International Football thread

[sussexpob]

Is Smalling that bad?

He could be very good, but he has a long way to go. Alex Ferguson loved his defenders to be versatile, but I think Ferguson's way is slightly outdated because full back has become in recent years a very specialist and important role for teams, so you cant expect a guy to play right back one day, cb the next. Jones and Smalling have not developed because they have been asked to chop and change so much. If Van Gaal wants to make Smaliing a CB full time then fine, give him a full season there and he could excel. Don't put either in fake positions though.

Pretty sure Smalling has only played CB this season.

Indeed, but for a 25 year old developing in the game he has asked to play that role by three managers he has worked under, and originally in Van Gaal's system he was playing in a 3 man defence which is an unusual system with different responsibilities.

[Gingerfinch]

Smalling is a poor RB, but has been ok from what I hear, at CB this season. Jagielka is pretty average so I'd be happy to see him partner Cahill in England's defense. Well happy(ish).

[sussexpob]

I don't know who is in goal for them, but Japan were 1/50 favourites at home to Singapore today, and despite having 19 shots on target, and nearly 40 overall, they could not score.

Van Gaal should be preparing a bid for his De Gea replacement in the coming hours.... I can only guess it was an incredible display of goalkeeping

[dan08]

Elsewhere in the Asia qualifying, Malaysia lost 6-0 at home to Palestine. Probably the worst defensive display i've ever seen.

[mikesiva]

Anyone watching Copa America? Been some brilliant games so far.

I watched the Argentina v Paraguay game, which was a great comeback, and the Colombia v Venezuela game, which lost me my 15 way mega bet on all the internationals and made me quite mad.

Premier Sports is now free on Virgin, so I watched Jamaica playing better than I've seen them play for years...they only went down 1-0 to Paraguay, to a silly mistake from the keeper, and they also put up a good show against champions Uruguay, only losing that match 1-0 too.

they've already exceeded my expectations....

[dan08]

Anyone watching Copa America? Been some brilliant games so far.

I watched the Argentina v Paraguay game, which was a great comeback, and the Colombia v Venezuela game, which lost me my 15 way mega bet on all the internationals and made me quite mad.

Premier Sports is now free on Virgin, so I watched Jamaica playing better than I've seen them play for years...they only went down 1-0 to Paraguay, to a silly mistake from the keeper, and they also put up a good show against champions Uruguay, only losing that match 1-0 too.

they've already exceeded my expectations....

I have Virgin and Premier Sports isn't free for me.

[sussexpob]

Brazil get beat by Colombia in a fiery affair last night. Brazilian football is really at a moral crossroads at the moment, they were very uncreative with the ball

[budgetmeansbudget]

I notice that England Women have got Norway Women in the first knockout stage of the Women's World Cup.

Wonder who Sussex will be rooting for?

[sussexpob]

I notice that England Women have got Norway Women in the first knockout stage of the Women's World Cup.

Wonder who Sussex will be rooting for?

Bit of a let down, I have been following both teams, and I think both teams have a proper chance of going far and exceeding expectation.... now, one has to go home earlier than they deserve. The whole system of this world cup is utterly stupid. Two second places teams facing each other because they have an odd number of groups and loads of third placed teams go through to? Stupid.

Having seen Norway draw with the tournament favourites Germany and play very well, I think Norway have the edge. It will be a close call though, both teams will fancy it.

I wont be rooting for either team, but I would slightly prefer Norway to win, simply because the tournament means more here and should Norway win it, it wouldn't be relegated to an inferior achievement on the basis of sex. Norwegians have to really celebrate any victory in sport that has nothing to do with ski's!!! They don't come often

[mikesiva]

Anyone watching Copa America? Been some brilliant games so far.

I watched the Argentina v Paraguay game, which was a great comeback, and the Colombia v Venezuela game, which lost me my 15 way mega bet on all the internationals and made me quite mad.

Premier Sports is now free on Virgin, so I watched Jamaica playing better than I've seen them play for years...they only went down 1-0 to Paraguay, to a silly mistake from the keeper, and they also put up a good show against champions Uruguay, only losing that match 1-0 too.

they've already exceeded my expectations....

I have Virgin and Premier Sports isn't free for me.

funny that...last night i watched Jamaica lose by only 1-0 to Argentina...well done reggae boys.

[The Waugh Twins]

[budgetmeansbudget]

England U-21's back in contention after an unconvincing 1-0 win against Sweden, with Italy v Portugal ending in a goaless draw.

Played alot better against Portugal and lost!

[sussexpob]

England U-21's back in contention after an unconvincing 1-0 win against Sweden, with Italy v Portugal ending in a goaless draw.

Played alot better against Portugal and lost!

Didn't watch the Sweden game, but they spurned some chances against Portugal.

[Alviro Patterson]

The BBC punditry is utter cringe in this Fifa Womens World Cup, especially from Rachel Yankee. All this self promotion thinking England are all the rage where they are just average.

Norway are ahead in terms of technical ability and i'd be surprised if they lose.

[mikesiva]

A very defensive approach by mark Sampson. If you want to beat a team as good as Norway then you need players with pace. Aluko has to come on sooner rather than later.