Possible excuse for England failure that doesn't involve us

Cus Geezer · Post by **Cus Geezer** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:47 pm

Before the usual excuses are trotted out this week for England failure I like to add one possibility for not just failure here but every tournament bar 1966.

England may well be a nation, but unlike every other side it is not a state.

It was once mentioned by a Labour MP that Britain should have its own national side and laughed off everywhere. There isn't any passion to create one - not even from myself.

But it's worth dwelling on how successful a British side would have been over the years.

Imagine the England side that was unlucky at Mexico 70 also having Best and Law - it may have even had a chance of beating Brazil, how knows? When Banks fell ill, what if Pat Jennings had stepped in instead of Bonetti?

What about the Scots sides that couldn't get through the group stages in 74 and 78, with the better English players may have Ally McLeod's dream come true?

Whatabout this for goalkeeping cover in Espana 82 - Shilton, Clemence and Jennings? A midfield with Robbo and Souness - would we have been so reliant on an injured Keegan and Brooking?

A forward line of Rush and Lineker in Mexico 86 and Alan Hansen instead of Terry Fenwick dealing with Maradona.

No great deal of talent from the Celtic fringe in recent years but whatabout if the England side had Giggs the natural left footer?

It's worth remembering that neither Italy and Germany were actual states until about 1870 - how many world cups would Bavaria and Saxony have won?

Post by **REB** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:56 pm

imagine what could have happened if england could call on every other nation or state that they have conquered in the last few hundred years

EdgeOfTown · Post by **EdgeOfTown** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:57 pm

I cant speak for the last 40 years, but in my lifetime, there's been a maximum of a handful of British players that would have got in our team..I think it should stay as it is now. Besides, I find it hard enough to muster up passion for the England team, imaging having to cheer on the scots...

26may1989 · Post by **26may1989** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 1:03 pm

Sorry Cus, load of bollocks mate! There is no link between statehood and the success or failure of the national team.

England has a population of almost 50million and is as football-obsessed as any nation on earth, so there's no good reason for our continual under-achievement (or Spain's, Mexico's or Russia's, come to that).

Personally, I wouldn't mind a GB or UK side but the Scots, Welsh and Norn Irish would never accept it. Even if it did happen, the English probably would have a little bit less passion for it than they do for the England side, and the Scots would hate it.

Galasso · Post by **Galasso** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 1:03 pm

They should like the golfers - Get a European team going.

EdgeOfTown · Post by **EdgeOfTown** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 1:11 pm

Thats more like it Galasso!!

Post by **T.S** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 2:25 pm

English national team? Couldn't care less.

Team GB? Whaddaya know; I could care less after all!

Post by **I Hate Hleb** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 3:44 pm

HYSTERICAL TONY.

Post by **DB10GOONER** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 3:47 pm

Yep. Load of bollix.

One of the biggest problems England have had since 66 is bad choice of manager leading to bad tactics. You can have all the Jocks, Half-Paddies and Sheep fanciers (cue Cus warming up his keyboard

) you want running around but if the manager is a tactically-naive, media-influenced idiot, you ain't winning jack diddly shit.

Galasso · Post by **Galasso** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:14 pm

DB10GOONER wrote:Yep. Load of bollix.

One of the biggest problems England have had since 66 is bad choice of manager leading to bad tactics. You can have all the Jocks, Half-Paddies and Sheep fanciers (cue Cus warming up his keyboard ) you want running around but if the manager is a tactically-naive, media-influenced idiot, you ain't winning jack diddly shit.

England needs that Jack diddly shit bloke - although he sounds Scottish to me

U.F.G Anfield '89 · Post by **U.F.G Anfield '89** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 6:25 pm

no he's Dick Rot's opposite number in the CIA (see oi mate nooooooo thread)

stearmaster · Post by **stearmaster** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 7:08 pm

Great Brittain mannaged by roy keane, assistant-mcliesh physio-savage and super sub-beckham

given

terry
richards
hoyte
harte

gerrard
giggs
gillespie
speed

miller
healy

4-irish
2-welsh
4-english
1-scottish

a bit of biastness with the 2 gooners and without a few of our rivals such as keane and a few others who could be better off there lol

Post by **REB** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 7:22 pm

worst team ever

hoyte

harte

giggs

gillespie

miller

healy

speed

what are you smoking

if you had to pick a team from the 5 nations im fairly sure there would be at least 8/9 english players because they are better,,

stearmaster · Post by **stearmaster** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 7:42 pm

rebel gooner wrote:worst team ever
hoyte
harte
giggs
gillespie
miller
healy
speed
what are you smoking

if you had to pick a team from the 5 nations im fairly sure there would be at least 8/9 english players because they are better,,

im *breathing* the air of pure bordem and randomness lol

Cus Geezer · Post by **Cus Geezer** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:03 pm

if you had to pick a team from the 5 nations

Five nations in the UK??? and that's coming from someone in the Emerald Isle.

Bejesus!