MOTD

[rob_bridge]

The worst period was the early 80s, Coppell instead of Morley etc.

No problem with Coppell on right wing - Graham Rix on the left wing instead of Morley was outrageous

[rob_bridge]

The worst period was the early 80s, Coppell instead of Morley etc.

And how many of our 1982 European Champions played in the 1982 World Cup? Even the Scottish players.

Alan Evans only one I think. Scotland had unwritten rule to not have more than half players outside their league

[rob_bridge]

Back in the day they used to pick random Spurs/Chelsea/QPR/West Ham players just to try and get a bigger crowd into Wembley, I'm convinced of it.

Often the claim especially the night games back then.

[rob_bridge]

Graham Gooch used to pick the star player of whichever county was playing Essex as England sub, so they couldn't play against Essex. The Apartheid-loving twat.

Anyway, I reckon we have reason to complain about the international representation of our early 80s squad, though Shaw and Cowans would surely have won more caps if not for injuries. I imagine most teams can point to players who could have won more caps, though. Steve Bruce... zero caps.

Don't think we have too much to complain about lately. Watkins is probably England's second best striker and I reckon he has the second most minutes of any England striker in the last couple of years. Konsa has got a fair few caps, and so did Mings before he got injured.

Rogers, maybe, but he's still young and England have millions of players in his position. If the England manager decides to pick arguably the best player in La Liga and the PFA Player of the Year ahead of him, it isn't evidence of an all-encompassing anti-Villa conspiracy.

They've also tended to be incredibly successful in the last eight years, so perhaps the manager was picking the right players.

Rogers and Ramsey are close under normal circumstances. They aren't normal circumstances due to pletheroa of quality in advanced positions.

[ventnorVillain]

I think the pro-London bias conspiracy does hold some water. Players such as Harry Winks (10 caps according to Wikipedia) and going further back Terry Fenwick and Gary Mabbutt (Spurs players, both)would never have played for England if they had been playing for Villa. when Ron Greenwood was England manager (formerly boss at West Ham) he frequently picked Alan Devonshire (West Ham player surprise, surprise) above Sid. Devonshire was a decent club player but never in the same class as Cowans. He also used to pick Alvin Martin (another West Ham alumni)at centre half if further proof was needed.

[Sexual Ealing]

I don't know what you've provided there, but it sure isn't proof of anything.

[Risso]

I can't remember the exact game or player (so, obviously some cracking evidence incoming!) but there was one game when England were taking the friendlies around the regions, where they just picked a player from that player's team for that one match. Think it might have been someone like Andros Townsend at Newcastle, but probably wasn't. I remember it causing a minor ripple at the time though.

[LeeB]

I don't know what you've provided there, but it sure isn't proof of anything.

I thought you'd be all all over this given how the sons of Shropshire fare, I can't remember the last time a Shrewsbury player was called up. It stinks.

[AV82EC]

I don't know what you've provided there, but it sure isn't proof of anything.

Other than Ron Greenwood was effing useless, a total FA yes man and it’s been documented totally biased towards players from London clubs including Rix, Devonshire etc etc. the Rix over Morley decision for the 82 World Cup beggars belief.

[Sexual Ealing]

I don't know what you've provided there, but it sure isn't proof of anything.

I thought you'd be all all over this given how the sons of Shropshire fare, I can't remember the last time a Shrewsbury player was called up. It stinks.

Sons of Shropshire were always popular with the England setup after Billy Wright had a couple of good games. Joe Hart damaged us badly.

[Monty]

I think it's just as fanciful to imagine there isn't favouritism, cronyism, blazerism and just good old pig laziness as it is to imagine there are elaborate anti-Villa conspiracies.

[Sexual Ealing]

I can understand why a manager might favour players he knows, it's the anti-Villa bit that winds me up. We're just not interesting enough for anyone other than the local lumpen irregulars to care about.

Edit: posted before I'd read Monty's above.

[LeeB]

I think it's just as fanciful to imagine there isn't favouritism, cronyism, blazerism and just good old pig laziness as it is to imagine there are elaborate anti-Villa conspiracies.

Yes, this.

He may be a whingeing twat with a Gail Tyldesley chin but, much like a stopped clock, Gary O'Neill was right when he said of course there's no conspiracy against Wulvz (except for from the international fashion manufacturers looking to protect their brand value, but I digress), but there sure as shit is unconcious bias.

If that goal on Sunday was in Manchester and was scored by Wulvz, I firmly believe they'd have ruled it out.

[rob_bridge]

I think it's just as fanciful to imagine there isn't favouritism, cronyism, blazerism and just good old pig laziness as it is to imagine there are elaborate anti-Villa conspiracies.

Yes, this.

He may be a whingeing twat with a Gail Tyldesley chin but, much like a stopped clock, Gary O'Neill was right when he said of course there's no conspiracy against Wulvz (except for from the international fashion manufacturers looking to protect their brand value, but I digress), but there sure as shit is unconcious bias.

If that goal on Sunday was in Manchester and was scored by Wulvz, I firmly believe they'd have ruled it out.

No way does that stand as winner o equaliser v Cit-eh at the emptihad

[Sexual Ealing]

I think it's just as fanciful to imagine there isn't favouritism, cronyism, blazerism and just good old pig laziness as it is to imagine there are elaborate anti-Villa conspiracies.

Yes, this.

He may be a whingeing twat with a Gail Tyldesley chin but, much like a stopped clock, Gary O'Neill was right when he said of course there's no conspiracy against Wulvz (except for from the international fashion manufacturers looking to protect their brand value, but I digress), but there sure as shit is unconcious bias.

If that goal on Sunday was in Manchester and was scored by Wulvz, I firmly believe they'd have ruled it out.

Yes, this unquestionably exists. And if anyone wants to organise an anti-Wulfs conspiracy please do send me a pm.