For the first time ever I agree with Alan Hansen.
Discussion
For the first time ever I agree with Alan Hansen.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/en...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/en...
y2blade said:
For the first time ever I agree with Alan Hansen.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/en...
Nope. Disagree entirely on the basis its him wot said it. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/en...
(He's probably right though)
KarlMac said:
Nope. Disagree entirely on the basis its him wot said it.
(He's probably right though)
lol That was my default reaction when I saw his name on the piece tbh.(He's probably right though)
I don't generally comment much on Football as I don't follow a club, but I do follow and support the National team.
I think the point he makes about big kids becoming the "superstars" in age group teams is very valid. Having had the pleasure of visiting Arsenal's training ground a few years ago and meeting some of the players it's amazing how slight and indeed small some of them are. Your kid that does well as an 11yr old because he's big is probably much more likely to be a professional Rugby player than a Footballer.
I remember reading that New Zealand stream youth rugby teams on height and weight for this very reason. There has to be a reason why a populations of 4 million people has had a conveyor belt of ruby superstars for the last thirty or forty years....
I remember reading that New Zealand stream youth rugby teams on height and weight for this very reason. There has to be a reason why a populations of 4 million people has had a conveyor belt of ruby superstars for the last thirty or forty years....
What is the obsession with trying to define everyone who plays for England as "world-class"?
If they picked players who play (and start) for their respective Premier League teams they should comfortably be able to qualify for any tournament if they are coached correctly. How picking a player coming back from injury or who doesn't start for their club is somehow going to magically discover some form I've never figured out.
I mean Greece won Euro 2004 and I don't know if any of their players were playing in (m)any of the top leagues.
If they picked players who play (and start) for their respective Premier League teams they should comfortably be able to qualify for any tournament if they are coached correctly. How picking a player coming back from injury or who doesn't start for their club is somehow going to magically discover some form I've never figured out.
I mean Greece won Euro 2004 and I don't know if any of their players were playing in (m)any of the top leagues.
I entirely agree- our own inflated ego has been our downfall.
The "golden generation" was a load of b
ks, and now its almost over (once Lampard retires retires (Cole still has around 3 years left in him)) we can look forward to the next generation and hopefully not pile crippling pressure on them!)
The "golden generation" was a load of b
ks, and now its almost over (once Lampard retires retires (Cole still has around 3 years left in him)) we can look forward to the next generation and hopefully not pile crippling pressure on them!)London424 said:
What is the obsession with trying to define everyone who plays for England as "world-class"?
Indeed.....I think Ferdinand was voted into the eclectic team of best players at a World Cup two or three tournaments ago and Lampard came third in the Ballon d'Or one year. Apart from that have England players arguably really looked World Class? Cole at his peak as well perhaps.
That has to be the first time Y2 has ever posted in the "football" section. 
Cheib said:
I think the point he makes about big kids becoming the "superstars" in age group teams is very valid. Having had the pleasure of visiting Arsenal's training ground a few years ago and meeting some of the players it's amazing how slight and indeed small some of them are. Your kid that does well as an 11yr old because he's big is probably much more likely to be a professional Rugby player than a Footballer.
I remember reading that New Zealand stream youth rugby teams on height and weight for this very reason. There has to be a reason why a populations of 4 million people has had a conveyor belt of ruby superstars for the last thirty or forty years....
I know of a couple of lads who were released, although they were technically very good, because they weren't tall enough, or stocky enough. I don't get why they would do this? Look at Ronaldo's build when he first joined Utd. Look at Messi.I remember reading that New Zealand stream youth rugby teams on height and weight for this very reason. There has to be a reason why a populations of 4 million people has had a conveyor belt of ruby superstars for the last thirty or forty years....
My son is one of the smallest on his team, but is a decent player. I tell him he can't defeat genetics, both me and the wife are short-average height, but he can build on what he has, pace and skill. A little more strength would pay dividends, but all that extra weight the representative teams want will slow him down and make his game more ponderous.
London424 said:
I mean Greece won Euro 2004 and I don't know if any of their players were playing in (m)any of the top leagues.
Therefore this 'argument' is fatuous in the extreme!(22 out of 23 players were playing in the top leagues in Europe.) The other was at Leicester City.
Edited by Pothole on Tuesday 10th September 15:46
Edited by Pothole on Tuesday 10th September 15:47
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