Road to Russia 2018

[Uppercut]

So that's now six consecutive 0-0 playoff draws, encompassing every competing side. Starting to think this tournament might not be a classic.

 

[sledger]

At least we won't have to suffer the "do it for Buffon because he is a nice man" meme this time round.

 

[Furball]

He's already got a World Cup medal anyway. He's never won the Champions League.

 

[Furball]

So that's now six consecutive 0-0 playoff draws, encompassing every competing side. Starting to think this tournament might not be a classic.

I tend to go into World Cups with low expectations anyway. Probably why I enjoyed the group stages so much last time out.

 

[Uppercut]

I tend to go into World Cups with low expectations anyway. Probably why I enjoyed the group stages so much last time out.

The group stage tends to be decent anyway because 3 points for a win means both sides often need to go for it. Then in the knockouts you at least get a penalty shoot-out if the game is a ****** stalemate. So a bad World Cup is still pretty good, but it's a shame they're so much worse than they used to be.

 

[sledger]

I wish I could feel the same way about World Cups as I did when I was a kid.

I think the enjoyment generated by them back in those days was one of the greatest of life's experiences.

The fact that I will probably never feel the same way about them is genuinely one of the most lamentable things about growing old(er).

 

[Furball]

Denmark!

That's my team for next year sorted.

 

[Furball]

I wish I could feel the same way about World Cups as I did when I was a kid.

I think the enjoyment generated by them back in those days was one of the greatest of life's experiences.

The fact that I will probably never feel the same way about them is genuinely one of the most lamentable things about growing old(er).

Back in my day we didn't have the sort of wall to wall television coverage we have now, which is why World Cups were special.

I'd be surprised if kids today felt the same about the World Cup as we did at that age. For one thing, the final stages of the Champions League are much better.

 

[Niall]

too many individual mistakes from Irish players tonight sadly. MON not blameless, no clue why he went way to gung-ho at half time when the game was still in the balance.

Dunno really where they can go, MON getting binned makes sense, but only so much you can do with those players.

 

[Uppercut]

I don’t think our ceiling is especially high but we can definitely play better. Even leaving aside his total lack of tactics, O’Neill’s team selection has been bad from the start. He just very often leaves out his best players.

Northern Ireland are what a team making the most of modest resources looks like. I don’t have a clear preference for either team but found the NI exit so, so much harder to take.

 

[GIMH]

Denmark!

That's my team for next year sorted.

You won’t be supporting England like you do in cricket?

 

[Furball]

You won’t be supporting England like you do in cricket?

lol

 

[Furball]

too many individual mistakes from Irish players tonight sadly. MON not blameless, no clue why he went way to gung-ho at half time when the game was still in the balance.

Dunno really where they can go, MON getting binned makes sense, but only so much you can do with those players.

It pleases me to see Martin O'Neill humiliated like that. Man is a total ****.

 

[sledger]

Back in my day we didn't have the sort of wall to wall television coverage we have now, which is why World Cups were special.

I'd be surprised if kids today felt the same about the World Cup as we did at that age. For one thing, the final stages of the Champions League are much better.

Yeah, probably right.

In a similar vein, I really dislike the Champions League final being on a Saturday nowadays. I get why it's like that and all, but I always used to really enjoy the fact that it was on during the week.

 

[Burgey]

Australia such a better side with Jedinak playing, regardless of the two goals

 

[Spikey]

damn we're going to russia

 

[the big bambino]

"We're"? Before this didn't you go for Syria?

 

[Ausage]

I know I'm nitpicking but that second penalty has to be one of the most blatant red cards I've ever seen not given.

 

[Furball]

I know I'm nitpicking but that second penalty has to be one of the most blatant red cards I've ever seen not given.

I take it you have no interest in Scottish football?

 

[BoyBrumby]

'Grats to yer Aussies.

Pleased to see Honduras out. Looked a comically filthy bunch of ****s in 2014 and the reports on the second leg suggest they haven't turned into the Netherlands circa 74 in the intervening years.