November football: The planes are warming up

[Ian]

Well, I decided to do this a day late in protest at Qatar being a murdercountry and I hope they've learned their lesson.

Moar Freds will be opened later for the Hand Wringing World Championships coming up at the end of the month but there are still four Manchester Uniteds until Qatarmas, plenty of metatarsals to snap and some furious backtracking from Sir Waistcoat to get through yet so let's just knuckle down and endure the next few weeks until the main event arrives, eh?

Also Ronnie Radford has just died, so let's enjoy this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaqQoQ1rBH4

This pitch. :drool:

[Shindig]

Not to diminish the moment but bringing out You'll Never Walk Alone for that. Small time bastards.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63489122

[Baz]

Okay I’ll get this thread active.

Which is the best version of Three Lions and why?

The original (and Nobby dancing) or the ‘98 one (and Pyscho screaming)?

I really enjoy the "Gareth Southgate, the whole of England is with you...oh it’s saved!" part of the 98 one, but I think the original probably trumps it.

The song is my legitimate answer to ‘first single you bought’ cos I remember having the cassette, but I don’t know which version. Google Images makes me think it was the original.

[SvN]

The original is definitely the best.

My first single was the United FA Cup song in 1995 (where we lost to Everton) on cassette.

https://i.imgur.com/ztDCpQ2.png

[wullie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n56gOR9RQ0E

This is how it's done, everyone in fire hazard tracksuits dancing out of time looking as uncomfortable as possible.

[Jimmy Floyd]

When did the football team single tradition die out and why? Another Tony Blair casualty, or was it Sky/that Sean Bean ad and the decision to market football as deadly fucking serious?

[niko_cee]

They carried on for a bit after the late 90s heyday but the likes of the Spice Girls and Embrace [was it?] seemed to kill them off with their terrible efforts.

Footballers are far too image conscious for it to be a thing now. It would be like asking a serious band to do Eurovision, it's absolutely vorboten.

The FA probably has an exclusive Grime Partner nowadays.

[wullie]

Last club ones I remember is either Bob Mortimer and Middlesbrough or Suggs with Chelsea, and thinking about it that was probably for the same year.

[SvN]

Cardiff did one in 2008. Can't remember once since.

[Shindig]

I can go a step further than Baz. My first cassette was the official album of Euro '96.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d5/Beautiful_Game.jpg

And my answer is the first version. No Jonathan Pearce.

The FA Cup song tradition probably died with that Boro - Chelsea final. Next year we got Sting do ours and I don't think the squad were in involved. Nevermind. Arsenal:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1VejyxM9yc

And United did this in '99


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNHxm1oI72M

I should stop looking now. Seems it dragged on longer than I remember. Chelsea's effort in 2000 is the last one I can find.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The Suggs song in 97 was a genuinely good song, with similar themes to Three Lions in terms of the constant disappointment and yet constant hope involved in being a football fan. Probably also marks the last time Chelsea were likeable to the neutral.

[SvN]

It pains me to say it, but yeah, Blue Day is probably the best one of these for a club. The fact that the lyrics are something other than "We're the greatest, we're gonna win" is a big tick in its favour.

[randomlegend]

Ah, it's been a while since we've started the "Why does Donny never play? --> Plays --> "Oh that's why" --> Doesn't play --> Everyone forgets --> "Why does Donny never play?" cycle again. Reassuring to see.

[Ian]

Yeah I always found it really weird how he didn't play at a Ballon D'or level off the 4 minutes he got every 6 games.

[randomlegend]

A professional footballer level would be a start.

[Ian]

As if he was as bad as that, you wet.

I've no idea if he's any use or not, I'd barely seen him for Ajax, but he was certainly no worse than of the fucking dross that had managed to be ever present after he joined and unlike a lot of them he did at least look as if he'd heard of making a run before.

If he gets some actual game time and is shit or continues to not play because he doesn't bother his arse in training then fine.

[Ian]

A youth doing something. :drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Garnacho :cool:

[Shindig]

He's played most of Everton's games so they clearly think he's .... good enough for Everton.

[randomlegend]

As if he was as bad as that, you wet.

I've no idea if he's any use or not, I'd barely seen him for Ajax, but he was certainly no worse than of the fucking dross that had managed to be ever present after he joined and unlike a lot of them he did at least look as if he'd heard of making a run before.

If he gets some actual game time and is shit or continues to not play because he doesn't bother his arse in training then fine.

He was that bad.

Garnacho is going to be quality.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

As if he was as bad as that, you wet.

