The Footie Thread

[Arthur Wedge]

I think he makes a good point really. Firstly, there are too many teams in it now obviously, as we've all discussed already. But if you are going to add places it should be favouring Europe, where the teams on the whole are better. I've just checked the Asian section, and it appears Uzbekistan and Jordan have qualified. In the North American section - Curacao and Suriname have qualified. New Zealand have qualified by beating such titans as Fiji and New Caledonia. He's quite right to say it looks like 7 out of 10 South American teams will be in, which is ridiculous. Meanwhile solid European teams like Italy, Poland and Turkey are still not guaranteed to be in it.

I'm fairly confident this will be the worst World Cup ever.

It’s the World Cup though - 16 teams from Europe will still qualify , that’s still the biggest amount from any area

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I wonder how many clubs look at this when they are signing African players

If they don't, it's negligence. We all know it's there, it is not a surprise to anyone.

You can manage 1 or 2 but the likes of Sunderland and Wolves, that's a massive gamble. I'm guessing they took the gamble because there was value there but even so..........

 

[Bunkermagnet]

If they don't, it's negligence. We all know it's there, it is not a surprise to anyone.

You can manage 1 or 2 but the likes of Sunderland and Wolves, that's a massive gamble. I'm guessing they took the gamble because there was value there but even so..........

Makes me laugh when fans complain o about losing players to national comps.
Simple answer is if you don’t want to lose any African or South American players (or any other non European players) don’t buy them in the first place.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

If they don't, it's negligence. We all know it's there, it is not a surprise to anyone.

You can manage 1 or 2 but the likes of Sunderland and Wolves, that's a massive gamble. I'm guessing they took the gamble because there was value there but even so..........

Guess it’s judging the risk - when Mane and Mo went away we actually managed to get by

We will be ok this year but Sunderland could have big problems -

Really do need to find a way to ensure the comps happens during the off season

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Guess it’s judging the risk - when Mane and Mo went away we actually managed to get by

We will be ok this year but Sunderland could have big problems -

Really do need to find a way to ensure the comps happens during the off season

But who’s off season? It’s a bit arrogant to expect the whole of World footy to fall in line with Europe, the Worlds seasons are not all the same .

 

[Arthur Wedge]

But who’s off season? It’s a bit arrogant to expect the whole of World footy to fall in line with Europe, the Worlds seasons are not all the same .

They aren’t but the off season of the leagues where 90% of the players will be playing that represent the countries that qualify, where a significant amount of the tournaments external revenue will come from

 

[Tashyboy]

To be fair, England haven't exactly played the against big guns in qualifying

And with Curacao on the verge of getting through (need a point tonight against Jamaica) at least it means Rotherham Utd will have a player there

There’s a good story on the BBC site re the massive game between Jamaica and curacao. Jamaica need to win to go through, Curacao need only a draw.
Steve McLaren’s is the manager of Jamaica. Bet he looks good wi dreadlocks. Dick Advocat manager of Curacao has had to go home for a family matter.
If Curacao qualify they will be the smallest ever country to have qualified.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

But who’s off season? It’s a bit arrogant to expect the whole of World footy to fall in line with Europe, the Worlds seasons are not all the same .

Agrees the off season for the African Nations is far safer with their climate to play when they do. European leagues and fans are full of far to much self importance that everyone should fall in line with them.

Like you said before if you don’t like don’t sign them.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

There’s a good story on the BBC site re the massive game between Jamaica and curacao. Jamaica need to win to go through, Curacao need only a draw.
Steve McLaren’s is the manager of Jamaica. Bet he looks good wi dreadlocks. Dick Advocat manager of Curacao has had to go home for a family matter.
If Curacao qualify they will be the smallest ever country to have qualified.

Wonder what McLarens Jamaican accent is like , hope it’s better than his Dutch

 

[Slime]

Losing Amad, and in particular Mbeumo is an absolute killer for us.

Although perhaps it gives Bruno to play in one of the No. 10 roles again, and maybe Mainoo gets a chance to come into the midfield.

I see Sunderland will lose 7 players, Wolves will lose 5. That will hurt.

If I was a manager I'd certainly think twice about signing an African.

 

[4LEX]

The best midfield pair was Gerrard and Scholes - they dovetailed superbly , the demolition of Germany was a perfect example of that but they had to find a way of playing Lampard and both Gerrard and Scholes sacrificed their natural games

The midfield should've been Hargreaves or Carrick sitting and Scholes next to Gerrard in the middle. Lampard was world class but he just didn't fit into that midfield.

