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.

Korea have had plenty chances to be fair 

 

Mint hit

There we go

3 hours ago, jmjhb said:

Brazil are insufferably brilliant

 

2 hours ago, globaldiver said:

 Only missing

Germany

Italy

Belgium

🤣

Marcs reet though. All this talk of emerging nations (heard it repeated every year since 1974) yet look at the last 8 (so far)

Brazil - multiple former winners

Argentina - ditto

France - ditto

England - former winners

Netherlands - beaten finalists

Croatia - beaten finalists

Any hope for the Moroccans or the Swiss?

11 hours ago, Pablo said:

Too many so called England fans want us to fail so they can say "I told you so" - How is that for self importance ffs!!

Wanting misery, so you can smile to yourself....as everyone else is gutted.

Its not enough to win a game....it has to be nailed on perfect in every aspect...even managers clothes...other teams NOT allowed to create chances or have an attack.

If thats how those people measure success....then they wont have ever ever see any success in football team they  support, and wont ever enjoy it.

If you'd read the shite from our gutter press over the years and were even remotely inclined to believe any of it you'd have to be forgiven for harbouring some negativity. Slaughtered the national team for years.

If you are having a go at me though, you have missed the point. My beef is with the FA and their stooge. Don't like either of them but will be delighted for the nation and true English football fans if England were to go all the way. The problem for me would that it would probably help to cement the places of those I would like to see gone but the positives would outweigh the negatives.

Looking at what they would have to overcome to win it I just can't see it. The rose tinted specs are fully on display in some posts above and I get it. If you are a football fan and don't get excited about a World Cup finals tournament you are definitely not wired up reet. In my experience it is better to keep your feet firmly on the ground as the let down is far less painful if and when the worst happens.

I still believe that South American hands will lift the trophy and that they will have had to defeat the reigning champions to lift it. Been wrong many times before though so there is always hope.

I think he's finally broken his tiny, little brain.

Imagine walking around life with these thoughts pinging round your head.

2 hours ago, bolty58 said:

Marcs reet though. All this talk of emerging nations (heard it repeated every year since 1974) yet look at the last 8 (so far)

Brazil - multiple former winners

Argentina - ditto

France - ditto

England - former winners

Netherlands - beaten finalists

Croatia - beaten finalists

Any hope for the Moroccans or the Swiss?

If they changed the eligibility criteria to only being allowed to play for your country of birth an African nation would have won it years ago. This year, Saka and Musiala would both be playing for Nigeria for example and historically Desailly, Evra, Makelele, Vieira, Benteke and a host of others would all be playing for African nations. Even Wilf Zaha was born in Cote D'Ivoire FFS. Similarly how many Turks and Albanians have played for Germany and Switzerland? Loads is the correct answer. If the criteria was the country your parents were born in, half the current French squad, Mbappe included would be playing for an African nation. Raheem Sterling was born in Jamaica BTW.

When Pele predicted that an African nation would win it, he didn't allow for the fact that anyone who is any good at football is snapped up by a European club at an early age and then qualify to play for their host nation via residency - so "the emerging nations" don't have much chance - just as BWFC have no chance of snapping up the best young prospects.  It's not a level playing field - and it could all have been a very different story.

43 minutes ago, Wanderlust said:

When Pele predicted that an African nation would win it, he didn't allow for the fact that anyone who is any good at football is snapped up by a European club at an early age and then qualify to play for their host nation via residency - so "the emerging nations" don't have much chance -

I'm not convinced this is the reason. 

In the majority of cases, it's because they and their families move to those countries for non-footballing reasons when the players are young, gain citizenship, and happen to grow up to be good footballers.

It's certainly the case for each of the players mentioned in your post at least.

Ps. Saka and Musiala were born in England and Germany respectively.

53 minutes ago, Wanderlust said:

If they changed the eligibility criteria to only being allowed to play for your country of birth an African nation would have won it years ago. This year, Saka and Musiala would both be playing for Nigeria for example and historically Desailly, Evra, Makelele, Vieira, Benteke and a host of others would all be playing for African nations. Even Wilf Zaha was born in Cote D'Ivoire FFS. Similarly how many Turks and Albanians have played for Germany and Switzerland? Loads is the correct answer. If the criteria was the country your parents were born in, half the current French squad, Mbappe included would be playing for an African nation. Raheem Sterling was born in Jamaica BTW.

When Pele predicted that an African nation would win it, he didn't allow for the fact that anyone who is any good at football is snapped up by a European club at an early age and then qualify to play for their host nation via residency - so "the emerging nations" don't have much chance - just as BWFC have no chance of snapping up the best young prospects.  It's not a level playing field - and it could all have been a very different story.

You might have used 'could'. Talk about drawing a long bow. 

You international socialist types are always quick to a 'but if'. Just another of the guilt complex junkies.

Just sit back and enjoy the jogo bonito (you'll credit that to Pele but it was the Darling Buds Of May author who coined the phrase originally. Bloody whiteys taking all the credit again).

On the subject of Pele, not looking good for the great man. Might just be the extra inspiration their squad needed. I wish I still had his autograph from that day at Bromwich Street in 1966.

6 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I'm not convinced this is the reason. 

In the majority of cases, it's because they and their families move to those countries for non-footballing reasons when the players are young, gain citizenship, and happen to grow up to be good footballers.

It's certainly the case for each of the players mentioned in your post at least.

Ps. Saka and Musiala were born in England and Germany respectively.

