Football

[richw]

The BBC have confirmed that it's time to let the games begin...



I suppose one positive is that Ron Martin is at least thinking ambitiously, as I identified yesterday. Fluke or not, his run with Hull has turned Phil Brown into a "big shot" that would normally be beyond the reach of League Two - only one of the division's true big boys, which realistically Southend most certainly are, would be able to get him. Whether it works or not is another matter...

He publically stated he wanted the Plymouth job in January and was totally overlooked. At least he was realistic where he belongs. For such a "big shot" why has he been out of work so long and publically throwing his name into ever bottom half league 2 vacancy.
If you get promoted you'll at least have a kareoke to look forward to!

 

[bb21]

Phil Brown named new Southend United manager

Say hello to hoofball. Hoof, hoof, hoof.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

International Friendly

Russia 1...Brazil 1

An injury-time goal by Fred rescues Brazil from an embarrassing defeat on the tour.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

International Friendly

Russia 1...Brazil 1

An injury-time goal by Fred rescues Brazil from an embarrassing defeat on the tour.

In what way would it be embarrassing for Brazil to lose? If I was a Russia fan I'd be embarrassed that we couldn't beat them! They are an absolute shadow of the 2004 World Champions and at the moment are looking above average at best - the current big three in South America are Argentina, Columbia and Ecuador IMO; Brazil I wouldn't say are a world-class outfit any more, Russia as it stands now are the better team. Perhaps Brazil have landed on their feet by hosting next year's event - it would be very interesting to see them in COMNEBOL qualifying right now.

 

[VTPreston_Tez]

Phil Brown got my proud Preston relegated to League 1, then got sacked. I feel sorry for any Southend fans, say hi to the Conference from me.

 

[richw]

Am I right in thinking Brazil only scraped through the most recent qualifying campaign they were in. Russian players are also much more climatised to the freezing conditions

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Now that us North Enders can now laugh at the state of management in 2 of our major rivals clubs (Blackpool, Blackburn) it will be good to see them both in League 1 next season. For now though, we will focus on Coventry and Notts County, who we loathe.

I think you'll find the Sheep Enthusiasts' dislike of Blackburn isn't really mutual - they are far more concerned about Burnley, Bolton and Man Utd. Do Preston fans generally dislike Blackburn? You've had it in for the Donkeys for years, but I thought that was about it! I'd also like to know who this 'we' is - I can't imagine ever North Ender hates Notts County as much as they do Blackpool.

Well admittedly saying Coventry and Orient cheated would be a bit harsh, but after today's massacre of players at PNE v Orient I can understand why you'd call them cheats. As for Coventry, 2 blatantly offside goals in a minute is enough to call them cheaters as well. It's a complicated affair

So scoring two offside goals is requisite to incur the punishment of losing your ground, potentially laying off hundreds of staff, having to play up to 30 miles from your hometown as you have no permanent ground and putting the very future of 130 year old football club in the balance? My word. So I presume PNE have never had an offside goal then? If they have, what punishment would you consider just for yourselves? Relegation to League 2? Eviction from Deepdale? Be forced to play all your matches in somewhere like Bury (roughly the same distance as Coventry is to Walsall by road)?

What about Juventus and various other Italian teams who almost brought an entire nation's football league to its knees with match fixing - what should have happened for them in karma?
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Am I right in thinking Brazil only scraped through the most recent qualifying campaign they were in.

The last Copa America (the South America version of the European Championships) was in 2011 where they went out in the QFs to Paraguay, rather incredibly they missed all four penalties in the shootout to lose 2-0

They've never been the same since Ronaldo and Cafu retired.

 

[Butts]

How come no one is mentioning Tonights WC Qualifiers ?

Reasonable result for England , but as for Scotland (and Wales) yet more humiliation.

We are the future San Marino at this rate

 

[MidnightFlyer]

By the sound of it, a draw for England tonight was a failure by their first half display, but a miracle by their second half display!

