The Footie Thread

[Lucifer MorningStar]

I agree, but the Clubs know the rules and regulations they have to meet for both ruling bodies and so I really don’t have any sympathy for them.

Oh I never said I have sympathy for them, frankly I couldn’t care less they make their decisions and should accept the consequences of their actions. What I have issues with though is the inconsistency of the governing bodies and how they favour certain clubs when it benefits.

 

[chrisd]

Well we won quite convincingly tonight great game for us Japanese.


( Well Mrs D and I were holidaying in Japan exactly a year ago today so I've every right to claim extended nationality)

 

[PaulMdj]

Watching Bosnia v Italy extra time, Italy down to 10 men since 41st minute, the Italians are as horrible as ever, trying every trick in the book to delay the game or get it to penalties, Gattuso is still a nasty piece of work on the sidelines.

 

[PaulMdj]

Bosnia through on penalties
Italians put one over the bar and one hit the bar, Bosnia scored all 4 to go through.

 

[nickjdavis]

Bosnia, Czech Republic, Sweden and Turkey make it through the playoffs to the World Cup.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Bosnia through on penalties
Italians put one over the bar and one hit the bar, Bosnia scored all 4 to go through.

No matter how fed up England fans might feel right now, imagine if you were Italian . Amazing decline. 3 world cups in succession missed now, at a time when it's never been easier to qualify.

 

[Red devil]

No matter how fed up England fans might feel right now, imagine if you were Italian . Amazing decline. 3 world cups in succession missed now, at a time when it's never been easier to qualify.

Is there a bigger discussion to be had here? That when Serie A was top dog and was flooded by the influx of foreign players due to being awash with money. Did it sow the seeds of its own decline. And watching England's tepid performances of late, is it happening here?

 

[irip]

I didn’t see the game last night but judging by what I have read another dour pointless game.

What do we think would class as a successful World Cup for England (or Scotland for our friends north of the border).

Seeing one win should get you out the group with the top 3 going through in most groups with 32 out of 48 teams advancing from those stages then I think both teams would expect to reach the knockouts.
From there I would say I think would quarter finals is minimum for England and last 16 for Scotland.
Anything more than that I would class as successful.

What’s everyone’s thoughts?

 

[Swango1980]

Is there a bigger discussion to be had here? That when Serie A was top dog and was flooded by the influx of foreign players due to being awash with money. Did it sow the seeds of its own decline. And washing England's tepid performances of late, is it happening here?

But Italy were good when their league was the best. It seems their national team decline was after their league decline?

Whereas, England have always been rubbish, even when they have had very good individual players. Besides, I don't think the English team have declined from what they were under Southgate. Not significantly anyway. I just think they have had a couple of really poor friendlies in late March. A bunch of players who are not familiar with playing regularly together, probably protecting themselves against injury.

I think England's biggest concern in the future is replacing Kane. I think he is one of the greatest forward players I've ever seen. And below him, there is nothing exciting at all. Long gone are the days England had the likes of Wright, Ferdinand, Fowler and Cole waiting in the wings. In my time, the main strikers have been Shearer, Owen, Rooney and then Kane. Who will be next? Is there a 15/16 yr old somewhere ready to burst on the scene?

 

[Swango1980]

I didn’t see the game last night but judging by what I have read another dour pointless game.

What do we think would class as a successful World Cup for England (or Scotland for our friends north of the border).

Seeing one win should get you out the group with the top 3 going through in most groups with 32 out of 48 teams advancing from those stages then I think both teams would expect to reach the knockouts.
From there I would say I think would quarter finals is minimum for England and last 16 for Scotland.
Anything more than that I would class as successful.

What’s everyone’s thoughts?

I bet there will be a wide range of answers, based on subjectivity. After all, many still class Southgate as a failure, and he got to finals

I believe the most positive many fans get is when England turn on the style in a few games, against top opponents. Even if they get beat narrowly in a semi, which is disappointing, there can still be some pride if England have been seen to be positive thinking in attack.

