Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: andyh on November 16, 2018, 11:19:09 PM

Title: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: andyh on November 16, 2018, 11:19:09 PM
Play for 5 or 6 weeks then have a 2 week break for a poxy, manufactured, international competition that means the real football season constantly stop/starts and players risk getting injured all for fucking nothing??

What’s this fucking made up international competition anyway and does anyone give 2 fucks about it...other than the money grabbing fuckers?

What a load of old fucking shite.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: spartacuss on November 16, 2018, 11:36:57 PM
Yes, 'fraid so: that's the way it is.  Because - as me old gran'ma used to say before she was led away - 'The owl of Minerva only flies at dusk' - wisdom only descends on people late in the day.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: cdbearsfan on November 16, 2018, 11:40:26 PM
The new competition is just a replacement for friendlies, so doesn't add any "extra" games. I don't really have a problem with players playing for their countries in meaningful matches. Hopefully Chester will be okay for Small Heath.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: Ads on November 17, 2018, 08:33:01 AM
Sounds like Chester and McGinn will be fine. Just knocks. 8 days time they'll be turning out against the Noses.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on November 17, 2018, 09:58:35 AM
What’s this fucking made up international competition anyway...?

Aren't all competitions made up ?

The World Cup. Made up by Jules Rimet.
The League Cup.Made up by Alan Hardaker.
The Football League. Made up by William McGregor.
The Premier League. Made up by some twats.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: john e on November 17, 2018, 11:44:01 AM
I like the new competition
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: XXVilla on November 17, 2018, 12:36:55 PM
‘Twas ever thus
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: Villa75 on November 17, 2018, 02:43:08 PM
It's this, or poxy friendlies. Nothing's really changed, in regard to breaks for 'International Weekends '?

I know which I prefer watching.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: Pete3206 on November 17, 2018, 05:50:25 PM
International games have been around for decades. Before the Premier League, there wasn't even a break and games would just take place in midweek.

The Nations League is a good thing for the European international game as it's created meaningful competitive matches for every level of competing countries.

It's always Villa first, but I've enjoyed the competition so far.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: SoccerHQ on November 17, 2018, 07:41:24 PM
Actually an International break in November is a new ish thing (always been ones in September and October for as long as I remember).

2008

Nov 3rd Newcastle 2-0 Villa
Nov 8th Villa 1-2 Boro
Nov 15th Arsenal 0-2 Villa
Nov 22nd Villa 0-0 Man. United

2010

Nov 6th Fulham 1-1 Villa
Nov 13th Villa 2-2 Man. United
Nov 20th Blackburn 2-0 Villa

2012

Nov 3rd Sunderland 0-1 Villa
Nov 10th Villa 2-3 Man. United
Nov 17th Man. City 5-0 Villa
Nov 24th Arsenal 0-0 Villa

3 seasons in last 10 years where there's been no international break in November.

Edit: England did actually play 3 friendlies in the periods above but they were on Wednesdays between two of the games listed.

I think one way to do it is make all the nations groups 3 teams so just 4 games to fit into September-October- November period so you could play two one month and then the other two games in midweek so wouldn't have to take 2 weeks off the season.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: DeeBoy1 on November 17, 2018, 07:44:44 PM
Have to say, I never expected to care so much about this Nations League. Sunday for me is a genuinely exciting, big England game in my eyes....
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: Des Little on November 17, 2018, 08:34:28 PM
International breaks are utter shit. A void in my life.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: eamonn on November 17, 2018, 09:08:55 PM
Good stats SHQ - in odd-numbered years mid-Nov always have the play-off games for the World Cup/Euros the following summer. Its my birthday today so I'm used to following Ireland's progress as we're usually in playoffs (in odd years). Prior to the play-off system, mid-Nov was always the last round of group fixtures and do or die games - most memorably on a personal level 25 years ago tonight when the Rep of Ireland scored a late equaliser away to Northern Ireland to qualify for USA '94 while poor SGT had his last game in charge of England against San Marino.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: Dinas_Caerdydd on November 17, 2018, 10:09:25 PM
I take it very few of you are england fans judging by your posts ?

perhaps england should play in the midlands a sort of half way house for both south and north england

you should be proud of your players representing  there country
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: olaftab on November 17, 2018, 10:14:34 PM
Play for 5 or 6 weeks then have a 2 week break for a poxy, manufactured, international competition that means the real football season constantly stop/starts and players risk getting injured all for fucking nothing??

What’s this fucking made up international competition anyway and does anyone give 2 fucks about it...other than the money grabbing fuckers?

