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Kicking off on 21st November, with the final game on the 18th December in the newly constructed Lusail Stadium.
Qualifying kicked off today!
First round of the AFC prelims, 2 legs;
Mongolia 2-0 Brunei
Cambodia 2-0 Pakistan
Laos 0-1 Bangladesh
Macau 1-0 Sri Lanka
Bhutan 1-0 Guam
Malaysia - Timor Leste kick off later
6 winners progress to the second round when all the other Asian teams join in 8 groups of 5.
Bhutan sounds like a typical Football Manager non league side.
I wouldn't be shocked if the next edition of the Nations League links with the UEFA qualification :sherlock:
U-S-A! U-S-A! Please fucking qualify.
The Reid accidentally called it the League Of Nations last night and we decided it was a much better name for it. I unlocked a trophy on PES for saving a penalty, called Goalmouth Guardian, who wouldn’t definitely be part of the League Of Nations.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pleb
Having just looked it up, he’s a proper war nerd so probably knew it had already been a thing.
New logo. It's alright, but there is a weird little ridge at the top of the logo that looks like a bad photoshop.
https://gyazo.com/3db9e02a6e6db289afe8131034c3d699.jpeg
Also, Asian proper qualifiers start tomorrow. Vietnam travel away to Thailand after a somewhat dodgy AFC draw...
https://gyazo.com/c16871966ba2bae6728de7a78e31f3b6.jpeg
I really enjoy the long underline bit cause it looks like how some fonts look that don't translate all of the letters if you know what i mean
We open up with an away against Kuwait. Tricky, but should be navigable, and nice preparation for the tough away trips we'll face to qualify.
I heard it's about 50 degrees in Kuwait at the moment...
But yeah, you should win. New manager bounce and all that :)
2022 World Cup dates confirmed. Final on the 18th December.
https://img.fifa.com/image/upload/t_...ysu1jm2vsz.jpg
They'll have to stop club football in what, mid October? And resume it in January? Mental.
My roflcopter still hasn't recovered from when they were awarded the gig...
Part of me thinks club football should just play on with depleted squads like they do (or used to do at least) in MLS.
Clubs have enough players, they should just carry on like plenty of other sports do.
I would like to see that too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Disco
The club vs country row :drool:
The location is obviously shit, the ethics of it are shit, but I think from a fan's perspective the very worst aspect is that it's happening in fucking December instead of the summer. Totally kills the mood of the tournament.
Opening match will be something like Qatar v Slovenia, kickoff 11am in the UK. I cannot wait.
The saving grace will be the quality of football.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
It works if you have play-offs to even things up at the end of the season, but it's not going to work with simply league structures.Quote:
Originally Posted by Disco
Also FIFA aren't going to let other places play football during the World Cup so this is all a bit moot.
The biggest disgrace about the whole thing is the new Concacaf qualifying.
For novelty I reckon it'll be alright. Quite looking forwards to booking off most of December and just stuffing my face and being drunk for a month...oh, wait - that's what normally happensQuote:
Originally Posted by Spoonsky
Yeah we’re (hopefully) having our GAA championships in the winter this year running from October to the final the week before Christmas (normally May to Sept) and everyone is looking forward to that for the novelty. I think the WC then will be great as a one off.Quote:
Originally Posted by Raoul Duke
Gonna try and get back into the international game for this, while it’s such a novelty.
The international game is the only game.
Spoken like a true <insert shit club> fan.Quote:
Originally Posted by Giggles
I’d give the Czechs their best chance of qualifying since 06, especially if they blood in the young guns
The two Adams can lead them to glory.
You’ve been reading my posts!!
It's the draw lads. The draw for the shittest World Cup ever.
So fucking wet for this.
Is this a normal 32 team World Cup?
Imagine winning a World Cup and then having to be back on dogshit club duty ten days later. Just in time for the Festive Fixtures here as well. :harold:
You forget how lol that 7-1 was.
Didier Deschamps and that kid have a whiff of Saddam Hussein and the British Airways kids.
Why bring in some random fan?
Tim Cahill :cool:
They've brought in the big guns for the draw.
Jermaine Jenas selling his soul to the devil.
I might struggle to support USA against England.
Why are Mexico and USA in pot 2 and Canada in pot 4?
'LvG' is going to cut some promo on the Qataris before/after that game.
I’m glad we boycotted.
Couldn't they have saved a few quid from the bribes Qatar paid to employ someone who can pronounce "H".
Have they always separated countries from continents like they’ve done with Uruguay there?
Iran will love that.
Sir Gareth is going to spawn an easy draw again, isn't he. :D
Let's go @Don :drool:
Iran and the yanks? Going to be 2006 all over again.
(I know it wasnt Iran, but its the US + shitter we should beat so far)
Lewandowski will shit on Messi and send the dickheads out.
Dream draw for England so far. Get scotland in that group pls driver
That would involve him doing something in an international tournament.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry
England's draw is fucking boring.
France vs France B looks like a must-miss as well.
Have France and Denmark ever not been drawn together?
Where is the GROUP OF DEATH? Germany or Portugal going out (unlikely, the silly little Asians will be dazzled and let Ronaldo walk a hat-trick in) in the groups is as exciting as it gets. The rest look routine.
It's not his fault the rest of the team have been shit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yevrah
New manager in, it's going to happen this year.
What an opening game. So fitting.
I was really hoping for Cameroon in B, Aboubakar against Maguire would be tasty.
The fucking state of our group. :sick:
Mon :drool:
England
Ayatollahs
Subordinate Celts
Yanks
Is this the weakest WC ever?
Until the next one, yes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Manc
A team from the Qatar group in the last 16 too (if we get through). :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Yevrah
Say what you will about Southgate as a manager, I'd give him a Carteret Analysis 'high score' for luck of the draw, although I do recall the last time we drew the yanks . . .
Bring it. :cool:
This has Gareth Bale scoring a worldie or two to knock scotland out all over it and then Wales doing a Euros 2016 and getting to the semis with an easy route
Could they not have waited for the qualifying ties to be played before doing this?
Apparently not, which is a bit odd as you'd imagine there aren't really even any logistics to worry about.
A nice 10am start for some of the group matches and a 3pm final.
The boycotting has went well. Wasn’t there a European team making big claims some time last year (Denmark? Sweden?). How did that all pan out?
I don't see a proper group of death here but the I can see Brazil possibly getting dumped out of theirs. Actually, I think I'm expecting too much. Maybe Portugal wobble if Captain Giraffe has to do all the work.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia to battle it out for the worst goal difference.
Norway who boycotted it by not qualifying.
Ah, not quite as strong a claim when that happens.Quote:
Originally Posted by Browning
It’s definitely a ‘wait for the knockouts’ draw.
Is it just me, or are all this groups dogshit?
I guess the Spain group isn't horrible.
Yeah. It makes you realize how absolutely rancid the World Cups are going to be from 2026 onwards when they start inviting 48 fucking teams.
They should make it 16 only, if anything.
I think the current format is perfect. Just the right mix of odd / random / shit countries to make it fun, but still a high enough ratio of good teams to make for a lot of interesting games.
:drool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Pepe
Two groups of 8 and 7 games each before the knockouts. Continental teams to play each other in playoffs so we have less “spread it out” dross.
I don't mind the 32 format. Gives one or two nations the chance to have a run. 16 makes it too much of a top table.
