FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifying.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Slovaka v England is on at 5pm.


Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley), Alex McCarthy (Southampton).

Defenders: Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur).

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Michail Antonio (West Ham United), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal).

Strikers: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City).

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Slovakia: Kozacik, Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Hubocan, Mak, Gregus, Pecovsky, Hamsik, Svento, Duris.
Subs: Novota, Gyomber, Kubik, Kiss, Povazanec, Pich, Sylvestr, Pauschek, Stetina, Dubravka.

England: Hart, Walker, Cahill, Stones, Rose, Henderson, Dier, Sterling, Rooney, Lallana, Kane.
Subs: Heaton, Smalling, Walcott, Sturridge, Jagielka, Clyne, Drinkwater, Vardy, Alli, Antonio, McCarthy.

Referee: Milorad Mazic (Serbia).

[Niall_Quinn]

Walker :haha:
Rose :haha:
Dier :haha:

Shrek :haha: :haha: :haha:

Fat Sam hasn't hesitated in ordering up the Kool-Aid. Continued failure guaranteed.

[Niall_Quinn]

Bald fat cunt should have been booked for that.

[Master Splinter]

Have we seen many pin-point diagonals lasered into the crowd by midfield general Shrek so far?

[Niall_Quinn]

Too boring to endure. All these players are talentless.

[Master Splinter]

Stuunning cross straight out of play from playmaker supreme Wazza.

[Niall_Quinn]

Shrek can't even kick a ball. He's fucking useless and his whole career is one giant myth.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Stones :lol:

55 million :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

Stones :lol:

55 million :lol:

They're all shit. Not an ounce of technical ability between them. Kane can stick it in the net if it arrives on his toe from 5 yards out. That's about it. The fact Hart is still selected says it all. A real manager comes in and immediately dumps him for obvious reasons, then Fat Sam comes along and doesn't hesitate in getting the old bar crew together. They're all picked on pundit feedback rather than merit.

[Niall_Quinn]

Sorry, scrub that. Apparently Kane can't score from 5 yards out.

[Niall_Quinn]

Shrek :haha:

It's pathetic.

[Niall_Quinn]

Sterling. Joke player.

Skittle booked for kicking a spud in the face. That's a bit harsh, what are you supposed to do with a spud?

[Niall_Quinn]

Shrek can't take corners either. What can he actually do?

[Letters]

Shrek can't take corners either. What can he actually do?

Shag grannies? :unsure:

[Letters]

:lol: Got away with that!

[Master Splinter]

Svento :doh:.

Rose :haha:.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Jesus wept, should be one down.


Fat Sam. :rose:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sterling manages to clear one.

[Niall_Quinn]

Rose does his best to set Slovakia up but they blow it.

So again. How is Danny Rose playing at international level. Is it an in-joke of some sort?

And now Sterling. The poor cunt is completely inept.

[Letters]

Sterling shoots wide from about 8 yards out. 3 times the commentators say he's "unlucky".
Yes, it is unlucky that a professional football can't hit the target.

[Niall_Quinn]

Jesus wept, should be one down.


Fat Sam. :rose:

Who could have guessed Fat Sam would just pander to all the usual media suspects?

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I'm certain once Shaw gets up and running we won't be seeing Rose in an England shirt ever again.

He's only benefiting from everyone else being crap/injured/Gibbs.

[Niall_Quinn]

Sterling is a blaring example of a how good a player Suarez is. Can you imagine being so good you actually make Sterling look good too?

[Niall_Quinn]

Kane's pathetic dive doesn't yield the desired result. Imagine a (so-called) sportsman cheating like that to try and get an opponent sent off. Despicable. Or maybe the Olympics are still fresh in my mind.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Kane's pathetic dive doesn't yield the desired result. Imagine a (so-called) sportsman cheating like that to try and get an opponent sent off. Despicable. Or maybe the Olympics are still fresh in my mind.

Would have done better than Tom Daly that's for certain!!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

0-0 HT.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Played better against Slovakia under Hodgson than Fat Sam. :rose:

[Niall_Quinn]

Pity the poor sod who has to create a highlights sequence from that.

HT 0-0.

Slovakia are not very good. In fact they are a lousy bunch of pubbers. But they have been more than good enough to hold a typically uninspiring England binge crew pre-selected by the media and presided over by a fat, gum chewing mound of lard. Is this the ultimate low point for the national team?

[Niall_Quinn]

Subs: Heaton, Smalling, Walcott, Sturridge, Jagielka, Clyne, Drinkwater, Vardy, Alli, Antonio, McCarthy.

Players in bold are roughly 200x better than the equivalent shite out on that pitch. And Theo's our worst player. I suppose when you look at this England team you realise things are maybe not so bad at Arsenal.

[Niall_Quinn]

Here come the pundits to pretend.

[Master Splinter]

Squirtle is an utter moron.

Get him off the pitch FFS before he wins it for England.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Needs to evolve into Wartortle already tbh tbf.

[Niall_Quinn]

It's scandalous these pubbers are getting paid so much and are all feted as superstars, yet can't do any better than this.

Football :DannyRose:

There's the red for idiot Skittle. Won't make any difference. England couldn't score against 1 player.

