Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: N'ZMAV on January 24, 2012, 01:01:16 PM
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Alex McLeish revealed up to 10 Aston Villa players have been contacted about their availability for the Great Britain Olympics side.
Villa are not revealing the names under consideration but it is understood they include likes of Barry Bannan and Marc Albrighton.
McLeish said: "The Olympics is very novel for us in this country. If you grow up in somewhere like Australia it's a family's ambition for their kids to represent Australia at the Olympics.
"Football's never been that way for us in the UK. I think there have been a few players contacted, something like 10.
"I've left Sharon Barnhurst (club secretary) to deal with our players and liaise with them about what they want to do."
linky (http://www.clubcall.com/aston-villa/team-gb-want-villa-stars---mcleish-1371922.html)
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I may be wrong, but I'm sure I heard last week that letters have been sent out to over 200 players asking if they'd be interested in playing for Great Britain in the summer.
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Bannan, Albrighton mentioned above. Hopefully Gary Gardner too. Great experience for the younger players.
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Why not? At the very least it's competitive football so better than pre-season friendlies.
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I'd guess Gabby and Collins were also included in that 10.
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If they get injured, will the FA compensate us? If not, they can piss off.
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Collins' hoof up the pitch would grace any Olympic games.
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If they get injured, will the FA compensate us? If not, they can piss off.
I don't think it's really an FA thing, just that they've agreed to it. I'd guess it's therefore the Olympic whatever that would have to compensate us, which is unusual for them as they're more used to ameteur sports, so can only imagine they'll take out some hefty insurance.
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Collins' hoof up the pitch would grace any Olympic games.
Maybe they could put him in the shotput as well?
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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.
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Isn't it supposed to be an Under 23 competition and only two over age players are permitted?
If that is the case then there'll only be one 'over age' place up for grabs because The Anointed One has already bagsed the captains arm band.
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If that report the other day is correct, Delfouneso and Gardner have already declined the invitation.
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It was incorrect.
And there's three over 23 player spots. And several 23 year olds count as under, due to birthdays.
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But the 3 spots will surely go to name players, J Cole, Owen, Scholes, Beckham, Giggs etc., not Collins and Agbonlahor. Although I guess they must have been sounded out, otherwise I can't think how 10 of our players have been approached. Gardner, Delfouneso, Albrighton, Bannan, Delph, Agbonlahor, Collins, Warnock, Heskey and Hutton maybe?
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Not wanting to knock the prestige of the event, or the quality of AV players, but doesn't this come on the back of statements such as those by SAF that he virtually thinks it is a joke competition, and doesn't want to risk his players.
No doubt this sentiment has been echoed by other top end clubs, meaning the rest of the PL has to be scoured
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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.
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I bet they've asked every single British player under the age of 23 in the Premier League.
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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.
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Good news.
The Olympic football should be good now that we are entering a team.
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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.
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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.
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Yup, I believe that TRS-T is mixing up "good" with "of interest to me".
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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"Team" fucking "GB" my fucking arse. #twatspeak
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Quite right.
Should be TeamGBU23+3.
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Teem Gr8 Britun
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Teem Gr8 Britun
Despite the textspeak, our lads will prevail. Because they can spell.
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It should be Team UK.
Team GB does not include Northern Ireland.
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It should be Team UK.
Team GB does not include Northern Ireland.
It does.
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Hard to imagine much in the way of truly passionate support on the the terraces for "Team GB", really. It strikes me as being similar to the support shown for A-League teams in Australia - people shout a lot but their hearts aren't 100% in it.
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I find anything to do with the Olympics crushingly boring already.
What a gigantic waste of money it is.
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Have to agree with Paulie, it's an utter joke! Never wanted the fucking olympics that will make a few cockernees rich and screw the rest of the country over! Team GB? There's nothing great about Britain and there's sod all united about the UK. Farcical. Next!
(cynical? me? you better believe it!)
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Have to agree with Paulie, it's an utter joke! Never wanted the fucking olympics that will make a few cockernees rich and screw the rest of the country over! Team GB? There's nothing great about Britain and there's sod all united about the UK. Farcical. Next!
(cynical? me? you better believe it!)
I'm pretty sure that paulie meant that he finds the Olympics boring anyway, but he's actually bored of them now, 5-6 months before they start. Not to mention the waste of money at a time of austerity.
Fuck all to do with how he thinks the UK is shit. I don't know how you made that leap.
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It should be Team UK.
Team GB does not include Northern Ireland.
It does.
Incdeed. Northern Irish athletes can represent either Ireland or GB, depending on their preference.
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I like the olympics for the true olympic sports (athletics / throwing / jumping etc)
The Team GB will be a politically inspired event with not the nest players playing but a collection of players that represent the whole of the UK
Could you imagine if there was not a Scottish player in the squad (and lets face it there are not many that would get even close) then someone like the rascist Alec Salmond's head would explode and it would give him a huge platform to shout how the English are against us etc etc
With the economy the way it is it should have been done either on a shoestring (there are enough good quality stadia around to accomodate all the events) or cancelled altogether.
No matter what anyone down south says its not a country wide thing - it is a London wankfest
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No matter what anyone down south says its not a country wide thing - it is a London wankfest
True.
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As a matter of interest, what has Salmond done that's racist?
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Have to agree with Paulie, it's an utter joke! Never wanted the fucking olympics that will make a few cockernees rich and screw the rest of the country over! Team GB? There's nothing great about Britain and there's sod all united about the UK. Farcical. Next!
(cynical? me? you better believe it!)
That's not cynicism it's just Victor Meldrew level miserable whinging.
I'm not overly excited by the Olympics but millions of people are so good luck to them.
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As a matter of interest, what has Salmond done that's racist?
Nothing, it's entirely the wrong choice of word there. However, you have to suspect he's one of those Scots who finds it impossible to talk about how much they love Scotland without mentioning how much they hate England. I've not met many like that but they've all been staunch SNP indepencists (new word!), and while some of it's just banter, there's a level where it seems to get nastier than necessary.
