Football Banter

IF the PL re - introduced the foreign player limit the was around in the 80's would the England team benefit?
Again i it was a game of two halves last night yes we won against what was Switzerland ranked higher than us? but Southgate's policy was in danger of falling apart having made NINE change from the game on Saturday. What I fear most that the policy will only stretch so far.
What seems to have gone completely is that determination, creativity and excitement from their exertions in the world Cup in Russia,
It seemed that the strides forward we made in the World cup have been totally forgotten and have come to a shuddering halt and we are back to the same old England problems - lack of ideas when going forward, failure to keep possession etc that Spain exploited to the full.
So yes there may be a few benefits for England from re - introducing the limit at club level again but I think the PL would kick it into touch almost immediately.


And as for the League Of Nations competition?
While I grant the concept it brilliant, I do feel that maybe it will not be taken as seriously after this series is over, and the various relegations/promotions have taken place and it is possible some nations will be promoted/relegated into groups/tiers that they will either be out of their depth in or will find them selves not have the serious competitive matches that this competition aims to be about.
What UEFA has tried to do, is bring the CL model concept into European international football and modified it with Relegation & promotion. Similarly, this concept exists in The European Rugby Union Championship (which is where I think UEFA got the idea from) and to be honest I think it will not last.

Why run this competition and then have the main draw for Euro 2020 in December? I would much prefer seeing this a separate competition in it it's own right, rather than offer a passage into Euro 2020
Finals but I think also the Euros should re adopt the knockout phase it used to have after the Group stages simply because I fear many nations may not be in a position financially to submit bids either by being host nations singly or as a joint bid in future.
Going back to that format may be better suited and having nations to bid just to stage the Final would be the way forward.
Maybe this concept would have worked better if it was trialled at U-21 before being used at senior level

Hugo Loris has been fined £50,000 and banned from driving for 20 months for drinking and driving.

He was over the alcohol limit having the equivelant of 7 glasses of wine

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45158878

Interesting article about published attendances compared to the actual attendances

Ibra scored his 500th goal last night was pure filth one as well Kung fu kick style

Blimey sad news that bolton defender Stephen darby has had to retire at 29 after being diagnosed by motoneuron disease

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45561264

United lose again!!

Surely now Mourinho has to be getting the sack in the morning!!

Deal been reportedly finally agreed to sell Wembley Stadium

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/fulham-...21962.html

The Pogba - Mourinho Situation
I think this is not a healthy situation for football for the player/manger or for a club of Manchester United's size.

I have to state here that I have yet to see the video of the training ground bust - up that surfaced yesterday but listening to what wad was said on 5 live it is very "disturbing". It does seem that from what I'm told words are exchanged between Pogba & Mourinho.

I hve to say that I feel no player is bigger than the club he plays for and for me Pogba's public outbursts have done little to help the situation it certainly does strike me that he feels his "World Cup Winner" status makes him the bigger person - it doesn't.
Yet at the same time Mourinho himself has exacerbated the situation himself with his outbursts in press conferences and in thr papers. It cannot be good for Manchester United to have this going on in public day in day out.

What needs to happen now?
While I am not a Manchester United fan I think the following needs to happen :-

i) Woodward needs to get on top of the situation as quickly as possible, and start knocking heads together for sure.
Also he has to make a choice too :- Whether he backs Mourinho or Pogba, I'd be very surprised if he doesn't back Mourinho.

ii) There is little doubt that this situation can only end badly for either Mourinho, for Pogba or for both of them.
I think it likely to end with Pogba being sold in January. But as far as Mourinho himself I would be very surprised if by the end of the season, he not at the club. This does has the hallmarks of fast becoming very much like when Mourinho left Chelsea for the second time, having reportedly lost the dressing room then. I feel that this situation bears all the hallmarks of that situation being played out all over again.
Pogba himself will be sold in January to Either Barcelona, Real, or a move back to France and I would think he'll be sold way cheaper than what United paid for him.


iii) Who should replace Mourinho if he goes?
To be honest I have a feeling that should Mourinho go the only way Manchester United can move forward (if that situation arose).would be to bring in someone who knows the club inside out for the remainder of the season
and then look for a more permanent replacement next summer.
What would even surprise me if Woodward himself left at the same time as I think many United hold him just as responsible for this situation. But the way things are going, ultimately Manchester United's worldwide profile is the one thing that is suffering the longer this goes on.

no sympathy for Mourinho - 2-0 down to W Ham Utd!! WTF

Is the taxi on it's way for jose monday?

C'mon ye Wolves.

There are 19 teams out there who will be looking over there shoulder as the Wolf stalks them, brings them down and then tears them to pieces.

No longer a joke.
Honour will be satisfied this season.

C'mon ye Wolves