The Football Thread.

TTony · September 2022

My worry is that a large number of the players in England's (supposedly) best team, can't get regular game time for their clubs.

That means that they're not at peak fitness/sharpness/match-readiness. Arguably it means that they're not as good as the club-level competition.

I'd like to see the core of the England team being the recognised best players from the proven successful club teams - yes, that means ManC, Liverpool & other top6 - but the best players in those teams are predominantly non-English, and the English players who are there are often subs-bench players rather than regular players.

The English PL might be the "best" league in the world (however you measure that), with the "best" players (ditto), but it doesn't follow that the English national team will be any good ...

Sure, England has *some* good players, but if you had to pick a world-best 22, which nation would have the most players in that squad?

munckee · September 2022

guitars4you said:

TTony said:

munckee said:

I was just moaning we’d taken off Sterling who was our best player today!

He runs around a lot, falls over a bit, and then runs around some more.

Best?

I'm with you on this Tony

I think until Germany scored he was the only player unsettling the German defence. Once Saka and Mount came on things changed.

James and Bellingham had moments and Bellingham got man of the match but they weren’t very consistent I thought and disappeared at times.

guitars4you · September 2022

munckee said:

guitars4you said:

TTony said:

munckee said:

I was just moaning we’d taken off Sterling who was our best player today!

He runs around a lot, falls over a bit, and then runs around some more.

Best?

I'm with you on this Tony

I think until Germany scored he was the only player unsettling the German defence. Once Saka and Mount came on things changed.

James and Bellingham had moments and Bellingham got man of the match but they weren’t very consistent I thought and disappeared at times.

My issue with Sterling and this is not based on last night, so an overview - But he will sometimes run into a Cul De Sac and/or make the wrong decision - He has moments of excellence, but not consistent IMO to be considered anything like wow or great - Also when he misses good chances they tend to be when he has time to weigh up his options - Shoot by instinct, with no time to consider other options, than not so bad

His strength is when we can counter attack, from around the 1/2 way line and either with the ball or running into space (as per his chance last night created by L Shaw) he can be excellent - But at times and to often, equally frustrating

bertie · September 2022

I didnt watch any of last nights game - not even seen goals on the news.................. so were we shit ? deserved a win ? lucky to draw ?

tony99 · September 2022

bertie said:

I didnt watch any of last nights game - not even seen goals on the news.................. so were we shit ? deserved a win ? lucky to draw ?

Didn't you see that ludicrous display last night?

axisus · September 2022

tony99 said:

bertie said:

I didnt watch any of last nights game - not even seen goals on the news.................. so were we shit ? deserved a win ? lucky to draw ?

Didn't you see that ludicrous display last night?

What was Wenger thinking, sending Walcott on that early?

thecolourbox · September 2022

It's coming up the time where I pick my World Cup team to follow. I like to pick a likeable underdog, then when they go out, I deal to the team who beat them, and then likewise in to the final.

Have not supported England for a good 15 years or so now, and international football is a lot more fun as a result

bertie · September 2022

tony99 said:

bertie said:

I didnt watch any of last nights game - not even seen goals on the news.................. so were we shit ? deserved a win ? lucky to draw ?

Didn't you see that ludicrous display last night?

I think there's a clue in my post

BigBearKris · September 2022

I think Eng being 2nd favourite to win WC (according to bookies) is mental. Nowhere near.
Talent is there, but "team" isn't IMHO.

munckee · September 2022

bertie said:

I didnt watch any of last nights game - not even seen goals on the news.................. so were we shit ? deserved a win ? lucky to draw ?

My take is we were just about on top of an average German team until second half when Maguire gifted them a penalty, then they turned it on for 10 minutes and went 2-0 up.

We removed Foden who I had forgotten was playing and Sterling for Saka and Mount, we then won a game of suicidal football 3-0 and then comedy Pope fluffed up and it finished 3-3.

Overall we were the better side for me but not by much.

bertie · September 2022

BigBearKris said:

I think Eng being 2nd favourite to win WC (according to bookies)

joke ? right ?