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It should be Team UK.
Team GB does not include Northern Ireland.
It does.
In sporting terms "GB" would include Northern Ireland. However, in geographical terms it would not.
Therefore, it should be "Team UKofGB&NI"
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Have to agree with Paulie, it's an utter joke! Never wanted the fucking olympics that will make a few cockernees rich and screw the rest of the country over! Team GB? There's nothing great about Britain and there's sod all united about the UK. Farcical. Next!
(cynical? me? you better believe it!)
That's not cynicism it's just Victor Meldrew level miserable whinging.
I'm not overly excited by the Olympics but millions of people are so good luck to them.
Think what he's saying is the UK is farcically down the pan, can't afford the Ollyimpics and neither should we, I agree with him, friggin jobs being lost everywhere and we are then going to put this United front on, how deluded is that, and the even bigger problem is the country could be way further down the toilet by then.
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Team GB?
Why can't we have a proper name?
The Great Britain And Northern Ireland Olympic Football Team. Would suffice.
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Bit of a mouthful though innit.
As the vicar said etc
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Any one who can't string nine words together must be a nose. ;)
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Have to agree with Paulie, it's an utter joke! Never wanted the fucking olympics that will make a few cockernees rich and screw the rest of the country over! Team GB? There's nothing great about Britain and there's sod all united about the UK. Farcical. Next!
(cynical? me? you better believe it!)
That's not cynicism it's just Victor Meldrew level miserable whinging.
I'm not overly excited by the Olympics but millions of people are so good luck to them.
Think what he's saying is the UK is farcically down the pan, can't afford the Ollyimpics and neither should we, I agree with him, friggin jobs being lost everywhere and we are then going to put this United front on, how deluded is that, and the even bigger problem is the country could be way further down the toilet by then.
The building works have created thousands of jobs have they not? Regeneration of that part of London will boost the economy of a deprived area. How are these bad things?
You seem to be suggesting that due to the financial situation we should all be donning sack cloth and ashes and muttering "woe is me".
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Have to agree with Paulie, it's an utter joke! Never wanted the fucking olympics that will make a few cockernees rich and screw the rest of the country over! Team GB? There's nothing great about Britain and there's sod all united about the UK. Farcical. Next!
(cynical? me? you better believe it!)
I'm pretty sure that paulie meant that he finds the Olympics boring anyway, but he's actually bored of them now, 5-6 months before they start. Not to mention the waste of money at a time of austerity.
Fuck all to do with how he thinks the UK is shit. I don't know how you made that leap.
Stu, I agreed with his thoughts and then expressed my own opinion. I made no 'leap' at all!
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Have to agree with Paulie, it's an utter joke! Never wanted the fucking olympics that will make a few cockernees rich and screw the rest of the country over! Team GB? There's nothing great about Britain and there's sod all united about the UK. Farcical. Next!
(cynical? me? you better believe it!)
That's not cynicism it's just Victor Meldrew level miserable whinging.
I'm not overly excited by the Olympics but millions of people are so good luck to them.
Well of course, I don't agree with you therefore you state that I am a whinger! You're entitled to your opinion, I'm entitled to mine, but I'll express mine without resorting to petty, schoolboy speak. If the millions who are interested in them were paying for them then fine, but I resent having to pay for something that I'm not the least bit interested in. Also, the economy is fucked and that cash could be far better used. Just my opinion!
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Have to agree with Paulie, it's an utter joke! Never wanted the fucking olympics that will make a few cockernees rich and screw the rest of the country over! Team GB? There's nothing great about Britain and there's sod all united about the UK. Farcical. Next!
(cynical? me? you better believe it!)
That's not cynicism it's just Victor Meldrew level miserable whinging.
I'm not overly excited by the Olympics but millions of people are so good luck to them.
Think what he's saying is the UK is farcically down the pan, can't afford the Ollyimpics and neither should we, I agree with him, friggin jobs being lost everywhere and we are then going to put this United front on, how deluded is that, and the even bigger problem is the country could be way further down the toilet by then.
The building works have created thousands of jobs have they not? Regeneration of that part of London will boost the economy of a deprived area. How are these bad things?
You seem to be suggesting that due to the financial situation we should all be donning sack cloth and ashes and muttering "woe is me".
How many millions have had to be borrowed for these temporary jobs to be created and how long will it take for taxpayers all over the country to repay those millions to benefit a few people in the area?
It's not 'woe is me' and there's no need to be so patronising. People have different opinions to you, and that doesn't make them wrong, just different!
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Have to agree with Paulie, it's an utter joke! Never wanted the fucking olympics that will make a few cockernees rich and screw the rest of the country over! Team GB? There's nothing great about Britain and there's sod all united about the UK. Farcical. Next!
(cynical? me? you better believe it!)
That's not cynicism it's just Victor Meldrew level miserable whinging.
I'm not overly excited by the Olympics but millions of people are so good luck to them.
Well of course, I don't agree with you therefore you state that I am a whinger! You're entitled to your opinion, I'm entitled to mine, but I'll express mine without resorting to petty, schoolboy speak. If the millions who are interested in them were paying for them then fine, but I resent having to pay for something that I'm not the least bit interested in. Also, the economy is fucked and that cash could be far better used. Just my opinion!
But your post was entirely petty schoolboy speak, "fuckin' Olympics", "cockernees", "nothing great about Britain" etc.
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but I resent having to pay for something that I'm not the least bit interested in
Know hiow you feel. I hate having to bail the Welsh out with my taxes but I grudgingly do it because that's how society works.
Seriously though, be grateful you're not living in London and paying an extra levy on your council tax ( until 2017, In think it is) to help fund the Olympics
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Have to agree with Paulie, it's an utter joke! Never wanted the fucking olympics that will make a few cockernees rich and screw the rest of the country over! Team GB? There's nothing great about Britain and there's sod all united about the UK. Farcical. Next!
(cynical? me? you better believe it!)