The fatalism in the face of opportunity :harold:Quote:
Originally Posted by Waffdon
Yeah I think for the World Cup 32 is about right. Unless you're going to be brutal and say only three European teams can get there or something. :drool:
10 European out of 16. Though you’d properly have it so the Denmarks are playing the Uruguays for a place in it once the continental qualifying is done. Say like a group of Europe 7, Europe 8, African winners, and South American 4 in a group to get one qualifier. It’d be like a tournament before the tournament.
The worst formats are the ones with situations where three teams can qualify from a group of four.
I think 32 was the sweet spot.
As ever, the problem with giggles line of argument is that the "good" teams are often dogshit, and the best moments of the tournament are usually when they get lolled out by someone he doesn't think deserves to be there.
It's not a meritocratic format. 7 games against opposition of varying strength is an awful way of deciding who the best team is.
Yeah, although it did lead to some good drama last year. Still, it's contrived drama.Quote:
Originally Posted by Offshore Toon
Get rid of the qualifiers. The World Cup should feature every country in the world. Every game is a knockout game and there should be no seeding.
Find the best team.Quote:
Originally Posted by -james-
Is the team that wins the final automatically the best team?Quote:
Originally Posted by Giggles
Closer to it after 7 more equal group games anyway. Top team in each group to the final.Quote:
Originally Posted by -james-
When did the 'best team' last not win it?
We’ll never know.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lewis
2021 :happycry:
I don't know. A seven (or four) game sample isn't big enough to judge that. Just enjoy it for what it is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lewis
A soulless money making machine?
I think it's the Binance thread you're after.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spikey M
The BANTER when the dozens of travelling fans boo their anthem and we win 4-0.
'USMNT' has to be one of the worst things ever conceived.
Worse than Team GB?
Hmmmm. I will go with yes.
United States Mutant Ninja Turtles
32 years of trolling and general hatred has culminated in this beaut. I wasn't succesful in the first round but I hope I can sort tickets for the US game in particular. England game might be better enjoyed here.
We seem to have latched onto that type of shit too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pepe
Those Americans love an abbreviation.
Australia beat UAE last night in the AFC playoff.
They will now face Peru in the intercontinental playoff.
Is Guus Hiddink busy?
Meanwhile I and many others have failed in getting tickets in both rounds of ticket applications so far. General consensus seems to be it's more difficult this time so fuck knows what dodgy shit they're up to.
I didn't watch it, but I heard it wasn't pretty. Both teams pretty crap, by all accounts.Quote:
Originally Posted by Queenslander
Arnold is an awful International manager but it isnt all his fault as the players are clearly rubbish for the most part.
Got to keep that corruption train rolling. I bet there's a massive 'delegation' party for the hosts.Quote:
Originally Posted by Don
It may just be me, but there are no hotels available in Doha on the 21-23 November (England - Iran) according to Agoda.
Hotels are a massive problem apparently, to the point where they're booking up hotels in Kuwait and running 50 extra flights a day to shuttle people between the two.
It's basically like trying to hold the World Cup on the Isle of Wight, but with even more hostility to gays and women.
Certainly seems so. Both Agoda and Google Hotel both return ZERO results.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
Great. I'll watch it on TV.
There was talk of cruise ships being parked nearby and tent fanparks (which could have been decent if it was in an actual country rather than an Arab shithole).
Does Doha have a proper sewage system or do they cart it out on trucks like in Dubai?
A good host nation makes a World Cup better. They're going to need some very, very fixed matches.
Netherlands seem to always get an easy draw. Weghorst 150/1 for the golden boot.
I watched that Gary Neville/David Beckham thing to see whether Neville held him to the same standard he expects of Eddie Howe. Disappointing.
Was it just however many minutes of him asking "What's it like being great, Becks??"
He was weirdly cringe and girly around him to say they've been best mates for thirty years.
Would help if he started.Quote:
Originally Posted by Manc
More chance (and massively better odds, surely) of Dumfries.Quote:
Originally Posted by Manc
Bold to bet against Our Harry Kane given the state of England's group and their penchant for free flowing attacking football.
Qatar continue their World Cup preparation with a 0-1 defeat to... Linfield :D
Breaking news.
Has anyone heard that Linfield beat Qatar? Apparently it was 1-0.
I hear Mellberg's going to give the Binance thing a second shot.
How did Qatar get on last night? Didn't catch the result.
It's ok, Bam will be along soon to tell us the result.
Linfield beat Qatar. Lol at their world cup prep.
Lineal world cup hosts.
I could buy into that. Brazil v Cameroon in Armagh.
I didn't realise so many of the World Cup Stadiums were so small, well, medium sized.
Lusail - 80,000
Al Bayt - 60,000
Khalifa - 45,416
Education City - 45,350
Ahmad bin Ali - 44,470
Stadium 974 - 40,000
Al Thumama - 40,000
Al Janoub - 40,000
I also checked out hotel rooms again - last time there were zero available, there are a small number now, starting at $900 per night :D I would have liked to have gone, but trying to get anything actually booked is impossible.
Is anyone going?
I heard ticket holders have access to accomodation listings so it may not be as you see unless you're lookin on there. I tried to get tickets at every turn but wasn't able to (could get Iran-Wales tickets at the final round but ummed and ahhed for 20 mins as wanted the other 2 games at which point it was sold out. If I knew CQ was taking charge of us I'd have gone for that alone).
The flights are still pretty cheap so I was tempted given I’ve got the fist two weeks off, but fuck paying that for a hotel room.
Even just transiting through Doha airport was enough to make me never want to go back.
There's just this sinister feeling about the place.
Yep, never been anywhere near it but it's the gist I get from afar.
I think it'd genuinely more fun to be almost anywhere else warm in the World watching games in a bar than be in Qatar soaking up whatever passes for atmosphere there.
My brother in law works at FIFA so yes arranged tickets for the MIL to go. I'm boycotting so boo.
I'm quite looking forward to getting cosy in a pub watching a whole day's games when it's dark and miserable out. Being around a load of England away fans is bad enough, let alone in fucking Qatar.
How to tell me you're a cardboard oil state without saying it out loud.Quote:
Originally Posted by John Arne
I skimmed your post and for a split second thought this was who you were going with.Quote:
Originally Posted by Don
:lol:
Thread of the various things to consider before going. Watching the games outside of the stadiums somehow seems like an even bigger hassle.
Expect an initial ticket check on the perimeter leading to fan zone compound (FIFA partners & alcohol sold here 3hrs ahead of game). No alcohol in stadiums. 0% beer.
:drool:
There’ll be no common man there anyway so nobody will care.
Fuck :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Disco
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63066393
Classy clap clap clap
What a load of absolute bollocks. Be better doing fuck all rather than clamouring for a pat on the back.
Yep, absolute shite. Might even be worse than Harry Kane's armband.
Tasty af so great tribute to the worthless slaves.
I thought Hummel made paint so I guess this is working as intended.
I like that Qatar's defence of themselves is that they only killed 37 people, not hundreds.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-63084459
Adidas, how could you? :D
Hold back the tears, @Don Sardar Azmoun out for 4-6 weeks.
Initially down as 6-8 had me in tears but latest update is 4-5 weeks so MON. Just need Taremi to stay fit. An injury there and I'll carry out a terrorist attack.