I've no idea if he's any use or not, I'd barely seen him for Ajax, but he was certainly no worse than of the fucking dross that had managed to be ever present after he joined and unlike a lot of them he did at least look as if he'd heard of making a run before.

If he gets some actual game time and is shit or continues to not play because he doesn't bother his arse in training then fine.

Reddit says he's fucking horseshit so he's horseshit.

[Ben]

Who is this Alejandro Garnacho Ferreyra that Livescore speaks of?

[Giggles]

Who is this Alejandro Garnacho Ferreyra that Livescore speaks of?

The next Frederico Macheda.

[niko_cee]

Better than Macheda, but will probably struggle to have a more meaningful impact or win more medals than him. What's the crack with 'Amad' and the other one anyway? Loans to Scotland/Sunderland doesn't really bespeak of future greatness.

[Shindig]

Shola Shoretire should've been the one.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Better than Macheda, but will probably struggle to have a more meaningful impact or win more medals than him. What's the crack with 'Amad' and the other one anyway? Loans to Scotland/Sunderland doesn't really bespeak of future greatness.

Pellistri, his agent is gagging for a move after the World Cup.

[randomlegend]

Better than Macheda, but will probably struggle to have a more meaningful impact or win more medals than him. What's the crack with 'Amad' and the other one anyway? Loans to Scotland/Sunderland doesn't really bespeak of future greatness.

Neither have shown much aside from Pellistri (I assume that's who you mean) inexplicably being a regular for Uruguay.

Amad is talented but still looks really lightweight.

I doubt either do anything at United. Pellistri may well leave soon.

[randomlegend]

Shola Shoretire should've been the one.

He's only 18, give him a chance :D

[Shindig]

Nah, that's when Shola's peak. :D

[Adramelch]

Group F has all teams at 8 points as things currently stand. Can't say I recall the last time something like that happened.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63505551

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says he is to retire from football after his final game at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

Seems a strange time to hang it up. Should have milked the cunts with his salary for the rest of the season.

[randomlegend]

Barca board have probably got some dirt on him and bullying him to retire.

[randomlegend]

Maguire on up front :lol:

[Raoul Duke]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63505551

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says he is to retire from football after his final game at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

Seems a strange time to hang it up. Should have milked the cunts with his salary for the rest of the season.

Retiring mid-season is proper FM-level scheduling

[Shindig]

Does he have another court case coming up?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Looking around for an audiobook to get my teeth into (or eardrums, I suppose), I went into the 'sports' area of Audible and saw they were promoting Neil Warnock's book. Rated 4.5 stars. Nine hours and thirty-two minutes, and, amazingly, narrated by Neil Warnock himself.

Strap in, I'm going for it.

[Shindig]

That's like three Murray Walker's worth of life.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's everything I dreamed of. The phrase 'armchair experts' in the first ten seconds. Mention of the tea lady and turnstile operators being the soul of the club. The opening narrative hook being his side losing 2-0 away from home but 'the boys gave it a good go'. Anecdotes about Neal Danns and Danny Butterfield. 'Keith Curle thought I was mad'. Nine hours and thirty-two minutes.

[Shindig]

Well, I know what I'm getting for my birthday.

[Kikó]

Looking around for an audiobook to get my teeth into (or eardrums, I suppose), I went into the 'sports' area of Audible and saw they were promoting Neil Warnock's book. Rated 4.5 stars. Nine hours and thirty-two minutes, and, amazingly, narrated by Neil Warnock himself.

Strap in, I'm going for it.

I loved Matthew McConaughey's and Bob Mortimer's once you're done.

[Giggles]

Have I read that right or am I missing something?

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63521254

[Jimmy Floyd]

Presumably the FA are appealing because they think the sanction is too lenient. Agree it's not a well-written article though.

[Spikey M]

They must have mistaken him for Harry Kane amirite

[Jimmy Floyd]

FA Cup back on TV. Best competition in the world. Hereford v Portsmouth. Fuck FIFA.

[Giggles]

I’m afraid it matters not. In a very short time we’ll all be balls deep in dirty FIFA.

[randomlegend]

Apparently Rio Ferdinand was 5 minutes up the road from me having a curry earlier. Why the fuck he was in Attleborough I cannot even begin to imagine :cab:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He fancied a curry you mong.

[Shindig]

Kevin Phillips managing South Shields took me by surprise. As did Conor Wickham turning up at Forest Green.

