The Road to Russia 2018

[FrankMunro-371]

But that play off won't include any European sides, big surprise.
The system pretty much guarantees the likes of Mexico, USA, Japan and South Korea will always qualify barring a miracle.
The South American system means it'll be an absolute pointless exercise for the likes of Brazil and Argentina.
I know we need a fair share of sides world wide but just doesn't sit right that sides in certain parts of the world get a much easier ride than others of equal quality just because of their geography.

When there were 32 teams in the finals you could more or less guarantee the best teams in the world would qualify, but the greed league mentality has taken over, so all the football authorities are interested in is the revenue they will make. I find it sad that the World Cup has been reduced to such an extent. How long before there are 64 teams in the finals?

 

[Kenny]

How long before there are 64 teams in the finals?

Sod that. Bin qualifying altogether and put every team in. Tournament might go on a bit but think of the TV revenue and who doesn't want to watch Nepal take on England

 

[FrankMunro-371]

Sod that. Bin qualifying altogether and put every team in. Tournament might go on a bit but think of the TV revenue and who doesn't want to watch Nepal take on England

That's how it is heading...

 

[jd1981]

Well this system will make Mr Infanntino very popular amongst the nations in the CONCACAF, Africa and Asia.
Also you have to go through the qualifying to get to the finals where you may only two matches.

 

[Freddeno]

im with T-Dog here..the system in place is very unfair and the teams mentioned will almost certainly make the WC without having a good team

 

[Tony Towner]

Well this system will make Mr Infanntino very popular amongst the nations in the CONCACAF, Africa and Asia.
Also you have to go through the qualifying to get to the finals where you may only two matches.

Otherwise known as the Sepp strategy

 

[Jinky]

Rooney left out of the latest England squad. Kieran Trippier called up.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Not that it makes any difference but I don't see why we feel the need to call up 10 defenders including three specialist right backs.

Rooney won't play for England again, bar maybe a Podolski-style farewell in a nothing friendly.

 

[The Bear]

Phil Jones and Jake Livermore?

Mmmkay....

 

[Jinky]

Genuine question, why have we called up 4 goalkeepers?!

 

[The Bear]

I was thinking that too.

 

[jlo]

Uncapped Lee Evans called up for Wales though, good news for him! (And Dave Edwards)

 

[Johnny75]

That's as rank an England squad since Taylor's 1992 mess. Not a single RB, Carlton Palmer and Neil Webb. This lot is only marginally better.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

That's as rank an England squad since Taylor's 1992 mess. Not a single RB, Carlton Palmer and Neil Webb. This lot is only marginally better.

I dunno, you can put together a good team out of it.

--------------------Butland------------------

Walker----------Stones------Cahill--------Bertrand

---------------------Dier-------------------------

-------------Alli------------Lallana---------------

-------Sterling------Kane------Rashford---------------

I wouldn't pick Cahill, but Southgate will so it's futile leaving him out.

A lot of the backup options are ropey in the extreme and have no business being there (especially Livermore), but if they're not going to play....meh. It's less than a decade since Andy Johnson, Kevin Davies, David Nugent, Jay Bothroyd, Carlton Cole and Bobby Zamora got starts for us up front. And you couldn't fashion any kind of decent team out of the Euro 92 squad.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Andorra beat Hungary 1-0 tonight. Gibraltar also came within three minutes of taking a point vs Cyprus but lost 2-1 in the end.

 

[Alan]

Holy shit, Lloris. What is he doing??

 

[Bit on the shaggies]

Sweden beat France at the death after an absolute howler from Hugo Lloris.

 

[Freddeno]

Fucking hell, so nice to win against France..a bit of luck but amazing we can do itwithout Zlatan..a lot of talent also coming through

 

[Alan]

$#@!ing hell, so nice to win against France..a bit of luck but amazing we can do itwithout Zlatan..a lot of talent also coming through

I have a lot of time for Durmaz, Forsberg, and Johansson.

 

[jd1981]

Andorra beat Hungary 1-0 tonight. Gibraltar also came within three minutes of taking a point vs Cyprus but lost 2-1 in the end.

Hope there's no more shock results tomorrow.