Not World Cup related, but the Asian 2023 cup hosting has been won by... Qatar.
Which means 3 on the spin all hosted in the Middle-east, 2019 in UAE, 2023 in Qatar and 2027 in Saudi.
Bahrain 2031 for a full house of oil butchers.
I wouldn't mind if they were well attended or decent events, but they aren't. Half-empty stadiums, shit atmosphere and just generally crap. I went to the opening game of UAE 2019 and it was worse than League 2 Crewe game. That and the UAE being a soulless desert.
I went over too and it was without doubt one of the most shittest experiences of my life. I really missed the boat with the Aussie one.
Fuck off Saudi in 2027 and give it to South East Asia. Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh (and their fancy new stadium). Jobs a good 'un.
The Morodok Techo National Sports Complex...
Toggle Spoiler
Anyone else collecting the stickers?
Nobody over 13, no.
I’m hoping to do swaps on behalf of a 5 year old so cool story broQuote:
Originally Posted by Spikey M
Of course you are. You definitely haven't posted about collolecting them previously and taken a Covid Test just to go buy Pokemon Cards either.
I did it in 2014, but only filled about 70% and gave up. I've got the free album, but doubt I'll bother. When my son's a bit older I'll definitely get involved again.
FixedQuote:
Originally Posted by Ben
I think they worked out that you need to spend something like 1800 quid to fill the most recent one.Quote:
Originally Posted by SvN
I completed the 2014 one and still have it in the drawer beside my bed for story time.
But no, not this time.
That price is wrong, it's almost always around £500 with a max of £1000.Quote:
Originally Posted by phonics
Although no one who completes it will ever spend that much as they'll swap and you can always buy the exact ones you need on the official website.
My plan at the time was to buy the last few off Ebay, but never got round to it. I looked a few years later and the costs were sky high.
I had two complete sets of those Euro 96 coins from Sainsbury's but god knows where they are now. :moop:
Those were amazing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shindig
I'm sure the coins were World Cup 98. I've got them still, including a few unopened packets.
Ah, that's right. Euro 96 was those terrible holograms I got out of packets of Frosties.
This is how I discovered that now apparently “rookie” stickers are a thing. Got a whole lot of my “swaps” from 2014 that I might actually check and shove on eBay soon, now you’ve reminded me.Quote:
Originally Posted by SvN
I did that with the last euros. I'm sure I spent around £400.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry
According to author and football finance expert Kieran Maguire, there are 670 stickers to collect for this year's album, which, assuming were all bought on the first go, would cost £120.60.Quote:
Originally Posted by phonics
However, Mr Maguire explained that based on probability, it is more likely to set fans back £883.80.
https://news.sky.com/story/amp/how-m...plete-12685902
I’ve spent £94 and reckon I can swap to complete it. :yn:
Calls for Taz's boys to be chucked out over these drones. :happycry:
They'd be replaced by the UAE, so be careful what you wish for.
You can also order the singles you need for like 20p from Panini.Quote:
Originally Posted by Baz
They've all lined up on the northern border ready to have a pop at Azerbaijan as well. That'll be interesting.Quote:
Originally Posted by niko_cee
Would absolutely love to get involved in some of these sporting sanctions. Giving a bye to USA on behalf of our supply of drones, not even use :D
Why is the Foreign Secretary being moaned at for suggesting that the gays wind it in in Qatar? What sort of travel advice is he meant to offer?
Exactly. If he told them to go wild then they’re being led down a road to bad times. It’s a shitter but it’s a country that’s not for changing at this stage.
Someone alerted me that England's first game is on a Monday (21st November) at 1pm. I'm supposed to be visiting an addiction recovery centre all day. Surely that'll get cancelled. Right?
Get the game on for the gamblers.
I’ve taken a leaf out of yevrahs book and taken the two weeks of the group stages off work.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shindig
Fuck it.
It's the way forward. I just need to find somewhere warm in the World to be watching it from now.
The 10am starts for the first week are going to be glorious. I'm going to get absolutely nothing done.
The world Cup being a month away feels wildly wrong. I've no idea how badly wrong things can realsitcally go (probably not very) but fingers crossed that they do. Wayward nuke or something wiping out the whole of fifa.
I’m still proud we’ve boycotted.
The gays kicking off because they can't rim eachother in the stadiums is great bants.
I've taken the 2 Iran early KO days off, the rest of the 10am days will be WFHs having done 5-day weeks in the office for 3 weeks to build up my bank. Should work out pretty sweetly, just need to find decent spots to watch the Iran games now. Mates proposed I follow them to boxpark which I lolled at, I'd detonate a backpack in there long before KO.
Anyone of this persuasion going anywhere near these states wants their head checking. Why go somewhere you are deemed illegal.
By all means oppose things but channel the opposition at FIFA not at the fucking country you're a guest in.
Indeed. The idea of influencing, let alone changing a regime, through fucking football is cute at best.Quote:
Originally Posted by Don
Shopping.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
I got Morocco in the work sweepstakes. One pound down the bog.
Sweepstakes are such bollocks. Imagine if Morocco actually did win the World Cup, and all you got was 32 quid.
On the other hand, you might get the mighty Three Lions at 32/1
Indeed. I got Greece in 2004 and got £10 for my troubles. An actual quid on them would have returned somewhere between one and two hundred pounds.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
I always do a matching bet just in case, so far I've just thrown money away at double the speed but you never know
Last World Cup I had Germany, everyone went 'Oh, you've got Germany have you?' rolling their eyes, as most sweepstake participants were in the warehouse and for an office man to draw the mighty reigning champions was a grave disappointment to them. A few days later, as the third South Korean goal crashed into the back of the net to death-cries of 'Scheisse!' (I can't actually remember how the game went, this is poetic licence), I felt like Mr Bumble being overthrown by the orphans as they filed in to dance upon my sausage-laden grave.
Just seen Japan have announced their squad. Was it a 26 man group last time as well?
Surprised to see Maeda the only one of the Celtic trio to make it. Mitoma is in though. :cool:
Japan and South Korea have a propensity for basic defensive frailties but their tempo and class ensure entertainment at every turn. Both could go deep.
It was 23 last time.Quote:
Originally Posted by -james-
Also, you need to be having most goals conceded or some shit in a sweepstake to keep the Morocco wankers interested.
I've watched quite a lot of Japan games over the years, mostly qualifiers against the likes of Oman/Vietnam, and their problem is nearly always that they have nobody that can score goals. They are basically Brighton. If it's Takuma Asano leading the line then that's basically ritual suicide.
Similarly, all of the good teams went to women who don't have a club. 'Are Brazil good?' 'What are France like?'Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
https://www.theguardian.com/football...ting-world-cup
A rare clanger dropped by Sir Waistcoat.
Cancel him.
He's such a disingenuous individual.
:cool:Quote:
The Qatari Supreme Committee, which is responsible for organising the tournament
It's pretty clear (especially from the attitude of my old mate Red Nev) that even the more progressive elements within the professional football community just don't want to talk about the various issues surrounding this tournament, because they find doing so to present far too much of a challenge to the gravy train. Disingenuous doesn't begin to cover it.