TTony · September 2022

bertie said:

I didnt watch any of last nights game - not even seen goals on the news.................. so were we shit ? deserved a win ? lucky to draw ?

I wish I’d missed the Italy game.

bertie · September 2022

Image: https://scontent-man2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/308725394_5785288064871950_1322273571436276614_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=4mA96olYYLgAX9usvjz&_nc_ht=scontent-man2-1.xx&oh=00_AT8teb3KRvPr9TUgu-dwIwbcYGX4DYjTpxNM9CUu2Ahzuw&oe=63384B7A

guitars4you · September 2022

So back to a full programme again - 2 big ties in North London and Manchester this weekend - And a big East Midlands tie on Monday that might see a change in management if all doesn't go well

And a busy Oct - Many clubs have 5-6 games and think that those in Europe have 8 or 9 games

Lestratcaster · September 2022

Looking forward to the NLD tomorrow. I hope Partey is fit to play (didn't see him in training videos) and we have a rocking atmosphere at the Emirates like last season.

tony99 · September 2022

BBC reporting that EFC have received quite a hefty fine because of the PI at the game against CP in the last PL season. It comes on the back of a warning following their game against AV:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63090744?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

guitars4you · September 2022

tony99 said:

BBC reporting that EFC have received quite a hefty fine because of the PI at the game against CP in the last PL season. It comes on the back of a warning following their game against AV:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63090744?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

I heard about that on R5 today - 'Huddersfield got a fine, admittedly far less, for a similar invasion v Luton in a play off match - Ditto Port Vale, but an even smaller fine - So the fine looks like it is based on ability to pay, rather than the level of the offence

tony99 · September 2022

guitars4you said:

tony99 said:

BBC reporting that EFC have received quite a hefty fine because of the PI at the game against CP in the last PL season. It comes on the back of a warning following their game against AV:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63090744?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

I heard about that on R5 today - 'Huddersfield got a fine, admittedly far less, for a similar invasion v Luton in a play off match - Ditto Port Vale, but an even smaller fine - So the fine looks like it is based on ability to pay, rather than the level of the offence

Could be, but I think it might be cumulative following the warning after the villa game.

sev112 · September 2022

guitars4you said:

tony99 said:

BBC reporting that EFC have received quite a hefty fine because of the PI at the game against CP in the last PL season. It comes on the back of a warning following their game against AV:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63090744?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

I heard about that on R5 today - 'Huddersfield got a fine, admittedly far less, for a similar invasion v Luton in a play off match - Ditto Port Vale, but an even smaller fine - So the fine looks like it is based on ability to pay, rather than the level of the offence

Sounds pretty reasonable logic to me.

thecolourbox · September 2022

sev112 said:

guitars4you said:

tony99 said:

BBC reporting that EFC have received quite a hefty fine because of the PI at the game against CP in the last PL season. It comes on the back of a warning following their game against AV:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63090744?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

I heard about that on R5 today - 'Huddersfield got a fine, admittedly far less, for a similar invasion v Luton in a play off match - Ditto Port Vale, but an even smaller fine - So the fine looks like it is based on ability to pay, rather than the level of the offence

Sounds pretty reasonable logic to me.

There's also a considerably larger number of Everton fans than Port Vale fans as well I guess

Lestratcaster · October 2022

Pleased with the 3-1 win, good resilience to keep going after being pegged back to 1-1. Showing a lot more character now.

But real test is vs Liverpool next week. Even if we get beat I still wanna see us competing so looking forward to seeing how far we've really come.

TTony · October 2022

Hate to say this, but Arsenal appear to have put together a pretty decent team. Saliba, Martinelli, Sako, even Xhaka (!), and Ramsdale looks a lot more solid than Hugo.

Still, every cloud (etc) and perhaps now that Emerson is suspended for a few games, we’ll play a decent right wing back instead.

