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Post by muddyfunster on Sept 28, 2022 10:50:10 GMT
I think the Nations League is a good idea and has somewhat democratised European football, by at least giving the weaker nations regular matches they can actually expect to win and use as a platform from which to build momentum. For lower ranked European nations not expecting to qualify for major tournaments international football was a slog under the old system.
Sure for the big nations, it's a bit uninspiring (I've watched very few of our games) and even if you get to the kock outs it's nice but largely forgettable, but it's still better than totally meaningless international friendlies. I also think it serves a purpose for judging themanagers' progress. Even if we aren't that fussed about results, they are competitive matches so can't be totally dismissed as 'experiments' like friendlies can. Southgate deserves to be under pressure, as it's much clearer there are significant issues than it would be after a series of friendlies of wildly different standards where we might have had some wins.
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Vortex
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Post by Vortex on Sept 28, 2022 13:19:04 GMT
and even if you get to the kock outs it's nice but largely forgettable, Thread got sexy.
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Solid-SCB-
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Post by Solid-SCB- on Sept 28, 2022 13:56:57 GMT
I'd probably have buzzed off the competition 15-20 years ago. As it is, I think there's way too much football with way too many overly convoluted competitions as it is. Its just one of many now, games just churned out non stop and tables after tables. I can't be arsed keeping up with it all.
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Post by mikew1985 on Sept 28, 2022 14:28:51 GMT
Better than the shit friendlies though which is effectively what it replaced so it's not like it's extra games (unless you're good and get to the finals of course, not a consideration for us!).
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Post by cristar on Sept 28, 2022 15:44:59 GMT
It definitely suits smaller teams in terms of giving them something to fight for and compete with teams in and around their level. I actually think England stand to benefit because they are playing the big teams more often now so it won't be such a surprise that after winning every qualifier, it turns out you're shit against Italy. Pretty much. When England aren't dominating minnows in qualifying, or lucking their way through piss easy draws, they're looking pretty shit. Considering the squad anyway. But as Southgate says. He'll be judged on the world cup, where he will probably be relying on easy draws again.
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Dgzter
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Post by Dgzter on Sept 28, 2022 16:09:22 GMT
It is interesting from a 'smaller' nation perspective, certainly. Actual competitive games replacing the tedious and pointless friendlies seems to have led to bigger crowds/sell outs, at least in Scotland's case. And definitely more wider engagement in following the national team. More opportunities for the squad to play together and potentially improve also seems to be working in our favour, as we are probably playing better football now than at any other point in the last twenty-five years (not necessarily saying much, but still).
Add in the fact that 'succeeding' in the Nation's League can now potentially aid our future qualification for major tournaments: we've already secured a guaranteed playoff fixture for the next Euros now, should we need it; and this is before a ball has even been kicked in the qualification process proper, in which our recent performances will also now mean we're in a more advantageous pot with a hopefully more doable draw. Win win, really.
I dunno ... I can see why it's distinctly unappealing to supporters/players from the larger nations, but it's definitely got me far more engaged in following Scotland than I have been for many a year. Mind, we'll still totally fuck it, ofc.
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kal
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Post by kal on Sept 28, 2022 17:17:13 GMT
The plan is to eventually expand it to the whole world as well, which will make it very interesting, and will make the seeding of South American teams a bit more meaningful in future as well. I believe South American teams will join as soon as 2024.
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Post by muddyfunster on Sept 29, 2022 10:06:50 GMT
Think making it global would be a mistake. Would devalue the World Cup. Both in terms of removing the novelty of playing teams from other territories, plus if every nation is already in a single league system, it'll be hard to justify anyone other then the top 32/48/64 from that system qualifying.
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