The Footie Thread

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Just seen that. And whilst I am incredulous at the suggestion, I am even more baffled by one element of it.

England are seeded fourth.

Why so baffled there aren’t many good sides at the minute our qualifying record was 100% victories and our previous major tournament ended with us making the final. When you factor that together we’re technically as good as pretty much every other team so 4th seed seems about right.

 

[Billysboots]

Why so baffled there aren’t many good sides at the minute our qualifying record was 100% victories and our previous major tournament ended with us making the final. When you factor that together we’re technically as good as pretty much every other team so 4th seed seems about right.

Hopefully next summer proves me wrong, but England’s FIFA ranking has always been something of a mystery.

Cruising through qualification campaigns against second rate opponents does not justify such a high ranking, amply evidenced by our unerring tendency to lose against every half decent side we ever face in a tournament.

 

[BrianM]

I’d only maybe have Brazil ahead of England and to be honest I’m not sure how good the South American sides are these days.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I’d only maybe have Brazil ahead of England and to be honest I’m not sure how good the South American sides are these days.

France , Spain , Germany will all prob beat England

Then add in both Brazil and Argentina

Wouldn’t surprise me to see them also lose to Portugal and Holland

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

I’d only maybe have Brazil ahead of England and to be honest I’m not sure how good the South American sides are these days.

At the end of the day if you’re gonna win it you gotta beat them all. No point going in to it negative, just take each game as it comes and try to enjoy the ride.

 

[nickjdavis]

France , Spain , Germany will all prob beat England

Then add in both Brazil and Argentina

Wouldn’t surprise me to see them also lose to Portugal and Holland

You cant have watched Germany much recently. They're a poor side currently struggling to find a system.

I've watched them a lot recently due to Woltemade's involvement and other than the half a dozen they put past Slovakia they have really struggled against what most folk would consider lesser nations.

 

[nickjdavis]

Pope is an absolute liability when he decides to come off his line. Madness.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

You cant have watched Germany much recently. They're a poor side currently struggling to find a system.

I've watched them a lot recently due to Woltemade's involvement and other than the half a dozen they put past Slovakia they have really struggled against what most folk would consider lesser nations.

When it comes to tournament football they will imo find a way to get a result against the top sides - something England struggle to do

 

[Swango1980]

Hopefully next summer proves me wrong, but England’s FIFA ranking has always been something of a mystery.

Cruising through qualification campaigns against second rate opponents does not justify such a high ranking, amply evidenced by our unerring tendency to lose against every half decent side we ever face in a tournament.

In fairness, England have breezed through qualification for a long time AND reached major finals.

The rankings wont care too much about style of play, more about tye results. As such, I'm a bit surprised they are not higher than 4th

 

[4LEX]

Hopefully next summer proves me wrong, but England’s FIFA ranking has always been something of a mystery.

Cruising through qualification campaigns against second rate opponents does not justify such a high ranking, amply evidenced by our unerring tendency to lose against every half decent side we ever face in a tournament.

Reaching the finals of the last 2 European Championships helps.

I would have England at #3 behind Spain and France but it's close with France.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

When it comes to tournament football they will imo find a way to get a result against the top sides - something England struggle to do

That thinking is about 10-15yrs out of date. England have out performed Germany at most recent tournaments. They have been a pale shadow of their former selves.

 

[4LEX]

You cant have watched Germany much recently. They're a poor side currently struggling to find a system.

I've watched them a lot recently due to Woltemade's involvement and other than the half a dozen they put past Slovakia they have really struggled against what most folk would consider lesser nations.

Germany are miles off it when Musiala isn't involved. Amazing to think England could've had him and Olise playing for them. I know the former picked Germany but Southgate really messed up by not snapping Olise up.

 

[Golfmmad]

Watching the CL on Amazon is a painful experience

There also some people that are decent as pundits but awful at co commentator- Alan Shearer a perfect example


No idea how Torres missed that chance - can also see a red card in this

Nothing wrong with Alan Shearer, i want Pundits and co commentators with a bit of passion and excitement.
Really enjoying the Chelsea game, giving the Barcelona prima donnas a footballing lesson.

 

[Billysboots]

Reaching the finals of the last 2 European Championships helps.

I would have England at #3 behind Spain and France but it's close with France.

That’s only partly true. If memory serves, fixtures from as long ago as Euro 2020 (so played in 2021), whilst included in the rankings, carry minimal weighting.

This is just one of those occasions when I think that, whilst stats tell us one thing, our eyes tell us another story.

England simply aren’t the fourth best team in world football.

 

[4LEX]

That’s only partly true. If memory serves, fixtures from as long ago as Euro 2020 (so played in 2021), whilst included in the rankings, carry minimal weighting.

This is just one of those occasions when I think that, whilst stats tell us one thing, our eyes tell us another story.

England simply aren’t the fourth best team in world football.

I agree, we're better

Can you honestly name 3 better teams and give a reason and compare results?

 

[Tashyboy]

That was a shocking starting 11 from
Pep

 

[JonnyGutteridge]

Estevao is special.

Some performance. There is very little better in football than beating Barcelona. That’s exorcised a few demons.

 

[4LEX]

I do think United missed Cunha, but that’s no excuse. The decision to put Dalot on as a right footed left wingback outside Shaw was as mystifying as they come.

And when you’re trying to unlock a packed defence with two quality central defenders sitting in front of the England goalkeeper then you really need someone other than Yoro pulling the strings.

Same old problem. United simply cannot play against sides which sit deep. And in that respect the system is a big issue. I still largely support it - but there must be some flexibility in games like that.

Definitely missed Cunha but my point is he was missed more for his individiual quality than anything else.

I don't buy the stuff about two quality defenders, they're good in the air and in physical battles but slow and miles off world class. Quick passing was the way to deal with them, not endless crosses.

I do respect your loyalty but I just can't see how you can support the system. Man Utd's DNA is attacking football and wingers.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I agree, we're better

Can you honestly name 3 better teams and give a reason and compare results?

It's not a strong era for international teams right now. No really outstanding team, or teams.

I agree with you, there aren't many better teams than England right now. I'd put France top, after that there are a few teams with very little between them. England are in that group.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I agree, we're better

Can you honestly name 3 better teams and give a reason and compare results?

France
Argentina
Spain

That’s the last two winners of the World Cup and Euros

Add in Brazil

And as I said earlier I reckon Holland and Portugal would beat them now

England don’t beat top teams in tournament football


The highest ranked team they have played in recent years is Senegal - and they lost