World Cup Squads

[Amigo]

Group A

Group B

Portugal https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Flag_of_Portugal.svg/23px-Flag_of_Portugal.svg.png

Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Beto (Goztepe), Rui Patrício (Sporting)

Defenders: Bruno Alves (Rangers), Cédric Soares (Southampton), José Fonte (Dalian Yifang), Mário Rui (Nápoles), Pepe (Besiktas), Raphael Guerreiro (Dortmund), Ricardo Pereira (FC Porto), Rúben Dias (Benfica)

Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Leicester), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting), João Mário (West Ham), João Moutinho (Monaco), Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv), William Carvalho (Sporting)

Forwards: André Silva (Milan), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Gelson Martins (Sporting), Gonçalo Guedes (Valencia), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas)

Group C

France https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/23px-Flag_of_France.svg.png

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Alphonse Areola (Paris Saint-Germain)

Defenders: Lucas Hernandez (Atletico Madrid), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Benjamin Mendy (Manchester City), Benjamin Pavard (Stuttgart), Adil Rami (Marseille), Djibril Sidibe (Monaco), Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: N'Golo Kante (Chelsea), Blaise Matuidi (Juventus), Steven N'Zonzi (Sevilla), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Nabil Fekir (Lyon), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Thomas Lemar (Monaco), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Florian Thauvin (Marseille)

Group D

Iceland https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Flag_of_Iceland.svg/21px-Flag_of_Iceland.svg.png

Goalkeepers: Hannes Þór Halldórsson (Randers), Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson (Nordsjælland), Frederik Schram (Roskilde)

Defenders: Birkir Már Sævarsson (Valur), Ragnar Sigurðsson (Rostov), Kári Árnason (Aberdeen), Ari Freyr Skúlason (Lokeren), Sverrir Ingi Ingason (Rostov), Hörður Björgvin Magnússon (Bristol City), Hólmar Örn Eyjólfsson (Levski Sofia), Samúel Friðjónsson (Vålerenga)

Midfielders: Aron Gunnarsson (Cardiff City), Birkir Bjarnason (Aston Villa), Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson (Burnley), Emill Hallfreðsson (Udinese), Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson (Everton), Rúrik Gíslason (Sandhausen), Ólafur Ingi Skúlason (Karabükspor), Arnór Ingvi Traustason (Malmö)

Forwards: Alfreð Finnbogason (Augsburg), Jón Daði Böðvarsson (Reading), Björn Bergmann Sigurðarson (Rostov), Albert Guðmundsson (PSV)

Group E

Brazil https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/05/Flag_of_Brazil.svg/22px-Flag_of_Brazil.svg.png

Goalkeepers: Alisson (AS Roma), Ederson (Manchester City), Cassio (Corinthians)

Defenders: Thiago Silva (PSG), Marquinhos (PSG), Felipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Miranda (Inter), Danilo (Manchester City), Fagner (Corinthians), Geromel (Gremio), Marcelo (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: Casemiro (Real Madrid), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Paulinho (Barcelona), Fred (Shakhtar), Renato Augusto (Beijing), Willian (Chelsea), Coutinho (Barcelona)

Forwards: Neymar (PSG), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Douglas Costa (Juventus) and Taison (Shakhtar)

Costa Rica https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Flag_of_Costa_Rica.svg/23px-Flag_of_Costa_Rica.svg.png

Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas (Real Madrid), Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense), Leonel Moreira (Herediano)

Defenders: Giancarlo González (Bologna), Johnny Acosta (Águilas Doradas), Cristian Gamboa (Celtic), Bryan Oviedo (Sunderland), Óscar Duarte (Espanyol), Francisco Calvo (Minnesota United), Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps), Rónald Matarrita (New York City FC), Ian Smith (Norrköping)

Midfielders: Celso Borges (Deportivo La Coruña), Christian Bolaños (Saprissa), Randall Azofeifa (Herediano), Yeltsin Tejeda (Lausanne), David Guzmán (Portland Timbers), Rodney Wallace (New York City FC), Daniel Colindres (Saprissa)

Forwards: Bryan Ruiz (Sporting CP), Joel Campbell (Real Betis), Marco Ureña (Los Angeles FC), Johan Venegas (Saprissa)

Group F

Sweden https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4c/Flag_of_Sweden.svg/23px-Flag_of_Sweden.svg.png

Goalkeepers: Robin Olsen (FC Copenhagen/DEN), Kristoffer Nordfeldt (Swansea/ENG), Karl-Johan Johnsson (Guingamp/FRA).

Defenders: Andreas Granqvist (Krasnodar/RUS), Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, (Manchester United/ENG), Mikael Lustig (Celtic/SCO), Ludwig Augustinsson (Werder Bremen/GER), Pontus Jansson (Leeds/ENG), Emil Krafth (Bologna/ITA), Filip Helander (Bologna/ITA), Martin Olsson (Swansea/ENG).

Midfielders: Sebastian Larsson (Hull/ENG), Gustav Svensson (Seattle Sounders FC/USA), Albin Ekdal (Hamburg/GER), Emil Forsberg (RB Leipzig/GER), Viktor Claesson (Krasnodar/RUS), Jimmy Durmaz (Toulouse/FRA), Marcus Rohden (Crotone/ITA), Oscar Hiljemark (Genoa/ITA)

Forwards: Marcus Berg (Al Ain/UAE), John Guidetti (Alaves/ESP), Isaac Kiese-Thelin (Waslan Beeveren/BEL), Ola Toivonen (Toulouse/FRA)

Group G

England https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/be/Flag_of_England.svg/23px-Flag_of_England.svg.png

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley).

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Harry Maguire (Leicester), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea).

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Jamie Vardy (Leicester), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal).

Group H

Senegal https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/Flag_of_Senegal.svg/23px-Flag_of_Senegal.svg.png

Goalkeepers: Khadim Ndiaye (Horoya AC), Abdoulaye Diallo (Rennes), Alfred Gomis (Torino)

Defenders: Kara Mbodji (Anderlecht), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Moussa Wague (Eupen), Saliou Ciss (Angers), Youssouf Sabaly (Bordeaux), Lamine Gassama (Alanyaspor), Armand Traore (Nottingham Forest), Salif Sane (Hannover 96)

Midfielders: Pape Alioune Ndiaye (Stoke), Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Cheikhou Kouyate (West Ham), Cheikh N'Doye (Birmingham)

Forwards: Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Diao Balde Keita (Monaco), Ismaila Sarr (Rennes), Diafra Sakho (Rennes), Moussa Konate (Amiens), Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke), Mbaye Niang (AC Milan)

[Spikey M]

Stick your clapping up your arse.

