No Press-ure

[dave.woodhall]

Words out of nothing:

www.thebirminghampress.com/2012/10/15/go-fourth-and/

[nigel]

Some interesting points, especially regarding the pre qualifying.
A mate and I have often mentioned that they should do a separate tournament for the lower ranking teams. It will give them something to play for rather than making up the numbers. You could probably do a form of promotion into the upper tier as they improve.

[darren woolley]

Good article Dave I like you can't understand why people haven't taken to Darren Bent.

[Clampy]

I was surprised at the crowd versus San Marino as well. The tickets must have been cheap although playing on a Friday night probably helps. They should still be taking the games around the country though.

[damon loves JT]

They should still be taking the games around the country though.

I agree, but that will now never, ever happen.

[Clampy]

They should still be taking the games around the country though.

I agree, but that will now never, ever happen.

They could do it with the freindlies if they really wanted to, but no it'll never happen.

[kippaxvilla2]

I hate everything about 'the England setup'.

[Concrete John]

I might be in the minority here, but I think it's wrong to take away the likes San Marino from the international stage. 

Ultimately, 90% of the nations that play international football will never win anything, and most won't even qualify, but they still want to play and represent their country.  To my mind saying that country A isn't good enough to play country B is a bit of snobbery that takes away from the concept and spirit of international football.     

[damon loves JT]

I might be in the minority here, but I think it's wrong to take away the likes San Marino from the international stage. 

Ultimately, 90% of the nations that play international football will never win anything, and most won't even qualify, but they still want to play and represent their country.  To my mind saying that country A isn't good enough to play country B is a bit of snobbery that takes away from the concept and spirit of international football.     

What if country A were Scotland? That would be hilarious.

[Clampy]

I hate everything about 'the England setup'.

I lost interest years ago.

[Dave Cooper please]

I might be in the minority here, but I think it's wrong to take away the likes San Marino from the international stage. 

Ultimately, 90% of the nations that play international football will never win anything, and most won't even qualify, but they still want to play and represent their country.  To my mind saying that country A isn't good enough to play country B is a bit of snobbery that takes away from the concept and spirit of international football.     

They can still represent their countries.

Most non-league clubs will never play a Premiership club in a competitive game, if they do get the chance it's by qualifying via a series of knockout games in the FA Cup.

[Risso]

I might be in the minority here, but I think it's wrong to take away the likes San Marino from the international stage. 

Ultimately, 90% of the nations that play international football will never win anything, and most won't even qualify, but they still want to play and represent their country.  To my mind saying that country A isn't good enough to play country B is a bit of snobbery that takes away from the concept and spirit of international football.     

They can still represent their countries.

Most non-league clubs will never play a Premiership club in a competitive game, if they do get the chance it's by qualifying via a series of knockout games in the FA Cup.

Exactly the point I was going to make Dave.  Teams like San Marino, Lichtenstein, Scotland and Malta etc should all have to play a pre-qualifying series of matches, and then the winners progress to the proper qualification stages. 

[Concrete John]

I might be in the minority here, but I think it's wrong to take away the likes San Marino from the international stage. 

Ultimately, 90% of the nations that play international football will never win anything, and most won't even qualify, but they still want to play and represent their country.  To my mind saying that country A isn't good enough to play country B is a bit of snobbery that takes away from the concept and spirit of international football.     

They can still represent their countries.

Most non-league clubs will never play a Premiership club in a competitive game, if they do get the chance it's by qualifying via a series of knockout games in the FA Cup.

If World Cup qualifying were a knock out competition, then I'd agree with a FA Cup type system.  But it's not.  Everyone who is eligible to qualify starts at the same point and has to earn their place in the finals, which I quite like.   

[Concrete John]

I might be in the minority here, but I think it's wrong to take away the likes San Marino from the international stage. 

Ultimately, 90% of the nations that play international football will never win anything, and most won't even qualify, but they still want to play and represent their country.  To my mind saying that country A isn't good enough to play country B is a bit of snobbery that takes away from the concept and spirit of international football.     

They can still represent their countries.

Most non-league clubs will never play a Premiership club in a competitive game, if they do get the chance it's by qualifying via a series of knockout games in the FA Cup.

Exactly the point I was going to make Dave.  Teams like San Marino, Lichtenstein, Scotland and Malta etc should all have to play a pre-qualifying series of matches, and then the winners progress to the proper qualification stages.

But what purpose does that serve, other than meaning the better countries play less games, meaning their players play more often for their clubs, who are usual the European elite?

Take away the likes of England v San Marino and it opens up room on the football calendar for shit like the '39th game' or an expansion of the CL. 

[dave.woodhall]

Or it takes away the need for midweek league games.