Other Games - 2017/18

[in exile]

Admittedly I don't take much notice of international football and the last England I watched would be the Iceland match, didn't watch either of the recent matches but there are three players who played who I had to google as I had no idea who they were, Gomez, Cook and  Tarkowski.

You make me seem like a football mastermind - thank you

[paul_e]

I'm in the same boat, I pay very little attention to the premier league now other than the odd glance at the table (mainly to laugh at the baggies).  I had heard of Cook though because a friend had him down as a player we should've signed last summer.

[CT]

Same here, feel like I've totally lost touch, not knowing who some England players even are! They could have won a competition to play for all I knew.

I forget England were even playing. Watched about five minutes, forgot about the second half and only heard the result this morning.

I used to love watching England but completely lost interest after the 2010 World Cup.

[Toronto Villa]

I don't know any of those players either but I am sure a lot has to do with not really caring much for the PL. If we were in it I'd watch us play against them and generally be more interested in football and players at that level.

[Chinchilla Bathhouse]

Same here, feel like I've totally lost touch, not knowing who some England players even are! They could have won a competition to play for all I knew.

I'm pretty sure that's true of Jordan Henderson. It seems far more plausible than the idea that he gets picked on ability.

[TopDeck113]

In terms of dampening down expectations, what better than an England team of unknowns? Far better than World Cup build-ups being highjacked by the talk of golden generations, Rooney's metatarsal or why Stevie and Lamps can't play together.

[Damo70]

In terms of dampening down expectations, what better than an England team of unknowns? Far better than World Cup build-ups being highjacked by the talk of golden generations, Rooney's metatarsal or why Stevie and Lamps can't play together.

Until the month leading up to the tournament itself when the tabloids suddenly decide we are potential world beaters.

[Dave]

In terms of dampening down expectations, what better than an England team of unknowns? Far better than World Cup build-ups being highjacked by the talk of golden generations, Rooney's metatarsal or why Stevie and Lamps can't play together.

Until the month leading up to the tournament itself when the tabloids suddenly decide we are potential world beaters.

I don't remember that happening at any tournament since around 2010.

[curiousorange]

What got my back up in 2014 (and at Euro 2012) was that England went with a general 'oh well, we won't do anything so let's build for the future' attitude from fans and media alike, and then when we turned out to be jank, it was slit your wrists time.

[Damo70]

What got my back up in 2014 (and at Euro 2012) was that England went with a general 'oh well, we won't do anything so let's build for the future' attitude from fans and media alike, and then when we turned out to be jank, it was slit your wrists time.

That was partly my point. That 'we aren't amongst the favourites' attitude always changes to some extent when the media feel the need to whip up the expectation levels to sell papers right on the eve of the tournament.

[Louzie0]

England will win through to the finals.

[Louzie0]

The only problem is a bit like Jesse Owen.
You know, how can they possibly win as they are not Russian or looking like it or ....
I think there’s going to be that crap at this World Cup.

[Damo70]

Russia's last five games have been sound defeats against France and Brazil, defeat to Argentina and draws against Spain and Iran. I'm sure they have a few dirty tricks up their sleeves but it might help if they got in touch with the organizers of Argentina '78 for extra advice.

[JD]

Who does Cook play for?

All I know about him is that his grandad had a bet that he would play for England before he was 26 and has just won thousands.

[Damo70]

Chris Kirkland's old man and his mates all had a ton on him at 100/1 when he was eleven that he would play for England before he was thirty. One half time substitute appearance in a friendly was enough to win them all ten grand.