Football 2013-2014

[ThomThomDrum]

While I would agree with the overall talent argument, when it comes to finals the champions league has a history of some quite medicore (slightly flukey) winners which doesn't seem to happen in the world cup.

Edited May 12, 2014 by ThomThomDrum

[Essex_George]

So where do we think Rio will go?

[pink_triangle]

Id be excited if I was an England fan TBH. Excited with the potential. And the best thing is that the English media wont over hype them too much, (at least they shouldn't in theory) which I think is a good thing for them

[mrtourette]

So where do we think Rio will go?

[pink_triangle]

How can you be so cynical and yet so naive in same sentence...?

[pink_triangle]

So where do we think Rio will go?

[TheGayTent]

West ham?!

[TheGayTent]

I truly believe that FIFA have an interest in promoting the game worldwide. That isn't to say there isn't huge corruption within the organization, but I don't think we will ever end up with a situation where the top 32 teams play in the world cup, regardless of location.

[ThomThomDrum]

People are always excited about the potential of young players and the same thing always happens, some flourish, some fade away and most are somewhere in the middle. I always am cautious when players are highlighted as "the next big thing" because I have seen so many others come and go with the same description. I don't share your thought that the English media wont overhype these players because I think they already are. While I think the current generation of young England players are fine, I don't think they particularly stand out in comparison to previous crops.

[ThomThomDrum]

Just a bit of fun

The PL table if only goals scored by English men counted. Funny to see Citys turn around. Utd fans would be happy enough (or maybe not, as some fans hate other teams more than they love their own team! )

[LondonTom]

Can't see Sullivan and Gold being interested in paying the wages he'd command for someone unlikely to play many games either.

Edited May 12, 2014 by LondonTom

[Bobs]

Scratch.

Yanks being Yanks had it as WLD, as opposed to WDL.

Edited May 13, 2014 by Bobs

[TheGayTent]

Cynicism aside, if he was brought in on reasonable wages and an understanding he was 2nd fiddle, he wouldn't be the worse addition to the squad.

[mrtourette]

There was a reason I highlighted the words "too much" in my last post. The English media will always over-hype anything about the English team, but there will be no "realistic" talk of winning it all from them. The pressure should not be there as it has in the past for other England squads. This is a good thing for England IMO. Ye have some decent players. They may just click and do better than expected. But if not at least the youth get the experience of a WC and next time round you may have the experienced squad you so desire that does well in such competitions. Its a win win as far as I can see.

Lets face it, bringing the likes Cashley and Carrick aint going to win a WC is it now? Blood em now and you never know...........

Edited May 13, 2014 by mrtourette

[eFestivals]

So where do we think Rio will go?

probably nowhere as good as he thinks he's going.

I'm loving his "I've decided to leave". Like he had a choice.

[pink_triangle]

So are we basing our tournament planning on 'they may just click' and 'you never know'? Seems a pretty negative way to approach it. And as I've said before, what's so important about the youth getting experience of a World Cup, of sitting on the bench for three games? Is that more important than having a serviceable backup? And of course we won't win it with Cole, but are our only options to either win it or just treat it as a glorified training camp? That's a pretty bad attitude to go into a major tournament with, not to mention ignoring the potentially damaging effects of having a lot of young players around a poorly planned and unsuccessful tournament campaign.

Nowadays modern young players play regularly in the Premier League against a high standard of foreign opposition, they play in European competitions, the go on pre-season tours to all corners of the globe. It's not like the concept of going to a foreign country for three weeks to play against oppostion form exotic nations and staying in a hotel with the rest of the squad is so alien that they need practice before they can be trusted to do such a thing and actually play football games at the same time.

In short if Luke Shaw offers a better chance to win games than Ashley Cole, then that's why he goes. If he doesn't, then he shouldn't. If Frank Lampard is the better option as an attacking midfielder who can score goals then he goes, regardless of the 'experience' it might give to a younger and less talented player.

[TheGayTent]

The old guys aren't good enough to win it. The young guys aren't either. Largely pointless discussion.

[TheGayTent]

probably nowhere as good as he thinks he's going.

[zahidf]

Wouldn't surprise me if he ended up playing for a club who finished higher than Man Utd in the league...Arsene likes ageing Man Utd centre backs...

[eFestivals]

Wouldn't surprise me if he ended up playing for a club who finished higher than Man Utd in the league...Arsene likes ageing Man Utd centre backs...

he also likes good ones.

Rio's been past it for 3 years at least.

[eFestivals]

Stoke or West ham i reckon...

There's no Prem manager daft enough, surely?

[TheGayTent]

Rio's been past it for 3 years at least.

[The Nal]

Played 30 games in the 2012-13 title winning team yet he was past it at the time?

[eFestivals]

Played 30 games in the 2012-13 title winning team yet he was past it at the time?

yup. As were most of that team.

As this season has shown.

[TheGayTent]

yup. As were most of that team.

As this season has shown.