TheBrownBottle

I hope that the giant spider makes another appearance in Mexico

Yeah, it seemed odd - Brazil normally take big numbers and Argentina don’t usually outstrip them in ticket sales. Ah well, I suspect the Brazilians who are there will have a good time watching the games (though not in a samba-style atmosphere). Can’t see anyone but the Selecao winning it (would be good to watch Bruno win it too)

Yes, though at least now he’s got time to spend on his hobbies, like cavorting with underage hookers or blackmailing teammates.

Russia v Saudi Arabia four years ago wasn’t exactly one to watch. Which is why I didn’t. Nor South Africa v Mexico in 2010. I didn’t watch that either. I don’t think I’ve watched all the games (well, obviously other than the final group games which are played concurrently) since 1998. Didn’t bother getting up for England v Nigeria in 2002.

I’ve got Croatia and Canada to get out of this group. Which now I’m writing it is even more crackers than I originally thought, and likely means Belgium will win the whole thing. But I’ll stick to my guns. This group is where the shock early exit comes.

100% agreed mate. A ME WC would have been far more appropriate- and like you say, have Qatar host the final if that’s what is agreed. Of course, we know the intention was no such thing. This is about Qatar’s soft power - and also serves as a reminder to the world that it exists. Much harder for a larger local despot to roll the tanks in if the west has actually heard of it.

Yep. I fundamentally don’t trust the fashion opinions of anyone who doesn’t love the mid-‘80s silver away kit Every kid in Newcastle had that top at the time - I’m convinced it was more popular than the home one

Unless Pickford is injured, he starts. Pope didn’t have the best of games last time for England, and GK is the last position you’re likely to swap out before a major tournament. I’ll content myself with the warm fuzzy feeling that I wouldn’t swap Pope for Pickford for NUFC. He’s the better GK for me - said the same last year when we played Burnley.

All good points, though the difference with Russia is that it is a footballing country, not a tiny city state. Personally, I’ve no real issue with the WC being held in the ME - it is a World Cup, after all. As unedifying as it is, human rights abuses occur across swathes of the planet - and historically, said abuses don’t preclude major sports rocking up. But a ME WC should be in Iran, KSA etc. Large countries with sizeable footballing supports and histories (particularly Iran). Holding a WC in Qatar is a bad joke.

I’m one of them. Couldn’t be happier for the lad - never faulted his work rate, just his output. At this point I’m beginning to think Howe could have turned Fumaca into Jairzinho

Yes, it was a classic. Games played in ludicrous (occasionally dangerous) temperatures slowing every game to pedestrian pace, all capped off by the worst final in history. Diana Ross still takes a better penalty than the average Englishman mind you

That must mean that there are 92,000 Argentinians going because the Athletic are reporting that only 8,000 Brazilians are heading to Qatar. https://theathletic.com/3636928/2022/11/11/qatar-world-cup-cost-fans/?amp=1

*remembers 1994 and shudders*

I’ve had orgies like that

I bet Ivan Toney is off to the bookies in disguise after seeing this one It wouldn’t be a surprise tbh - I sort of hope it happens and a bribe is uncovered quickly. Would laugh my bollocks off

I thought the 97/98 one was fucking awful at the time, and the passing decades haven’t softened my opinion. Was also uncomfortable to wear

Likewise. Looks like our ‘original’ away kits from the first couple of decades of the C20th

It’s about soft power rather than good publicity

They’ve back-pedalled on loads of stuff over the last six months or so - as they were always likely to do. The issue with this one is that it directly hits FIFA - Budweiser will be pissing blood about it. I’ve little sympathy for those over there - if you were going to this WC and treating it like a jolly, more fool you. The quicker this is over the better. The whole thing just seems like a massive damp squib.

I still love Umbro kits, they’re absolute masters of simple, respectful design. I’ll try and forget the ‘barcode’ kit from the early ‘90s (not exactly an era of particularly dapper kits generally). Brentford’s home kit is perfect Umbro - no faff, no frills - standard size stripes and a simple collar I’m sure whatever conservatism is in me is expressed via football. I never feel like this about clothing and traditions outside of the game

Pie face is fantastic - beats Greggs into a cocked hat. I only go once every couple of months. Terrified that I’ll get an addiction to it

I think he used to wilfully miss the ‘left leaning’ stuff in TF - the political bits and Peoples Assembly articles. And the music bits. And the cultural stuff.

I sometimes wonder if I’m the only Geordie on earth who thinks that Greggs food tastes bland and is guaranteed heartburn. Milligans was always the better Newcastle bakery chain. How Greggs went national is a mystery to me

Hated Sherwood as a player, never keen on him as a pundit - but he’s saying some nice things about us at present, which makes me feel momentary guilt for holding those views

Those of a certain vintage will remember him achieving a certain level of ‘fame’ via his constant media appearances for ‘INUSA’ - of which no-one knew anyone who a member, yet somehow the press constantly spoke to - during the ‘Toongate’ scandal in 1998. His work with the FSA has been good mind - effectively operating as a roving embassy for England fans away.