I dont know, maybe national coach made a deal with Bayern to not play him.
World Cup Qualifiers | October 2017 | Play off draw on Tuesday
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I dont know, maybe national coach made a deal with Bayern to not play him.
Think I read he'd asked Bob Bradley to help out for the game?
Isn't that Michael Bradley's Dad?
Rest of the team is pretty poor, but the front four is pretty promising. Rashford / Alli / Sterling in behind Kane could become something good since they're all young and start for top teams, but knowing England we'll still somehow line up with Lallana, Welbeck and Sturridge come the WC. Our full back options are also pretty good in Walker / Rose, but the midfield and defence is pretty poor. I'd be happy with some decent performances and making the knockout stages tbh, don't think we'll get past the first good team we meet given Southgate isn't particularly known for being a good manager. Only thing that gives me some hope is that we have a relatively fluid and technical front four for the first time in a while, usually we're relying on classical wingers like Lennon or Young but those 4 are more inter-change type of players.
Front four are all decent players but still feels that Southgate (like lots of England managers before him) thinks "I need to select these players" and THEN tries to work out how to get them on the pitch - I.e. the Gerrard/Lampard conundrum. (Simple, drop Gerrard)
Not a huge fan of Walker, always looks desperate to scythe someone in half instead of solid tackling.
They've qualified (again), people will get excited (again).... they'll meet a technically proficient team OR a structured/hard working team and will Southgate have the nous to change things and find a way through? Doubt it.
On a side note things looking very positive for the home nations after the current round of results. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all in 2nd spot. Wales and Scotland all have tricky games and are fairly low on points (17), so ideally need a win, though a draw may suffice for Wales. A win might even see them top the group as Georgia won't be easy against Serbia. Scotland really need a win against Slovenia regardless as Slovakia are on 15 points and are likely to beat Malta so a draw wouldn't be enough if positions are based off of GD.
Anything other than a loss for Northern Ireland should see them reach the play-offs. As both NI and Wales are pretty highly ranked in Fifa (top 25 I believe atm), that should see them avoid the big boys (Italy and maybe Portugal) should they both reach the play-offs. Given the current positions I'm hopefully that around 1-2 out of Wales, NI and Scotland can make it into the WC next year, which would be great.
Anything other than a loss for Northern Ireland should see them reach the play-offs. As both NI and Wales are pretty highly ranked in Fifa (top 25 I believe atm), that should see them avoid the big boys (Italy and maybe Portugal) should they both reach the play-offs. Given the current positions I'm hopefully that around 1-2 out of Wales, NI and Scotland can make it into the WC next year, which would be great.
Yeah the best thing you can have when you have a bunch of okay but not great players is a manager with a specific style to setup teams properly, don't think Southgate has that. Don't think people should expect too much of this team though, there's at least 5-6 teams that should beat us fairly easily (Germany, Spain, France, Brazil, Argentina and a couple of other of the lower teams)
Pulisic!
1-0
1-0
Pulisic is so much better than everyone else on the field.
It'll be really interesting to see where Pulisic goes. Hopefully he stays at Dortmund for a while, but given his status and the sheer market size of the US, a savvy prem team should definitely be beating down the door.
19 years old and looks extremely likely to be one of the best US players ever.
19 years old and looks extremely likely to be one of the best US players ever.
We all know where he'll end up, being an United fan and having the potential to flog more tractors, kits and noodles than anyone else in the US market
He is already the best player US has ever produced.
I'd strongly argue Howard achieved more. Not as much as he should have, but still.
But of course Pulisic has 10 years ahead of him to do more...
I'm not sure he's good enough for us, or that he plays in a position we need (at all). Otherwise I'd love to see him here.
He'll be at United, Madrid, or (distant third in chance) Chelsea within 4 years, IMO. Best US player already, and only 19. In today's market, factoring in marketing potential, he's a 75MM player already.
Pulisic set up Altidore, 2-0.
Pulisic is just unfair against this level of competition.
Is it just me, or do Spain look better at the moment than they ever did under Del Bosque, when they had the best passing footballers of the last 3 generations?
Let´s be realistic. Look at all the help Pulisic has in Altidore and Wood. Compare that to poor Messi, who has to deal with Higuain, DiMaria, Dybala, Icardi, Aguero and all them bums.
Think how lethal he'd be with a non-donkey striker in front of him.
Edit: And now Wood boofs one.
Edit: And now Wood boofs one.
