Football

[Bleep1673]

AFC Bournemouth, where I was working today, has...

25 English

2 Welsh

1 Polish

1 Netherlands

1 each, Columbia, France, Norway, Spain, USA, Slovakia & Bosnia players

[Niels]

2 minutes ago, Bleep1673 said:

So, a good couple of seasons, and Harefield Town, Or Rylands (Remember them ARLFC?) could be playing Man City, a bit like Bournemouth, who were nearly relegated out of the EFL in 2009

Very true. Bournemouth started that season on minus 17 points due to a punishment from the league. 

I took my daughter to her first game that year. We just survived because of a great run under Eddie Howe.

It meant a lot to me that Bournemouth stayed up. I followed every game intensely. A lot more than now in the Premier league. 

 

[Bleep1673]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_A.F.C._Bournemouth_seasons

AFC Bournemouth

 

[Bleep1673]

Don't get me wrong, I don't like AFCB, but well done. Europe? At least there is an "Airport" Hate the Bar stewards

Oh, and don't forget, because we won't, When Villa went down, it was a 1-2 defeat at Villa Park that sent them down.

Edited March 21, 2019 by Bleep1673

[Niels]

1 minute ago, Bleep1673 said:

Don't get me wrong, I don't like AFCB, but well done. Europe? At least there is an "Airport"

We have signed some overseas players but they haven't seemed to fit immediately into Eddie Howe's system. 

The 2 that have, Nathan Ake from Holland and Josh King from Norway were both very patient and willing to learn. Now they are key players. 

 

[Bleep1673]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35949318

We will return the favour

[bbfaz]

Josh King was at Blackburn so he was basically a domestic player before he even got there. 

[gingerjon]

I am enjoying the bit where Kazakhstan are leading Scotland 3-0.

[bobbruce]

57 minutes ago, gingerjon said:

I am enjoying the bit where Kazakhstan are leading Scotland 3-0.

They usually start qualification badly but that should all change this time with Kazakhstan and San Marino first up. Oh hang on......

[Gerrumonside ref]

I see Scotland have changed their mind about embracing a European exit!

[Damien]

Scotland haven't half gone downhill since early 90s. They have barely any players playing in England like there used to be and even the Scottish clubs now are full of average foreign players. There is something desperately wrong there.

[Niels]

Scotland are in a good position due to finishing top of their nations league group against Israel and Albania.

They can still qualify via this route if they don't reach the top 2 in their qualifying group.

[Wiltshire Rhino]

15 hours ago, gingerjon said:

I am enjoying the bit where Kazakhstan are leading Scotland 3-0.

 

[Wiltshire Rhino]

Still getting used to this "watching England is enjoyable" business! 

Edited March 22, 2019 by Wiltshire Rhino

[gingerjon]

14 hours ago, Wiltshire Rhino said:

Still getting used to this "watching England is enjoyable" business! 

I listened to part of the build up on Five Live - didn't watch the game as I really don't care much about international men's football between tournaments - and it was interesting that the group of pundits were clearly struggling with how to move the conversation along given that England, right now, not only have no obvious problem areas but also have enough players in reserve to cover should anyone get injured.

[GeordieSaint]

14 minutes ago, gingerjon said:

England, right now, not only have no obvious problem areas but also have enough players in reserve to cover should anyone get injured.

Not entirely convinced by that - we are still weak in central midfield. Dyer, Henderson are not international quality and against the better teams in the WC like Belgium and Croatia, we really struggled to keep the ball and create except in dead-ball situations. That issue hasn’t gone away - need the likes of Foden et al to come through...

[Bleep1673]

We are also very weak in the Goalkeeping area, especially when you look at how many English Keepers are playing in the Premiership on a regular basis with the 3 choices in the team coming from Burnley, Stoke, & Everton

Butland- 38  2018/9 games (Championship Club)

Heaton 12 2018/9 Games

Pickford 31 2018/9 Games

 

[bbfaz]

On 3/23/2019 at 2:01 PM, GeordieSaint said:

Not entirely convinced by that - we are still weak in central midfield. Dyer, Henderson are not international quality and against the better teams in the WC like Belgium and Croatia, we really struggled to keep the ball and create except in dead-ball situations. That issue hasn’t gone away - need the likes of Foden et al to come through...

Given time, I think that Rice should be Dier Plus; big enough to mix it but with enough skill with the ball at his feet to not get flustered.

[Niels]

I like the choice of all Euro Championship games on Sky red button. 

I opted for Cyprus v Belgium but I probably should have watched Netherlands v Germany.

[Niels]

At least next Cyprus game should be a win....

Away to Scotland

 

[Methven Hornet]

On 3/21/2019 at 7:49 PM, Niels said:

They can still qualify via this route if they don't reach the top 2 in their qualifying group.

No. No, we really can't.

[Niels]

If none automatially qualify, then the play off group will be Scotland,Serbia,Norway,Finland.

You are top seeds so would have a home semi final against Finland or Norway which is winnable. 

Then a potential 2 leg final against Serbia.

You have a fair chance do you think?

 

[Wiltshire Rhino]

England are quite good!  

[Niels]

45 minutes ago, Wiltshire Rhino said:

England are quite good!  

Yes they are already 4 points ahead in their group. They can break down teams now.

Tomorrow is the last set of games then it's back to the league. 

[Futtocks]

1 hour ago, Wiltshire Rhino said:

England are quite good!  

Some unnecessary cards towards the end, though. Otherwise, a more than decent performance.