Football

[12CSVT]

In other news, Crystal Palace have been relegated from the 2013-14 Premier League.

Or will they do a 'Wigan' and escape relegation by the skin of their teeth for the next seven seasons ?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

One for the forum members north of the border. Partick Thistle have won automatic promotion to the Scottish Premiership by finishing the season as champions of the First Division.

Does the Firhill Stadium meet the criteria laid down to allow teams to play in the Scottish Premiership, as someone recently told me that the stands there were not exactly state-of-the-art.

 

[ACE1888]

One for the forum members north of the border. Partick Thistle have won automatic promotion to the Scottish Premiership by finishing the season as champions of the First Division.

Does the Firhill Stadium meet the criteria laid down to allow teams to play in the Scottish Premiership, as someone recently told me that the stands there were not exactly state-of-the-art.

SPL criteria is 6000 minimum seating capacity, no standing areas are allowed, baring in mind the small clubs in the SPL these days, it's more than adequate (They dropped it from 10000 minimum capacity several years back)

 

[Butts]

Can I congratulate Kevin Phillips on scoring the penalty that won the playoff final for Crystal Palace against Watford.

Forty Years old in July and a model professional with a history of various clubs.

Apparently "Ollie" is trying to persuade him to stay on for another season in the Premiership.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Roberto Martinez had finally decided to resign his position as the manager of Wigan Athletic.

 

[Butts]

Roberto Martinez had finally decided to resign his position as the manager of Wigan Athletic.

I wonder where he's off to ? and who will be his successor

 

[MidnightFlyer]

He looks a dead cert to go to Everton. If I was a Toffees fan I'd be very worried, I wouldn't want him anywhere near Goodison Park. He's tactically inept, certainly at such a high level. There's a reason Wigan finished consistently low over the last four seasons you know.

As for who'll take over at Wigan? I don't know, but it will be interesting to see how they fare without Martinez and increasingly certainly McManaman, Maloney and Kone

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I wonder where he's off to ? and who will be his successor

The managerial position at Everton is one that has been cited, but are there not other contenders for that particular role.

 

[Liam]

I wonder where he's off to ? and who will be his successor

Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen apears to be the bookies early favourite, Graeme Jones also in the running, but I would imagine Martinez might want him at Everton with him.

 

[Butts]

The managerial position at Everton is one that has been cited, but are there not other contenders for that particular role.

Including "big" Duncan Ferguson - that would be a turn up

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It appears that some football managers do not learn lessons from the past. In 2010, Lee Ashcroft, the manager of Northwich Victoria was banned for three months for using foul and abusive language towards match officials.

The FA, after discussing the matter of an incident this January where he was charged with using abusive and sexually insulting words to the female coach, Hannah Dingley, of Gresley FC, has decided upon a ban upon him of 10 matches with effect from the start of next season.

 

[Butts]

Mark Hughes announced as the new Manager of Stoke City - didn't see that one coming.

Wonder how "Sparky" will cope in the Potteries ?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Did anyone else watching the friendly match between England and Eire feel that the tactics of the England team left a lot to be desired ? The injury to Sturridge is not an excuse for this rather inept display.

 

[Butts]

Did anyone else watching the friendly match between England and Eire feel that the tactics of the England team left a lot to be desired ? The injury to Sturridge is not an excuse for this rather inept display.

The first half was certainly a lot better than the second half

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

USA 2...Belgium 4

Yet another match that shows how Belgium have now a squad to make them one of the better European sides, with Christian Benteke scoring twice.

 

[Antman]

Did anyone else watching the friendly match between England and Eire feel that the tactics of the England team left a lot to be desired ? The injury to Sturridge is not an excuse for this rather inept display.

I can't get too excited about friendly matches but from what I saw of it........dire!

 

[dangie]

Did anyone else watch the friendly match between England and Eire..

No. Decided to watch Springwatch on BBC2 instead. Good choice I reckon..!!

Mark Hughes announced as the new Manager of Stoke City - didn't see that one coming..

Being out of work for six months or so I guess he came cheap.
Stoke (my team) must have a thing about Welsh managers. Just glad they didn't go for Dean Saunders..!!

 

[MidnightFlyer]

The thing about England v Rep of Ireland last night was that it was a completely and utterly pointless match to begin with. Hodgson did his usual of just putting 11 random players on the pitch and hoping something good would happen. The only thing that has happened as a result of the needless gathering was that one of England's better players has now been injured. The whole couldn't be arsed feeling was demonstrated beautifully in Rooney when he just gave up on chasing a ball that eventually just rolled out of play about 5 yards in front of him. To be fair though I don't blame any of them for not trying - if I was in there position I wouldn't strain myself too much either; my mind would already be on the beach in Miami or wherever and I'd make sure I didn't do myself pointless harm. International friendlies are just a humongous waste of time and I do feel for any player, English, Irish or otherwise who has their time wasted by such drivel.