That's not cynicism it's just Victor Meldrew level miserable whinging.
I'm not overly excited by the Olympics but millions of people are so good luck to them.
Well of course, I don't agree with you therefore you state that I am a whinger! You're entitled to your opinion, I'm entitled to mine, but I'll express mine without resorting to petty, schoolboy speak. If the millions who are interested in them were paying for them then fine, but I resent having to pay for something that I'm not the least bit interested in. Also, the economy is fucked and that cash could be far better used. Just my opinion!
But your post was entirely petty schoolboy speak, "fuckin' Olympics", "cockernees", "nothing great about Britain" etc.
If you say so, but not directed at anyone personally but rather just stating my opinion, which was my point! Let's just agree to differ shall we?
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but I resent having to pay for something that I'm not the least bit interested in
Seriously though, be grateful you're not living in London and paying an extra levy on your council tax ( until 2017, In think it is) to help fund the Olympics
That's outrageous, and is entirely the point I was making!
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If we could swap the 2012 Olympics for the 2018 World Cup, I imagine 99% would be in favour of doing it.
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If we could swap the 2012 Olympics for the 2018 World Cup, I imagine 99% would be in favour of doing it.
Not if we had to field a British team
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Why would non-football fans prefer to see the World Cup being held in England rather than the Olympics?
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If we could swap the 2012 Olympics for the 2018 World Cup, I imagine 99% would be in favour of doing it.
I know a good few people who I work with who would gladly tell you bollocks
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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!
Might see you in there, but it's 50-50 whether I'm going at all now due to having to be a taxi service for my son's social life.
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It's not solely London centric either, the football is in Coventry, the sailing in Weymouth, various teams (inc. China I think) will be staying and training in Loughborough. It's hardly like London is some far off city anyway, what is it 95 miles away, that's nothing in global terms. If you lived 95 miles from LA, Beijing, Sydney etc they would be your nearest big city and you'd practically give your location as just outside LA etc.
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The GB team should wear the strip used in Escape to Victory.
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Might see you in there, but it's 50-50 whether I'm going at all now due to having to be a taxi service for my son's social life.
Dave, what goes around, comes around. Tom is now our taxi driver. He does charge us, mind.
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but I resent having to pay for something that I'm not the least bit interested in
Seriously though, be grateful you're not living in London and paying an extra levy on your council tax ( until 2017, In think it is) to help fund the Olympics
That's outrageous, and is entirely the point I was making!
Welcome to my world...live in the shadow of the stadium yet got none of the £800 worth of tickets I applied for, am in my 2nd year of dealing with unbelievable roadworks, will have a nightmare getting to and from work and am paying for the privilege. However...I just know that once they start I'll get swept away and won't want to be anywhere else. Damn It.
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Seriously though, be grateful you're not living in London and paying an extra levy on your council tax ( until 2017, In think it is) to help fund the Olympics
What does that equate to Chico in an actual pounds and shillings amount?
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If we could swap the 2012 Olympics for the 2018 World Cup, I imagine 99% would be in favour of doing it.
I know a good few people who I work with who would gladly tell you bollocks
The World Cup is better and it is actually for the whole country.
The Olympics is just for London hence why it's called London 2012.
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What does that equate to Chico in an actual pounds and shillings amount
£20 per year added to council tax bills in London, starting in 2006 and finishing (assuming the costs havent spiralled by then) in 2017. And we get no priority treatment when it comes to ticket ordering. I applied for over £2ks worth and got nothing
So it's £220 for each household in London. Dosent sound like much, but i'd sooner have it in in my pocket than Seb fucking Coe's.
We're going on holiday for a week when it's on.....if anyone wants to rent a house in London
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Could you imagine if there was not a Scottish player in the squad (and lets face it there are not many that would get even close) then someone like the rascist Alec Salmond's head would explode and it would give him a huge platform to shout how the English are against us etc etc
Considering the fact that the SFA have told all their players to reject the invitation to join Team GB I don't think that is likely at all. I imagine that one or two might go for it but if they aren't selected I doubt anyone is going to be too upset.
As for the Olympics it's a waste of money, especially in this economy. I can understand the economic stimulus argument but it is focused largely on London. Surely it would be better if the money on the Olympics, or maybe a slightly more affordable amount, was spent on building more useful things than stadia and athlete's villages such as hospitals, housing and so on across the United Kingdom to help people and generate jobs in all parts of the country?
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The World Cup is better and it is actually for the whole country.
The Olympics is just for London hence why it's called London 2012.
Do you have to be on the windup the whole time? Better according to who? Is it better for those who have absolutely no interest in football? Is it better for amateur athletes of numerous sports who work their bollocks off for years for the chance to represent their country? Or is it better being able to see a group of millionaire average footballers (who usually see playing for England as a chore rather than an honour) failing miserably to win something? And I'd imagine that all of England's, the only team you appear to have any interest in watching, games would still be in London by the way.
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Also, more often than not these days, the majority of world cup matches are excruciatingly dull.
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The World Cup is better and it is actually for the whole country.
The Olympics is just for London hence why it's called London 2012.
Do you have to be on the windup the whole time? Better according to who? Is it better for those who have absolutely no interest in football? Is it better for amateur athletes of numerous sports who work their bollocks off for years for the chance to represent their country? Or is it better being able to see a group of millionaire average footballers (who usually see playing for England as a chore rather than an honour) failing miserably to win something? And I'd imagine that all of England's, the only team you appear to have any interest in watching, games would still be in London by the way.
It's better for the majority of sports fans in this country when you consider that football is by far and away the most popular sport in this country.
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The World Cup is better and it is actually for the whole country.
The Olympics is just for London hence why it's called London 2012.
Do you have to be on the windup the whole time? Better according to who? Is it better for those who have absolutely no interest in football? Is it better for amateur athletes of numerous sports who work their bollocks off for years for the chance to represent their country? Or is it better being able to see a group of millionaire average footballers (who usually see playing for England as a chore rather than an honour) failing miserably to win something? And I'd imagine that all of England's, the only team you appear to have any interest in watching, games would still be in London by the way.
