International Thread Part Trois

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saintalfie said:
The best way is to ignore what some of the posters on here write. The all-knowing few would probably be far happier had England lost all their qualifiers and given them something to really squeal in horror about. The national side have put in some miserable performances over the years and deserved all that is leveled at them. But when they have won every qualifying game - no way ! Other top sides have struggled too, including Germany, Holland, etc - sometimes its just 11 v 11.
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I am certainly not an all knowing poster and have no problem with the achievements of the national side, which is to be applauded. However, I do expect the supposed elite players who represent our country to be able to run with a ball and pass it to feet. Obviously some can do this but it was also clear tonight that some others cannot. If they show the sort of control and technique when there is nothing riding on the match, how can we expect it when there is?
 
RedandWhiteManofKent- Batman vs Joker said:
Probably not too much to ask, and I didn't see tonight's game but 0-3 away from home ain't bad and not the team's fault that the opposition didn't make much of a fight of it. It's international football and you don't win each game 6-0

I would take a scrappy 1-0 win in a world cup final over entertainment.
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Yes, a pretty much faultless qualifying period for England, and as has been said, you can only play what's in front of you.

Personally, I'll settle for a 4-2 win after extra time against Germany in the Euro final, with a hat trick by Jay Rodriguez, brought in for the injured Rooney. Our other goal scored by James Ward-Prowse, from a cross by Ryan Bertrand. The older members of our community may see a slight resemblance to a previous event.

[HASHTAG]#Fiftyyearsofhurt[/HASHTAG]
 
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For me, is not even about how clueless we look, its the broken trust of the WC. I expected very little, but what was served up was far worse. Even when on the verge of going out he didn't have the courage to play one of the squad players, he just stuck with Stevie G. Then begging him not to retire, we could have been building rather than begging. These ten games have been a cake walk, Pompey would have finished top of that group, so good on you for blindly loving the Roy, me, I'll wait till he does something first.
 
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----HistoryRepeating---- said:
For me, is not even about how clueless we look, its the broken trust of the WC. I expected very little, but what was served up was far worse. Even when on the verge of going out he didn't have the courage to play one of the squad players, he just stuck with Stevie G. Then begging him not to retire, we could have been building rather than begging. These ten games have been a cake walk, Pompey would have finished top of that group, so good on you for blindly loving the Roy, me, I'll wait till he does something first.
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Have a lot of sympathy for this view. I did like Roy Hodgson a lot, going on his history of management jobs. They were interesting and different. So I was very surprised when Roy turned out to be more establishment and boring than almost any manager bar nobody. I was hoping for someone with some zap, say an extremely diluted version of Brian Clough, and we got Mr F.A.
 
Whilst I think that Roy should have quit after the World Cup disgrace, he has done well to turn it around.
I don't like England fans incessant moaning. We have played very well against teams that park the bus - as saints fans we know how frustrating and difficult it can be to play against defensively minded teams!
He is giving new players and youngsters a fair crack, whilst winning games. The real test will be at the tournament. I think Hodgson will mess it up again to be honest, but all the moaners have to remember that we are a very average side with no hope of winning. Any manager would struggle with the current crop. It's too easy for fans to slag off the national side. Just get behind them ffs
 
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Osvaldorama said:
Whilst I think that Roy should have quit after the World Cup disgrace, he has done well to turn it around.
I don't like England fans incessant moaning. We have played very well against teams that park the bus - as saints fans we know how frustrating and difficult it can be to play against defensively minded teams!
He is giving new players and youngsters a fair crack, whilst winning games. The real test will be at the tournament. I think Hodgson will mess it up again to be honest, but all the moaners have to remember that we are a very average side with no hope of winning. Any manager would struggle with the current crop. It's too easy for fans to slag off the national side. Just get behind them ffs
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So were Greece in 2004!!! So perhaps one of Wales or Northern Ireland or Iceland could be Euro Champions!!
 
For me, international matches are to be enjoyed but in reality they are an endurance with an ever expanding size of tournament. Is it 24 teams in Euro 2016? It is going to be a big marketing and financial success, backed by the major players such as Visa and Renault, but at the expense of quality.
 
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So long as Michel Platini is made to watch the final in handcuffs, the competition will be a success.

Ps; and if England can beat Germany at some point, that would be even better if you're listening God.
 
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I would like to see a WC reduced to 16 finalists with 8 max from Europe, 3 South Americans, 1 Central and North American, 2 from Africa and 2 from Asia. Qualification for the finals based on straight knock out, no seeding so if Italy played France in the first round that is great. One would be eliminated long before the finals. Players would then get a longer rest between seasons, fans would have a greater rest from the fatigue of watching the game and there would be far less disruption to the club season.
 
I'd like two very unexpected teams in the final. Would love the draw to be unseeded so a group of Germany, France, Italy and Spain would be fantastic.
 
Just when we thought we were safe it seems we have 10 Saints players possibly playing today!

Maya Yoshida for Japan v Iran (why does he always play countries that are considered dangerous?) 2.30pm
James Ward-Prowse, Jack Stephens and Matt Targett for England U21 v Kazakhstan at 5.45pm
Harrison Reed and Sam Gallagher England U20 v Germany at 6pm
Sadio Mané for Senegal v Algeria at 7.30pm
Graziano Pellè for Italy v Norway at 7.45pm
Maarten Stekelenburg and Virgil van Dijk for Holland v Czech Republic at 7.45pm

Keep everything crossed for no injuries :(
 
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My gripe with England matches, especially friendly games, is the way Hodgson, and previous managers, kowtow to the big clubs and fail to pick their best team, because "the big clubs have an important game at the weekend " etc.

Call me old fashioned, but if you want to see if player X, Y or Z will cut it in the England team, you pick a team made up of at least 9 first choice players, then insert the trialist into that team to see if he can gel with the regulars.
Putting out a team consisting of too many trialists proves very little because there is every likelihood that the same player combinations will never be used again, in a competitive match.

Oh for the days of Sir Alf Ramsey.
 
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Think you'll find Alf Ramsey came in for pretty much constant criticism from fans and pundits. Obviously it abated for a while after 1966, but by 1970 he was the hapless whipping boy for everyone's disappointment again.

It really is a no win job, especially when supporters hold the England manager responsible when clubs won't cooperate.
 
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We've been awful in the last three tournaments. I don't care what stage we got out in, but please God, can we play like a passionate England team?

I will withhold my congratulations until after we are inspired to at least show some desire in a tournament.
 
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