Euro 2024

[Style And Glory]

I cannot comment about the social media issues & security around the Canada team, but I agree that the refereeing has been terrible.

Marcelo Bielsa defends Uruguay players after Copa America brawl

Marcelo Bielsa said: The players reacted as any human being would have done if they saw that there was no escape or prevention and they were attacking their wife, mother, a baby.

www.skysports.com

 

[J.spurs]

Damn @Yid, hope it goes away soon.

I have no idea who is going to win this one. On the one hand you feel like Spain can't just keep playing one blinder after another, and England do have so much talent. On the other, England have made tough work of some pretty ordinary opponents, and the spaniels are really the first class team they've played in this tournament. I'm afraid it's going to be a slow burner, hope I'm wrong.

 

[Style And Glory]

Bentancur starting for Uruguay in Bronze Medal Game

 

[Style And Glory]

We should get Kone from Canada.
Just dominating Uruguay's midfield.
Also scored a scissor kick.

Unfortunately, I believe he just signed for Marseille.

 

[spurious]

Another tough loss. Here's hoping Marsch keeps playing them against a good selection of opponents given there's no real qualifying run. But trust Soccer Canada to fuck that up for him.

 

[Style And Glory]

@spurious did you sense that Canada's first XI tonight played extremely well. I was really impressed by them. Much better than when the more established / senior players were subbed on? Yes David scored off the bench, but if Oluwaseyi #25 could convert even one or two of the numerous clear chances he had, the match would have been over by the hour mark. Kone was far more effective in midfield than Eustaquio has ever been. I have no idea what is wrong with Davies. He's been a shell of himself for the better part of a year. Seemed like a liability. Can it be attributed to his contract negotiations / transfer speculation?

 

[spurious]

@spurious did you sense that Canada's first XI tonight played extremely well. I was really impressed by them. Much better than when the more established / senior players were subbed on? Yes David scored off the bench, but if Oluwaseyi #25 could convert even one or two of the numerous clear chances he had, the match would have been over by the hour mark. Kone was far more effective in midfield than Eustaquio has ever been. I have no idea what is wrong with Davies. He's been a shell of himself for the better part of a year. Seemed like a liability. Can it be attributed to his contract negotiations / transfer speculation?

Agreed, but I also think the squad is developing, so there are a number of weapons at the ready instead of just a core who are miles ahead of the rest.

By the same token, I thought it refreshing that Davies doesn't have to carry the team on his back anymore, but you may be right, it might be that he just isn't playing that well. Hoping that's temporary.

 

[Dorset]

Euro 2024 final tonight in Europe, other stuff is going on and could I respectfully ask @spurious and @Style And Glory to start a thread for the other stuff, I keep seeing new posts appear about other stuff that I am not remotely arsed about.

 

[Style And Glory]

Sorry if I was derailing the thread.
It started with a few references to Spurs players playing "at the COPA"

Looking forward to the Euro Final.
And for what it's worth: "Go England!"
England has sputtered its way to the Final but I really hope they can put it all together & play to its potential against Spain. That way it should be an exciting Final & worthy of its title.
Spain has some fabulous talent but FWIW, I cannot stand that cheat Fernandez.
So glad Spurs never signed that embarrassment of a player.

 

[J.spurs]

Shaw for Trippier, I think that's a very good move by Southgate, although whoever they put out there on the wings will have their hands full.

 

[J.spurs]

Shoulda taken Maddison

 

[Style And Glory]

Sorry if I was derailing the thread.
It started with a few references to Spurs players playing "at the COPA"

Looking forward to the Euro Final.
And for what it's worth: "Go England!"
England has sputtered its way to the Final but I really hope they can put it all together & play to its potential against Spain. That way it should be an exciting Final & worthy of its title.
Spain has some fabulous talent but FWIW, I cannot stand that cheat Fernandez.
So glad Spurs never signed that embarrassment of a player.

Oops.
Fernandez is with Portugal.
Never mind, Spain still has Cucurella for me to despise.

 

[Dorset]

In all my long years, England have never been a very good footballing nation, OK, they won the home World Cup in 66, but the best they ever diid in any other World Cup was 4th in 1990 and 2018. All the bollocks about how well they did in these Euros was just bollocks. They got lucky in the round of 16 and the Quarter final, that happens in cup competitions. Before the final I was slightly impressed by one half of the football they played in the 6 games, and when I say a half, I mean 45 minutes in one game.

