UEFA Nations League

[slacker]

Semi finals start tonight. Eng v Ned tomorrow (on Sky, I believe).

The group stage games were pretty good, if I recall. Though I’ve forgotten the prize for the winners (something to do with a backstop chance of qualifying for the Euro Champs if the team mucks up the qualifying).

[Bergen]

Don`t see the point of this.

Give the players a break.

[slacker]

I started off thinking it was pointless, but was won round by the group games replacing dull friendlies, and at least it’s only a couple of games max for the “finals”.

[Thor]

Can’t be bothered and am really not interested. I agree with Bergen, give the players a rest.

[RientO]

I think it is a good thing. If England hadn't made semis they would have two extra Euro 2020 games. One would have been somewhere deep in eastern Europe and the other a yawn fest at Wembley against a sixth seed like San Marino. Instead they get to play the Dutch in a proper game and who knows might win a trophy for the first time in over 50 years. Even Orient win trophies more frequently than that The games against Spain and Croatia were two of the best I have seen England play at the new Wembley.

[B.whitehouse+10more]

I think it is a good thing. If England hadn't made semis they would have two extra Euro 2020 games. One would have been somewhere deep in eastern Europe and the other a yawn fest at Wembley against a sixth seed like San Marino. Instead they get to play the Dutch in a proper game and who knows might win a trophy for the first time in over 50 years. Even Orient win trophies more frequently than that The games against Spain and Croatia were two of the best I have seen England play at the new Wembley.

Totally agree anyway Bergen your players are getting a break mate .......they are not in it

[Max B Gold]

Totally in favour of this competition after Khazakstan result. Before that I thought it was a puddle of steaming hot pish.

[Thor]

Why are Scotland still in it? Did they even qualify?

[CreamofSumYungGai]

Have we taken a full strength squad over for this? Seems a bit pointless.

[Thor]

I think it is a good thing. If England hadn't made semis they would have two extra Euro 2020 games. One would have been somewhere deep in eastern Europe and the other a yawn fest at Wembley against a sixth seed like San Marino. Instead they get to play the Dutch in a proper game and who knows might win a trophy for the first time in over 50 years. Even Orient win trophies more frequently than that The games against Spain and Croatia were two of the best I have seen England play at the new Wembley.

I get what your saying however, look at it this way by using Harry Kane as an example.

2012 U19 Euro Championships
2013 U20 World Cup
2015 U21 Euro Championships
2016 Senior Euro Championships
2017 Senior Qualifiers till mid June
2018 Senior World Cup
2019 UEFA Nations League

He is one of our better players, but where is his rest periods? He has except 2014 been playing a long season consistently, sure he gets a rest but, it’s a short one each year. We are asking our top players to burn the midnight oil year after year.

Plenty of people questioned Kane’s performance in the CL final and I’d agree he didn’t have a good game, he was coming back from injury and it’s a proven fact injuries happen when the body is tired. Maybe his recent injury was a consequence of too much football continuously? I believe it’s not helping the top players being asked to do so much year after year.

It’s one of the reasons why I said earlier, let them rest.

[Howling Mad Murdock]

England are going to win it this time.Max B Gold said so.

Actually I don't believe...because England usually find a way to frauck it up.

[slacker]

Ronaldo won tonight. Hat-trick for the winker.

I reckon the Dutch will willy us tomorrow.

[spen666]

Don`t see the point of this.

Give the players a break.

Come on, you aren't this stupid.

The reason is obvious. It's the reason for most decisions in football

££££££££££££

[slacker]

I see Ingerland’s finest hoolie battalions were up to their old tricks in Porto last night. Any chance Portugal can keep those eejits over there?

[Clive Evans]

I really can't understand why those eejits get tanked up and disgrace themselves and fellow Countrymen. I bet the EU can't wait to get rid of us. Often we are a real disgrace. All this at the same time as some real British heroes are on display in Normandy. They knew how to fight for their country with honour.

[Thor]

Trouble is once you start an fight with one, you start it with all.

[RientO]

Players not getting a break is a bigger issue than a couple of internationals. When I started watching football season began late August and ended in late April. Now it is early August to end May with all the play offs. European Cup final was in June. And the Europeans have it easy. The Africans and Americans (and some Asians) have their Federation tournaments this summer. 19th July is African Nations Cup final. Hoping Zimbabwe are not in it. As it stands their last game is 30th June.

[Ornchurch]

Plenty of people questioned Kane’s performance in the CL final and I’d agree he didn’t have a good game, he was coming back from injury and it’s a proven fact injuries happen when the body is tired. Maybe his recent injury was a consequence of too much football continuously? I believe it’s not helping the top players being asked to do so much year after year.

His last injury, and the couple before that, were because he went over on his ankle going in to a challenge. I don't believe that is down to a tired body. It is more a case of Spurs rushing him back too quickly because of his perceived value to them when perhaps he should be given longer to recover, that is certainly what happened on Saturday. Clubs also have responsibility in the way they manage their players.

Maybe his value is overestimated given his performance on Saturday and the way that they reached the final without him.

[RientO]

A whole summer of football - rest? Pah!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48070817

Celtic start their Champions League qualifiers, on 9 or 10 July, On 25 July, Wolves start their Europa League qualifiers. Northern Irish and Welsh teams start theirs on 27 June. The new domestic campaign starts for Scottish sides on 13 July with the League Cup group stages.

21 June - 19 July, - Africa Cup of Nations
16 June - 30 June, - Euro U21 Championship
14 June - 7 July - Copa America
15 June - 7 July - Concacaf Gold Cup

[WickfordO]

I really can't understand why those eejits get tanked up and disgrace themselves and fellow Countrymen. I bet the EU can't wait to get rid of us. Often we are a real disgrace. All this at the same time as some real British heroes are on display in Normandy. They knew how to fight for their country with honour.

The EU can't wait but unfortunately UEFA wont let us.
Also if you don't get tanked up you aren't considered "manly enough".
Too much emphasis is put on having a few before a game.

[Thor]

Footballs coming home is playing on the radio right now.

Is that a good or bad thing?

[Howling Mad Murdock]

ENGLAND WINNING PAGING MAX B E OLDE.

[Lovejoy]

ENGLAND WINNING PAGING MAX B E OLDE.

You mean that chap who supports a football team that very rarely win.

[tuffers#1]

Is this the Equivalent to a European Sherpa Van Trophy ?

[Howling Mad Murdock]

Is this the Equivalent to a European Sherpa Van Trophy ?