Other fans will be happy enough if England scrape through the group, win knockout games 1-0 in extra time, and then lose on penalties in a semi or final

 

[Hobbit]

I hope what I saw from last night’s team selection was Tuchel looking at options to take to the WC. With players missing the lack of depth is worrying but, equally, pretty much every major finals has seen a new talent emerge.

Credit to Japan; high energy, disciplined and not frightened to have a go.

 

[Neilds]

England need semi finals as a minimum or the team and manager will get slaughtered in the media - and on here.

 

[Neilds]

I hope what I saw from last night’s team selection was Tuchel looking at options to take to the WC. With players missing the lack of depth is worrying but, equally, pretty much every major finals has seen a new talent emerge.

Credit to Japan; high energy, disciplined and not frightened to have a go.

Those are the things that England seem to be missing.

 

[Hobbit]

England need semi finals as a minimum or the team and manager will get slaughtered in the media - and on here.

They fear here more!

 

[Arthur Wedge]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2039105826745438332

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Is there a bigger discussion to be had here? That when Serie A was top dog and was flooded by the influx of foreign players due to being awash with money. Did it sow the seeds of its own decline. And watching England's tepid performances of late, is it happening here?

In fairness, England have performed well at recent tournaments. QF, SF, Finals even. No wins but they have been there or there abouts.

I think these things tend to go in cycles, Italy are going through a bad spell. I don't know what their youth set up is like, are the foundations in place there?

I'm not sure there are any outstanding national teams right now. Brasil and Germany are shadows of their former selves, Spain have gone right off the boil. France are probably the best at the moment but they are not nailed on. It's a funny time at international level, not in a good way.

 

[PaulMdj]

But Italy were good when their league was the best. It seems their national team decline was after their league decline?

Whereas, England have always been rubbish, even when they have had very good individual players. Besides, I don't think the English team have declined from what they were under Southgate. Not significantly anyway. I just think they have had a couple of really poor friendlies in late March. A bunch of players who are not familiar with playing regularly together, probably protecting themselves against injury.

I think England's biggest concern in the future is replacing Kane. I think he is one of the greatest forward players I've ever seen. And below him, there is nothing exciting at all. Long gone are the days England had the likes of Wright, Ferdinand, Fowler and Cole waiting in the wings. In my time, the main strikers have been Shearer, Owen, Rooney and then Kane. Who will be next? Is there a 15/16 yr old somewhere ready to burst on the scene?

I bet there will be a wide range of answers, based on subjectivity. After all, many still class Southgate as a failure, and he got to finals

I believe the most positive many fans get is when England turn on the style in a few games, against top opponents. Even if they get beat narrowly in a semi, which is disappointing, there can still be some pride if England have been seen to be positive thinking in attack.

Other fans will be happy enough if England scrape through the group, win knockout games 1-0 in extra time, and then lose on penalties in a semi or final

Rubbish and got to Finals

 

[PaulMdj]

Let’s be honest guys, go back on here or google it and we’ll see the same moans and complaints we get before every tournament.

I genuinely can’t remember us ever playing well in build up fixtures.

For a team that relies on one player apparently we really don’t have a bad record in recent tournaments.

Quarter finals are a must for me, semi’s or final, anything can happen.

 

[Tashyboy]

No matter how fed up England fans might feel right now, imagine if you were Italian . Amazing decline. 3 world cups in succession missed now, at a time when it's never been easier to qualify.

I have 8 Italian friends coming over for a long weekend in a couple of weeks. I won’t bring up the football. But after a couple of bottles of red, they will. There will be lots of animated arm waving.

 

[Tashyboy]

Is there a bigger discussion to be had here? That when Serie A was top dog and was flooded by the influx of foreign players due to being awash with money. Did it sow the seeds of its own decline. And watching England's tepid performances of late, is it happening here?

There’s a good piece on the BBC site and it says exactly the same. With the outcome of the Bosman ruling Italian football was flooded with the best players due to the then money available. It never helped the younger Italian players.