The Footie Thread

[GB72]

There is no British mens team. Apparently Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland feared that it would risk their independence in FIFA / UEFA tournaments (although there was a one-off team at London 2012)

So, basically the home nations cannot agree between themselves in fielding a combined side. Whether the reason is genuinely about their independence, or the fact that there would be inevitable moaning from the individual Football Associations when certain players of other nations get picked ahead of their players.

Obviously different with the women's team, again possibly several reasons for that. The Olympics is more prestigious in the womens game, and nations can send their strongest sides, rather than being restricted to mainly U-23's like the men

Never sure how much there was in it but the argument used to be that if a GB team was entered, UEFA would push for the GB nations to be treated as one when it came to places in the champions league etc.

 

[Hobbit]

We should just enter the England team as the GB team. We'd only be one Andy Robertson away from an actual GB team then anyway.

Noooo! After the dire performances at the Euros I’d rather scoop my eyes out with a wooden spoon.

 

[RichA]

Noooo! After the dire performances at the Euros I’d rather scoop my eyes out with a wooden spoon.

Yep. Enjoying a few footie free weeks.

 

[Orikoru]

Noooo! After the dire performances at the Euros I’d rather scoop my eyes out with a wooden spoon.

I forgot about the under-23 rule to be fair. Not sure what the team would be then. Considering you can have up to three who are over the age:

Trafford
Lewis - Guehi - Branthwaite - Robertson*
Mainoo - Bellingham
Saka - Foden - Palmer
Kane*​

Poor Gordon still doesn't get in.

 

[PJ87]

I forgot about the under-23 rule to be fair. Not sure what the team would be then. Considering you can have up to three who are over the age:

Trafford
Lewis - Guehi - Branthwaite - Robertson*
Mainoo - Bellingham
Saka - Foden - Palmer
Kane*​

Poor Gordon still doesn't get in.

Long as Kane is dropped for the final to enable us a chance of winning I'm in

 

[Tashyboy]

I suspect he was up watching the game, followed by a full night bender of celebrations. All work in Scotland cancelled today, as it was announced it would be a Public Holiday following Celtic's win. So, in fairness to him, taking a bit of time out to post in here, in between the celebrations, is admirable

 

[Pin-seeker]

Seems a bit quiet on the transfer front.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Is there not some sort of qualifying spots etc into Euros or World Cup based on where a team finishes in the Nations Legaue ?

They are at least a bit more than friendlies and should be used to bring in and test new players

I have a feeling that Georgia qualified for the recent Euro's this way. If not them, a similar team.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Seems a bit quiet on the transfer front.

Villa haven't got that memo, they have been very lively. Everton have bought a few as well.

None of the big few have really made any moves yet, that is definitely surprising at this stage.

 

[Pin-seeker]

Villa haven't got that memo, they have been very lively. Everton have bought a few as well.

None of the big few have really made any moves yet, that is definitely surprising at this stage.

Yeah only 3 wk until the season starts.
Surely it’s got to be better getting new players in early.
Suppose it’s harder during a Euros year.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Villa haven't got that memo, they have been very lively. Everton have bought a few as well.

None of the big few have really made any moves yet, that is definitely surprising at this stage.

Suspect it will ramp up as August hits and most players are back after the Euros

Looks like the football in Olympics has had an “interesting” start

Olympics football: Crowd trouble sees Morocco's win over Argentina delayed before play resumes - BBC Sport

Crowd trouble forces the first football match of the Olympics to be delayed by almost two hours, with Morocco finally beating Argentina 2-1 in an empty stadium.

www.bbc.com

 

[SteveW86]

I forgot about the under-23 rule to be fair. Not sure what the team would be then. Considering you can have up to three who are over the age:

Trafford
Lewis - Guehi - Branthwaite - Robertson*
Mainoo - Bellingham
Saka - Foden - Palmer
Kane*​

Poor Gordon still doesn't get in.

Did you learn nothing about Kane from the Euros?

 

[Neilds]

Why are clubs wasting time playing pre season warm ups/friendlies *at the moment?
They fly across the world to play teams that are 10 minutes down the road and only have half the squad available as most are still resting from the Euros. Fans must be paying through the nose hoping to see the superstars and getting teams worse then the Caraboa Cup. Pointless exercise
*Apart from greed and more money

 

[SteveW86]

Why are clubs wasting time playing pre season warm ups/friendlies *at the moment?
They fly across the world to play teams that are 10 minutes down the road and only have half the squad available as most are still resting from the Euros. Fans must be paying through the nose hoping to see the superstars and getting teams worse then the Caraboa Cup. Pointless exercise
*Apart from greed and more money

There is no other reason

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Fulham beating local rivals QPR 4-0. I don't need the hope building for it to be snatched once the season starts. No sign of any replacements for the players we've lost or to strengthen the positions that needed although this is more positive and a great acquisition if we can get it done https://www.skysports.com/football/...-latest-on-deals-signings-loans-and-contracts

 

[Swango1980]

Why are clubs wasting time playing pre season warm ups/friendlies *at the moment?
They fly across the world to play teams that are 10 minutes down the road and only have half the squad available as most are still resting from the Euros. Fans must be paying through the nose hoping to see the superstars and getting teams worse then the Caraboa Cup. Pointless exercise
*Apart from greed and more money

Fans aren't forced to buy tickets to be fair. I'm sure they are aware that they teams they go to watch, will not be playing in highly competitive, important matches in terms of competing for trophies.