[Baz]

Which three English goalkeepers are we expecting then?

Hart, Butland, Pickford? Hopefully not, because Nick Pope has been better than all three of them.

[niko_cee]

I was reading a while ago how the third 'keeper never plays so Hart should go as he's an experienced head. No thanks.

Is England's squad going to be some sort of long list thing? I've seen rumours Alexander-Arnold and Jadon Sancho are going to be included.

[Baz]

Get Sessegnon on that goddamn plane. :nod:

[Ian]

I think me and Cord (RIP) conclusively proved at the last tournament that the third choice keeper we need is Kevin Pressman.

[-james-]

England's squad is due to be announced on 16 May, apparently.

Meanwhile, the final squad for Iceland has been announced.

Goalkeepers:
Hannes Þór Halldórsson (Randers)
Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson (Nordsjælland)
Frederik Schram (Roskilde)

Defenders:
Birkir Már Sævarsson (Valur)
Ragnar Sigurðsson (Rostov)
Kári Árnason (Aberdeen)
Ari Freyr Skúlason (Lokeren)
Sverrir Ingi Ingason (Rostov)
Hörður Björgvin Magnússon (Bristol City)
Hólmar Örn Eyjólfsson (Levski Sofia)
Samúel Friðjónsson (Vålerenga)

Midfielders:
Aron Gunnarsson (Cardiff City)
Birkir Bjarnason (Aston Villa)
Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson (Burnley)
Emill Hallfreðsson (Udinese)
Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson (Everton)
Rúrik Gíslason (Sandhausen)
Ólafur Ingi Skúlason (Karabükspor)
Arnór Ingvi Traustason (Malmö)

Strikers:
Alfreð Finnbogason (Augsburg)
Jón Daði Böðvarsson (Reading)
Björn Bergmann Sigurðarson (Rostov)
Albert Guðmundsson (PSV)

What's your first choice XI?

[SincereTheRebel]

Given you started this amigo. Your going to have to keep this thread updated withij minutes of each squad being announced. Good lad.

[Amigo]

What's your first choice XI?
I imagine we'll play a 4-4-1-1 against Argentina and Croatia.

Assuming everyone's fit:

https://i.imgur.com/K5KV3Ws.png

[Jimmy Floyd]

Icelandic players need to start shortening their names like Brazilians. No reason for the Reading man not to be known simply as 'Daddy'.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The keeper can be Hodor.

[Amigo]

Icelandic players need to start shortening their names like Brazilians. No reason for the Reading man not to be known simply as 'Daddy'.
This debate pops up in Iceland every once in a while and, supposedly, it's a question of commercial interests vs culture .

Everyone in Iceland knows the players by their given names and would prefer the national team to have given names on their shirts. If you started talking to an Icelander about 'Gudmundsson' or 'Sigurdsson' he wouldn't know who the fuck you were referring to unless you used their given name. 'Gudjohnsen' is known in Iceland simply as 'Eiður Smári'.

Sadly, the players themselves actually prefer to have patronyms on their shirts since they're known internationally by that name. Ostensibly, it doesn't make much sense for Gylfi Sigurðsson to show up with 'Gylfi Þór' on the back of his shirt when he's known worldwide as 'Sigurdsson' and it's part of his 'brand'.

Really doesn't make much sense when most of the players in our squad are complete nobodies with no global following. Even the women's national team use patronyms and they have barely any fans.

[Pepe]

Given you started this amigo. Your going to have to keep this thread updated withij minutes of each squad being announced. Good lad.

+1

Let me know who is going for Mexico asap.

[SincereTheRebel]

+1

Let me know who is going for Mexico asap.

No. You let me know.

[Pepe]

No, Amigo will let both of us know.

[SincereTheRebel]

You dont fool me. Clearly an alias.

[Queenslander]

If anyone knows anyone who has any interest in a World Cup spot please forward their parents or grandparents birth certificates through to the FFA. :lol:

[Shindig]

Just tell me James Troisi might be in with a shout.

[Queenslander]

Dont think he makes the cut this time around. The FFA have been scouting Croatia, UK, Greece and Italy for players.

We have signed up the Croatian under 21 captain. Woot woot

Edit: Also chasing a Hibs player.

[Weaver]

Any shouts for who will take Chamberlain’s position in the squad?

Pickford, Butland, Walker, Trippier, Rose, Stones, Jones, Dier, Alli, Henderson, Sterling, Lingard, Kane, Vardy and Rashford are my ‘locks’ if they’re all fit.

I reckon the other eight will be Hart, Maguire, Cahill or Smalling, Bertrand, Loftus Cheek, Welbeck, Ashley Young as an all rounder and Wilshere.

[SincereTheRebel]

Probably welbeck. Besides sterling, who are the attacking wide options? Townsend looks like robben everytime ive seen him in an england shirt. Get him invovled.

[Weaver]

Good start from Amigo, missing the Brazil squad announcement today!

Goalkeepers: Alisson (AS Roma), Ederson (Manchester City), Cassio (Corinthians)

Defenders: Thiago Silva (PSG), Marquinhos (PSG), Felipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Miranda (Inter), Danilo (Manchester City), Fagner (Corinthians), Geromel (Gremio), Marcelo (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: Casemiro (Real Madrid), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Paulinho (Barcelona), Fred (Shakhtar), Renato Augusto (Beijing), Willian (Chelsea), Coutinho (Barcelona)

Forwards: Neymar (PSG), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Douglas Costa (Juventus) and Taison (Shakhtar)

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fagner a 28 year old with 4 caps and Geromel a 32 year old with 2 caps :drool:

Fuck knows why they left Alex Sandro at home (rumours are that he'll be signing with United very soon).

[Raoul Duke]

Fagner (Corinthians)

Reported

[Magic]

That is a great side but lol at a Shakhtar player in there.

Omg two? Fred as a midfielder? Not heat map Fred?

[-james-]

That Fred is all the rage on twitter. Go look up a compo m8.

