International Football thread

[Durhamfootman]

Most people will know by now that I don't rate England's chances very much, in Brazil, so I'm just going to tell Roy what he should do once the 9 day campaign is over, and the players have gone on holiday to spend their bonus payments for crashing out in embarrassing fashion, and have needed a good 24 hours to get over their crushing disappointment, before buying a new sports car, and shagging some new boiler with big thruppennies on a beach in the Seychelles.

I'd be telling all the old stagers... Lamps, Gerrard Cole Milner to make sure they retire from international football immediately after the WC to save them from the embarrassment of being dropped. By old stagers, I mean anyone who will be 30+ by the time the Euro finals come round in 2 years time

We find ourselves in the rather fortunate position of having nobody to beat to qualify for the Euro's, so use the next 2 year period wisely and concentrate on finding a team of the youngest and brightest players around. They are there..... Lallana, Gibbs, Wilshire, Ox, Barclay, Townsend, and so on..... they'll be quite easy to spot, as long as nobody tries to look at OT for them.

I'd also tell the players that only those playing week in, week out for their clubs will be considered for selection. That might concentrate their minds a bit, perhaps get more of them to turn down the bigger money, less football, moves to the likes of Man C, and actively seek out clubs where they will be starting matches very regularly, instead of being cover for first choice OS players. Perhaps even advise them to become their club's penalty taker too.

With massaging the ego's of the dozen (feels like it, at least) players with more than a hundred caps (despite never having won anything) out of the equation, Roy can then choose his system and pick players to suit.

Come on Roy..... you know it makes sense

[budgetmeansbudget]

I don't think anyone rates their chances in Brazil very highly. It won't even be that embarrassing or disappointing if we don't get out of the group. Even if England were a top five side I can't really see past Argentina or Brazil with Germany and Spain having a squeak. So massively low expectations, lowest we've probably ever had going into a tournament so I wonder if they can play without the pressure this time, because for me its the off field hype and build up that has gone a long way towards making the players so scared of losing that they just can't bring their premier league form to the international arena.

[Aidan11]

One bookie is offering 33/1 for England to win the World Cup.

For those who don't understand betting - if you put £20 on England to win the WC, you lose £20.

[budgetmeansbudget]

One bookie is offering 33/1 for England to win the World Cup.

For those who don't understand betting - if you put £20 on England to win the WC, you lose £20.

Very good!

Not that i'm a betting man, i think if England got to the final i'd put a grand on the other team so that either way it would end up a good day.

[GGAS]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26747394

Because the last league of nations worked out so well...

[Aidan11]

Can't see it working myself.

[mikesiva]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26747394

Because the last league of nations worked out so well...

[andy]

ridiclous idea IMO..

[Alviro Patterson]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26747394

Because the last league of nations worked out so well...

The irony of it all is the inaugural tournament will co-incide with the Centenary year.

[backfootpunch]

sounds like a good idea to me, lets be honest the most boring game in football (possibly world sport) is the international friendly, anything to make them relevant is a good idea

[The Waugh Twins]

One bookie is offering 33/1 for England to win the World Cup.

For those who don't understand betting - if you put £20 on England to win the WC, you lose £20.

[Aidan11]

If it takes off I'm wondering if it becomes so consuming that the Euros might eventually be shelved.

It might develop into some form of Champions League format.

[st_brendy]

As every week goes by at the moment, Rodriguez is strengthening his case for going to Brazil all the more. Two more goals again today. To go with his goal in our last game, and his goal in the game before that...

But then again, Lambert got a goal and an assist today. To go with his assist in our last game, and a goal and an assist in the game before that....

[Durhamfootman]

As every week goes by at the moment, Rodriguez is strengthening his case for going to Brazil all the more. Two more goals again today. To go with his goal in our last game, and his goal in the game before that...

But then again, Lambert got a goal and an assist today. To go with his assist in our last game, and a goal and an assist in the game before that....

Imagine how good all these players would look if they played Newcastle every week. They'd look like world beaters right up to the point when they had to play a team with some good players in it.

[st_brendy]

As every week goes by at the moment, Rodriguez is strengthening his case for going to Brazil all the more. Two more goals again today. To go with his goal in our last game, and his goal in the game before that...

But then again, Lambert got a goal and an assist today. To go with his assist in our last game, and a goal and an assist in the game before that....

If this injury is as bad as it looks, Jay's World Cup chances are over. Real shame.