It's better for the majority of sports fans in this country when you consider that football is by far and away the most popular sport in this country.
Please stop confusing "all" with "me".
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As a matter of interest, what has Salmond done that's racist?
Nothing, it's entirely the wrong choice of word there. However, you have to suspect he's one of those Scots who finds it impossible to talk about how much they love Scotland without mentioning how much they hate England. I've not met many like that but they've all been staunch SNP indepencists (new word!), and while some of it's just banter, there's a level where it seems to get nastier than necessary.
Thanks for that - you are right maybe racist is the wrong word but i too feel that the banter of old is becoming very different the more he drums up nationalistic pride. I would not be suprised to see him in kilt and blue paint across his face ala Braveheart any time soon
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It's better for the majority of sports fans in this country when you consider that football is by far and away the most popular sport in this country.
I'm struggling to see your logic here (surprise surprise). So a tournament that has a wide range of sports (a number of which are extremely popular in the UK, i'm confident of presuming), including football, is not as good as a tournament that only caters for one particular type of sports fan? Right you are.
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It's better for the majority of sports fans in this country when you consider that football is by far and away the most popular sport in this country.
I'm struggling to see your logic here (surprise surprise). So a tournament that has a wide range of sports (a number of which are extremely popular in the UK, i'm confident of presuming), including football, is not as good as a tournament that only caters for one particular type of sports fan? Right you are.
The World Cup pisses all over the Olympics no matter how much spin you put on it. Honestly, I couldn't give a damn about the Olympics, but if it was the World Cup that was happening in this country this year the place would be going crazy with anticipation. I don't think Synchronized Swimming has that same level of excitement though.
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As a matter of interest, what has Salmond done that's racist?
Nothing, it's entirely the wrong choice of word there. However, you have to suspect he's one of those Scots who finds it impossible to talk about how much they love Scotland without mentioning how much they hate England. I've not met many like that but they've all been staunch SNP indepencists (new word!), and while some of it's just banter, there's a level where it seems to get nastier than necessary.
Thanks for that - you are right maybe racist is the wrong word but i too feel that the banter of old is becoming very different the more he drums up nationalistic pride. I would not be suprised to see him in kilt and blue paint across his face ala Braveheart any time soon
In a way this is my problem with Salmond - he's slyer than that, but what he does which is sly is applauded in Scotland by his friends in the media, whereas similar tactics by other politicians and parties would be, and are, condemned as empty publicity courting. Of all the charlatans in British politics - and there are plenty (with Clegg coming a close second - and I say that as a life-long liberal) - he is definitely the least honest and most deceptive.
Anyway, the Olympics. I don't the the SFA or FAW have really helped anyone with their stances. Seems narrow-minded and fear-based more than logical or logistical.
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It's better for the majority of sports fans in this country when you consider that football is by far and away the most popular sport in this country.
I'm struggling to see your logic here (surprise surprise). So a tournament that has a wide range of sports (a number of which are extremely popular in the UK, i'm confident of presuming), including football, is not as good as a tournament that only caters for one particular type of sports fan? Right you are.
The World Cup pisses all over the Olympics no matter how much spin you put on it. Honestly, I couldn't give a damn about the Olympics, but if it was the World Cup that was happening in this country this year the place would be going crazy with anticipation. I don't think Synchronized Swimming has that same level of excitement though.
2010 World Cup finals total TV audience - 3.2 billion
2008 Olympics audience - 4.7 billion.
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It's better for the majority of sports fans in this country when you consider that football is by far and away the most popular sport in this country.
I'm struggling to see your logic here (surprise surprise). So a tournament that has a wide range of sports (a number of which are extremely popular in the UK, i'm confident of presuming), including football, is not as good as a tournament that only caters for one particular type of sports fan? Right you are.
The World Cup pisses all over the Olympics no matter how much spin you put on it. Honestly, I couldn't give a damn about the Olympics, but if it was the World Cup that was happening in this country this year the place would be going crazy with anticipation. I don't think Synchronized Swimming has that same level of excitement though.
2010 World Cup finals total TV audience - 3.2 billion
2008 Olympics audience - 4.7 billion.
Hell of a lot more sports at the Olympics though.
I specifically don't like to see tennis and football at the Olympics though. The Olympics should be the pinnacle for minority sports, not for football (and it isn't). It seems like a fraud to me.
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It's better for the majority of sports fans in this country when you consider that football is by far and away the most popular sport in this country.
I'm struggling to see your logic here (surprise surprise). So a tournament that has a wide range of sports (a number of which are extremely popular in the UK, i'm confident of presuming), including football, is not as good as a tournament that only caters for one particular type of sports fan? Right you are.
The World Cup pisses all over the Olympics no matter how much spin you put on it. Honestly, I couldn't give a damn about the Olympics, but if it was the World Cup that was happening in this country this year the place would be going crazy with anticipation. I don't think Synchronized Swimming has that same level of excitement though.
2010 World Cup finals total TV audience - 3.2 billion
2008 Olympics audience - 4.7 billion.
Also, to write off the olympics on the back of your lack of interest in synchronized swimming is ludicrous, in as much as it'd be ludicrous to write off the world cup because some of the games can end up being, say, New Zealand v Saudi Arabia.
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Hell of a lot more sports at the Olympics though.
I specifically don't like to see tennis and football at the Olympics though. The Olympics should be the pinnacle for minority sports, not for football (and it isn't). It seems like a fraud to me.
More sports = more interest from the general population, yet the world cup is still "better"?
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It's better for the majority of sports fans in this country when you consider that football is by far and away the most popular sport in this country.
I'm struggling to see your logic here (surprise surprise). So a tournament that has a wide range of sports (a number of which are extremely popular in the UK, i'm confident of presuming), including football, is not as good as a tournament that only caters for one particular type of sports fan? Right you are.
