Bloody Football!

[robertlouis]

If you think Scotland has problems what do you think of an England captain who can say 'we didn't play in the second half' but can't explain why. Complacency is the answer, can't be bothered a possible alternative. He himself gave the ball away on numerous occasions, Michael Carrick, whose through balls when they work can turn games, was asleep for most of the game, Milner is ineffective, Lescott also gave the ball away several times, as did Joe Hart who like so many goalkeepers kicks the ball upfield with no idea who is going to be on the end of it, and its usually the opposition. Walcott would have made a difference on the right in the first half, but other than Rooney, who is going to score goals on a regular basis for this team? I think it is now 50/50 that England will qualify for Brasil. A game of football lasts at least 90 minutes and until the England team fights for every second the results will be at best average, at worst, embarrassing.

Perspective, dear boy. England is now the only home country with any prospect of getting to the world cup finals (where they will qualify, get to the quarter-finals and screw up on the penalty shoot-out as usual.....)

Scotland haven't qualified for anything since 1998 and are in danger of being amongst the lowest seeded teams for Euro 2016. If Gerrard or indeed almost any of the England squad put a "Mac" in front of their name I'd snap them up in a heartbeat.

England? Problems? You don't know you're born.

[Stavros]

I am alive and know it, och aye. Perhaps it is about attitude. Lawton I think it is in today's Independent, suggests that the World Cup isn't that compelling for the English players, just another non-club game they have to deal with. He claims that the English Premier League has the fewest home-born players in its clubs in Europe -to which one might add, where are the great Scottish players? They used to come south every year almost and are legends: Denis the Law, 'King' Kenny Dalgleish, Alan Hansen, Charlie Nicholas, Steve Archibald...the Rugby team isn't much good either: and wee Alex wants 'independence'...? It seems to be a UK-wide problem. How long before Bale heads off to Spain?

[robertlouis]

I am alive and know it, och aye. Perhaps it is about attitude. Lawton I think it is in today's Independent, suggests that the World Cup isn't that compelling for the English players, just another non-club game they have to deal with. He claims that the English Premier League has the fewest home-born players in its clubs in Europe -to which one might add, where are the great Scottish players? They used to come south every year almost and are legends: Denis the Law, 'King' Kenny Dalgleish, Alan Hansen, Charlie Nicholas, Steve Archibald...the Rugby team isn't much good either: and wee Alex wants 'independence'...? It seems to be a UK-wide problem. How long before Bale heads off to Spain?

I wasn't disagreeing with your analysis of England's team and the way they played the other night. As for Scotland, the store of great players ran out a generation ago and there's no sign of an improvement, now or in the foreseeable future.

As far as independence goes and the vote next September, I do know lots of folks back home who will vote yes regardless of the facts and just as many people who are unsure; what I haven't heard is people saying they'll vote no, although that continues to be strongly represented in the polls.

The current events in Cyprus should cause a significant pause for thought - that could be the fate of all small nations within the EU.

Personally, I suspect that as the full impact of the coalition's welfare changes are seen for what they are - a full-blooded attempt to destroy the welfare state and to hell with the disabled and poor - there will be some shoulder-shrugging north of the border and a fatalistic acceptance that whatever wee Eck Fish may propose, it certainly couldn't be as bad as the Tory prescription. And bear in mind that Scotland has an infinitely more communitarian soul than the neighbours down south. This government is worse in social terms than anything Thatcher's lot came up with. Remember that the Tories have two Scottish seats in Westminster and are only represented in Holyrood because of the proportional representation rules that apply. They have no mandate whatsoever; it's the same democratic deficit that existed under Thatcher.

[Stavros]

Your post suggests young Scots do not play foootball to the required level anymore, which may also be a problem in England, although I believe Liverpool has one of the best academies in the country. As for the fantasy of independence, I would like to know what the point of 'independence' is if Scotland wants to be part of the EU. I read somewhere it even has thought of joining the Euro and trying to be part of the Schengen group which is absurd. The reality is that there are severe questions to be asked on the issues of tax revenue and the assumption Scots make about the petroleum resources of the UK Continental Shelf, most of which are insecure. This 71 page report from the IFS is worth reading (there are three or four chapters, the last one by McCrone is particularly good) for an insight into the tax issues, oil and gas and so on.
http://www.brodies.com/images/pages/...ul_johnson.pdf

[up_for_it]

I'd like to see a Barca vs Bayern final.

I'd love to see a German vs. Spanish final as well, although I'm more of a Dortmund man myself.

[SammiValentine]

I'd love to see a German vs. Spanish final as well, although I'm more of a Dortmund man myself.

Dortmunds fans are boss, home and away!

[robertlouis]

Dortmunds fans are boss, home and away!

When I lived in Germany (Frankfurt) I followed the local side Eintracht. The Dortmund fans were great fun, but Stuttgart was the needle match.

Now when I visit the German end of the family in Munich we watch Bayern. Great atmosphere, great stadium, great team. I'd still like to see them in the final.

[up_for_it]

Dortmunds fans are boss, home and away!

Very true. The first time I lived in Germany I followed BVB since they were only about 40 min away. They weren't doing too well back then, but the fans fantastic. Westfalen Stadion has the most incredible atmosphere. You could really get a sense of that Tuesday night against Malaga.

[Stavros]

Can you remind me how many offside goals they scored against Malaga? I assume there still is a rule called 'Offside', even in Germany....

[up_for_it]

Can you remind me how many offside goals they scored against Malaga? I assume there still is a rule called 'Offside', even in Germany....

I don't know if they do Stavros- I once watched a game in the Regional Liga were Paderborn scored a goal when their striker was at least a good yard off side. To be fair, the linesman did get hit with program booklets and beer cups for the rest of the game..