International Football Discussion

First topic message reminder :

Thierry Henry has been named Belgium's assistant manager. 

Another odd appointment, it makes sense for Henry who didn't want to give up his media duties. Will be interesting to see how he improves Belgium's forwards, if he can rub off any of his playing skill onto them it'd be sure to have an effect. I'm excited to see if he can work well with Origi who is a striker in his mould.

Steffan wrote:Ah well. At least you will get further than us this time

And that's being optimistic

Argentina are awful, but they need to win their last game away at Ecuador, in order to qualify now. Chile play Brazil, and Peru play Colombia, so it favours Messi & co still.

Ecuador lost their last 5 matches.

Argentina should be ok.

Scotland did everything right but put the ball in the back of the net last night. A vastly improved performance from when we played them away and if we'd played like that from the start of the qualifying we would have second secured easily - we always make it difficult for ourselves.

I doubt we'll get through a play off if we get one, but Im very optimistic going forward.

Olly, you think this team can play like City? Bit early for crack, even if we're getting towards the weekend.

This team can't play with two proper midfielders unless we play three centre backs, and maybe even then

Maybe time for a bit of realism?
Play on the counter attack, hope for the best.

I'm trying to think positively on England.

We normally sail through qualifying and then play poorly at tournaments.

Maybe it's the other way around this time.

If you have me poor in qualifying/ good at tournament, I'd take that over the opposite.

Ent wrote:Ecuador lost their last 5 matches.

Argentina should be ok.

Then again, Argentina haven’t won any of their previous three games, and have a pretty shoddy record against Ecuador.

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Olly, you think this team can play like City? Bit early for crack, even if we're getting towards the weekend.

This team can't play with two proper midfielders unless we play three centre backs, and maybe even then

Not play like City - use that formation and just go for it. I'd rather see that than us trying and failing to defend and counter attack with 2 DMs

Continue to pray Wilshere finds the ability to play a run of games, England badly need somebody with speed of thought in midfield.

Henderson is just far too slow processing to be the distributor and driver in midfield, and Dier is doing the holding role. In effect he offers nothing but running around for a bit.

I'd be looking at strengths of width and our attacking trio. Then basing the rest on hard work.

Not sure we can fit all the players we'd like at the top end. Alli would be the luxury I'd have under threat, as Rashford's pace is needed. Sterling isn't starting in my plans (I'll send a PowerPoint to the FA)

3-4-3 with Dier in defence.

Hendo and Chalobah/Wilshere/Drinkwater maybe. Or Lallana if its teams we should beat and then play Alli too.

Henderson wouldn't start for Slovenia

Just John wrote:Argentina are awful, but they need to win their last game away at Ecuador, in order to qualify now. Chile play Brazil, and Peru play Colombia, so it favours Messi & co still.

If they don't beat Ecuador they could well end up in 7th though, since Paraguay are a point back and hosting Venezuela.

GSC wrote:Dier is doing the holding role. In effect he offers nothing but running around for a bit.

Sounds almost like a CB playing in midfield, a bit like Southgate was himself

I was talking about Henderson haha.

Perhaps England and Liverpool are missing the possibility that Henderson is a world class CB in disguise

Not the best performance but we'll of course take the 3 points from home. Great goal by Lawrence. Not bad for a so called one man team

Nothing like beating Georgia by a goal to show your brilliance

Afro wrote: Perhaps England and Liverpool are missing the possibility that Henderson is a world class CB in disguise

Can't be any worse than Lovren

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Nothing like beating Georgia by a goal to show your brilliance

England celebrated beating "tough plucky" Slovenia by a very late goal at Wembley...but that's ok yeah?

Poor from Ireland.
All down to Monday.

Dunno if I can see an Irish win sadly.
Don’t think Wales are a better team, we just seem a bit lost for ideas.

Hope I’m wrong.

westisbest wrote:Poor from Ireland.
All down to Monday.

