The Football Thread

[victor meldrew]

Originally Posted by IngramJohn

I, myself, did not have much choice as to what team I would be supporting. My dad was a 'red-hot' Forest fan and when I was born the first clothing on my head was a Forest Hat knitted by my Grandma.

Same for me, if I had been left to my choice in my youth, I would now be a Leyton Orient supporter, my dad had other ideas and first took me to WHU when I was two years old, my mum and granddad later told me and mum thought dad was mad to have taken me, since then its been a roller coaster ride.

I no longer go due to the cost and one dimensional football, HOOF.

[ginny76]

Another whip round coming up for Chelsea supporters as John Terry will only get a new contract at half his current salary. How is he supposed to manage on only £75,000 a week? Do you know how many lap dancers depend on his money? What is the world coming to?

[victor meldrew]

Originally Posted by trugoythewhitedove

As I say, this has got nothing to do with Scotland's place in the football world - it's just the grinding pointlessness of it all, to me.

Just to fill in the blanks

The remaining 20 qualification places for Euro 2020 will be decided via the usual qualifying groups in matches played from 2019, possibly going on as late as March 2020.
Four of Europe's 13 qualifying places for the 2022 World Cup may also be decided via the top two divisions of the Nations League.
TV income is likely to organised in a similar way to the Champions League, with each country being awarded half the value of its Nations League TV rights deal, and the rest shared out across the 54 nations via participation money and match bonuses.

I am at a loss as to why FIFA had to change, although the friendly matches were never that intense, it gave new and fringe players a chance. Now with what's a stake, it would be fair to surmise that most teams will be wanting to put out the strongest side and thus upsetting club managers even more, when the star player comes limping back.

I suspect, although not in my lifetime, players will be retiring from international football prior to the 30th birthday rather than after.

[ginny76]

Originally Posted by victor meldrew

I suspect, although not in my lifetime, players will be retiring from international football prior to the 30th birthday rather than after.

Or not even bothering with it at all.

[hattertim]

Originally Posted by richardoe

Luton back in the league, well done. Now will the club ever sort its ground out? Over 50 years ago they were talking about moving!

Originally Posted by george anson

Even though as a Watford fan you may think this is a subtle dig at Luton Town, Kenilworth Road is a tip and Luton really need a new stadium. They have been stymied at several attempts including the ill fated Kohler Dome but if they are to grow as a club they will need to look at this.

Congratulations on getting up Tim. The club was relegated by the FL rather than events on the pitch and they always have had an excellent academy.

We do have our up's and downs such as some hooligans invading the Lower Rous a few seasons ago but both clubs do have a few morons unfortunately as with any club.

Brentford are looking forward to their new stadium at Lionel Messi Road.....
http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/...l-road-6832603


One of the stands is reminiscent of several Spanish stadia in it's design. Tottenham have confirmed they will be looking to leave White Hart Lane a move long overdue given the small capacity of their current home. QPR are also looking to relocate and more and more of the stadiums of the one hundred and ten or so clubs that have been in the Football League are overhauling their homes, many of which are over a hundred years old.

It's a shame in a way given the history of these grounds and the memories people have of them and what they have seen there but need's must. Both Merseyside clubs will have also to upgrade shortly as well although Goodison still retains that feel of a vintage stadium in it's design.

The new East Stand at our club meant that the last original piece of Vicarage Road has gone although it was becoming an eyesore. They found an old kicking wall while excavating the foundations of the stand, vintage coins and even old wood seats.

New ground for Luton? I've been hearing that one for years! Was discussing this with someone at work the other day and came to the conclusion that we need to follow the example of so many teams who have moved onwards and upwards only by moving to a new, larger, more modern stadium. Take my local team Reading...I remember them only being a lower two divisions team (i.e. 3rd & 4th divisions, that's League 1 & League 2 to all you youngsters out there!) for years. In later years they got themselves up into the Championship, but if they had stayed at Elm Park, I doubt they would have progressed much further both in league terms or indeed financially without a new ground. I would say though that all of their fans seem to have conveniently forgotten what level & what kind of ground they used to play in as they now seem to expect that they have a divine right to Premiership football! Can't see Luton ever getting those sort of delusions of grandeur if a new stadium for us ever gets built!

But anyway, now that Luton are back in the Football League, we can look forward to being in the 1st round of the FA Cup without having to play in the 4th Qualifying round and being able to compete in the League Cup (Capital One cup) and the JPT for the first time in 5 years (we won the JPT in our last season in the league, but haven't been able to take part in it since!). Perhaps more importantly, I'll be able to start buying FIFA on the consoles once again! Haven't bought it since FIFA 09 as I thought what's the point if I can't play as Luton! Unless they've added the Conference teams since them of course!

And george, you're right...Kenilworth Road is a tip! Can't fault the style of footy we've always tried to play there though despite that!

[pierrelm]

Originally Posted by victor meldrew

J
I am at a loss as to why FIFA had to change...

Televison revenue + FIFA self importance = pointless league

[richardoe]

Ahem can I say something about Reading FC please? Yes you got a new ground, but how did you get that ground and why did you rise up the league? Yes its because you got an owner who ploughed his money in to the club, thats why. Im not bitter I just wish our owner (who is worth the best part of a bilion pounds) would start to splash his cash.

[victor meldrew]

Originally Posted by richardoe

Ahem can I say something about Reading FC please? Yes you got a new ground, but how did you get that ground and why did you rise up the league? Yes its because you got an owner who ploughed his money in to the club, thats why. Im not bitter I just wish our owner (who is worth the best part of a bilion pounds) would start to splash his cash.

I would avoid that as if it goes pear shape you will end up in a rare mess.

WHU is a prime example, our previous owners went bankrupt and left the club in a world of manure.

We now have the current owners whose only goal to clear the debts is to sell a stadium we own and rent a monstrosity of the government.

The rent might be cheap at the moment, but it will not be for long, eventually it will have a serious bearing on the clubs finances.

Just be careful what you wish for.

[victor meldrew]

Goal less at the half and honours just about even. Carroll heads one off the line early on and has a chance himself which Speroni saves and then should have had a penalty when he was pushed to the ground, but nothing from the ref. Bolasi making the most of any contact and a minutes applause on 38 minutes, hats off to Palace fans.

I never thought I would say this but after watching this crap, unless Fat Boy goes, I done with us.

Update

BFS is getting slaughtered on the various WHU sites, even those who have been supporting him have crawled back into the woodwork.

[snowy25]

Mourinho loses for the first time at home in the PL as Chelsea manager. They lose 2-1 to Sunderland which now makes things very interesting at the top and bottom of the table.