[Lewis]

United are linked with loads of Brazilians, presumably because Mourinho wants a loud and obnoxious Brazilian clique to divide and rule against Club Pogba.

[SincereTheRebel]

The only Brazilians I can remember are the twins and kleberson at man utd. Have there been more successful

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

No.

Possebon, Anderson and Pereria are the others.

[SincereTheRebel]

Possebon - Never heard of him. Unsuccessful
Anderson - Successful
Pereria - Never heard of him. unsuccessful

Until recently, Brazilian players have been pretty poor in the premier league. They rarely live up to expectations.

[SvN]

Pereria is a youngster currently on loan at Valencia. It's a bit early to call him unsuccessful.

[phonics]

And seems to be trying to force himself away unless you guarantee him first team football.

[SincereTheRebel]

I'm confident he will never have a successful time at Man Utd or any other premier league club.

[phonics]

Hart isn't going.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/15/joe-hart-england-world-cup-squad-out-gareth-southgate-west-ham?CMP=share_btn_tw

[-james-]

It's coming home.

[SincereTheRebel]

Good. He cant save shots to his left anyway.

[-james-]

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/bbc-vs-itv-world-cup-12538843

For me, Glenn, it's BBC.

[SincereTheRebel]

German provisional 27-man squad has been announcement. Neuer hasn't played all season, yet he has been included. His backup, Sven Ulreich is nowhere near the squad. I haven't seen much of him play this season, but it sounds harsh on Ulreich. I don't know if a fit Neuer with 3 games played all season would get the number one spot. If he does not get the number spot, whats the point of having him there.

[Magic]

I'd hardly call Anderson a success ffs.

[Baz]

I’ve not watched England since the last tournament but I’m surprised Cahill and Smalling aren’t going.

[SincereTheRebel]

They have been dropped too? Who are first choice central defenders. I was thinking it would be cahil plus one.

[phonics]

Considering they're playing 3 at the back that might leave them a bit short, Sincere.

[SincereTheRebel]

Considering they're playing 3 at the back that might leave them a bit short, Sincere.

Didn't even know...

[Giggles]

This must be the least fucks I ever gave about a world cup in my memory. I originally thought it's because we weren't going, but we rarely go and I remember really looking forward to the likes of SA and Germany. Hopefully it'll change once the knockouts roll around.

[SvN]

I haven't really got into the mood yet, but I know I'll be excited once it all kicks off. It doesn't really feel like there's been much build up.

[Giggles]

I think I'm just past the stage of drooling over some prospect from Peru or some la Liga journeymen 'donning' people liking out for Colombia. There's also the image in my head of all russian soccer looking desolate on TV surrounded by big running tracks, but then again the one in Africa wasn't played on clay with a ball made out of rope.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I’ve not watched England since the last tournament but I’m surprised Cahill and Smalling aren’t going.

They're both bombscares tbh.

Smalling is better than Cahill but Southgate doesn't like Big Chris because he can't pass.

[igor_balis]

I've actually been paying attention to and enjoying the domestic stuff this season so I'm not fully in World Cup mode, but when it rolls around I'm going to be fucking buzzing. Fucking love major tournaments.

Last World Cup I was working the night shift (10pm-6am) at ASDA, and they had a policy that you could shift your hours to 11pm-7am to watch England games, but I managed to do it for pretty much all the 9pm games, and listened to all the 11pm games on my headphones whilst stacking shelves. Glorious days.

[igor_balis]

I think me asking to come in late so I could watch Honduras vs Switzerland or whatever freaked them out enough to think it wasn't worth questioning it.

[Lewis]

I would back us to defend reasonably well with a four (Ashley Young mate), but any back three we can produce will be annihilated by the first competent attack we come across.

[phonics]

Wilshere hasn't made the squad so I'm all in on Switzerland now.

[Trancemeister]

Sweden

Goalkeepers

Robin Olsen
Karl-Johan Johnsson
Kristoffer Nordfeldt

Defenders
Andreas Granqvist
Victor Nilsson-Lindelöf
Mikael Lustig
Martin Olsson
Ludwig Augustinsson
Filip Helander
Emil Krafth
Pontus Jansson

Midfielders
Sebastian Larsson
Gustav Svensson
Emil Forsberg
Albin Ekdal
Oscar Hiljemark
Viktor Claesson
Marcus Rohdén
Jimmy Durmaz

Strikers
Marcus Berg
Ola Toivonen
John Guidetti
Isaac Kiese-Thelin


I admit on paper it's one of the weakest squads in the tournament. But Sweden's strenght is teamwork

[mugbull]

England’s team is truly horrendous this time around. Although that probably counts for little at the WC

[igor_balis]

I would back us to defend reasonably well with a four (Ashley Young mate), but any back three we can produce will be annihilated by the first competent attack we come across.

Eh if Chile could do alright with a back 3 including Gonzalo jara and five foot 7 Gary medel we're definitely winning the world cup

[Lewis]

They could PRESS and had more than one good player.

[-james-]

England’s team is truly horrendous this time around. Although that probably counts for little at the WC

It's comfortably better than the last world cup squad.

[mugbull]

Not a chance, 2014 had Milner

[-james-]

And Wayne Rooney LM.

[Dquincy]

This must be the least fucks I ever gave about a world cup in my memory. I originally thought it's because we weren't going, but we rarely go and I remember really looking forward to the likes of SA and Germany. Hopefully it'll change once the knockouts roll around.
Same here. I can't work out if it's old age and life getting in the way, or England's recent performances in tournaments.

Either way, I'm not fussed.

[phonics]

It's comfortably better than the last world cup squad.

That squad felt like it had potential but all the hype players turned out bang average apart from Sterling. First likeable squad they'd had in a decade though so swings and roundabouts.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Most of the great World Cup teams have about 3 good players and 8 appropriate work horses. There are some exceptions like Spain '10 and Germany '74, but people forget France pissed the World Cup with Stephane Guivarc'h leading the line.

If you try to squeeze too many names into your team you end up unbalancing it. I still think we should start Welbeck over Kane.

[mugbull]

Yeah, but England's great offerings are Sterling, he of 2 goals in 37 appearances, and Kane. Kane's really good if the system is well-oiled, which international teams never are.

