The Footie Thread

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Abused?
I'm not in that camp, they're elite athletes, they're supposed to work hard, I would for £100K+ per week.
Comparisons are very difficult, but look at what an elite cyclist or tennis player goes through.
I just don't buy this tiredness thing.
Two games a week, that's three hours, with team mates doing their share of work in what is almost a non-contact sport.
Nope, I just don't get it.

Obviously they don’t do any training between games either, nor are the fringe players trying flat out in training to impress. The stats for ground covered during a game, and then add in tackles etc doesn’t impress either:rolleyes: and I’ve never seen a player go down with cramp:rolleyes: they’re obviously just jogging around a bit, nowhere near the limits of their physical capabilities :rolleyes:
 
The problem as far as this armchair football follower sees it is that nothing has changed but we have been flattered by circumstance.

I tend to ignore the qualifaction record. Good, bad or indifferent, we have for some time now been qualifying for the major tournaments but I cannot recall the last time we had serious oppostion to worry about in a group other than the lottery of home nations matches. So, Southgate is dining out on a World Cup semi and the Euro final. With regards the World Cup, we really did not face any massive opposition but needed penalties to beat Columbia and lost in a semi that we really should have been able to win given the teams on the pitch. Pretty much the same with the Euros. We made it one stage further but should never have lost that match to Italy when we were a goal ahead. We tried to sit on the lead and were not good enough to do that.

The same will happen in Quatar, no real threat in the group (though the match against Wales could be dodgy) then we will see how it goes from there.

The attacking talent is there but we just do not seem to know how to use it or to play in a style that suits what is played in the premier league week in and week out.

I also do not accept the point of players being tired and the games not mattering. If that were the case, and I do believe the players were tired, leave them all at home and take the B squad to see what they do. If the games do not matter then surely playing the reserves does not matter either as the result would be irrelevant.

But the biggest point yesterday was the difference in the attitude of 2 teams. The cricket team are taking the plaudits because they went out to entertain and to win, the football team take the grief because they go out there not to lose.
 
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It's not just one game though. Typically they'll play 2 games a week in general, during the height of the season, and maybe get a few weeks off at end of season.

The games they play will be at the elite level of football. It is not a kick about for a pub team on a Sunday. They need to give their all, put their bodies to the limit, or risk playing like Man Utd.

They have their training sessions, that they will also be putting their body under some physical activity. It needs to be at a pretty intense level, to boost their fitness and be prepared for repeating what they do in training in the intensity of a match.

They also have the pre season where they play games.

I'm sure the money makes them very happy. But, it doesn't make them superheroes where their bodies can ignore the normal impacts of biology. There is also the mental side, where humans can sometimes do with getting away from repetitive activities and recharge their mental batteries.

Still, doesn't really vindicate the way England played in this international break. Was pretty awful and uninspiring.

Have the other nations not just finished their seasons too, though?
 
The problem as far as this armchair football follower sees it is that nothing has changed but we have been flattered by circumsance.

I tend to ignore the qualifaction record. Good, ba or indifferent, we have for some time now been qualifying for the major tournaments but I cannot recall the last time we had serious oppostion to worry about in a group other than the lottery of home nations matches. So, Southgate is dining out on a World Cup semi and the Euro final. With regards the World Cup, we really did not face any massive opposition but needed penalties to beat Columbia and lost in a semi that we really should have been able to win given the teams on the pitch. Pretty much the same with the Euros. We made it one stage further but should never have lost that match to Italy when we were a goal ahead. We tried to sit on the lead and were not good enough to do that.

The same will happen in Quatar, no real threat in thte group (though the match against Wales could be dodgy) then we will see how it goes from there.

The attaching talent is there but we just do not seem to know how to use it or to play in a style that suits what it played in the premier league week in and week out.

I also do not accept the point of players being tired and the games not mattering. If that were the case, and I do believe the players were tired, leave them all at home and take the B squad to see what they do. If the games do not matter they surely playing the reserves does not matter either as the result would be irrelevant.

But the biggest point yesterday was the difference in the attitude of 2 teams. The cricket team are taking the plaudits becasuse they went out to entertain and to win, the football team take the grief because they go out there not to lose.

^^^^ This. With bells and whistles on.
 
Just out of curiosity I gave a brief thought to the number of games players could be asked to play. 38 league matches. A League and FA cup run, maybe 3 or 4 if the team progresses well. A Champion’s League run, 6 or whatever. Several internationals.

50 matches. Chalk a few off for being rested, or an accumulation of yellow cards. Let’s call it 45. 45 in a 45 week season, inc internationals. Madness!
My mate Wullie Pettigrew said he played 65 in one season, including league, cups, Scotland under 23s, and Scotland senior team games plus Texaco cup games.
 
My mate Wullie Pettigrew said he played 65 in one season, including league, cups, Scotland under 23s, and Scotland senior team games plus Texaco cup games.
...and see Youtube clips of the pitches he played upon...I love this one - the Scottish football 'legend' that is WullieP (and don't you just love Arthur's commentary)

 
The problem as far as this armchair football follower sees it is that nothing has changed but we have been flattered by circumsance.

I tend to ignore the qualifaction record. Good, ba or indifferent, we have for some time now been qualifying for the major tournaments but I cannot recall the last time we had serious oppostion to worry about in a group other than the lottery of home nations matches. So, Southgate is dining out on a World Cup semi and the Euro final. With regards the World Cup, we really did not face any massive opposition but needed penalties to beat Columbia and lost in a semi that we really should have been able to win given the teams on the pitch. Pretty much the same with the Euros. We made it one stage further but should never have lost that match to Italy when we were a goal ahead. We tried to sit on the lead and were not good enough to do that.

