I don't support people who choose when and not to back their team, but I can see RobespierreFFC's point. During the dark days of John Toshack's reign at Wales, I lost interest and wouldn't even bother if the match was on TV. When you can't beat the likes of Andorra and Lichtenstein can you really blame the supporters for losing interest?
There's a difference between not supporting the national team (international football is just poor) and actively supporting someone else. I am indifferent towards the national team because previous managers put player ego ahead of giving the fans a team to be proud of. Even with Hodgson, I'm not sure that'll change. EDIT: Another important point: I am a Fulham fan. It was a decision and I have followed my team through 4 divisions. I am English, so I am saddled with my national team. I'd never support another country, but I don't see why I have to support the national team at all.
BZ for England ? what 32 next birthday,has not shown any form over the last 12 months. and as far as a return to form I dont think so. Something I read in several of to days papers they already had "Demps" on his way to Everton, sum of 4/5 mil, I cannot believe we would sell for that figure,when we got 4mil for BZ. Regarding currant, and possible future value between the two no comparison.
Would be a bad move for CD. Can't imagine he would leave to join a club that aren't in the EL let alone the CL.
EDIT: Another important point: I am a Fulham fan. It was a decision and I have followed my team through 4 divisions. I am English, so I am saddled with my national team. I'd never support another country, but I don't see why I have to support the national team at all. I understand and respect this, you have a choice when it comes to your club side and to go back on that choice shows a real lack of character, however being english is something you haven't got a choice in, just like you haven't got a choice in that mad aunt you might have (I know I have). You take the rough with the smooth, I'm not saying you should expectations but you can't pick and choose how patriotic your feeling. You can't say you didn't get out of your seat when England beat Germany 5-1 or Gazza scored that goal against the Scots, or maybe you can?. You don't support the players, your supporting your Nation.
If it happens, then I'm delighted for Roy. He clearly wants it and has a point to prove after Liverpool. Funnily enough, as I was watching the Hamburg highlights the other day and remembering what a phenomenal job he did for us I was thinking that he deserves his chance with England. He took a club that were struggling to stay in the Premier League into Europe and then to the Europa League final within two and a half seasons. He's done a similar job with WBA, although with slightly less spectacular results. He'll be better than McLaren because he's a better manager than McLaren. I doubt he'll turn England into world beaters, but then neither would anyone else, and he may just surprise people. Good luck Woy!
Allow me to elaborate. I have always been very indifferent to the national team. I don't care much for patriotism and I don't for one minute feel I should be obligated to support the national team, much in the same way that we're not obligated to support a political party or the monarchy. The idea of supporting the number of underperforming stars whom played for england in recent years does not resonate with me, but if a well-respected and dignified man like Woy is at the helm then I feel more inclined to offer my support to the national team. The simple fact that I'm English does not mean for one minute I feel like some of the players who played for England represent me in any way. This is why I love supporting Fulham so much. I don't support them because I have no choice, I picked Fulham when I was younger purely because they're the 1st team I went to see in our Division 2 title winning side season. The reason I have carried on supporting them is because of what the club means to me, the way I've seen the club develop as I've grown up and because of what it means to be Fulhamish. I'll always support them not because I feel I have to, but because I genuinely want to. Being English to me personally does not have the same effect. To those however who are more patriotic and love seeing England do well then of course that is perfectly fair enough as well, and you should be delighted to have such a fine manager and Fulham legend in Hodgson should he be appointed.
Looks like this issue's been well discussed. I'll just add that it's the worst job in the world and that Roy's probably the best man for the job. It's the worst job (as it's been said) because Roy will now come under the harshest scrutiny he's ever faced; his trials and tribulations at Liverpool will seem like a vacation in Bali once England's dilussional press and fans get done with him. But given his calm disposition and knowledge of international football, there's probably no better choice - including Rednapp, whom I see as a better overall manager. I wish him well, except when England play the USA or Deutschland (my adopted country). Good luck Roy - you're going to need it. Managing England is like being the jockey on a slow, fat, spoiled race horse, the owners of which believe is the reincarnation of Secretariat.
I heard someone on the radio sum it up nicely. Roy is a broadsheet man in a tabloid world. That's both his great appeal for some of us, and the reason why the England job is likely to bring him media criticism.