What a load of old fucking shite.
Bravo andy.... brilliant rant.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: SoccerHQ on November 17, 2018, 10:19:54 PM
Good stats SHQ - in odd-numbered years mid-Nov always have the play-off games for the World Cup/Euros the following summer. Its my birthday today so I'm used to following Ireland's progress as we're usually in playoffs (in odd years). Prior to the play-off system, mid-Nov was always the last round of group fixtures and do or die games - most memorably on a personal level 25 years ago tonight when the Rep of Ireland scored a late equaliser away to Northern Ireland to qualify for USA '94 while poor SGT had his last game in charge of England against San Marino.

Yes that's correct. November usually had play offs for euros/world cup. In non tournament years never used to be two week gaps in November which there is now.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: XXVilla on November 17, 2018, 10:27:09 PM
There are lies... damn lies ... and statistics.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: olaftab on November 18, 2018, 10:28:30 AM
Anything that relegates the Germans is good enough for me.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: Clark W Griswold on November 19, 2018, 01:41:50 PM
Well, i did consider it a 'load of old bollocks' or 'wank' but since we won our group I'd now class it as 'not wank'.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: AV82EC on November 19, 2018, 05:46:35 PM
I love the Nations League.

It gets rid of meaningless friendlies.

It has a Byzantine and unfathomable qualification process for all sorts of finals, draw seedlings and back door qualifications which will hopefully cause endless arguments and start new bitter rivalries and chips on shoulders.

We still get to laugh at Scotland struggling to get promoted out of their group.

Gibraltar and Luxembourg and Andorra can actually win games.

Promotion and relegation in international football.

What’s not to like. It helps pass the time until proper football is back next week.

Embrace the chaos!

Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: Richard on November 19, 2018, 07:25:29 PM
Nah it's crap and just another excuse for FIFA or UEFA to try and seem more important than club football when most people just want the proper stuff to start again.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: Risso on November 19, 2018, 07:55:02 PM
I don’t get it. We’ve qualified for the play offs bur still have to play a full qualification group?
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: cdbearsfan on November 19, 2018, 10:03:01 PM
The qualification groups are separate to the Nations League. The top two in each group in the actual qualifiers will qualify. That's twenty qualifiers because there will be ten groups.

After that, the best four teams in each Nations League division, excluding those that have already qualified, will playoff with one team per division qualifying. Total 24 qualifiers.

So by finishing top of their Nations League group  England have guaranteed a minimum playoff place for the Euros. Should they finish in the top two in their actual qualifying group, they won't have to bother with a qualifying playoff.

In addition, and this is for the top group only, the best four teams compete in semis and a final to decide the overall Nations League Winner. So England are in that. This has no impact on a team's qualification for the Euros.

What could be simpler?
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: cdbearsfan on November 19, 2018, 10:04:54 PM
Nah it's crap and just another excuse for FIFA or UEFA to try and seem more important than club football when most people just want the proper stuff to start again.

England's late fightback against Croatia, the miraculous Dutch comeback against Germany and Switzerland's seven goal thriller against Belgium were all "crap"? I beg to differ.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 19, 2018, 10:19:07 PM
The qualification groups are separate to the Nations League. The top two in each group in the actual qualifiers will qualify. That's twenty qualifiers because there will be ten groups.

After that, the best four teams in each Nations League division, excluding those that have already qualified, will playoff with one team per division qualifying. Total 24 qualifiers.

So by finishing top of their Nations League group  England have guaranteed a minimum playoff place for the Euros. Should they finish in the top two in their actual qualifying group, they won't have to bother with a qualifying playoff.

In addition, and this is for the top group only, the best four teams compete in semis and a final to decide the overall Nations League Winner. So England are in that. This has no impact on a team's qualification for the Euros.

What could be simpler?

(https://66.media.tumblr.com/93c705c0bf82a682bf149c5c7a573bea/tumblr_mgox1usjSs1rq7hhuo1_400.gif)
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: Lucky Eddie on November 20, 2018, 02:41:33 PM
Enforced Rooney decision aside; our Gareth has changed the value, credibility and direction of playing for England.

He deserves our full support.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: Clampy on November 21, 2018, 09:10:40 AM
I don't like this Nations League either. It might grow on me I suppose but so far it's not exciting me that much.
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: cdbearsfan on November 21, 2018, 10:53:16 AM
The Nations League is great, and just keeps getting better. MON and Keane sacked. 😂
Title: Re: Is this the way it is now?
Post by: Risso on November 21, 2018, 11:06:48 AM
The Nations League is great, and just keeps getting better. MON and Keane sacked. 😂

Oh dear, what a shame etc......
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