Dunno if I can see an Irish win sadly.
Don’t think Wales are a better team, we just seem a bit lost for ideas.

Hope I’m wrong.

You got the 3 points. That's all that counted. We were poor also. Serbia lost. It all comes down to Monday for the 3 of us

Can’t see Georgia getting anything in Serbia tbh

Iceland won 3-0 in Istanbul tonight which means if they beat Kosovo at home on Monday they qualify direct for the finals

I don't know if I can handle Monday to be honest. I was a complete wreck by the end of tonight when we sat back at one point and allowed Georgia to press us. Goodness knows what I'll be like when there are two huge matches going on in the group

In all the England talk, one name was forgotten: Ross Barkley. He'd probably be perfect to play alongside Henderson in a 3-4-3 team. Get fit, get playing and he's got his best ever chance to secure an England place

Also Stefan. If results don’t go out way later a win tomorrow will be irrelevant for us.

---------------------Butland-------------------
------------Keane--Stones--Maguire---------
Trippier--------------------------------Cresswell
----------------Winks---Henderson-------------
-----------------------Alli------------------------
-----------------Kane--Rashford---------------

It the hope that hurts the hardest.

Momentum for Scotland to build on despite the finish. Probably doesn't feel great now but theres hope that hasn't been there for a while.

GSC wrote:Momentum for Scotland to build on despite the finish. Probably doesn't feel great now but theres hope that hasn't been there for a while.

Absolutely. 11 points from 15 and unbeaten in 2017 is a great turnaround to the 2016 we had. Strachan turned it around and proved to me he's still the man for the job. If it werent for that pesky Harry Kane...

Strachan may have saved his job with the way they finished, although questions to be asked after being a goal up against a team with nothing to play for and not getting the win required.

England do nothing. Henderson is only going to keep his place if Dier becomes a centre back as he's not good enough to be using the ball in a 3-4-3

That was like watching paint dry last night.

My biggest gripe....you have a player in Harry Kane who is on fire...scoring goals for fun.
How many crosses etc did we put in to the box? You have to give these players decent ball. And its not a lack of skilled players. Its about instructing players to do that!

So frustrating.

Amazing National Anthem by the welsh. I'm a red tonight.

Be a shame if this group don't make a World Cup. Sorry Westy

1-0 Ireland.

Wales have a half hour to find an answer

Croatia now 2-0 up so Wales must win to seal a playoff spot

Wales need something special, Ireland have parked the bus.

One might bring two though...

They'll probably get Italy...

All over and Ireland knock Wales out and secure a play off place. Absolute smash and grab

GSC wrote:Wales need something special, Ireland have parked the bus.

From what I've been told, they don't need him at all.

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:

GSC wrote:Wales need something special, Ireland have parked the bus.

From what I've been told, they don't need him at all.

Not a one man team I’d heard

FreekShow wrote:Amazing National Anthem by the welsh.

Unfortunately that was as good as it got for Wales. Deliriously bad from start to finish.

They weren't bad, just naive.

Played the game Ireland wanted them to and got suckered right in.

I wanna distance myself from all the Steffan baiting.

I spent many a summer at Barry Island as a kid and snogged my first pig there. Wales has been good to me.

I have no dog in this fight.

I just want a #wessiworldcup before the #westimonial next summer

Gonna be a real #Westival of football with the Irish there.

Italy, Croatia, Portugal/Switzerland & Denmark seeds. Doubt the Irish make it, unless one of them draws Denmark.

Not a great game but we got the win.

Still the play offs to go
Not a great side but we have great team spirit.

We’re close now.
Hopefully we can do the job.

No bother freek

Argentina qualify for WC, thanks to a Lionel Messi hat-trick. They join Brazil, Uruguay & Colombia. Peru face a playoff vs New Zealand.

Alexis Sanchez won't be at the World Cup after Chile were beaten 3-0 by Brazil

Talking to some lads about a best 11 never to play in a World Cup

Giggs.
Bale (so far)