I'd see him as an outside bet rather than a nailed on one. I agree that his form isn't anything like the form that won him his England call up, but if Roy gets the job, he just might see the benefit of having one or two people within the squad who already know his system deep in their bones, as he won't have a lot of time to get everyone used to playing his way. Assuming that Danny Murphy won't get a call up (at least, not as a player) now that he can't last 90 minutes, there aren't a lot of credible candidates. I think Bobby's chances will depend on how confident Roy is about the ability of Crouch, Carroll and Welbeck to play the same role that Bobby did for us. If he has doubts about more than one of those three, Bobby could yet sneak in. Maybe.
If Roy is looking for a big target man to take to the Euro's, then my money would be on Andy Carroll. Crouch, Zamora and Cole won't make the cut.
I disagree, Bandy. I think Crouch is the most likely to go. Like Bobby he's a good technical player who can link the play effectively. Remember that Roy tried to sign him for us, so we know that he rates the player. Who else makes the squad will depend on how confident Roy is in the ability of Carroll, Welbeck, etc to do that specific role. He knows that Bobby can, and Bobby's best chance is if Roy doesn't trust the others to fit into his system. It's not just about who's the best striker who happens to be big. But, deep down, I think Bobby's time has been and gone.
CSA, Juventude, Brasil de Pelotas, Al-Shabab, Grêmio, Goiás, Al Qadisiya, Criciúma, Al-Ahli, Júbilo Iwata, Palmeiras & Cruzeiro. Deportivo Cali, San Lorenzo, Colombia & Estudiantes São Cristóvão, Asante Kotoko, Ghana, Fluminense, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates & Saudi Arabia Lyon, Bordeaux, Montpellier & Nancy No teams. What do these have in common? They are the CVs of five world cup winning coaches in the last 26 years. Has anyone looked at the CV Joachim Low had before taking the Germany job? The same German team that our media fawn over. If the players are good enough, the manager doesn't matter. EDIT: For full disclosure, the two managers excluded are del Bosque & Lippi. They have admittedly more glittering CVs at Real Madrid and Juventus respectively.
Disagree totally. Everyone knows Joachim Low as the Assistant Manager was the mastermind behind Germany's World Cup 2006 campaign where they lost in the SF to Italty. Klingsmann took the plaudits but it was the tactics created by Low that ensured they would do much better than previous campaigns. You're suggesting Low was picked up from nowhere. His CV was assistant manager to the national team, and it was during his tenure that Germany played their best football for recent years, I'm sure the German FA took that into consideration. It was absolutely no surprise that he was appointed head coach when Jurgen stepped down.
If you disagree totally, Bandit, I think it's because I didn't state my point very well! The "if the players are good enough, the manager is good enough" was supposed to be more of a point that if the players perform, everyone loves the manager. England managers are undone by their players as much as by any limitations in their abilities. As for Joachim Low: a key part of his CV was 3 years as assistant to Klinsmann. That is exactly my point: there is a lot more to a CV than domestic trophies. None of the coaches I referred to were picked from no where, they were all picked based on their abilities rather than their trophy cabinet. But in the English media, honestly, do you think they'd have accepted someone like Low?
If the results are good enough, they will accept anyone. The trouble with England is that journalists and fans will not give you that amount of time to get good results. If Hodgson loses his first friendly game, watch out for the 'sack Hodgson' comments. Low already came with faith from the media and fans because of his input at the 2006 WC, will Hodgson get the same support? Very unlikely.
I am in 2 minds about this. I think Woy could do a good job. His teams are well organised, difficult to beat and play as a team - which may be a good approach for England to take - similar to Greece in the Euros in 2004. However as Fleet Street wanted Harry with his sound bite friendly quotes they will be on Woy's back the first time we give a throw in away - and, as a Fulham supporter, I view Woy a little like a favourite uncle, so I would not wish that inevitable tide of vitriol on such a good person. Finally I think that if we examine to 2 managers' CVs, I would say that Woy's is actually a lot stronger than Harry's. For all of harry's Cockney charm, what has he achieved? - a FA Cup win ( with a team a few years later that has fallen apart and have fallen into Div 1) and a Spurs team which promises much, occasionally plays pretty football but has not delivered a trophy.