The same will happen in Quatar, no real threat in thte group (though the match against Wales could be dodgy) then we will see how it goes from there.

The attaching talent is there but we just do not seem to know how to use it or to play in a style that suits what it played in the premier league week in and week out.

I also do not accept the point of players being tired and the games not mattering. If that were the case, and I do believe the players were tired, leave them all at home and take the B squad to see what they do. If the games do not matter they surely playing the reserves does not matter either as the result would be irrelevant.

But the biggest point yesterday was the difference in the attitude of 2 teams. The cricket team are taking the plaudits becasuse they went out to entertain and to win, the football team take the grief because they go out there not to lose.

But don’t forget “it’s coming home”

The runs to the semi final and final enabled people to ignore how Southgate is just not good enough

He has a method in the World Cup relying on being solid and set pieces and somehow it made Maguire a £80mil player , but as soon as he come up against the better teams it just didn’t work when it matters

England have a host of brilliant talented players that are crucial for their club teams in the biggest comps - they need a manage who can adapt and bring those together
 
My mate Wullie Pettigrew said he played 65 in one season, including league, cups, Scotland under 23s, and Scotland senior team games plus Texaco cup games.
Apparently Kalvin Philips ran 15km against Denmark in the Euro's the other year. He is extreme but fitness and distances run by modern players is off the scale compared to older players. Watch an old Math of the Day or The Big Match and the pace of play is pedestrian. Still good to watch but very pedestrian.
 
...and see Youtube clips of the pitches he played upon...I love this one - the Scottish football 'legend' that is WullieP (and don't you just love Arthur's commentary)


None of those players would last 20 minutes in the modern game.

And before anyone says current players wouldn’t be able to cope with the tackles. The players from past generations wouldn’t get close enough.

Back in the early 2000s I could do a sub 40 minute 10k with dodgy kneels and considered myself fit. At the time I’d played in 5 aside games with players in a PL team. I was out on my arse before they had even got warm.
 
None of those players would last 20 minutes in the modern game.

And before anyone says current players wouldn’t be able to cope with the tackles. The players from past generations wouldn’t get close enough.

Back in the early 2000s I could do a sub 40 minute 10k with dodgy kneels and considered myself fit. At the time I’d played in 5 aside games with players in a PL team. I was out on my arse before they had even got warm.

Lots of ex pros play 5 a side when they retire , you can always tell anyone who's played the game at professional level
 
Lots of ex pros play 5 a side when they retire , you can always tell anyone who's played the game at professional level
A few years ago they had Masters tournaments around the country. Ex-players playing 5/6 a side at concert venues, like the O2 in London, Arena's in Newcastle, Manchester etc. Great concept, I went with my lad. Some could barely run, Mickey Quinn for Newcastle :D, but the touch of all of them was superb. Craig Hignett, ex Boro, still had his legs and so had both touch and fitness. Boro got to the final, won I think, largely on the back of him. Anyway, 5 a side suits ex players perfectly as it is their legs that go, not their minds or their touch.
 
The problem as far as this armchair football follower sees it is that nothing has changed but we have been flattered by circumsance.

I tend to ignore the qualifaction record. Good, ba or indifferent, we have for some time now been qualifying for the major tournaments but I cannot recall the last time we had serious oppostion to worry about in a group other than the lottery of home nations matches. So, Southgate is dining out on a World Cup semi and the Euro final. With regards the World Cup, we really did not face any massive opposition but needed penalties to beat Columbia and lost in a semi that we really should have been able to win given the teams on the pitch. Pretty much the same with the Euros. We made it one stage further but should never have lost that match to Italy when we were a goal ahead. We tried to sit on the lead and were not good enough to do that.

The same will happen in Quatar, no real threat in thte group (though the match against Wales could be dodgy) then we will see how it goes from there.

The attaching talent is there but we just do not seem to know how to use it or to play in a style that suits what it played in the premier league week in and week out.

I also do not accept the point of players being tired and the games not mattering. If that were the case, and I do believe the players were tired, leave them all at home and take the B squad to see what they do. If the games do not matter they surely playing the reserves does not matter either as the result would be irrelevant.

But the biggest point yesterday was the difference in the attitude of 2 teams. The cricket team are taking the plaudits becasuse they went out to entertain and to win, the football team take the grief because they go out there not to lose.

Very good post and this hits the nail on the head. The cricket coach has been brought in to entertain and let the players be themselves. Then there is Gareth who don’t. ?
 
Apparently Kalvin Philips ran 15km against Denmark in the Euro's the other year. He is extreme but fitness and distances run by modern players is off the scale compared to older players. Watch an old Math of the Day or The Big Match and the pace of play is pedestrian. Still good to watch but very pedestrian.

I’m working in Oldham and had a chinwag with a City fan, he said they’re preparing a 50m bid for Philips ?
Oh and he said Foden IS the next Messiah ?
 
Have the other nations not just finished their seasons too, though?
Absolutely, and they too are players who have played too many games. Smaller nations may have players who have mot played as many, if their clubs didn't have domestic and european cup runs though.

Too many games is not a get out clause for Englands performances. There are several factors. I also don't know the details of how much football the players in the German, Italian and Hungarain teams have played.
 
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