[Niall_Quinn]

Deliberate by Skittle? Paid?

When you are on a yellow and you do that in front of the ref then either you are brain dead or you have been paid to get sent off.

[Niall_Quinn]

Just to make it worse, Alli coming on :haha:

All it takes is for Martin Samuel to wank over some player and he ends up in the England team. It literally is just that.

[Niall_Quinn]

Can Stones possibly be as bad as he looks?

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Lollana :lol:

SHould have buried that.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Dele?

[Letters]

The technical ability of our players, or lack thereof, is embarrassing.

:lol: Case in point, Rooney lets the ball roll under his foot.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Theo :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Get up Dele.

[Kano]

The technical ability of our players, or lack thereof, is embarrassing.

:lol: Case in point, Rooney lets the ball roll under his foot.
This is why England finally have the manager they deserve. No more pretensions.

[Letters]

Walcott :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What's Theo on?

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Theo fitting right in.

[Letters]

What's Theo on?

£120,000 a week...

[Kano]

What's Theo on?

Less than Wenger.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Svento off, Kiss on. :unsure:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kane letting it bouce off his leg. Stunning.

[Letters]

Less than Wenger.

To be fair all Walcott has to do is run and kick a ball and he can't even get that right most of the time.

[Letters]

Is it wrong that I actually hope we don't win? I'm really struggling to support this lot.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kane hauled off, Sturridge on.

[Letters]

Good cross by Walcott but maybe it says something that I'm impressed by that when it's a skill you'd think any professional footballer should be able to perform fairly consistently.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Theo clears it but he knew he was offside anyway. :unsure:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

When Theo wants to resume being a footballer, I'll be happy to see him back at Arsenal.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sturridge goes for glory, simple save.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Is it wrong that I actually hope we don't win? I'm really struggling to support this lot.

No I feel the same way. Just can't bring myself to support a Big Sam England team especially one filled with the usual overrated shitheads and pubbers in it (Wazza, Hart, Sterling etc)

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Theo given offside, disallowed goal.

[Letters]

Walcott nearly pub teamed a winner :lol: Offside.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Theo scores is offside.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Why are they still protesting? He's not going to change it now. :lol:

[Letters]

Why are they still protesting? He's not going to change it now. :lol:

:lol: That is a good question. Since when in the history of footballers throwing their toys out of the pram about a disallowed goal did the referee ever go "Oh OK then, I'll let the goal stand".

[McNamara That Ghost...]

0-1 Lallana. :lol:

[Letters]

Oh piss off...

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I think I'm going to be sick. :sick:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Feel good factor. :bow:

[Letters]

Big Sam :bow:

Clearly a managerial genius.

[Power n Glory]

Is it wrong that I actually hope we don't win? I'm really struggling to support this lot.

You should now understand how Arsenal fans feel when they say something similar. :lol:

Poor performance. Fat Sam has to make some changes.

[Niall_Quinn]

:haha:

Fell asleep and woke up when the commentators started going crazy.

Pubbers.

Apparently, according to commentator, not everything was good about that performance - there were some less than perfect things too. Really?

[Kano]

Big Sam :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

Well, what do you know. Lala and Shrek have confirmed that was an excellent performance. Thank fuck. From where I was sitting it looked as bad as it can get, but happily the opposite is true.

[Niall_Quinn]

Oh right, it was Deli Alli that made the difference. Alli and Rooney. Superb.

Although sometimes I worry that sheer delusion alone may not win us a world cup.

[Niall_Quinn]

Rooney controlled the game, Fat Sam confirms he can play wherever he wants to be because he's brilliant.

It all bodes well for yet more glory.

[Letters]

You should now understand how Arsenal fans feel when they say something similar. :lol:

Poor performance. Fat Sam has to make some changes.

Hmm. Interesting. Maybe it is similar.

I don't know what changes he can make, I just don't think we have that many good technical players. It's been like this for decades.

[Power n Glory]

Hmm. Interesting. Maybe it is similar.

I don't know what changes he can make, I just don't think we have that many good technical players. It's been like this for decades.

The standard has improved compared to 10 years ago. Biggest decision Sam has to make has to be on Wayne Rooney. He needs to be dropped.

[Niall_Quinn]

The standard has improved compared to 10 years ago. Biggest decision Sam has to make has to be on Wayne Rooney. He needs to be dropped.

:unsure:

[LDG]

Hmm. Interesting. Maybe it is similar.

I don't know what changes he can make, I just don't think we have that many good technical players. It's been like this for decades.

The best thing that fat walrus cunt could do, is pick players from the championship, and play them regularly, in the same positon, and only ever swap that eleven in the event of an injury.

Play as a team, and fuck the prima donna cunts from the PL

I couldn't give a shit if we lost every game (I don't now to be fair), but at least having some pride in an England team again would be nice.

[Goonermerree]

Same dross served up on a different plate. Why are Lallana, Sterling, Walker and Rooney to name a few, any where near the team? And wtf does Vardy have to do to get a game?

[Power n Glory]

:unsure:

England being able to dominate possession in the midfield and pass is something the Gerrard and Lampard generation couldn't do. They were terrible and would always resort to hoofing it long. The current set up is pretty toothless but they're at least able to hold possession.