Lestratcaster · October 2022

I will admit I had my doubts on Arteta when he first took the job, as he had a major rebuilding project to do. But fair play he's shipped out the high wage earners, the ones not willing to pull their weight and all the deadwood and assembled a good side with a blend of youth and experience. There's a good unity in the team now. Saliba has been great since he's come into the backline. Martinelli is great, so is Saka and Jesus has been an excellent signing. Also Xhaka seems to be playing well in that more advanced role. Bit like he plays or Switzerland so we can see him play to his strengths more. The fans seem to love him again after the Crystal Palace incident. Credit to him he's come back as I was pretty sure he played his last game back then.

menamestom · October 2022

Lestratcaster said:

Pleased with the 3-1 win, good resilience to keep going after being pegged back to 1-1. Showing a lot more character now.

But real test is vs Liverpool next week. Even if we get beat I still wanna see us competing so looking forward to seeing how far we've really come.

I think you’ll beat Liverpool, they are all over the place at the moment. No better time to play them.

axisus · October 2022

Lestratcaster said:

I will admit I had my doubts on Arteta when he first took the job, as he had a major rebuilding project to do. But fair play he's shipped out the high wage earners, the ones not willing to pull their weight and all the deadwood and assembled a good side with a blend of youth and experience. There's a good unity in the team now. Saliba has been great since he's come into the backline. Martinelli is great, so is Saka and Jesus has been an excellent signing. Also Xhaka seems to be playing well in that more advanced role. Bit like he plays or Switzerland so we can see him play to his strengths more. The fans seem to love him again after the Crystal Palace incident. Credit to him he's come back as I was pretty sure he played his last game back then.

I could have written that post! Pretty much exactly my thoughts.

Lestratcaster · October 2022

menamestom said:

Lestratcaster said:

Pleased with the 3-1 win, good resilience to keep going after being pegged back to 1-1. Showing a lot more character now.

But real test is vs Liverpool next week. Even if we get beat I still wanna see us competing so looking forward to seeing how far we've really come.

I think you’ll beat Liverpool, they are all over the place at the moment. No better time to play them.

We'll see. Would be nice. The more proper proper test is vs Man City though.

guitars4you · October 2022

As a neutral, I thought the Arsenal v Spurs game was a good game - Entertaining - Arsenal look far more solid now than last year or so - Sending off was probably right, but I've seen far worse without a yellow card, let alone red, so correct

A question for Arsenal fans, and I don't mean this in away that is meant to belittle you - But what is your realistic goal this year - Not the dream goal, the realistic goal - Top 4 and a CL place ? - Top 4 and maybe a knock out trophy as well ? - Top 2 ?

Certainly based on the first 7/8 games then any of these are a strong option - It is hard to bet against Man City at the moment for the top spot (Man U could do the whole PL a favour tomorrow to give some hope elsewhere) - LFC are certainly not firing on all 4 cylinders, but time to change that - Even against Man U when Arsenal lost they played well for a good chunk of the game until they 'went for broke' when maybe they could have sat tight and taken a point

Moving on to another point - Chelsea and Thiago Silva - Boy was he lucky not to have had a red

Lestratcaster · October 2022

Depending on injuries we should be finishing in the top 4. Even 3rd is achievable on current form. But my worry is if Jesus picks up an injury we have no proven cover. Nketiah works hard and can get goals but can he fill the void? Partey never stays fit for more than 5 games. I'd like to see us get 3rd/4th and an FA Cup maybe. I don't think we're going to be challenging Man City for the title, but we're getting closer to closing the gap.

Wazmeister · October 2022

Clubs with managers who may be sacked very soon…

West Brom
Wolves
Leicester
Villa
Middlesbrough

Hattigol · October 2022

menamestom said:

Lestratcaster said:

Pleased with the 3-1 win, good resilience to keep going after being pegged back to 1-1. Showing a lot more character now.

But real test is vs Liverpool next week. Even if we get beat I still wanna see us competing so looking forward to seeing how far we've really come.

I think you’ll beat Liverpool, they are all over the place at the moment. No better time to play them.

Agreed. You've got to beat the mid-table teams

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