I’m already getting annoyed at this thing!

6 hours ago, Mod said:

I’m already getting annoyed at this thing!

Stop referring to me as ‘thing’ please. 

As for the World Cup it can get f**ked!

Blatter has come out and said that the World Cup going to Qatar is a mistake, and one he did  not vote for.

20 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Blatter has come out and said that the World Cup going to Qatar is a mistake, and one he did  not vote for.

Amusing to see Blatter's change of heart after what he said in 2010:

 

It was all about the cash, now it’s all set up and ready to go, they couldn’t care and will now say things to cover themselves while the sh*tshow goes on!

Complete money grab!

Isn’t this the first time ever a World Cup is at this time of the year? If the majority of the fans are not up for it, I can’t see the players and teams will be.

Watch some of the bigger teams all pop out at the group stages!

1 hour ago, Mod said:

Isn’t this the first time ever a World Cup is at this time of the year? If the majority of the fans are not up for it, I can’t see the players and teams will be.

Yes.

World Cup dates:

• 1930 = July 13-30
• 1934 = May 27-June 10
• 1938 = June 4-19
• 1950 = June 24-July 16
• 1954 = June 16-July 4
• 1958 = June 8-29
• 1962 = May 30-June 17
• 1966 = July 11-30
• 1970 = May 31-June 21
• 1974 = June 13-July 7
• 1978 = June 1-25
• 1982 = June 13-July 11
• 1986 = May 31-June 29
• 1990 = June 8-July 8
• 1994 = June 17-July 17
• 1998 = June 10-July 12
• 2002 = May 31-June 30
• 2006 = June 9-July 9
• 2010 = June 11-July 11
• 2014 = June 12-July 13
• 2018 = June 14-July 15
• 2022 = November 20-December 18

Its a complete money grab!

As much as I agree on the money side of it, I can't see teams dropping out on purpose for the chance of making sporting history.

Selfishly with James recovering and the transfer window we will be able to restart from a better position.

 

Argentina's frontline:

Lionel Messi (age 35) Paris Saint-Germain

Lautaro Martínez (age 25) Internazionale FC

Paulo Dybala (age 28) AS Roma

Ángel Correa (age 27) Atlético Madrid

Joaquín Correa (age 28) Internazionale FC

Julián Álvarez (age 22) Manchester City

Brazil's frontline:

Vinicius Junior (age 22) Real Madrid

Neymar (age 30) Paris Saint-Germain

Antony (age 22) Manchester United

Gabriel Jesus (age 25) Arsenal FC

Gabriel Martinelli (age 21) Arsenal FC

Pedro (age 25) CR Flamengo 

Raphinha (age 25) FC Barcelona

Richarlison (age 25) spudz

Rodrygo (age 21) Real Madrid

 

1 hour ago, Gol15 said:

Argentina's frontline:

Lionel Messi (age 35) Paris Saint-Germain

Lautaro Martínez (age 25) Internazionale FC

Paulo Dybala (age 28) AS Roma

Ángel Correa (age 27) Atlético Madrid

Joaquín Correa (age 28) Internazionale FC

Julián Álvarez (age 22) Manchester City

Brazil's frontline:

Vinicius Junior (age 22) Real Madrid

Neymar (age 30) Paris Saint-Germain

Antony (age 22) Manchester United

Gabriel Jesus (age 25) Arsenal FC

Gabriel Martinelli (age 21) Arsenal FC

Pedro (age 25) CR Flamengo 

Raphinha (age 25) FC Barcelona

Richarlison (age 25) spudz

Rodrygo (age 21) Real Madrid

 

Englands frontline:

Spitty Kane 

On 08/11/2022 at 14:59, axman2526 said:

Blatter has come out and said that the World Cup going to Qatar is a mistake, and one he did  not vote for.

Still can't work out how that bloke is not in prison.

As for the WC. Eric Dire is the worst English player ever to have been named in a World Cup squad. Discuss 

1 hour ago, just said:

Still can't work out how that bloke is not in prison.

You see the documentary on Netflix that came out Yesterday? 

There is no evidence tying the corruption directly to Blatter. He was actually against both Russia and Qatar and favored England and USA. It were the presidents of CONCACAF, CAF, ASIA, and UEFA that handled the bribery towards Russian/Qatar.

CONCACAF and ASIA particularly had older members as presidents who wouldn't be reelected, so they essentially wanted one last big pay day to secure Qatar's vote. 