[Marc Overmars]

We all know the talent pool England have is very shallow, so the players that get in to the team should come as no surprise.

[Kano]

The Euro's and the last seasons PL just proved that talent and reputation doesn't mean shit at the moment.

Near enough anyone can hoof their way deep into a competition as long as they're set up right. Sam will do that much at least.

[Niall_Quinn]

England being able to dominate possession in the midfield and pass is something the Gerrard and Lampard generation couldn't do. They were terrible and would always resort to hoofing it long. The current set up is pretty toothless but they're at least able to hold possession.

This is because the entire focus has shifted to not losing. As Arsenal fans we know too well how utterly pointless possession of a football can be. And technically the levels have fallen to such a degree it's debatable you can even call this a professional team any more. Most of these players can't kick a ball. Consider this. Theo Walcott was the most technical player on that pitch when he came on. He stood out a mile from the other turds. And he's no good.

What we see here is a pub team stuffed with players who could never make it in a top league, hyped beyond the bounds of credibility by a media that has a vested interest in keeping up the pretence that English football is top tier. Gerrard and Lampard may not have been our favourites but they had 10x the ability of the likes of Henderson or Sterling or the laughable Alli. We hated them because they never did enough to win, but that's nowhere near as hateful as sacrificing everything to avoid losing.

I don't have the words to adequately describe how ludicrous the whole thing is. After the game we had the clips of Alli fucking up every single move he was involved in, while the pundits literally recounted the opposite of what we could see with our own eyes. Then they concurred this fuck up player who has been elevated simply because he is English (like Walcott), should form the heart of the team in tandem with you-know-who, because under it all they know full well there aren't any talented English players any more. So they have to invent them.

Then we had the customary serenade for shrek, a player who has had one half decent game in his entire career at international level and one good season and two semi-decent seasons at club level. In other words, a very, very ordinary player notable in one respect, he had a lot of stamina as a kid. Oh and he scored that goal against us. Yet this old has-been/ never-was continues to span the generations with his stench. Why? Because he's the great English media icon and he gets paid a lot of money to be such a mythical figure. So it doesn't matter in English football circles if Alli and Rooney are nothing players with close on zero talent, because this only gets highlighted to a bewildered public once every two years when the national team is humiliated, often by "minnows" who have a fraction of the footballing history and resources. That leaves plenty of hype time in between - the money must flow.

We don't like Owen either. 5x as good as any English striker around today. We didn't like Lineker. 10x better. Or Keegan, 20x better. The standard of football has collapsed inversely to the rate money has come into it. So much money has now come in that there's no standard at all. Not in this country anyway. In the short term it's just too unprofitable to lose, so the long term is chucked in the bin. And that's what we've seen over the decades since England could compete, short term hype and a failure to do what the Germans did when their football hit the buffers - rebuild and take the pain until the long term plan unfolded. The English media doesn't have the patience for it, too much cashing in to be done on the immediate hype.

[Power n Glory]

That same Lampard and Gerrard team failed to qualify for the Euros. It's not just because the focus has shifted either. That team string passes together no matter how hard they tried.

[Letters]

Didn't that team get to 2 World Cup Quarter Finals?
We have zero chance of getting anywhere near that these days.

[Goonermerree]

Those were the days, getting to the quarter-finals.

[Goonermerree]

Why didn't we like Owen? He was great when he first came on the scene, hamstring injuries and a move to RM put paid to his career.

[GP]

I think it's because he's a pillock.

That, and the cup final.

[Goonermerree]

I think it's because he's a pillock.

That, and the cup final.

A lot of players are, but I judge them on footballing terms. You can't hate a guy for being able to put a ball into the net putting so much spin on it that it goes out of reach of the keeper.

[Power n Glory]

Didn't that team get to 2 World Cup Quarter Finals?
We have zero chance of getting anywhere near that these days.

We have a chance. Look at the Euros. Portugal have a very average team. Wales are average. On paper, we had a solid team but it comes down to bad management. I think it was during the World Cup in the first half against Italy, we were playing the best attacking football I’ve seen from England. Quick rapid attacks and it came from us playing Sterling behind the striker. Roy, like the idiot he is, decided to play Rooney in the middle and switch it from the second half and we looked a totally different team. We need a manager to make some hard decisions about selection because we’re not that far off technically.

Kane, Vardy, Sturridge, Welbeck, Rashford all are pretty decent front options. Germany, Portugal, Wales and Spain don’t have that sort of striker option. Our midfield isn’t that bad either. It’s weaker than our rivals but we’d be far worse off if we had a Lampard and Gerrard situation. Neither player distributed the ball well for their clubs and were lucky to have foreign partners next to them to ease that burden. We really struggled to play the ball to feet and would end up knocking the ball long to Peter Crouch or we had the days where we knocking it long to Heskey for him to nod it down to Owen. It was a piss poor long ball football.

[Goonermerree]

Why does Vardy hardly ever get a game for England?

[Power n Glory]

It's bad management. I'd play Sturridge or Vardy over Kane. Or just play a two striker system. We should be able to build a fast counter attacking team.

