Team GB want Villa stars - McLeish

[SO Villa]

It was incorrect.

And there's three over 23 player spots. And several 23 year olds count as under, due to birthdays.

If it's anything like the Under 21s, you probably qualify if you're under 23 the day after the previous Olympics.

[Risso]

I bet they've asked every single British player under the age of 23 in the Premier League.

[Concrete John]

It'll be interesting to see how they do this.

If they're taking it as a serious competition and trying to win, then the majority of the players would be English, plus the likes of Rooney as the overaged ones.  It's likely Fergie etc, will pull their players, so then it becomes a sort of 'England B', mixed with the U21s, who again will be short staffed due to the top clubs not letting their players play.

I think it'll all become a farce in the end.

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

Good news.

The Olympic football should be good now that we are entering a team.

[pedro25]

As the Welsh aren't at the Euros I think Ramsey and Bale could be key players, mix them with Oxlade Chamberlain, Lewis, Gardner, Albrighton, Bannan, maybe a Wellbeck or a Sturridge if one or other doesn't get picked for the Euros, Richards as Capello doesn't rate him, Beckham, Giggs, Scholes, it could be a really exciting squad.

[dave.woodhall]

Good news.

The Olympic football should be good now that we are entering a team.

Yes, because it was clearly second rate when the likes of only Spain, Argentina and Brazil were involved.

[Ger Regan]

Yup, I believe that TRS-T is mixing up "good" with "of interest to me".

[dicedlam]

I cant see many young good players accepting to be honest. Why would they risk possible injury just for the sake of a medal?
Bigger riches are to be had with possible contracts for the next ten years worth millions.

[cdbearsfan]

If they get injured, will the FA compensate us? If not, they can piss off.

Just as likely to get injured against Peterborough in a friendly.

Not really. That would be half-arsed, most would only play 45 minutes or so. In the Olympics, with a maximum of three subs, they'd be expected to play three full-out games in a week. They would also, presumably, have to play loads of warm-up games. It would be unreasonable to stick them in the first group game, having never played together before, and expect them to be brilliant.

Pre-season is about getting fitness levels ready for the new season. Clubs like us with small squads would be more likely to suffer the effects of them playing so early in the season, and possibly burning out around the New Year. As you may remember, this used to happen to us every time we entered the InterToto.

It wouldn't matter to Manure, etc. as they have plenty of replacements to rotate them with. They also have a manager who is likely to cajole them into not playing see Giggs, Scholes, Yorke for evidence of players that couldn't be arsed with their national teams.

EDIT: in answer to your question on the Marseille thread which I now can't find... myself and Adbad will be in the Aston Social from about 6 tomorrow if you haven't had a better offer yet!

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

Good news.

The Olympic football should be good now that we are entering a team.

Yes, because it was clearly second rate when the likes of only Spain, Argentina and Brazil were involved.

Our involvement will only make it better.

[Dave]

I cant see many young good players accepting to be honest. Why would they risk possible injury just for the sake of a medal?

Previous medal winners include Messi, Tevez , Romario, Bebeto, Crespo, Guardiola, Luis Enrique, Zanetti, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Eto'o, Puyol, Thiago Silva, Xavi, Pirlo, De Rossi, Ayala, Riqueleme and Ronaldinho.

And Nii Lamptey.

So if they're not selected to play in Euro 2012 and they choose not to be involved in the Olympics, you've got to wonder why they're bothering with football as a career in the first place.

[Bad English]

"Team" fucking "GB" my fucking arse. #twatspeak

[cdbearsfan]

Quite right.

Should be TeamGBU23+3.

[Risso]

Teem Gr8 Britun

[Louzie0]

Teem Gr8 Britun

Despite the textspeak, our lads will prevail. Because they can spell.