The Football Thread

[pierrelm]

Originally Posted by judy84

A team without superstars and with discipline, like Germany always have, would be favourites in my opinion.

I'd certainly fancy Germany's chances more than the likes of Spain, Brazil, Argentina and Portugal. To be fair though, one of the joys of this competition may just be the hissy fits thrown by the likes of Neymar and Ronaldo when things go less than in their favour.

In the meantime, the players left out of the Germany squad look better than the ones we've included. As ever, they may be the ones to beat?

[buttsie]

Originally Posted by judy84

Southgate will be hailed as a genius or a useless twat, most probably the latter.


You can't imagine a team picked from that squad beating even a top club team like Man C. Pity they can't have warm-up games against such teams instead of the likes of Nigeria, they might learn something.

Luckily this is the World Cup so there are plenty of Nations who couldnt beat Man City

The only real issue with England as its always been is how do they deal when the pressure
of sudden death comes in its various forms.

I dont buy the fatigue factor of the EPL (no winter break)with England being a main
reason they've flopped at tournaments given Belgium have a team full of EPL players who dont seem to be phased by it.

World Cup 2018: England will be tired in Russia, says Sven-Goran Eriksson
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44163141


Its not by accident that when they were getting through to the semis they had battle hardened experienced players in their prime on the field and the talented inexperienced youngsters like a Joe Cole watching from the bench.

That reasonably successful model appears to have died sometime in the mid 00s

What will be will be

Dont expect the WC will reach any great heights given you've already watched most of the players in Europe during the season.

[pierrelm]

Originally Posted by buttsie

The only real issue with England as its always been is how do they deal when the pressure of sudden death comes in its various forms.

I dont buy the fatigue factor of the EPL (no winter break)with England
given Belgium have a team full of EPL players who dont seem to be phased by it

The England national side have lost the ability to play 'kitchen sink' football where everything is thrown at the opposition to gain the advantage. We are too ruddy polite and turn into our least successful, 'successful' side, Arsenal, when it comes to competition: we have some ability, can win the unimportant games, but when push comes to shove we become hideously inhibited.

Rather than the past-it, no longer solid Cahill, I'd have liked to have seen Sessignon included and if things demand a fearless youthful approach get him and Loftus-Cheek, Sterling and (hopefully he rediscovers some form) Rashford and the admirably tenacious Vardy to really go at teams. That's the only way we stand a chance of upsetting anyone halfway decent - play with pace and turn their defenders.

A midfield would have been nice but all ours does is play possession football in front of an untroubled opposition.

Winter break? They'd all be playing exhibition matches in the far east or Dubai.

[buttsie]

From what i've read about the winter break the EPL is the perfect league for it

Given you have 20 teams all equally sharing the TV money there are no easy games
like you find in other leagues where you've won after 20 minutes and coast the next 70.

The Germans take 4 weeks (currently grumbling because its down to 3)
december-january

http://www.goal.com/en-au/news/winte...q15fa1v50w8ein

England are talking about taking 2 in February (a little more than Spain)
- its a token gesture that most likely wont have any big effect

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/footb...-winter-break/


The reason i dont buy the fatigue factor as a silver bullet for England is they dont produce
enough top quality intelligent players across the pitch compared to the true top 10 teams.

[judy84]

Originally Posted by buttsie

From what i've read about the winter break the EPL is the perfect league for it

Given you have 20 teams all equally sharing the TV money there are no easy games
like you find in other leagues where you've won after 20 minutes and coast the next 70.

The Germans take 4 weeks (currently grumbling because its down to 3)
december-january

http://www.goal.com/en-au/news/winte...q15fa1v50w8ein

England are talking about taking 2 in February (a little more than Spain)
- its a token gesture that most likely wont have any big effect

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/footb...-winter-break/


The reason i dont buy the fatigue factor as a silver bullet for England is they dont produce
enough top quality intelligent players across the pitch compared to the true top 10 teams.

When the English teams have a break they go away and play exhibition matches; some might consider that restful, but the travel and playing take its toll. Some players take all games seriously.


I think a lot of leagues are getting more "even". Barcelona players were less than impressed when it was decided they had to go to SA to play in a Nelson Mandela Memorial Match. They insisted Messi had to play because he is such a draw.

As a result Barcelona lost their unbeaten record for the season. For the game against Levante, Messi was "injured" and other players put in less effort.The result...they lost 5-4.
Money...the clubs maximise their earnings and don't care about players and the clubs control the authorities. God knows what the players' union does but it doesn't look after their welfare ( also bringing to mind the correlation between heading and dementia).

[m100]

We need to examine this "tired" nonsense. Yesterday during the cup final "commentary" whoever it was said "this is chelsea's 59th game of the season". So i just picked a successful year for Liverpool from the 70's. 1976/1977 season Liverpool played 62 games, including only two replays and going out at the first hurdle against west brom in the league cup. Given a considerably smaller squad in 1977 than chelsea in 2018, the state of the pitches, less protection from brutal tackles, considerable improvements in diet and fitness techniques, far less comfortable travelling arrangements and the vast increases in wages affording current players to live like royalty who do we really think was/is "tired".

[ultimatewarlord]

Originally Posted by m100

We need to examine this "tired" nonsense. Yesterday during the cup final "commentary" whoever it was said "this is chelsea's 59th game of the season". So i just picked a successful year for Liverpool from the 70's. 1976/1977 season Liverpool played 62 games, including only two replays and going out at the first hurdle against west brom in the league cup. Given a considerably smaller squad in 1977 than chelsea in 2018, the state of the pitches, less protection from brutal tackles, considerable improvements in diet and fitness techniques, far less comfortable travelling arrangements and the vast increases in wages affording current players to live like royalty who do we really think was/is "tired".

The Arsenal 1980 team played 70 games. Had the FA Cup Final on Saturday. Had the Cup Winners Cup Final four days later. Their last two league games were put back to after the season finished. Two days after the CWC Final and extra time they were away to Wolves. Somehow they won 2-1. The following Monday they travelled to Middlesborough needing to win to qualify for the UEFA Cup. They lost 5-0.

[ultimatewarlord]

FA Vase and FA Trophy Finals both at Wembley today. I'm watching the Vase Final at the moment. Thatcham 1-0 Stockley coming up to half time. Three and a half weeks till the start of the World Cup and I'm clinging to any live football I can to fill in.

[victor meldrew]

I am sure a winter break would be more coffers in the bank for the pampered menials, keep the season as it is and make the *******'* at least appease the fans and make it look like they earn the ransom they charge.

It is looking like Pelican Brief will be announced as our new Manager in the next 48 hours. The Premier League Title and Champions League glory is now a reality rather than just a dream.

Fade and die, oh dear...………………………………………….

[buttsie]

Originally Posted by m100

We need to examine this "tired" nonsense. Yesterday during the cup final "commentary" whoever it was said "this is chelsea's 59th game of the season". So i just picked a successful year for Liverpool from the 70's. 1976/1977 season Liverpool played 62 games, including only two replays and going out at the first hurdle against west brom in the league cup. Given a considerably smaller squad in 1977 than chelsea in 2018, the state of the pitches, less protection from brutal tackles, considerable improvements in diet and fitness techniques, far less comfortable travelling arrangements and the vast increases in wages affording current players to live like royalty who do we really think was/is "tired".

The countries back then that qualified for World Cups were truly the best
The best are just smart when it comes to playing

Todays WC teams are like a lucky dip from each confederation

Cant wait for 48 teams



The % of English players in div 1 would have been miles higher than todays 30+%

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