[Closed] A 2015/16 Football Thread

in 2010 our forward line consisted of Defoe, Crouch, Wright Phillips and the 47 year old EMILE BLOODY HESKEY.

so cheer up you miserable gits, we're obviously not gonna win but at least we might have some fun not doing it

I don't understand the point of taking Sturridge and Rashford, could have just taken one and then Drinkwater.

I haven't watched Liverpool much this season (just the europa final) but Milner was even more of a plodder than I remember him. How he is picked ahead of Drinkwater I just can't understand.

Benzeema has been throwing his toys out of the pram, not selected due to "racism" apparently ! Nothing to do with openly refusing to sing the national anthem, repeatedly telling the press he doesn't feel French and only plays for the prestige, profile and money .. oh yes and being involved in a blackmail scam against a team mate.

Benzeema has been throwing his toys out of the pram, not selected due to "racism" apparently ! Nothing to do with openly refusing to sing the national anthem, repeatedly telling the press he doesn't feel French and only plays for the prestige, profile and money .. oh yes and being involved in a blackmail scam against a team mate.

And generally being a bit rapey.

Quick question...

Would Rashford be in the squad if he had the exact same record and played for Sunderland?

Not a chance Scandal.

Although to be fair, he looked to fit in very well, from what I have seen he deserves his place in the squad.

Contrary to Drinkwater, who had a fair season playing hos part for Leicester, but looked lost when given a go for England.

Although to be fair, he looked to fit in very well, from what I have seen he deserves his place in the squad.

Contrary to Drinkwater, who had a fair season playing hos part for Leicester, but looked lost when given a go for England.

Is this for real?

A player who has a handful of professional games 'deserves' to play for England?

And Drinkwater looked lost for England when he get MOTM on his debut and has played once since?

Also you must have a very different definition of what the word 'fair' means in this instance, he had an incredible season where he had an outright massive impact on his club winning the English premier League 😕

I know Rashford scored a few decent goals, but he also gave away the ball a lot and went missing in games. Raw talent yes, but enough all round footballing ability, no.

I assume they are taking him because Roy is going to play 2 up top, which quite frankly is all a bit 90's and shows he learnt nothing from the World cup.

The defence is poor. Woy is going all out Kevin Keegan, contrary to his usual defensive style, it could be entertaining!

@scandal I think your point about Sunderland and Rashford is relevant, however he has performed the way he has for United , one of the biggest clubs in the world with all the pressure that come with it. He got into to a team that was pushing for CL and won the fa cup. That isn't a fluke. Nor is it Sunderland ... 🙂

I loathe United but he is class . It is a risk of course , but I like it!

Tbh got a sneaky feeling it might be England's year this year, for no other reason than youse seem uncharacteristically subdued about your chances.

He'll learn! 😕

Anyway, just because Jack Wheelchair gets injured a lot, you don't drop him in case it happens again. Plus, he's fresh which must have its benefits against players who have played all season. Obviously Drinkwater has had a great season, but the lack of experience must count against him.

I think we could field a variety of teams and set ups, but its down to the players to put it together on the day, which rarely seems to happen. Lets hope that changes this time.

Drinkwater has had a great season, but the lack of experience must count against him.

This comment i find bizarre he's just been in a team that won the Premier League, he has also won the Championship and has previously played in 4 division play off games which are high pressure. What has Jack Wilshere done that's better? He has 2 FA Cups and that's about it, and they both played for England at U18/U19 level.

Jack played in I think 6 of the qualifying internationals . They won them all ...

What has Jack Wilshere done that's better?

and...been playing CL for more years than I care to look up....starting at 16 yrs old!

 

1) Qualifying isn't tournament football

2) JW has only played 5 champions league matches in the last 2 seasons

@scandal it's about a bit more than his record, getting a contract at ManU and breaking into the first team is a bit more of a tall order than doing the same at Sunderland.

Wilshire wouldn't last 3 matches in a row at the Euros he's not in good enough shape, small wager from me he doesn't play at all.

he's fresh which must have its benefits against players who have played all season

What do you want to wager jamby as I am in ?

he's just been in a team that won the Premier League, he has also won the Championship and has previously played in 4 division play off games which are high pressure

Played in championship play offs...I bet spain/germany/france were shitting it that England picked him 😀

1) Qualifying isn't tournament football
2) JW has only played 5 champions league matches in the last 2 seasons

3) and your point is...?

@scandal it's about a bit more than his record, getting a contract at ManU and breaking into the first team is a bit more of a tall order than doing the same at Sunderland.

Get what you are saying but it's easy and not true.

Tell me a better striker at Utd than Defoe is at Sunderland?

There is nobody to get in front of at Man Utd, they don't have any competition hence him playing in the 1st place.

Easy, Rashford is a better striker than Defoe

If you are building for the future, (which you need to consider) you put youngsters in at an early age to learn and gain experience. Sure Defoe could do a job, but its win/win with Rashford if he plays well. Defoe had his chance many years ago and never nailed it.