[Spikey M]

Apparently Rio Ferdinand was 5 minutes up the road from me having a curry earlier. Why the fuck he was in Attleborough I cannot even begin to imagine :cab:

I went for a curry in Kings Heath while I was at Uni and Matt Dawson was just casually sat at the bar. It appears to be the place to meet ageing sportsmen.

Curry houses, that is. Not the outskirts of Birmingham.

[Boydy]

Everyone loves a curry.

[Baz]

Kevin Phillips managing South Shields took me by surprise. As did Conor Wickham turning up at Forest Green.
And scoring a worldie.

1588892945792442368

[Don]

Pep celebrating after KDB dives and Haaland scores. What a grim grim summation of the times we live in.

[niko_cee]

How many penalties have City had this season? Feels like they get one most games.

[Gray Fox]

I thought Taz was exaggerating but that's awful.

[Giggles]

Whatever it took, at least they won.

[Alex]

Leeds making hard work of it but you have to love a comeback I suppose. The big takeaway from the last couple of games is that we need to lean very heavily (even more so) into the young players. They are the ones making it happen in the oppositions half. Gnonto is particular looks great.

[Guybrush]

Whatever it took, at least they won.

Not hoping for an unlikely Arsenal league win, then?

[Lewis]

Is that curly haired Arsenal fan with the leather jacket still alive if they win the title?

[Gray Fox]

That's a stunner from Tielemans.

[Adramelch]

I can't say I've watched every game of them or anything, but it sort of surprises me that he's still at Leicester. Might be that he scores impressive goals here and there and that's my lasting impression of him.

[Don]

People were saying he's slow as if a player of that immense world class technical ability is gonna get found out. Proper fucking brexitball gammon take.

[niko_cee]

This MLS Cup final is mental.

[niko_cee]

I see VAR was at it again in the Forest game.

[Don]

MOTD boys lolling at Dennis and calling him a diver but the little Belgian ginger prick is an all-time great.

[Jimmy Floyd]

No white man (magnolia or lighter) has ever dived. Fact.

[-james-]

alright Lewis

[Pepe]

Arjen Robben that fucking cunt.

[Gray Fox]

You see if they're white they are simply "anticipating the contact."

[Lofty]

No white man (magnolia or lighter) has ever dived. Fact.

Morten Gamst Pedersen.

[Shindig]

Steven Taylor.

[Spikey M]

They all listen to reggae.

[Waffdon]

Harry Kane as per Spikey

[niko_cee]

I found the MotD analysis of the penalties to be quite confusing. I thought all 4 incidents in the Forest game were penalties on the modern interpretation. Don't see any of them being 'overturned' if given by the ref, which just brings you back to big teams getting the decisions if you are going to set some sort of discretionary bar for levels of contact. When Veltman went through Toney a few weeks back there was nowhere near the level of contact necessary to bring about Toney's reaction, but it was a pen, I don't see that's really all that different to the Dennis one yesterday. Same for the Henderson one, he catches him on the shin, the contact may be slight but, as stated, more than enough to fell a fully grown Harry Kane.

[mo]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63461228 I work in Chippenham and I know a lot of kids were going to watch this match, so imagine they'll be buzzing on Monday morning. Great goal to win it too.

[Waffdon]

‘Would you Adam and Eve it’

Fucking hell.

[Shindig]

Plus he's giving the keeper two saves when they've hit the bar.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There should be more rhyming slang in the mass media. Keep Americans, northerners and celts OUT of the discourse.

Chelsea-Arsenal at noon, I assume Drogba will power us to a 2-1 win.

[Lofty]

I think Aubameyang will score and gesture at Arteta before Azpilicueta gets roasted into the stone age by Martinelli.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Just seen the lineup on screen and seen Jorginho in a two up against Partey in a three. Fitting really on the day we remember young men senselessly slaughtered by the brutality of modern industrial warfare.

[Waffdon]

The whole structure of the line up is proper disgusting. I know there are injuries but fuck me. Absolutely wide open without even being able to function going forward to compensate.

[Waffdon]

Arteta is such a cretin. Someone needs to knock the creepy fucker off.

Referee fancy blowing his whistle anymore. What a turgid mess so far

[igor_balis]

I feel like these early kick offs are always gash

[Lofty]

Red card brewing in this. Not sure how Saka has got booked before Cucurella though :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

A thrilling 45 minutes of soccer action. I've got no nails left!

[Yevrah]

Yeah, that was baaaaad.

[Gray Fox]

Have they called it an intriguing or fascinating contest yet?

[mo]

Magic of the cup on ITV now as an alternative. Wrexham 2-0 up against Oldham.

