Football Banter Thread (2nd Half)

[Hamish McPanji]

And the World Cup factor?

Getting regular playing time is an important factor with many players. How many benchwarmers are there that would love to switch to a team with a good future

Although I find the idea of MBS team being relegated delicious as well, it's too soon to tell. They were in a similar position with Rafa at this stage of the season. They ended on 13th

 

[thestaggy]

Getting regular playing time is an important factor with many players. How many benchwarmers are there that would love to switch to a team with a good future

Although I find the idea of MBS team being relegated delicious as well, it's too soon to tell. They were in a similar position with Rafa at this stage of the season. They ended on 13th

Rafa's Newcastle teams, for their lack of quality, were well-organised and difficult to beat, conceding 1.3 goals-per-game during his two Premier League campaigns.. Their defence in 2017-18 was the 7th best in the league and in 2018-19 it was the 8th best.

Currently they are conceding 2.2 goals-per-game, only Norwich is worse. They are in full relegation form.

 

[theratman]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1457724769592356868

 

[Polymathic]

Only winless team in the league with the second-worst defence. It is not looking good. They are going to struggle to sign worldclass talent in the January window in the middle of a relegation battle.

Just as an example, Jesse Lingard is prime target for both West Ham and Newcastle and he is not exactly elite. Which team do you think is the more appealing ahead of a world cup year? The one staring the Championship in the face or the one eyeing up Champions League football?

Loans with option to buy if Newcastle remains in the Prem.

 

[Polymathic]

This pic looks like somebody super imposed EMS and Fodens faces onto some random kids. The look almost exactly the same now .

 

[The Voice]

Stevie G is the new Villa manager.

 

[L-Dog]

Stevie G is the new Villa manager.

Yip good signing for Villa in my opinion and Stevie G will gain some PL managing experience before taking over from Klopp in a couple of years

 

[The Voice]

Yip good signing for Villa in my opinion and Stevie G will gain some PL managing experience before taking over from Klopp in a couple of years

I'm just glad they found a replacement for Grealish in midfield. Haven't been the same since he left.

 

[L-Dog]

I'm just glad they found a replacement for Grealish in midfield. Haven't been the same since he left.

Same happend to Stoke when Shaqiri left but Aston Villa actually have a decent squad

 

[Hamster]

Not gonna lie, that Montenegro goal is one of the best I've seen

 

[The Voice]

Not gonna lie, that Montenegro goal is one of the best I've seen

NL could've chilled for the next game, but if they lose against Norway, and Turkey beat Montenegro, no WC next year.

 

[The Voice]

Have to ask: how the hell is Kazakhstan a UEFA member?!

 

[Polymathic]

Have to ask: how the hell is Kazakhstan a UEFA member?!

Same reason as Turkey and Russia

 

[stefan9]

Have to ask: how the hell is Kazakhstan a UEFA member?!

Same way Israel is and aus is in the Asian confederation and not Oceania. Politics.

Very disappointing for italy to go to qualifiers issue of a real goalscorer remains.

 

[thestaggy]

Same way Israel is and aus is in the Asian confederation and not Oceania. Politics.

Very disappointing for italy to go to qualifiers issue of a real goalscorer remains.

Israel's move was political as the Muslim bloc of nations within the AFC initiated a vote to have them kicked out of the confederation.

Australia's move to the AFC was to help their sport and $$$. It gave the Australian national team a better chance to qualify for the World Cup, exposed them to more competitve regional competitions (Asian Games, Asian Cup), and it gave Australian clubs access to the AFC Champions League, the latter they hoped would improve the financing and quality of their clubs.

 

[stefan9]

Israel's move was political as the Muslim bloc of nations within the AFC initiated a vote to have them kicked out of the confederation.

Australia's move to the AFC was to help their sport and $$$. It gave the Australian national team a better chance to qualify for the World Cup, exposed them to more competitve regional competitions (Asian Games, Asian Cup), and it gave Australian clubs access to the AFC Champions League, the latter they hoped would improve the financing and quality of their clubs.

Help them and screw everyone else in Oceania.

 

[thestaggy]

Help them and screw everyone else in Oceania.

Oceanic 2002 World Cup qualifiers;







The 31-0 win over American Samoa remains the world record winning margin in international football. What did any nation gain out of this?

They also hammered New Zealand 6-1 in the final. Then lost against Uruguay in the inter-confederation play off because smashing weak nations doesn't prep you for proper opposition.

The 2006 qualifiers were a little ''closer''. The Solomon Islands nearly had them;



This is basically Belgium/Germany/France/England having to play San Marino every 4 years for the opportunity to not qualify for the World Cup. Nobody benefits.

 

[Polymathic]

Oceanic 2002 World Cup qualifiers;

View attachment 1195070

View attachment 1195072

View attachment 1195074

The 31-0 win over American Samoa remains the world record winning margin in international football. What did any nation gain out of this?

They also hammered New Zealand 6-1 in the final. Then lost against Uruguay in the inter-confederation play off because smashing weak nations doesn't prep you for proper opposition.

The 2006 qualifiers were a little ''closer''. The Solomon Islands nearly had them;

View attachment 1195082

This is basically Belgium/Germany/France/England having to play San Marino every 4 years for the opportunity to not qualify for the World Cup. Nobody benefits.

I feel Oceania and AFC should merge and CONEBOL should merge with CONCACAF. A united Americas federation would rival UEFA, eventually

 

[The Voice]

Oceanic 2002 World Cup qualifiers;

View attachment 1195070

View attachment 1195072

View attachment 1195074

The 31-0 win over American Samoa remains the world record winning margin in international football. What did any nation gain out of this?

They also hammered New Zealand 6-1 in the final. Then lost against Uruguay in the inter-confederation play off because smashing weak nations doesn't prep you for proper opposition.

The 2006 qualifiers were a little ''closer''. The Solomon Islands nearly had them;

View attachment 1195082

This is basically Belgium/Germany/France/England having to play San Marino every 4 years for the opportunity to not qualify for the World Cup. Nobody benefits.

Saw an interesting point raised by Roy Keane after England's win: what exactly is the point of teams like San Marino playing against teams like England? Insert any minnow's name if you like. They have no chance of ever getting a win (San Marino have like a zero win record or something) and these matches don't even add to their development because of the embarrassment after such a spanking. They have no realistic chance of EVER qualifying. It's actually hugely unfair on them even having them in the qualifiers at all.

The games aren't even entertaining - for home fans, for away fans or even for neutrals. Harry Kane scored four? So what? It was against literally the lowest ranked team in the world. Even the Andorra game was pointless.

 

[thestaggy]

I feel Oceania and AFC should merge and CONEBOL should merge with CONCACAF. A united Americas federation would rival UEFA, eventually

I reckon the likes of New Zealand, the US, Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica would veto this unless guaranteed that they carry over the WC slots previously allotted to their respective confederations.