Who else? Walker and Hendo?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Oh there's no question of us being a great World Cup team no matter who we select. We are garbage. I just think for about 15 years we have been on a false track of just sticking the most famous names on the team sheet and hoping for the best. They would probably still be picking Rooney if they could.

I think the options are either pretend it's Tottenham and go Kane/Alli, or ditch Kane to be an impact sub and set up for the counter. First however we have to see off Tunisia/Panama where we have most of the ball so I think it's doomed to be a shit show either way.

[Raoul Duke]

In international football, systems > individuals

[SincereTheRebel]

England team to be announced soon. Lol at the leon bailey talk. Even though he turned his back on yard football for whatever reason. England haven't got the balls to pick foreign players who are eligible for the shirt.

[Lewis]

*mutes 'colonialism' on Twitter*

[SvN]

I'm sure I read that Leon Bailey isn't eligible for England, so I suspect the talk is just Twitter morons.

[Baz]

‘Mon Sessegnon.

Oh and Phil Foden. :cool:

[SvN]

Mantralux has been tweeting the BBC I reckon.


I honestly wish the worst on England for excluding Wilshere, disgusting, appalling management of the lowest calibre. Southgate has actually been sucked in to media’s agenda against Wilshere and Arsenal.

[Mazuuurk]

Yeah you go girl! Also appaling that they haven't picked Chambers and Holding. It's pure discrimination of letting in goals at the very highest level really.

[Mazuuurk]

Oh and BTW Amigo is making a complete farce out of this thread.

Sort it ya bag of stanky fish oil.

[Gray Fox]

Out in the group stages.

[wullie]

https://i.imgur.com/IfsVTxA.png

No Glenn Murray.

[John]

The official announcement video is fucking pathetic.

[SvN]

Central midfield seems a bit light to me.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I hate 'Dele' so much.

[Mazuuurk]

I feel like both Kane and Sterling will be terrible. Too much expectation and really long, successful seasons are a foolproof recipe for disaster when it comes to England performance.

[SincereTheRebel]

The service to kane may be dodgy, but if arry gets a chance. It will be buried. The defensive side to the midfield sounds weak.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Oh and lol at Cahill.

Waff will have a Summer of lolling.

[randomlegend]

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jack Butland (Stoke), Nick Pope (Burnley)

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kieran Trippier, Danny Rose (both Tottenham), Harry Maguire (Leicester), Phil Jones, Ashley Young (both Man Utd), John Stones, Kyle Walker, (both Man City), Gary Cahill (Chelsea)

???????? Fabian Delph (Man City)

Midfielders: Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Eric Dier, Dele Alli (both Tottenham), Jesse Lingard (Man Utd), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea),

Forwards: Raheem Sterling (Man City), Jamie Vardy (Leicester), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal).

Stand-by list: Tom Heaton, James Tarkowski, Lewis Cook, Jake Livemore, Adam Lallana

That picture makes my eyes bleed so here it is in a nicer format.

[SvN]

When was the last time Delph played as a midfielder?

[phonics]

Lallana on the standby list but Wilshere not even on that? Has he played a game in the last year that didn't involve putting a sleeper hold on a child?

[SvN]

Maybe it was phonics, actually.

[randomlegend]

When was the last time Delph played as a midfielder?

Sorry I nicked it from reddit and formatted it a bit. They had Young as a midfielder too, I missed Delph.

[phonics]

Maybe it was phonics, actually.

I'm still not able to send tweets so not me.

[John]

Delph has to be there as a midfielder. There's no chance they've taken three left backs, and he's played in midfield more recently than Young has.

[Lewis]

The official announcement video is fucking pathetic.

996738299636211713

We'll be seeing that for years. Well done.

[Browning]

Seems a very safe and boring squad, as always.

Not sure why Wilshere should have got in. Is it still because he was good once against Barcelona?

[-james-]

The official announcement video is fucking pathetic.

It's pretty harmless surely. It features a bunch of kids, and it's made for kids in an attempt to get them excited for a world cup.

[randomlegend]

It's pretty atrocious.

[SincereTheRebel]

I cant see any benefit to bringing and playing wilshere. He does not do enough to affect the games he plays. He would probably get injured before a ball is get in Russia anyway.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Nah, it's pathetic. John is right.

[phonics]

I cant see any benefit to bringing and playing wilshere. He does not do enough to affect the games he plays. He would probably get injured before a ball is get in Russia anyway.

Literally hasn't been injured all season but okay?

[SincereTheRebel]

Literally hasn't been injured all season but okay?

Just because he is fit now, does not mean he will be fit in a months time. Its jack we are talking about here. Maybe a break will do him good. He has been uninjured for two years or so now.

[phonics]

Just because he is fit now, does not mean he will be fit in a months time. Its jack we are talking about here. Maybe a break will do him good. He has been uninjured for two years or so now.

Both an absolutely mental sentence and wrong.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Phonics if you dedicate your life to it, you could get in the same room as Jack Wilshere. Once that happens it's 50/50 on you two getting married and living happily ever after.

[John]

If Wilshere has been fully fit all season and good enough that it's a FUCKING DISGRACE that he's been left out, why was he only involved in twenty league games this season when his dad is the manager?

[Mazuuurk]

I think having Wilshere would have made more sense than for instance Delph. Delph is clearly there as a versatile backup option, which is fine. Jack Wilshere probably wouldn't start games (then again who should out of that bunch really), but he is at least a different option and type of player, and can be quite useful if England would for instance be faced with unlocking a really tight defence. He can also be shit and get borked of course, but anyone in that midfield could so.

[niko_cee]

Alexander-Arnold has had a great season, but three right backs seems a bit excessive. Can only assume Walker is going to continue to reprise the role in the middle. Heaven help us. Two converted midfield types and someone who has barely played all season for the left as well. BALANCE. Has Bertrand been dreadful for Southampton this season? Seems harsh on him.

[bruhnaldo]

World Clashley Young boys :drool:

It's finally happened. I love all of you.

[phonics]

If Wilshere has been fully fit all season and good enough that it's a FUCKING DISGRACE that he's been left out, why was he only involved in twenty league games this season when his dad is the manager?

Because he wasn't fit at the beginning of the season having just come off getting his leg broken at Bournemouth. That's why Sincere's sentence was wrong.