[Letters]

We have a chance. Look at the Euros. Portugal have a very average team. Wales are average. On paper, we had a solid team but it comes down to bad management. I think it was during the World Cup in the first half against Italy, we were playing the best attacking football I’ve seen from England. Quick rapid attacks and it came from us playing Sterling behind the striker. Roy, like the idiot he is, decided to play Rooney in the middle and switch it from the second half and we looked a totally different team. We need a manager to make some hard decisions about selection because we’re not that far off technically.

Kane, Vardy, Sturridge, Welbeck, Rashford all are pretty decent front options. Germany, Portugal, Wales and Spain don’t have that sort of striker option. Our midfield isn’t that bad either. It’s weaker than our rivals but we’d be far worse off if we had a Lampard and Gerrard situation. Neither player distributed the ball well for their clubs and were lucky to have foreign partners next to them to ease that burden. We really struggled to play the ball to feet and would end up knocking the ball long to Peter Crouch or we had the days where we knocking it long to Heskey for him to nod it down to Owen. It was a piss poor long ball football.

We've been saying "it's the manager" for 50 years. I just think it's the players. I don't care who the manager is, the technical ability on show on Sunday was bloody awful.
The best players in the PL have been johnny foreigners for years.

[selassie]

Same dross served up on a different plate. Why are Lallana, Sterling, Walker and Rooney to name a few, any where near the team? And wtf does Vardy have to do to get a game?

I actually thought Lallana played OK, he looks half decent for England TBF. I'd keep Sterling in the team too, he's slightly headless chicken-esque but I think Pep will work wonders on him.

The whole team is a problem and will continue to be until the Manager takes the required action.

The fact that Big Sam more or less said Rooney has a free reign to do as he pleases says it all. At least he's honest I suppose. :rolleyes:

[selassie]

It's bad management. I'd play Sturridge or Vardy over Kane. Or just play a two striker system. We should be able to build a fast counter attacking team.

Me too, Kane really struggles for England, he's been woeful.

[Power n Glory]

We've been saying "it's the manager" for 50 years. I just think it's the players. I don't care who the manager is, the technical ability on show on Sunday was bloody awful.
The best players in the PL have been johnny foreigners for years.

And I'm saying the technical level of our strikers, wingers and midfield is far better than what it was 10 years ago. We're still behind but we're a lot better than what we 10 years ago. On technical level.

Do you think Wales and Portugal are far more advanced than us technically?

[Xhaka Can’t]

I think it's because he's a pillock.

That, and the cup final.

He makes my ears vomit.

[Kano]

A lot of players are, but I judge them on footballing terms. You can't hate a guy for being able to put a ball into the net putting so much spin on it that it goes out of reach of the keeper.

It's our job as fans to irrationally hate some footballers from other clubs. Real world logic doesn't need to come into it because none of this shit matters at all.

But when they end their careers and end up on TV droning on like every other vapid pundit, then they deserve all the crap thrown their way. And that includes ex-Arsenal players. Henry was and probably always will be my favourite Arsenal player but I wish he'd shut the fuck up on TV.

[Letters]

And I'm saying the technical level of our strikers, wingers and midfield is far better than what it was 10 years ago. We're still behind but we're a lot better than what we 10 years ago. On technical level.

Do you think Wales and Portugal are far more advanced than us technically?

I don't think Wales or Portugal are more advanced technically actually so I guess if Portugal can blunder their way through and win it (and I still can't quite believe they did) then we can.
But I don't rate this lot at all. 10 years ago - maybe longer - I felt we had a chance against the big guns. In 90, 96 and 98 we lost on pens and in all 3 games we were fantastic and unlucky to lose.
I guess that was a long time ago now but now I don't feel we'd have any chance against a Germany or Brazil.

[Goonermerree]

It's our job as fans to irrationally hate some footballers from other clubs. Real world logic doesn't need to come into it because none of this shit matters at all.

But when they end their careers and end up on TV droning on like every other vapid pundit, then they deserve all the crap thrown their way. And that includes ex-Arsenal players. Henry was and probably always will be my favourite Arsenal player but I wish he'd shut the fuck up on TV.

Owen is woeful as a pundit, but I liked him as a player when he played for England. At least he knew how to get the ball in the net.

[Goonermerree]

I don't think Wales or Portugal are more advanced technically actually so I guess if Portugal can blunder their way through and win it (and I still can't quite believe they did) then we can.
But I don't rate this lot at all. 10 years ago - maybe longer - I felt we had a chance against the big guns. In 90, 96 and 98 we lost on pens and in all 3 games we were fantastic and unlucky to lose.
I guess that was a long time ago now but now I don't feel we'd have any chance against a Germany or Brazil.

England in the Euros reminded me of Arsenal in the Prem last season, best time to win it, nobody standing out etc and probably had the worst tournament in years.

[Letters]

England in the Euros reminded me of Arsenal in the Prem last season, best time to win it, nobody standing out etc and probably had the worst tournament in years.

Agree.

Iceland! :lol:

Sodding Iceland!

Can't remember when we went to 2-1 down but we had a good hour to score a goal and barely got a sniff. Pathetic.

:doh:

[Power n Glory]

I don't think Wales or Portugal are more advanced technically actually so I guess if Portugal can blunder their way through and win it (and I still can't quite believe they did) then we can.
But I don't rate this lot at all. 10 years ago - maybe longer - I felt we had a chance against the big guns. In 90, 96 and 98 we lost on pens and in all 3 games we were fantastic and unlucky to lose.
I guess that was a long time ago now but now I don't feel we'd have any chance against a Germany or Brazil.