[Ian]

Have they called it an intriguing or fascinating contest yet?

Like a CHESS MATCH!

[Waffdon]

That booking for Azpilicueta :lol:

Martinelli kicked him if anything.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think one of the most annoying things I do is stress the third syllable of Aubameyang, rather than the second as is common practice. I don't think it's even correct, I've just got into the habit.

This sort of game provides a great opportunity for self-reflection.

[Manc]

Some tasty offerings from the continent this evening. Rome derby at 5pm followed by Juve v Inter/Marseille v Lyon.

[Gray Fox]

The vaccine strikes again.

[Waffdon]

Some tasty offerings from the continent this evening. Rome derby at 5pm followed by Juve v Inter/Marseille v Lyon.

Are you on commission

[Manc]

A drinks break in November? The game's gone.

[Gray Fox]

A drinks break in November? The game's gone.

There was a "problem" in the crowd.

[Gray Fox]

I'm not sure how that's got to Gabriel without being touched.

[Waffdon]

Deserved goal. The gulf in class is crazy.

Just another example of Reece James being the most influential player in the world. Two seasons running they’ve went to shit when he gets injured.

[niko_cee]

I think it's more that Chelsea are just shit quite a lot of the time.

Still easily got a 2-1 burglary in this though.

[igor_balis]

Waffles so clearly came of age watching football in the era of the NARRATIVE.

[Waffdon]

They are, they don’t have a midfield or attack even after spending millions. Tuchel should never be in charge of rebuilding a team.

Newcastle away next week as well, so there’s another loss.

[Waffdon]

Waffles so clearly came of age watching football in the era of the NARRATIVE.

I just speak in facts.

[igor_balis]

Hey you do you man

[Jimmy Floyd]

Deserved goal. The gulf in class is crazy.

Just another example of Reece James being the most influential player in the world. Two seasons running they’ve went to shit when he gets injured.

Last season it was more Chilwell, who was running the league prior to being injured vs Juve. But there is a point that in modern football where lung-busting wing backs are basically the only point of difference between most sides (freaks like Haaland notwithstanding), not to have backups other than a small Spaniard in his mid 50s is a bit of a miss.

[Waffdon]

Blame Tuchel. Didn’t address the midfield two summers in a row and didn’t bother to bring in back up for Reece James never mind the mess up front.

People like Conor Gallagher shouldn’t be playing at this high a level. Stay in a midfield team where they can run all day long and ‘press’.

[randomlegend]

I think one of the most annoying things I do is stress the third syllable of Aubameyang, rather than the second as is common practice.

Fuck our political differences, this is the worst thing you've ever posted by far.

[Waffdon]

Jenas thinking it’s handball based on where your foot is :lol:

[SincereTheRebel]

Chelsea has been very poor so far.
G.Jesus is super strong for a small guy. I didn't think he was this good. He really does put a shift in.

[randomlegend]

United only needing to win 10-0 to be third by the end of the day :drool:

EDIT: Didn't realise Tottenham play later, and it's against dogshit Liverpool so they'll probably win.

[Waffdon]

United only needing to win 10-0 to be third by the end of the day :drool:

EDIT: Didn't realise Tottenham play later, and it's against dogshit Liverpool so they'll probably win.

Not really

[Lewis]

Waffles so clearly came of age watching football in the era of the NARRATIVE.

lol that is spot on. I preferred Spoonsky posting with half his IQ whenever he watched.

[Waffdon]

Chelsea’s ‘XG’ must be some sight for today. Same since they superkeepered Villa.

[Waffdon]

Arsenal are annoyingly very good. They have the best defence in the league and the rapist is a proper boss in midfield. If they get lucky with injuries, they should keep it tight with Man City. Far better than any other team in the league.

[Lofty]

Xhaka dropping the F bomb :D

[randomlegend]

United only needing to win 10-0 to be third by the end of the day :drool:

EDIT: Didn't realise Tottenham play later, and it's against dogshit Liverpool so they'll probably win.

11-1*

[randomlegend]

12-2* :uhoh:

[Waffdon]

Gerrard really was shite.

[randomlegend]

It's like playing with 9 men having Ronaldo and Van De Beek on.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Almiron is incredible.

[Kikó]

Sack the baldie.

[randomlegend]

Been all over them since the second goal. Deserved that bit of luck.

[John Arne]

Did VAR check for van der Beek being offside from the cross?

[Kikó]

Fuck off John Arne.

[John Arne]

UnVARlievable.

