The Football Thread 2008/09

[DML]

Now you mention it, he's probably the best equipped in the squad in dealing with higher temperatures
I wouldn't mind knowing who our 1st choice keeper is going to be. Let's see what kind of 12 months Ben Foster has.

On the bench. Unless VDS has a serious injury.

The number of people banging on for an extremely inexperienced keeper to go to 2010 is ridiculous. Hes one for the future, but he ain't playing in the present! Its only a year away now!

[Buffalo]

So we should stick with David James, oh follower of Pompey?

[DML]

The play-offs will be amazing for Europe. New exciting countries desperately trying to reach their first World Cup vs fading lights desperate to keep the momentum going for just one more tournament vs hopefullt one or more of our plucky home nations! It could just be a doozy!

[Spindash]

They will literally park the bus.

Will they? Will they, David?

Oh, and ITV's line-up thing where each player says their name and their position is quite possibly the worst thing in the history of sports broadcasting.

[DML]

So we should stick with David James, oh follower of Pompey?

I still believe he is the best option for this World Cup. Hes as fit as a fiddle, and hasn't let England down in this qualifying campaign. If anyone was to replace James, it would have to be Robert Green - but I do honestly believe hes our best English goalkeeper as it stands.

Foster hasn't played anywhere near enough to be Englands Number 1, and I have a feeling he may not go to the World Cup at all. Capello tends to select players who play a lot.

[Dangerblade]

They will literally park the bus.

Will they? Will they, David?

Oh, and ITV's line-up thing where each player says their name and their position is quite possibly the worst thing in the history of sports broadcasting.

I pray it's on Youtube, Peter Crouch's laugh is the most cringeworthy thing I've ever seen.

[Irene Demova]

They will literally park the bus.

Will they? Will they, David?

Oh, and ITV's line-up thing where each player says their name and their position is quite possibly the worst thing in the history of sports broadcasting.

They did it for the Rugby world cup too; took 10 minutes just to run the reel

[Dowbocop]

Now you mention it, he's probably the best equipped in the squad in dealing with higher temperatures
I wouldn't mind knowing who our 1st choice keeper is going to be. Let's see what kind of 12 months Ben Foster has.

On the bench. Unless VDS has a serious injury.

The number of people banging on for an extremely inexperienced keeper to go to 2010 is ridiculous. Hes one for the future, but he ain't playing in the present! Its only a year away now!

Exactly, so go for a keeper who has been first choice for a Champions' League standard side for the past two years, and will in all likelyhood stay first choice for us in 2009-10.

[Kanbei]

I agree, Beckham fan here.
My only concern would be the climate over in SA next year with regards to his age. I'd say that 90 minutes in thst heat is beyond him.

He's still fit though. Plus he's going back to LA and has been in Italy too which aren't exactly cold places. He'll probably be more used to the heat than the other England players. He better be there or I will be furious!

Plus the fact that it's actually winter in South Africa!

[Ginga]

The play-offs will be amazing for Europe. New exciting countries desperately trying to reach their first World Cup vs fading lights desperate to keep the momentum going for just one more tournament vs hopefullt one or more of our plucky home nations! It could just be a doozy!

Three way games!? Awesome!

[DML]

The play-offs will be amazing for Europe. New exciting countries desperately trying to reach their first World Cup vs fading lights desperate to keep the momentum going for just one more tournament vs hopefullt one or more of our plucky home nations! It could just be a doozy!

Three way games!? Awesome!

Triangaball! LAUNCH!

\o/

[PES Fan]

Now you mention it, he's probably the best equipped in the squad in dealing with higher temperatures
I wouldn't mind knowing who our 1st choice keeper is going to be. Let's see what kind of 12 months Ben Foster has.

On the bench. Unless VDS has a serious injury.

The number of people banging on for an extremely inexperienced keeper to go to 2010 is ridiculous. Hes one for the future, but he ain't playing in the present! Its only a year away now!

Exactly, so go for a keeper who has been first choice for a Champions' League standard side for the past two years, and will in all likelyhood stay first choice for us in 2009-10.

Are you serious about Almunia? He's as error prone as our current goalkeepers. Even Arsenal fans aren't convinced about him, and imagine if he did make a mistake for England. I gather to think he would be ridiculed more than a English keeper would. Would he want that? James has done a decent job so it would be wise to stick with him.

[DML]

I think the uproar for the inclusion of a foriegn keeper (who may not even WANT to play for England lets not forget) of questionable class when we have a fair few keepers playing Premier League football themselves would make it not worthwhile.

[Kanbei]

About Ben Foster, a year is a long time in football so he could quite easily be our number 1 by the end of the season. If he isn't, I'd be stunned if he doesn't go out on loan somewhere next January.

[Jango]

They do that reading out the players name a lot in the NFL. They also say which college they went to, it's really funny.

The best is this guy who didn't go to college becuase he couldn't afford it so was taught by his mum, while showing great heart to become a player. When he comes up instead of going 'Tom Brady, Michigan' or 'Peyton Manning, Tennessee,' he goes, '(I've forgotten his name), homeschooled. THANKS MA!!!!!'

I think it's really sweet.

Also I would be extremly sceptical of England's chances with James in goal. If Foster doesn't break into the United starting line up and everyone plays like that have this year, Rob Green has to be first choice.

[PES Fan]

Robert Green didn't do much tonight, I would expect him and James to go to the world cup. The other place will be between Hart, Foster and Robinson. Robinson looks back to his best under Allardyce, and to be fair to him anyone would have had confidence issues if they were playing with the Spurs defence he was playing behind, you only have to look at what it has done to Gomes this season.

[Dowbocop]

Now you mention it, he's probably the best equipped in the squad in dealing with higher temperatures
I wouldn't mind knowing who our 1st choice keeper is going to be. Let's see what kind of 12 months Ben Foster has.

On the bench. Unless VDS has a serious injury.

The number of people banging on for an extremely inexperienced keeper to go to 2010 is ridiculous. Hes one for the future, but he ain't playing in the present! Its only a year away now!

Exactly, so go for a keeper who has been first choice for a Champions' League standard side for the past two years, and will in all likelyhood stay first choice for us in 2009-10.

Are you serious about Almunia? He's as error prone as our current goalkeepers. Even Arsenal fans aren't convinced about him, and imagine if he did make a mistake for England. I gather to think he would be ridiculed more than a English keeper would. Would he want that? James has done a decent job so it would be wise to stick with him.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't biased by the fact that I like to see Arsenal players doing well in their careers, and I'm actually an Ireland fan, not an England fan. However, in my view Almunia has been one of our more consistent defensive performers over the past couple of years, and I honestly think he's the current equal, if not better, of the current England crop (although I don't meticulously record every English keeper's Opta stats or anything):
James - no CL football, error prone at times
Foster - not first choice at United, so not playing regularly
Green - no CL football, error prone
Robinson - no CL football, can be error prone
Almunia - playing regularly at top club level, history and reputation of being error prone but has been solid for past two years, kept out of Spain squad by Casillas, Reina, Valdes and Palop

He can do two things - strengthen England and/or weaken Spain. How can you not be serious about him?

[Count Nood]

Foster should never have gone to United

Steve Bruce, get the chequebook out.

No thanks, give me Fulop any day. If only he was English, eh?

[Dangerblade]

Wouldn't it be awesome if Martin Fulop had a brother called Philip?

[Dowbocop]

I think the uproar for the inclusion of a foriegn keeper (who may not even WANT to play for England lets not forget) of questionable class when we have a fair few keepers playing Premier League football themselves would make it not worthwhile.

Apparently if Spain don't want him he'll play for England
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_Alm ... nal_career