 

[Butts]

The thing about England v Rep of Ireland last night was that it was a completely and utterly pointless match to begin with. Hodgson did his usual of just putting 11 random players on the pitch and hoping something good would happen. The only thing that has happened as a result of the needless gathering was that one of England's better players has now been injured. The whole couldn't be arsed feeling was demonstrated beautifully in Rooney when he just gave up on chasing a ball that eventually just rolled out of play about 5 yards in front of him. To be fair though I don't blame any of them for not trying - if I was in there position I wouldn't strain myself too much either; my mind would already be on the beach in Miami or wherever and I'd make sure I didn't do myself pointless harm. International friendlies are just a humongous waste of time and I do feel for any player, English, Irish or otherwise who has their time wasted by such drivel.

I don't feel the same sentiments will apply to the England V Scotland "friendly" in August

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Probably not in one aspect as they'll no longer have holidays to pine for and it will be a decent indicator for themselves of how fit they are and how their diet and lifestyle was over the 6 weeks off, but then again they won't want to sacrifice themselves too much with injuries and what have you, and probably also will have more thoughts with the domestic campaign with their respective clubs. Further, I'm not actually sure how many of the current England crop are aware of the rivalry with Scotland and would even care as such.

 

[Oswyntail]

.... International friendlies are just a humongous waste of time and I do feel for any player, English, Irish or otherwise who has their time wasted by such drivel.

Yes, that is the modern view of things. And then people wonder why teams do not gel in competitive matches and tournaments. And what opportunity does an international manager have to tell if the latest wunderkind is just the latest hype? Of course, one could expect "professional" players to be able to adapt, but then one would also expect "professional" players to take whatever match they are being paid to play in seriously.

 

[jb]

I don't feel the same sentiments will apply to the England V Scotland "friendly" in August

They will, actually - at least in the minds of the English - who generally realise we're not in the 1970s any more.

Chippy Scots might feel differently.

 

[Butts]

They will, actually - at least in the minds of the English - who generally realise we're not in the 1970s any more.

Chippy Scots might feel differently.

With the Team we have at the moment - we make The Republic of Ireland look like Germany !!!

Is it at Wembley or Hampden ?

 

[SS4]

Did anyone else watching the friendly match between England and Eire feel that the tactics of the England team left a lot to be desired ? The injury to Sturridge is not an excuse for this rather inept display.

I did not watch but I can't say I'm surprised. England have long been dire and will continue to deteriorate until something is done at grass roots level. Yet every game they're expected to play, and get results, like Germany, Italy or Brazil

I tried listening on 5Live but the commentary was biased to the extent where I would not have believed them if they'd said that night followed day. Then Alan Green was introduced and I made a mad dash to the off button.

USA 2...Belgium 4

Yet another match that shows how Belgium have now a squad to make them one of the better European sides, with Christian Benteke scoring twice.

Nooooo! Benteke needs to do crap over the summer so nobody else wants him

 

[Antman]

The thing about England v Rep of Ireland last night was that it was a completely and utterly pointless match to begin with. Hodgson did his usual of just putting 11 random players on the pitch and hoping something good would happen. The only thing that has happened as a result of the needless gathering was that one of England's better players has now been injured. The whole couldn't be arsed feeling was demonstrated beautifully in Rooney when he just gave up on chasing a ball that eventually just rolled out of play about 5 yards in front of him. To be fair though I don't blame any of them for not trying - if I was in there position I wouldn't strain myself too much either; my mind would already be on the beach in Miami or wherever and I'd make sure I didn't do myself pointless harm. International friendlies are just a humongous waste of time and I do feel for any player, English, Irish or otherwise who has their time wasted by such drivel.

Yes just a pointless match, fans aren't really interested and hardly an wonder if players feel the same

 

[Butts]

Yes just a pointless match, fans aren't really interested and hardly an wonder if players feel the same

Just paying off a bit more of the "Wembley Debt"

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Yes, that is the modern view of things. And then people wonder why teams do not gel in competitive matches and tournaments. And what opportunity does an international manager have to tell if the latest wunderkind is just the latest hype? Of course, one could expect "professional" players to be able to adapt, but then one would also expect "professional" players to take whatever match they are being paid to play in seriously.

