Euro 2016 and other International.

Maybe I should have known better to bring up football at a forum based largely in the UK. I know a bit of how it is over there.

I am following the Criterium de Dauphine coverage; great race!

Jim

I am sure I have told this story before , but I will tell it again for new comers - I worked at a Premier League/Championship club from 2002-2011. I used to love football, but after seeing behind the scenes and the 'goings on', I fell out of love with the whole game , to the point of struggling to watch a game at all, on TV or at a ground.

All of the rolling around on the floor and diving thing sickened me, then the agents and PR around the clubs. The conspicuous consumption of the top flight, and then the arrogant fools who were part of the FA machinery. Some of the meetings I was in with very senior figures were like something from 1974, with the casual sexism and racism and their childish manner. Not for me.

So, it is very rare I watch nowadays.

Just watched first half of England vs Slovakia. Very positive, attacking football. I like the look of this team.

EDIT - either I watched them at their best, or I know very little about football...or both

The words can not describe the frustration or how awful that was.

Among other options, I'd really like to see the FA consider taking up Alan Shearer's offer and along with Rio Ferdinand, let these former players manage.

It may be the only way to truly buck this, as the papers call it, a humiliation.

But I also want to say this, Iceland basically kept the Netherlands from getting to the Euro, Iceland lost out on making the last world cup by losing in the playoffs to decide who would advance. Iceland also drew with Portugal; a result that was scoffed at at the time, in people seeing that Portugal could not even defeat Iceland.

And I liked Roy, but I'd say the evidence is rather persuasive of some things gone awry, I won't go into it in detail here, there is plenty to read on it.

Italy wins again, Germany wins again. What can one say? Brexit 2. Wales does remain in the Euro and will play Belgium. If Belgium can play to their potential which they've had some problems doing, they have a chance to win this whole thing.

Interesting points you make. 
Looking at those previous Iceland stats, you can see how it might have been predictable, as Mrs Sprockit foresaw. They are not an easy side to beat.

I think there could be numerous reasons why England haven't really worked as a team for the last 10-15 (or is it 50 years?). 

But let me just throw this one out there...can anyone remember an England game where Rooney played anywhere near his potential? I might also go back a couple of years and add Steven Gerrard to that list? Key players don't turn up for the game for whatever reason.

I don't think we can say it's because of the set up of an international squad, and the players (with each other, and their manager) don't get time to gel - because this is surely the same for all countries? 

We could possibly point to the long English domestic season, and tiredness being a factor? But bearing in mind many foreign players are in the English league, they don't seem to be as tired as the English claim to be, do they? (especially when they are winning)

So, for me , it points to something deeper within the culture of English football, and the whole set up of the FA, and the appointment of managers, and expectations from the media, and the pressures that brings to bear.

Having seen the politics inside a club, I guess that actual, real football took up about 40% of Roy's job/mind - the rest would be wrestling with clubs, agents, press, publicists, media, FA etc.

Personally, I would be going for the Brian Clough method- make football fun again, go out for a drinking session or two, relax and play football. I think we could probably find some great footballers outside the Premier league who would give 100% and play for next to no money for the sheer pride of pulling on that shirt?

Good luck Wales!

What a game! Amazing.

It would be doing them a terrible disservice just to talk about heart/courage etc. They were technically superb, great passers of the ball. 1-nil down against (on paper) superior opposition, and they looked calm and collected and always dangerous.

That second goal was up there with some of the best of them. If I were Welsh, I'd be sleeping off a hangover right now.

Well done Wales!

Kickstandman - have you seen the film/read the book 'The Damned United' ?

Yes, I read the book, saw the film. I believe I was into the sport a few years, I'd read Four Four Two and an interview with him; and then, not too soon afterwards, he passed on.

Yes, I keep up with the football scene there.

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Those goals were nice, yes, that 2nd one by Robson Kanu was excellent and as some pundits have said very Johann Cruyff like.

Maybe that last goal was not especially great but it was it looked like a 15 yard header, not too shabby.

At least, Wales decided it in 90 minutes.

2 of these first 3 games went into penalties, they have to decide the match somehow so, what can one say.

I hope Wales can keep going; I think they have a good chance if they can overcome the two players they will be missing in the next match. As I'm sure everyone knows, Wales will not have Aaron Ramsey or Davies.

Wales or Iceland may break the hex. I don't appreciate in international ball how some teams are so dominant, it is the same ol' teams, Germany, Italy and though they've fallen, Brazil was the team for the longest time as well. They are all great countries but I enjoy seeing other countries.  Argentina is doing well now but they had a long dry spell as well.

Like your grandad, Raymondo, my father will be cheering them on from on high.

If you want to join in with the most passionately-sung anthem come Thursday evening, you might want to learn the words!

Not wishing Chris Froome any ill will, but let's also hope that Geriant Thomas is in the shape of his life for the next three weeks.

It will be good to see Mark Cavendish ride in the TdF yellow jersey at last today.

I'm afraid Rob that the only thing that unites football players at that level is the love of money.
It's all Jimmy Hill's fault!
Cheers,
Pete.

One of the commentators remarked at the start of the tournament that Bale had left his ego behind when he got on the plane and then joined his team-mates in France.
I don't know enough about him to comment, but it does seem he is playing with passion, camaraderie and pure joy in that Wales team. I guess he could easily have  become a prima donna in other circumstances (weak manager etc). I seem to recall that a number of England managers deferred to big name players in the recent past. And of course all of those players have very pushy, powerful agents behind them who love to stroke their players ego's continually.

Last night, this big Wales fan said "We'll probably lose because of those suspensions". So, you can't know for sure but it does seem they took their toll. Too bad.

There are people questioning the system in place at the Euro; where a team loses a player say in the semi-final as of today.

I haven't been able to follow the news real closely but what a debacle with Big Sam Allardyce, I really was a fan of the guy. I feel "Gutted" as I think is said more in the UK than here. But, they've got to have a stiff chin; and get on with the team.