International football is dying, increasing the number of teams from 16 to 24 means for 2 years England games become even less interesting
Could have an unseeded draw, that might create more interesting groups. The downside to this for UEFA and the big footballing countries is that one of them could fail to qualify for the tournament.
It's problem for UEFA and the big footballing countries, how do you make qualifying interesting (to ensure ticket sales) and still guarantee all the big footballing nations qualify.
Monday Sep 8: Switzerland (A) Thursday Oct 9: San Marino (H) Sunday Oct 12: Estonia (A) Wednesday Nov 15: Slovenia (H) Friday March 27: Lithuania (H) Sunday June 14: Slovenia (A) Saturday September 5: San Marino (A) Tuesday September 8: Switzerland (H) Friday October 9: Estonia (H) Monday October 12: Lithuania (A)
They had better get the pricing policy right for some of these games. Tenner a ticket and they might get 50000. Otherwise we could see 30000 at Wembley.
If switzerland are ranked 6th in the world, why weren't they in Pot 1?
As it's a UEFA competition, maybe they use different criteria Gary? Does seem strange though, or as Chris from Sidcup said, it just highlights the failings in the ranking system.
If switzerland are ranked 6th in the world, why weren't they in Pot 1?
Because despite the bleating about how UEFA/FIFA/Platini all hate England, the English, the Queen and Yorkshire Pudding we are given a status in draws way above our actually standing due to our earning power both to sell tickets and via TV revenue
If switzerland are ranked 6th in the world, why weren't they in Pot 1?
Because despite the bleating about how UEFA/FIFA/Platini all hate England, the English, the Queen and Yorkshire Pudding we are given a status in draws way above our actually standing due to our earning power both to sell tickets and via TV revenue
Just because you are still smarting from the egg chasing, Paddy, no need to get all narky about it... ;-)
And lets be honest, Switzerland have only beaten England twice, and the last time Charlton were FA cup holders.
If switzerland are ranked 6th in the world, why weren't they in Pot 1?
As it's a UEFA competition, maybe they use different criteria Gary? Does seem strange though, or as Chris from Sidcup said, it just highlights the failings in the ranking system.
ah of course, forget its not a fifa governed tournament.
Why the four Goalkeepers... Why three Left-Backs... Cant understand Michael Carrick / Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard being in the team along with Jermaine Defoe.
I know this is the last chance to see some players before the World Cup Friendlies but for the majority of those players (the Goalkeepers / the Midfielders mentioned / Defoe and Ashley Cole he should know what they can do)
Comments
It's problem for UEFA and the big footballing countries, how do you make qualifying interesting (to ensure ticket sales) and still guarantee all the big footballing nations qualify.
Monday Sep 8: Switzerland (A)
Thursday Oct 9: San Marino (H)
Sunday Oct 12: Estonia (A)
Wednesday Nov 15: Slovenia (H)
Friday March 27: Lithuania (H)
Sunday June 14: Slovenia (A)
Saturday September 5: San Marino (A)
Tuesday September 8: Switzerland (H)
Friday October 9: Estonia (H)
Monday October 12: Lithuania (A)
England 15
Switzerland 6
Slovenia 27
Estonia 91
Lithuania 102
San Marino 207
That just shows the rankings are a joke. Switzerland the 6th best team in the world and above Italy, Brazil, Holland and Belgium, really?!
Tickets for some of them aways will be like gold dust due to the tiny grounds.
True, I didn't even think if away... My pockets are not deep enough for that
Because despite the bleating about how UEFA/FIFA/Platini all hate England, the English, the Queen and Yorkshire Pudding we are given a status in draws way above our actually standing due to our earning power both to sell tickets and via TV revenue
And lets be honest, Switzerland have only beaten England twice, and the last time Charlton were FA cup holders.
http://www.thefa.com/news/england/2014/feb/roy-hodgson-announces-squad-to-face-denmark
30 players and still no Adam Johnson.
I know this is the last chance to see some players before the World Cup Friendlies but for the majority of those players (the Goalkeepers / the Midfielders mentioned / Defoe and Ashley Cole he should know what they can do)
Glad Jordan Henderson is in the side though
and Tom 'f*cking' Cleverley. Please, go away.
Defoe is a bit of a joke too, he's over the hill and won't play a decent game between now and the world cup.
4 keepers for a friendly?
Caulker. Is this a joke, Cardiff absolutely leak goals and he is their centre back.
And god knows how Cleverley and Welbeck get in there.
Absolutely brutal squad.