Interesting how England’s performance in qualifiers has gotten better and better while their record in international tournaments has been tailing off from the traditional mediocrity.
I sort of remember that (i was only 6), but have seen it many times since, certainly wasn't Peter 'The Cats' finest moment!
We were cruising until Ramsay took Charlton off. Beckenbaur grabbed hold of midfield, and the whole game changed.
It wasn't an inclusive list - there are Iraqis, Iranians and others. But those are the contributors from the leading nations - the main winners of major tournaments.
I'm pretty sure that none of The Queen's record breaking time on the throne was spent ruling the Sammarinese...
Qualifying has got easier now, more places at both WC & Euros and more mediocre teams due to the break up of Russia and Yugoslavia in the groups. Looking back to the World Cups we didn't qualify for in 1974 & 1978 (ancient history to some here), in 74 we only had Wales and Poland in our group and 78 we had Italy, Finland & Luxembourg. The 73 Poland game at Wembley I can still recall where we had to win, possibly the most one sided 1-1 draw I have ever seen, and Poland went on finish 3rd in Germany, and we only lost out to Italy in 78 on goal difference. But I certainly don't envisage out performance in tournaments improving much in France next year, though we should get out of the group (with 16 teams going through)
If World Cup winners can't produce many 50+ goalscorers, then who can? (The answer is the minnows from Asia and CONCACAF who play each other a lot in high scoring games)
I'm not suggesting that those players are playing on the same level, as they're clearly not (Stern ****ing John?!), but they score a lot because they play a lot. Better sides should have more competition for places and end up with less players with a ton of caps. That reduces the opportunity for them to get on the list as much as the quality of the opposition. There are some exceptions, as players end up getting picked on reputation instead of form (ahem), but I think it generally holds up. I noticed one possible pisstake quite far down the list. English-born Filipino striker Phil Younghusband has scored 42 in 71 internationals. Does this guy exist? That name...
The press had been clamoring for weeks that we should play Bonnetti, on he comes and let's in three. I remember us going 2 - 0 up and saying that's it nobody will score 3 against our defence, which was acknowledged as the best in the world at that time. That was before Muller started to work on them.
Why was Bonetti playing in that game ? I seem to recall Banks went down with a sickness bug didn't he ?
Oh yes, Phil The Loyola Meralco Sparks striker - with 202 goals in ....wait for it......50 games. And here's the interesting bit. He played for Chelsea. A youth player from 1997-2005 and in the reserves from 2005-8 (although he didn't seem to get a kick) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Younghusband
I think you're still being a bit selective, Luke. Which, as Utd fan, I suppose you would be. But, there are some top names in that list, Muller, Pele, Ronaldo (Brasil) to mention just a few. And, let's not forget that 10% of Rooney's 50 goals were scored against San Marino!....
Muller got 15% of his goals v Albania and Cyprus 31% when you add in Norway, Turkey and Austria who were really pants back then 44% when you add Mexico, Peru and Bulgaria. Stats eh? He's starting to look like a flat track bully on this evidence.
I don't have access to those stats that you have claimed. However, I do remember Gerd Muller, and as a striker/goal scorer, I assure you Rooney isn't in the same league. His scoring record, both int'l and domestic speaks for itself.
This is the point NSIS. Muller was a great striker and that's why he mullered the lesser teams. Roooney isn't an out and out striker, but nonetheless his goalscoring record, especially in qualifying, is impressive by any standards. His recent record is good too - 22 goals in his last 34 internationals. Given the very ordinary standard of England teams over the last 12 years, the expectation placed on him (which means he's a marked man in every game so far the opposition are concerned) and the way in which even the lesser teams have become organised and hard to beat, his consistency in continuing to score important goals is commendable.
How many games has Rooney played to beat Charlton?Compare it with the number of games Greavesey played for England!