It was good to see on Friday night however that not so many people (generally, not on here ) got into so much of a rave about how good England are after beating San Marino 8-0.

One thing I will say for England though (not that I particularly care about international football, and if anything I support Northern Ireland) is I'd look down rather than up at the minute - should either Poland or Ukraine win their one game in hand over them then they'll be only one point behind England, and they'll be well up for it. Complacency be the devil and all that...

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Conference Premiership

Hyde 2...Cambridge United 1

Now four consecutive Hyde wins to aid in their consolidation battle.
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By the sound of it, a draw for England tonight was a failure by their first half display, but a miracle by their second half display!

....and from the home-based England players from whom the xenophobic British sports press used to claim was "the finest football league"....

One is reminded of the old football chant "They've all gone quiet over there" in terms of the so-called football reporters who used to peddle such rubbish in their sports columns in the "red tops".

 

[jon0844]

Don't worry. If England qualifies, the press will be back to putting up our expectations and saying this is the one where football is coming home...

...Then we go out, obviously, and we blame the manager, the players, the fans, Mrs Jones from number 83 and whinge as we always do.

 

[balne-wonderer]

In the 2nd half England were woeful last night. Gerrard had a shocker, Cleverley didn't appear to know what a football was and what is the point of Danny Welbeck? His touch was appalling and his diving was a disgrace. He doesn't score goals for his club team so how he gets an England call god only knows. Surely Defoe or Sturridge would have been a better option.

When did a draw against Montenegro, that powerhouse of International football become a decent result. England have got te easiest group and we are making hard work of it as usual.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

In what way would it be embarrassing for Brazil to lose?

A single five-letter word....P R I D E.

 

[Clip]

A single five-letter word....P R I D E.

I think they lost that a while ago.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I think they lost that a while ago.

It is something that their current manager, Luiz Scolari, now wants Brazil to portray, but complains that whilst more of their international matches are forced to be played abroad under a commercial agreement signed by the Brazilian FA, they need to recapture this by playing more matches in front of their own supporters in a climate that they are normally suited to.

 

[Oswyntail]

....When did a draw against Montenegro, that powerhouse of International football become a decent result. England have got te easiest group and we are making hard work of it as usual.

In the good old days, Yugoslavia was seen as one of the stronger European teams, and, without the break up, might well have taken the European Championship in '92 (I think). Since then, the quality of players has been spread thinly around the emerging nations, but is still there. IIRC, Montenegro went through 2012 unbeaten. Yes, there are tiny teams out there (San Marino, Faroe Islands, Wales will never be other than whipping boys) but emerging nations should not be underestimated.

 

[Clip]

It is something that their current manager, Luiz Scolari, now wants Brazil to portray, but complains that whilst more of their international matches are forced to be played abroad under a commercial agreement signed by the Brazilian FA, they need to recapture this by playing more matches in front of their own supporters in a climate that they are normally suited to.

Can't do that though as the maraca a is being redeveloped.

 

[balne-wonderer]

In the good old days, Yugoslavia was seen as one of the stronger European teams, and, without the break up, might well have taken the European Championship in '92 (I think). Since then, the quality of players has been spread thinly around the emerging nations, but is still there. IIRC, Montenegro went through 2012 unbeaten. Yes, there are tiny teams out there (San Marino, Faroe Islands, Wales will never be other than whipping boys) but emerging nations should not be underestimated.

Yeah it was 92, Yugoslavia got kicked out and Denmark turned up and won.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

....and what is the point of Danny Welbeck? His touch was appalling and his diving was a disgrace. He doesn't score goals for his club team so how he gets an England call god only knows....

I could suggest a reason (the same one as for Ashley Young as it happens), but I suspect certain members of the forum would leap to their defence.

....When did a draw against Montenegro, that powerhouse of International football become a decent result....

When the media redefined 'decent result' to mean 'not a loss'.

