The Football Thread - Page 2113

**Meini Again** · March 18th, 2018, 05:19 AM

If it's a Barca v Real FINAL.... I'm going to watch the grass grow on me lawn

It's like the TV companies paid the Big Dosh, for their marketed projections.
To maximise World Viewing/Advertising revenue.

And not for the first time ~ imo.

How about a Roma v Sevilla Final ?

Champion League viewing figures are crashing ~ last year was the worst ever ~ gheez...I sound like Trump

a Roma v Sevilla Final would probably kill the Big Dosh input.

Bloody Fix

**victor meldrew** · March 18th, 2018, 04:19 PM

A re run of 1985 is still on the cards, without the violence, of course.

**m100** · March 18th, 2018, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultimatewarlord

Four years ago it was Tom Huddlestone. Two years ago it was Mark Noble. In the next couple of months which average English player will the commentators suddenly suggest should maybe have a chance of going to a tournament with England. Jokes about current England players are too obvious. So behave.

And I know Huddlestone had been capped.

sounds like the BBC have chosen Albrighton of Leicester as their candidate.

**footstep** · March 18th, 2018, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meini Again

If it's a Barca v Real FINAL.... I'm going to watch the grass grow on me lawn

And not for the first time ~ imo.

How about a Roma v Sevilla Final ?

It would be great.
But UEFA means money now.
Champions 's league...? What?
No! England 4 clubs, Italy 4, Germany so on (who's the champion?)
4 or 3 or 2 clubs?
Champions league. No European 2,3,4 latest table ranks national league.
Oh brother, where all good all times gone?

I used to pay for a football TV.
I don't anymore.

**victor meldrew** · March 18th, 2018, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultimatewarlord

Four years ago it was Tom Huddlestone. Two years ago it was Mark Noble. In the next couple of months which average English player will the commentators suddenly suggest should maybe have a chance of going to a tournament with England. Jokes about current England players are too obvious. So behave.

And I know Huddlestone had been capped.

Remember Joe Hart has out lasted them all.

**pierrelm** · March 19th, 2018, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by victor meldrew

Remember Joe Hart has out lasted them all.

...busy trying to forget...

Butland looks increasingly like the next Paul Robinson - potentially great keeper, but his reactions determine that he's not. He would therefore be the perfect replacement for leadfoot Hart.
Pickford could be an English De Gea - meaning that he must on no account never leave the 6 yard box and anything in the air has to be the central defenders's responsibility. He's a soft-mitted flapper.

Next: central defenders - the least worst options...

**pierrelm** · March 20th, 2018, 03:09 PM

So: central defenders?
well James Tarkowski is being mentioned in all the right places, (can play a bit, no pace) and seems to fit the 'if all else fails, he'll do' criterion. Amused to hear R5Live discussion along these lines last night when Chris Sutton happily said 'Who's been Burnley's best central defender for the last two years? Ben Mee' to total agreement.

Elsewhere: Stones (can't get into the Citeh team) Smalling - on the 'sell' list at OT, Jones (struggling to find a first team place), Cahill (mentioned only out of politeness), ex-Hull giant Maguire at Leicester, who is now possibly the first choice central pick (hmm, remind me Leicester just lost to a Pedro header in a cup match..?), Gomez, who can't get a game at LFC, Callum Chambers - never trained on, but there again, it was Arsenal he went to, Alfie Mawson lynchpin at er, Swansea, but no worse than the rest, Keane - woefully inept for Everton this year...depressing isn't it?

Next: fullbacks - can anyone actually tackle, or shall we just 'get up and down the pitch'?

**victor meldrew** · March 20th, 2018, 06:07 PM

Surprised no one has mentioned the two Reece lads, Burke and Oxford

Gomez (Liverpool) Holding (Arsenal), Dawson (WBA) if they get game time.
Almost forgot James Tomkins at Palace, not that he is good enough, but I fear that criteria no longer applies.

Full backs appear to be two a penny from Walker/Rose to Byram/Cresswell
With Southgate at the wheel even Young/Milner combination would not be a shock, Maitland Niles might get a run out with Wenger playing him at left back. Some other notables liable to be in the wrong place at the wrong time Clyne, Bertrand, Gibbs, Shaw, Chilwell & Baines., so many running back towards the goal rather than in front trying to stop the opposition. Apologies to anyone I have missed.

**pierrelm** · March 20th, 2018, 06:49 PM

I understand, though this is as yet only an unsubtantiated rumour, that the fullbacks will be chosen after a winners take all, behind closed doors, 100m tattoo parlour dash.

**Meini Again** · March 20th, 2018, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pierrelm

Butland looks increasingly like the next Paul Robinson - potentially great keeper, but his reactions determine that he's not. He would therefore be the perfect replacement for leadfoot Hart.

