Football

Why England lose. And inverting the pyramid(CORNIE!!!) are better.

Speaking of which, England's under-21s lose to the Czechs.

Bedwetters.

the build up was good, but it tailed off after about 2/3s of the way.

...and he needs a kick in the balls for the overuse of 'heretofore'.

Relegation in the Argentinian leagues is already pretty much sewn up so that the big clubs don't go down. Relegation is worked out over a three season average, meaning a big club would need to have a catastrophic run to even end up in a playoff. That River are in this position really shows how far they have fallen and its been a malaise that has happened over a longer period than three years. The playoff game then becomes the safety net for the big sides in case of such a catastrophe. Anything could be going on with the FA and referee, but it would definitely been seen as an embarrasment for Argentinian football if they did go down.

I've seen Belgrano play before and they weren't great. They're by no means a small club but River really should be beating them.

As for Brazil, its quite different now. Was it Palmerias who were relegated quite recently?

• avid Tim Vickery reader
  
  

I lived in the Belgrano district of BA is that any relkation to the team? can't be can it ? as it was only a mile from River's stadium. The name of my street was '11th of september' and i went to live there a few days after....11/9/2001. I lived with my then gf whose uncle had recently topped himself...the third member of the family to do so. A few months later the economy collapsed. This was all a year after I lived in Taiwan...and they had a massive earthquake. I now live near West Ham Utd...any coincidence?

daddy day-moe you'll be delighted to know I have finished inverting the pyramid, a marvellously fascinating read, which reveals why Tottenham are the progressive footballing side we know and love today.
Yes please to why england lose and moneyball, since I actually like and follow baseball, it'll make more sense to me I'm sure.

I'm around mon-wed, then off to barca for the euro's, may make a trek to the camp nou as well, so if you want to swap books at souths or during the day let me know..

Why England is with my pops in law. Another spud.

Grab Moneyball/Swap with Big Red if he's down. Arrange it better than the south beers and bbq though?

Moneyball talks less about the game/economics and tells a fucking story that isn't that interesting. It's also written for an American audience I think.

Pardon me while I just poke my nose in here to say that England's International future is even more bleak than it's present. We really are useless. XD

I'll quickly tip my hat in the direction of any other Birmingham City fans on here, good to meet you, keep right on, etc etc - if you have anything negative, derogatory or insulting to say about Birmingham City... I've probably already said it. It's a love-hate relationship. XD I'm also a fond follower of my local non-leaguers, Solihull Moors. Indeed, I prefer a Saturday afternoon in the open spaces of Damson Park any day.

Yes, I know my timing in introducing myself to a football thread with 8 whole weeks until the start of the season is a bit tame, but I don't care! ^.^ Nice to meet y'am.

First game of the season....

south beers pub crawl I left to the people and they like the england team flattered to deceive then fucked it up. Note to self give dates that you are free to do something, rather than letting the masses suggest a date you can't make.

Anyway you won't be bad dadding it to either so you can talk...

You need some commas.

you need to go to sleep

you need some lamacun

you need to go to sleep

.

2 Attachments

The U-21's need a win and that useless cunt Pearce leaves Rodwell on the bench

This Henderson fella. Played all 3 games and has looked at best, average. Phil Jones; the new Richard Dunne?!

England lose 2-1, Rodwell an unused sub. Oh, Pearce is in charge! I hope Rodwell is sat at the back of the plane listening to his i-pod laughing his cock off!

To be fair, whenever Rodwell came on for England he looked awful.

Not as bad as Mancienne, but pretty bad.

Henderson and Cleverly were really, really bad, and Sturidge just wasn't used enough.

Not sure you can really rate players on how they turn out for England.
When was the last time a top player put in a decent performance for England at any level?

River Plate face being relegated from Argentina's top flight, first time in their history. 33 titles(10 more than fierce rivals Boca Jnrs) and once known as 'The Millionaires', now face a two leg relegation play off with 2nd Div team Belgrano

seriously belgrano ?

Not sure you can really rate players on how they turn out for England.
When was the last time a top player put in a decent performance for England at any level?

Paul Scholes, Michael Owen at his peak, Rooney until the WC was on fire.

I think when England were under Venables, and then Hoddle things were pretty good, and despite not winning a WC they weren't a bad group.

So a handful?
But on average even the very top players consistently under perform for England.

So a handful?
But on average even the very top players consistently under perform for England.

Got to agree with you there. I cant stand watching England, dull, every time.

Well one must question if a truly top player would under perform at international level.

The other way of looking at it, is that the player isn't good enough to step up to the very top level. It's easier to be Michael Carrick, Man Utd Midfield, than it is to be Michael Carrick, England Midfielder. If that makes sense.

In the case of Jordan Henderson, who you're trying to excuse. He's just not up to under 21 standard let alone international. That's not to say he won't get there. He's got potential, but in the past 3 games he was really, really lost. I don't think the team was set up very well, and Welbeck being the spear head of the attack was pretty mental.

Well one must question if a truly top player would under perform at international level.

The other way of looking at it, is that the player isn't good enough to step up to the very top level. It's easier to be Michael Carrick, Man Utd Midfield, than it is to be Michael Carrick, England Midfielder. If that makes sense.

In the case of Jordan Henderson, who you're trying to excuse. He's just not up to under 21 standard let alone international. That's not to say he won't get there. He's got potential, but in the past 3 games he was really, really lost. I don't think the team was set up very well, and Welbeck being the spear head of the attack was pretty mental.

Well one must question if a truly top player would under perform at international level.

The other way of looking at it, is that the player isn't good enough to step up to the very top level. It's easier to be Michael Carrick, Man Utd Midfield, than it is to be Michael Carrick, England Midfielder. If that makes sense.

In the case of Jordan Henderson, who you're trying to excuse. He's just not up to under 21 standard let alone international. That's not to say he won't get there. He's got potential, but in the past 3 games he was really, really lost. I don't think the team was set up very well, and Welbeck being the spear head of the attack was pretty mental.

It'd be nice if the management of U-21s and seniors (and the media too) realise that just because someone signs for Liverpool or united for big money, does not automatically mean they are any good. Some of the journos on twitters sycophancy with regards to united players in the u-21s has been sickening.