Football 2013-2014

[zero000]

Or media hypebole over isolated incidents? (I've not actually seen it, but it's usually what it is and from what I've read likely to be the same again.)

[kaosmark2]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/petition-to-ban-tom-cleverley-for-englands-world-cup-squad-has-over-4000-signatures-9162376.html

[Hawky]

It got rejected straight away Haha. He is awful.

[thetime]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/petition-to-ban-tom-cleverley-for-englands-world-cup-squad-has-over-4000-signatures-9162376.html

[eFestivals]

I suppose he's been treated in a similar way Henderson and Ramsey have been treated by there fans.

except they're two players which have shown exceptional skills, even if they've not always been able to deliver them on the pitch. Cleverley was mediocre and not-noticeable in a poor Wigan team.

I agree that the shit he's getting is very unfair tho. He's merely trying to play football.

The one that should be getting the shit about Cleverley is Hodgson picking him again and again for England in the first place.

Too sadly, this petition is likely to have Hodgson pick him again as a sympathy pick.

[strummer77]

I suppose he's been treated in a similar way Henderson and Ramsey have been treated by there fans.

[eFestivals]

I don't get this Hendo abuse stuff. Anyone with half a brain could see there was a very decent player there, as long as they didn't form their opinion on one of a small number of single matches.

I noticed within a few games at Liverpool (and posted as much on here) that he wasn't great on the right but was solid when played in the middle, and that he wasn't so good if Gerrard was also on the pitch but came into his own when Gerrard wasn't.

Anyone who didn't see that couldn't have been paying attention.

[DomDom1984]

The one thing that should have made people give Henderson a chance was that he was playing under the clueless mumbleclown and therefore allowances really have to be made.

As for Cleverly being an "honest pro", that's the least I expect of anyone who pulls on a shirt, so that means absolutely nothing to me whatsoever. It's not his fault he's not a great player though, that much I can give you. Giving the player abuse for not being good is a bit pointless.

[dentalplan]

The annoying thing is. I think he's actually more likely to be selected now as to show they're not responding to fan pressure. He's not a bad player and the petition is ridiculous, but there are a lot of better shouts for midfield slots.

[The Nal]

I think Zidane could still play at the top level.

Here he is last night

And Vidic confirmed for Inter now. Good move for him. The slower pace of the Italian game means he can play for a few years longer.

Edited March 5, 2014 by The Nal

[dentalplan]

That gif isn't loading for me but the title ElderlyHauntingAlabamamapturtle.gif has caught my interest.

[kaosmark2]

I think it's disgraceful how's he is treated to be honest, especially from united fans and England fans.

He's a honest pro and not the best in the world that's for sure. Saying that there are more talented players than cleverly letting united down this season, no doubt likewise for England in the summer as well.

I suppose he's been treated in a similar way Henderson and Ramsey have been treated by there fans.

[pink_triangle]

To me the Cleverly petition is stupid and serves no purpose.

Theres a lot of talk about him being uselss, nobody plays that many games in the premiership without being a very good footballer. If this was Spain it would be a different argument, but England are not a country full of top class central midfielders. People get overexcited about these fringe selections, the fact is if Cleverly doesn't go to the world cup, another player with limitations who probably wont play either will go instead. I remember in the last world cup (or maybe euros_ reading about what a positive influence Reina was in the Spain camp, despite knowing that he was there to make up the numbers. Maybe Hodgson feels that Cleverly is a positive influence to the squad or perhaps others will rock the boat if not selected.

I also don't understand why the majority (if not all) the comments I have seen why he shouldn't play seem to focus on his perfomances for Man Utd. Surely for England he should be judged how he plays for England, not watching England outside international tournaments Im not qualified to comment, but surely you wouldn't rule out an international player purely on club form once they had got their foot in the door.

[Bobs]

Didn't see the point in Cashley Cole playing today? I mean if he's not gonna play at the World Cup cause Baines' is first choice, what is the point in him being there? Waste of a space, especially as he won't be in England contention in 2014 or 2016.

England are still poor, but i feel if Sturridge can carry on his good form, Sterling, Rooney, Sturridge partnership could be really exciting, with 3 solid midfielders, and obviously Walker/Johnson and Baines as wingbacks, it would pose a really interesting England. 4-4-2 is dead, so hope we don't go with that.

[LondonTom]

I also don't understand why the majority (if not all) the comments I have seen why he shouldn't play seem to focus on his perfomances for Man Utd. Surely for England he should be judged how he plays for England, not watching England outside international tournaments Im not qualified to comment, but surely you wouldn't rule out an international player purely on club form once they had got their foot in the door.

[pink_triangle]

Didn't see the point in Cashley Cole playing today? I mean if he's not gonna play at the World Cup cause Baines' is first choice, what is the point in him being there? Waste of a space, especially as he won't be in England contention in 2014 or 2016.

England are still poor, but i feel if Sturridge can carry on his good form, Sterling, Rooney, Sturridge partnership could be really exciting, with 3 solid midfielders, and obviously Walker/Johnson and Baines as wingbacks, it would pose a really interesting England. 4-4-2 is dead, so hope we don't go with that.

[pink_triangle]

It shows his shit form, players should be judged on their recent form in matches (unless they happen to just play really really shit for England) which is going be club matches.

I think the petition has been done in the wrong way but I can see why fans are pissed, if he was at a smaller team (playing to the same standard as he is now) he wouldn't get a look in.

[kaosmark2]

I do think the "he plays lots of games for Man U so must be good" argument is being shown up this season. Not just him, but their squad as a whole. I also agree that if he were putting those performances in for Hull/Southampton/WBA/Newcastle he wouldn't have got as many caps by now.

At the same time, I completely agree with ignoring fan (often meaning media) demands.

[thetime]

You have to worry about England centre backs at the highest level.

Who do England have? Smalling, Cahill, jagielka and who else?

[eFestivals]

To me the Cleverly petition is stupid and serves no purpose.

Surely for England he should be judged how he plays for England

he's certainly been no less shit there tho.

The petition serves no purpose but it does make a salient point, and one that seems to have eluded Woy so far.

Edited March 6, 2014 by eFestivals

[kaosmark2]

You have to worry about England centre backs at the highest level.

Who do England have? Smalling, Cahill, jagielka and who else?

[eFestivals]

Didn't see the point in Cashley Cole playing today? I mean if he's not gonna play at the World Cup cause Baines' is first choice, what is the point in him being there?

do you think?

I thought the starting 11 last night was Woy's WC starting 11 as he was seeing it yesterday.

Cashley will play at WC as 1st choice, I reckon. Woy will give him that one last hurrah before 18 year old matey that came on last night takes his squad place.

Sterling had a good game after some dodgy touches at the start. Lalana was decent too when he came on, Wilshire disappeared after he hurt himself when he failed to even touch the ball in a tackle with Agger.

I should have kept my gob shut here yesterday about Hendo, cos he wasn't impressive ... but wft were the crowd up to, at him at his every touch? My sympathy for Cleverley grew off the back of that.

But a dull game.

Edited March 6, 2014 by eFestivals

[eFestivals]

You have to worry about England centre backs at the highest level.

Who do England have? Smalling, Cahill, jagielka and who else?

Cahill has improved at Chelsea. I'd pair him with Jags, who reads the game far better than Smalling.

[eFestivals]

Dawson. Phil Jones I guess but he hardly plays there for his club.

both of those are dreadful.

Unless you count Lescott who hasn't played a match in months.

either your or my memory is shot.

[thetime]

Someone at southampton needs to get great credit, how many top players have come through the ranks in the last 10 years.

Edited March 6, 2014 by thetime