The General Football Thread

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Have to say that Eddie Howe's position might be one to keep the eyes on too. I have to say that I have always felt that his reputation was a bit inflated. Certainly not a future England coach but maybe the kind of manager who would work wonders with a club like Reading in the future.

Ian, I have to ask. Are you feeling ok?

Yeah can definitely see Eddie Howe at Reading in the near future
<laugh>
 
I actually agree with you che about England players being overhyped. I have never really bought into most of it.

Rooney the original hype was real, he was easily one of the best in the world but I feel like his career fizzled out and he never really achieved what he could have (which is ridiculous to say considering how good he was). He was up there with CR7 for a little while though.

Realistically though you are right, the English media and fans have been very quick to call players world class when it turns out that they aren’t at all.

But the hype around Foden & Bellingham is justified imo. They are truly world class players that could play for any team. ;So is Kane, so is Stones. I think there is a case for Saka to be in that conversation as well.)

For the first time in a long time I truly believe it’s not just media hype.

Of the players you mention, I actually think Saka has played much better for England than Foden. He was a bit inconsistent in the Euros, but he was only 19 then, and he still showed a lot of promise. He was excellent at the World Cup, and our MotM against France. They couldn't deal with him.

Bellingham no doubt will become world class, but is still a bit inconsistent (ex: Ukraine). Kane is without a doubt world class. Perhaps only behind Lewandowski and Mbappe, and you could even argue he's equal to them.

I also think Rashford is up there too. A bit and miss at times, but when he's on it, he's a game-changer.
 
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Ian, I have to ask. Are you feeling ok?


<laugh>

If Reading return to the top of the Championship and even get promoted, I think Reading would be a good fit for Howe. At the moment, this is a long way off. I am not convinced that he will remain at Newcastle and Reading need to sort themselves out to get the club at a level they should be playing at.
 
If Reading return to the top of the Championship and even get promoted, I think Reading would be a good fit for Howe. At the moment, this is a long way off. I am not convinced that he will remain at Newcastle and Reading need to sort themselves out to get the club at a level they should be playing at.
Eddie Howe will be 107 before Reading ever get to a level where he'd consider managing them.
 
If Reading return to the top of the Championship and even get promoted, I think Reading would be a good fit for Howe. At the moment, this is a long way off. I am not convinced that he will remain at Newcastle and Reading need to sort themselves out to get the club at a level they should be playing at.

Have you been on the sauce? <laugh>

1) Eddie Howe is in no danger of losing his job - he has performed a minor miracle at Newcastle. Even with the influx of cash, they haven’t actually spent loads and he has turned them into a champions league team

2) Why on earth would he ever consider Reading? What a mental thing to post <laugh> Reading have more chance of being relegated again than attracting a manager of his calibre
 
Here is a debate topic:

Watching the Bournemouth game just now I was struck by how tediously samey all their songs were. Then I stopped to think and I can’t remember the last good song I heard on the terraces. All the violent ones are so cringy. The Pompey stuff is meaningless and childish.

Am I now too old for the terraces or has the quality of football banter descended into the toilet?
 
Here is a debate topic:

Watching the Bournemouth game just now I was struck by how tediously samey all their songs were. Then I stopped to think and I can’t remember the last good song I heard on the terraces. All the violent ones are so cringy. The Pompey stuff is meaningless and childish.

Am I now too old for the terraces or has the quality of football banter descended into the toilet?
You are too old. + The banter was always crap. With respect!
 
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Interesting article from a top women referee. I found it worth a read.
https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...i-penso-male-players-chip-in-about-everything
“There are absolutely differences between refereeing men’s and women’s matches,” Penso says. “Men and women are designed differently. There are different types of fouls committed because of our physical differences. There are psychological differences – we see a lot more reaction in the men’s game. A lot more instant reaction – and a lot more mass confrontation.

“Women are a lot more calculated in their response to things. Typically in the women’s game, the players don’t want to be spoken to. I don’t have a lot of conversations on the field with women. Men want to chip in about everything.”
 
Interesting article from a top women referee. I found it worth a read.
https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...i-penso-male-players-chip-in-about-everything
“There are absolutely differences between refereeing men’s and women’s matches,” Penso says. “Men and women are designed differently. There are different types of fouls committed because of our physical differences. There are psychological differences – we see a lot more reaction in the men’s game. A lot more instant reaction – and a lot more mass confrontation.

“Women are a lot more calculated in their response to things. Typically in the women’s game, the players don’t want to be spoken to. I don’t have a lot of conversations on the field with women. Men want to chip in about everything.”

That can’t be right. I keep being told there are no biological differences and that gender is a social construct.
 
Intrigued to see Reuben Selles' Reading near the foot of the Div One table albiet I believe the culb has had a three point deduction for lae pat,ent of wages. Reading are a funny club as they hace the facilities which should allow them to bat above their status. Selles was a good appointment for them and also somewhere that would provide Selles with the proper grounding to kick-start his managerial career. I think he will come good although I would not like to put a timescale on that. Reading aren;t famed for their patience either.

Have to say that Eddie Howe's position might be one to keep the eyes on too. I have to say that I have always felt that his reputation was a bit inflated. Certainly not a future England coach but maybe the kind of manager who would work wonders with a club like Reading in the future.

Or Everton!!!