So, I suppose teams are flying half way around the world because there is a demand to watch them play. Whereas if they played in empty stadiums and a lack of interest generated no real financial return, then I'm sure these clubs would be much happier playing pre season matches locally.

But, we have this conversation every year. The easy answer is that the people that run these football clubs probably know what they're doing, especially as they're all doing it. And, as I'm sure you must be aware, money is kind of a big deal in football. For a club that is spending tens, if not hundreds of millions on transfers each year, and the going rate of salary for top players can be a few hundred thousand pounds a week, I think it makes excellent business sense to try and maximise your revenue by playing all over the world when you can, extending your reach, and trying to gain more support and advertising revenue. The fact that these clubs keep doing it probably is an indication it has the desired outcome?

 

[Neilds]

Fans aren't forced to buy tickets to be fair. I'm sure they are aware that they teams they go to watch, will not be playing in highly competitive, important matches in terms of competing for trophies.

So, I suppose teams are flying half way around the world because there is a demand to watch them play. Whereas if they played in empty stadiums and a lack of interest generated no real financial return, then I'm sure these clubs would be much happier playing pre season matches locally.

But, we have this conversation every year. The easy answer is that the people that run these football clubs probably know what they're doing, especially as they're all doing it. And, as I'm sure you must be aware, money is kind of a big deal in football. For a club that is spending tens, if not hundreds of millions on transfers each year, and the going rate of salary for top players can be a few hundred thousand pounds a week, I think it makes excellent business sense to try and maximise your revenue by playing all over the world when you can, extending your reach, and trying to gain more support and advertising revenue. The fact that these clubs keep doing it probably is an indication it has the desired outcome?

So you have agreed that it is just for money - and keeping money at the big clubs. I think it would be better for the big clubs to play smaller local teams so the smaller teams can benefit from a bit of the money, even if it is just scraps.

Also, hope the players don't get too tired flying all across the world, different time zones etc. But as most are just fringe players, maybe this won't be a concern

 

[PJ87]

Why are clubs wasting time playing pre season warm ups/friendlies *at the moment?
They fly across the world to play teams that are 10 minutes down the road and only have half the squad available as most are still resting from the Euros. Fans must be paying through the nose hoping to see the superstars and getting teams worse then the Caraboa Cup. Pointless exercise
*Apart from greed and more money

Why on earth do fans follow pre season round the world. The point of the games is to build fans in those countries. There is the demand there for a lot of it.

If any fan travels all the way from England to Australia for example to follow their team their either massively addicted to football or a little bit stupid or a mixture

 

[Swango1980]

Seems a bit quiet on the transfer front.

Is FFP catching up with some clubs more now? Maybe clubs that have done deals for players in the past where payments are done over annual installments? Or clubs that have spent hard for a few transfer windows, and now need to calm down a bit?

I guess we'll see by the end of the window. I think some clubs might be waiting for certain players price to come down. For example, buy Toney now and you will need to meet Brentford's current asking price. Wait until later in window, Brentford may get desperate to sell, knowing he has 1 year left on his contract, and let him go for a lower value.

 

[Swango1980]

So you have agreed that it is just for money - and keeping money at the big clubs. I think it would be better for the big clubs to play smaller local teams so the smaller teams can benefit from a bit of the money, even if it is just scraps.

Also, hope the players don't get too tired flying all across the world, different time zones etc. But as most are just fringe players, maybe this won't be a concern

Yes, of course it is about money. They are not doing it to support the local clubs in America or Asia after all. Why should the big clubs sacrifice a lot of their income, so that small local clubs can get a few scraps??? How many big business' in any industry have a business plan that supports smaller business's in their area to their own financial detriment? Maybe there are a few charitable businesses like that, but not many. In fact, if the smaller business' are in the same industry, the bigger business would probably be happy in stealing all their custom to be fair. Perhaps these smaller football clubs should worry about themselves, see what they can do to increase their income, rather than just hold out their hands and beg for other clubs to support them?

And, yet again, we seem to assume players will get knackered flying half way around the world. Must be really difficult in their first class (private) airplanes, staying in 5 star hotels. Chilling in the pool every day, getting massages, getting fed perfect diets, etc. What a rigorous and tough life these young man lead

As for jet leg. I think most clubs land back in England a week or 2 before the new season starts. I reckon they'll be OK. I'm sure the club managers and officials want to ensure their players are fresh and ready for the start of the season, so no doubt they'll have considered all these concerns