International Football Discussion

First topic message reminder :

Thierry Henry has been named Belgium's assistant manager. 

Another odd appointment, it makes sense for Henry who didn't want to give up his media duties. Will be interesting to see how he improves Belgium's forwards, if he can rub off any of his playing skill onto them it'd be sure to have an effect. I'm excited to see if he can work well with Origi who is a striker in his mould.

westisbest wrote:Talking to some lads about a best 11 never to play in a World Cup

Giggs.
Bale (so far)

Hi Westy - try throwing some of these names, from Britain and all of Ireland, at your mates:

George Best
Ian Rush
Liam Brady
Neville Southall

And two from further back
Duncan Edwards, the leading Busby Babe who died shortly after the Munich air crash
Hughie Gallacher, almost totally unknown today but a prolific goalscorer for Newcastle and Chelsea in the 1920s and '30s. Scored 24 goals for Scotland in 20 games - only Law and Dalglish, who both played in World Cups, have scored more.

george weah
le tiss
ginola
litmanen
cantona

are few from my era that never played

also de stefano is supposed to be one of the greatest of all time but never played at a world cup

Could do with a defender!

Duncan Edwards?

yeah defenders are a bit of short supply, steve bruce and gary pallister could make up a back three of all ex united defenders

FreekShow wrote:I wanna distance myself from all the Steffan baiting

Ah you can't bait me mate. While we had a team that was decent enough to qualify if we had taken our chances...bottom line is we didn't take them...were poor against Ireland and cannot have any complaints. Coleman has done well but I welcome a new manager now

As for baiting...every English man and his dog has expressed how happy they are that the "One tournament wonders", "One man team", "Bales", "Sheep molesters" etc have failed this time. It's no bother to me. Never knew we were so unpopular though

you*

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:you*

Sod off

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:

Just sod off ya knob

Hahahaha

Croatia v Greece
Rep Ireland v Denmark
N. Ireland v Switzerland
Italy v Sweden

Don't think that could of gone any better for Rep of Ireland or N. Ireland

I wished the Republic well even after they beat us. But all I have seen on social media is Irish fans taunting the Welsh ones. Can't stand N. Ireland anyway...so hope they both lose

I can't see Wales so assume they qualified automatically?

LionsV2 wrote:I can't see Wales so assume they qualified automatically?

You know full well Wales didn't qualify so no need to act thick and be a knob about it

That being said...having seen some of your comments on the Brexit thread...maybe it isn't an act

Regards

Better luck next time.

LionsV2 wrote:Better luck next time.

Or just be less crap. But thanks anyway

England continue to conclusively prove that they have the best young players in the world.

6 major youth tournaments this year: three wins, one final still to come, one runner up spot and a semi-final.

Duty281 wrote:England continue to conclusively prove that they have the best young players in the world.

6 major youth tournaments this year: three wins, one final still to come, one runner up spot and a semi-final.

its mainly because our main tactic is to play bigger stronger quicker kids pretty much throughout our whole of grass roots football. problems arise when people catch up to them

i do think strides are being made to alter this, but it will be a while untill we see true progression

England U17s have come back from 0-2 down to lead 3-2 in the World Cup Final; still 15 minutes to go.

5-2 in the end.

What a top class performance form the U17's!!! Showed the seniors what passion, fight and genuine footballing skills are!

Now without getting carried away, some of these lads will make it and some wont...(Phil Foden looked like Xavi or Inniesta playing against spain) however.....surely the FA has to look at putting a cap on the number of foreigners in the league...ie there must be 3-4 English players in the match day squad.

GeordieFalcon wrote:surely the FA has to look at putting a cap on the number of foreigners in the league...ie there must be 3-4 English players in the match day squad.

It will be possible after the UK leaves the European Union, and if her Majesty's government repeal the relevant bit of legislation.

It would certainly boost the development of young English players, as the main obstacle to their development is not getting enough first-team minutes at (roughly) 18-21 years old.

Worst penalty I’ve possibly ever seen given against Northern Ireland here - awful

Croatia on course for Russia

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Worst penalty I’ve possibly ever seen given against Northern Ireland here - awful

I said exactly the same thing. Shocking decision.

Probably the worst penalty decision I’ve ever seen.
In such an important game to. Ref has a great view as well.

