England International Matches

[PhoenixUnited]

Luckily I do not and will not watch England under Southgate , won't watch Euro matches involving England , unless I need a sleep . I pity the club that is going to get this twat, well , unless it's Chelscum . They deserve each other .

Some in the Manure corner are creaming themselves wanting Southgate to take the reins. If that happens I will start to think there is a God!

[PhoenixUnited]

Fantastic that the IPL is currently underway providing an exciting alternative to the void that is "International" football break.

[Cjay]

Fifa rankings of our opponents

21st
32nd
55th

Easiest group

[1964white]

Weak opposition for England in the opening round once again.

[Jaydog]

You watch Gareth mess it up. Again.

[1964white]

You watch Gareth mess it up. Again.

Highly likely.

[hector]

[whiteswan]

Brilliant heccy...

[andrewjohnsmith]

Fantastic that the IPL is currently underway providing an exciting alternative to the void that is "International" football break.

Yuck. I'm a huge cricket fan. Before I moved to the States, cricket was my first sport. Slipped down behind footie since nobody plays it here and I don't get to follow as closely.

I have full access to the IPL and absolutely despise the thing. Can't stand that it's made mercenaries out of cricketers. Playing for your country means less. And playing for your county means nothing. I'm old fashioned but think the IPL has spoiled a lot of the traditional game. I know there are arguments for both sides. But when I see great cricketers like Quinten De Kock retiring from test cricket to concentrate on the money game, it turns my stomach. The ICC has to work on finding a happy medium between the international, national, and franchise games. But, even domestically, we've got the hundred. Something else I refuse to watch,

That's the short version of my rant. If you counter, I might give you the full version.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Fifa rankings of our opponents

21st
32nd
55th

Easiest group

Glad to see Ukraine made it and Russia didn't. Stain on your reign Putin. Chuckle.

Seriously though a few new names make it interesting.

We need to win the group, make sure we avoid the big names until the later rounds.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Highly likely.

58 years of hurt. Never stopped me dreaming.

[PhoenixUnited]

Yuck. I'm a huge cricket fan. Before I moved to the States, cricket was my first sport. Slipped down behind footie since nobody plays it here and I don't get to follow as closely.

I have full access to the IPL and absolutely despise the thing. Can't stand that it's made mercenaries out of cricketers. Playing for your country means less. And playing for your county means nothing. I'm old fashioned but think the IPL has spoiled a lot of the traditional game. I know there are arguments for both sides. But when I see great cricketers like Quinten De Kock retiring from test cricket to concentrate on the money game, it turns my stomach. The ICC has to work on finding a happy medium between the international, national, and franchise games. But, even domestically, we've got the hundred. Something else I refuse to watch,

That's the short version of my rant. If you counter, I might give you the full version.

Each to their own Bud As you say everyone has the choice to watch it or not.

I only watch IPL games of the franchise variety and completely ignore ALL of the other franchise offerings that are available seemingly 27/7 year round.

[The Subhuman]

Yuck. I'm a huge cricket fan. Before I moved to the States, cricket was my first sport. Slipped down behind footie since nobody plays it here and I don't get to follow as closely.

I have full access to the IPL and absolutely despise the thing. Can't stand that it's made mercenaries out of cricketers. Playing for your country means less. And playing for your county means nothing. I'm old fashioned but think the IPL has spoiled a lot of the traditional game. I know there are arguments for both sides. But when I see great cricketers like Quinten De Kock retiring from test cricket to concentrate on the money game, it turns my stomach. The ICC has to work on finding a happy medium between the international, national, and franchise games. But, even domestically, we've got the hundred. Something else I refuse to watch,

That's the short version of my rant. If you counter, I might give you the full version.

Ditto

[weasel]

Yuck. I'm a huge cricket fan. Before I moved to the States, cricket was my first sport. Slipped down behind footie since nobody plays it here and I don't get to follow as closely.

I have full access to the IPL and absolutely despise the thing. Can't stand that it's made mercenaries out of cricketers. Playing for your country means less. And playing for your county means nothing. I'm old fashioned but think the IPL has spoiled a lot of the traditional game. I know there are arguments for both sides. But when I see great cricketers like Quinten De Kock retiring from test cricket to concentrate on the money game, it turns my stomach. The ICC has to work on finding a happy medium between the international, national, and franchise games. But, even domestically, we've got the hundred. Something else I refuse to watch,

That's the short version of my rant. If you counter, I might give you the full version.

Do you know anyone who prefers the IPL? I don't and like you have little appetite for the 20 over type stuff. I would watch if England say got to the semis of some tournament etc but wouldn't really feel the same joy if we won a trophy as I would feel if England say beat a good team in a test match,

To me it is the equivalent of them running an independant football five a side league using the best professional footballers. I just wouldn't care less.

[Chilli D]

Glad to see Ukraine made it and Russia didn't. Stain on your reign Putin. Chuckle.

Seriously though a few new names make it interesting.

We need to win the group, make sure we avoid the big names until the later rounds.

France will start favourites I expect but we have a very good chance of at least making the final. Our midfield is very strong - Saka, Bellingham, Foden, Maddison, Palmer, Mainoo, Rice so plenty of options there. Toney may well have worked his way into the squad as Kane understudy.
Stones is a certainty at the back as is Pickford in goal so it's only really the other defensive places that are up for grabs.