International football - RIP

Great player. Always remembered his feature in the Valley Review where they discussed his stamina. His dad made him run up and down the block of flats that they lived in, every morning and night. If memory serves it was 11 blocks.

 

Smertin! Half a season of absolute class.

I remember the midfield diamond of him, murphy (boo-hiss) and kish being the greatest midfield I'd ever seen!

 

I went out last night when Ireland were 1-0 up, and came home confident they were through to the finals. Couldn't believe it when I looked up the score. I may be in a minority of one on ere, but I'm sorry their fans don't have the opportunity to go and have the craic in Russia, which is what they do wherever they go. Qatar may be the exception, fans should boycott that one.

 

Given the Russian fans behaviour in France FHB, I reckon the Irish fans are better off sitting this one out.

 

You may be right, but I don't see the good-natured Irish fans as a target for the Russian para-military hooligans. More like the English and the Germans. That's Blatters legacy, W/C's in Russia and Qatar, instead of England and Australia.

 

Too right !

Australia through tonight !! Beating Honduras 3-1, just finished over here. We scrape in. Jedinak iced it tonight, brilliant display.

 

Oz would have been brilliant W/C hosts.

 

That midfield wasn’t a patch on Foley - Crofts - Ulvestad

 

Great to see the Republic of Ireland go out last night, and in such humiliating fashion.

 

Does Southgate stick or twist with the youngsters in Russia next summer?

Personally I would prefer Jordan Pickford over Joe Hart, and anyone ahead of Jordan Henderson.

Interesting that Loftus-Cheek can’t even get in the Chelsea 25.

 

Agreed, I have a couple of Chelsea mates who would have preferred to keep RLC rather than splash the cash on Bakayoko
Don't know how many chances Hart gets at major tournaments but Southgate seems intent on giving him another (not up to it), I'd rather go with Butland tho over Pickford, think he's a touch over-rated ATM
Hope we stick eith the 3 at the back, formation certainly fits the full backs we have.

 

Attacking full backs & Harry Kane are the strong points of the team. Hopefully neither Gary Cahill or Chris Smalling will be on the plane, one going to Russia at least ..

 

3 Keepers for Russia.... Foster, Butland & Pickford

 

Southgate should take Nick Pope as the no.3 keeper.

 

I’d take him over foster/Forster as things stand.

Anyone but Joe Hart in truth.