[FUTBOL] International Fixtures, 22nd - 27th March

[Baz]

Was Ryan Sessegnon in the squad for this friendly?

[Danny]

Don't think so

[Queenslander]

The right thing to do at this stage is to give our spot to someome else.

[Baz]

Don't think so

Hopefully cos Southgate believes in players coming up through the U17/U21 teams, rather than rushing them straight in. Although if he was at a Premier League team I’m sure he’s be one of the first five names on the starting team sheet, he’s that good.

[Spikey M]

Lol

[Giggles]

Watched our match back, more of the same aimless shite. Rice was the only one came out looking decent and he'll probably end up jumping ship.

[Reg]

Southgate I think his way of speaking to the press is better than any England manager I can remember. https://www.theguardian.com/football...ng-fear-factor

I know it could all come crashing down if we concede three tap-ins from square back passes against Panama, but even if it does I'll be at least pleased that an England manager had a coherent plan.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43547567

If anything there was too much positivity which was met with absolute abject performances/results which has led to the slight negativity.

[Shindig]

I think there's also a malaise around international friendlies and qualifiers. England win most of them. Nobody cares until a tournament hits.

[phonics]

I'm looking forward to Lewis Cook and Mawson playing. I have a soft spot for Cook due to a particularly good Bournemouth save last year and I just really like Mawson as a player. He's very John Terry esque without the being a massive cunt part.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Messi Lingard is the TRUTH.

[mugbull]

John Terry as massive cunt lol

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's a shame Zaza isn't there.

[Ian]

TTH well up for this match tonight, then.

[Jimmy Floyd]

VAR is going to ruin the World Cup. Officials won't have a clue how to use it and fans will be left in the dark.

[phonics]

I'm the opposite of Jimmy and I think VAR has put a Jonathan Pearce esque curse on everyones brain

Quoting from the BBC match report:

England were fortunate to escape some defensive lapses, especially when Ciro Immobile headed over in the first half - but looked to be closing out a confidence-boosting win until a late intervention from VAR.


Referee Deniz Aytekin consulted VAR after Burnley defender James Tarkowski tangled with Federico Chiesa, and decided the England debutant had stepped on the Italian's foot, allowing Lorenzo Insigne to beat Jack Butland with just three minutes left.


England's players complained long and hard about the award of the spot-kick - but VAR looked to have got this one right, much to Southgate's frustration.

So what you're saying is, England looked good value for a win until they gave away a penalty that Italy converted. Ok.

[John]

That's exactly what it says, but it's a match report so it includes some extra detail. I don't see a problem with any of that.

[phonics]

Yes I'm just confused as to why the headline mentions VAR, the subhead mentions VAR, the Gareth Southgate interview is headlined 'Southgate unhappy with VAR'.

It's not some mystical element. They looked at the footage and said 'yeah thats a pen' and your own coverage agrees it was a pen. What's the problem?

[Byron]

Then you've got Crisps saying 'VAR is for howlers and this was not one'

Well how do you know if it's a howler or not unless you review?

[Magic]

I love the TalkShite and ex-player AGENDA against VAR. Makes me want it even more.

[Shindig]

VAR is going to ruin the World Cup. Officials won't have a clue how to use it and fans will be left in the dark.

It's a World Cup ran by Russia. I'd say that has more bearing on VAR's usefulness.

[Ian]

Even my dad, who is a swivel-eyed nutter when it comes to refereeing decisions against England or Manchester United, had absolutely no qualms with a penalty being given.