Totally agree with all you say Stick. I've had to explain to my little lad that it hasn't always been like this. I haven't seen enough of the Fulham kid to comment on his non selection though.
Off Topic World Cup 2018
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Just saw an advertisement from the Hard Rock Cafe in Paris; it is Bastille Day on Saturday. 'Les Bleus' will be pumped up no matter the opposition on Sunday.
That's not a shoestring, this is a shoe string.Spurs on a shoestring in the champions league
What does that make celtic budget?
Promoted on a shoestring
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But it won't be "Allez les Bleus" if England get to the final tonight
England are where they are because theyve been better than the teams theyve faced so far, which is due to the favourable draw, nothing mystic about it. They now have to play a team which is probably their equal tonight, and a team that is better than them in the final.
Belgium would have to have beaten Brazil and France to get to the final. When James got injured for Colombia, England basically only had to beat Croatia to get the final, tonight is the first test of Southgate in the tournament imo.
I cant be certain but youd be surprised if ever there was an easier route to a world cup final, including a gimmie group with Panama and Tunisia, quite incredible really.
Belgium would have to have beaten Brazil and France to get to the final. When James got injured for Colombia, England basically only had to beat Croatia to get the final, tonight is the first test of Southgate in the tournament imo.
I cant be certain but youd be surprised if ever there was an easier route to a world cup final, including a gimmie group with Panama and Tunisia, quite incredible really.
Just had a look, Germany in 2002 probably had an even easier route.
Ireland, Saudi Arabia and Cameroon in the group. Then Paraguay, USA and South Korea to get to the final.
Ireland, Saudi Arabia and Cameroon in the group. Then Paraguay, USA and South Korea to get to the final.
There was also the shenanigans in 1974 when it is suspected that West Gemany did not give 100% against East Germany to avoid one of Argentina, Brazil or The Netherlands until the final.
In 1970 England tired out West Germany in the quarter finals then West Germany tired out a very good Italian team in the semi finals. This left a weary Italian team to play against a very good Brazil team in the final.
There are probably other competitions where one half of the draw has been loaded with 'better' teams however I cannot think too clearly at the moment; had a heavy weekend plus!
It's a bit late but we are off to the beach again. On the two previous occasions we went to the beach, England won. So we have to go.
Uruguay's two wins look mental to modern eyes
In 1950, Scotland and Turkey withdrew. Uruguay's only group game was against Bolivia (they won 8-0).
There was a second group to reach the final and Uruguay drew with Spain and beat Sweden 3-2 to get into the final.
In 1930, they beat Peru and Romania - that took them to a semi-final at home against Yugoslavia that they won 6-1.
Different era, though, and pretty much a different tourney back then.
In 1950, Scotland and Turkey withdrew. Uruguay's only group game was against Bolivia (they won 8-0).
There was a second group to reach the final and Uruguay drew with Spain and beat Sweden 3-2 to get into the final.
In 1930, they beat Peru and Romania - that took them to a semi-final at home against Yugoslavia that they won 6-1.
Different era, though, and pretty much a different tourney back then.
If your pro England you can say -
Two Semi finalists came from the England group so it was the strongest group, England beat two group winnners to reach the semi finals (Colombia and Sweden) they play a group winner in Croatia in the semi. That looks like a quality run if you want to term it this way.
If your anti England you can say -
England only beat Tunisia and Panama to get out of their group, they only beat Colombia on pens when their best player was missing, they beat Sweden whom have no international pedigree to speak of 2-0 to reach a semi final.
Two Semi finalists came from the England group so it was the strongest group, England beat two group winnners to reach the semi finals (Colombia and Sweden) they play a group winner in Croatia in the semi. That looks like a quality run if you want to term it this way.
If your anti England you can say -
England only beat Tunisia and Panama to get out of their group, they only beat Colombia on pens when their best player was missing, they beat Sweden whom have no international pedigree to speak of 2-0 to reach a semi final.
At the end of the day it is the World Cup finals, you don’t get through to the semi final on luck. England have scored plenty and conceded few - the basic recipe for success. Against Sweden they put in a very professional performance and they have earned the right to this semi-final. They are in the easier half of the draw on paper, but paper seems to mean little in this World Cup (Germany, Argentina, Portugal, Spain all going out rather tamely).
You can dress it up any way you want to suit your bias and your argument. Main thing for me, after recent embarrassments we have a team we can be proud of.
You can dress it up any way you want to suit your bias and your argument. Main thing for me, after recent embarrassments we have a team we can be proud of.
This really is the longest day I don't know what to do with myself trying to watch the tennis but can't concentrate. Might try and have a sleep but will only end up having a **** instead and will sap all my energy. If we get through tonight I don't care what happens Sunday and will be proud whatever happens. I'm bricking it at the moment.im not even in the mood for a drink,there must be something wrong with me. I must ring the doctor.
I had to go to the docs to get my arm checked earlier today and was home by 3.00. I pottered around for an hour but just totally edgy (and the kids are off school so no chance for a ****). Popped to a local bar for a couple of cold ones, thunderstorms everywhere, all very sinister.
Mind you, al the ****ing Germans look miserable as sin so there is that
Come on England
Mind you, al the ****ing Germans look miserable as sin so there is that
Come on England
Dr Bib proscribes some rum.
Last time Scotland were even in a world cup was 1998 and I was slaughtered before the Brazil game even kicked off.
I think if you're looking for one night where you're going to get away with being publicly out of order, it's going to be tonight - I'd be taking full advantage of that and be about 40% proof by now
Let's not forget also that to some Columbia were the bet of the tournament to beat us 
. Oddy is spot on an England team to be proud of.
. Oddy is spot on an England team to be proud of.
Then James got injured.
I was looking to oppose England because they are just an average team and I thought Colombia would have been overpriced, this was before we even knew who was going to win 2nd place in the group.
Croatia at 3/1 tonight is the bet of the tournament, no way has there been better value than that, obviously not certainties, its a coin toss, but all they have to do is not give away free kicks and give the ball to Modric.
I was looking to oppose England because they are just an average team and I thought Colombia would have been overpriced, this was before we even knew who was going to win 2nd place in the group.
Croatia at 3/1 tonight is the bet of the tournament, no way has there been better value than that, obviously not certainties, its a coin toss, but all they have to do is not give away free kicks and give the ball to Modric.
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As long as he is fit for the start of the 'Bundesliga' season!
James Rodriguez, Corentin Tolisso, Thiago Alcantara plus one more should be a pretty good midfield next year. Maybe Benjamin Pavard at left back and move David Alaba into midfield to perform the role he does for the Austrian National team.
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Fundamentally flawed argument. Totally delusional.
