Allardyce sacked

[Mordac]

You'd think for all our hugely disproportionate success across so many sports at the Olympics AND Paralypics, we might actually be able to be competent at the most popular sport in the country... I'm not a big football fan but it's a bit sad. Our other national sports of cricket and rugby both enjoy pretty consistent success as "world powers".

It helps that most of the rest of the world don't actually play rugby and cricket.

[LondonManc]

It helps that most of the rest of the world don't actually play rugby and cricket.

Not only that but I think South Africa, New Zealand and Australia would question our status as a rugby world power!

It's only recently in cricket we've stopped being the Aussie's source of amusement too.

[Mordac]

We went out on penalties to the hosts in the quarters in 2004.

Lost to Portugal again on penalties in the quarters in 2006.

Hodgson then developed a fixation with Wilshere and Liverpool players, neither of which were up to standard. We've had players played out of position and generally players who looked like they have lacked passion on the pitch, barring Rooney and a couple of others. The FA arguably needs a top to bottom shakedown to get the blazer brigade out and move forwards.

Wilshere, when fit, is world class. Unfortunately, he's usually about as fit as I am, and as of this week, I'm 47. And not very fit.

[d000hg]

It helps that most of the rest of the world don't actually play rugby and cricket.

Not only that but I think South Africa, New Zealand and Australia would question our status as a rugby world power!

It's only recently in cricket we've stopped being the Aussie's source of amusement too.

Rugby is played in quite a large number of nations. OK cricket is a bit niche. Just because you don't win every tournament, doesn't mean you're not still one of the big teams.

[SlipTheJab]

Wilshere, when fit, is world class. Unfortunately, he's usually about as fit as I am, and as of this week, I'm 47. And not very fit.

I'd still pick you to play ahead of him...

[LondonManc]

Rugby is played in quite a large number of nations. OK cricket is a bit niche. Just because you don't win every tournament, doesn't mean you're not still one of the big teams.

We've won as many rugby world cups as we have football world cups. Puts it into perspective.

[shaunbhoy]

Just because you don't win every tournament, doesn't mean you're not still one of the big teams.

Tell that to the Italians, Germans, Brazilians and even the French and Spanish, all of whom have won multiple tournaments since England last even got to the Final of one.

[saptastic]

Tell that to the Italians, Germans, Brazilians and even the French and Spanish, all of whom have won multiple tournaments since England last even got to the Final of one.

Fear not we have Gareth Southgate

[shaunbhoy]

Fear not we have Gareth Southgate

That will send the Pizza Hut share price skyrocketing!!

[LondonManc]

Tell that to the Italians, Germans, Brazilians and even the French and Spanish, all of whom have won multiple tournaments since England last even got to the Final of one.

More to the point, it's far easier to get to the final of the rugby world cup for us. We've won once, runner up twice, comprehensively out-played on both losing occasions. While we had more possession and territory against South Africa, we were undone by poor lineouts and other errors.