We didn't beat those teams in major competitions back then either. We didn't even qualify for the World Cup in 94. In fact, I'd fancy our chances against Brazil now because their national team is nothing to be afraid of.

Heck, once upon a time the most technically gifted England player was Joe Cole ffs. :lol: I think we've got more rounded players but they're young and haven't really honed their best weapons just yet.

[Power n Glory]

England in the Euros reminded me of Arsenal in the Prem last season, best time to win it, nobody standing out etc and probably had the worst tournament in years.


Exactly. So we weren't miles behind the rest of the teams on paper. I'm not usually one to blame the manager when it comes to England because for years I watched the press try to paper over the fact that we were shit and most of our players were overrated. But I think this generation of players are technically better. Sterling, Wilshere, Lallana, Ox, Sturridge, Kane....they have a solid base to work from when looking at their technique. I think they'd all benefit from going overseas and learning how to play in Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland....just so they have to work an earn their right to play.

[Letters]

We didn't beat them back then but we went toe to toe with them and on the 3 occasions I mentioned we were unlucky not to beat them (Gazza's outstretched boot in '96 :crying:)
Back then I felt we had a chance, right now I wouldn't hold out much hope.
There is a problem with coaching in England, it may be getting better but historically we have been starting competitive games on big pitches with kids far too young which favours the taller players who aren't as technical, we don't get the basics right first technically as they do overseas. Maybe that has changed now.

[Power n Glory]

I think something went wrong mentally for that Iceland game because we couldn't make a pass in that game but we've seen that same group look a lot better than that.

[Marc Overmars]

Technically we're not great but I think we should be better than what we've seen at the last few tournaments.

For me though I think the problem for a long time has been the mentality of this and the previous generation of players. I've never had the feeling that these guys enjoy playing for England, it's almost treated like a necessary evil. No matter how good the manager is, the tactics, the players etc, if you have a group of players that see the national team as a chore then you can't expect to amount to anything.

Scholes had it right a few years back when he spoke about the selfish nature of some players in the England squad and the lack of comradery. It's been a similar story with the Netherlands throughout the years as well.

[selassie]

Technically we're not great but I think we should be better than what we've seen at the last few tournaments.

For me though I think the problem for a long time has been the mentality of this and the previous generation of players. I've never had the feeling that these guys enjoy playing for England, it's almost treated like a necessary evil. No matter how good the manager is, the tactics, the players etc, if you have a group of players that see the national team as a chore then you can't expect to amount to anything.

Scholes had it right a few years back when he spoke about the selfish nature of some players in the England squad and the lack of comradery. It's been a similar story with the Netherlands throughout the years as well.

Yeah this. I also think it doesn't help that the media blow these players up as the second coming of Christ due to their performances in the Premiership which is massively overrated IMO.

Football is so geared towards finances now that you are probably right in that the players do not really care that much for the national team, why would they when they are not getting paid 100k per week or getting obscene bonuses.

In terms of the Manager, Allardyce is the best of a bad bunch, we've not really had a true elite manager since Capello, regardless of what people thought of him his track record at club level was very good.

Allardyce will do OK, same old stuff really, we'll cruise the qualifying group and come up short when the real thing kicks in.

[Goonermerree]

I think something went wrong mentally for that Iceland game because we couldn't make a pass in that game but we've seen that same group look a lot better than that.

But even though they had most of the possession, there was something lacking from these players yesterday. The media went down the route that after a hard season, they were tired when we were knocked out by Iceland. What excuse is there now? Three matches in and they still looked like they were playing on gloopy porridge.

[Power n Glory]

But even though they had most of the possession, there was something lacking from these players yesterday. The media went down the route that after a hard season, they were tired when we were knocked out by Iceland. What excuse is there now? Three matches in and they still looked like they were playing on gloopy porridge.

It's still mental. A new manager and they're still under pressure to perform.

But besides the mental part, Kane can't lead the line. We need more pace up front and he's non existent at the moment. Rooney also has to play further up the field as a 10 or nothing at all.

[Letters]

It's just the basic skills they don't seem to have mastered. The number of crosses which went sailing over everyone's heads or shots which were scuffed (yes, Theo, I do mean you).
How can these be the finest footballers England have to offer?

[Power n Glory]

It's just the basic skills they don't seem to have mastered. The number of crosses which went sailing over everyone's heads or shots which were scuffed (yes, Theo, I do mean you).
How can these be the finest footballers England have to offer?

That's probably a slight exaggeration. Theo was hit and miss. A really bad miss and I recall a really poor first touch but he also whipped in a good cross and had a goal disallowed.

It's far from perfect but hasn't that always been the case with England? I'm just saying with this England squad you can attempt to build a squad that are capable of more than just hoofing it long.

[Letters]

He did whip in one very good cross but shouldn't players at this level be able to do that on a fairly consistent basis? I'm constantly baffled that they don't seem able to.
I guess it has always been the case to an extent.