[niko_cee]

Wilshere needs to play well for more than a game or two before he can really expect to be back in the England squad. He needs rehabilitating, probably away from Arsenal. Lallana hasn't done anything for about 18 months, but , I suppose, when he did last play consistently for Liverpool/England he was one of the best players for both (although that period was surely an anomaly, as was that pen he took for England).

[SincereTheRebel]

Wilshere just does not do enough. Even in an attacking arsenal team, he does not score goals and he does not get many assists. He can dribble and go past players, but that just isn't enough lad.

[SincereTheRebel]

There is an opening at wolves for jack if he is interested. Him and benik reunited again.

[Magic]

Lewis Cook fuck sake sold for a paltry £6 million with no sell on fee.

[Disco]

That's the benefit of buying players out of the shit leagues.

[igor_balis]

shelvey would have been a better hypothetical pick than wilshere

[mugbull]

The squad announcement video was incredible. John hating it was the most predictable thing in history.

[Dquincy]

He's bitter.

[Yevrah]

Wilshere not going (the absolute waster) is excellent news.

[Giggles]

I just noticed that Welbeck is in it. What the fuck? :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

15 goals in 37 caps probably has something to do with it.

[SincereTheRebel]

He does have a good England record. Crouch does too

[mugbull]

I'd bet that once all the 23 man squads are out, England's will be the least experienced in terms of total caps. Welbeck is the joint third most-senior player there ffs.

England's gonna be who I vicariously live through this time since the US and Czechs both missed out. :happycry:

[Pepe]

Support thy neighbor.

[Spikey M]

I just noticed that Welbeck is in it. What the fuck? :D

Who else do you take?

Rooney? He was shit at tournaments even when he was good.
Sturridge? Couldn’t even get a game for West Brom.
Jay Rodriguez? Finished the season well, but 7 or 8 goals all season.
Erm.... who else is there? Crouch? Defoe? Walcott? Yeah. Welbeck it is.

[Andy]

Alexander-Arnold has had a great season, but three right backs seems a bit excessive. Can only assume Walker is going to continue to reprise the role in the middle. Heaven help us. Two converted midfield types and someone who has barely played all season for the left as well. BALANCE. Has Bertrand been dreadful for Southampton this season? Seems harsh on him.

Head was turned in the summer and his performances have gone off a cliff. Will be gone in the coming months.

None of our defenders should be anywhere near an international squad.

Peak Twitter this morning when I saw loads of Saints fans moaning that Heaton is the fourth choice keeper and not McCarthy. Possibly the most pointless Twitter moan of all time.

[Andy]

Who else do you take?

Rooney? He was shit at tournaments even when he was good.
Sturridge? Couldn’t even get a game for West Brom.
Jay Rodriguez? Finished the season well, but 7 or 8 goals all season.
Erm.... who else is there? Crouch? Defoe? Walcott? Yeah. Welbeck it is.

I would take a traditional old fashioned English centre forward we can chuck on for five minutes. Welbeck just seems like a safe pick.

[Mazuuurk]

I suppose you could argue that with Rashford, Vardy and Sterling you already have quite a few Pacey types with no touch (well Sterling does sort of have a touch but ok).

So in terms of having options, maybe Andy Carroll would have been better choice than Welbeck. Always good to have a Power-forward to chuck crosses at in the squad, really.

[Shindig]

2014's been the only World Cup I've managed to watch a ton of it whilst working. I'm going to miss almost all of Russia.

[Spikey M]

There are few questions Andy Carroll is the answer to.

[Ian]

Welbeck. :cool:

[Shindig]

No Shelvey means I'll be looking at every aimless ball forward with even more disappointment.

[phonics]

I think the stat I saw is that Welbeck has more goals than the rest of the team combined. He's definitely the top scorer.

[niko_cee]

I was surprised Loftus-Cheek has played so many times this season. I thought he'd been injured for much of it. Is he really any good or is being the least bad player in a friendly against Germany all you need to do to lock down a spot in the squad these days? I guess the question is the alternatives. Has Jonjo been as good as the seething Geordies would suggest he has this year? Passed me by if he has.

[phonics]

I was surprised Loftus-Cheek has played so many times this season. I thought he'd been injured for much of it. Is he really any good or is being the least bad player in a friendly against Germany all you need to do to lock down a spot in the squad these days? I guess the question is the alternatives. Has Jonjo been as good as the seething Geordies would suggest he has this year? Passed me by if he has.

Really not. He also got rinsed out by Frank Lampard earlier in the season saying that when not in posession they were effectively playing with 10 men.

[SincereTheRebel]

Just looking at the squads, at age 39. Rafael Márquez is in mexico's pre squad.

[wullie]

Egypt's goalkeeper is 45 too which surely has to be a new record if he plays.

[Spikey M]

Really not. He also got rinsed out by Frank Lampard earlier in the season saying that when not in posession they were effectively playing with 10 men.

Didn’t you go in to an absolute seethe when I said that about Ozil?

[Spikey M]

Egypt's goalkeeper is 45 too which surely has to be a new record if he plays.

Playing without a goalkeeper would be brave.

[Spikey M]

On current form, is there much difference? Other than the chronic over-rating of one of them.

[phonics]

On current form, is there much difference? Other than the chronic over-rating of one of them.

https://i.imgur.com/na1Hot1.png vs https://i.imgur.com/jjzgtNM.png

[SvN]

You've become awfully precious about Arsenal just lately, phonics.

[Spikey M]

Did you miss the ‘current form’ bit?

[phonics]

Did you miss the ‘current form’ bit?
https://i.imgur.com/z9Qhzyb.png vs https://i.imgur.com/mfVqTO2.png

If you're going to try make a dig, at least make it a good one.

[Spikey M]

Not much difference then. Cool.

[Spikey M]

Only 1 less assist :D

[phonics]

Yeah I like my deep midfielders to not be able to pass the ball to a teammate 1/4 of the time too.

8-3 = 1? Your daughters going to be an absolute whizz at school.

[Spikey M]

The only thing better than Arsenal being shit is how rattled you are about it.

[phonics]

*Says something dumb*
*Points out it's dumb*
"LOL TRIGGERED YOU BRO"

[Spikey M]

I think it’s pretty clear the mistake I made after briefly glancing at those, but there we are. You are ‘triggered’ though. There’s no denying that.

