June 11, 20178 yr A bit off-topic but England won the U-20 World Cup! http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/news/y=201...module_news_top
June 12, 20178 yr It'll be very difficult for Wales to make the World Cup now following that result against Serbia.
June 12, 20178 yr Tom Heaton and Jack Butland set to play in each half in an 'pointless' friendly against France tomorrow night.
June 12, 20178 yr Tom Heaton and Jack Butland set to play in each half in an 'pointless' friendly against France tomorrow night. I doubt it's a "pointless" friendly for Tom Heaton and Jack Butland. Any international experience is always good for players who need it.
June 12, 20178 yr Yes for anyone who is getting international experience it isn't pointless, in my view it is a just a pointless friendly where it will be a 1-0 dullfest to France.
June 12, 20178 yr The friendly is pointless. We complain that we our players are fatigued for major tournaments, yet the current summer schedule does not help. The season finished 3 weeks ago yet most top players are still playing competitively and start pre-season in 4-5 weeks.
June 12, 20178 yr The Confederations Cup which is being held in Russia as a rehearsal for next year's World Cup starts on Saturday and matches will be shown on ITV. Germany, Portugal, Chile, Cameroon, Russia, Australia, New Zealand & Mexico are the teams taking part.
June 13, 20178 yr A bit off-topic but England won the U-20 World Cup! http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/news/y=201...module_news_top :cheer:
June 13, 20178 yr Iran have qualified for the World Cup, it is the first time they have qualified for back-to-back World Cups.
June 13, 20178 yr And still England look abject even with France going down to 10 men. We had no character at all.
June 13, 20178 yr And still England look abject even with France going down to 10 men. We had no character at all. We're an average team unfortunately. I think we have some great players, but certain players thrive in certain systems. Our midfield in the centre is certainly a weak point. Personally I find Dier to be pretty average and while I am a big Jordan Henderson fan, I don't think I've ever seen him have a great game for England. Our defence is absolutely dreadful though. Can't say I rate Southgate as a manager either, not sure he has the tactical nous. Think he's going to get found out massively at this level.
June 14, 20178 yr I wouldn't be surprised if we got knocked out of the group stages again in Russia if we make it through that is.
June 14, 20178 yr The friendly is pointless. We complain that we our players are fatigued for major tournaments, yet the current summer schedule does not help. The season finished 3 weeks ago yet most top players are still playing competitively and start pre-season in 4-5 weeks. I don't understand why they have this AFTER the World Cup qualifier but hey ho! Your point about the international schedules are harsh tho - it's because of the length of the club season that the internationals are on these dates as they had to wait until the end of the club season including the ridiculously late European cup final.
June 19, 20178 yr Any early World Cup winner predictions? I'm fairly certain that a European country will win the World Cup next year as the conditions will be more suited to a Champions League type of match. I can see it being France or Germany at this stage with a year still to go.
June 19, 20178 yr France will suffer a qualifying scare but make it in anyway, via a playoff, beating one of the Irelands, and get to the semi-finals. Germany will get knocked out in the semi-finals while the hosts battle through to the quarters, while the achievement of getting out of the group stage for the first time post-USSR is undervalued by Russians who'll find some way to cry foul. England gets to the round of 16 and loses to DR Congo, having learned no lessons. Belgium will win, beating Brazil in the final, while the Netherlands don't even make it over to Russia.
June 19, 20178 yr Have Belgium found any full backs yet? They could be very dangerous if so. Our team, particularly our front six, is full of players who would be on the fringes of the squad for the really top teams and could be very useful if we were to find a cohesive system to play them in. Unfortunately that doesn't look like happening any time soon, and the most obvious starting point - the current Spurs set up - has performed awfully in Europe thus far.
June 22, 20178 yr Are either Spain or France gonna end up in the playoff?? For France it's possible, but they have a more favorable schedule than Sweden. Sweden still has to travel to Netherlands while France gets the Dutch at home. In fact, three of Sweden's last four matches are away while France has three at home. Both have home fixtures against Luxembourg and goal differential in that match could be a key factor if one of them can do a 5-0 or 6-0. Spain is more unlikely, they still have their home match vs. Italy and have a +4 in Goal differential right now. --- In Asia, Uzbekistan has a legit chance. They travel to China while Korea hosts Iran (Aug 31). If Uzbekistan loses and Korea wins (an unlikely scenario) then Uzbekistan can only hope for the playoffs. If they get a result in China, then the match against Korea on Sept 5th in Tashkent becomes massive. A win over Korea then, could mean an automatic trip the World Cup. The first in their history.
Create an account or sign in to comment