[Power n Glory]

Apply the same logic to a penalty kick. It's always been the case.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Xhaka sent of for Switzerland in their 2 - 0 win over Portugal. :lol:

[Kano]

Rashford banged in a hat trick tonight on his U-21 debut. Prem, Europe and both levels of international he's scored on his debut. The boy is looking pretty promising it has to be said.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I watched Belarus France last night, ended 0-0.

Bif was a bit shit.

[Marc Overmars]

Apparently Xhaka applied to switch nationality to Kosovo.

I'm sure that will endear him to the Swiss.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Apparently Xhaka applied to switch nationality to Kosovo.

I'm sure that will endear him to the Swiss.

There are so many holes in his plan.

[Kano]

With this letter I want to tell all around the Albanian public opinion, that my next career will continue in the future for Switzerland. I also want to clarify in this paper to all the readers how I came to this decision.

According to an official statement distributed FIFA, we’ve been informed that if someone played in the European Championships in 2016, they are no longer entitled to play for another national.

The Kosovo Football Federation and FIFA do not have a clear agreement on the transfer of players from Switzerland to Kosovo.

FIFA clearly states who played at EURO 2016 has no right to change the team they represent.

For this reason it is now impossible to change.



The debate about you playing for Kosovo has been rekindled, you’ve had to spend time addressing it…

I’m sick of having to repeatedly justify myself. You can’t imagine who exerts pressure all on one hand. My letter on Instagram [Xhaka published a letter in Albanian] should explain why I’ve decided to play on with Switzerland. When headlines are written because of a poor translation, it’s regrettable. What more can I say?

If he has applied, hopefully his onfield decision making is a bit more consistent.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Austria 1-2 Wales, Wmmer OG!!!

Allen scored earlier, Arnautovic equalising.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-2 at the moment. Arnautovic got his second.

[Goonermerree]

England XI: Hart, Walker, Cahill, Stones, Bertrand, Henderson, Alli, Rooney, Lingard, Walcott, Sturridge

I could play and we would win this match! Theo has probably justified a start, not sure about some of the others though.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Wazza. :lol:

[Master Splinter]

Lingard :lol:.

If you play a few games for United or Spurs it seems you become an instant England regular.

[Master Splinter]

Shrek with a crossfield pass straight into a Malta player.

Then gives it away 30 seconds later.

Controlling the midfield.

[Goonermerree]

Come on Wally, score a goal and show them how it's done!

[Master Splinter]

Lingard :haha:.

[Goonermerree]

Got to be fair, I do like to see Walker running up that wing, trouble is, he's got nothing else.

[Master Splinter]

Feo is probably Arsenal and England's best crosser. He generally crosses first time, rather than the infuriatingly braindead five extra touches and into the defender that most players seem to excel at.

[Goonermerree]

Bertrand is done

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Bertrand off injured, Rose on.

[Master Splinter]

Hoddle says it was good technique from Lingard as he scuffs one into the stand.

[Master Splinter]

Sturridge :doh:.

[Goonermerree]

Different manager, same doo doo. Scotland beat this lot 5-1 in Malta.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

1-0 Sturridge.

Good header.

Why is Tyldesley going all throaty?

[Master Splinter]

Good header tbf.

Henderson playing well for England for once.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Cahill. :haha:

[Master Splinter]

Lingard doing well defensively for Malta.

[Goonermerree]

2-0 ali

[Goonermerree]

feo is not exactly in the thick of the action.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Tydesley is getting carried away.

Blueprint of attractive football on show here.

It's fecking Malta.

[Maestro]

the hype juggernaut rolls on

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-0 HT to the World Champs.

[Goonermerree]

It's been a bit dull to be honest. Tippy tappy in England shirts.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

How does Joe Hart keep starting over Fraser Forster?

[Goonermerree]

Dunno, but if Southgate wants to be considered for the job he needs to be his own man and choose his own players, not Woy's and Big Sam's.

[Maestro]

How does Joe Hart keep starting over Fraser Forster?

Simples

Hart = Prince of Hype

[Goonermerree]

If we don't put at least, at least, 4 more past Malta it will be a bit of an embarrassment.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Theo has his chance saved.

Hogg. :bow:

[Master Splinter]

Theo MOTM.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Theo off, Rashford on.

Hope it's not time for him to down tools now he is back starting for England. Goes for Ox being in the team too.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Given how he magically finds form right before a contract extension I'm kind off worried tbh.

Anyway, good that he's getting some rest.

[Goonermerree]

Given how he magically finds form right before a contract extension I'm kind off worried tbh.

Anyway, good that he's getting some rest.

It's what he does. There were images of him training like mad close season because he didn't get in the England team. Mission accomplished.

[Master Splinter]

Vardy coming on to dive into some Maltese legs.

[Goonermerree]

Rashford is the most exciting England player at the moment, by a mile.

[Kano]

Vardy coming on to dive into some Maltese legs.

Like a Falcon?

[The Emirates Gallactico]

2 - 0 is a pretty pathetic scoreline against Malta all things considered.


Rashford is the most exciting England player at the moment, by a mile.

English curse :pray:

[Goonermerree]

Rashford set that up on a plate for Alli. This is a very good result for Malta.

[Goonermerree]

2 - 0 is a pretty pathetic scoreline against Malta all things considered.



