The Football Thread - Page 1905

**victor meldrew** · November 20th, 2016, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by victor meldrew

Another pie & mash.

First Sterling now Kane, up next Rooney followed by Walcott.

Just think if continental opposition played in Claret & Blue, England would be a force in world football, then again it could just be the England shirt....................................

**judy84** · November 20th, 2016, 08:30 PM

"People might hate the waiter, but this is a man who has won trophies"

A bit like Jose then.

**gordian_knot** · November 21st, 2016, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by judy84

"People might hate the waiter, but this is a man who has won trophies"

A bit like Jose then.

I've always liked him. You can say he's a bad manager (he's not), or revile him for not bringing instant PL success like classless Chelsea fans, but I don't see why neutrals should hate him. He's won things at every club he's managed from 2001 onwards with the exception of Real Madrid, where he didn't get a full season. Liverpool fans seem to hold him in high regard and I'm sure Newcastle fans do as well. Perhaps people hate him just by association with Liverpool.

**snowy25** · November 21st, 2016, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gordian_knot

Liverpool fans seem to hold him in high regard and I'm sure Newcastle fans do as well.

Liverpool fans I think have time for him for a couple of reasons. The obvious one being the CL win back in 2005. However I think its also down to his respect in regards to Hillsborough tragedy. He was openly tearful at the services and gave £96K to the fund for the families. As a foreign manager he could have easily distanced himself from the tragedy but he chose to actively be part of everything connected to it. As far as I am aware he still attends events and services even though he is no longer at the club.

I think also one of the reasons he stayed at Newcastle was due to the fans wanting him there. They made it well known even after relegation that he was not to blame and they wanted him to stay. It would seem that their trust in him is well founded as they currently look on form to return to the PL after one season away.

**footstep** · November 21st, 2016, 05:59 PM

Draw at Auxerre 1 1 and always 5th. We take goals every time we are leading...
France cup Sunday vs ligue 3.

**snowy25** · November 21st, 2016, 08:03 PM

Breaking news, it seems Jurgen Klinsmann has been given the boot by the US team after losing back to back games. It ends his 5 year stint in charge of the team.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38058433

Interestingly he was linked with the England job not too long ago I wonder if the FA will still be interested in him? I have to say I would prefer him over Southgate, even after this sacking, due to his credentials as a player and his time with the German side.

**Meini Again** · November 21st, 2016, 10:34 PM

I'd prefer Lee Clark to Gareth.

**gordian_knot** · November 21st, 2016, 10:44 PM

Could any manager make the USA an ongoing success? Until they have a competitive league they are not going to do more than win a game here and there, have a good tournament now and again. I don't think Klinsmann has underachieved there and he'd probably do a decent job for England. Or as decent as possible, which probably isn't that much.

I'm surprised that Southgate hasn't already been named manager, if that's the FA's intention. He had an interview today (didn't they already know everything about him?) but the FA are apparently not going to make an announcement 'til next week. Maybe they are still sorting out the contract or maybe the interview was to tell him not to be a naughty boy a week into the job

.

Anyway, I think it's a done deal.

**snowy25** · November 21st, 2016, 11:24 PM

There was talk previously that he had failed to bring the level of quality up to where they wanted it to be. There was also talk of him being fired a year or so ago because they thought he had took them as far as he could. I am not sure that is true and in my view I think the team reached its limits. I don't think any other manager could have got them any further. There are times when the players you have are the best that are available and there is not a lot as a manager you can do about it. At club level its different as you can bring people in. At national level you have the hand that you are dealt.

One of the reason the US team improved a few years ago was the influx in European football of their players. They came to Germany, Italy etc and played for decent sides. Not necessarily the big sides but decent sides but they played against quality players week in and out. That improved those players who then took it back to the national side. The problem is most then returned to the US and without the quality week in and week out lost that edge. Playing in a weak league can make any player look amazing. You only have to look at Falcao recently who is now playing well in France. Balotelli who is banging them in for Nice. In the past players like Mateja Kezman and Afonso Alves looked great in Holland. However put them in a quality league and they struggled to perform. The better US players there look good because they are big fish in a little pond. So it gives a false image of their quality. I think then at national level that difference is found out. When one of the leagues top players is Bradley Wright-Phillips I think that says it all.

England are struggling for the same reason as the US to a degree. We have players that won't move abroad to improve their abilities because it means a drop in wages. Some players here are earning more at the lower level than they would at some of the bigger European clubs. Some are earning more by not playing than they would if they were playing. I am not a fan of Joe Hart but I give him credit for taking the risk of going to Torino. He could have taken the easy route and cashed in doing nothing. Maybe if a few more players did that we might improve as a national side.

ginny76 · November 22nd, 2016, 12:06 AM

I think Gareth Southgate will, if appointed, be a great success as the England manager. He'll remember to send birthday and Xmas cards to everyone at the FA and, if he passes them in the corridor at FA headquarters, he'll stop for a lovely chat and ask them all about their family members and stuff like that. And if someone were to do something for him, like buying him some slippers or some horrible socks from Poundland, he'd write a thank you note without having been told to by his mum. The FA are very lucky to have him.