The World Cup pisses all over the Olympics no matter how much spin you put on it. Honestly, I couldn't give a damn about the Olympics, but if it was the World Cup that was happening in this country this year the place would be going crazy with anticipation. I don't think Synchronized Swimming has that same level of excitement though.
2010 World Cup finals total TV audience - 3.2 billion
2008 Olympics audience - 4.7 billion.
Also, to write off the olympics on the back of your lack of interest in synchronized swimming is ludicrous, in as much as it'd be ludicrous to write off the world cup because some of the games can end up being, say, New Zealand v Saudi Arabia.
For me the only thing worth watching is the track and field events. All the rest is pointless (especially the football).
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For me the only thing worth watching is the track and field events. All the rest is pointless (especially the football).
Horses for courses, innit? There's plenty I've no interest in, but can appreciate that others might.
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Hell of a lot more sports at the Olympics though.
I specifically don't like to see tennis and football at the Olympics though. The Olympics should be the pinnacle for minority sports, not for football (and it isn't). It seems like a fraud to me.
More sports = more interest from the general population, yet the world cup is still "better"?
If there were more matches in the World Cup they'd be more interest and more viewing figures, so your argument doesn't really make much sense.
The World Cup if infinitely better than the Olympics in my opinion.
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Hell of a lot more sports at the Olympics though.
I specifically don't like to see tennis and football at the Olympics though. The Olympics should be the pinnacle for minority sports, not for football (and it isn't). It seems like a fraud to me.
More sports = more interest from the general population, yet the world cup is still "better"?
If there were more matches in the World Cup they'd be more interest and more viewing figures, so your argument doesn't really make much sense.
The World Cup if infinitely better than the Olympics in my opinion.
Good for you.
Millions of people would disagree. And best of luck to them.
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Must be honest, I've never watched and Olympic football match, just don't have an interest in it.
However I do think there should be a football team as it's not going to happen in our lifetimes again is it, a British Olympics.
I actually would probably go and watch if they played a test friendly at VP, watching a team with the likes of Beckham, Giggs, Bale etc would be quite cool imo, old and new generations.
I do think there will be desire from a lot of players to play...someone like Stephen Fletcher who refuses to play for Scotland under Levine and is actually one of the highest scoring premier league players over the last year...what better way to get yourself a move from Wolves than performing well in the Olympics?
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Hell of a lot more sports at the Olympics though.
I specifically don't like to see tennis and football at the Olympics though. The Olympics should be the pinnacle for minority sports, not for football (and it isn't). It seems like a fraud to me.
More sports = more interest from the general population, yet the world cup is still "better"?
If there were more matches in the World Cup they'd be more interest and more viewing figures, so your argument doesn't really make much sense.
The World Cup if infinitely better than the Olympics in my opinion.
Good for you.
Millions of people would disagree. And best of luck to them.
And I'm sure millions might agree with me as well. The best of luck to everyone!
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Well I have attended games at Euro 96, the Rugby World Cup in England and France and I'm delighted that I have tickets to the Olympics next summer. As you can probably tell I am a bit of an all round sports fan, having been to test, one day and county cricket, Athletics, Horse Racing as well as copious amounts of Football and Rugby games.
This is a once in a lifetime experience and I am going to try and enjoy it as much as possible. Personally I think it will be great for our country and hopefully take our minds of the current doom and gloom for a few weeks and give us back a bit of pride.
I, like many people went into the ballot and like many people got diddly squat. I managed to secure tickets 2/3 months back through the Dutch Olympic website with a combination of Mrs S and google translate. I was that keen to get tickets. In the ballot I chose cycling and rowing as my two favoured sports and I'm glad to say that I have two days worth of rowing finals tickets, with a little bit of Boxing thrown in.
That's enough for me. I am attending the Olympic rowing with my 11 yr old daughter and it will be an experience we will remember for the rest of our lives. I believe the Olympics is bigger than any other sporting event on the planet, but accept there are plenty who don't feel that way.
Having said all of that, I wouldn't have either Football or Tennis in the games. The Olympic gold medal should be the pinnacle of that sport and in neither of these sports is that the case.
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'Team GB' indeed.
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It's better for the majority of sports fans in this country when you consider that football is by far and away the most popular sport in this country.
I'm struggling to see your logic here (surprise surprise). So a tournament that has a wide range of sports (a number of which are extremely popular in the UK, i'm confident of presuming), including football, is not as good as a tournament that only caters for one particular type of sports fan? Right you are.
The World Cup pisses all over the Olympics no matter how much spin you put on it.
The only thing the last World Cup pissed all over was itself.
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The only thing the last World Cup pissed all over was itself.
I'm sure there's an audience out there for even that......
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Also, to write off the olympics on the back of your lack of interest in synchronized swimming is ludicrous, in as much as it'd be ludicrous to write off the world cup because some of the games can end up being, say, New Zealand v Saudi Arabia.
New Zealand have reached the tournament stage twice but have never played Saudi Arabia in the final stages.
However, if they did play Saudi Arabia, I would be very keen to watch.
Particularly, as in the last World Cup they remained unbeaten.
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Although I wasn't a fan of us getting the Olympics, I do like some of the arguments using the current economic climate as to why we shouldn't have won it in 2005 and started to plan and build the stadium in 2006. Can those people please tell me the lottery numbers in 7 years time as you can obviously see that far into the future.
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The problem with the Olympics is that its to diverse, most people like the 100mtrs, but how many people actually are bothered with Judo for example, ( Judo as an example) personally I would not only say that the World Cup is way better I would go as far as to say The European Championship is way better, another example, IF, England get into the Semi's of the European Championships this year the whole country will stop work or whatever it is they are doing and get in front of a TV screen to watch, can't even think what impact getting into the final would bring and a World Cup final, can't even imagine.
I can't remember an Olympic event getting anything like that interest for years, at least since Redgrave picked up an ore or Torville and Dean did there thing, so IMO its just not in the same league.