Jack an Joe both learnt at Blues...well the former, going through our Academy, playing for every level for England, HENCE.... Southgates involvement and "trust"..... the latter filled in time at Blues whilst the ageing Shay Given demoted him at Man City.

Hart is a 'loaner-slut' ~imo.
Gets top-dollar on his contract with Man Cty, will leave whatever club he plays for ~ Torino or the Hammers ~ and be comfortable in his stupid Man Cty contract.
Personal Motive = Zero
Pro Ambition = England No:1
Personal Ambition = Get the Rent Money, while you can

Butland is good...he had 2 serious injuries, one affecting his hand.

Against him, I think he's more deaf than useless....

Truly....I've been on The Tilton when I've heard defenders shout warnings and Jack seems numb. I don't know, but seen it so often, he is late BUT..still saves or deflects.Through instinct and anticipation...more than verbal warnings.
At Stoke, he's now got the dreaded "Lambert" as manager...his defenders change every week, some may not shout in '"English"

Don't matter, I doubt jack would hear it, but do the instinctive thing anyway.

NO...to Hart....Obviously Jack.....

Quote:

In terms of the new players in the squad, I’ll start with Nick Pope. We know a lot about the other three goalkeepers – they're all very experienced internationally.

Southgate on FA website ~ Away to the Netherlands

March 20th, 2018, 06:07 PM	#21128
victor meldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: At the bottom of an empty glass Posts: 15,776 Thanks: 531,870 Thanked 179,942 Times in 15,764 Posts	Surprised no one has mentioned the two Reece lads, Burke and Oxford Gomez (Liverpool) Holding (Arsenal), Dawson (WBA) if they get game time. Almost forgot James Tomkins at Palace, not that he is good enough, but I fear that criteria no longer applies. Full backs appear to be two a penny from Walker/Rose to Byram/Cresswell With Southgate at the wheel even Young/Milner combination would not be a shock, Maitland Niles might get a run out with Wenger playing him at left back. Some other notables liable to be in the wrong place at the wrong time Clyne, Bertrand, Gibbs, Shaw, Chilwell & Baines., so many running back towards the goal rather than in front trying to stop the opposition. Apologies to anyone I have missed. Last edited by victor meldrew; March 20th, 2018 at 06:15 PM..

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

March 18th, 2018, 05:19 AM	#21121
Meini Again Vintage Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: North Wales Posts: 3,637 Thanks: 32,358 Thanked 31,826 Times in 3,566 Posts	If it's a Barca v Real FINAL.... I'm going to watch the grass grow on me lawn It's like the TV companies paid the Big Dosh, for their marketed projections. To maximise World Viewing/Advertising revenue. And not for the first time ~ imo. How about a Roma v Sevilla Final ? Champion League viewing figures are crashing ~ last year was the worst ever ~ gheez...I sound like Trump a Roma v Sevilla Final would probably kill the Big Dosh input. Bloody Fix

March 18th, 2018, 04:19 PM	#21122
victor meldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: At the bottom of an empty glass Posts: 15,776 Thanks: 531,870 Thanked 179,942 Times in 15,764 Posts	A re run of 1985 is still on the cards, without the violence, of course.

March 20th, 2018, 03:09 PM	#21127
pierrelm Vintage Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Midst the fen mists Posts: 5,450 Thanks: 55,798 Thanked 72,917 Times in 5,422 Posts	So: central defenders? well James Tarkowski is being mentioned in all the right places, (can play a bit, no pace) and seems to fit the 'if all else fails, he'll do' criterion. Amused to hear R5Live discussion along these lines last night when Chris Sutton happily said 'Who's been Burnley's best central defender for the last two years? Ben Mee' to total agreement. Elsewhere: Stones (can't get into the Citeh team) Smalling - on the 'sell' list at OT, Jones (struggling to find a first team place), Cahill (mentioned only out of politeness), ex-Hull giant Maguire at Leicester, who is now possibly the first choice central pick (hmm, remind me Leicester just lost to a Pedro header in a cup match..?), Gomez, who can't get a game at LFC, Callum Chambers - never trained on, but there again, it was Arsenal he went to, Alfie Mawson lynchpin at er, Swansea, but no worse than the rest, Keane - woefully inept for Everton this year...depressing isn't it? Next: fullbacks - can anyone actually tackle, or shall we just 'get up and down the pitch'?

March 20th, 2018, 06:49 PM	#21129
pierrelm Vintage Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Midst the fen mists Posts: 5,450 Thanks: 55,798 Thanked 72,917 Times in 5,422 Posts	I understand, though this is as yet only an unsubtantiated rumour, that the fullbacks will be chosen after a winners take all, behind closed doors, 100m tattoo parlour dash.