The business of sport, fantasy football, & MSE

purch

FTBFun wrote: »

.... its the last hurrah for Terry, Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, and possibly Ashley Cole, and would expect to see some newer players for the 2014 qualifying.

Except none of them has ever had a first hurrah in an England shirt :eek:

FTBFun

purch wrote: »

It does, I guess.

But why not give Sturridge the place over Defoe at least, and Johnson instead of one of the 4 or 5 identikit plodders in midfield :mad:

Defoe scoring record is slightly better this season (17 in 38 compared to 13 in 41) plus he's fairly experienced at international level. I expect that's why he's ahead.

Thrugelmir

FTBFun wrote: »

Defoe scoring record is slightly better this season (17 in 38 compared to 13 in 41) plus he's fairly experienced at international level. I expect that's why he's ahead.

With Carroll to feed off (best days were with Crouch in partnership). Defoe may be a good choice.

vivatifosi

Guys, if any of you have Sky, there's an interesting documentary on Sky Anytime (be careful though it is on Last Chance so you need to get in quick) re football hooliganism in Ukraine.

For those that don't, or don't want to watch, I'll attempt (and fail) at a Pastures summary:

* Serious doubts over ability to deliver event
* 1500 active hooligans "Ultras" in the country
* Neo-nazi links
* Hooligans in training in gym, say they have invented new fighting sport.
* Donetsk has English influence: town was formed by a British guy who brought jobs and football.
* Not expecting trouble for English fans.
* Donetsk Company gang preparing for trouble at Euro 2012 "we aren't scared of them, we don't drink or smoke and are fitter than them, your english fans from Tottenham and Fulham have been here before and we made them suffer".
* Marek warned black and asian fans not to travel as football fans support the far right.
* Boasted of how David James was abused when he played in the Ukraine.
* Called Tottenham "The Jews" and made unpleasant gesture to refer to them.
* Footage shown to former member of ICF. He said that England fans, in days of hooliganism, were the "hunters" now they are the hunted. There is kudos for taking on England fans.
* Ukrainian police training for zero tolerance policy.
* Far right in Ukraine not just a football problem. There is a split in society and underclass in Ukraine is following.
* 3.5k fans from England have bought tickets.
* Security will be heavy: 520 CCTV, 1000 stewards, 200 secret security, 4 batallions of riot police. Cells built in the stadium.
* England fans not considered high risk by state as fans behave differently when supporting country to when they support club.
* Ukraine know who the Ultra leaders are and are watching them, but they remain free to attend matches.
* Showed Shaktar playing Kiev (biggest national Derby). Crowd cheers as black player scores. Some fans make Nazi salutes.
* 8 Brazilians play for Shaktar, which is why they do well. The team is owned by the richest man in Ukraine.
* Eduardo asked whether he experienced any racism, he said no. Second year in country and it had been very good.
* The Ultra leader said he couldn't say anything good about foreign players, for them it was all about the money.
* In spite of not liking foreigners, the Russians may be visiting the Ukrainians to take on the English, because "they English remain the authority to be looked up to".
* Former oligarch owner of Shaktar was assassinated by bomb at the former ground.
* 3.5k UK fans will be smallest number in history.
* England fans warned not to provoke Ultras in any way (eg by putting England fans round statues).
* Copy of programme requested by Ukrainian police who have said they will be monitoring the activity of the Donetsk company very carefully.

StevieJ

What a beautiful lady, and she knows how to look after her guy See if you can spot her in the crowd tonight, it's Mrs Schweinsteiger

StevieJ

Well done West Ham and Chelsea, unfortunate Spurs

Generali

StevieJ wrote: »

Well done West Ham and Chelsea, unfortunate Spurs

I recorded the game and the s0dding thing stopped in the 116th minute of the match:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

michaels

I knew we could get this thread on topic for the board, great photo from the G8.

StevieJ

michaels wrote: »

I knew we could get this thread on topic for the board, great photo from the G8.

I do like that, Obama seems to be nearly supporting the Brits:)

Masomnia

Angie's face is brilliant