**Official** English Football Season 2024/25

[Pothas]

An actual rest period for players.

We all know they would just play more club football though.

 

[sledger]

We all know they would just play more club football though.

Yeah probably involving loads of overseas travel to far away places as well.

 

[Chin Music]

To me those irrelevant games seem to be a largely European problem though, rather than a global one. It's why I asked the initial question in the first place of what people would prefer to see over the Nations League, because these breaks and windows look to be set in stone so that every other confederation can get through the games that they do consider relevant and important.

And if they continue to expand the big tournaments, they'll become watered down as well. I fear at some point that there will be a similar proposal to the European Super League for the Euros or the World Cup to guarantee the places of certain nations at the finals, making all the other games before that point seem relatively inconsequential. From that point I think you'd see the global impact of the game lessened, because there's no context to just how good those nations are for anyone outside of that bubble.

I wouldn't say that's all true. I looked at some of the Asian Qualifiers for the world cup and there is quite a big imbalance in some groups. Japan are nigh on already qualified in their group. The South American large group for Qualifiers is the same. Most of the teams go through automatically and it is very easy for the traditional giants to go through even with a bad campaign, as Brazil are currently doing.

 

[Skipper Pup]

To me those irrelevant games seem to be a largely European problem though, rather than a global one. It's why I asked the initial question in the first place of what people would prefer to see over the Nations League, because these breaks and windows look to be set in stone so that every other confederation can get through the games that they do consider relevant and important.

And if they continue to expand the big tournaments, they'll become watered down as well. I fear at some point that there will be a similar proposal to the European Super League for the Euros or the World Cup to guarantee the places of certain nations at the finals, making all the other games before that point seem relatively inconsequential. From that point I think you'd see the global impact of the game lessened, because there's no context to just how good those nations are for anyone outside of that bubble.

I don't have any issue with there being international games during this window. If a player wants to go so be it too. Can't begrudge anyone representing their nation.

The problem is the national federations that hold players to ransom over participation in future big tournaments if they appear to be 'skipping' friendlies. Clubs need to do more of what they've done this time and convince players not to go play those games, but its not easy.

Those countries can still play and plenty will want to wear the shirt.

 

[andruid]

To me those irrelevant games seem to be a largely European problem though, rather than a global one. It's why I asked the initial question in the first place of what people would prefer to see over the Nations League, because these breaks and windows look to be set in stone so that every other confederation can get through the games that they do consider relevant and important.

And if they continue to expand the big tournaments, they'll become watered down as well. I fear at some point that there will be a similar proposal to the European Super League for the Euros or the World Cup to guarantee the places of certain nations at the finals, making all the other games before that point seem relatively inconsequential. From that point I think you'd see the global impact of the game lessened, because there's no context to just how good those nations are for anyone outside of that bubble.

I would say Nigeria v. Cameroon on a Tuesday night in Molineux, or Lazur Stadium in Bulgaria, or some random other location in Continental Europe shows the problem is bigger than UEFA

 

[Furball]

We all know they would just play more club football though.

Yeah but the question was what I wanted to see, not what I think would realistically happen.

 

[sledger]

Lads, it's James Maddison

 

[Uppercut]

Lads, it's James Maddison

I’ve actually become a big fan this year, he’s played great. No idea why they dropped him.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

That's quite the win for Tottenham. But no doubt will lose their next game to a bottom 3 team as is their wont.

 

[Howe_zat]

Oof

 

[Skipper Pup]

Kulu is the guy.

Not his biggest fan when he's playing from the right but when he gets into central areas he is bloody dangerous. Maddison will get the plaudits but don't sleep on Kulu this season. Been Spurs best imo.

 

[grecian]

So much optimism about Almiron, but nothing that'll convince me this Manu squad is anything bit mid-table. They need about 5 windows to sort it out I reckon. good windows as well, which hasn't been their forte since Fergie.

 

[Niall]

So much optimism about Almiron, but nothing that'll convince me this Manu squad is anything bit mid-table. They need about 5 windows to sort it out I reckon. good windows as well, which hasn't been their forte since Fergie.

Ipswich walked through them this weekend , they have a handy Everton next and more worryingly City and Arsenal afterwards, if they are so open against those 2 they could be slaughtered.

 

[Tangles]

So much optimism about Almiron, but nothing that'll convince me this Manu squad is anything bit mid-table. They need about 5 windows to sort it out I reckon. good windows as well, which hasn't been their forte since Fergie.

It’s a mid table squad. A squad assembled under multiple managers with different styles for stupid wages that cause selling issues. A squad assembled as much for shirt sales as anything else. A squad managers didn’t have control of.

The path forward involves good windows and sales. It involves finding players who gaf and can follow instructions. Not enough of those right now.

 

[Skipper Pup]

I still have no idea how this was given as a penalty.

 

[wpdavid]

Did anyone else here see Cunha's two goals for Wolves on Saturday? Both absolutely gorgeous strikes. As one of the commentators said, the first one was reminiscent of Bergkamp's famous goal against Argentina in the 1998 WC.

 

[andruid]

Ipswich walked through them this weekend , they have a handy Everton next and more worryingly City and Arsenal afterwards, if they are so open against those 2 they could be slaughtered.

Sounds like a job for Big Sam

 

[Uppercut]

Did anyone else here see Cunha's two goals for Wolves on Saturday? Both absolutely gorgeous strikes. As one of the commentators said, the first one was reminiscent of Bergkamp's famous goal against Argentina in the 1998 WC.

Surely he's getting a big move in the summer. Really stands out in a bad team, and he's the type of player that would be even better with more quality around him.

 

[Furball]

Cunha's one of those players I dislike purely because he was shite for me in an FM save.

 

[Skipper Pup]

Surely he's getting a big move in the summer. Really stands out in a bad team, and he's the type of player that would be even better with more quality around him.

What makes you say that?