Israel vs. Russia

[wendigo100]

I love you Israelis

Well bugger me, I thought it would be a stitch-up! Don't they realise what the Roman did for them?

A draw on Wednesday and they can stop boring us with "McLaren Out" stories for a few months.

[sasguru]

Well bugger me, I thought it would be a stitch-up! Don't they realise what the Roman did for them?

A draw on Wednesday and they can stop boring us with "McLaren Out" stories for a few months.

Should be able to get a draw - but then who knows.

[wendigo100]

Should be able to get a draw - but then who knows.

Yes, it won't be easy with key players Terry, Ferdinand, Hargreaves, Rooney, Heskey and Owen out.

I never thought I'd include Heskey in a list like that. Strange times.

[shaunbhoy]

Yes, it won't be easy with key players Terry, Ferdinand, Hargreaves, Rooney, Heskey and Owen out.

I never thought I'd include Heskey in a list like that. Strange times.

It's a win-win for England really. A draw or a win and you go through, a defeat and you get rid of McLaren early.

[sasguru]

It's a win-win for England really. A draw or a win and you go through, a defeat and you get rid of McLaren early.

I'm surprised you're showing your face here
Well hate to say I told you so, but Scotland's campaign went exactly as I told you it would. Shame coz it was a gutsy performance.

[shaunbhoy]

I'm surprised you're showing your face here

And why wouldn't I pray tell me?
Narrowly failing to qualify from such a group is no disgrace.

SB in "Head held high" mode

[sasguru]

SB in "Head held high" mode

And so you should. They obviously learned from the English rugby team

[wendigo100]

I'm amused by people always calling for the England manager's head.

In the 20+ competitions since 1966 we have tried 10 proper managers, who between them reached just two semi-finals, one of which was at home. This suggests to me that the "sack the manager" cure is not really working.

So we appoint Martin O'Neill or Jose Mourinho. What are they going to do that is any different? The answer is, nothing much. The answers lie elsewhere and might well be insoluble.

[sasguru]

I'm amused by people always calling for the England manager's head.

In the 20+ competitions since 1966 we have tried 10 proper managers, who between them reached just two semi-finals, one of which was at home. This suggests to me that the "sack the manager" cure is not really working.

So we appoint Martin O'Neill or Jose Mourinho. What are they going to do that is any different? The answer is, nothing much. The answers lie elsewhere and might well be insoluble.

Root and branch reform:

http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com...m?id=107522007

[wendigo100]

Root and branch reform:

http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com...m?id=107522007

Yes, that would be a start.

We mustn't be coy about developing gamesmanship (such as winning free kicks) in kids from an early age, so that they can compete on a more level playing field when they turn pro.

For the most part, the British are poor at it. When Heskey used to fall over he didn't have a clue. He'd do it too often, and at the wrong time, so foreign refs who see it every week just ignored him.

It's no good saying gamesmanship is wrong, because it is only the British who complain about it and UEFA or FIFA will never try and stop it.