The Football Thread

[gordian_knot]

Originally Posted by countjimmoriarty

Championship/Football League highlights are free to air on Channel 5. BT has no FL coverage.

I thought it was BT. My mistake. It wasn't on Sky (when I still had it) and I never thought of Channel 5.

[george anson]

I have heard that UEFA are concerned with the drop in viewing figures here in the UK. And that they will in the next round of talks ensure that more CL games are shown free to air.

Personally I watched those games I was interested in from streaming sites. The picture quality may not have been HD but for the most part if you choose a safe reliable site no problem at all. Stuff BT and their creosote pundits.

Pleased Watford stayed up of course. I don't get the shock that Flores was removed. Missed out on a Cup final which doesn't happen to a club like us every year and recent form has been appalling. Not to mention his tactics. No such uproar over van Gaal's removal for similar reasons though but as usual the same double standards in the media as with Hodgson running with familiar names rather than on form namely Drinkwater missing out over Henderson.

A nice summer of football ahead. The Euro's (I'm behind Poland given who I am with indoors), the centenary Copa (despite threats of it being devalued all the teams are sending their best although Dybala misses out for Argentina......) and the Rio football tourney. Much derided by many it is nevertheless seen by most countries as an invaluable opportunity to blood their youngsters for the future.

Again Argentina carries probably the most impressive squad on paper there and no doubt would like to do over Brazil on their home patch.

[footstep]

Lassana Diarra out.
oops....

[mungy]

Originally Posted by footstep

Lassana Diarra out.
oops....

But Scheiderlin is in

[tsunamiSD]

For those professional teams that recruit a lot of international players, have you seen many cases where as many at 10 could be subject to call-up?

Thorns FC on International Duty: International Friendlies, EURO qualifiers

In total 10 Thorns FC players could see the field on international duty in this upcoming FIFA window. Six players are in camp with the United States, Christine Sinclair heads home as Canada plays host to Brazil twice and three players are in Europe for 2017 EURO qualifiers for their respective countries, including Amandine Henry, who is fresh off her third UEFA Women’s Champions League title win.

The mention of Henry brought to mind the team that she has long played for in the French Women's First Division, Olympic Lyonnais. Many of their French players are on that national team, and they routinely get players from Sweden, Norway, German, and the US that are on their national teams. Just look at Lyon's recent record. A handful of 0-0 and 1-1 results, the vast majority of the other games being blowouts. Hell, they've won the last 10 league titles...

[buttsie]

Originally Posted by snowy25

Yes I think most people expected him to be one of those to miss out and I suspect he himself probably did too. Its just a shame that after such a great season at his club the crowning glory of playing in a major finals hasn't happened. However at 26 he may get lucky next time around at the World Cup if he stays in form. So he may well still get a chance to play at a finals, if of course we get there.

I have pretty much given up supporting England anyway so its not a huge issue, but it would have been nice for England to have 2 players from my hometown playing. I don't support them simply because of things like this, form players missing out to names who may or may not actually be fit enough to play. Its happened for years since the days of Beckham going to the World Cup in 2002 and Rooney in 2006. If we really want to win a tournament then the managers and FA have to pick the best 23 not the ones with the biggest names. Personally I wouldn't take Rooney, Barkley, Sterling, Wilshire or Henderson but they are all going.

Its makes interesting reading when you compare player to player with strengths and weaknesses...Wilshere has so many weaknesses even before you get to his injuries

https://www.whoscored.com/Players/75138

England have a glut of midfield players who cant tackle, hold the ball or shoot on goal with any proficiency but their very good dribblers

Meanwhile ex-Man U Academy player Drinkwater,who was being compared to Scholes at a young age,fresh from winning the EPL , has no real weaknesses but is seen as too safe an option in
Woys all out attacking style which to date has delivered themm their first group stage exit at a major tournment and a 10-0 qualification record...

Shame few of the teams faced were of any real quality

Hodgson explains attacking squad

http://www.sportinglife.com/football...-england-squad

[snowy25]

I just don't understand that argument about attacking football as the reason he was not picked. You can simply keep the same five attackers but put in Drinkwater instead of someone who has played less than 2 full games all season. I doubt any of the other big nations are taking as many players with fitness worries as us. I have nothing against Wilshire but how he can play 144 minutes in a season and be chosen over a player who won the league and played consistently? It just seems a very odd choice and for the fans who do follow England I hope it doesn't backfire. I have even seen plenty of Liverpool and Arsenal fans wondering the same thing about how their players have pipped a title winning player. It may pay off, Wilshire maybe the player of the tournament but its highly unlikely and more likely he won't play much or he will get injured. At least Drinkwater can relax, enjoy a well earned break now and come back strong for his side next season. I guess that is the only way he can look at it now.

[buttsie]

1 goal against 10 men for a half scored by a defender with 86 minutes gone

Spluttering disjointed attack

Too many attacking options....LOL

Shame Ronaldo was not playing

Might have seen how solid Englands defence really is



International at Wembley

Date: 02/06/2016 KO: 19:45 Ref: Marco Guida Att: 82,503

England

Chris Smalling 86

1
0

Portugal


FT (ht: 0-0)

http://www.sportinglife.com/football...and-v-portugal

[footstep]

In a newspaper this morning:

Cristiano Ronaldo has a great heart . Following the final victory in the Champions League , every Real Madrid player has touched 600,000 euros . A sum that the Portuguese superstar will not touch . Indeed, the triple Ballon d'Or has decided to donate his entire bonus to charity . This is the Pipi Estrada Spanish journalist who revealed this information . According to him, Ronaldo had taken this decision before the final, and instructed Jorge Mendes to make the transaction, to "distribute the money to the most needy ."

Great.

[countjimmoriarty]

Originally Posted by footstep

In a newspaper this morning:

Cristiano Ronaldo has a great heart . Following the final victory in the Champions League , every Real Madrid player has touched 600,000 euros . A sum that the Portuguese superstar will not touch . Indeed, the triple Ballon d'Or has decided to donate his entire bonus to charity . This is the Pipi Estrada Spanish journalist who revealed this information . According to him, Ronaldo had taken this decision before the final, and instructed Jorge Mendes to make the transaction, to "distribute the money to the most needy ."

Great.

I'd be more impressed if he donated a year's salary. Not like he can't afford it.