[Shindig]

Hmmm ... another half where we look under the cosh and then bang two quick goals in. I think I like this apocalypse.

[niko_cee]

Spurs replacing two attackers with a full-back and a defensive midfielder?

Going to be another classic.

It's literally 10 defensive players plus Kane.

[Don]

Soz, this early KO has clashed with my football so I'm late to the party but please form an orderly queue you mongs so I can slap you with my girth. Fucking had a week of photoshopped Garlicnacho pics swamping football twitter as if he isn't Pellistri mk2. Pls tell me Martinez was particularly to blame for some of these too.

[Spikey M]

Spurs replacing two attackers with a full-back and a defensive midfielder?

Going to be another classic.

It's literally 10 defensive players plus Kane.

It's mostly injuries. Son got injured in the Champions League, Richarlison has been out for a while. Kulusevski is on the bench but he is only just back from Injury.

Gill basically never plays and I am assuming Conte would rather use Perisic as an attacker (which he has been for most of his career) than watch Lucas shit the bed again.

It will be 532.

[Don]

The dirty favela midget elbowed Bailey? INJECT IT INTO ME BABY.

[Kikó]

Pretty toothless but not unexpected with Ronaldo and De Beek playing. Some real dross in the second string.

[Gray Fox]

Donny may yet be saved, but Ronaldo should not play for you again. Let alone be captain.

[randomlegend]

We are quite good with our first 11 on the pitch and quite shit when we have to make any changes.

A striker is desperately needed. The step down in quality in defence if Martinez or Varane are out is also stark.

[Giggles]

Ronaldo was captain? :D

[Baz]

Nunez looks on it. :drool:

[Baz]

Gonna be 5, this.

[Gray Fox]

Southampton SACK Ralph.

[Gray Fox]

As for Liverpool, they looked electric the first 10 mins or so, but seemed to retreat and slow it down a bit after the goal.

Nunez has all of the physical gifts you could need. He just seems desperate to do it himself, rather than realising there are quality players around him.

[Giggles]

Southampton SACK Ralph.

They’re gone.

[Gray Fox]

They’re gone.

So apparently they've decided he's to go, but are unsure at present if to give him the final game before the World Cup break.

[Don]

Konate :drool: he's what Saliba dreams of being.

[Giggles]

Doherty needs to start more for Tottenham. Royal is shite.

[Gray Fox]

Just about recovered from the end of that game. I thought the game management there from Klopp was awful. Bringing Jones on to play wide left killed any counter attacks we might have had. Nunez was knackered by this point too. It just invited Spurs on. Every time the ball was lofted over Trent I felt like they were going to score. Only in the 87th minute did he send Gomez on to help and even then Trent was mind boggling.

Still, now back to 5 points off 4th with a game in hand. Given how bad things would have looked with another loss today, I'll take it.

[phonics]

That willock goal is a complete miss hit right?

[Don]

1589023822245953538

Wild.

[Spikey M]

Crazy if true.

[niko_cee]

MotD analysis has that as a penalty against Alexander-Arnold?

:happycry:

Someone get me the video of Jota 'anticipating' being flattened by whichever Spurs mook it was whenever that was.

[Waffdon]

1589249286956814336

I’m not sure it’s even a foul but the referee deciding that wasn’t in the box might be the worst decision I’ve ever seen

[Jimmy Floyd]

If ever there was an example of the First Rule, that is it.

[Ben]

What the fuck. :D

[Giggles]

Has to be on the take.

[Waffdon]

Bayern/PSG
Brugge/Benfica
Liverpool/Real Madrid
Milan/Spurs
Inter/Porto
Chelsea/Dortmund
Frankfurt/Napoli
Leipzig/Man City

Guaranteed at least three shite teams into the QFs.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't think we've ever played Dortmund, or at least I can't remember playing them. A good draw for that reason.

[Boydy]

Real Madrid? Ah shite.

[Don]

For similar reasons as Jimmy really, I don't recall playing Real Madrid so good draw.

[randomlegend]

Argentine "Cup of Champions" game ended with 10 players sent off :D

[-james-]

Liverpool to do Real. :nodd:

[Waffdon]

I don't think we've ever played Dortmund, or at least I can't remember playing them. A good draw for that reason.

First time ever

[nickfootie5]

First time ever


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fg9So7wWAAIas-Z?format=jpg&name=medium

[-james-]

United - Barcelona. :lol:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Inevitable when we failed to qualify in first.

