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Post by Col ISIHAC. on Nov 17, 2007 20:56:17 GMT
 'twas ever thus (and I cannot claim to be that passionate about international football, but) Scotland find themselves in a qualifying group alongside the two finalists and one further q/f side from the world cup - and fail to qualify by the narrowest of margins. Managed by a passionate person - with proud and passionate players & fans - the close-shave is deemed to be an achievement in its own right. Because the past has insisted upon dealing the Scots a lousy hand in these situations, just getting to the final game with their fate still in their own hands is met with applause - even if the opposition are the world champions and, to all but the most ardent, subjective individual - the prospects are bleak. Gracious in defeat, a party will follow. England find themselves in a qualifying group, surrounded by mid-table opposition and, armed with nothing other than a perceived divine right to participate in every major tournament, wait for someone else to feck up and hand them a place at said tournament. Managed by an unimaginative individual, who could not really hack it at club level, with overpaid, overrated players and supporters who cling to the belief that; as England gifted football to the world, the country, at all times, has a superior team. Getting to the final game without having already qualified is a cardinal sin, but never mind because something will happen to make it possible to qualify. If not, the supporters will bay, the press will opine and some other poor sod will be charged with bringing success!  Ungracious in defeat; a riot is more likely than anything else. In perspective, the news that Sutton had clawed back a 3-goal deficit at HayesYeading this afternoon gave me more pleasure than the defeat of Russia in Israel.
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Post by DazaB_WCFC on Nov 17, 2007 21:07:40 GMT
uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1e2aRfqp1sYI have a ticket for Wednesday's game. I can't claim to be anywhere near as excited as if City were playing though and would have gladly traded it for being able to go to Gainsborough today! I'd play the Under 21's - Played 5, won 5 conceded 0!!!
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pies
Stale bacon bap
Super Sexy Sutton
Posts: 230
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Post by pies on Nov 18, 2007 22:18:04 GMT
England find themselves in a qualifying group, surrounded by mid-table opposition and, armed with nothing other than a perceived divine right to participate in every major tournament, wait for someone else to feck up and hand them a place at said tournament. Managed by an unimaginative individual, who could not really hack it at club level, with overpaid, overrated players and supporters who cling to the belief that; as England gifted football to the world, the country, at all times, has a superior team. Getting to the final game without having already qualified is a cardinal sin, but never mind because something will happen to make it possible to qualify. If not, the supporters will bay, the press will opine and some other poor sod will be charged with bringing success! Ungracious in defeat; a riot is more likely than anything else. That last sentance sums up why i couldn't give a toss about England (infact i want them to fail, just because it would pee of the moron minority in the stands, in the pubs and in print). At least with Wales there is little expectation, the managment are honest (see John Toshack's rant about over-pampared players after defeat away to Cyprus), and you can have something resembling fun in and around the game. Still it would be nice to qualify for a tournament every once in a while! Oh, and good luck to Northern Ireland! |
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Post by medibot on Nov 18, 2007 23:44:01 GMT
It is, until now, a well kept secret that i supported England in Euro '96 (I was nine) and enjoyed it very much. Ignorance as they say, is bliss. It was exciting, the penalty shoot outs were mad and everybody seemed to be going around just enjoying the football and the tournament. By France '98 it was no fun at all and my allegiance to Wales grew out of the usual teenage defiance and a genuine pride in the country that i've never felt with England
At no game since that tournament have i ever wanted them to win, simply because of the sickening arrogance and expectation, added to the fact this coincided with me going back to GGL to watch Sutton and stopping following Man United (amusingly this coincided with their best ever season).
I have no problem whatsoever with people who care about England as much as i care about Wales and Sutton but a reality check now and again would be useful.
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Post by ambersalamander on Nov 20, 2007 1:31:59 GMT
It's not your problem though is it?  |
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Post by medibot on Nov 20, 2007 3:54:07 GMT
When you sell hundreds of newspapers every week it's quite hard to miss the mindless faith in under performing fools.
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Post by malxscfc on Nov 20, 2007 8:55:17 GMT
Posted at 4-54am I see, medibot. Wow! Students are assiduous today. Back in my day, we wouldn't have been up swotting for the day's lectures until at least 7am!  |
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davetscfc
Steaming Bovril
......and it's Salisbury City......
Posts: 457
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Post by davetscfc on Nov 20, 2007 10:01:01 GMT
Rather cheer on Matty Tubbs' efforts for the England C team - 2 in 2 now for our international striker.  Struggle to get too interested in the England teams progress when there's club football on. (have a job to pay attention to the screen when an England comes on the tv straight after one of our games have finished). But they do become my club team substitute during a summer tournament so I'll be wanting them to qualify to give some focus to the summer break from the Whites. |
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Post by ambersalamander on Nov 20, 2007 19:33:54 GMT
Posted at 4-54am I see, medibot. Wow! Students are assiduous today. Back in my day, we wouldn't have been up swotting for the day's lectures until at least 7am! I got none of my uni work done last night because of what was almost a never-ending phone call! |
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Ungracious in defeat; a riot is more likely than anything else.
