The Football.....

[Pro Tour Punditry]

And fouls, you forgot fouls, they have added immensely to my enjoyment, fouls & goals, that's what it's about.

Aye true, there have been some decent scything tackles that the refs have allowed and some others that have resulted in punishment - always good to see a decent hack. And FFS, defenders, if you are going to give away a penalty at least give the opponent a proper hoofing and not a trip!

 

[PaulB]

True. Most probably. We seemed to have reached the point where the tabloid media decide when the manager should go AND now pick the team. Disastrous, potentially, I fear.

Reached the point? REACHED THE POINT? The worthless southern-based fifth column....sorry, 'fifth estate' took on that burden FIFTY years ago.

 

[AndyRM]

A Costly mistake from Ecuador there.

IGMC.

 

[AndyRM]

That didn't last long...

 

[Brandane]

Smug smiley time; but you were warned away back in December .

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I'm looking forward to the first commentator to say "That's a Costly miss" when Honduras are playing...

A Costly mistake from Ecuador there.

IGMC.

 

[Brandane]

What is all this talk on the various media outlets about this being the first time England haven't made it past the group stages since 1958? Are they conveniently forgetting that they failed to qualify at all for the world cup finals tournament in 1974 and 1978?

 

[Smokin Joe]

What is all this talk on the various media outlets about this being the first time England haven't made it past the group stages since 1958? Are they conveniently forgetting that they failed to qualify at all for the world cup finals tournament in 1974 and 1978?

No, but not qualifying for the tournament means you're not even in the group stages. And for those who think there's hope for the future, get this;

At the 2013 under 20 World Cup England finished bottom of their group behind Egypt, Chile and Iraq.

 

[AndyRM]

What is all this talk on the various media outlets about this being the first time England haven't made it past the group stages since 1958? Are they conveniently forgetting that they failed to qualify at all for the world cup finals tournament in 1974 and 1978?

And 1994.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

What is all this talk on the various media outlets about this being the first time England haven't made it past the group stages since 1958? Are they conveniently forgetting that they failed to qualify at all for the world cup finals tournament in 1974 and 1978?

They only qualified as hosts in 66 and as winners in 70.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Back in 1950, Scotland didn't bother turning up despite qualifying. Mind you there were a lot of teams that qualified in 1950 that didnae turn up. And England still got knocked out in the group stage...

 

[Donger]

I nearly swallowed my tongue last night when Carlos Costly scored fro Honduras. The useless twonk never came remotely close to scoring for us (Birmingham) in 12 attempts. Then, strangely, I got really drawn into the game, more than any other except for the England games, and I ended up watching the whole thing until 00:30. Absolutely loved the attitude of both sets of fans - genuine naive wonderment at even being at a World Cup, and they sang their hearts out for their teams. Genuine tears of joy from Ecuador fans at the end. Wonderful stuff. To me, that's why I love football.

It's been a great World Cup so far (despite England's results).The best thing? No f**king vuvuzelas to drown out the songs and the humour from the stands. Love the chants of "Oooooooooooh ......Burro !" from the Mexicans every time the goalies take a big donkey kick, and it's always nice to hear the different singing. In South Africa it all just sounded like a couple of dozen mopeds being joy-ridden round in endless circles. As a result, I really don't remember anything else from that World Cup except for the final. It's the people who make the event.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Is it time for a team GB in international football? England and Scotland have won nothing on their own (ignoring the dodgy 66 result which is the exception that proves the rule) whereas together, these two nations created the largest Empire the world has ever seen.

 

[Donger]

Is it time for a team GB in international football? England and Scotland have won nothing on their own (ignoring the dodgy 66 result which is the exception that proves the rule) whereas together, these two nations created the largest Empire the world has ever seen.

Aren't you forgetting the upcoming vote? Might just be England, Wales & Northern Ireland........Still, that Bale chap might merit a place.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Is it time for a team GB in international football? England and Scotland have won nothing on their own (ignoring the dodgy 66 result which is the exception that proves the rule) whereas together, these two nations created the largest Empire the world has ever seen.

FIFA have been trying to get Great Britain to field a national side for years and give up on four separate teams. We are the only country allowed to enter four regions into international tournaments and club sides from each region into club competitions. We only get away with it through historical precedent, ie the Football Associations of England, Scotland. Wales and NI are older than both FIFA and UEFA.

It would make sense for us too with a bigger pool of available players, but of course too many blazered non-entities from each association would have their snouts removed from the trough so it is unlikely to happen.