November 21st, 2016, 10:44 PM	#19048
gordian_knot Vintage Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gordium Posts: 1,225 Thanks: 6,524 Thanked 13,823 Times in 1,209 Posts	Could any manager make the USA an ongoing success? Until they have a competitive league they are not going to do more than win a game here and there, have a good tournament now and again. I don't think Klinsmann has underachieved there and he'd probably do a decent job for England. Or as decent as possible, which probably isn't that much. I'm surprised that Southgate hasn't already been named manager, if that's the FA's intention. He had an interview today (didn't they already know everything about him?) but the FA are apparently not going to make an announcement 'til next week. Maybe they are still sorting out the contract or maybe the interview was to tell him not to be a naughty boy a week into the job . Anyway, I think it's a done deal. __________________ - "The whole of anything is never told." - Henry James "Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable." - George Orwell Last edited by gordian_knot; November 21st, 2016 at 10:50 PM..

November 21st, 2016, 11:24 PM	#19049
snowy25 Vintage Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,274 Thanks: 6,664 Thanked 23,144 Times in 2,260 Posts	There was talk previously that he had failed to bring the level of quality up to where they wanted it to be. There was also talk of him being fired a year or so ago because they thought he had took them as far as he could. I am not sure that is true and in my view I think the team reached its limits. I don't think any other manager could have got them any further. There are times when the players you have are the best that are available and there is not a lot as a manager you can do about it. At club level its different as you can bring people in. At national level you have the hand that you are dealt. One of the reason the US team improved a few years ago was the influx in European football of their players. They came to Germany, Italy etc and played for decent sides. Not necessarily the big sides but decent sides but they played against quality players week in and out. That improved those players who then took it back to the national side. The problem is most then returned to the US and without the quality week in and week out lost that edge. Playing in a weak league can make any player look amazing. You only have to look at Falcao recently who is now playing well in France. Balotelli who is banging them in for Nice. In the past players like Mateja Kezman and Afonso Alves looked great in Holland. However put them in a quality league and they struggled to perform. The better US players there look good because they are big fish in a little pond. So it gives a false image of their quality. I think then at national level that difference is found out. When one of the leagues top players is Bradley Wright-Phillips I think that says it all. England are struggling for the same reason as the US to a degree. We have players that won't move abroad to improve their abilities because it means a drop in wages. Some players here are earning more at the lower level than they would at some of the bigger European clubs. Some are earning more by not playing than they would if they were playing. I am not a fan of Joe Hart but I give him credit for taking the risk of going to Torino. He could have taken the easy route and cashed in doing nothing. Maybe if a few more players did that we might improve as a national side. Last edited by snowy25; November 21st, 2016 at 11:34 PM..

November 20th, 2016, 08:30 PM	#19042
judy84 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Wilts Posts: 2,008 Thanks: 34,481 Thanked 21,442 Times in 2,021 Posts	"People might hate the waiter, but this is a man who has won trophies" A bit like Jose then.

November 21st, 2016, 05:59 PM	#19045
footstep Lost luggages? Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: France Posts: 7,268 Thanks: 92,097 Thanked 86,765 Times in 7,170 Posts	Draw at Auxerre 1 1 and always 5th. We take goals every time we are leading... France cup Sunday vs ligue 3.

November 21st, 2016, 08:03 PM	#19046
snowy25 Vintage Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,274 Thanks: 6,664 Thanked 23,144 Times in 2,260 Posts	Breaking news, it seems Jurgen Klinsmann has been given the boot by the US team after losing back to back games. It ends his 5 year stint in charge of the team. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38058433 Interestingly he was linked with the England job not too long ago I wonder if the FA will still be interested in him? I have to say I would prefer him over Southgate, even after this sacking, due to his credentials as a player and his time with the German side.

November 21st, 2016, 10:34 PM	#19047
Meini Again Vintage Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: North Wales Posts: 3,637 Thanks: 32,358 Thanked 31,827 Times in 3,566 Posts	I'd prefer Lee Clark to Gareth.

November 22nd, 2016, 12:06 AM	#19050
ginny76 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 481 Thanks: 429 Thanked 4,565 Times in 477 Posts	I think Gareth Southgate will, if appointed, be a great success as the England manager. He'll remember to send birthday and Xmas cards to everyone at the FA and, if he passes them in the corridor at FA headquarters, he'll stop for a lovely chat and ask them all about their family members and stuff like that. And if someone were to do something for him, like buying him some slippers or some horrible socks from Poundland, he'd write a thank you note without having been told to by his mum. The FA are very lucky to have him.