Rooney's not in form, though. He hasn't been anywhere near his best for some time. Van Gaal and Hodgson don't seem to know what to do with him, though I expect Mourinho to know exactly where to play him. It's the same old England bullshit. Terrified of the media and/or sponsors, so the supposed best XI are chucked into something vaguely resembling a team. Underperform, crash out and do the same again. Pointless.
Just though I'd add that it was refreshing to see Kane's reaction to the Alves flying kick. For those that haven't seen it: The linesman looks more distressed by it than he did! How many players in the modern game would still be rolling about now, pretending to be on their way out?
Couldn't agree more. Kane was actually looking to play on as it was a good opportunity. We should praise players actions like this to the skies to shame those who roll around as if they'd been shot with half the impact that Kane suffered. And no pundit would have criticised them for doing so. UEFA should institute some sort of good sportsman award, reserved for people who don't dive or otherwise cheat. Seriously. Why isn't there one?
Your point is self-contradictory Luke. Rooney more than any other high profile English striker has relied heavily on more gifted partners to bring the best out in him. He has been fortunate that United have been able to provide the likes of Van Nistelrooy, Tevez, Berbatov, Ronaldo and Van Persie - all of whom are far more technically superior players who show far more composure on the ball. It is no coincidence, as PNP rightly points out, that Rooney's form has gone south since more or less the day Van Persie's form plummeted and was ultimately sold. If anything, Rooney's career has been helped by talented foreign stars more than any other player in the England squad. if Rooney is to start, it has to been in a '2' alongside Kane, who is unquestionably England's most intelligent and unselfish forward. I cannot see our talisman and saviour of the past 5 tournaments clicking with anyone else.
Because they couldn't give it to anyone at Real, Barca or Bayern? Rooney and Kane would probably work well, if used in a sensible system. They're both happy in complementary positions, but can switch easily, too. Not much pace, though.
I think there is, or there certainly used to be. Didn't Di Canio get some sporting award once for kicking the ball out when he could have scored ?
Yes its FIFA award and Di Canio won it when caught a ball that he could have volleyed into an empty net when the Everton keeper was down injured, Lineker also won it when he retired for his record of never being booked
Perhaps a FIFA Fair Cop Award? To the first of the senior management to offer to give the money back in return for a lesser sentence?
Serie B introduced a green card for fair play at the beginning of last season. It was supposed to be awarded after games and the player who got the most at the end of the campaign would get an award. I don't seem to be able to find anything about anyone getting one though, quite amusingly!
I'm sure that the Swiss authorities will tell us soon. Their monthly raid on the FIFA headquarters was today, which seems a bit off for a Friday.
Unfortunately, the award looks a whole lot less impressive when you see some of the other winners and the official reasons given (and, yes, these are all direct quotes from FIFA's website) 1997: Irish supporters - Exemplary behaviour, especially during the World Cup preliminary match against Belgium 1998: Iran and USA - Sportsmanship surrounding their 1998 World Cup match, despite mutual political tensions for nearly twenty years 1999: New Zealand's footballing community - Efforts towards making the 1999 FIFA U17 World Championship a resounding success. 2002: Communities of Japan and South Korea - demonstrating a spirit of brotherhood and sportsmanship by co-hosting the 2002 World Cup 2003: Fans of Celtic Exemplary behaviour in the 2003 UEFA Cup Final, despite Celtic losing 3–2 in extra-time to Porto 2005: Community of Equitos, Peru - Wholehearted support of the 2005 FIFA U17 World Championship and contribution to football 2006: Fans of the 2006 World Cup - Fans' fair play, mutual respect, and special atmosphere created inside and outside the stadiums 2010: Haiti women's U17 football team - Enduring hardships in wake of the 2010 Haiti earthquake 2011: Japan Football Association - Enduring hardships in wake of Tohuko earthquake and tsunami while winning 2011 Women's World Cup 2014: World Cup volunteers - Their work, tireless support, enthusiasm, and passion for the game In other words, the winners break down into a few distinct categories... i.) FIFA rewarding people for hosting or watching a FIFA tournaments ii.) FIFA reward somebody for enduring hardships...but only if FIFA can get a mention for it iii.) FIFA thanking fans for not lynching an inept referee Perhaps the most cynical of the lot is the 2010 winner, given the FHF received a donation of over $3m to rebuild their football infrastructure in the wake of the earthquake from...FIFA!
...you make some great points...but Woy has left Vardy's best supply line at home in his infinite wisdom ..so we'll just go sideways to little effect
Right now the San Marino players must be thinking "...and we've got another fifteen minutes of this?!?"
Who's going to win it? France should be favourites, but I don't see any outstanding teams. Poland as outsiders?
I'd say France have to be favourites, home turf and there are some fantastic players littered throughout their squad. The Germans and Belgians are also up there. I like Poland's squad, some top drawer players like Piszsczek, Krychowiak, Jakub B, Milik and obviously the main man Lewandowski, definitely a side who can cause problems and I wouldn't be massively surprised if they reached the quarters or semis. Though I think Croatia could be the best outside bet, they've got really good players in all areas. Subasic is a very decent keeper, Spurs fans know how good Charlie is as a defender, Jedvaj is a talent while Srna has been a top full back for a number of years. Their midfield is crazily stacked with superb players and is actually one of the best midfields in the tournament in my opinion, Modric and Rakitic the two stand-outs but Kovacic, Perisic and Badelj are all really good players and the youngster Coric is being chased by most of Europe. Mandzukic will lead the line well while the likes of Pjaca will provide decent width and Kalinic is there to back up on the goals side. I may even stick a tenner on Croatia, this is probably the best squad they've ever had - cue them finishing bottom of their group now!
