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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
Full Member
Harvey Weinstein's Tattered Penis
is apparently a mangina.
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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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Cyberpunk 2077 #1 Fan
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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
Junior Member
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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
Full Member
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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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Post by Dougs on Sept 5, 2024 21:41:46 GMT
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Post by simple on Sept 5, 2024 21:58:03 GMT
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Gruf
Junior Member
Even more taciturn than my name suggests
Posts: 1,606
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Post by Gruf on Sept 6, 2024 7:48:40 GMT
Scotland played very well...yet braindead pens
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Vortex
Full Member
Harvey Weinstein's Tattered Penis
is apparently a mangina.
Posts: 5,400
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Post by Vortex on Sept 6, 2024 8:18:50 GMT
Usual script.
Make it difficult for yourself, get right back in it.
Capitulate last minute.
Sad times ensue.
Again.
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Post by reddevil93 on Sept 7, 2024 15:26:17 GMT
As an Irishman it feels like we’re really really overdue a turnaround in fortunes. Some very good players starting to come through now, and if they can develop well we should have a half decent team coming up to next tournaments.
Not convinced they’ll get a result today but hopefully some positive signs.
On the English side the RW media going after Carsley for not committing to signing their anthem is hilariously predictable.
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Post by Dougs on Sept 7, 2024 16:13:19 GMT
Rice/Grealish factor making this extra spicy.
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Post by grey_matters on Sept 7, 2024 16:17:35 GMT
These squads are in different classes entirely. We're gong to need lots of heat and tempo to beat them, or anyone.
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Post by lordofthedunce on Sept 7, 2024 16:17:39 GMT
Had to be Rice 😅
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askew
Full Member
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Post by askew on Sept 7, 2024 16:31:44 GMT
Chortle
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Post by Dougs on Sept 7, 2024 16:35:52 GMT
Cracking goal that
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Post by grey_matters on Sept 7, 2024 19:15:10 GMT
Apparently when the 2nd one went in, the away end starting chanting "2-0 to the Irish boys!" which is pretty funny in fairness.
Hard to know what to think about it, lucky to keep it at just 2 but at the same time unlucky not to pick up one or even two. Felt like a John O'Shea team, hopefully Hallgrimsson can find a better system soon enough. No midfield as usual and no young guns ready to burst on the scene in that position yet (I guess Moran and Lawal are the ones with the highest ceiling but need at least 1 decent season of games).
I like how Carsley has carried himself so far but you can't say much from today about him either. Surely he won't get the offer? Although it'd be pretty interesting to see.
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Post by Dougs on Sept 7, 2024 22:38:42 GMT
Genuinely wouldn't surprise me to see him offered it. It's a path trodden by Southgate and would be quite low risk for the FA really.
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Post by baihu1983 on Sept 8, 2024 6:34:59 GMT
Missed the first half. 2nd half was exactly like any other England game.
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Post by simple on Sept 8, 2024 7:51:56 GMT
I see Rice is being accused of going woke for not celebrating against his former side
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Post by muddyfunster on Sept 8, 2024 8:32:53 GMT
Genuinely wouldn't surprise me to see him offered it. It's a path trodden by Southgate and would be quite low risk for the FA really. In which case I'd politely remind the FA about the Steve McLaren era. This is a job where it is entirely possible to do it badly enough to completely waste a 'golden generation'. Lee Carley is under qualified and winning 6 out 6 against teams we would expect to beat by virtue of resource disparity isn't going to change that. The circumstances are quite different to when they promoted Southgate. Southgate had at least managed the first team at Premier League level. The job then was to rebuild and improve the culture. Now the job is to build on Southgate's foundations and add the last 10-20%, which is arguably far harder despite sounding easier. |
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Post by mikew1985 on Sept 8, 2024 11:20:30 GMT
England so much better than us, hoped we'd show a little bit more than we did but we were in reality miles off them.
1st goal a little unlucky in terms of having got two good blocks in but then it just broke for Rice. Lovely finish. Little bollocks.
Second goal was brilliant play.
Was interesting to see how the English fans looked while singing the anthem. Very militant and odd.
It was being massively booed of course which was quite funny. Needless to say they had the last laugh however.
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Post by Resident Knievel on Sept 8, 2024 20:12:28 GMT
Scotland aren't caputulating here, they've been really good since Portugal equalised.
So they'll end up losing anyway
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Vortex
Full Member
Harvey Weinstein's Tattered Penis
is apparently a mangina.
Posts: 5,400
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Post by Vortex on Sept 8, 2024 20:33:24 GMT
Fuuuuck.
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Post by Blackmarsh63 on Sept 8, 2024 20:33:32 GMT
Yip.....
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Post by Resident Knievel on Sept 8, 2024 20:33:58 GMT
Fucken...
Boooooo
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Post by gibroon on Sept 8, 2024 21:29:51 GMT
It's just all so predictable.
Put up a good fight but it really hurts when some nobody from the Saudi League pops up with a winner.
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Post by simple on Sept 8, 2024 21:39:28 GMT
The BBC with this particularly devastating stat. The worst run in Scotland’s history. *Scotland*
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