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Football Neutrals Thread - Part 2 |
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#1126 |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
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Quote:
Not exactly a bad record in recent times. Winners of major tournaments in 98, 2000, finalists in 2006. I'd make them favourites.
![]() I said they flopped in plenty of majors recently, which they have In fact they've beyond the quarters once in the last 7 majors, which is a horrendous record given the playing pool they have |
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#1127 |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
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Germany would be my favourites as well, they have a very good squad of players to select from (although they are missing their World Cup winning captain).
It could very well be a great tournament to watch due to so many teams being in with a chance. Must be very hard to muster up enough hunger to go again tbh after winning a World Cup after so long. I could see a 1/4 or semi loss I'd probably make Spain favourites if I really had to but honestly someone could nearly end up accidentally winning it, by grinding out wins and sneaking a few on pens |
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#1128 |
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Inactive Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Glasgow / Cambridge
Posts: 3,984
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sure we'll just ignore the group stage exit in 02, loss to Greece in 04, group stage loss in 08, group stage loss in 2010
![]() I said they flopped in plenty of majors recently, which they have In fact they've beyond the quarters once in the last 7 majors, which is a horrendous record given the playing pool they have ![]() In all honesty I didn't actually remember much about what happened to them inbetween those triumphs, your characterisation, or rather focus on their failures, just seemed a tad unfair. If we had won two major tournaments, and made it to the final of a third, in these past two decades we would have been talking of a golden era. |
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#1129 |
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Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 4,401
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The eventual winners?
![]() In all honesty I didn't actually remember much about what happened to them inbetween those triumphs, your characterisation, or rather focus on their failures, just seemed a tad unfair. If we had won two major tournaments, and made it to the final of a third, in these past two decades we would have been talking of a golden era. |
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#1130 |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
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The eventual winners?
![]() In all honesty I didn't actually remember much about what happened to them inbetween those triumphs, your characterisation, or rather focus on their failures, just seemed a tad unfair. If we had won two major tournaments, and made it to the final of a third, in these past two decades we would have been talking of a golden era. So in the last 3 they have pretty much failed lets be honest. They were very underwhelming and while they might have made the last two quarters they hardly beat much to get there. So I can only focus on failure I'm afraid So understandably there'll be plenty not rushing to throw the house on them. It doesn't help France seem to produce some of the most notorious chokers in Sport either! I'd sooner put my faith in a more 'sticky', 'dogged' team a la an Italy in 06 but there ain't a whole pile of them around this time in fairness. very open tournament |
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#1131 |
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Glasgow / Cambridge
Posts: 3,984
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Lets be honest though only the last two majors will be in anyway relevant (three max!), given there'll still be similar squad players. I mean 98 and 00- there'll probably be players in this Euros who were born in 98! you may aswell go back to the 80s, as they're completely irrelevant to this current squad. I mean even 06 is, no-one is still around!
So in the last 3 they have pretty much failed lets be honest. They were very underwhelming and while they might have made the last two quarters they hardly beat much to get there. So I can only focus on failure I'm afraid French squad is mouthwatering and they have home advantage, that's why people will be whacking the £££ on them. Usual suspects will be there or thereabouts, Germany, Spain and, as you say Italy. |
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#1132 |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
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Oh yeah, I myself am not a big fan of all the 'traditionally team x do this and team y do that'. Spain were dogshit at majors before they became utterly dominant.
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#1133 |
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 8,888
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USA loses to Guatemala in a tepid 2-0 performance. First time they've lost to Guatemala since 1988. Currently would be OUT of World Cup qualifying as it stands after 3 matches. Still have the return legs against Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago at home, plus an away game against mighty St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Hard to see Klinsmann surviving much longer. Another embarrassing defeat. |
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#1134 |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
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USA loses to Guatemala in a tepid 2-0 performance. First time they've lost to Guatemala since 1988. Currently would be OUT of World Cup qualifying as it stands after 3 matches. Still have the return legs against Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago at home, plus an away game against might St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Hard to see Klinsmann surviving much longer. Another embarrassing defeat. International football really can be funny. No team is ever "safe" for qualification so to speak! |
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#1135 |
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Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 4,401
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Quote:
USA loses to Guatemala in a tepid 2-0 performance. First time they've lost to Guatemala since 1988. Currently would be OUT of World Cup qualifying as it stands after 3 matches. Still have the return legs against Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago at home, plus an away game against mighty St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Hard to see Klinsmann surviving much longer. Another embarrassing defeat. |
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#1136 |
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 8,888
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I don't follow them closely but apparently Klinsmann is well past his sell By date with them now.
So many players starting out of position and too many players who don't belong on the squad anymore. Tim Howard shouldn't be getting any minutes as #1 goalkeeper in 2016, and Jozy Altidore remains one of our deadliest striking options. |
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#1137 |
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Join Date: May 2011
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We bought the hype over some friendly wins in Italy, Germany, and Holland, but within the CONCACAF region it's been brutal post-World Cup. Lost to Jamaica last year at home, ditto Panama, failed to qualify for Confederations Cup having lost to Mexico in a one-game playoff, and now they're one defeat away from bungling this qualification phase up.
So many players starting out of position and too many players who don't belong on the squad anymore. Tim Howard shouldn't be getting any minutes as #1 goalkeeper in 2016, and Jozy Altidore remains one of our deadliest striking options. |
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#1138 |
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 698
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We bought the hype over some friendly wins in Italy, Germany, and Holland, but within the CONCACAF region it's been brutal post-World Cup. Lost to Jamaica last year at home, ditto Panama, failed to qualify for Confederations Cup having lost to Mexico in a one-game playoff, and now they're one defeat away from bungling this qualification phase up.