2 hours ago, just said:

Still can't work out how that bloke is not in prison.

As for the WC. Eric Dire is the worst English player ever to have been named in a World Cup squad. Discuss 

Notice how you made the point specifically English. 

How about which of these is the worst player ever named in a international tournament squad, Jorginho or Eric Dier. Discuss.

3 hours ago, just said:

As for the WC. Eric Dire is the worst English player ever to have been named in a World Cup squad. Discuss 

Agreed. Next question. 

2 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

You see the documentary on Netflix that came out Yesterday? 

There is no evidence tying the corruption directly to Blatter. He was actually against both Russia and Qatar and favored England and USA. It were the presidents of CONCACAF, CAF, ASIA, and UEFA that handled the bribery towards Russian/Qatar.

CONCACAF and ASIA particularly had older members as presidents who wouldn't be reelected, so they essentially wanted one last big pay day to secure Qatar's vote. 

Those that believe that the corruption started with Russia hosting the World Cup are very naive.

The knee-jerk reaction is positive by itself but sadly it wouldn't have happened if it wasn't Russia that got to host it and we all know why, Russia is the enemy of the US and them hosting such an event wasn't a good thing so no wonder that suddenly FBI/CIA was all over that out of the blue, which in turn probably influenced the US getting to host a World Cup themselves, this time with Canada and Mexico.

Part from the iconic history and sport importance, the World Cup is a big money grabbing scheme, some of the biggest corporations in the world and also some that nobody knows about take all the advantages they can in order to suck as much money from that event. Through FIFA, shady deals with governments are made in order to pass new laws and they even make insane contracts in order to build new infrastructure that nobody will use once the World Cup is finished.

This was evident when South Africa got to be the host, the scale of them winning the bid probably surpasses how Russia got it, though I haven't seen the latest documentary but I have done some digging about South Africa getting to host many years ago. The same story continued in Brazil, just like in South Africa they literally built roads and stadiums that are far too big and far too pointless, but someone paid a politician that had his/hers price and the circus continued.

Actually when you think about it, Qatar getting to host is almost a normal consequence due to how much some people from that part of the world are involved in football with massive amounts of money. I separate the joy of the World Cup with the actual organization and how it actually becomes a reality so I guess I'm a part of the problem since I still like to forget about the world we live in and watch a game.

3 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

You see the documentary on Netflix that came out Yesterday? 

Is it worth watching?

7 hours ago, Boyne said:

Dier, Maguire and Coady

 

you’ll probably be back home after 3 games 

I love English football, but I really cannot like a team that has Maguire, Shaw, Dier, TAA, Henderson, and Rashford in it 
 

Edited November 10, 20223 yr by azpi28

38 minutes ago, Munkworth said:

Is it worth watching?

Aye its very good. 

You first have to watch the Crown

23 hours ago, azpi28 said:

You first have to watch the Crown

Scenario.

England lose to Wales and USA and go out in the group stages.

Southgate sacked.

EPL restarts.

Chelsea continue to lose/draw and look hopeless.

Mid January Potter sacked.

End of January Potter given England job.

End of January Jose Mourinho is reinstalled Chelsea manager for an unprecedented third stint.

5 hours ago, coco said:

Scenario.

England lose to Wales and USA and go out in the group stages.

Southgate sacked.

EPL restarts.

Chelsea continue to lose/draw and look hopeless.

Mid January Potter sacked.

End of January Potter given England job.

End of January Jose Mourinho is reinstalled Chelsea manager for an unprecedented third stint.

End of February all academy players sign pre-contracts with either Southampton, Brighton or Dortmund 

Not that I'll be watching much of the World Cup - if at all - but I've drawn South Korea in the sweepstake in my local pub. £10 to enter the sweepstake. The landlady drew Argentina. A fix?!

At ALL previous World Cups I can remember since '66, I looked forward to them for months, got excited by the qualification, draw (even if England hadn't qualified), squad announcements and then planning the times, TV watching parties etc etc.  This Year - NONE OF THAT. I couldn't be less interested. I don't know who we are playing (except Wales) when or at what time.  I think this may have something to do with age, but probably has more to do with the Venue, time of year and the fact that I do not rate Southgate, his tactics or his selections and for a long while England Internationals have bored me senseless.

I am however, looking forward to seeing new emerging players from South America, Africa and Europe (shame we haven't really got any) and theoretically deciding which ones I would love to see at Chelsea.

For what it's worth - after looking at the squads announced, I think the winner will come from Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.