fact that Everton should have signed him.

**Edit: he's gone on to bloody score. Kkk

Hilarious second goal for Senegal.

Shows up Fifa's fucken stupid law for what it is. Love it.

I wish you luck, Michael, making "special cases". Can I suggest that right-wing fascist Brent Stephens be capped? (Just messin', Brent, mate...)

But perhaps John has a point re authors of articles. If I ever develop a brain and get an article published and 200 people argue points in it, surely I have the right to 200 replies to clarify and/or respond?

So that's that. Now I have sorted a website issue, I am off to the UN to address world peace, something else I know sod all about.

Anyway, just a thought.

Some of my greatest posts have been the 21st, unfortunately.

Love Gana and chuffed to bits he's won his first World Cup game.

Dermot, I love you. Your name has already gone in!

"If I ever develop a brain and get an article published..." - a no-brainer!

Dermot, while you're at the UN, please sort out Dear Donald of the US of A.

John MacFarlane adds interest to Evertonians and is gentlemanly with it. He has alluded to his distaste toward those who make boorish comments about the mere opinion of other contributors, and rightly so in my opinion. It is those who insult, backhandedly or otherwise, who need to be curtailed, not the likes of John and various other informative contributers.

Trump by lunchtime Thursday. Some things take time and the construction of some kind of psychiatric infrastructure.

Meeting a Dr Lector for advice.

Dermot, I could lend you my wife's straitjacket for use on Donald.

Didn't see the Senegal game. Our Gana any good?

Didn't see much of this one, but it sounds like Silva will be pleased with the performance and that Gueye has shown that he has the potential to play box-to-box.

Hopefully more of our players can convince the manager and the DoF not to make further signings.

Gana was MotM on BBC's player ratings by the public.

Another good day's entertainment at the World Cup.

I continue to enjoy it, and learn.

“Enjoy it and learn”. Brilliant Jay, two great phrases, two things I love doing, and if anyone thinks Dave, is a gentleman, they have never sat by him at the match!

Tony, would sitting next to Dave at the match not be a case of "enjoy it and learn"?

May I just say, as Ramos's legal representative, how relieved we are that Lazarus's appearance clears my client of the manslaughter charge.

The art of mummification, organ preservation and life restoration is evidently alive and well in modern day Egypt, Phil...

Hi Michael [#18], I feel a sense of disappointment, in as much as I posted at 14-35 seeking clarification of the 20 post rule, I notice that you were on-line at 17:54, and as I'm typing this post it's almost 21:48, I would still like to know the criteria for posting.

Only if you like sitting next to lunatics, Steve! Funnily enough, for all the times I can remember going the match with Dave, we were both usually too engrossed in the game, because I don't remember many conversations.

Let's hope Silva can make us all engrossed again, because it's been a long time since watching Everton was a real pleasure.

Ha.. Jay, there's hope for my liver, then!

Mine's well preserved in a bottle of cachaca, Phil, if you ever need a transplant...

Free Nelson Mandel!!

Free the Weatherfield one!!

Free George Jackson!!

Free the McFarlane 20!!

Some fairly dire games being boosted the the comedic element that is VAR.

For years, the World Cup was 16 teams in 4 groups – then a knockout stage. Generally good teams made the finals, so England regularly missed out.

We are now up to 32 teams. The next World Cup is going up to 48 teams – it could be hilarious. It will be almost impossible not to qualify and there will be approx 6 games per day during the group stage. Viewers will need plenty of stamina.

Michael Kenrick did contribute under this thread (#18), John (#32), as you say. Sadly, (1) he used an unnecessary word that I know you would not approve of, and (2) it is surprising that he would do this and not give you the courtesy of a reply to your initial question (#1).

Sorry, Michael, I do think you should respond to John, perhaps just between the two of you? It's not like you to be negligent in this regard and there are many of us waiting with bated breath to hear what Solomon has to say.

Mike (#38), in those days of yore, the Scots did pretty well. If I remember correctly, from the 1974 World Cup to the 1990 one, they didn't miss a single one. Although I don't think they ever went through from the group stage.

As for England failing to qualify, that didn't often happen. 1974 and 1978 come to mind, but I don't think we missed a single finals since then.

Note: here's my vote in favour of anyone being allowed to answer comments or questions to their articles without any restrictions. And, of course, it's quite appropriate that the matter should have come up because of someone as cultured and gentlemanly as John McFarlane.

Sorry, lads just catching up on this thread.

Sadly, I am not aware of mechanics behind the posting limit. This is something that appears to be handled as part of the database rules that control how the site functions, and is therefore set by Lyndon. I have no idea how to change it. Sorry.

And sorry for saying a naughty word. Must put a penny in the Swear Jar...

Actually, no — as a connoisseur of the English language, in all its colour, depth, subtly and clarity, and a long-time Guardian reader (that's why my spelling is so bad) one of the things I object to is the, er, objectification of certain words. Sometimes, a goddamn swear word is just what a sentence needs. We'll have none of this false prudery on my watch, thank you very much.

"And sorry for saying a naughty word. Must put a penny in the Swear Jar... Actually, no — as a connoisseur of the English language, in all its colour, depth, subtly and clarity, and a long-time Guardian reader (that's why my spelling is so bad) one of the things I object to is the, er, objectification of certain words. Sometimes, a goddamn swear word is just what a sentence needs. We'll have none of this false prudery on my watch, thank you very much."

Thank Fook for that, Michael...

With all teams having played a game now, the question arises (as it did on satellite radio today on my drive home), who's played the best game thus far?

My vote, devoid of all emotion, is Mexico.

I can't root for the buggers, but what they did against Germany was a fantastic feat.

Spain-Portugal gets my best first game award.

Game One Man of the Match has to go to Ronaldo.

Absolutely fantastic tournament so far. Hope it continues.

Japan very professional I thought. Iceland know their strengths and play to them. Argentina were unlucky really, Messi is a decent penalty taker. England actually looked decent. They are the positives.

I've enjoyed more matches than I thought. Japan - Colombia was very entertaining. The hosts have played more expansively than I thought.

Downers: African football and Asian football. How Australia finished behind Saudi Arabia in qualifying, only God knows. The Egyptians looked pants – this is Africas best team???

ps: For me, the World Cup was, and always will be, 24 teams. Bring back the lucky loser!

Michael (41) - "as a connoisseur of the English language, in all its colour, depth, subtly and clarity"

Hmmmm, not according to the fine, and accurate, description of such by the great Dennis Farina (RIP) talking to Vinnie Jones in the movie Snatch.

"Bullet Tooth Tony: A bookie's got blagged last night.
Avi: Blagged? Tony, speak English. I thought this country spawned the fucking language, and so far nobody seems to speak it."

Ash – you must be very young.

In the good old days, the World Cup finals included 16 teams (4 x Groups of 4). there were some good, some indifferent, some bad group games. Generally – and as today – the good teams find a way to qualify and get through the knock-out rounds.

(Hint: Don't write off Germany just yet!)

Jay (15) - "To accommodate Schneiderlin, Gana's role and position was changed. I don't think it benefited either player, nor the team."

Schneiderlin in for Barry changed Gana's role and position. Played the exact same way and was less effective.

If Silva gets Schneiderlin playing remotely close to what a first-rater like Barry gave the Club, I'll consider it the miracle of his first season managing.

Given Schneiderlin's contract, pretty sure Silva is stuck making a player out of him next season.

Here's hoping.

Michael (#41), thank God you responded like that. This is a forum for supporters who express opinions that are often stupid, I include myself (often) but passionate. Sometimes only 'fuck' will do.