Right - forgetting the bent bidding process and the conditions of the migrant workers building the stadiums - does anybody else agree that a Nov/Dec competition has the potential to be ace?

 

Firstly because it will take up most of the traditional Christmas bullshit season so we'll all be talking about football and not festivities. Secondly just for the novelty factor. And thirdly because we can see whether or not our well worn excuse about our players being tired stands up to scrutiny.

1 hour ago, Marc505 said:

I thought I'd read and watched everything there was to about England at Italia 90 so this undercover cop thing is a new angle, but I'm wondering what they're getting at with it. It is a bit of a confused story, they're talking to the players about the games but barely covering the actual football.

I've a feeling its going to end up finishing nicely gift wrapped with all football violence ended after Italia 90, the Premier League started and everyone lived happily ever after.

The upcoming Sky documentary is likely to go down that route, I suspect. They’re on to something to a certain degree as I’m sure Italia 90 opened the eyes of the bigger clubs to what would be possible with greater commercialisation. 

If you haven't read Steaming in by Colin Ward you should.

12 minutes ago, gonzo said:

If you haven't read Steaming in by Colin Ward you should.

His account of when they took the Lever End is exactly how it happened.

That’s why I rate his book above a lot of the others that are just full of cock waving.

2 hours ago, Leyther_Matt said:

The upcoming Sky documentary is likely to go down that route, I suspect. They’re on to something to a certain degree as I’m sure Italia 90 opened the eyes of the bigger clubs to what would be possible with greater commercialisation. 

Another one I'll watch but I really wish they'd go big on other World Cups. 94, 98 and 02 had some great stories to tell as well for example!

17 hours ago, little whitt said:

who should i have a Cheeky  £20 on then 

Senegal as an outsider. Group looks winnable and they have experience of winning the Cup of Nations behind them for the knock out malarky. And they have a few decent players which helps. 

10 hours ago, gonzo said:

If you haven't read Steaming in by Colin Ward you should.

I believe its meant to be one of the best of that genre, I read it years ago but my copy is long gone

1 hour ago, Nowack said:

Senegal as an outsider. Group looks winnable and they have experience of winning the Cup of Nations behind them for the knock out malarky. And they have a few decent players which helps. 

People have been predicting an African winner since the 80's. Back then my opinion was 'won't happen - too indisciplined'. I have still seen nothing to change that opinion. Prone to too much hotheadedness in the cauldron of the worlds largest sporting event. Can't see it happening for a good while yet.

Personally I'll be having some on Brazil and Argentina and a saver on France just in case the quarrelsome surrender monkeys manage to get it together.

9 hours ago, Marc505 said:

Another one I'll watch but I really wish they'd go big on other World Cups. 94, 98 and 02 had some great stories to tell as well for example!

I think you may like this, the story of Brazil's 82 wolrd cup team (turn subtitles on)

 

Edited November 9, 20223 yr by L/H White

Apparently sports bars in Doha are charging upto £240 just to get in to watch a match. Want to stay for the next one then you pay again 

A bottle of beer will cost £80 

Sofa it is for me then 

27 minutes ago, DirtySanchez said:

Apparently sports bars in Doha are charging upto £240 just to get in to watch a match. Want to stay for the next one then you pay again 

A bottle of beer will cost £80 

Sofa it is for me then 

The missus has been there for 6 weeks now. Prices for hotels and bars go up ten fold from next week.

The guardian football podcast we’re saying how every tv has to have a license for the game. Eg a 200 room hotel needs a minimum of 200 licenses. Saying folk just can’t afford to do it.

at least they have a minimum wage now $275 a month is gonna go a long way

4 hours ago, Nowack said:

Senegal as an outsider. Group looks winnable and they have experience of winning the Cup of Nations behind them for the knock out malarky. And they have a few decent players which helps. 

I hope you didn’t put it on, Reports from France saying Manè is out of the tournament. 

36 minutes ago, Tommy9322 said:

I hope you didn’t put it on, Reports from France saying Manè is out of the tournament. 

Just seen that, need to revise my outsider bet I think.

1 hour ago, DirtySanchez said:

Apparently sports bars in Doha are charging upto £240 just to get in to watch a match. Want to stay for the next one then you pay again 

A bottle of beer will cost £80 

Sofa it is for me then 

Is it too late to cancel this farago ?

Ian Wright's comment made me laugh

 

my £10 on France is letting me cash out for £6.64, presumably because of their injury list

so stuck £20 on Brazil having seen their squad

34 minutes ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

Is it too late to cancel this farago ?

I'm only charging £120 to watch it round at mine 

Cheaper but keeps out the ruffians 

16 hours ago, gonzo said:

If you haven't read Steaming in by Colin Ward you should.

Thanks for recommendation, I've just bought it off e-bay for £2!

Reece James confirmed out

replaced by his sister

I hate getting on players backs and joining the mongathon on the socials but seriously we cant be starting a world cup with Harry Maguire at the back can we?

Hes been absolutely fantastic for England by the way, but this time the lads barely kicked a ball and looks a disaster waiting to happen when he does

4 minutes ago, gonzo said:

I hate getting on players backs and joining the mongathon on the socials but seriously we cant be starting a world cup with Harry Maguire at the back can we?

Hes been absolutely fantastic for England by the way, but this time the lads barely kicked a ball and looks a disaster waiting to happen when he does

Still got to get behind him and the rest if he's selected. 

 

18 minutes ago, gonzo said:

I hate getting on players backs and joining the mongathon on the socials but seriously we cant be starting a world cup with Harry Maguire at the back can we?

Hes been absolutely fantastic for England by the way, but this time the lads barely kicked a ball and looks a disaster waiting to happen when he does

starting Maguire and not taking Maddison is asking for dogs abuse as/when we get knocked out

2 hours ago, gonzo said:

I hate getting on players backs and joining the mongathon on the socials but seriously we cant be starting a world cup with Harry Maguire at the back can we?

Hes been absolutely fantastic for England by the way, but this time the lads barely kicked a ball and looks a disaster waiting to happen when he does

Taking the pressure off the rest. He’ll give the sports journalists someone to either love or hate.

Anyone else still unsure of when this actually starts? 

Shittest World Cup ever. 

I'm going to be whammed with last Christmas ont radio before I get world in motioned at this rate.