The International Friendlies thread

[JimJams]

You wouldn't know France were playing with a man less on the face of it.

 

[JimJams]

And they should be ahead really.

 

[Benji]

This France team are very good, and play great stuff at times. I'd be happy to see them lifting the trophy next year.

 

[JimJams]

Lil Raheem would be top drawer if he were more decisive. Always looks unsure what to do once he's beat a man or finds himself in a good position.

 

[Benji]

Mbappe is always so calm, how does he do it?

 

[JimJams]

They've looked the more likely since we equalised.

 

[Blitzballer]

getting battered by 10 men lol
Same old shit :hesk:

 

[Liam_SWFC]

That was disappointing in the end, looked good when it was 11v11 but for some reason we didn't change tactics when against 10 men, certainly some positives to take from this and think we should stick with 3 at the back. Some of those French youngsters are scary good however, they could be a real force for years.

 

[JimJams]

I dont think 3 at the back suits our midfield pairing. You need box to box players in those positions really and we dont have any. Lallana and Henderson could do it to some degree but Dier is a defensive mid. Ox is an attacking mid.
Kante is b2b, Matuidi when he plays is and today Pogbert played up and down the pitch. We dont have those players really. We're in a position where our midfield selections are generally one or the other, defensive or attacking. And without effective wingers, I just dont think it works well enough with 3 at the back. Unless we go 3-4-1-2 and expect the width to come from the wingbacks. Puts a lot of pressure on just a couple of players to produce in every match.

 

[G-Dragon]

Announce Mbappe.

 

[Blitzballer]

 

[Blitzballer]

She's happy Macron gave her a good finger blasting. He loves some old smelly gash

 

[Cornish Piskie]

She went to Paris, of all places, wearing THAT jacket. My goodness, what was she thinking..? She looks like a sack of spuds tied up in the middle. I dread to think what shoes she might have been wearing. At least nobody could see them.

Poor Macron. What must have been going through his mind..? Something like:

"Zut alors..!! Ze things I do for France.... I 'ope nobody thinks she is my mistress.

 

[Stevencc]

She looks like Mr. Burns.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Positives: Butland made some decent stops (because he had to).
Ali - the only player who could compete for quality with France.
Kane we know will score against just about any opposition if given the service.

Negatives:
3 at the back looked clueless. Who knew that trying a new formation against one of the best in the world could possibly go wrong. Just because it's being made fashionable by Chelsea, doesn't mean it's automatically going to work for everyone.
Dier knackered and there was no partnership with Ali despite being club colleagues, Ali doesn't want to be a conventional midfielder.
What was Oxlade-Chamberlain doing, I've no idea.

 

[St. Juste]

Another goal for Harry "completely average" Kane, this time against a much lauded France.

St. Juste

Where did I say "completely average" exactly?

His record in the CL and in competitive internationals is not great. Must hurt, I know, but it's a fact.

It's obvious no English player would get anywhere near Frances strongest 11, would any get on the bench?

No surprise in the slightest they were played off the park.

 

[JimJams]

So Kane isn't better than Giroud then? Ok mate.

 

[St. Juste]

So Kane isn't better than Giroud then? Ok mate.

Hence when I specificied "strongest 11". Most certainly would not include Giroud, they could have a forward line of Dembele, Mbappe and Griezmann. Kane would get no where near that.

Nevertheless, Giroud has a very good record at international level which is presumably why they start him.

 

[JimJams]

So Deschamps considers him a part of their strongest 11. So instead of changing it to suit your argument just accept you were wrong.
You'll feel better for it.

 

[JimJams]

Additionally Kyle Walker is better than the French options. Sidibe, Jallet are the sides weakest area.

 

[St. Juste]

So Deschamps considers him a part of their strongest 11. So instead of changing it to suit your argument just accept you were wrong.
You'll feel better for it.

Quite to the contrary, I anticipated the challenge and adjusted my point accordingly.

I would be very surprised if Giroud starts for them in the upcoming World Cup, the new options that I have been mentioned have shown themselves to be far better.

So unless you think Kane would start ahead of Griezmann, probably best to give this a wide berth.

Additionally Kyle Walker is better than the French options. Sidibe, Jallet are the sides weakest area.

Kyle Walker is dreadful. It's no surprise being quick makes him look good in a poor Premier League but he is ruthlessly exposed whenever he is trusted enough to play in the CL.

Along with Pickford and Stones a player who is due for a Hart style descent some time soon. Was one of the worst players on the pitch against Scotland.

 

[SALTIRE]

This France team has so much potential but is very raw yet. Wonder if they can gel in time for Russia next year. If they can they've got the potential to go the distance. Pogba was superb last night though England gave him all the space in the world.

 

[Cornish Piskie]

It's obvious no English player would get anywhere near Frances strongest 11, would any get on the bench?

No surprise in the slightest they were played off the park.

It must be because France has got a bigger population than England, eh? <cheeky wink>

 

[St. Juste]

It must be because France has got a bigger population than England, eh? <cheeky wink>

it's certainly part of the reason, yes. Indeed, France of all nations benefit most from their diaspora - historical and cultural links with North and Western Africa have benefited them enormously in footballing terms

I wonder how many Front National supports are against second and third generation immigrants such as....Pogba, Zidane, Griezmann, Henry, Thuram etc. They are a extraordinary success story, and demonstrate why other nations should be looking to drastically increase immigration, not reduce it.

 

[Cornish Piskie]

it's certainly part of the reason, yes. Indeed, France of all nations benefit most from their diaspora - historical and cultural links with North and Western Africa have benefited them enormously in footballing terms

I wonder how many Front National supports are against second and third generation immigrants such as....Pogba, Zidane, Griezmann, Henry, Thuram etc. They are a extraordinary success story, and demonstrate why other nations should be looking to drastically increase immigration, not reduce it.

I didn't expect you to take the comment seriously. I was just being a little cheeky by sideways-referring to a discussion in another thread.

I think we can agree to disagree on the degree of influence that population size plays. After all, it's not as though India or China are likely to challenge for the World Cup next year.

'nuff said, methinks.

 

[Stevencc]

I didn't expect you to take the comment seriously. I was just being a little cheeky by sideways-referring to a discussion in another thread.

I think we can agree to disagree on the degree of influence that population size plays. After all, it's not as though India or China are likely to challenge for the World Cup next year.

'nuff said, methinks.

He doesn't.

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

Surprised people have singled out Dele Alli as someone who stood out. Aside from Chamberlain and his inability to pass the ball, I'd say Dele Alli's shortcomings were exposed more than anyone. He's a very Premier League player, fast and loose and I'm not sure cut out for this level just yet.

 

[SALTIRE]

Yeah he was very quiet last night and against us in the qualifier.

 

[St. Juste]

I didn't expect you to take the comment seriously. I was just being a little cheeky by sideways-referring to a discussion in another thread.

I think we can agree to disagree on the degree of influence that population size plays. After all, it's not as though India or China are likely to challenge for the World Cup next year.

'nuff said, methinks.

Er, which is why population is only relevant is football is the dominant sport in China - which is isn't, not even close. In sports they do focus on, say table tennis, they are absolutely dominant.

India, meanwhile, frequently has the best cricket side.

Andorra is the best at nothing. Population has a huge influence on your chances of success, for the most obvious of reasons - more people, more potential high level athletes.

 

[Stevencc]

Told you.