I think the problem is that the people in a position to say anything worthwhile are trivial people, so they think that the problem with Saudi Arabia is that they killed a journalist, and that the problem with Qatar is their employment laws. They either wouldn't comprehend that they are thirteenth century holes with air conditioning, or wouldn't dare question why, which is why Gary Neville freely admits to being thick and/or naive enough to think that access to elite sport would help reform the Middle East, because, in his mind, a World Cup is worth reforming your employment laws and therefore your entire society.
It's horrific, isn't it. If you don't care then fine, to a degree, but to have spent so much time claiming you do and accusing others of being scum for not towing your line while you were doing so, only to then do all this. There probably aren't words that do it justice.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
I think the problem is they don't want to rile Qatari authorities because they'd very much like to not end in prison.
Apparently Dunk and Welbeck have been included on the pointless 55 man longlist for the England squad - which also reminded me of this line up from November 2018, when they somehow managed to beat USA 3-0.
https://gyazo.com/bece8ce9d1d77ab959375794e78caddd.jpeg
Has there been a worst XI? I seem to remember Peter Taylor picking a completely random XI including Seth Johnson once.
The team that England put out to Australia years ago. Edit: actually wasn't that bad
England: James; Neville, Ferdinand, Campbell, Cole; Beckham, Lampard, Scholes, Dyer; Owen, Beattie.
Didn't Rooney make his debut in that game or something? A dark day on Green Street, if it's the game I'm thinking of.
People only think that team was bad because Francis 'Franny 'Fox in the Box'' Jeffers got a few minutes.
The real dreadful XIs were Hodgson-era.
EDIT: just looked up Francis Jeffers. 52 career goals. Is that the lowest ever for someone selected by England as a striker?
http://www.englandfootballonline.com...PlyrsApps.html
We never got to see Kane and Austin up front. :(
How did Tom Heaton get 3 minutes? Was it his birthday?
What was Michael Ricketts premier League tally?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
I had a think about this, and came up with a few names and checked their career goals.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
Frazier Campbell - Somehow 104
Gabby Agbonlahor - 87
Michael Ricketts - 96
To be fair to poor Franny, it looks like these 3 did play a lot more games than him, and at lower leagues as well.
Yeah, Francis was never really a regular outside of Everton and Sheffield Wednesday. I thought he retired early but it looks like he carried on just as a squad fodder. Actually, he packed in at 32 so maybe a bit of both?
Even Dean Ashton, who basically lost a foot at age 25, outscores him by more than double with 111.
Shout out to Dave Nugent having 9 top flight goals to go with his goal a game England record.
https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uplo...?ts=1566491512
6 Premier League goals.
He was still somehow banging the goals in over in Japan last I saw as well. I remember when he left us for Perugia, they also signed a woman and Colonel Gaddafi's son to their squad at the same time.
Dean Ashton was a lovely player. Shame he broke.
This is a good thinker!Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
In terms of people who have finished their career Alan Smith came to mind. He apparently racked up a career total of 47 and I believe played up front for England.
I'm talking about the Leeds United variant Alan Smith here. The other, older one was obviously a lot more prolific. And I suppose to be fair to him too, in terms of his low career tally, I think Ferguson largely converted him to a midfielder when he joined Man United and I'm not sure to what extent he ever went back to playing up top. He actually managed 19 England caps when I've looked it up, which surprises me.
72 in all competitions, so he beats Franny.
I'm pretty sure he spent most of his post-United time as a midfielder as well, certainly at Newcastle.
Poor fact checking on my part. I apologise, Alan. I'm obviously still sore from the (completely unavailable) cross-Pennine betrayal.
I'd like to nominate former Liverpool forward Steven Caulker for consideration
Danny Cadamarteri managed fewer career goals than Jeffers I think, which is some going off 350 appearances mostly in the lower leagues [even more so when you think he scored a third of his career goals for Everton], but his shiny new thing shtick never got him that full England cap sadly.
What's the forum plan for the World Cup? One thread per group, and a separate thread for each round thereafter?
One thread per group doesn't make much sense. One thread for each round imo.
I’d just go one thread for the whole group stage. Idiots like me don’t have a clue who is in which group and there’s no way I’m scouting out that information prior to passing judgement on some Costa Rican fella.
Monthly football thread.
I think a thread for group stages, another for knockouts, then one for the final.
No threads, as an act of defiance against the Supreme Council.
A thread per match.
Some email Ital and get him to set up a separate forum.
England v Iran will need it's own thread.
We're closing the gaff up after that.
And only invite people that aren't going to be mean about England.Quote:
Originally Posted by Giggles
We ended up with a thread per round last time despite some weirdos thinking we all have so much to say we couldn't possibly survive on as few threads as that.
This thread will do.
The opening match, Qatar versus Ecuador, is on a Monday afternoon, kickoff 4pm UK. England-Persia is at 1pm the following day.
Box office.
Early look at ratings based on estimated squad strength, market odds and historical performance. 0.1 difference in rating is probably equal to around 0.1 goals.
https://i.imgur.com/kmuHTNL.png
Looks like an England lay against Iran is on the cards, judging by current prices.
I thought it started on the sunday?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
You're right, it's a Sunday.
I'm considering decent sized bets on Qatar to progress quite far.
:harold:Quote:
Originally Posted by -james-
Does this take into account their Transfermarkt values?Quote:
Originally Posted by -james-
No but it probably could do. Any cross national club ranking system would work. It's pretty crude but probably does alright. Teams with players at Manchester City and Real Madrid are probably better than teams with players at Crystal Palace and Bourdeaux.
Wonder just how much VAR-related corruption we'll see. Some flagrant South Korea-level shenanigans would be great
England will smash Iran :yn:
In other stats wankery news, Sofascore have added match stats for World Cup matches going back to 1966, and apparently final that year had 77 shots. :cool:
If you watch old games, there was a lot less fucking about than there is now. The start of moves was slower, and they'd roll it around and pass back to the keeper which doesn't happen now, but they'd get to the point far quicker. Kind of like serve-volley in tennis versus the endless rallies of today.
Entertainment versus the joys of physical endurance.
Not long to go now. What do we think the starting XI will be? I've thrown this together - the only possible changes I think are;
Dier for Maguire
James for Trippier (if fit)
Perhaps Sterling over Mount. Knowing Southgate he'll probably start Rashford based on one decent game.
I'd also much prefer a 433
https://gyazo.com/660b18fe0344828d2c732b0a7c84326e.jpeg
Is Foden ahead of Sterling and Mount?
Don't think any of them are eligible for Indonesia.
I haven't kept up. Is Kyle Walker injured?
He should be given they're both shit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Don
Sterling is obviously going to start.
The thought (inevitability) of having 2 absolute bums who can't even get a game for United in the side is depressing in the extreme.
The closer we get to the tournament, the more uneasy I feel about England's chances. These are 3 opponents who simply have to be beaten or it's abject humiliation, but I'm not sure we have more than 2 or 3 goals in us across the 3 games. Iran has 0-0 written all over it.
Shaw has been starting since Malacia got fisted in the Manchester derby.Quote:
Originally Posted by niko_cee
Every time I think Shaw might actually be a good player he turns to shit and every time I give up on him he's good again.
He does look a lot slimmer.
England will win all 3 group games without a doubt. Probably make it to the semis again if they avoid anyone too decent of a side.
This belter from twitter:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FgpTdMLU...g&name=900x900
:cab:
Doing a Taz on England? Nice.Quote:
Originally Posted by Waffdon
England are winning it all.
