The Football Thread

[victor meldrew]

Originally Posted by buttsie

I actually think the biggest issue for England is dealing with the level of expectation
52 years since they last made the final

The 70 squad was far better than that of 66, but for some poor finishing against Brazil, Astle and Lee, we might have had an easier root to the final. Amazing the damage a bottle of beer can do.

In modern times its the belief we are better than we actually are and our inability to deal with pressure, rather than the car and the bank balance.

[judy84]

Football often makes me angry, often makes me sad.....


However,,,the tribute shown by the crowd at the Camp Nou to Andreas Iniesta on his last appearance there tonight just makes me glad to be alive. He is a remarkable player much-appreciated throughout Spain.



It was full an outpouring of appreciation and love for a person who has given them enjoyment, excitement and hope.


Truly a night to remember for me.

[Meini Again]

As, has been noted, the Prem League has more non-English players than indigenous Players.

With a winter-break they, the majority, being "foreign" players would get some respite in Dubai etc.... help their home country by only playing exhibition matches for a fortnight

I believe this red-herring arose from an interview with Sven {ex-England ~ Notts County ~ Mexico ~ Man City ~ Ivory Coast ~ ~ Manager }

He claimed that English players would be exhausted without a 'break' in midwinter. Which is why we were always flagging at Top Competitions in the summer.

Oh Well.... that explains his own "Fails" one supposes.

Bloomin fatigue

What about Arsenal/Man City/Man Utd/Liverpool/even the Toon players?

ALL their 'foreign' players went onto Euro/World competitions without a winter break...were they "fatigued" ? Or was it just the 'English' players

This nonsense started, I'm sure, with that Sven Interview.

Geographically, some countries like Germany / Poland / Russia etc have a reason to break-off.... local climate !

England / France / Spain etc don't have that justification... we can soldier-through a bit of rain and a few snowflakes

SO...why seek a winter-break ?

If NOT Climate / Weather.... is it just a respite thing?...because NO Club will leave their team Un-Earning, whether Bornemouth or Man City.

Utter nonsense imo

[pierrelm]

Originally Posted by victor meldrew

The 70 squad was far better than that of 66, but for some poor finishing against Brazil, Astle and Lee, we might have had an easier root to the final. Amazing the damage a bottle of beer can do.

In modern times its the belief we are better than we actually are and our inability to deal with pressure, rather than the car and the bank balance.

All the England 70's squad really lacked was a decent centre half (Labone never as effective as the just about past it Big Jack); and a second Gordon Banks, obviously. Why Astle was ever used as a sub ahead of Sniffer Clarke remains a mystery.

Not only was that England squad arguably our best at an international competition but there's a chance that the same could be said not only for the immaculate Brazilians, but also Italy and (West) Germany. Four superb sets of players.

[footstep]

No Payet or Rabiot or Benzema.
Didier gave his list, point.
We could be in the latest 4.
With Spain, Germany, England or Argentina.

[buttsie]

Originally Posted by victor meldrew

The 70 squad was far better than that of 66, but for some poor finishing against Brazil, Astle and Lee, we might have had an easier root to the final. Amazing the damage a bottle of beer can do.

In modern times its the belief we are better than we actually are and our inability to deal with pressure, rather than the car and the bank balance.

It probably doesnt help that qualifying has become little more than an expanding cash cow
more so than a qualification process that has any meaning.

Reading through the WCs of the 70/80/90s its pretty obvious there was very little coasting into tournaments with an unbeaten record

By winning three and drawing three, England qualified for Italia '90

How tough the past WCs were to make it through to the final
compared to todays format is shown perfectly in 1982

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englan...FIFA_World_Cup

[seany65]

This winter break stuff does confuse me,which I'll admit is an easy thing to do.

Anyway, I believe there'll be a winter break next season. What I'd like to know is when will the games that would've been played at that point in the calendar actually be played next season?

What I mean is: eg. If the break is to happen in the first week or two of February, when will the games be played that would've been played then if there wasn't a break?

Won't this break actually cause a fixture congestion problem, a bit like there is around Xmas/New Year, only to a lesser extent?

Or will the season be lengthened?

[buttsie]

FA Cup to be moved to midweek as winter break deal is finally struck for 2020 start...
and it means an EXTRA Premier League weekend

FA Cup will break with tradition and move to midweek to accommodate the break
FA Cup 5th Round - no replays

Each club is guaranteed 13 days off between matches, but the break will be staggered so there will be weekend Premier League football throughout the break period.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...uary-2020.html

[m100]

Originally Posted by footstep

No Payet or Rabiot or Benzema.
Didier gave his list, point.
We could be in the latest 4.
With Spain, Germany, England or Argentina.

I'm not convinced argentina will even get out of their group. Maybe i'm biased because i can't stand them but if you want to pick second level sides who won't be overawed by them croatia and nigeria are the go to options and iceland will be in 'no one expects us to do anything so let's give it a go' mode. And if they finish second chances are it's france in the second round.

[Mal Hombre]

Arsenal are set to appoint Unai Emery as their new manager. I don't understand it.'Arry's still available..
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44203679