On the nationalism point, you don't have to go up to Scotland to find inbreed racism, I live in and have lived in a part of the UK where people refuse to call you by your name and will openly call you a shortened localisms, a bit like calling someone from Pakistan the shortened version, do it all the time here, gone into pubs and not been served or had beer passed over me to a local just walked in behind me and I've been waiting 10mins, I know of a case whereby 1 such local totally abused 2 people from England, and his defence with an impending court appearance was "well they're outsiders from England", "they have to be put in there place" so therefore any treatment I pass out to them is fine, or words to that effect.
I've walked into a newsagent to purchase, gone up to a till and had the proprietor hold out his hand, take my money and instead of saying thank you says "you know your not welcome here".....
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It's not solely London centric either, the football is in Coventry, the sailing in Weymouth, various teams (inc. China I think) will be staying and training in Loughborough.
Portland, if you please.
As my missus never gets tired of angrily telling me.
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Villanation, ever thought it might just be you?
I have been to, and worked in, many of the far flung places of the UK and have never been made anything other than welcome. Okay so I have been on the receiving end of some banter, and some of it was probably less than friendly to begin with, but once you show that you can take it, and then give a bit back, it always ends up in alcoholic friendship!
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Villanation, ever thought it might just be you?
I have been to, and worked in, many of the far flung places of the UK and have never been made anything other than welcome. Okay so I have been on the receiving end of some banter, and some of it was probably less than friendly to begin with, but once you show that you can take it, and then give a bit back, it always ends up in alcoholic friendship!
Of course it might be me, on the other hand if you read my post you'll notice i mention a couple being completely abused by one local individual and i can sight many cases whereby people come from mainstream England to here and within a short period of time move back, generally sighting a couple of good reasons and always those same reasons, 1 being family and 2 being the locals, and when someone says to you when you point out I've lived here for 20 years, and they reply no passport then and in turn, as you say give as good as you get, which falls on stony ground because there sentiment is based on all seriousness, after a while it wears thin, the other point I would make is going somewhere and working somewhere is entirely different from living somewhere for years.
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Where's here?
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So, what you are saying is that you live in a place (I have absolutely no idea where you live by the way) that is intolerant to anyone who goes there that isn't local? Marvellous place that must be, please tell me where so that I can avoid it.
It goes totally against the grain of anywhere I have been where the locals tend to either accept you at face value or maybe take the piss a bit and then accept you once you don't bite!
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Royston Vasey?
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So, what you are saying is that you live in a place (I have absolutely no idea where you live by the way) that is intolerant to anyone who goes there that isn't local? Marvellous place that must be, please tell me where so that I can avoid it.
Royston Vesey.
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So, what you are saying is that you live in a place (I have absolutely no idea where you live by the way) that is intolerant to anyone who goes there that isn't local? Marvellous place that must be, please tell me where so that I can avoid it.
Royston Vesey.
Jinx
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So, what you are saying is that you live in a place (I have absolutely no idea where you live by the way) that is intolerant to anyone who goes there that isn't local? Marvellous place that must be, please tell me where so that I can avoid it.
It goes totally against the grain of anywhere I have been where the locals tend to either accept you at face value or maybe take the piss a bit and then accept you once you don't bite!
Well Chas N'Dave Cooper, I can assure you its rife, the flag waving is actually more common in the younger generation than the old, that's the way it is and as mentioned you either except it (being I either except it) and just enjoy the place for its other assets or move, I stayed, thick skinned and all that, but just like the kind of thing that happened in Wales a few decades ago when locals started to burn down outsiders cottages who where not actually living there because it was forcing the price of property up, that is people coming from places like London and B'ham and buying up the property, locals then can't afford them, causes resentment, point is its never far form the surface.
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So, what you are saying is that you live in a place (I have absolutely no idea where you live by the way) that is intolerant to anyone who goes there that isn't local? Marvellous place that must be, please tell me where so that I can avoid it.
Royston Vesey.
Jinx
Conspiracy Theory.
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So, what you are saying is that you live in a place (I have absolutely no idea where you live by the way) that is intolerant to anyone who goes there that isn't local? Marvellous place that must be, please tell me where so that I can avoid it.
It goes totally against the grain of anywhere I have been where the locals tend to either accept you at face value or maybe take the piss a bit and then accept you once you don't bite!
Well Chas N'Dave Cooper, I can assure you its rife, the flag waving is actually more common in the younger generation than the old, that's the way it is and as mentioned you either except it (being I either except it) and just enjoy the place for its other assets or move, I stayed, thick skinned and all that, but just like the kind of thing that happened in Wales a few decades ago when locals started to burn down outsiders cottages who where not actually living there because it was forcing the price of property up, that is people coming from places like London and B'ham and buying up the property, locals then can't afford them, causes resentment, point is its never far form the surface.
Fuck me, are you going to tell me where you live or not?
It's not that I don't believe you, I saw similar stuff when I first moved up to the Highlands in pursuit of oil money (didn't get much), Settler Watch!
But generally I've been accepted wherever I've gone, as have anyone I've known, and having been in the Army I've known people who have come from, and gone to, almost anywhere you could mention.
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I'm guessing it is deepest darkest D. Boy country.
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So, what you are saying is that you live in a place (I have absolutely no idea where you live by the way) that is intolerant to anyone who goes there that isn't local? Marvellous place that must be, please tell me where so that I can avoid it.
It goes totally against the grain of anywhere I have been where the locals tend to either accept you at face value or maybe take the piss a bit and then accept you once you don't bite!
Well Chas N'Dave Cooper, I can assure you its rife, the flag waving is actually more common in the younger generation than the old, that's the way it is and as mentioned you either except it (being I either except it) and just enjoy the place for its other assets or move, I stayed, thick skinned and all that, but just like the kind of thing that happened in Wales a few decades ago when locals started to burn down outsiders cottages who where not actually living there because it was forcing the price of property up, that is people coming from places like London and B'ham and buying up the property, locals then can't afford them, causes resentment, point is its never far form the surface.
Fuck me, are you going to tell me where you live or not?