Mahow. :cool:
They’ll go far enough to get all the tails up and windows smashed but will fall near the end due to being too conservative. Semi’s.
Out in the group stage.
Goalless draws with Iran and Wales, followed by a 72nd Pulisic winner for the US.
And more:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FgtFokxW...pg&name=medium
The England band officially on the Qatari state payroll, do we need any more evidence for the moral depravity of each?
Confirmed whoppers.
They're probably the type to be £16,000 in debt.
Dear me.
And here was me thinking the England band couldn't get any worse.
You lot need to start focusing on the football.
FIFA :harold:
lol
Jesus, Gary. Trying to respond like a politician instead of saying like, "I WOULDN'T MISS THIS WORLD CUP FOR THE WORLD! FOOTBALL!"
Game over for Gary that. Absolutely rumbled, with all the points made any sensible person without an agenda would make. God I love Hislop.
Is the Dani Alves in the Brazil squad for this the Dani Alves? What the fuck? Isn't he about 50?
He was in the CM 01/02 database. I guess there's not many of those folk left, certainly at international level.
Australia squad for the World Cup looks, frankly, fucking awful. @Queenslander, what happened?
https://i.postimg.cc/0QSgJf0f/Untitled-3.png
Absolutely dead behind the eyes.
What a name Keanu Baccus is though.
I can see 3 Scottish players in there alone. Probably about 10 have played over here too. Grim.Quote:
Originally Posted by John Arne
If pes made films.Quote:
Originally Posted by -james-
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63554507
The face turn to end all face turns.
You say face turn but it's because he had a much better deal lined up with North Korea.
They'd have given it to Mordor if the cheque had been big enough.
What time is the final going to be? I've just realised I'm travelling on Dec 18th.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
Lol.Quote:
"Since then, social considerations and human rights are taken into account," he added.
Mordor?Quote:
Originally Posted by Spikey M
Ha, GEEK!
3pm our time I think.Quote:
Originally Posted by niko_cee
3pm you say?
Toggle Spoiler
Guernsey unlikely to reach the final imo.
Late and unexpected call up for Alex Scott?
Most of the team's image rights probably live here.
Outside of Melbourne City the A League is terrible at producing quality players. We overlook the likes Cristian Volpato (Roma) as kids more often than not these days.Quote:
Originally Posted by John Arne
The upside is we have a small Army of Sudanese Australians coming through the pathways so hopefully we can keep most of them going forward. Thomas Deng and Garang Kuol will be the ones to watch at the World Cup.
Garang going to a World Cup after 17 minutes of senior football. What a trajectory. :cool:
He's our best prospect since Kewell. :cool:
Mane out now. No doubt some more big ones to come this weekend.
Obviously a bit of a tragedy for him personally, but in a world of petty tribalism, lol, fuck him. Hope he likes Christmas Markets.
I skimmed past some tweet that seemed to suggest he misses the lads and plying his trade in a non-farmer setting so I feel a little hesitancy in lolling at the useless fuck.
I very much doubt he does.Quote:
Originally Posted by niko_cee
Qatar to reach the quarter-finals available at 14/1. Draw opens up with every passing day. Longer than Cameroon and Ghana!
Come ooonn the banter year.
Jimmy, depart whatevet train you're trying to manifest, there's no hope there and there certainly is no will.
Lol at France not starting Maignan never mind not taking him to a World Cup. Their midfield depth also looks horrendous, bang average aside from the 2 Madrid boys.
Rashford making the squad on the back of literally one decent game is peak Southgate.
Also, Elliot for Henderson please.
Sir Rashford.
Address him using his full title, scum.
Marcus "School Dinners" Rashford.
Marcus 'Published Author' Rashford. 'cos he totally wrote that book he has out.
Rashford has had a good season so far so not sure which was the good game.
Tyrone Mings to make the squad backed into 1/10 this morning lol.
Mings, Coady and Gomez all being called up would be hilarious. Such a grim back line, no wonder Southgate plays negative football.
Gallagher, Maddison and Wilson in if you believe the Skybet money.
Gallagher over Hendo is a surprise if they're right but fairplay to the virgin gimp, he's grown some balls.
I have no idea what Connor Gallagher offers in international football. He's not even any good at penalties. Is Toney a no go due to off field issues?
He is probably suited to it, if anything, based on the fact RELENTLESS pressing is his only standout talent. Absolutely zero positional awareness and lack of a first touch though.
Since when have England played a pressing game?
I thought 'being in the right place at the right time' (like Lampard) was his main quality, although admittedly I haven't seen all that much of him.
He does arrive late to the box very well but he just is not suited to being in a team expected to retain the ball often. Certainly struggles receiving the ball on the turn and just a bit clumsy. Crystal Palace were perfect for him.
Have a look at the Netherland’s strikers they’ve called up if you want a laugh. Proper Brexit ball strikers
The first XI isn't bad tbf but the rest of the squad is reeking. Their 2nd keeper is a 39 year old who was first capped this year. :cab:
He's first choice actually. Can tell I don't watch Ajax games.
Isn't he their 1st choice GK? VVD, Dumfries and Gakpo could take them far.
No Thiago should assure us the CL :drool:
Ochoa and Andrés Guardado are still around the Mexico team
'LvG' MASTERCLASS incoming. Semi-finals at least.Quote:
Originally Posted by Waffdon
Surprised Marquez isn't there.Quote:
Originally Posted by SincereTheRebel
Talavera is even older than Ochoa. He was average as fuck when young. No way he is any good at 40.
Laughable. Click into the thread, all these fans traveling in from errr India?
But what are the rentamobs employment conditions like?
They cheer for who they're told to cheer for or its back to the labour gangs for the opportunity to become a load bearing migrant.
World Cup starts this week.
:)
https://benderslikebeckham.com/
What a loser.
Iran with some strange squad decisions.
4 goalies, and only named 25 players :sherlock:
I'm intrigued by the way they've divided it into five positions.
Goalkeepers, defenders, more defenders, full backs, and motorcycle outriders.
Injuries to our [Hull City] wonderkid and, more recently, experienced holding midfielder (in a friendly against Nicaragua last week) have resulted in the 25. The 4 keepers is very peculiar though, maybe we want 2 training games on the go. Either way, the master clearly doesn't respect the 26 format and who is anyone to doubt him.
Is there any app with a widget that'll show games and scores?
Love it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Baz
Sofascore and AIscore have a widget for livescores. AIScore also does livestreams for lots of games if you have a decent VPN.Quote:
Originally Posted by Offshore Toon
Nice one, I'll check them out.Quote:
Originally Posted by John Arne
Obviously misty-eyed nostalgia, but I've quite enjoyed the Italia 90 thing on channel 4. Just such a great tournament. Football may have been terrible for a lot of it, but Cameroon [and Roger Milla, who is now 70!] fucking shit up from the get-go, Toto Schillachi being a complete unknown, David Platt's goal, Nessum Dorma, just a shame the final wasn't Italy v England.
What was the last genuinely good WC? I'd go with 2006.
2018 until half time of the second semi-final.
2002.
The last two had good group stages but fairly unremarkable knockout games
When did Germany batter Russia... was that 2014? That was entertaining.