So many players starting out of position and too many players who don't belong on the squad anymore. Tim Howard shouldn't be getting any minutes as #1 goalkeeper in 2016, and Jozy Altidore remains one of our deadliest striking options. Upfront you just don't have the quality. |
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#1139 |
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 8,888
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IS there (relative) strength in depth in terms of alternatives, in terms of a new coach/manager and alternative players?
It's not necessarily all on Klinsmann, but his shine has worn off. His defenses are beyond disorganized and last night he picked a back-four which had never played together, and he had Geoff Cameron as RB even though he's best suited centrally. Also must be said, rest of CONCACAF has strengthened considerably. Panama has improved, as has Jamaica, Costa Rica obviously made QFs in the WC, Haiti is reasonably competitive, so USA and Mexico no longer have free passes to the World Cup as has been the case in recent qualification trips. |
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#1140 |
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Join Date: May 2011
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Matt Miazga is certainly a future defensive star for the US but he was in the Olympic squad yesterday. Would like to see Bill Hamid (from DC United in MLS) get more caps as goalkeeper as Howard is past it and Guzan is having a bad run of form. Striking depth is underwhelming against any half-decent side. Bobby Wood is probably the one with the brightest future, and Jurgen called him up through Wood playing in Germany.
It's not necessarily all on Klinsmann, but his shine has worn off. His defenses are beyond disorganized and last night he picked a back-four which had never played together, and he had Geoff Cameron as RB even though he's best suited centrally. Also must be said, rest of CONCACAF has strengthened considerably. Panama has improved, as has Jamaica, Costa Rica obviously made QFs in the WC, Haiti is reasonably competitive, so USA and Mexico no longer have free passes to the World Cup as has been the case in recent qualification trips. Partly because the money to be earned by staying MLS has gone up or because the top players arent as good and desirable for top division european clubs? |
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#1141 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 8,888
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For context (don't know if it'll be geoblocked), but first goal almost certainly would've been saved by someone better than 2016 Howard, and second goal was off a goal kick and straight to their forward Ruiz.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GceEXmmKx8Y Rest of CONCACAF saw Mexico beat Canada 3-0 and Jamaica and Costa Rica draw 1-1. |
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#1142 |
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 6,975
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The Romanian national team are said to be wearing mathematical equations on their kits in the friendly against Spain. Said to be an effort to promote teaching maths to children.
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/artic...aths-equations Good luck to the ref booking the Romanian players.
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#1143 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 69,134
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Quote:
The Romanian national team are said to be wearing mathematical equations on their kits in the friendly against Spain. Said to be an effort to promote teaching maths to children.
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/artic...aths-equations Good luck to the ref booking the Romanian players. ![]() The players should say when called over, to the usual "what's your number?", "You work it out ref, the equation is there plain and clear!" ![]()
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#1144 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 698
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Quote:
For context (don't know if it'll be geoblocked), but first goal almost certainly would've been saved by someone better than 2016 Howard, and second goal was off a goal kick and straight to their forward Ruiz.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GceEXmmKx8Y Rest of CONCACAF saw Mexico beat Canada 3-0 and Jamaica and Costa Rica draw 1-1. Hamid and Rimando seem to be the better performers in MLS but are they available/international standard? |
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#1145 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6,798
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Didn't want to start a new thread but does anyone else have this blip on their Sky Sports Football app for tomorrow's Asian World Cup qualifying games:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...468da36163.jpg What have the Palestine national football team done to upset Sky?
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#1146 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 56,268
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Think Milner tomorrow suggests that despite the great result the other day still suggests there will be a lot of better the devil you know by the time of the opening game against Russia .
Just wonder if Milner captain is because of his statement about his future international career. No need to step back to the likes of Milner should have stayed with the positivity of Saturday . |
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#1147 |
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 69,134
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I can't help but think about that "Boring James Milner" twitter handle whenever he is mentioned now, the two go hand in hand, even though I know that they ate not the same person!
I don't really see what he has done to deserve or warrant a place in the squad, nevermind being captain, if only temporarily. |
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#1148 |
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Inactive Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: A Sound Expert
Posts: 13,881
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Quote:
I can't help but think about that "Boring James Milner" twitter handle whenever he is mentioned now, the two go hand in hand, even though I know that they ate not the same person!
I don't really see what he has done to deserve or warrant a place in the squad, nevermind being captain, if only temporarily. unfortunately it is a throw back of Hodgson picking players through their "name" and what PL club they play for instead of form. Its why I stopped watching. its why rooney will also be picked and play in the first game |
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#1149 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 698
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Quote:
I can't help but think about that "Boring James Milner" twitter handle whenever he is mentioned now, the two go hand in hand, even though I know that they ate not the same person!
I don't really see what he has done to deserve or warrant a place in the squad, nevermind being captain, if only temporarily. I don't think it matters what you've seen. Hodgson is the one picking the team. He's probably done this really strange thing called watching the players in training. Milner will never be spectacular, but he's solid, reliable, consistent and does the job he's asked to do. |
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#1150 |
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 698
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he has done nothing worthy of warranting a place in the squad.
unfortunately it is a throw back of Hodgson picking players through their "name" and what PL club they play for instead of form. Its why I stopped watching. its why rooney will also be picked and play in the first game |
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