Football 2011-2012

[The Nal]

suprised this hasnt been posted either, apparently with Suarez and Evra its all about context:

http://www.guardian....a?newsfeed=true

[Wooderson]

Seems to be a convenient "out", (probably true aswell) for Evra and/or Suarez to bring this saga to an end.

[eFestivals]

Why "convenient" if this is what was said?

I took that simply as him meaning that it's a way of the whole thing being put nicely to bed, the end.

After all, if Suarez is proven as having been nastily racist or Evra is proven as being a liar about it, there's no nice outcome. And surely we'd all prefer that there was a nice outcome, that it's been a misunderstanding with nothing nasty at the heart of it?

For there to have been nothing nasty about this incident would be convenient to everyone involved.

[Wooderson]

I took that simply as him meaning that it's a way of the whole thing being put nicely to bed, the end.

After all, if Suarez is proven as having been nastily racist or Evra is proven as being a liar about it, there's no nice outcome. And surely we'd all prefer that there was a nice outcome, that it's been a misunderstanding with nothing nasty at the heart of it?

For there to have been nothing nasty about this incident would be convenient to everyone involved.

[eFestivals]

So, England on Saturday: very well played.

While England played defensively, they couldn't have got a decent result if they'd tried to take them on at their own game. They'd have been whipped.

And just about everyone had a very decent game. I'd say that the only exceptions were Downing who was pretty insignificant for the half he played (Walcott was hugely better), and Adam Johnson that managed the left back part of the role Milner had had but not the winger part getting forwards - but I'll let him off that a bit as he didn't have much time on the field.

And Scott Parker was immense, absolutely superb.

But - the point of this post - I'm wondering if the Spanish style of play helped him make such a big impact? He's not a player I'm hugely familiar with, but I can't say I've seen him make tackle after tackle like that before. With the Spanish players allowing England players to get so close to them, there were a huge number of times that Parker just had to make one step forwards to make a tackle.

So was it the case that his impact was so much greater because he wasn't having to chase players around as he would in a Prem game?

[The Nal]

I took that simply as him meaning that it's a way of the whole thing being put nicely to bed, the end.

After all, if Suarez is proven as having been nastily racist or Evra is proven as being a liar about it, there's no nice outcome. And surely we'd all prefer that there was a nice outcome, that it's been a misunderstanding with nothing nasty at the heart of it?

For there to have been nothing nasty about this incident would be convenient to everyone involved.

[kaosmark2]

Thats what I meant yeah. No matter what happened either way they cant prove it 100%. This suits all parties and looks like the truth too.

[eFestivals]

Wouldn't fit in with the "I used a word his teammates were calling him" comment from Suarez though....

I thought that initially when I read the piece too, but it depends on which way you interpret things I guess.

From my memory of reading the piece, there's a word that's something like "negrito" (apologies if my memory is wrong) which is used to mean "mate".

So, if "negrito" was what Suarez said, then his explanation is correct and accurate if he's referring to Evra's team mates calling Evra (in English) 'mate' - from Suarez's own angle, anyway. To him they'd be the same word, tho of course in different languages.

[The Nal]

And Scott Parker was immense, absolutely superb.

But - the point of this post - I'm wondering if the Spanish style of play helped him make such a big impact? He's not a player I'm hugely familiar with, but I can't say I've seen him make tackle after tackle like that before.

So was it the case that his impact was so much greater because he wasn't having to chase players around as he would in a Prem game?

[eFestivals]

Hes been a tackling machine this season and when he plays well, Spurs play well. He destroyed Liverpool in the middle of the park for example

oh sure, I know he can tackle. But he got so very many in the other night, way beyond his normal.

edit: well, it seemed like he got loads more in, anyway. Perhaps that might have been the impression given by England being pinned back as they were, and Parker often being further back than the backs.

Edited November 15, 2011 by eFestivals

[pink_triangle]

I have always been wary reading anything to friendlies, especially as Wales seem to have a habit of winning a lot more of them than qualifiers.

The mistake by the English public/media before the Spain was lowering expectations based on Spanish qualifying, tournament and Barcelona. All irrelevant in this case. Spain have lost away in friendlys to England, Argentina, Portugal and Italy since the world cup. That is effectively a 100% loss rate against decent opposition away from home.

