Football 2013-2014

[pink_triangle]

The FIFA rankings aren't perfect but unless you make the whole thing unseeded which the big teams, tv companies, sponsors would never agree to, you need some kind of scoring system. Any scoring system which brings together teams who are playing in different groups, in different continents will always have pros and cons.

Maybe Italy and Holland could have replaced Switzerland and Uruguay/Columbia but the main thing is that the teams with a realistic chance of winning the tournament have been kept apart in the top seeding pot. While the world cup sometimes has its fair share of unusual seedings/dodgy refereeing/big stars flopping there is a magic about the tournament in terms of how the right team always seems to win in the end, something that doesn't always happen in the euros or champions league.

[kaosmark2]

The FIFA rankings aren't perfect but unless you make the whole thing unseeded which the big teams, tv companies, sponsors would never agree to, you need some kind of scoring system. Any scoring system which brings together teams who are playing in different groups, in different continents will always have pros and cons.

Maybe Italy and Holland could have replaced Switzerland and Uruguay/Columbia but the main thing is that the teams with a realistic chance of winning the tournament have been kept apart in the top seeding pot. While the world cup sometimes has its fair share of unusual seedings/dodgy refereeing/big stars flopping there is a magic about the tournament in terms of how the right team always seems to win in the end, something that doesn't always happen in the euros or champions league.

[pink_triangle]

The FIFA rankings contradict everything Blatter says about football. He claims he's spreading world-cups around because football is no longer the province of only Europe and South-America, which is right, but if that's the case, the rankings shouldn't be based on the idea that you can only improve and get a top seeding if you're playing against the European and South American teams that currently have them.

[kaosmark2]

That's an argument, however if they changed the rankings to make it easier for African, Asian, Comnebol teams to be higher up their would be just as many complaints from people that they are dumbing down the tournament. FIFA probably cant win whatever system they use. The harsh fact for sides in these continents is that the rankings but them at a disadvantage, they can either moan or start taking some scalps.

[pink_triangle]

But they can't start taking scalps, because they hardly ever play teams from those continents.

Edited October 17, 2013 by pink_triangle

[kaosmark2]

That difference would let Ghana be a top seed and have a much better chance at doing well in this world cup. It'd then follow from that as Ghana would have a much better chance of getting out of their group, improving their FIFA ranking further, and then when other African teams beat them, their ranking would improve.

[pink_triangle]

That difference would let Ghana be a top seed and have a much better chance at doing well in this world cup. It'd then follow from that as Ghana would have a much better chance of getting out of their group, improving their FIFA ranking further, and then when other African teams beat them, their ranking would improve.

[kaosmark2]

clubs like Ghana

[pink_triangle]

Re African team I wonder if the federation help themselves, I dont think forcing every team into an all or nothing 2 legged match is the best way to determine the best teams for qualification. Outside Africa only New Zealand are forced (play offs in other continents but you dont need them if you are good enough) into a 2 legged play off for qualification. However they are now effectively guaranteed a 2 legged play off for every world cup now, so they cant really complain.

[TheGayTent]

http://www.theguardian.com/football/quiz/2013/oct/18/football-quiz-name-dead-stadiums

7 out of 10 for me - quite hard.

And spot the deliberate mistake.

[eFestivals]

I've just read that Joe Cole hasn't given up hope of playing for England again.

Well, I suppose a bomb on the England team bus is a possibility along with simultaneous attacks on every club except West Ham.

[TheGayTent]

"Player gets asked if he wants to play for England and answers in the affirmative shocker"

Of far greater interest is what he has to say about Lilleshall, young players, and coaching.

Edited October 18, 2013 by TheGayTent

[eFestivals]

"Player gets asked if he wants to play for England and answers in the affirmative shocker"

is he even good enough to get a kick at West Ham nowadays? If he is, it's passed me by.

[TheGayTent]

is he even good enough to get a kick at West Ham nowadays? If he is, it's passed me by.

[eFestivals]

When he's not on the treatment table...

I guess it's tough on his legs holding up all that weight.

[TheGayTent]

I guess it's tough on his legs holding up all that weight.

[pink_triangle]

In a way I feel a bit sorry for Townsend. BBC just referred to him as "Englands next great hope", "the most exciting players since Rooney" and then started a debate why England struggle to produce players likes Townsend. If the BBC are discussing him in that way, the tabloids are probably going to be doing the Messi V Townsend comparisons tomorrow! Im not sure 4 or 5good games against average premiership/international opposition quite makes someone a world beater, come back to me when he is doing it consistently against better teams. No doubt after building the pressure up, the media will knock him down when it suits.

Then again the hype has probably added a few thousand to his weekly salary, so I don't feel that sorry for him!

Edited October 18, 2013 by pink_triangle

[kaosmark2]

Townsend was arguably QPR's best player in the second half of last season, but yeah, he's getting overhyped incredibly based off two performances for England against weak defences, and he was shit against West Ham just before them.

Thing is, until the media in this country change, there's always going to be at least one England player who gets that level of hype around them, and Townsend absorbing it might deflect attention away from the likes of Wilshere, Sturridge, Walcott who've been through that and could use a break.

[Bobs]

If rumours are right he's just penned a £140,000 a week deal!

If it's true it's a disgrace

[pink_triangle]

If rumours are right he's just penned a £140,000 a week deal!

If it's true it's a disgrace

[t8yman]

How boring is Michael Owens voice?

[strummer77]

That was rubbish from us. Made worse by BT Sport's coverage.

[lost]

Has to be worth it for this?

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/19/david-ginola-hand-gesture-bt-sport

[kaosmark2]

Unfortunately couldn't watch it, very chuffed with the result though. First 2 choice centre-backs out injured, 3rd/4th gets sent off at half time and we still get a point against one of the form teams this season. Apparently Cabaye's goal was a stunner as well.

And we scored from a set piece!

[kaosmark2]

Another dodgy Man U result and performance.....