*Official* English Football Season 2012-13

[marc71178]

So Rio's pre-planned training included a day-trip to Doha on Friday? **** off.

 

[sledger]

What a farce.

 

[wpdavid]

So Rio's pre-planned training included a day-trip to Doha on Friday? **** off.

Yup. And his sanctimonious tweets on the matter are positively nausea-inducing.

 

[The Sean]

Yup. And his sanctimonious tweets on the matter are positively nausea-inducing.

Ha ha, what's he saying?

 

[marc71178]

Lost interest in it all, but apparently he did it in the last break as well so it's all OK. Difference being he didn't turn down his country in the last break based on an excuse which is bollocks.

Besides there's more important things to worry about today - a club with no ground for example.

 

[Ikki]

Honestly I think most teams in La Liga and a good few in the Premiership have a player that can do Ikki describes as 'world class,' whatever he means by this. If you are a decent player who plays in a side that likes to keep possession then your passing stats are going to look pretty good.

In La Liga, sure. In the EPL it is tougher because of the pace of the game combined with the physicality and the lack of protection from the refs. Although I don't think Allen is an unbelievable player or anything of that sort, its clear I rate him higher than you.

So how much do you rate Fletcher for us then, because that's the job he does without being spectacular, and my personal opinion is he did it better than Allen does (not to mention the other facets, such as gettin in some decent tackles and actually scoring the odd key goal)

I rate Fletcher highly to be frank, although stylistically they're a bit different. Allen because of his height has a very low centre of gravity and I think that helps him in tighter situations. Shame for you guys he's had fitness problems.

 

[Ikki]

In Rio's defense, I'm sure periods of rest will be part of a fitness program. England are also playing San Marino; who may not get a shot on goal the whole game anyway.

 

[wpdavid]

Ha ha, what's he saying?

Rio Ferdinand defends Qatar trip in light of England squad withdrawal | Football | guardian.co.uk

 

[wpdavid]

In Rio's defense, I'm sure periods of rest will be part of a fitness program. England are also playing San Marino; who may not get a shot on goal the whole game anyway.

There is another game next week, you know ...

Even if not playing against SM meant he didn't automatically start next week, he'd be a pretty handy option if need arose.

 

[marc71178]

Yes, I think he was only really being thought of for the second game as we're all aware of his condition, but Sir Alex decided that (as against Brazil) he picks the England team.

 

[Ikki]

Actually didn't know they played Montenegro next.

 

[Furball]

Yes, I think he was only really being thought of for the second game as we're all aware of his condition, but Sir Alex decided that (as against Brazil) he picks the England team.

Not enough club managers put their foot down when it comes to international selection.

 

[GIMH]

Nor should they when it comes to competitive fixtures.

 

[Uppercut]

Does no one else think that maybe flying somewhere might probably have a tiny bit less of an effect on your fitness than playing an international football match?

 

[Furball]

Nor should they when it comes to competitive fixtures.

They've got every right to. It's the clubs that pay the players' wages.

The injury rules need changed IMO, if a club decides that a player isn't fit enough for international duty then that's that.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Does no one else think that maybe flying somewhere might probably have a tiny bit less of an effect on your fitness than playing an international football match?

Depends on what the condition that's being managed is, I suppose.

Rio being a blithering twatt isn't exactly news tho, is it?

Never liked the bloke.

 

[Uppercut]

They've got every right to. It's the clubs that pay the players' wages.

The injury rules need changed IMO, if a club decides that a player isn't fit enough for international duty then that's that.

Nah that's ridiculous.

I think the qualifying system needs a rethink. Could maybe have a shorter season and play the qualifiers in pre-season. Would mean Brazilians etc. could just stay in South America for a month rather than flying back and forth all season, and I'd genuinely look forward to the qualifiers rather than thinking "oh **** it's an international weekend" every time they're played.

 

[Furball]

Nah, there should be pre-qualifiers.

It's ****ing ridiculous that time is wasted with fixtures like England v San Marino.

 

[Uppercut]

Yeah definitely not opposed to having pre-qualifiers too.

 

[Pothas]

Yeah, would give sides like Scotland a chance to win a few games as well.