The Association Football Thread

#3,626
#3,626
bleedorange0037 said:
The book was a pretty interesting read, but there are some countries that don't fit with that theory. Holland is the first one that comes to mind. They are step for step, if not actually a little better, than Germany, yet they have less than 1/4 the population, comparable wealth per capita and probably a comparable footballing history in their nation.
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Yeah, there are always going to be anomalies. Some teams outperform their expectations, and some under-perform. I think Honduras was the biggest over-performer. I lent my bro-in-law the book 2 years ago, and he hasn't given it back, so I can't reference it.
 
#3,627
#3,627
Also, IIRC, one theory as to why the Netherlands outperforms is because they have been more open to outsiders, and non-whites historically. For instance, the EPL has had fairly stringent rules (which most have now been lifted) about how many foreigners you can have on your roster. This ensures spots for English footballers, but it reduces the talent level of the competition, and the top English footballers don't develop quite like the guys for Holland who were playing against a bigger variety of talent and styles.

This has led to a lot of innovation in Dutch football, and little innovation in English, historically speaking.
 
#3,630
#3,630
bleedorange0037 said:
The book was a pretty interesting read, but there are some countries that don't fit with that theory. Holland is the first one that comes to mind. They are step for step, if not actually a little better, than Germany, yet they have less than 1/4 the population, comparable wealth per capita and probably a comparable footballing history in their nation.
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It's the development.
 
#3,631
#3,631
I like England's squad overall, my starting 11 are all there. I would have preferred rio over terry, and that's not even being a homer.

Welbeck - Rooney

Young- lampard- Gerrard- Walcott

Cole - terry - Cahill - jones

Hart

That's my initial preference, first two games welbeck alone up top with a 4-5-1 and add Barry in a def mid position. Also can take terry out switch over jones and put in Johnson. Or find baines a home over on the right (if he can do it).
 
#3,632
#3,632
ellunitiko said:
I like England's squad overall, my starting 11 are all there. I would have preferred rio over terry, and that's not even being a homer.

Welbeck - Rooney

Young- lampard- Gerrard- Walcott

Cole - terry - Cahill - jones

Hart

That's my initial preference, first two games welbeck alone up top with a 4-5-1 and add Barry in a def mid position. Also can take terry out switch over jones and put in Johnson. Or find baines a home over on the right (if he can do it).
Click to expand...

I thought Walcott was a defender. Shows what I know about European football.
 
#3,644
#3,644
ellunitiko said:
I like England's squad overall, my starting 11 are all there. I would have preferred rio over terry, and that's not even being a homer.

Welbeck - Rooney

Young- lampard- Gerrard- Walcott

Cole - terry - Cahill - jones

Hart

That's my initial preference, first two games welbeck alone up top with a 4-5-1 and add Barry in a def mid position. Also can take terry out switch over jones and put in Johnson. Or find baines a home over on the right (if he can do it).
Click to expand...

How do you see England doing at Euro 2012?
 
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#3,646
#3,646
tvolsfan said:
How do you see England doing at the World Cup?
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Euro I would say if they can make it out of groups and Rooney can afford to play more of a pure striker role and let the midfield create, they have a legit shot of winning.

However they'll probably underperform...
 
#3,647
#3,647
I don't like three lions' prospects to go deep, but I would be surprised, if not stunned, if they didn't make it out of the group stage.
 
#3,650
#3,650
ellunitiko said:
Euro I would say if they can make it out of groups and Rooney can afford to play more of a pure striker role and let the midfield create, they have a legit shot of winning.

However they'll probably underperform...
Click to expand...

This is most likely what will happen.

I've got Germany winning it all.
 
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