[phonics]

This is mert tier shit mate. Calling him out for being a twunt is enjoyable not triggering, same thing here.

[Spikey M]

Not really, you’ve proved that Ozil is a bit better than Shelvey. Great. One’s earning about a tenner and not going to the World Cup. The other is earning over a quarter of a million a week and has 3 more goals and 9 more assist after playing further forward, for a better team and for more games.

[John]

You're basically Mantralux at the moment, Phonics. Calm down.

[phonics]

Not really, you’ve proved that Ozil is a bit better than Shelvey. Great. One’s earning about a tenner and not going to the World Cup. The other is earning over a quarter of a million a week and has 3 more goals and 9 more assist after playing further forward, for a better team and for more games.

I didn't say Ozil was any good this year, the whole teams been crap as I have said regularly all year. You said 'Why'd you get on at me about defending with 10 about Ozil but Shelvey is okay' and I pointed out they play in totally different positions at which point you said Jonjo Shelveys done better than him this year so I pointed out that he hasn't. I've not called anyone Pele or something. You repeatedly moved the goalposts and I kept firing them top bins like a 28 year old Beckham anyway.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6hSLsPT8z58/TX51lfFipMI/AAAAAAAAALY/EdOV2GiMoRE/s200/tumblr_lgq37jSp7L1qgnrv4o1_500.gif

[Spikey M]

Did I? I’m pretty sure I asked if there’s much difference on current form.

[phonics]

Which still doesn't change the point of the defensive duties of a number 10 vs a number 6/4 :cab: You're the one who brought an Arsenal player into this for no reason not me.

[niko_cee]

Just to be clear, wasn't Phonics original 'really not' comment about Loftus-Cheek, rather than Shelvey?

[SincereTheRebel]

Egypt's goalkeeper is 45 too which surely has to be a new record if he plays.

If Marquez gets picked, it would be his fifth world cup I think Joining Lothar, who also has five. Buffon would have had six, if not for those fucking Swedes.

[phonics]

Just to be clear, wasn't Phonics original 'really not' comment about Loftus-Cheek, rather than Shelvey?

Nah it was about Shelvey, I've seen absolutely zero Palace this year. I thought like you that he'd played about 5-10 games.

[Spikey M]

Which still doesn't change the point of the defensive duties of a number 10 vs a number 6/4 :cab: You're the one who brought an Arsenal player into this for no reason not me.

So I didn’t say Shelvey was better then?

[phonics]

Now we're into the dull stage. What's your point? Why are you mentioning Ozil?

[SvN]

Yeah, now it's getting dull.

[phonics]

Glad to see someone agrees with me.

[Spikey M]

Now we're into the dull stage. What's your point? Why are you mentioning Ozil?

Because of the hissy fit you had last time I brought up hid lack of work ethic. At least you learnt from it.

[phonics]

Because they play in completely different positions. I'm really not sure how this concept is so hard to understand. Eden Hazard has less defensive responsibility than Jonjo Shelvey if you want to take it off the Arsenal route.

[Spikey M]

Yeah, and Chelsea have been shit all season too. Passengers are a luxury not really affordable in the modern game.

[phonics]

Yeah, and Chelsea have been shit all season too. Passengers are a luxury not really affordable in the modern game.

Cristiano Ronaldo, famous for his tireless defensive work.

[Spikey M]

You mean there are exceptions? Well, that disproves everything. Anyway, this really is boring now.

[John]

Because Ozil is every bit as effective in attack as Cristiano Ronaldo.

[phonics]

Moving on, Southgates spouting some top tier nonsense

997059824721506304

[Pepe]

Just looking at the squads, at age 39. Rafael Márquez is in mexico's pre squad.

Salcido is also there I think, and also old as fuck. They should also take my man Cuauhtemoc.

[John]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44136512

:harold:

[Spikey M]

The next 2 World Cups are going to be mental for it.

[Disco]

Tip of the iceberg.

[Spikey M]

Who was the goalkeeper (African nation I think) that chucked the ball in his own goal before the last Euro’s? Did anything ever happen with that?

[John]

It must be pretty rare that the referee is the one to reach out.

[Baz]

France haven't included Benzema, Marital, Ben Yedder, Lacazette, Rabiot, Laporte or Coman. :drool:

[Lewis]

We'll have them.

[John]

There isn't a team in the competition that wouldn't be improved by having Rabiot in it, so that's bonkers.

[Kikó]

Joe Hart
The news that he's been dropped from England's World Cup squad won't have gone over well with Joe Hart. He's got rather poor form when it comes to dealing with this sort of thing.

Last year, while filming a package for Children In Need, Joe was invited to a community centre to surprise some young carers and go in goal for a charity penalty shootout. However, when one of the kids (a nine year old) started getting a bit mouthy, taunting Joe about the fact he'd been dropped by Man City and had ended up playing for a shit team instead, the keeper's temper flared up and he booted the kid's ball over the community centre and out of the grounds.

Then he didn't let in a single goal for the rest of the day.

[John]

That better be true. :D

[Spikey M]

:lol:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:D

[SincereTheRebel]

France haven't included Benzema, Marital, Ben Yedder, Lacazette, Rabiot, Laporte or Coman. :drool:

France could field four separate first elevens and still look good.

[niko_cee]

The plausibility of that Hart story rather collapses with the conclusion.

[Shindig]

I can believe it. We've all seen Michael Owen being a massive dick to children on a football pitch.

[SincereTheRebel]

Even Hazard kicked one of these bad behaved youths in the chest during a game.

[SvN]

Well done, he's 13.

[John]

The kid in the Hazard thing was a wanker and deserved a boot in the ribs.

[SincereTheRebel]

The kid in the Hazard thing was a wanker and deserved a boot in the ribs.

I agree. The youth these days are ridiculously rude and have little to no manners.

[wullie]

If the cameras weren't on at the time, Seedorf would have two-footed Maldini's kid.

[Danny]

Maradona + Shilton makes this somewhat WC related

https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/8kcg6n/a_talksport_phonein_starts_with_the_maradona_hand/

Edit: noticed the cheese related faux pas when Sincere quoted

[SincereTheRebel]

Maradona + Stilton makes this somewhat WC related

https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/8kcg6n/a_talksport_phonein_starts_with_the_maradona_hand/

:lol:

[Ian]

Just under a month until the first England fixture.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJqimlFcJsM&ytbChannel=null

It's coming home, lads.