Let´s be realistic. Look at all the help Pulisic has in Altidore and Wood. Compare that to poor Messi, who has to deal with Higuain, DiMaria, Dybala, Icardi, Aguero and all them bums.
Not now.
Its not over yet, all though I must say as Icelander i'm delighted with outcome so fair. Its the old classic United attitude that is getting them their "never say die."
US defense is terrible. Running around like a bunch of headless chickens.
Altidore is such a donkey.
Shut up, Holden. Altidore hasn't done squat save a tap in and penalty kick. He's boggled a couple possessions in the box.
Dortmund sold a talent for 100m this summer. Pulisic isn't a lesser talent imo. Donovan, Dempsey and Howard were all quality players but Pulisic should eclipse them with his talent. People talk about Beckham and such players that elevate the MLS and general interest in football in the states but Pulisic could become a super star in football which means people have an actual US player to look up to. Whilst Donovan was good he never really excelled outside the US and Dempsey and you've produced plenty of keepers so there's nothing new that Howard could bring to the table but to have kids that all want to be Pulisic is something else entirely.
I haven't watched too much of him but Pulisic reminds me a bit of Goetze, good dribbler and well-rounded. I wouldn't say he's on Dembele's level, that guy's just naturally very gifted on both feet and if he has a head to match his feet could go onto to be one of the best of the generation. But as always with all kids there's just so many factors that determine whether they make it big or not.
He's more direct and a better athlete than Goetze, IMO.
Risky for France in Bulgaria today.
Huge win for us (Wales). So important. Cannot believe how huge Mon night is gonna be now, not confident really.
Yepp they have impressed a lot recently. Playoff to last world cup. Then got to the last 8 in the euros. Now look like they will go to the world cup. Amazing stuff from them.
Come on Bulgaria, Sweden, Netherlands.
How the feck am I supposed to choose between watching Wales V Ireland or Ukraine V Croatia? They kick off at the same time and these two games are probably going to be the tastiest, most high-stakes qualifiers in Europe this campaign (apart from Portugal V Switzerland).
I wish one of them was the early 5 PM kick-off. Brutal choice to make given the circumstances of both groups.
I wish one of them was the early 5 PM kick-off. Brutal choice to make given the circumstances of both groups.
Cacic sacked! @Ban
If you're a neutral, don't watch Ireland.
I couldn't be more delighted how things are going. I made post yesterday that i was shitting myself at 3-0 with 20-15 min to go, but we made it surprisingly easy. After the Finland game in Helsinki I thought we had lost the plot, but I guess Iceland does like Manchester United little bit to much. I mean its always doing the things the hard way. Then we go and beat Croatia at home 2-0 and Turkey in Turkey 0-3. We will probably mange to make the Kosovo game harder than it looks.
Yes, a new manager is Zlatko Dalic. Don't worry, many people in Croatia also don't know anything about him.
This is just insane.
It was
.Monday is massive and annoying TV has to show the England game (who've qualified). Two teams from the British Isles in a one-off WC tie would be a massive viewing match, thankfully good old S4C have it.
Personally, I'm quietly confident (shoot me after) .... I always worry when we play teams who are fast/technically good (even Georgia) as our defenders can get moved around too much. BUT I'm OK when we play teams like Ireland which will be a more typically British-style match and should suit Chester, Davies, Williams better.
Be interesting to see how attack minded Wales play..... do they gamble and go for a win (hoping Serbia muck up again) or the draw?
Keeping a close eye on the Bosnia v Belgium match today. If Belgium win, Wales only need a draw to guarantee a runner's up playoff place
Why are they showing England, we play on the Sunday?It was
Monday is massive and annoying TV has to show the England game (who've qualified). Two teams from the British Isles in a one-off WC tie would be a massive viewing match, thankfully good old S4C have it.
Personally, I'm quietly confident (shoot me after) .... I always worry when we play teams who are fast/technically good (even Georgia) as our defenders can get moved around too much. BUT I'm OK when we play teams like Ireland which will be a more typically British-style match and should suit Chester, Davies, Williams better.
Be interesting to see how attack minded Wales play..... do they gamble and go for a win (hoping Serbia muck up again) or the draw?
Keeping a close eye on the Bosnia v Belgium match today. If Belgium win, Wales only need a draw to guarantee a runner's up playoff place
I'm guessing that S4C have the rights here?
So it shown a day late? That's a bit pointless as how many Irishmen care how England get on? Just go to the pub.