I'm still not over a) the fact that they ruined 2010 with a terrible ball, and b) the fact that everyone diagnosed the ball's weakness wrong - it wasn't the flight but the hard bounce, which just led to endless overhit passes and terrible first touches out of play.
Diego Forlan hitting those low free-kicks into the box from forty yards is a stand out memory of the ball.
Was that the Jabulani or am I thinking of a different shit ball?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
Just noticed a few issues with my wallchart...
The union jack is used for England :/
https://gyazo.com/ba38247bb62a2c59fc0a1ac27d62ccc4.jpeg
Jabulani and Vuvuzelas. What more does a person want?
Lol, Belgium is bi.
I'm not going to ask what's going on with that language. Xu Wales?
I like that USA is Mỹ but Canada is Canada.
The flight was also stupid, tbf.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
Unless you think the excitement introduced by a completely unpredictable flight is a positive I guess.
I mean there's something to be said for that, just ask Mohamed Atta.Quote:
Originally Posted by randomlegend
Nkunku out of the World Cup after being injured in training. Not sure if he’d have started, mind.
No love for poor Hani Hanjour and his perfect turn, for shame.Quote:
Originally Posted by igor_balis
The crowning achievement of his piloting career and it gets dismissed as a conspiracy.
£12 for a pint of Budweiser.
:happycry:
All the rainbow laces stuff and migrant workers buried in the concrete moaning is great and all, but these things travel to shithouse regimes as standard, and it's all deflecting from the real scandal, and that is that the tournament has been robbed from the fans by the corrupt twats at FIFA and their infinite backhanders. I know they are expanding it, so maybe it will be less of an issue, but imagine being a Wales fan, not having seen Wales at a World Cup in your lifetime, and then you do get to one, and it's an absolute non-event because it's in the middle of some tiny pissant desert shithole where no one can go. The atmosphere will be terrible, the football probably a human rights violation in itself, but it's ok, we're trying to help some recalcitrant bellends come to terms with their own prejudices.
England will probably win it and all now and it will be rubbish.
lol at Virgin laying on a plane for England called 'Rain Bow' (yay) whilst suspending their gender-bending uniform policy on the exact same flight because Qatar doesn't like it (boo).
Anyone not excited for the World Cup should collect the stickers. I’m buzzing for it.
I wouldn't have thought that blood would make a good adhesive.
Loving how salty the Welsh are getting over William, Prince of Wales giving England's brave boys are decent send off.
#HesOneOfOurOwn
"I think you should also stop to think about your record in England with immigrants, also".
Oh baby.
Says a fucking white Portuguese Mozambican, think he exists at the mouth of the tunnel of injustice.
My man ain't the one imposing his filthy kafir beliefs onto every fucker around him like a Jehovah's Witness.
What's the deal with all the puma kits for this seemingly having massive shield designs on them? The Swiss one looks like a first aid kit.
Never mind that, is every team's kit in block colours and is every team's away kit all white?
I always thought 'block colours' meant all the same colour, but it seems that I may have been wrong in that assumption.
Most of the kits look pretty meh.
Saudi Arabia sporting Newcastle's third [away?] kit a nice touch. Sub-Saharan Africa look to be leading the way as usual.
I'm also coming to realise that, other than the debacle with the final, I have conflicts of some sort or other for virtually every England game. Just the worst time of year to be doing this.
That's what I meant by it.
24 of the 32 teams have at least one white shirt, which is a real worry. Not counting Argentina/Croatia in that either.
Ecuador away, Mexico away and Spain away are all pretty cool.
Ah, ok, seems to have another 'fashion' meaning as well. Portugal do have green shorts, no? And a half-and-half diagonal shirt thing which doesn't look too bad.
Is that Robben modelling the Netherlands kit? :D
Yeah, I managed to mistake Serbia for them. This might be the change I make in the world. No more all same-colour kits at tournaments, and no more light vs dark. We have suffered long enough. The colourblind must find other entertainment.Quote:
Originally Posted by niko_cee
If anyone gets away with that rubbish Puma design it's Morocco as it's almost faint enough to miss. Their home is just a redo of the 98 Hadji special so I'm getting that from one of China's finest copycats.
They are all absoutley honking.Quote:
Originally Posted by niko_cee
I feel like Japan's hasn't changed since 1998.
I think it would be a genuine design challenge to fuck up the Argentina home kit. Just absolute perfection in its simplicity.
Although I’d say the same thing about the Dutch home kit and they still managed it.
The shield motif on some of the away kits look downright horrific.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLsR8GMdTSEQuote:
Originally Posted by Lewis
:cool:
That's not a bad Watford kit that Ecuador have.
Lovely to see 'Safe Hands' Richard Kings(t)on again after all these years.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lewis
God, remember how annoying those fucking vuvuzelas were.
https://www.theguardian.com/football...P=share_btn_tw
This is really good if you want to learn about the squads. It's amazing how out of touch I am now. In 2014 I'd have known everyone, nowadays I'm looking at a team as big as Argentina and I think I know less than half of them. Mexico I've heard of about five players.
Matty Cash playing for Poland will never not surprise me.
I like how Holland's third keeper is the late bloomer rather than the 39 year old first choice keeper who only got his first cap this year.
My favourite of several 39 year olds is Atiba Hutchinson. If asked I would have said he was nearer 50 than 40.
He's been dreaming of playing in a World Cup, it's a story he'll be able to tell the grandkids when he sees them next week
I meant to post about that because it's really well done. Keep an eye out for the player portraits with a circle around them as they have a little extra title.
Marten de Room's "Hard worker," feeling like a backhanded school report, Mason Mount the "complete player" making him sound a lot more exciting than he is, Ismaeel Mohammed the "Joker", so you know to invite him to parties and Sir Daniel Rashford of course has "social activist."
Scrolling through that link (which is excellent by the way) really hammers home what a shambles our defenders are. I'm concerned for coming up against anyone half decent.
https://i.imgur.com/KnlT27S.png
It's a beautiful sight
Junior Hoilett:
Warnock in.Quote:
Finds a way to look back positively on all four of his relegations from the English Premier League. Has worked under Sam Allardyce, Harry Redknapp and Neil Warnock, who he refers to as his favourite.
I got South Korea in the work sweepstake. Let the madness commence.
Is Son still injured?
He's wearing a protective face mask in training so he'll probably be risked.
Son with a fucked up face is probably better than Lee Dong-Gook fully fit. I presume Lee Dong-Gook's still in their squad. He hasn't ever not been.
Huh, that's a real player. I thought you'd just made up a racist name at first.
Google says former player though.
Phonics had the siren fired up and all.
Hwang Hee-Chan probably fills that role. He looked semi-decent for a couple of weeks last season.
There's also the potential commentary headache of Jeong Woo-yeong & Jung Woo-young.
Mane officially OUT.
Already coming up Southgate.
Just need the French to have some sort of mutiny so we can be waved through to the semis again.
They've banned beer at stadiums (in contravention of FIFA's deal with Bud, which was going to be allowed) with a couple of days to go. luv you Qatar.
Well, welp, welp, FIFA, if it isn't the consequences of your actions.
I assume they happily will accept the decision in the name of respecting local customs and focusing on the football?
:D
The next World Cup hosting will now be awarded to man-made islands on international waters where no local laws apply. Moonshine and dogfighting in every fan zone, marry your cousin if you want
Officially banned.
:happycry:
Next up rainbow iconography.