It's not that I don't believe you, I saw similar stuff when I first moved up to the Highlands in pursuit of oil money (didn't get much), Settler Watch!
But generally I've been accepted wherever I've gone, as have anyone I've known, and having been in the Army I've known people who have come from, and gone to, almost anywhere you could mention.
I'll give you a clue.
I can see both Lands End and.............
http://www.tresco.co.uk/
So where am I... ;)
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St. Martins.
Are they really so insular down there? For shame.
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Have you been invited to the Autumn festivals yet?
(http://www.forestofbowland.com/files/uploads/the-wicker-man.jpg)
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So, what you are saying is that you live in a place (I have absolutely no idea where you live by the way) that is intolerant to anyone who goes there that isn't local? Marvellous place that must be, please tell me where so that I can avoid it.
It goes totally against the grain of anywhere I have been where the locals tend to either accept you at face value or maybe take the piss a bit and then accept you once you don't bite!
Spot on Dave, that's exactly the situation I've encountered all over the UK as well, especially here. The one place I've lived that didn't appear to have any redeeming features at all and was inhabited entirely by miserable simpletons was Leicester. Christ, WHAT a fucking shit hole.
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Villanation, I have to ask, are you a Scouser?
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Craig Bellamy should be an over-age player.
I don't know why David Beckham seems to have his his place cemented.
Why would you pick Beckham when you could pick Aaron Lennon?
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Beckham will bring in the crowds, the sponsors and the merchandising, who the fuck wants to watch Aaron Lennon?
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Beckham will bring in the crowds, the sponsors and the merchandising, who the fuck wants to watch Aaron Lennon?
We should pick the strongest possible side XI.
Aaron Lennon is a better player than David Beckham.
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Beckham will bring in the crowds, the sponsors and the merchandising, who the fuck wants to watch Aaron Lennon?
We should pick the strongest possible side XI.
So ten English players plus Gareth Bale then?
Very representative of Great Britain.
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Craig Bellamy should be an over-age player.
I don't know why David Beckham seems to have his his place cemented.
Why would you pick Beckham when you could pick Aaron Lennon?
Because he is the biggest corperate endorsement whore there is
I spent a good few years back and forth to China, and i mean out in the country 3rd world type places where there was not a single word of English - his mug was everywhere from pepsi cola to adidas trainers and everyone knew who he was
You cannot imagine the money that particular cash cow brings in so its no suprise he is cemented in - most of the other players will be based on sponsors choices more than anything else
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Beckham will bring in the crowds, the sponsors and the merchandising, who the fuck wants to watch Aaron Lennon?
We should pick the strongest possible side XI.
So ten English players plus Gareth Bale then?
Very representative of Great Britain.
Yes because English players are British you know...
That's like saying we should have a quota of Northerners, Southerners and Midlanders in the England team.
Or perhaps a quota of white players, black players and Asian players?
The best players should get picked.
If the best players are mostly English then so be it.
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The World Cup is better and it is actually for the whole country.
The Olympics is just for London hence why it's called London 2012.
Do you have to be on the windup the whole time? Better according to who? Is it better for those who have absolutely no interest in football? Is it better for amateur athletes of numerous sports who work their bollocks off for years for the chance to represent their country? Or is it better being able to see a group of millionaire average footballers (who usually see playing for England as a chore rather than an honour) failing miserably to win something? And I'd imagine that all of England's, the only team you appear to have any interest in watching, games would still be in London by the way.
It's better for the majority of sports fans in this country when you consider that football is by far and away the most popular sport in this country.
Like I said before, bollocks. The people I work with are football fans but were ecstatic that the games were to be held in this country. In fairness, gutted we didnt get the World Cup, but on the whole are sports fans who want to watch the best athletes in the world competing for the highest honours in their country.
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Beckham will bring in the crowds, the sponsors and the merchandising, who the fuck wants to watch Aaron Lennon?
We should pick the strongest possible side XI.
Aaron Lennon is a better player than David Beckham.
You do realise that it is the Euros this summer? Players aren't going to be able to play in both.
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Beckham will bring in the crowds, the sponsors and the merchandising, who the fuck wants to watch Aaron Lennon?
We should pick the strongest possible side XI.
Aaron Lennon is a better player than David Beckham.
You do realise that it is the Euros this summer? Players aren't going to be able to play in both.
Lennon wont get into the Euros squad.
I'm guessing the wingers will be Young, Downing, Johnson and Walcott.
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Villanation, I have to ask, are you a Scouser?
That's a strange one, no, born and breed in the inter land somewhere between Oxfordshire's and the and West Mids borders, reared on Villa, played at Villa park, played against Villa and beating the side at that time, and still play golf with one of the lads from that side we beat and an 80's legend for the club.
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Villanation, I have to ask, are you a Scouser?
That's a strange one, no, born and breed in the inter land somewhere between Oxfordshire's and the and West Mids borders, reared on Villa, played at Villa park, played against Villa and beating the side at that time, and still play golf with one of the lads from that side we beat and an 80's legend for the club.
Is this a covert way of saying Warwickshire as there is no border between West Mids and Oxon?
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The olympics, though, are meant to be for amateur sports aren't they? So they should be selecting their team from non-league amateurs not trying to cash in on the professional game, ditto tennis. Then again, everything exists only for money these days, and the olympics are costing £12bn this year! Ridiculous in the current climate, ludricous in fact! You might even say criminal!
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Beckham will bring in the crowds, the sponsors and the merchandising, who the fuck wants to watch Aaron Lennon?
We should pick the strongest possible side XI.
So ten English players plus Gareth Bale then?
Very representative of Great Britain.
Yes because English players are British you know...
That's like saying we should have a quota of Northerners, Southerners and Midlanders in the England team.
Or perhaps a quota of white players, black players and Asian players?
The best players should get picked.
If the best players are mostly English then so be it.
The best players will be at Euro 2012.
Shall I remind you which countries won't be at Euro 2012?