[Baz]

Maradona + Shilton makes this somewhat WC related

https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/8kcg6n/a_talksport_phonein_starts_with_the_maradona_hand/

Edit: noticed the cheese related faux pas when Sincere quotedThat clip is from ages ago. Still class though.

[SincereTheRebel]

Serbia and belgium are being annocued later today

Morocco squad

Goalkeepers: Mounir El Kajoui (Numancia), Yassine Bounou (Girona), Ahmad Reda Tagnaouti (Ittihad Tanger)
Defenders: Mehdi Benatia (Juventus), Romain Saiss (Wolves), Manuel Da Costa (Basaksehir), Badr Benoun (Raja Casablanca), Nabil Dirar (Fenerbahce), Achraf Hakimi (Real Madrid), Hamza Mendyl (LOSC)
Midfielders: M'barek Boussoufa (Al Jazira), Karim El Ahmadi (Feyenoord), Youssef Ait Bennasser (Caen), Sofyan Amrabat (Feyenoord), Younes Belhanda (Galatasaray), Faycal Fajr (Getafe), Amine Harit (Schalke 04)
Forwards: Khalid Boutaib (Malatyaspor), Aziz Bouhaddouz (Saint Pauli), Ayoub El Kaabi (Renaissance Berkane), Nordin Amrabat (Leganes), Mehdi Carcela (Standard de Liege), Hakim Ziyech (Ajax).

[Jimmy Floyd]

Morocco have the best manager in the world, doesn't matter who they pick, the trophy is guaranteed.

[SincereTheRebel]

Hasselbaink is the manager?

[Shindig]

If only. Herve and his lovely white shirts.

https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Herve-Renard.jpg

Oof. Don't smile again, please. You're nearly 50.

[-james-]

That group is so interesting. Portugal aren't qualifying from it, and I'm not entirely sure Spain are either.

[Baz]

Martinez isn’t taking Nainggolan. :sherlock:

[CJay]

Martinez isn’t taking Nainggolan. :sherlock:

He’s barely played under him. Doesn’t seem that surprising.

[bruhnaldo]

"Radja Nainggolan has created more chances (196) and won more tackles (214) for Roma than any other player in Serie A and the Champions League since 2015/16."

Color me fuckin surprised.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

*Colour.

[Spikey M]

Bruh’s back? That was a long strop.

[bruhnaldo]

I don't even recall what I left for this time. I'm sure it was stupid as it usually is.

At any rate, I had to stop by and take in the glory that is World Clashley Young making the World Cup squad for England and figured I'd knock around for a few days at least.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Seething at how Trump gets unfairly treated compared to Obama IIRC.

Proper MELTDOWN shit.

[Disco]

It was the 'phonics is a cunt' episode wasn't it?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was the previous one.

[Baz]

I don't even recall what I left for this time. I'm sure it was stupid as it usually is.

At any rate, I had to stop by and take in the glory that is World Clashley Young making the World Cup squad for England and figured I'd knock around for a few days at least.:wave:

[Pepe]

bruh :cool:

[SincereTheRebel]

I cant remember this many high profile casulties for a world cup. No morata for spain. No radja for belgium who has now retired from belgium forever. He a pussy, just like the threadstarter who cant even run his own media.

Spain
Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao).

Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Alvaro Odriozola (Real Sociedad), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea).

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Isco (Real Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), David Silva (Manchester City), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid).

Forwards: Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Rodrigo Moreno (Valencia), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid).

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Nainggolan was never expected to go. Martinez doesn't like him as he smokes about 40 a day and he doesn't fit in his formation.

He's hardly been a starter over his career at internationals anyway.

[mugbull]

No chance he smokes 40 cigs a day, lol

[SincereTheRebel]

He is of Indonesia origin so he probably does. He was that fat baby in the video who handled the cigar better than Al Capone and Pacino.

[bruhnaldo]

Seething at how Trump gets unfairly treated compared to Obama IIRC.

Proper MELTDOWN shit.


It was the 'phonics is a cunt' episode wasn't it?


That was the previous one.

lmfao i'm such a stroppy little bastard *hides in shame*

[ItalAussie]

I cant remember this many high profile casulties for a world cup. No morata for spain. No radja for belgium who has now retired from belgium forever. He a pussy, just like the threadstarter who cant even run his own media.
Imagine having your international career depend on Roberto Martinez.

[Baz]

Icardi being left out of the Argentina squad to appease Messi is all kinds of ridiculous.

[SincereTheRebel]

Icardi being left out of the Argentina squad to appease Messi is all kinds of ridiculous.

You appeal to one of the he best players of all time. That's what you do, even if he has lost three finals in an Argentina shirt.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Roberto Martinez winning the World Cup really is going to be great.

[Shindig]

With Dave Whelan in the crowd shedding a single tear.

[Magic]

Radja. :(

[SincereTheRebel]

Threadstarter :face:

Argentina

Defenders: Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla), Cristian Ansaldi (Torino), Nicolas Otamendi (Man City), Federico Fazio (Roma), Marcos Rojo (Man United), Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax), Marcos Acuna (Sporting), Eduardo Salvio (Benfica).
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Hebei), Lucas Biglia (Milan), Ever Banega (Sevilla), Giovani Lo Celso (PSG), Manuel Lanzini (West Ham), Angel Di Maria (PSG), Maxi Meza (Independiente).
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Paulo Dybala (Juventus), Sergio Aguero (Man City), Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus), Cristian Pavon (Boca Juniors).

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Taking no Goalkeepers is a bit risky.

[Spikey M]

Henderson must be seething that Kane is captain. :harold:

[SincereTheRebel]

Taking no Goalkeepers is a bit risky.

Corrected

Argentina

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Willy Caballero (Chelsea), Franco Armani (River Plate).
Defenders: Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla), Cristian Ansaldi (Torino), Nicolas Otamendi (Man City), Federico Fazio (Roma), Marcos Rojo (Man United), Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax), Marcos Acuna (Sporting), Eduardo Salvio (Benfica).
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Hebei), Lucas Biglia (Milan), Ever Banega (Sevilla), Giovani Lo Celso (PSG), Manuel Lanzini (West Ham), Angel Di Maria (PSG), Maxi Meza (Independiente).
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Paulo Dybala (Juventus), Sergio Aguero (Man City), Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus), Cristian Pavon (Boca Juniors).