Corporates still allowed of course.
19,000 and you’re having to drink Bud? Poor bastards.
Anyone going deserves everything they get to be fair. The weather is unbearable, fun is illegal and there's a fair chance you're getting stoned to death if you hug your mate after a goal. This is going to be worse than South Africa and those cunting Vuvuzelas ruing every game.
America is only four years away.Quote:
Originally Posted by wullie
Reckon this works out quite well for Budweiser. Getting more advertisement now than they would have if folk were allowed to get pissed
I would certainly expect people who hadn't drunk any Budweiser to have a higher opinion of them than otherwise.
How much Bud have you had today?
I suppose there is an argument that saving people from paying £12 for '500ml' of Budweiser maybe rights a lot of the humanitarian wrongs associated with the tournament.
Anyone for World Cup Fantasy Football?
https://play.fifa.com/fantasy-classi...eague/YWBC1796
https://www.theguardian.com/football...e_iOSApp_Other
It is quite lol how image-conscious the Qataris are. I've learned through my own contact with the Arab world now that these guys just scream and shout like little girls if anyone badmouths them.
I think these lads have misunderstood how sportswashing is supposed to work.
At what point does this transition from being all rather funny to being a bit of a problem? When they start rounding up people not respecting their 'culture'?
English hooligans to the rescue, tearing downtown Doha to pieces.
Was it not when they minced several thousand slaves putting up the stadiums?
I think it's inevitable some kind of problematic event will occur during the tournament - whether a planned protest spectacle, or some kind of clampdown. The thing is for us, how can I put this, white western fans, I don't think we appreciate just how little of a shit the rest of the world gives about things like gays and dead migrant workers. I'd say maybe 12 or 13 of the 32 competing nations are from cultures that give a fuck.
Apparently not.Quote:
Originally Posted by Disco
Depends who you mean a problem to? I think most people who aren't either actively profiting from it or from broadly similar cultures already see it as a problem, don't they?Quote:
Originally Posted by niko_cee
FIFA might be having doubts now it looks like Qatar might start backtracking on shit they've promised to do to placate FIFA's pretence of caring about anything other than the bottom line... but even then it's only because stuff like the Budweiser thing might affect their bottom line.
It'll be very interesting to see who wins ("wins") the 2030 tournament.
I think it's good that Gary Neville and David Beckham are there to raise the issues because I think we wouldn't have heard about most of this otherwise.
It's all a bit embarrassing when England fans kick off abroad but it would be good scenes if they did it this time round.
Will they be able to get tanked up enough to start fights?
They'll only let the paid actors in anyway.
For the England faithful what it lacks in inhibition-reducing alcohol it'll make up in rage-inducing brown people.Quote:
Originally Posted by Boydy
And complaining about the heat.
Not sure I can squeeze in the 10am slot. 1pm games will have to be extended lunch.
I handed my notice in today and had barely any work anyway so I'm quite ready.
:lol:
Guernsey. :lol:
Genuinely looks like one of the worst ways you could spend an afternoon.
Christ.
David Luiz was genuinely awful in this game. Players having a bad game is fine, but his lack of discipline and continued stepping out from the back and leaving huge gaps was fucking atrocious.
His interview after the game was good. He'd just made his £50m move to PSG.
The whole tone of that farridge/Tissier conversation is amazing.
'...than the woke Mr Southgate!' *smug, knowing glance to camera*
It's the "Woah!" from Farage that gets me.
EDIT: Oh, Infantino's gone off on one.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63687412
Why apologise for a past you didn't write, Gianni? The migrant deaths are very fucking current.
:|Quote:
Infantino opened by saying: "Today I have strong feelings. Today I feel Qatari, I feel Arab, I feel African, I feel gay, I feel disabled, I feel a migrant worker."
"I feel African, I feel gay, I feel-"
* dragged off stage *
Just when Ronaldo thought he had the week's soundbites all to himself, here comes Infantino saying the Qatar World Cup is good because he used to be ginger.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spikey M
@phonicsQuote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
I love when complete morons like Infantino go off on grand historical rants. What we Europeans have been doing for 3000 years? What's that mate, inventing the modern world? Including, you know, The Football. Yeah, forshame on us. Would be much better if we'd never bothered with all that.
Grass.
The truth hurts, my little flower.
The Arab was talking to me about the World Cup yesterday. When I asked who he wanted to win, he said 'Lionel Messi'. Then he started going on about how Qatar wasn't to blame for the migrant worker deaths because the stadiums were built by Indian contractors (I have not fact checked this claim).
Earlier in the day, he'd been on at me about how he and most Arabs liked conspiracy theories. The one he always cites is how the people who built the pyramids were ten feet tall but European subjugation had since reduced heights in the region. That is how these people think. They need everything to be an American/Israeli conspiracy, because if it isn't then they might have to start being slightly introspective about the way they go about things.
Lad, can you calm down a little please, I haven't seen such misplaced outrage since a Belfast bakery refused to make a cake.
You have genuinely sounded a little unwell in the last few weeks, I would look at talking to a professional. That's not flippant, I'm serious.
He’s been on the ropes for years now.
It does feel like he's disappeared down a Middle-Eastern rabbithole recently though. He's gone from just trolling the gammons to taking offence to absolutely any mention of the Middle East / Arabian Peninsula.
That’s mental from Infantino, I thought it was a parody thing when I seen it first. One can only assume there are some nice men with hacksaws minding his family in the hotel at the minute.
Hardly the biggest sample pool.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
He claimed to speak for them all, so who am I to doubt him.
Wait, did Bryan Swanson come out after Infantino's speech or was that a known thing?
Taz needs to get his leg over.
I don't know, but him coming out (to me at least) as FIFA's director of communications was a good laugh.Quote:
Originally Posted by niko_cee
Fair play. They do all look al...Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
Toggle Spoiler
That Infantino speech is actually a belter, wasn't aware he was such an intelligent thinker.
It's kinda weird seeing so much criticism of Qatar without anyone mentioning Islam. Qatar has dual civil and Shari'a law - all the stuff people are moaning about (except migrant deaths) basically stem the the Shari'a side.
I've tried.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
He’s not. The Qataris gave him the notes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Don
Re Beckham, can we all agree, if we were offered millions of pounds by the Qatari gov to promote the World Cup, we would?
I certainly would.
None of us have a reputation to protect.
Speak for yourself mate. I'm legendary on this board.
Aren’t you a paeds SHO?Quote:
Originally Posted by randomlegend
Lol as if actual psychiatrists exist.
Conflicting loyalties for young Declan there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Boydy
:D
Is that actual Gerry Adams?
Some brilliant tweets on Qatar so far
£300 a night.
To be fair to Qatar there's no point building economy hotels as there will be no use for them afterwards.
Fucking rubes. :D
It’s what I will be specializing in :henn0rz:Quote:
Originally Posted by randomlegend
I’m shocked that this having the World Cup in Qatar thing is turning into a shambles already.
Which region are you in?Quote:
Originally Posted by 7om
One of the paeds trainees I work with did a secondment to CAMHs for six months recently. He said CAMHs provision is bad enough, but described the adult mental health service in this region as "one guy standing on the roof of Hellesdon hospital waving a white flag and crying".
Peninsula.Quote:
Originally Posted by randomlegend
I’ve done about 10 weeks of psych placement over the last year and honestly it looks fine here. Admittedly CAMHS probably could do with a bit more funding but adult seems pretty good to me.