 

[radamfi]

Montenegro are number 28 in the world so can't be that bad. Don't forget, they have had 2 draws against the number 4 in the world, which must have boosted their ranking points.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

From what I can gather they also gained the better set of players from when Serbia and themselves separated a few years ago. Speaking of their former partners, Serbia seem to have gone down hill of late.

They are probably one of the teams to keep tabs on to be fair - another European nation that is also very up and coming is Belgium, who have Kompany, Hazard, Mignolet, Lakaku, Fellaini and Benteke all at their disposal.

If we are going to be drawn into rankings, I would say also that bear in mind Brazil current position of 18th (their lowest ever) will also be affected by the fact that they aren't in the qualification process at all, unlike every other (or a very high %) member of Fifa is.

 

[bb21]

Strange that no one has mentioned the now confirmed points deduction at Coventry after being ruled to be "in administration". Now the only thing to decide is how many (at least 10).

Promotion dream over.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Can't do that though as the maraca a is being redeveloped.

Agreed, but how many of those large stadiums there are that will be used in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It would be good for Brazil to play their international matches in such venues, noting that they will be the host nation in 2014.

Let us not forget where England international matches were hosted in the interim period when Wembley was not available to stage international matches.
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If we are going to be drawn into rankings, I would say also that bear in mind Brazil current position of 18th (their lowest ever) will also be affected by the fact that they aren't in the qualification process at all, unlike every other (or a very high %) member of Fifa is.

But what I have highlighted in what you say seems a very unfair judgment to have made, as the host nation do not have to play qualifying matches to enable them to participate, as was the case with the England team in the run-up to the 1966 World Cup, citing a matter nearer to home.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

That's what I said though though Brazil won't be playing the other 10-12~ professional matches (as opposed to friendlies, which count for less IIRC) that every other team in the world will be playing, so obviously their ranking is likely to be lower, however this may not be a true reflection on their skill. As you rightly point out, the host nation of any world cup does not take place in the qualification process.
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And in what way is it 'very unfair'? You've just reiterated the point I was making!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

And in what way is it 'very unfair'? You've just reiterated the point I was making!

"Very unfair" in terms of how such circumstances can affect the ranking of any team.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Ah, sorry, as I'm sure you are aware sometimes context is very hard to read on the Internet. Apologies.
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I've just been mooching through fixture lists on the BBC Sport website and have seen that on the last day of the Conference National season (Sat 20 Apr), all the games kick off at... 1715. Why?! Surely 1245 or even 1500 is a hell of a lot more convenient for people involved?

 

[andrew bell]

Ah, sorry, as I'm sure you are aware sometimes context is very hard to read on the Internet. Apologies.
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I've just been mooching through fixture lists on the BBC Sport website and have seen that on the last day of the Conference National season (Sat 20 Apr), all the games kick off at... 1715. Why?! Surely 1245 or even 1500 is a hell of a lot more convenient for people involved?

Premier Sports will be showing a game live and since all games on last day of season have to kick off at same time and also 3pm Sat can not be televised they decided a 5:15 kick off time for all involved

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I know that the money will probably be well appreciated by the clubs but I just think it's absolutely ridiculous. Surely 1230 would have been better and made all the other fixtures more accessible for the fans across the league (e.g. Wrexham at Mansfield or Newport at Grimsby)?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I know that the money will probably be well appreciated by the clubs but I just think it's absolutely ridiculous. Surely 1230 would have been better and made all the other fixtures more accessible for the fans across the league (e.g. Wrexham at Mansfield or Newport at Grimsby)?

How right you are with regard to how the fans will have to be making their way home at the time after the matches have finished. I feel sorry for the Lincoln City fans who will have to make their way home from Hyde at that time of night.

For those clubs still involved in unresolved promotion, play-off and relegation matches, it adds an extra period of time before they learn of their fate.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Indeed, perhaps it's just me, but as a fan I always preferred midday (or early afternoon) kick-offs ahead of evening ones.

Some news for Ivo: Phil brown will not take charge of your JPT Final on 7 April, not Paul Sturrock.