I would hope, with all due respect to them, that the games in the Qualifiers for tournaments (like the 2014 World Cup currently) offer sufficient test grounds for new tactics and what have you. Even if it doesn't work chances are if you do it against San Marino or whoever there'll be no adverse consequences. Similarly, training also offers opportunity to try out new things and play 11-a-side matches against each other. The fact that Captain Clueless played 4-4-2 last night shows just how little of it was taken seriously.

With the Team we have at the moment - we make The Republic of Ireland look like Germany !!!

Is it at Wembley or Hampden ?

Wembley I believe.

I did not watch but I can't say I'm surprised. England have long been dire and will continue to deteriorate until something is done at grass roots level. Yet every game they're expected to play, and get results, like Germany, Italy or Brazil

Indeed, after messing up a the Euros tournaments in 1996 and 2000 and getting to the Final in 2002 largely because of Kahn, Ballack and Klose Germany went in to a period of huge reform and are feeling the effects now - a world class XI and surely one of the favourites for success next year at the World Cup. The FA here however are either too stupid or too arrogant to do such and as a result we're stuck with a hopeless imbecile who thinks 4-4-2 is still an effective formation and has no Plan B when it inevitably fails. England stick with the same crop of Top 7 team players, who can't play together as the last decade has demonstrated yet never look to fringe players like Lambert, Forster or Hooper for change, instead just breaking it down and starting the same again.

Yes just a pointless match, fans aren't really interested and hardly an wonder if players feel the same

It was half empty at Wembley last night, which I think says all we need to know.

Just paying off a bit more of the "Wembley Debt"

Indeed, which is why I am against the concept of a national stadium. It should have been demolished and left. It was much better when England travelled around the country for international football, and FA Cup semis were at Villa Park and whatever. Wembley is just an overpriced, atmosphere-less hole that unfortunately English football is stuck with for decades.

 

[Johnuk123]

Does anybody still watch England games ?

 

[Liam]

Indeed, which is why I am against the concept of a national stadium. It should have been demolished and left. It was much better when England travelled around the country for international football, and FA Cup semis were at Villa Park and whatever. Wembley is just an overpriced, atmosphere-less hole that unfortunately English football is stuck with for decades.

Like Wembley, Hampden should never have been rebuilt either. Hampden Park and Celtic Park were redeveloped at roughly the same time. Hampden started earlier and finished after Celtic Park. I remember Celtic playing the 94/95 season at Hampden, the East and West stands were new, the North and South were falling apart. Should have knocked Hampden down, built a new wee stadium for Queens Park and spent money adding capacity to a few other grounds. Finals could be held at either Ibrox, Parkhead or Murrayfield, additionally internationals could be held at Pittodrie, Easter Road or Rugby Park. 3 massive stadiums in Glasgow is too much. 4 massive stadiums in Scotland is too much, especially when two of them, Hampden and Murrayfield are barely used.

 

[ReverendFozz]

I would hope, with all due respect to them, that the games in the Qualifiers for tournaments (like the 2014 World Cup currently) offer sufficient test grounds for new tactics and what have you. Even if it doesn't work chances are if you do it against San Marino or whoever there'll be no adverse consequences. Similarly, training also offers opportunity to try out new things and play 11-a-side matches against each other. The fact that Captain Clueless played 4-4-2 last night shows just how little of it was taken seriously.



Wembley I believe.



Indeed, after messing up a the Euros tournaments in 1996 and 2000 and getting to the Final in 2002 largely because of Kahn, Ballack and Klose Germany went in to a period of huge reform and are feeling the effects now - a world class XI and surely one of the favourites for success next year at the World Cup. The FA here however are either too stupid or too arrogant to do such and as a result we're stuck with a hopeless imbecile who thinks 4-4-2 is still an effective formation and has no Plan B when it inevitably fails. England stick with the same crop of Top 7 team players, who can't play together as the last decade has demonstrated yet never look to fringe players like Lambert, Forster or Hooper for change, instead just breaking it down and starting the same again.



It was half empty at Wembley last night, which I think says all we need to know.



Indeed, which is why I am against the concept of a national stadium. It should have been demolished and left. It was much better when England travelled around the country for international football, and FA Cup semis were at Villa Park and whatever. Wembley is just an overpriced, atmosphere-less hole that unfortunately English football is stuck with for decades.

Where would Cup Finals go if there was no Wembley, somewhere like Twickenham, The Emirates or Old Trafford...

I have also started to think Wembley should never have been rebuilt, what I used to think was a New National Sports Complex to be built outside London, in Manchester, a complex that would have housed a National Football Ground, National Rugby Ground(League and Union) and a new Lancashire Cricket Ground, some national sports working from the same complex...