I was chatting with someone last week who got really annoyed when I said English football was average at best, he told me that the Premier League was the best in the World, yeah, but I wonder if he's watched any PL games recently and played 'Spot the English player'.

I am not particularly arsed about it, but if people want to see a rise in English international football then some drastic investment and changes need to be made. Maybe the 'English' Premier league needs to bring in rules saying that the majority of players on the field at any time need to be English. Maybe we need Football Universities and colleges. Dunno innit.

Congratulations to England for getting to the final, it doesn't matter how you get there and it wasn't a bad effort in the final 90 minutes (except Bellingham, that cheating, diving pillock gets right on my thrupnies). Well done Espagña, a well deserved win from the best team in the tournament.

 

[Dave]

In all my long years, England have never been a very good footballing nation, OK, they won the home World Cup in 66, but the best they ever diid in any other World Cup was 4th in 1990 and 2018. All the bollocks about how well they did in these Euros was just bollocks. They got lucky in the round of 16 and the Quarter final, that happens in cup competitions. Before the final I was slightly impressed by one half of the football they played in the 6 games, and when I say a half, I mean 45 minutes in one game.

I was chatting with someone last week who got really annoyed when I said English football was average at best, he told me that the Premier League was the best in the World, yeah, but I wonder if he's watched any PL games recently and played 'Spot the English player'.

I am not particularly arsed about it, but if people want to see a rise in English international football then some drastic investment and changes need to be made. Maybe the 'English' Premier league needs to bring in rules saying that the majority of players on the field at any time need to be English. Maybe we need Football Universities and colleges. Dunno innit.

Congratulations to England for getting to the final, it doesn't matter how you get there and it wasn't a bad effort in the final 90 minutes (except Bellingham, that cheating, diving pillock gets right on my thrupnies). Well done Espagña, a well deserved win from the best team in the tournament.

I think from my neutral stance, England did what they needed to do. They just are not in the same class as Spain. And let's be honest if they were on the other side of the draw, would they have even got past the Quarters ?
Anyway, I've always thought the English media have always built the team up to be better than they are. Right through the years it has never changed. What justifies that ? One major Trophy and even the goal that turned that game wasn't a goal!!(mind you i think Maradona's hand and Lampards goal that wasnt has levelled that up over the years)

But you're right @Dorset , there is very little about the top end of the PL that's actually English anymore apart from Geography.
From an Irish point of view, we're having a major issue producing players now. In the 70's, 80's and 90's the quality Irish player got his chance, now unless he's World class he'll get a go in League one or get shipped off to some average side in Europe. Troy Parrot being the latest example.
Obviously the answer is to try and bring in more home grown talent and restrict "Foreign" players per club....but will it happen ? Will it fuck.
It's the same for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland too. Most of their international players don't play in the PL and will never get the chance too either.
Unfortunately I think it is what it is...and the price for getting all the overseas investment in making the PL the most watched league around the globe has been to the cost of giving young homegrown talent a real opportunity where it counts.

 

[J.spurs]

I think from my neutral stance, England did what they needed to do. They just are not in the same class as Spain. And let's be honest if they were on the other side of the draw, would they have even got past the Quarters ?
Anyway, I've always thought the English media have always built the team up to be better than they are. Right through the years it has never changed. What justifies that ? One major Trophy and even the goal that turned that game wasn't a goal!!(mind you i think Maradona's hand and Lampards goal that wasnt has levelled that up over the years)

But you're right @Dorset , there is very little about the top end of the PL that's actually English anymore apart from Geography.
From an Irish point of view, we're having a major issue producing players now. In the 70's, 80's and 90's the quality Irish player got his chance, now unless he's World class he'll get a go in League one or get shipped off to some average side in Europe. Troy Parrot being the latest example.
Obviously the answer is to try and bring in more home grown talent and restrict "Foreign" players per club....but will it happen ? Will it fuck.
It's the same for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland too. Most of their international players don't play in the PL and will never get the chance too either.
Unfortunately I think it is what it is...and the price for getting all the overseas investment in making the PL the most watched league around the globe has been to the cost of giving young homegrown talent a real opportunity where it counts.