Don't burst his balloon mate. Probably still annoyed about the USSR never winning it.

38 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I'm not convinced this is the reason. 

In the majority of cases, it's because they and their families move to those countries for non-footballing reasons when the players are young, gain citizenship, and happen to grow up to be good footballers.

It's certainly the case for each of the players mentioned in your post at least.

Ps. Saka and Musiala were born in England and Germany respectively.

Beat me to it, Saka was born In Ealing!

I think Sterling the only squad member born abroad?  

3 hours ago, jayjayoghani said:

Beat me to it, Saka was born In Ealing!

I think Sterling the only squad member born abroad?  

Thanks for checking. Thought Roy Evans had dropped by

5 hours ago, Wanderlust said:

. Even Wilf Zaha was born in Cote D'Ivoire FFS. .

He does play for Ivory Coast though 

But I agree with your point in general 

Immigration has spoiled world football  

6 hours ago, Wanderlust said:

If they changed the eligibility criteria to only being allowed to play for your country of birth an African nation would have won it years ago. This year, Saka and Musiala would both be playing for Nigeria for example and historically Desailly, Evra, Makelele, Vieira, Benteke and a host of others would all be playing for African nations. Even Wilf Zaha was born in Cote D'Ivoire FFS. Similarly how many Turks and Albanians have played for Germany and Switzerland? Loads is the correct answer. If the criteria was the country your parents were born in, half the current French squad, Mbappe included would be playing for an African nation. Raheem Sterling was born in Jamaica BTW.

When Pele predicted that an African nation would win it, he didn't allow for the fact that anyone who is any good at football is snapped up by a European club at an early age and then qualify to play for their host nation via residency - so "the emerging nations" don't have much chance - just as BWFC have no chance of snapping up the best young prospects.  It's not a level playing field - and it could all have been a very different story.

There is a point in there and others have put different points forward. Another is; would the great players of African origin have been able to become so great without the money to invest into players, facilities and coaching in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and England, for example?

9 of Wales’ squad are English. Thing is, I doubt any of them would ever play international football for England. That, though, ought not to be reason to go play for a weaker country.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11458301/How-NINE-players-Wales-World-Cup-squad-actually-born-border.html#:~:text=Defender Chris Mepham%2C 25%2C and,in Exeter and Torquay respectively.

😎

10 hours ago, bolty58 said:

Marcs reet though. All this talk of emerging nations (heard it repeated every year since 1974) yet look at the last 8 (so far)

Brazil - multiple former winners

Argentina - ditto

France - ditto

England - former winners

Netherlands - beaten finalists

Croatia - beaten finalists

Any hope for the Moroccans or the Swiss?

Morocco have the better chance I reckon.

But likelihood is that we have Spain (multiple world & Euro champions) and Portugal (former European champions) getting into the final 8.

Might thoughts are that Croatia cannot win this. And I really cannot see the Dutch either. However, I reckon any of the other 6 could. That makes for great competition.

Edited December 6, 20223 yr by Smiley

Surely we can't have a World Cup without a second round upset? 

Come on Morocco. Might stick a bet on that one today. 

Would be lovely to see a tearful Ronaldo tonight as well. 



 

5 minutes ago, London Wanderer said:

Would be lovely to see a tearful Ronaldo tonight as well. 



 

Especially if, having been brought on towards the end of ET, he missed the decisive penalty.

29 minutes ago, globaldiver said:

Especially if, having been brought on towards the end of ET, he missed the decisive penalty.

wouldn't that be just lovely

7 hours ago, bolty58 said:

You might have used 'could'. Talk about drawing a long bow. 

You international socialist types are always quick to a 'but if'. Just another of the guilt complex junkies.

 

True - I could have - but this being a discussion forum for opinions I thought I'd express my opinion, not thinking it would spark a mass debate about archery and wild speculation about my political leanings - but seeing it has, mass debate away.

1 hour ago, London Wanderer said:

Surely we can't have a World Cup without a second round upset? 

Come on Morocco. Might stick a bet on that one today.

I'd love it to happen, but struggling to see it given the young talent Spain have. That said, Spain pissed on Costa Rica 7 nil, totally outplayed the Germans, but the Japanese showed they can be outworked and outfought - and Morocco is a hard working, well-organised team with pace - exactly the sort of team Spain won't like playing against so there's a chance.

12 minutes ago, Wanderlust said:

I'd love it to happen, but struggling to see it given the young talent Spain have. That said, Spain pissed on Costa Rica 7 nil, totally outplayed the Germans, but the Japanese showed they can be outworked and outfought - and Morocco is a hard working, well-organised team with pace - exactly the sort of team Spain won't like playing against so there's a chance.

It's happening. I can feel it. Not put a bet on this tournament yet but I will today. 

Likelihood is I'll end up in the same boat as Eddie and Gonzo with their Brazil predictions. 
Edit: And my Canada / USA predictions. 

Edited December 6, 20223 yr by London Wanderer

10 minutes ago, London Wanderer said:

It's happening. I can feel it. Not put a bet on this tournament yet but I will today. 

Likelihood is I'll end up in the same boat as Eddie and Gonzo with their Brazil predictions. 
Edit: And my Canada / USA predictions. 

Are you going for an exact score? Bookies don't seem to be offering particularly good odds on Morocco winning and there's a lot of speculation about it being an AET result. I'd be interested to see what you can get as it looks like we're not alone in thinking this could be close.