Football World Cup - Russia 2018

[Joey Shabadoo]

Anyone else feeling despair for the once beautiful game?
Today, it seems the slightest touch causes a player to go down as shot by a distant sniper, roll about exaggeratedly for 30 secs, whilst handbags come out between opposing teams,

VAR will sort that out in time.

The 'award a card' gesture is now replaced by a sign of 'VAR replay, please' .

Partly because the players don't know how VAR works yet.

Players who earn thousands of pounds, euros etc lying on their backs after 80 mins suffering from cramp,...complaining about playing the occasional two games per week.
What happened to the days of Dave Mackay or 'Chopper' Harris going right through you, getting up after putting your false teeth back in then having a quick fag on the sidelines before looking for revenge...

The game is played at a pace far, far faster than 40-50 years ago. The cloggers of old wouldn't get near the ball nowadays and would be blowing out their arses after 10 minutes. Players in the 1970s were mostly finished at 30, partly because they weren't fit and didn't know how to look after their bodies but also in part due to cloggers like Mackay and Harris inflicting serious injuries on a regular basis.

It's all about getting your Nivea on and using Head and Shoulders...

ahem

View: https://youtu.be/DZH0sujGE54


View: https://youtu.be/Xf-4Gbqyni4

The Champions League is a misnomer as the fourth placed team in some countries can qualify, ex-footballers commentating trotting out the same old tired cliches when they were just as guilty as not getting the ball on target or even making the goalkeeper work..

Agree entirely. This World Cup has shown that many footballers don't know the rules of the game they sometimes played at a high level.

I watched the first televised game in Scotland last night, Killie vs St Midden (not a misspell) and it was dire..

After watching the best players on the planet for two weeks, I'm not surprised

Overpriced, overpaid and most of all, it's all overrated

I'm off to see my team play Montrose in a diddy cup today. The regular walk up price is about £20 for two hours live entertainment but today it's £10 - compares with a night at the cinema and far less than a visit to the local theatre. Our players are on approx £35k pa salaries - hardly extravagant. OK the standard isn't quite Portugal v Spain, but it's competitive and entertaining. I've been to Old Trafford and seen some turgid crap under Van Gaal with players worth tens of millions unable to hit the target from 3 yards.

 

[Accy cyclist]

I'm all for the third/4th place play off game. Coming third out of 32 teams is something to be be chuffed about. I'm sad that England didn't make the final but at least the pressure's kind of off in this match. I think i'd rather come 3rd than be losers in a WC final. I'm undecided yet if i'll be watching it as i might go and see Accy play Huddersfield in a friendly. Though some think 3rd/4th place play offs are pointless,but many like me think friendlies are as well.

 

[SteveF]

You tell em crax, I've already asked 'em to leave , use your ex mod powers..... , or we could throw bottles plastic chairs at them.

ENGEEERRRLAND......

FTFY

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Whats the point in 3rd place playoffs?

I suppose getting to level the game score with Belgium is a reason. But generally, it seems a waste of time.

It gives england an opportunity to redeem themselves. If they defeat belgium, then my opion will change.

Time for them to prove they arent average chancers, and do have what it takes to compete.

 

[Cavalol]

Despite the fact England didn't make the final, I take my hat off to them and Southgate. Playing youngsters was the answer, too many England players get to mid-late 20s then just seem to turn up for the money.
They shouldn't be paid anyway, it should be for the love of their country and the pride to be good enough and to wear the shirt. Would have took a loss in the final (compared to the semis) and feel the 3r/4th place play offs are pretty pointless.

I think there's good vibes going forward now and can't wait for the Euros to start.

 

[Crackle]

It gives england an opportunity to redeem themselves. If they defeat belgium, then my opion will change.

Time for them to prove they arent average chancers, and do have what it takes to compete.

I bet they want to win then, Phil. I'm sure they wouldn't want you thinking badly of them.

The FA have done an interesting thing in the last X years. What they've done is available to anyone who wants to interest themselves in the national team. They've developed a national centre, a blueprint, an ethos and a style, with the express aim of national success. Many of the current team came through this system. We are currently under 20 and under 19 world champions, so we have the talent. The problem is the further development of these players at top clubs. There's been some interesting debates and news on all this for people to actually follow if they want. I guarantee other national sides will be looking at the England blueprint rather than examining player histrionics, pay rates or how many people they've chopped down.