However this is a Spain team who have lost I think 1 in 13 in tournament football and probably haven't lost an away qualifier in a long time. Now either all these teams beating Spain have been amazing (doubtful as all are underperforming nations in recent years) or there is a significant drop off in performance from Spain when the result doesn't matter. I can see why England would be desperate to beat the world champions in any match, but don't think the same is true in reserve. I suspect parker would have a lot more trouble getting tackles in for a game Spain needed to win.

[5co77ie]

I'm liking the new name for St James Park:

[The Nal]

Fucking delighted!! Roll on the summer.

[Ed209]

Congratulations to Ireland! Really happy they're there, its been too long. They always bring something positive to a tournament.

So England went all of 2011 unbeaten, and have lost only 1 of the 13 games since the last world cup, a friendly to France. There is a reason we are so high up the FIFA rankings of late, we are getting the results

Edited November 15, 2011 by Ed209

[pink_triangle]

No doubt England can get results against anyone in friendlies or qualifying, however its not much good if it doesn't translate to tournaments. I have been following football since 1988 and the best team I remember England beating in knockout football outside England is Belgium 1990. England are as about a consistent team as you can get, bar a few exceptions, they beat teams worse than them and lose to teams better.Works good for rankings but would much rather be a team like Italy or Germany who can have poor form leading to tournaments and under par squads but seem to pull it off in tournaments more often than not.

[kaosmark2]

Congratulations to Ireland! Really happy they're there, its been too long. They always bring something positive to a tournament.

So England went all of 2011 unbeaten, and have lost only 1 of the 13 games since the last world cup, a friendly to France. There is a reason we are so high up the FIFA rankings of late, we are getting the results

[pink_triangle]

I am tempted by Germany as well, they have a good team and think the Madrid v Barca feud could hurt Spain. The Germans are so consistent, they were average/poor between 1998 and 2008 but still reached semi consistently.

[Ed209]

I don't need reminding about our record in tournaments. The tears from italia 90 still stain my teddy bears. I don't think for a second we can win it, I'm just trying to put a bit of positivity on things.

[kaosmark2]

I am tempted by Germany as well, they have a good team and think the Madrid v Barca feud could hurt Spain. The Germans are so consistent, they were average/poor between 1998 and 2008 but still reached semi consistently.

[Ed209]

I don't think that's as big a worry as it has been, Del Bosque sorted it out last 2 tournaments, and I can't imagine it'll have reignited too heavily. I think Spain are still favourites, and should be, after all, noone's worked out how to cope with Barcelona. I'm worried about their lack of strikers though, I see so many creative players, but assuming Torres doesn't hit his sparkling best, they're completely reliant on Villa + midfielders, and I think Villa likes having another striker to play off.

Germany on the other hand, had a really bright young team at the World Cup, they thrashed England and Argentina, they'll have improved since then, their organisation, morale, confidence, everything like that will, as always, be at the perfect level. I think there's 3 teams properly in it, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands, with France as possible dark horses.

[joe1990]

couldnt say i was overly moved by the football tonight. but who is that walker bloke in defence? capello picks him over micah richards deary me

[Ed209]

Yeah, Richard's exclusion was an odd one, he's having a fantastic season with the top team in the Premier League. Only played once under Capello and never started. I know he had a bad dip in form for a couple of years, but I find that odd.

[pink_triangle]

I don't need reminding about our record in tournaments. The tears from italia 90 still stain my teddy bears. I don't think for a second we can win it, I'm just trying to put a bit of positivity on things.

[The Nal]

The Republic of Ireland last qualified for the European Championships 24 years ago - a record gap between appearances which is matched by France (1960-1984), and Greece (1980-2004).

France won it in 84

Greece won it in 2004

Just saying…..

Bring on the French!!

Also, 53 international goals (thus far) from Robbie Keane. Unbelievable considering hes only played in 1 major tournament. The previous record was Niall Quinn with 21.

Edited November 16, 2011 by The Nal

[jump]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/984386/kevin-palmer:-joyous-ireland-earn-%3Ci%3Ecraic%3C/i%3E-at-euros?cc=5739

"A 'Group of Debt' featuring Italy, Portugal, Greece and Ireland would be a interesting twist in these crippling financial times