English curse :pray:

Be honest, it's not hard for him.

[Goonermerree]

I got into football watching internationals on terrestrial tv. This has to be the worst England squad I've ever seen.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

FT. :sleep


Anyway, if Ozil and Mustafi are starting for the Germans tonight I'll try and catch their game.

[Goonermerree]

We will lose on Tuesday night if we play like that.

[Master Splinter]

FT. :sleep


Anyway, if Ozil and Mustafi are starting for the Germans tonight I'll try and catch their game.

Neuer, Hector, Hummels, Khedira, Draxler, Kroos, Özil, Müller, Boateng, Kimmich, Götze

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Neuer, Hector, Hummels, Khedira, Draxler, Kroos, Özil, Müller, Boateng, Kimmich, Götze

Low :threaten:

I know I should be happy he's getting rested but Mustafi is much better than that over rated shit Hummels.

[Master Splinter]

Low :threaten:

I know I should be happy he's getting rested but Mustafi is much better than that over rated shit Hummels.

Hard to disagree.

Hummels is the German Luiz. Well, not as bad, but his adeptness on the ball overshadows his lack of mobility/speed at times and his brainfart tendencies. Howedes and Mustafi are much better defensively. Boateng is brilliant though. Almost as good as Koscielny.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lineker:
So many qualifiers like that these days. Poor opposition just defending makes for incredibly dull football.

I'm sure he'll keep this stance in respect of the BLitW.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Hard to disagree.

Hummels is the German Luiz. Well, not as bad, but his adeptness on the ball overshadows his lack of mobility/speed at times and his brainfart tendencies. Howedes and Mustafi are much better defensively. Boateng is brilliant though. Almost as good as Koscielny.

:gp:

Koscienly :bow::bow:

[Goonermerree]

Lineker:
So many qualifiers like that these days. Poor opposition just defending makes for incredibly dull football.
I'm sure he'll keep this stance in respect of the BLitW.

Scotland beat them 5-1at their place. England was poor!

[GP]

https://twitter.com/FBAwayDays/status/784776568627486720?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp %5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Gotze really is a shadow of the player he once was heralded as.


German hype curse :rose:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

1 - 0 Muller.

Ozil assist :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Germany 2-0 Czech Republic, Kroos.

Scotland 0-1 Lithuania. :doh:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

McCarthur equalises in the 90th minute. 1 - 1 FT.

Germany match finishes 3 - 0 to them. Ozil played the full 90. Mustafi didn't get any minutes though Boateng was struggling at the end so there's a chance he'll play against Northern Ireland on Tuesday.

[Niall_Quinn]

Didn't see the game but for me Rooney was MOTM. Superb performance by Alli as well, who I think we can all agree is probably the best midfielder in Europe (apart from when Shrek plays in midfield).

[GP]

I saw a thread on Reddit where someone said a midfield 3 of Henderson, Alli and Dier is among the best in the world.

Apparently they drank all of the kool aid.

[Marc Overmars]

They should just give the job to Southgate full time.

No point in searching far and wide because we're only going to get the same results regardless.

[Kano]

They should just give the job to Southgate full time.

No point in searching far and wide because we're only going to get the same results regardless.

Mancini :lol:

[GP]

https://cdn-e1.streamable.com/video/mp4/bj7f.mp4?token=1477193125_95768bea20f000851d1ff8f0 ad5604a983d6a13e

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Wales 1-1 Georgia currently.

Wales without Ramsey. :lol:

[Goonermerree]

I hope Wales don't qualify, churlish, I know.

[AFC Leveller]

Rooney dropped from the team.

about 4 years too late but its a start.

[Marc Overmars]

It's embarrassing how much of an issue his place in the team for club and country has caused.

He's been average at best for years now! Get over it and move on, his best days are long gone, happens to every player.

[AFC Leveller]

It's embarrassing how much of an issue his place in the team for club and country has caused.

He's been average at best for years now! Get over it and move on, his best days are long gone, happens to every player.

i think it was in 2010 or 2011 when fergie dropped him against Real Madrid for Welbeck that he began to decline.

[Niall_Quinn]

Rooney dropped from the team.

about 4 years too late but its a start.

Time to hound Southgate out of the job I suppose.

[GP]

Time to hound Southgate out of the job I suppose.

Too right, look how corrupt he is.

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

[Marc Overmars]

i think it was in 2010 or 2011 when fergie dropped him against Real Madrid for Welbeck that he began to decline.

He's got so many miles on the clock, having played 40-50 games for 13 seasons straight. His body just isn't sharp enough anymore, he might be able to do a job now and then but his days of being a consistent, reliable performer are over. The media really need to stop fussing over him and accept he isn't the player they want him to be anymore, midfielder or striker it doesn't bloody matter.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

France vs the Dutch could be a decent tonight.


The rest of them ..... :sleep:

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Pogba has just smashed one in from about 30 yards.

Commentator making out it was the greatest goal in all of human history, but the goalie should have saved it.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

That's all he can do from what I've seen.

[Kano]

Lucky goal. Pogba's reaction to that and his one at Utd show he's feeling the weight of that price tag.