[niko_cee]

Liverpool are usually a bit shit in the last 16 but maybe they've cleared their bad run already this season. Real are owed a good beating. Shame City ducked PSG but good to see that at least one of the financially super dominant fucners will be heading out (Bayern also in this category).

[SvN]

It's the best draw we could've got, really.

[Ben]

I can't decide whether I love or hate Real shithousing their way to glory year after year so I'll support the winner of this one.

[Kikó]

Definitely try and get to the Barcelona game.

[Waffdon]

1589708946025353216

What a don. Shame it’s an own goal

[-james-]

I had money on the home side. :moop:

[Waffdon]

I see they’re reporting Reece James will be back by the end of the month potentially. Wonder how long he will be out for after he rushes back and Southgate throws him into the team.

[niko_cee]

England taking an injured Reece James to the World Cup an then hoping he regains fitness will be a new low.

[Shindig]

Man, Joelinton should've had Fred's spot.

[Spikey M]

England taking an injured Reece James to the World Cup an then hoping he regains fitness will be a new low.

It was common practice back in the good old days, was it not? This tournament is going to be grim though. A squad of players barely playing for their teams. :sick:

[niko_cee]

Yeah, but with 'star players' not some poxy rightback when we already have loads of others.

[Offshore Toon]

We need him for our FA Cup win and 2nd place.

@Shinners obvs

[Spikey M]

Yeah, but with 'star players' not some poxy rightback when we already have loads of others.

As Jimmy and Waff will tell you: he is the second coming of Jesus. The Messiah. And Trent, is a very naughty boy.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Don't throw me in with the dregs of Dundonian society. That said, wing backs are the star players now, in any team. Well, most teams.

On your previous point, I really feel there's some room for a team that actually knows each other and hasn't been battered by European injuries to make a deep SHOCK run a la 2002. Qatar the obvious one, but I'm sure there are others.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, Kevin De Bruyne and Alien Inge Haaland, classic wingbacks.

Is there a decent team going [other than Chelsea] who's best player is a full back?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'll rephrase it (since wingbacks don't fit the star player mould) - wing backs are what make a lot of the best teams work. See Liverpool when they were all-conquering vs Liverpool now.

[Don]

Also Man Utd and Malacia.

[niko_cee]

I'll rephrase it (since wingbacks don't fit the star player mould) - wing backs are what make a lot of the best teams work. See Liverpool when they were all-conquering vs Liverpool now.

Whilst I take your point, isn't it equally the case that the best teams work by having good players performing important roles in all areas of the pitch? Using Liverpool as the example their fullbacks remain the same [albeit perhaps underperforming] but their midfield and attack have suffered loss of personnel in recent seasons, particularly from the all important 'work-rate' perspective [Wijnaldum's departure much underappreciated].

[Waffdon]

Reece James is what Alves was to Sevilla and somewhat Barcelona in his prime. Ran games from right back. He is wasted for England though and never looks all that great. Better off with Trippier and Shaw.

At least Manc understands.

[Spikey M]

If real life football was FM23 we would all be saying that wing backs are overpowered, I don't think there's any getting around that. Liverpool proved you don't even need a midfield by playing pensioners there. Just shove 3 forwards up top and make the wing backs run a marathon backwards and forwards twice a week.

[Waffdon]

The Germans ruined football with their relentless pressing. Energy > ability

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was watching a random German game at the weekend (Werder Bremen v Schalke) and the headless chicken nature of it was remarkable. Everything at 100mph without the technical quality to go with it.

[Kikó]

It's genuinely the same at the lower levels I'm playing at as well. There's a complete lack of effort defensively. We lost our last game 8-1 (after beating teams 7-0 twice and 9-2 in previous weeks).


Actually the technical ability is very good but no one can be arsed defending.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yeah, I mean they're all good players, but it's so much harder to execute with the necessary precision when you're trying to do everything at a full sprint for the whole 90 minutes.

[niko_cee]

Mané off injured, 'mon a mass spate of injuries further ruining the World Cup [also handily plays into operation easy draw for GSB again].

[Jimmy Floyd]

When we lose 4-1 to Qatar in the round of sixteen we won't be laughing.

[Ben]

I've just looked up the Qatar national team squad expecting a lot of paid imports. They've adopted a few Sudanese lads for unknown reasons and a Portuguese defender called "Ro-Ro" but other than that they're surprisingly Qatari. If they even score a goal in the groups I'm calling match fixing.

[-james-]

James Justin just got stretchered off for Leicester. The door for James Tavernier to start against Iran is almost open.