 

[clubchamp98]

I find the qualifying for the next World Cup very confusing and not just for Europe but the whole world.

I understand they want the best teams there but there are so many ways of qualifying it’s mad.

When it used to be a group of 6 and top team qualifying with runners up in play offs it was easy and you knew what was required.
Northern Ireland finished halfway in their group but were guaranteed a play off place before it even started.

I know more teams qualifying for this one makes it harder but I’m sure it shouldn’t be as convoluted as it is.

Is it going to be groups of 3 still at the actual finals?

It’s very simple!
It’s what makes the most money.

 

[clubchamp98]

Could the next Afcon comp be a blessing for Liverpool.

Afcon 2025: Which Premier League teams will lose most players to Afcon?

BBC Sport has a look at which Premier League clubs will be most - and least - affected by the Africa Cup of Nations.

www.bbc.co.uk

Reason why I say that. Liverpool only lose one player for the AFCON. That being Mo Salah. So Slot has to make a different team selection for a few games. He has been the centre of much discussion from the Liverpool/ and other fans.

Could be very interesting indeed. If Liverpool flourish, fingers could be pointing Mo’s way, if they don’t flourish. They could be pointing Slots way.

Can’t see losing him will make us poorer!
He’s been terrible this season .
Will be interesting to see how he performs in the Afcon as his lack off effort in a red shirt is poor.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

The midfield should've been Hargreaves or Carrick sitting and Scholes next to Gerrard in the middle. Lampard was world class but he just didn't fit into that midfield.

Unfortunately that didn’t fit into Svens 4-4-2 - Hargreaves was never fit enough and Carrick just didn’t seem to get many chances

 

[nickjdavis]

ITV4 - England U17's v Austria U17's (U17 World Cup - round of 16)

Shaping up to be a right cracker. Austria look REALLY good.

Austria just lost one of their video reviews...rightly so...wanted a penalty but contact was minimal and player threw himself to the ground. Maybe just 2 or 3 re-runs for the ref to make his decision.

 

[AmandaJR]

ITV4 - England U17's v Austria U17's (U17 World Cup - round of 16)

Shaping up to be a right cracker. Austria look REALLY good.

Austria just lost one of their video reviews...rightly so...wanted a penalty but contact was minimal and player threw himself to the ground. Maybe just 2 or 3 re-runs for the ref to make his decision.

Jeez that No 10 has got attitude. Wagging his finger at the ref earlier. His mummy needs to teach him better manners

 

[nickjdavis]

Very tough now...a goal down and a man down....understand why we tried the video review but never really had a chance of the red card being over turned.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

So looks like another release clause has been given out - this time for Antonie Semenya from Bournemouth, looking at £60mil plus add on

He has impressed this season and reminds me a little of Mane , for that price which seems a standard price would be a good player to bring in and look to transition from Mo - we lost a lot of pace in the summer so would be a good signing

Arsenal fans and Bent saying he could be the missing piece doe Arsenal but not sure why they would get him when they have multiple wide options

Would be a good signing for Man Utd and in fact all the top teams

But Chelsea will prob get him - they are short of options in the wide attacking area

 

[nickjdavis]

England heading out of the tournament unless something spectacular happens. Austria using the space afforded by the extra man really well which lead to their penalty and 2nd goal. They look well organized at the back and snuffing out England's ever more rushed attempts at breaking forward. If anything Austria look likely to add a third.

The commentators are useless mind....three times now they've called a corner from a deflected shot and three times it wasn't even close to being deflected.

All over...totally overpowered in midfield since the red card. Austria can get as many as they want now.

 

[Swango1980]

So looks like another release clause has been given out - this time for Antonie Semenya from Bournemouth, looking at £60mil plus add on

He has impressed this season and reminds me a little of Mane , for that price which seems a standard price would be a good player to bring in and look to transition from Mo - we lost a lot of pace in the summer so would be a good signing

Arsenal fans and Bent saying he could be the missing piece doe Arsenal but not sure why they would get him when they have multiple wide options

Would be a good signing for Man Utd and in fact all the top teams

But Chelsea will prob get him - they are short of options in the wide attacking area

Liverpool certainly need to spend some money, as they were a bit tight last summer.

Spending £60 million on a player as a replacement for another player you just gave a £400k per week contract to seems like a brilliant investment.