You could say the same for giving young local coaching talent a chance as well. Feel like clubs are a bit better about that these days, but still. One interesting thing about Spain was how many players came from outside the Real-Barca axis. Sociedad and Bilbao players in particular.

I didn't really think Southgate did much wrong in the final, but when they said Rodri was going off at halftime, I thought 'wow, if they can't do it this time, they're never going to win it.' But Spain still had the nous to more or less control the game.

It was really tough to watch Harry after the game, he definitely took it with class, but he was absolutely gutted.

 

[Havocc]

I blame Pep, bringing this pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, recycle, pass, pass, pass, recycle, pass, pass, pass bullshit to the English game.

Football is over structured to the point it removes all individuality and personality. The world-class players shine, as they always have but how many times do we have to watch the wide players turn back and pass inside.

If the English try and play this way, we will always lose. We have not been playing this style for as long as most.

 

[DMackay]

I blame Pep, bringing this pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, recycle, pass, pass, pass, recycle, pass, pass, pass bullshit to the English game.

Football is over structured to the point it removes all individuality and personality. The world-class players shine, as they always have but how many times do we have to watch the wide players turn back and pass inside.

If the English try and play this way, we will always lose. We have not been playing this style for as long as most.

And it’s shit to watch but Pep’s teams are good at it and also good at tactical fouling

Virtually ruined the game for me and I watch Spurs out of blind loyalty hoping that something good will happen

 

[ClemFandango]

I suspect they'll probably go for Potter as the next manager but I'd like to see Poch get it.

 

[Dave]

Eddie Howe surely ? Must be the best candidate....if you want an English manager of course, and if he's willing to leave the barcodes.

 

[DMackay]

Eddie Howe surely ? Must be the best candidate....if you want an English manager of course, and if he's willing to leave the barcodes.

Yes it would be Potter or Howe for me but many reports are advocating Klopp!

Would he want it though?

Although his considerable ego might sway him.
Not for me!

 

[J.spurs]

Klopp would be an interesting one for the neutral, but if we're being honest, the big names aren't usually the way to go in international football. We just sacked our manager on this side of the pond, and some people seriously think we'll attract some high-profile manager from the club game.

England is different of course, because the FA can and will pay, but look at the Euros (or for that matter the Copa America). Almost none of the very successful managers came in from elite club football. Nagelsman and Spaletti (Koeman failed at Barca) are about the only ones. Bielsa has been everywhere, and is a kind of oddball, so he doesn't count.

Southgate and de la Fuente came through the youth ranks. So did Scaloni from Argentina.

It's a way different job than managing a club nowadays, and there's no guarantee that the likes of Klopp would be a success. I think getting someone in who knows the players (like a youth team coach) is a better approach. Of the three being mentioned, I'd say Eddie Howe would probably be the best choice, if they don't go with the guy from the U21s.

 

[DMackay]

Klopp would be an interesting one for the neutral, but if we're being honest, the big names aren't usually the way to go in international football. We just sacked our manager on this side of the pond, and some people seriously think we'll attract some high-profile manager from the club game.

England is different of course, because the FA can and will pay, but look at the Euros (or for that matter the Copa America). Almost none of the very successful managers came in from elite club football. Nagelsman and Spaletti (Koeman failed at Barca) are about the only ones. Bielsa has been everywhere, and is a kind of oddball, so he doesn't count.

Southgate and de la Fuente came through the youth ranks. So did Scaloni from Argentina.

It's a way different job than managing a club nowadays, and there's no guarantee that the likes of Klopp would be a success. I think getting someone in who knows the players (like a youth team coach) is a better approach. Of the three being mentioned, I'd say Eddie Howe would probably be the best choice, if they don't go with the guy from the U21s.

Imagine Bielsa reporting back to the English FA after a defeat!
lol

 

[J.spurs]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news:

 

[Dave]

Ange Postecoglou being considered by the FA as Gareth Southgate's replacement

🚨 The FA have reportedly tracked Spurs' head coach for years 👀

www.givemesport.com

I hope this is some kind of sick joke!

 

[Yid]

Silly season...

Replace and clubs clubs "manager name" and you get fans clicking in the fucking link...!!!

 

[J.spurs]

Silly season...

Replace and clubs clubs "manager name" and you get fans clicking in the fucking link...!!!

Exactly. BTW, this came in my email (really) and I thought I'd share if any of you need to polish your CVs.