[Gray Fox]

Bath City v Dulwich Hamlet game was abandoned tonight. Sounds like the defender has given the opposition player a push on the way out of play which has sent him head first into the advertising hoardings. Only problem is they're just signs put up on a concrete wall.

[Shindig]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63564102

That's pretty special, to be fair. Memories that'll last a lifetime, etc.

[Ben]

Reece James out of the World Cup.

[wullie]

1590244771599208448

Have some of that Wigan

[Spikey M]

Unbelievable scenes at the Mike Ashley Arena.

[wullie]

Apparently he was there last night, his team checking out the £20m worth of maintenance needed on a 17 year old stadium and I assume he was just enjoying the total of two shots on target in the entire game.

[Waffdon]

Reece James out of the World Cup.

https://media.tenor.com/13SbkNuJSt0AAAAM/lotion-laptop.gif

[Waffdon]

James Maddison not making the squad but Kalvin Phillips doing so would be lulz.

[-james-]

I don't think Maddison will be in the squad. Not like he's going to get loads of (/any) minutes if he is and Southgate is hardly going to take him for his bantz.

[-james-]

These are presumably nailed on:

Pickford
Ramsdale
Pope

Trippier
Trent
Shaw
Walker
Maguire
Stones
Dier
White
Coady

Rice
Bellingham
Mount
Henderson
Saka
Foden
Grealish

Kane
Sterling
Rashford

Which leaves five spaces. Serious lack of left sided defenders there, so maybe Tomori/DAN BURN to round them out?

Phillips probably goes. Maybe Maddison, or JWP/RLC?

Then a Kane backup. You surely only need one, but he'll probably take two of Toney, Wilson and Abraham.

[Don]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_national_football_team

Looking at the 27 man squad on there:

Pickford for Hendo
Cross James off
Ben White for Chilwell
Phillips for Tomori
Wilson for Toney
Grealish for Bowen

To take Maddy would need you to drop a real danger-man like Guehi/Coady/JWP so I can't see it.

[randomlegend]

Toney probably won't go because of all the betting stuff right?

[randomlegend]

Maddison is the most productive midfielder numbers wise over the last year or so by far isn't he?

[Don]

Ooof I've missed out Rashford. Rashford ahead of Wilson if he still bums that giraffe Tammy. No Wilson and Maddy for maximum tears and lols.

[-james-]

I'd have Wilson bags packed waiting at Heathrow with a sick note for the weekend. Man scores goals.

[Waffdon]

If he takes Abraham then he just picks who he wants without watching. He was really good last year but he’s been beyond a joke so far this season. No point taking Wilson, he will just get injured.

[Waffdon]

Ben Doak in the Liverpool squad for tonight. First attacker in years to genuinely look like he could be world class. Noticed we have a few decent looking prospects in that Man City development squad too.

The future :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Maddison at this one feels like Grealish at the last Euros. Fancy flair player in whom Southgate has no interest but is forced into using by weight of form / public pressure.

That said, I always feel like fans are bit naive when it comes to packing the team with exciting attackers, in the international game it's about being balanced, shutting up shop and nicking one via a set piece / penalty for which Kane has dived.

[Waffdon]

Maddison is just a more technically sound Mason Mount, though. Idk Southgate doesn’t like him, runs his bollocks off and speaks very well, something he usually loves.

[randomlegend]

Maddison is just a more technically sound Mason Mount, though. Idk Southgate doesn’t like him, runs his bollocks off and speaks very well, something he usually loves.

It's because he's a twat IRL.

[Waffdon]

All talented professionals are

[Shindig]

Southgate's probably going to shove Saka into left-back. He did that in Euro 2020, didn't he?

[Gray Fox]

Ben Doak in the Liverpool squad for tonight. First attacker in years to genuinely look like he could be world class. Noticed we have a few decent looking prospects in that Man City development squad too.

The future :drool:

Unfortunately not starting! Calvin Ramsey is though, so I shall spend the whole game just watching him. I'm very pleased for Layton Stewart.

[phonics]

Arteta is going full Pep and playing the first team.

edit: I tell a lie it's loads of b-teamers.

[-james-]

Enciso, Sarmiento, Colwill and Gilmour for Brighton. :drool:

[Waffdon]

Unfortunately not starting! Calvin Ramsey is though, so I shall spend the whole game just watching him. I'm very pleased for Layton Stewart.

Gutted. Hopefully he comes on in the second half - that Scottish connection :drool:


Enciso, Sarmiento, Colwill and Gilmour for Brighton. :drool:

It’s a shame about Brighton’s depth in midfield as Caicedo-Billy G gets me aroused. Ready for Colwill to pocket whoever he’s up against.