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The olympics, though, are meant to be for amateur sports aren't they? So they should be selecting their team from non-league amateurs not trying to cash in on the professional game, ditto tennis. Then again, everything exists only for money these days, and the olympics are costing £12bn this year! Ridiculous in the current climate, ludricous in fact! You might even say criminal!
You can't really use this argument anymore, I'm fairly certain that there won't be a single medal won that this olympics by a guy (or girl) who do their sport as a hobby around a full-time job. The reality is you can't compete at the top level of any olympic sport if you don't train 5-6days a week for years on end. The real difference between someone like usain bolt and david beckham is that the vast majority of bolt's money (not including advertising for either) comes from winning things whereas beckham could lose his prize money down the side of the sofa and not care.
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The olympics, though, are meant to be for amateur sports aren't they? So they should be selecting their team from non-league amateurs not trying to cash in on the professional game, ditto tennis. Then again, everything exists only for money these days, and the olympics are costing £12bn this year! Ridiculous in the current climate, ludricous in fact! You might even say criminal!
You can't really use this argument anymore, I'm fairly certain that there won't be a single medal won that this olympics by a guy (or girl) who do their sport as a hobby around a full-time job. The reality is you can't compete at the top level of any olympic sport if you don't train 5-6days a week for years on end. The real difference between someone like usain bolt and david beckham is that the vast majority of bolt's money (not including advertising for either) comes from winning things whereas beckham could lose his prize money down the side of the sofa and not care.
And Bolt like most other athletes at the Olympics trains every day for 4 years just to appear at the Olympic games, where as footballers think, "I've got 2 weeks spare this summer, let's play at the Olympics".
That's another reason why football should have no place at the Olympic games.
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Beckham will bring in the crowds, the sponsors and the merchandising, who the fuck wants to watch Aaron Lennon?
We should pick the strongest possible side XI.
So ten English players plus Gareth Bale then?
Very representative of Great Britain.
Yes because English players are British you know...
That's like saying we should have a quota of Northerners, Southerners and Midlanders in the England team.
Or perhaps a quota of white players, black players and Asian players?
The best players should get picked.
If the best players are mostly English then so be it.
The best players will be at Euro 2012.
Shall I remind you which countries won't be at Euro 2012?
I know.
Excluding those players though, England still have the best players.
Therefore it only makes sense that the majority of the squad is English/
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You're an expert on Scottish/Welsh and Northern Irish under-23 football I assume?
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You're an expert on Scottish/Welsh and Northern Irish under-23 football I assume?
Nope.
Everyone knows that England are the strongest of the British nations.
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The way I see it Forrest, Bale and Ramsey should definitely make the team if they are willing. Anyone else from outside England?
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Is Rhodes under-23? I assume he'd be in if so.
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You're an expert on Scottish/Welsh and Northern Irish under-23 football I assume?
Nope.
Everyone knows that England are the strongest of the British nations.
Maybe, but that doesn't mean that their under-23 players (excluding those good enough to get in the European Championships squad) are better than any celtic counterparts, especially when they could pick the likes of Bale as an over-23 player as he won't have played in Euro 2012.
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You're an expert on Scottish/Welsh and Northern Irish under-23 football I assume?
Nope.
Everyone knows that England are the strongest of the British nations.
Maybe, but that doesn't mean that their under-23 players (excluding those good enough to get in the European Championships squad) are better than any celtic counterparts, especially when they could pick the likes of Bale as an over-23 player as he won't have played in Euro 2012.
Wouldn't Bale be picked as an under-23 player?
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Is he still that young? Bugger.
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Yep, monkey face is still 22 and the cutoff date is 1st jan 89. Only three players can be born before then.
I think that is why it is a mistake to compare this football with the Euros or the world cup. It should be compared to the U21 competitions. And I think it is better as the younger players will be playing competitively against teams around the world, and not just in Europe.
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Just heard on 5Live that Bent, Hutton & Collins are on Pearce's provisional list of overage players for the Olympics.
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Yer I can't really see a place for goldenballs when hutton is available!
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You'd be pretty fucking hopeful that Bent is nowhere near the Olympic squad.
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The Olympics should revert to amateurs only - no sponsorship either
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The Olympics should revert to amateurs only - no sponsorship either
The genie is well and truly out of the bottle. No way that it'll ever go back to that.
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Well I hope Bent doesn't end up involved and for our sake I think he needs to be involved in the Euros. He needs to see England will involve him if he's at Villa.
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Well I hope Bent doesn't end up involved and for our sake I think he needs to be involved in the Euros. He needs to see England will involve him if he's at Villa.
If 'arry gets the job I don't think it'll matter where he is.
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No matter what anyone down south says its not a country wide thing - it is a London wankfest
True.
Well the host city is London so that's kind of the idea isn't it?
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How the hell did Nathan Baker get an letter but Marc Albrighton didn't :o
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I'm looking forward to it - got tickets to the football quarter final at Old Trafford. Its on my Dad's bday and I'm also bringing my eldest nephew so its going to be a great boys day out. My Dad supports Wolves and my nephew supports Liverpool (obviously, coming from Burton....) but they do come to the Villa with me a few times a year so it will be nice to sit in a neutral match for a change.
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As an aside, i saw the Team GB shirt on sale in Sports Direct a couple of weeks ago. It's utterly shit.
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My team ignoring whether their clubs will allow it and excluding overaged players (in other words a waste of time):
..................Butland....................
Walker......Kelly.....Jones....Stephens
...Rodwell....Wilkshire...Ramsey...
....Ox-Chamb..Rhodes.....Bale.........
I think all nationalities are represented, which I think will be a pre-requisite.
Your turn...
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Well I hope Bent doesn't end up involved and for our sake I think he needs to be involved in the Euros. He needs to see England will involve him if he's at Villa.
If 'arry gets the job I don't think it'll matter where he is.
If Bent doesn't get in the squad having been playing and scoring regularly for England for the past year then Redknapp's even more of a c*** than I thought he was