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/976/cpsprodpb/829D/production/_101673433_kane_southgate.jpg

The BULLYING stops NOW.

[SincereTheRebel]

Best player on the team by a mile. Sound good too me.

[Spikey M]

Is he a leader though? The best player isn’t necessarily the best captain. Fuck knows who the leader of this shower of shit is though.

[phonics]

Captains don't matter. It denotes who gets to wear the extra piece of fabric on their arm and nothing else.

[Magic]

Captains don't matter. It denotes who gets to wear the extra piece of fabric on their arm and nothing else.

Just when I thought you couldn't know any less about football.

[Disco]

He's right though, captains are meaningless in football.

[Spikey M]

Not if you have a good one. Roy Keane or Patrick Viera made a difference.

[Magic]

He's right though, captains are meaningless in football.

Absolute nonsense! Captains are hugely important.

[phonics]

Not if you have a good one. Roy Keane or Patrick Viera made a difference.

Do you actually think Roy Keane wouldn't have done what he did if he wasn't allowed to choose heads or tails at kick off?

[Disco]

Not if you have a good one. Roy Keane or Patrick Viera made a difference.

A job they would have done equally well without the armband. It's not rugby where they call plays and deal with the ref or cricket where they help pick the team, they call the toss and that's about it.

[phonics]

Before they put the armband on Vieira, he acted as if he was a small cat jumping at his own shadow. Then they wrapped this piece of fabric around him that said 'Captain' on it and he was a changed man.

[Mazuuurk]

Do you actually think Roy Keane wouldn't have done what he did if he wasn't allowed to choose heads or tails at kick off?

There's a certain symbolism in the teams (natural) leader(s) being captains.

I've always felt that Strikers are a natural poor choice for captains though. Not because they can't be leaders, but because they can get quite isolated from the game if the rest of the team struggles, and as a captain it always seems to be an option to inspire the rest of the team - if it's struggling - but trying to do a little extra. Like Zidane for France that year where he just always came to get the ball, or Cannavaro in the Italy defence the same year who seemed to cover the whole defence by himself.


At the same time, if the captain is being terrible on the pitch, that can have the opposite effect.

[Spikey M]

A job they would have done equally well without the armband. It's not rugby where they call plays and deal with the ref or cricket where they help pick the team, they call the toss and that's about it.

Possibly. Or perhaps you’d have Dwight Yorke telling Roy Keane to fuck off because he’s not the boss. Who knows.

[Mazuuurk]

In all teams I've played in in various team sports the Captain has always had certain informal tasks in the dressing room, little rituals you do before a game and after a defeat or a win, and usually as well during half time.

Stuff like doing a final "war cry" just before leaving the dressing room or natually saying some stuff at HT while the manager is deliberating with his assistants etc. It was just sort of always some sort of agreement that this was up to the Captain. I'm sure some of these things happen on the highest level as well, and it can really make a difference for the team if the captain is someone you respect or not.

[Lewis]

Why doesn't Lionel Messi like that other bloke? Don't remember Ronaldo refusing to play with certain players mate.

[Mazuuurk]

Apparently he shagged Maxi Lopez ex wife and apparenly Messi is a standup lad who takes care of his mates, mate.

[Magic]

Haha Messi and Maxi Lopez are bros. Icardi screwing Maxi's bird then she's left him for Icardi. They're calling him a national traitor. :D

[Mazuuurk]

This is the same nation which issued an official guide for Argentinian men on how to talk to Russian women.

No wonder their economy is always fucked.

[niko_cee]

Henderson must be seething that Kane is captain. :harold:

Why? Hasn't Kane been the (main) captain for a while?

[SincereTheRebel]

In relation to the captain discussion with keane. . Keane had the greatest power, which was influence. I still stand on that. He wasnt that good of a player from a technical standpoint. He was an amazing leader though. When he was in the lineup for man utd, the other players knwoing he was in their team and playing those against him, knew what kind of influence he had on the game.

[Spikey M]

He was an outstanding player all round.

[Spikey M]

Why? Hasn't Kane been the (main) captain for a while?

It’s been Henderson when I’ve watched/taken notice. But then I probably only notice because he’s a fucking anti-footballer.

[Magic]

I'm a huge believer of a captain on the pitch. It is anything but a pointless role. Name me a team with a pointless captain? Leeds. And they are fucking diabolical.

[phonics]

For all Maz' nonsense about Cannavaro covering more ground because he was wearing an armband (lol) I'm pretty sure Italy just pick whoever has the most caps.

[SvN]

I believe we can win it - anyone can. I cannot sit here and say we are not going to win it because we could do. It is my mindset and I want to win at everything I do.

- Man who's never won trophy in his professional career

[SincereTheRebel]

He was an outstanding player all round.

I'm talking about his skill set. I feel he wasn't that great at anything. He wasn't that fast, he wasn't that good at passing or shooting. He was mentally strong though and there is no doubt he influenced his team. His influence was his most important attribute.

[Queenslander]

I think our Croation signing is still playing well.

[niko_cee]

He was good at all those things.

His influence came from the fact that he was, and could therefore stand as an example to others. It's daft to try and breakdown the truly great players into 'what they were good at' because the answer is, invariably, football, in general. And Keane was a great midfielder in his own right.

[Mazuuurk]

For all Maz' nonsense about Cannavaro covering more ground because he was wearing an armband (lol) I'm pretty sure Italy just pick whoever has the most caps.

You didn't read what I wrote then. He didn't cover more ground because he was a captain (at least I doubt it), but him being the captain as he was playing like that and acting that way will have likely had a positive effect on his teammates.


Have you ever played in a football team? Or in any team sport?

[phonics]

But you're putting it on him being the captain rather than on him doing those things.

[Mazuuurk]

Are you completely backwards?

I'm saying he was playing amazingly. It's great to have a captain that inspires others by playing amazingly.

If your captain is playing terribly, it's not going to be very inspiring for your teammates.



How is this difficult to understand? Are you stoned?

[Disco]

What he means is that those players are not inspirational because they were given the captaincy, they would be like that anyway.

[Pepe]

What he is getting at is:

Would he have been any less inspiring had he not been wearing the armband?

EDIT: What he said.