The Footie Thread

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Toney is only 3 years younger than Kane so not really an option. I can see Kane playing until he's 36 and Toney will already be 33 anyway. Delap is more likely but he doesn't look like he's going to reach anything like Kane's level. It's difficult to replace a generational talent, but then we probably thought the same about Rooney at one time, then Kane kind of emerged from nowhere.

Lankshear is highly rated at Spurs.

Toney wasn’t for the long term but for the short term if injured now and at the WC absolutely isn’t a long term replacement.

Never heard of the lad you’ve mentioned or of anyone really that’s coming through the ranks with literal to play as 9.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

@Arthur Wedge was Ronaldo not given a straight red for an elbow? The Irish post is a nice put together but not entirely accurate.

He was initially given a yellow card , then ref went to VAR and changed to a red

 

[Lord Tyrion]

He was initially given a yellow card , then ref went to VAR and changed to a red

For the elbow, not mocking fans.

 

[Orikoru]

Toney wasn’t for the long term but for the short term if injured now and at the WC absolutely isn’t a long term replacement.

Never heard of the lad you’ve mentioned or of anyone really that’s coming through the ranks with literal to play as 9.

Lankshear is 20, currently on loan at Oxford and has managed 5 goals in the Championship this season, so not doing too bad. Especially as I didn't even realise Oxford were in the Championship now. Seems a bit lofty for them.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

For the elbow, not mocking fans.

sorry I’m confused don’t think the picture says it was for the mocking

 

[Lord Tyrion]

sorry I’m confused don’t think the picture says it was for the mocking

Ah, I read it as the ref upgraded to a second yellow for the mocking gesture. Got you now

 

[Slime]

Worrying thing for me is who’s going to replace Kane in a few years?
Or if Kane gets injured.

Sadly, Mason Greenwood would have been a shoo-in, but that ship has long since sailed.
Oh how he must regret doing what he did!

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Sadly, Mason Greenwood would have been a shoo-in, but that ship has long since sailed.
Oh how he must regret doing what he did!

I think he is going to have a big move this summer , wouldn’t surprise me to see him at Barcelona - but he as you say ruined his International career and is very very lucky to still be getting a good career

 

[Swango1980]

The Man Utd wages are very interesting! Sir Alex ran a tight ship. I saw a quote from Scholes recently where he said he idly pointed out what he could be earning if he went to Inter, who were interested. Sir Alex looked at his contract and said "no - what you're earning is fair". Scholes then said he regretted bringing it up! Amazing that United and Sir Alex had that draw in those days that he/they knew players wanted to play for them. (Of course, Becks is one who did go for the bigger wages before long.)

Beckham didn't leave for a higher salary. He left because his relationship with Fergie deteriorated. And Fergie was not shy in getting rid of high profile players if he felt they were a distraction for the team. Of course, when clubs new he was up for sale, he was always going to command a financially lucrative contract. I believe it had already been agreed with Barcelona that he'd go there, before Real Madrid swooped in.

 

[Orikoru]

I think he is going to have a big move this summer , wouldn’t surprise me to see him at Barcelona - but he as you say ruined his International career and is very very lucky to still be getting a good career

I wouldn't be so sure of this. As Gordon Strachan famously ranted, there are no morals in football. If he does, as you say, go to somewhere like Barca and continues scoring, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him back in the England team and all the negative stuff around him brushed under the carpet.

Beckham didn't leave for a higher salary. He left because his relationship with Fergie deteriorated. And Fergie was not shy in getting rid of high profile players if he felt they were a distraction for the team. Of course, when clubs new he was up for sale, he was always going to command a financially lucrative contract. I believe it had already been agreed with Barcelona that he'd go there, before Real Madrid swooped in.

I didn't mean to suggest the larger wages were the only factor, but the fact remains he would have received bigger wages when he moved.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I wouldn't be so sure of this. As Gordon Strachan famously ranted, there are no morals in football. If he does, as you say, go to somewhere like Barca and continues scoring, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him back in the England team and all the negative stuff around him brushed under the carpet.


I didn't mean to suggest the larger wages were the only factor, but the fact remains he would have received bigger wages when he moved.

I don’t think England will ever pick him again , he has been playing well and been ignored - England are very well aware of any negative press etc and play a very straight bat

But in terms of strikers for England it’s very hard for anyone to come through and be seen when Kane will play every single minute in every single game including friendlies

Friendlies should be used to find the next players but we have seen many times over the years that they go full strength

 

[Swango1980]

I wouldn't be so sure of this. As Gordon Strachan famously ranted, there are no morals in football. If he does, as you say, go to somewhere like Barca and continues scoring, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him back in the England team and all the negative stuff around him brushed under the carpet.