[i]Wilshire wouldn't last 3 matches in a row at the Euros he's not in good enough shape, small wager from me he doesn't play at all.[/i]

Jamby...you do lead with your chin sometimes! 🙂

My point is JW really doesn't have much more experience than Drinkwater. As Shearer says he's been picked on reputation not form.

The debate on Rashford misses the point I think, as re-looking at the squad he is likely to be there as back up for Stirling, as the left side of the midfield is very light on quality.

Aye, Rashford is a side issue when you consider that Sterling is going! 😆

My point is JW really doesn't have much more experience than Drinkwater.

Simply not true . Anyway experience is not the only reason Jack is going .

Why is he going? What does he offer and most importantly what formation do England have to play for him to fit in it?

Jamby...you do lead with your chin sometimes!

Junky you've told me repeatedly you don't bet so I am rather confused. How about a week of being nice to the other on STW to the winner ?

Scandal I am big Defore fan (Spurs and all that) and it was a crime they took Walcott to the World Cup instead of him, in fact I think the Drinkwater vs Ashford / Wilshire comparison is similar - Wilshire will not play and/or will get broken as he's not fit/battle hardened, Rashford will come on when we are struggling in a game as a desperate sub / hope for a miracle.

Wilshere will not play and/or will get broken as he's not fit/battle hardened.

Not true, he's been brought back very slowly and has been building up for months now. His injuries have been caused mostly by impacts, not muscle injuries like some other 'sicknotes' we could mention. He does tend to commit defenders to tackle him in order to go past them, which has caused many problems for him. I think people have forgotten how effective he can be at winning the ball and getting on the front foot. His passing ability is also excellent, so despite the bad publicity and the injuries, he's worth his place....easily!

While I am not a fan of the inclusion, given who was left out, I would have Wilshere ahead of Hendo/Sterling. When he is on his game, he does give something noone else seems to. Just a shame he's made out of glass.

i dont think rashford has 'taken' anyones place, he's a bit unknown he's a a bit of a gamble, good, sometimes you need that

sturridge, unfit, shoulda picked a different striker, could have gone one dimensional with defoe or carrol, six of one half a dozen of each of the others

think wilshire is getting a particularly hard time here, clearly has fitness and sharpness to prove, but i dont feel it was a direct choice between him or drinkwater (a few of the other midfielders woulda been dropped before either IMO)

still all the focus is up that end, is everyone resigned to the defence that we have?

I'm not saying Defoe should go but someone said Ashford deserved to go because he played for Utd and not Sunderland and that it is harder there.

I'm saying it's easier to get in Utd's forward line than that of Sunderland due to the fact they have absolutely **** all.

is everyone resigned to the defence that we have?

I'm quite looking forward to John Stones, clearly believing his own hype, trying to dribble out of the box and lose the ball a million times.

Danny Rose to do the same, but try and win the ball back by hacking the achilles off the offending player, thus getting a yellow card within 10 mins.

Etc etc.

Anyway, this is why I love football 8)

Woy is still a Cockwomble

is everyone resigned to the defence that we have?

I can't think of anyone who should displace the choices made, which is pretty bleak.

I am just glad Jones isn't included, which I half expected.

Junky you've told me repeatedly you don't bet so I am rather confused. How about a week of being nice to the other on STW to the winner ?

Can I have an all bets are off if he gets injured 😉

Sky Sports is reporting that Aaron Ramsey has dyed his hair.

Michael Owens comments on John Stones are hilarious:

"This kid could play for Barcelona.

"He's probably the only player in the England squad who could walk into Barcelona's team at the moment.

[url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36431984 ]BBC Sport[/url]

I used to respect David Ornstein....

[img] [/img]

...there's many things to describe Mr Owen. Fascinating isn't one of them. Neither is insightful, interesting, engaging etc etc

He knows how to make money, tho. So fair play to him there.

Haha I was going to say "has anyone seen the Michael Owen Dubai video" and there it is! It is gold ! A must watch!

Brilliant! 'This chopper has special powers!' 😆

Dear god! Thats weirdly compelling. Literally like seeing an item of furniture speak!

Its actually even worse than his commentaries on BT Sport. And thats saying something! The second I hear his droning monotone I want to kick the telly in!!!

This kid could play for Barcelona

Jesus.

I wouldn't expect Owen to have the usual English Myopic views of foreign defenders, having been one of the few to actually try it abroad, but it seems I'm wrong.

Literally like seeing an item of furniture speak!

Jeeeez...you'd think someone would tell him how bad he sounds. I still recall the first match he commented on LFC v Arsenal, when LFC were tearing Arsenal to pieces and he was all excited but still talking the same way. It was a double horror show, but I couldn't switch it off. (due to the fact I am a proper armchair supporter)

Stones has a lot to learn but he will be a world class ball playing defender despite what internet folk think

Barca don't do a lot of defending so he will do ok for them

He still makes mistakes but he is class and what he can so you cannot teach