 

[R_nger]

Despite the fact England didn't make the final, I take my hat off to them and Southgate. Playing youngsters was the answer, too many England players get to mid-late 20s then just seem to turn up for the money.
They shouldn't be paid anyway, it should be for the love of their country and the pride to be good enough and to wear the shirt. Would have took a loss in the final (compared to the semis) and feel the 3r/4th place play offs are pretty pointless.

I think there's good vibes going forward now and can't wait for the Euros to start.

How much do they get paid to play for England, and how do they spend it ?

 

[Bobby Mhor]

VAR will sort that out in time.



Partly because the players don't know how VAR works yet.



The game is played at a pace far, far faster than 40-50 years ago. The cloggers of old wouldn't get near the ball nowadays and would be blowing out their arses after 10 minutes. Players in the 1970s were mostly finished at 30, partly because they weren't fit and didn't know how to look after their bodies but also in part due to cloggers like Mackay and Harris inflicting serious injuries on a regular basis.



ahem

View: https://youtu.be/DZH0sujGE54


View: https://youtu.be/Xf-4Gbqyni4




Agree entirely. This World Cup has shown that many footballers don't know the rules of the game they sometimes played at a high level.




After watching the best players on the planet for two weeks, I'm not surprised



I'm off to see my team play Montrose in a diddy cup today. The regular walk up price is about £20 for two hours live entertainment but today it's £10 - compares with a night at the cinema and far less than a visit to the local theatre. Our players are on approx £35k pa salaries - hardly extravagant. OK the standard isn't quite Portugal v Spain, but it's competitive and entertaining. I've been to Old Trafford and seen some turgid crap under Van Gaal with players worth tens of millions unable to hit the target from 3 yards.

It was all done tongue in cheek..
I followed Greenock Morton for over 60 years, home and away, I even attended at the age of ten their only European away game at Stamford Bridge, I even travelled with Scotland in the days before the Tartan Army ( Home Internationals only), I was at Wembley the year we beat the then World Champions and at Hampden, for Real Madrid Eintract Frankfurt game.
I've known diddy football and the greats.
I don't bother now..

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

I followed Greenock Morton for over 60 years, home and away,.

Oh, I'm sorry about that

 

[Dec66]

VAR will sort that out in time.



Partly because the players don't know how VAR works yet.



The game is played at a pace far, far faster than 40-50 years ago. The cloggers of old wouldn't get near the ball nowadays and would be blowing out their arses after 10 minutes. Players in the 1970s were mostly finished at 30, partly because they weren't fit and didn't know how to look after their bodies but also in part due to cloggers like Mackay and Harris inflicting serious injuries on a regular basis.



ahem

View: https://youtu.be/DZH0sujGE54


View: https://youtu.be/Xf-4Gbqyni4




Agree entirely. This World Cup has shown that many footballers don't know the rules of the game they sometimes played at a high level.




After watching the best players on the planet for two weeks, I'm not surprised



I'm off to see my team play Montrose in a diddy cup today. The regular walk up price is about £20 for two hours live entertainment but today it's £10 - compares with a night at the cinema and far less than a visit to the local theatre. Our players are on approx £35k pa salaries - hardly extravagant. OK the standard isn't quite Portugal v Spain, but it's competitive and entertaining. I've been to Old Trafford and seen some turgid crap under Van Gaal with players worth tens of millions unable to hit the target from 3 yards.

And this one


View: https://youtu.be/MZ-NwZQAwt4

 

[Bobby Mhor]

Oh, I'm sorry about that

Now, now..
One Saturday just before the end of the season, my wife and I were driving past the old Coasters Arena and the crowd(?) were heading down towards Falkirk stadium, I commented that nary a smile and the look of the impending defeat had brow beaten the home support.





Only joking although they did look as if they weren't looking forward to it.
Old Brockville was a far better ground...

in other bad news, my first grandchild may be born a Bairn

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Now, now..
One Saturday just before the end of the season, my wife and I were driving past the old Coasters Arena and the crowd(?) were heading down towards Falkirk stadium, I commented that nary a smile and the look of the impending defeat had brow beaten the home support.





Only joking although they did look as if they weren't looking forward to it.
Old Brockville was a far better ground...

in other bad news, my first grandchild may be born a Bairn

Whenever I think of Cappielow and that Main Stand, my legs hurt

 

[Bobby Mhor]

Whenever I think of Cappielow and that Main Stand, my legs hurt

Cowshed rules..

 

[Smokin Joe]

How much do they get paid to play for England, and how do they spend it ?

I believe it's £1000 a game, which the players donate to charity and have done for a few years now.

 

[Cavalol]

In that case, fair enough.