[GP]

https://my.mixtape.moe/mehcck.mp4

Really poor goalkeeping.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Pogba :lol:

"Shut the fuck up"

[Goonermerree]

Here we go, Slovenia v 'That team without Rooney'.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Sturridge has no concept of teamwork. No wonder Klopp prefers Firmino.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Should be 1 - 0 to Slovenia. :lol:

Lucky England.

[Maestro]

Sturridge has no concept of teamwork. No wonder Klopp prefers Firmino.

It's all me me me me with him and that's killed any hope of a decent career. Roll on hype machine.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

"Great save by Hart"

Fuck off Hoddle. :lol:

He hit it straight at him.

[Goonermerree]

Dunno why Rashford doesn't get in the team. Vardy usually overlooked for a start.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Germany 1 NI 0

Draxler.

[Goonermerree]

After a bright first few minutes, we're struggling now.

[Goonermerree]

That Euro chant was good when Iceland did it, it's just copying when everyone else does it.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Seem to lack presence in central midfield

[Goonermerree]

Scotland one nil down.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Seem to lack presence in central midfield

Lingard and Theo haven't been involved in the game at all.

For the latter, it really is a come down going from Xhaka, Ozil and Santi feeding you to pubbers like Henderson and Dier trying to craft things.

[Maestro]

Seem to lack presence in central midfield don't know if you're being serious with that one, what with the midfield general himself on the bench
:haha::haha:

[Goonermerree]

Lingard and Theo haven't been involved in the game at all.

For the latter, it really is a come down going from Xhaka, Ozil and Santi feeding you to pubbers like Henderson and Dier trying to craft things.

I think Theo has been involved more than he was for most of last Saturday's match.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I think Theo has been involved more than he was for most of last Saturday's match.

Well 1 may be bigger than 0 but it's still a small number.

[Niall_Quinn]

Good grief. This is utter shite. And to top it all off, that fat bastard is going to come on and fluke one in to secure his starting spot for the next half decade.

[Goonermerree]

Well at least it will give us something to talk about if he does come on. These Tottenham players are dragging js down.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It's abominable.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Germany 2-0 NI, Khedira from a while ago.

[Niall_Quinn]

Well at least it will give us something to talk about if he does come on. These Tottenham players are dragging js down.

Pure bias on your part. Alli is probably the best midfielder in the Europe right now and he's playing prodigiously and precociously.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Poor cross from Theo, he did go for it early but didn't get past the first man.

[Maestro]

England doing really well here for their standard

[Niall_Quinn]

Walker is superb.

[LDG]

Just switched on the TV to find something to watch and stumbled accross this pile of shit.

Just how boring can you get? Fuck!

[Letters]

Didn't know this was on but I turned over and saw it was on so I've accidentally started watching and have thus spoiled my evening. Thanks, England <_<

[Niall_Quinn]

HT 0-0

Compelling. Riveting. Plenty to think about. Game of two halves. Intriguing.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

0-0 HT. Sexy.

[LDG]

Shit. And Giggs is going to provide us with some insight at half time.

Think it may be bed time.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Had a headache all evening and watching this shit isn't helping cure it.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

You can see why Giggs failed his Swansea interview.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sturridge. :lol:

Diving shit.

[LDG]

:ilt:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Theo saves England's arses. :bow:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Bloody hell, Slovenia cut England open. Should have been 1 - 0 to them.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

And here begins the rebranding of Hart from the media.

It wasn't that good of a save!

[Niall_Quinn]

It's quite good fun to watch the advertising hoardings around the pitch and try to guess what they'll change to next. Only problem is the guys on the pitch keep blocking my view.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Slovakia 2-0 Scotland, Mak!

:haha:

Norway 1-1 San Marino. :haha:

[Niall_Quinn]

Some bloke called Rock Kronovator (I think) has come on for the foreign fellas.

Made up name I would think.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Theo off, Townsend on. :haha:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Theo hauled off for Townsend.


Pretty ignominious for Theo.

[Niall_Quinn]

Some bloke called Townsend coming on for England. Theo off and with him goes the last, minuscule nano-dregs of interest I had in this game.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Some bloke called Townsend coming on for England. Theo off and with him goes the last, minuscule nano-dregs of interest I had in this game.

There's still a chance that Gibbs could feature. :getcoat:

Edit - Ox is on the bench as well.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Looked better since Andy Townsend came on

[Niall_Quinn]

There's still a chance that Gibbs could feature. :getcoat:

Edit - Ox is on the bench as well.

Too late, I already left.

[Letters]

:haha:

Bloody hell we're awful.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

England :haha::haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Henderson. :haha:

Hart BGitW.

As Hoddle said, are you watching Pep?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Save us Wazza!

[Letters]

Honestly. It's like watching a team down the park. :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

Honestly. It's like watching a team down the park. :lol:

Not really. It might be fun watching a team down on the park.

It will never be fun watching this lot of shitheaps.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Slovakia 3-0 Scotland. :lol:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Time for Mr England to save the day.

[Letters]

Ah, Rooney is on. It will be just like watching Brazil now.
Against Germany in the last World Cup...

[Niall_Quinn]

England vs Scotland. That should be quality.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Rose. :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

tbf it's pretty hard to miss the goal from that angle. But he managed it.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sturridge goes for goal, crap shot.