TheBrownBottle

Sounds rather less impressive when you realise that: The majority of WCs before Ronaldo only had 16 teams qualify; and from 82-94 only 24 did, reducing Portugal's chances All Euros before Ronaldo only had 8 teams qualify - actually, before 80 it was only 4. Which made it very difficult to qualify. And one of the Euros where they qualified with Ronaldo, they qualified as hosts. So unless he put together Portugal's bid package, it was only 4 Euros. Portugal has always been a major football country - no-one looks at Holland's lack of WC wins and writes them off as non-entities.

My favourite remains Barry Davies. Someone who can exclaim at true moments of wonder, but the rest of the time remains calm and composed and understands that the audience doesn’t need to be told something is exciting - we can make our own minds up on that one. And as others have said, not feel the need to punctuate any silence with constant fucking wittering. I also loved the fact he sounded like a Victorian schoolmaster and would get genuinely miffed about things. My favourite remains him exclaiming that ‘Italy have lost BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT LEARN’ following South Korea’s late winner in 2002 - because it was both true and hilarious. Edit: an example of him losing his shit for good reason is Supermac’s half-volley peach vs West Brom https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tyckt3H6I6Y&t=101s

The fact that there were four posts to fill and only three members put their hat in the ring rather undermines the Trust's position I'd say - they like to boast re their membership nos, but I suspect the reality is that because it was a quid for permanent membership and loads did it during the fag end of the Ashley years and now view it as irrelevant. Let's be honest, it just comes across as a tF talking shop.

Pretty much every side at this WC has been. Feels like these WCs come in cycles. This one will be forgotten quickly

Yep, he’s shite

The French will beat Argentina comfortably - assuming they make it

Yes, I’d take a 22 year old Messi too I don’t take a handful of WC matches seriously in terms of determine the world’s best player. If that is the case, Benzema and Haaland aren’t even in with a shout as they didn’t play.

If someone offered Messi or Haaland to NUFC, you’d plump for (today’s) Messi? I wouldn’t. Messi from a few years back - in a heartbeat.

Yep, it’s a tricky one, but I do have some sympathy with the Bob Lord position on this one. With streaming etc it now looks inevitable, as folks will just pirate it anyway. I’d be more comfortable if the money made from the extra streams was redistributed to the lower leagues - but then, we know why the PL breakaway happened, and it wasn’t for the good of football.

I find it helps a player not playing in England. You don’t learn to hate them that way

I’d happily put Mbappe, De Bruyne, Haaland ahead of both

Yes, fuck the lower leagues. The cunts

Not for me, Jeff

That’s not how the laws work though. It doesn’t matter if it was bouncing towards the goal (besides which, the covering defender would have cleared either way). The likely outcome doesn’t factor into whether or not something is a foul

Jesus wept schoolboy defending

Not sure knocking the ball around the halfway line constitutes trying

Funny thing is, if he gets out the way the covering defender clears the ball. Keeper is unlikely to know that though

Keeper isn’t last man

Croatia will need to actually try to play football now

If they hold on for a draw … they could be men with pen

Christ, that Croatia FK was in Argentina’s half and there were only two Croatian players ahead of the ball. They a hilariously defensive side

I know you’re right, but it’s the one I’d be most eager to tune in to. It would be the most bizarre and exciting WC final ever - a guaranteed new winner as well

I'm picturing salmon pants sat in front of a ZX Spectrum, typing '10 Print "TONY MOWBRAY", 20 GOTO 10' and showing that to that Dreyfus kid It is amazing how quickly we forget about the smoggies. That 'rivalry' / 'derby' really is moribund

It’s not an issue for other clubs, don’t see why it would be an issue at NUFC I’m not advocating leaving the city centre mind

Totally get where you coming from - let's see what Hower does. A winger and a CM would also be my priority, too