So disappointed with that result. As said above, the penalty decision was hideous. Really did ruin the game for us. In a different game there is a swiss man sent off early (I didn't think it was a red but the commentators certainly did) and the ref doesn't ruin us with an awful penalty.

On the balance of play the Swiss certainly were good value for a win, but not like that.

Yeah I mean ultimately NI didn’t even have a shot on target, so deserved to lose - but not in the fashion they did

The Denmark no:12 has a nice name!

Can see them scoring soon if we don’t sort things out.

Hard luck on Northern Ireland.
Thought they played well and could have at least taken it to extra time.

Terrible decision costing them a chance to be in russia next summer.

Ricardo Rodriguez is a Swiss Hero. Penalty and then a goal line clearance

Unlucky on the Northern Irish, made the odd chance and got mugged really

Italy won't be in Russia

neither will ireland on that first half performance. started well but two really sloppy goals to concede even if eriksons finish was quality

Can’t see us winning this second half 2-0
Probably bring in Wes and maybe Long second half. Change it up a bit.

Not watching the Ireland game as got the Wales friendly on (great goal by Tom Lawrence). But 4-1 to the Danes and it's all over for the Republic

Oh well...England are the only team from the Isles to qualify for Russia while the rest of us are sat at home cheering on their opponents

Neymar has gone full show pony since going to PSG

GSC wrote:Neymar has gone full show pony since going to PSG

he'll probably decline in the french league, its too easy for him every week that when the odd tough games comes he wont know whats hit him

Seems more intent on breaking out a few tricks than picking the right pass or shot. Fabulous player but don't think its quite as easy as flicking a switch when the time to ramp it up comes.

No real desire or motivation shown from the Brazilians to show up. Pick up the £3m & leave. They will be a different animal come Russia, but England won’t be. Looks like ultra-defensive & hope Kane bails us out to reach the latter stages.

We're just devoid of any midfield creativity. Its a reasonable squad outside of that void.

PLayed against two of the best sides in the world, too.

Both playing at half pace if we're being kind. Defense has come on pretty well though, Stones and Jones have developed, Walker is a pretty good FB, Rose and Bertrand are good options. We'll always have pacy wingers, Kane is Kane and Alli is an x-factor.

But its all underpinned by Dier moving at a snails pace and Henderson providing 0 composure on the ball to offset it.

Feels like we're back to hoping Wilshere magically gets a season in.

For me

——————Pickford——————
——-Jones—-Stones—-Cahill——
Walker———————————Rose
——————Dier—Alli——————
———Sterling————Lallana——
———————-Kane——————

Not a bad XI that imo - but we all know Southgate will go with Dier/Henderson in CM which is just depressing

Think you're asking to be ripped to shreds with that.

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:For me

—�—�—�—�—�—Pickford—�—�—�—�—�—
—�—�-Jones—�-Stones—�-Cahill—�—
Walker—�—�—�—�—�—�—�—�—�—�—Rose
—�—�—�—�—�—�Dier—�Alli—�—�—�—�—�—
—�—�—Sterling—�—�—�—Lallana—�—
—�—�—�—�—�—�—�-Kane—�—�—�—�—�—�

Not a bad XI that imo - but we all know Southgate will go with Dier/Henderson in CM which is just depressing

Don't mind most of those , Olly. But Sterling ?

You'd leave out Sterling based on his form this season? I'd question Lallana way more

BamBam wrote:You'd leave out Sterling based on his form this season? I'd question Lallana way more

Perhaps I'm not being quite fair to him (I am no expert and see a lot less of these fellows than most of you) but he never really impresses me that much - maybe I just catch him on his bad days

I'd have him in the squad , but not starting.

I want Rashford in there ; but I agree with several people on this thread that the real problem is the midfield . Not sure anyone has a magic solution...

Media sources today stating that Southgate has already got his side, bar one position. Wants a 3-5-2, Dier back in defence & utilising the Kane & Alli understanding up front. One position up for grabs, is who joins Lallana & Henderson in midfield. No place for Sterling or Rashford in starting line-up, to be used as impact players. Just looks like same old, same old.

---------------------Hart----------------------
----------Stones----Dier-----Jones-----------
-Walker---------------------------------Rose-
-------Lallana---Henderson----?--------------
---------------Kane--------Alli-----------------