AJ Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Brad Smith...The Australian Micah Richards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 Spain have wiped the floor with Italy. Ventura was an odd pick for them as manager. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HanoiVillan Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 29 minutes ago, VillaChris said: Spain have wiped the floor with Italy. Ventura was an odd pick for them as manager. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodders0223 Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 That man Isco again. Why we never signed him I will never know. I know. I know. We went for Kieran Richardson instead, and he was brilliant. Truly brilliant. It was a tough call and we went for Kieran, the correct decision at the time...but everytime I see Isco I cannot help but wonder what might have been. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Pangloss Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 Future's looking brighter for Spain, Isco and Asensio are/will be two world class players to take them forward. I'm amazed De Gea only has just over 20 caps, really was ridiculous how they persisted with Casillas for so long, he had been dreadful for Spain for several years. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 France after all hype of smashing the Dutch are struggling to break down Luxembourg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 get in Luxembourg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 What a mad result. Luxembourg have improved a lot this campaign...only lost one game by more than two goals and picked up 5 points now so a lot of the european minnows like them and Faroes are being competitive in tough groups now. Still a chance Sweden could win the group and put France in play offs. France, Croatia, Portugal, Italy could all be in the play offs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 Sweden **** up in Bulgaria, a draw would have put the faith in there own hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 3 minutes ago, Zatman said: Sweden **** up in Bulgaria, a draw would have put the faith in there own hands Win Luxembourg (not quite as forgone as expected) and France would need to win in Bulgaria to be top with one game left. Bulgaria won all their home games so far so that's a tough match for France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulC Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 (edited) 43 minutes ago, Zatman said: Sweden **** up in Bulgaria, a draw would have put the faith in there own hands Bulgaria is a tough away game. France have still got to go there and it could go down to the final game where Sweden may need to win in Holland to win the group edit sorry I missed your post Chris so have repeated some things Edited September 3, 2017 by PaulC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villakram Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 Maybe this will help put things into perspective for the bonkers English press! O'Neill-ball has placed us poor paddies in a bit of a spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 On 3/26/2017 at 18:40, Czechlad said: We've started pretty bad, but there is no way Azerbaijan finish above us. Germany is destroying them, and Czech is winning 6-0 against San Marino who Azerbajian barely beat. Azerbaijan now above Czechs with two games left. Indeed next game is Azer-Czech and they're tough to beat on their own patch these days. How solid are Norn Iron these days btw. You play this game about 5 years ago and they'd do well to get a point, now they're beating the likes of Czech Republic comfortably. Michael O'Neill has done a brilliant job, will surely get a good club offer next season. They're a team who'd give an Italy or Portugal a lot of difficulty in the play offs imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villa4europe Posted September 5, 2017 Author Share Posted September 5, 2017 best defence in the qualifiers, i'll be honest and say i've only ever watched them last summer at the euros, cant remember them being overly defensive pulisballesque, solid and well organised but not boring Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derryvillan Posted September 5, 2017 Share Posted September 5, 2017 The All Whites have over 2 legs put out the mighty Solomon Islands and now face the 5th place team from South America.Which is currently Argentina..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted September 5, 2017 Moderator Share Posted September 5, 2017 30 minutes ago, Derryvillan said: The All Whites have over 2 legs put out the mighty Solomon Islands and now face the 5th place team from South America.Which is currently Argentina..... The single-most inevitable thing to happen at any point of the world cup from start to finish, is that New Zealand will be one of the teams in the CONMEBOL-OFC playoff But well done to them nonetheless. I hope against hope that they win that playoff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted September 5, 2017 Share Posted September 5, 2017 1 hour ago, villa4europe said: best defence in the qualifiers, i'll be honest and say i've only ever watched them last summer at the euros, cant remember them being overly defensive pulisballesque, solid and well organised but not boring 3 of usual back 4 are baggies players 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Czechlad Posted September 5, 2017 Share Posted September 5, 2017 Northern Ireland are so frustrating. The match yesterday was so terrible to watch even just as a bystander. Northern Ireland put 9 men behind the ball the whole match and then just scored off a couple set pieces. It was honestly like playing a Pulis side. We just couldn't do anything. The majority of the match seemed to be in N. Ireland's half, but we couldn't break them down. We resorted to long balls, and crosses which didn't work. They barely even had any chances. I think the match finished with them have 2 shots and both went in. Honestly that match was dreadful. I am very disappointed we didn't make the world cup, but I think a lot of people will hate watching N.Ireland play. It was just so boring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted September 5, 2017 Share Posted September 5, 2017 They were pretty defensive in the euros but you honestly have to look at their team and conclude it's the right way to approach things given the sum of their parts. Their strongest area of the pitch and subs is defence (Brunt, Johnny Evans, McAuely, Cathcart etc) and upfront they have Magennis who used to be a keeper and plays in league one. I can remember a time when they went 6-7 internationals without even scoring a goal so the fans will just be enjoying the ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Czechlad Posted September 5, 2017 Share Posted September 5, 2017 I can't fault them for doing what is best considering the players they have, but I have to say that football just can't be entertaining. I guess I would take results over pretty football, but I felt like I was watching Barca play Celtic from a few years ago in the champs league. Just all defense, and hope to get something off a set play. It worked though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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