[phonics]

Mohammed Elneny going to boss him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Bet the yanks are delighted about pooless sick starting this. The whole situation is just bizarre at the moment. Should probably just be playing on without World Cup players and to hell with fairness.

[randomlegend]

All talented professionals are

He's an especially a twat.

[Manc]

Wasn't he spotted in a casino until the early hours during his first England camp?

[Waffdon]

Lewis Hall arguably the best player on the pitch, unsurprisingly. Zakaria, rather funnily, also looks the closest to a defensive mid Chelsea have had all season in his two starts.

[-james-]

1590427293671096320

Did he mock up that graphic himself? Phenomenal work.

[Lewis]

I'd like to see Southgate prowling the touchline in that clobber.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He would have been an amazing England manager. Like a better Graham Taylor. I'm still mourning Big Sam's loss.

[Waffdon]

That Chelsea wall :lol:

What is Koulibaly doing

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

How did Chelsea not score there?

Ortega and Ake were dying to put that in.

[Gray Fox]

Ben Doak in the Liverpool squad for tonight. First attacker in years to genuinely look like he could be world class. Noticed we have a few decent looking prospects in that Man City development squad too.

The future :drool:

He came on for the last 15 or so mins. He looks technically very gifted and quick off the mark. I know it's only Derby but he looked above them, which at 16 is really promising.

Ramsey also looked pretty good, but you can tell he doesn't quite have the legs under him yet.

[Baz]

Nunez's penalty. :youpi:

[Waffdon]

He came on for the last 15 or so mins. He looks technically very gifted and quick off the mark. I know it's only Derby but he looked above them, which at 16 is really promising.

Ramsey also looked pretty good, but you can tell he doesn't quite have the legs under him yet.

I was honestly surprised Ramsay got the move. He struggled at times last year but then maybe playing to the standard. He’ll do well to get ahead of Patterson/Hickey for Scotland.

[Waffdon]

Mohammed Elneny going to boss him.

Colwill was man of the match. Some plur.

[Baz]

Where’ve City found that Ortega and why isn’t he someone else’s first choice keeper?

[Ben]

He was Bielefeld's first choice for years.

[Giggles]

Sub keeper is the dream.

[Ian]

Third choice, like Lee Grant. :nodd:

Or that period when Adam Bogdan was about fourth in line at Liverpool while still presumably being on fifteen grand a week or something

[phonics]

Wilson in. No other surprises.

[wullie]

If Maddison and Wilson both make the squad that's the biggest Cov contingent at a World Cup since Hadji and Chippo, kind of.

[wullie]

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

[Waffdon]

Conor Coady continually getting called up for good vibes is proper small time.

[Giggles]

Maguire? :D

[Manc]

Gallagher is a shocking pick.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Who is he cover for, Bellingham? Feels like one of those proper spare wheel selections.

[Waffdon]

Looking forward to the following team when England play a decent side:

Pickford; Walker, Maguire, Stones; Trippier, Rice, Phillips, Gallacher, Shaw; Mount, Kane

:drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Not defensive enough.

[-james-]

England squad is mega tbh.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I do like the plethora of forward options. Callum Wilson as the modern day Defoe. Bit of stardust and a lot of solidity. Just need to beat Iran and we should be away.

[-james-]

Glad to have you aboard the good ship Southgate.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I want him sacked even if we win gloriously (and Mourinho installed). Just bored.

Think Churchill getting the heave-ho in 1945 because the people (rightly) didn't back him for peacetime.

[niko_cee]

France in the Quarters, Belgium in the Semis? Not a chance. And coming second in the group is just going to land us in the same quarter as Argentina and Brazil, so it ain't coming home this time.

[-james-]

Coin flip against either of those. Belgium look absolutely rotten tbh and absolute prime for a TQ lay.

[niko_cee]

Have England ever won a 'coin flip' game against a decent nation? I guess the dreadful Germany side at the last Euros?

If Belgium look absolutely rotten then what the fuck have England looked like for the past 12 months or so?

[-james-]

Unlucky on the xG. :naughty:

I would assign a generous 5% significance to a team's results in the year leading up to a tournament.

[-james-]

Have England ever won a 'coin flip' game against a decent nation? I guess the dreadful Germany side at the last Euros?


Being a coin flip shot against a decent nation is all you need.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If France didn't have two absolutely munting sides in their group I'd quite fancy them for a SHOCK exit.