I didn't mean to suggest the larger wages were the only factor, but the fact remains he would have received bigger wages when he moved.

Of course. I was just pointing out that was not the reason he left, and thus he wouldn't have left had it simply been a case of those bigger wages where offered to him. He wanted to stay at Utd. He'd have been the same as the likes of Scholes, Giggs and Neville. He'd have stayed if Fergie wanted him. If Fergie had fallen out with Giggs or Scholes, no doubt they'd have got a great contract after being forced out.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

I wouldn't be so sure of this. As Gordon Strachan famously ranted, there are no morals in football. If he does, as you say, go to somewhere like Barca and continues scoring, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him back in the England team and all the negative stuff around him brushed under the carpet.


I didn't mean to suggest the larger wages were the only factor, but the fact remains he would have received bigger wages when he moved.

I’m inclined to agree re: Greenwood, as he technically hasn’t been found guilty of any crimes in a court of law the powers that be can always reverse the decision to not allow him to be picked if it suits their agenda and requirements.

Before anyone wants to shoot me down and spout what he’s done at me. I’m not condoning anything or saying I think he should play. Merely pointing out a fact that as he isn’t guilty in the eyes of any law makers it could well become a possibility in future. Do I want that to happen, absolutely not as a father of daughters if anyone had even potentially done that to one of mine I’d be locked away for a long time!

 

[Orikoru]

I don’t think England will ever pick him again , he has been playing well and been ignored - England are very well aware of any negative press etc and play a very straight bat

But in terms of strikers for England it’s very hard for anyone to come through and be seen when Kane will play every single minute in every single game including friendlies

Friendlies should be used to find the next players but we have seen many times over the years that they go full strength

Playing well for Marseilles is easy to ignore. Playing well for Barca / other top team - not so much. Imagine in a couple of years, Kane on his last legs, team struggling for goals and Tuchel hanging onto his job by a thread with no ready-made replacement for Kane to come in... I'd never say never in Greenwood's case.

I’m inclined to agree re: Greenwood, as he technically hasn’t been found guilty of any crimes in a court of law the powers that be can always reverse the decision to not allow him to be picked if it suits their agenda and requirements.

Before anyone wants to shoot me down and spout what he’s done at me. I’m not condoning anything or saying I think he should play. Merely pointing out a fact that as he isn’t guilty in the eyes of any law makers it could well become a possibility in future. Do I want that to happen, absolutely not as a father of daughters if anyone had even potentially done that to one of mine I’d be locked away for a long time!

Exactly that. The powers that be can easily make things 'go away' if it benefits the all-important football team.

 

[Voyager EMH]

Greenwood is likely to be playing for Jamaica next year. He has formally applied to do so.
I hope his wishes are met with formal approval.

 

[Orikoru]

Greenwood is likely to be playing for Jamaica next year. He has formally applied to do so.
I hope his wishes are met with formal approval.

Ah, good shout. Yeah that would block any England call-up once he's played a competitive game for them.

 

[irip]

I don’t think England will ever pick him again , he has been playing well and been ignored - England are very well aware of any negative press etc and play a very straight bat

But in terms of strikers for England it’s very hard for anyone to come through and be seen when Kane will play every single minute in every single game including friendlies

Friendlies should be used to find the next players but we have seen many times over the years that they go full strength

The next England squad he should leave out Kane (and others).
Give them a little rest and have a look at what other options are out there.

I doubt he will but it could be really beneficial if he did.

Kane played all last tournament with an injury but we didn’t know what any of the back up players could do because he hadn’t tried them.

 

[Orikoru]

It's a balancing act though. Friendlies aren't just for putting all manner of random players together. You want to get the first team playing together so they actually have some level of fluency when it comes to the tournament. You don't want to arrive at the World Cup and Kane, Bellingham & Saka for example haven't played together in two years and haven't even seen each other because they all play in different countries.

 

[irip]

It's a balancing act though. Friendlies aren't just for putting all manner of random players together. You want to get the first team playing together so they actually have some level of fluency when it comes to the tournament. You don't want to arrive at the World Cup and Kane, Bellingham & Saka for example haven't played together in two years and haven't even seen each other because they all play in different countries.

I agree with that but if our players don’t know now they never will.
If he left out Kane & Pickford next game but played the other starters I think that could be beneficial for us.

 

[Orikoru]

I agree with that but if our players don’t know now they never will.
If he left out Kane & Pickford next game but played the other starters I think that could be beneficial for us.

I would say this is where the subs come in and the reason they use so many. I'd want to start our strongest team so they get used to playing together. But then in the second half you can change it and give minutes to the back-up players in key positions to see how they do. This probably is what most managers have done to be honest, but it makes sense to me that way.