I think there's something that has been lost in the 'World Cup in Qatar' debate because all the focus is on things that can be easily slated, like gay rights, women's rights and migrant workers' rights. These things are a problem in many, many countries, including plenty that have hosted the World Cup before.
The real problem with having the World Cup in Qatar is that it's a tiny shithole with absolutely no capacity to host an event of this magnitude, except the money to bribe Jack Warner, Chuck Blazer et al for the hosting rights 12 years ago.
A World Cup in Egypt, Morocco, even the hated Saudi Arabia would be far more viable.
Yeah this region is the worst in the country.Quote:
Originally Posted by 7om
:D
I'll be honest, I don't really care about the migrant workers, booze, etc. My only beef is that we have a world cup in the winter during the build up to Christmas and half way through a season.
It's just odd.
I'm actually not minding that aspect of it. Club football bores me to tears at this point, and this is normally an unbearably miserable time of year in general.
Yeah I'm fully behind the scheduling, I get total football burnout by about April. Being able to watch a world cup while I'm still in stage of the season where I'm watching most live EPL games and listening to the odd podcast is great.
Not a Christmas fan? Or is it the dark afternoons and crap weather?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
Imagine how much more unbearably miserable it is going to be after England CRASH OUT in ignominious fashion, or France win again.
Merry Christmas.
...or we win it and bring Christmas cheer to one and all. The positive feeling amongst the English public then has a positive impact on the UK economic market, and by January next year there is no cost of living crisis.
Christmas is alright, but it's the only saving grace between the clocks going back and, well, before them going forward again really.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dquincy
The clock changing is bollocks to be fair. An archaic hang over, which does not serve any real purpose these days.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
I wouldn't open my curtains to watch Qatar vs Ecuador normally, but I might give it a go to see if they execute any gays in the opening ceremony, and I'm away with work Monday and most of Tuesday so I think the first game I'll be able to watch is France vs Australia. YouTube has been unblocked on the work internet for some reason this week, so we might be able to get some games up in the office once we're back, like it's 2002 again.
If only. What days they were.
My mother let me skive off for the opening game and our cowardly defeat to Brazil. :cool:
Add Benzema to the injury pile.
Benzema ruled out for the tournament. Weirdly, I think that actually suits France and gives them a better chance. Mbappe looks much better with Giroud as the focal point
Benzema is out. I’d feel bad for him if he wasn’t such a twat.
Potential last 16 opponent star forward? INJURED.
Potential quarter-final opponent star forward? INJURED.
All coming up Southgate.
*The Woke Mr. Southgate
Wait, is Benzema out? Somebody could have said.
That's big news, thanks Ian.
Just saw Mexico's group. Is Poland any good?
Frankly I'm disgusted nobody beat me to the story.Quote:
Originally Posted by Disco
Confirmed this morning, Benzema is out injured. Poor guy.
We had it on a big screen in the sports hall at school, we were having our mock GCSEs later that morning. We even had the school band (which I never saw before or after this) playing the great escape. Bit bizarre but meant everyone went to school rather than skive (and really the teachers wanted to watch as well)Quote:
Originally Posted by Lewis
Also Benzema is out
Now you can fly out there and stay at one of your many holiday cribs, rich boy. :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Kikó
I've booked one of the space canisters with the indo-english lads.
I think Benzema might have a knock, just waiting for Romano to confirm.
We’re having England on tomorrow in each class, oddly without sound, to try prevent this.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lewis
The money to stay there. Not really selling it.
The 'lock' to your tent isn't the most reassuring.
In the tournament's 92-year history, the World Cup hosts have never lost their opening game.
Looks amazing.
Grim.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dquincy
https://youtu.be/9cQlVww0zKo
:rave: :pards: :dance: :dust:
I remember watching the Africans in the 'Aspire Academy' destroy the United kids years ago in the Milk Cup, but presumably them all actually being thirty at the time has prevented them from going on to make the Qatari senior team. Who actually plays for them?
Morgan Freeman taking the Qatari cash is a strange one.
I thought he was a renowned wrong un now, diet Cosby.
Absolutely shocking.
Also, Joe Lycett did indeed shred the cash.
I swear every time they catch dignitaries at Middle Eastern events, they're always staring at their phone.
You even see Saudi princes (who are always in luxury armchairs) on the hardcam at WWE events on their phones.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shindig
Cheer up, Gary.
First I've heard of this. 2 thoughts:Quote:
Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry
1) what a waste of 10 grand. Do something with it. Offer support to LGBT people that are trying to flee Qatar or something.
2) I'm not sure why Beckham is taking a flamethrower to his reputation like this. He's getting 10 million, apparently. Surely a drop in the ocean for him and his scarecrow wife.
2) because he has an agent who wants 10%, and he isn't himself bright enough to understand things like reputational damage.
David Beckham's reputation will be completely untouched because 1) he doesn't go around being political so it's merely business; and 2) nobody really cares anyway.
Indeed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spikey M
When most of the country are struggling to pay their bills, I'm not sure people will look too kindly on the privilege of someone being able to shred 10 grand without worrying about it.
Anyone who can breathe and walk at the same time is bright enough to understand reputational damage. Don't be daft.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd
The lol thing about that cash stunt is the ear protectors. It's just about the least subversive thing imaginable anyway, but the ear protectors add a real health and safety vibe that elevates it into council-funded artwork territory.
Alright. The agent who wants the 10% has said 'There won't be reputational damage' and he's believed him.Quote:
Originally Posted by randomlegend
RTE going to town on the awarding and French Qatari arms deals, and migrant workers, and lgbtq stuff, all while they’re sitting in a studio (or over there) coining it in on the back of it. Just get on with the games, we know all that other shit at this stage.
I tuned in to see some fireworks and some qualifying footage of the 2 sides. Instead I've got BBC News roundups and that fucking BLM woman saying shit like "you don't know how hard it is to travel to a country and fear for your life just because of who you love" :lol:
lol at Alex Scott saying boycotting this was the 'easy option'. She would melt like the Wicked Witch of the West if she was off the telly for more than three days in a row.
*Mahow swaggers into the studio*Quote:
Originally Posted by Don
They are all so full of shit. Richie Sadler telling us it’s not about pundits covering it, it’s up to everyone else. Just not their pay packets.
Take a stand or shut the fuck up.
:D shitQuote:
Originally Posted by Lewis
:D/:(Quote:
Originally Posted by Lewis
This is so weird. Doesn't feel like a world cup at all.
Those hired Indian fans are out of control.
Gary's brother does.Quote:
Originally Posted by Don
Isn't that VAR replay going from when the player received the ball rather than when it was passed??
Can we lock this thread so there's not two on the go?
God love you it must be terrible confusing
There’s probably enough going on around this tournament at the moment that’s not related to group games to warrant this anyway.
Why not just put it all in the current stage thread? No point having the same conversations in two different places. It is truly very upsetting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cVrWymwsRg
Man, I didn't realise how mad that final was. Shame Hungary never got a second chance with that group of players.
Hidegkuti would have had a hat-trick just while it was 2-2, with any kind of luck. A run of ludicrous good fortune for Germany, as it always is when they win, certainly in the first three, I can't recall 2014 except for the 7-1.
:lol: