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Post by myrddin on Jun 11, 2022 16:40:53 GMT
Well let's look at the evidence. 2016 qualifiers, we went over to Israel when they were on a high having won their first couple of games and went for it against us; we slaughtered them 3-0. They learnt from that in the return fixture and just sat deep with us labouring to a 0-0. We've had all those results against Belgium, particularly when they were disorganised at the back under Wilmot. Our best display at the Euros was against Russia, who were again open and came onto us. Conversely, our worst display was against NI, by far the most limited team we faced but they played with a low block and we couldn't break it down. There have been loads of examples since then - the games against Ireland, Georgia, Estonia, whilst again out best performances have been against teams who play quite openly - Austria and Turkey at the last Euros. The evidence is clear. This is why I wanted us to play Ukraine rather than Scotland |
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Post by mikejones on Jun 13, 2022 2:01:26 GMT
Official Prediction: USA 5-0. Nothing says soccer better than a picture of Hulk Hogan holding a Unites States flag. Soccer would be alot more popular in the USA if we had Hulk Hogan introduce the team and the crowd sang his entrance music rather than trying to do a crappy imitation of foreign soccer culture. It would give the whole world chills even more than your crowd singing a Welsh folk song. |
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Post by mikejones on Jun 13, 2022 2:12:08 GMT
The Iran game could be interesting if a few hundred Cardiff fans start doing the Ayatollah! Uh, so I just put this into youtube. Lol. What's the story? |
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Post by mikejones on Jun 13, 2022 2:40:11 GMT
The sport is growing year after year but it's still not bigger than American Football, Basketball, Baseball and Hockey (mostly a Northern sport but it's huge up there). I think soccer in the US is pretty close to its popularity ceiling. The World Cup is already on par with the Olympics. And I think there's a natural ceiling on how popular foreign leagues or the MLS can become in the US. The Premier League/Champions League and MLS both occupy a weird middle zone in American sports where they are clearly not on par with the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, or college football and basketball, but they are clearly more than minor sports. In order for the MLS to really move into the big time they need to make a major jump with general sports fans, but I can't detect that happening. They have really good attendance numbers and they have their committed fanbase. But it doesn't seem like your general "Philly" sports fan (to use an example) feels the need to support the Union, even if he's not the biggest soccer fan, the way he would support the 76ers even if he's not the biggest basketball fan. And then you have a good chunk of "Philly" sports fans who do like soccer, but would rather support an English team or just think that the MLS is lame. "Lame" is a word I run into a lot when discussing the MLS with people. |
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Post by welshrover on Jun 13, 2022 7:26:28 GMT
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Post by conwy10 on Jun 13, 2022 11:49:55 GMT
Nothing says soccer better than a picture of Hulk Hogan holding a Unites States flag. Soccer would be alot more popular in the USA if we had Hulk Hogan introduce the team and the crowd sang his entrance music rather than trying to do a crappy imitation of foreign soccer culture. It would give the whole world chills even more than your crowd singing a Welsh folk song. To be fair I think when USA truly embraces football they'll be a major force. If Hulk Hogan music is the USA way go for it. Similar to how we go from Zombie Nation before matches, to folk songs, to Frank Sinatra after the match. We certainly are unique in what we do and its creating a massive bond between the fans and players. Even though I think the MLS has done amazing things I think you have to scrap your domestic system at some point and introduce relegation and promotion but I think the ship has sailed at changing that. |
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Post by insertname on Jun 13, 2022 14:40:45 GMT
Well let's look at the evidence. 2016 qualifiers, we went over to Israel when they were on a high having won their first couple of games and went for it against us; we slaughtered them 3-0. They learnt from that in the return fixture and just sat deep with us labouring to a 0-0. We've had all those results against Belgium, particularly when they were disorganised at the back under Wilmot. Our best display at the Euros was against Russia, who were again open and came onto us. Conversely, our worst display was against NI, by far the most limited team we faced but they played with a low block and we couldn't break it down. There have been loads of examples since then - the games against Ireland, Georgia, Estonia, whilst again out best performances have been against teams who play quite openly - Austria and Turkey at the last Euros. The evidence is clear. So those countries wanted us to have to ball? They were actively encouraging us to have the ball. If they won it in our half they didn't want it as they can only play on the counter attack? Some teams park the bus as they have no other option as they are totally outclassed, but its hardly liking the opposition having the ball. Do Andorra like not having the ball or are they just incapable of keeping it for long periods? Atlético Madrid seem to enjoy the opposition having the ball and they have had great success in doing that. Leicester too have been very successful in a similar way. I far prefer that type of football- teams like Atlético and peak Leicester do in 5 passes what it takes a Guardiola side 30 to do and it’s far more entertaining too. Clinical efficiency allied with resolute, uncompromising defending. We definitely have something of that style about us- we concede few goals considering our defence is not great on paper and we have a lot of pace up front. We just haven’t mastered the art of being clinical enough when the chances come mainly because our main exponent of the counter attack (James) seems to be the cause of those chances breaking down. |
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Post by fiveattheback on Jun 13, 2022 15:29:34 GMT
Look at Iran’s recent results, there’s enough there on paper to suggest that they aren’t easy beats, 21st in the rankings recently. I actually think US are the weakest side (and they are no mugs). It’s a tough group but I expect the fine margins to favour the more battle hardened European sides. I think that is one thing definitely goes in our favour. We have lots of experience playing top sides in international fixtures. Over the past 2 years or so we've played 6 of the top 20 in competitive games at least once. Added to that we've beaten sides like Turkey, Hungary, Czechia, Austria and Ukraine in high pressure games, all of them decent to good sides (each ranked in the top 45). That kind of experience could prove to be crucial. I feel like the US and Mexico have slightly inflated world rankings by virtue of being comfortably the best sides in their confederation. They stack up ranking points by beating some pretty poor sides, Mexico for instance are 9th in the world but were beaten by our B team (in fact it was more like a C team!) That being said I think the US are a good side, some good young players in there. |
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Post by iot on Jun 13, 2022 16:54:49 GMT
Interesting hearing an external perspective on Wales here. Similar comments to another American podcaster, where they think they've got a much better chance playing us than Ukraine. They don't seem to rate us very highly. To be fair, if most of the American team played in the championship or on the bench in the prem, I wouldn't fear them at all either. We were very much unfancied in Euro 2020 too with Turkey the dark horses. Hopefully we see a similar scenario again www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw417rGoI1Q |
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Post by iot on Jun 13, 2022 16:58:31 GMT
Look at Iran’s recent results, there’s enough there on paper to suggest that they aren’t easy beats, 21st in the rankings recently. I actually think US are the weakest side (and they are no mugs). It’s a tough group but I expect the fine margins to favour the more battle hardened European sides. I think that is one thing definitely goes in our favour. We have lots of experience playing top sides in international fixtures. Over the past 2 years or so we've played 6 of the top 20 in competitive games at least once. Added to that we've beaten sides like Turkey, Hungary, Czechia, Austria and Ukraine in high pressure games, all of them decent to good sides (each ranked in the top 45). That kind of experience could prove to be crucial. I feel like the US and Mexico have slightly inflated world rankings by virtue of being comfortably the best sides in their confederation. They stack up ranking points by beating some pretty poor sides, Mexico for instance are 9th in the world but were beaten by our B team (in fact it was more like a C team!) That being said I think the US are a good side, some good young players in there. After England, the US probably have the best group of players by far. Their players play for the likes of Barcelona, Juventus and RB Leipzig after all. But whether they're a better team is another question entirely. |
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Post by insertname on Jun 13, 2022 17:12:46 GMT
I think that is one thing definitely goes in our favour. We have lots of experience playing top sides in international fixtures. Over the past 2 years or so we've played 6 of the top 20 in competitive games at least once. Added to that we've beaten sides like Turkey, Hungary, Czechia, Austria and Ukraine in high pressure games, all of them decent to good sides (each ranked in the top 45). That kind of experience could prove to be crucial. I feel like the US and Mexico have slightly inflated world rankings by virtue of being comfortably the best sides in their confederation. They stack up ranking points by beating some pretty poor sides, Mexico for instance are 9th in the world but were beaten by our B team (in fact it was more like a C team!) That being said I think the US are a good side, some good young players in there. After England, the US probably have the best group of players by far. Their players play for the likes of Barcelona, Juventus and RB Leipzig after all. But whether they're a better team is another question entirely. As FATB suggests what they lack is collective experience against top level opposition. I also hear they are in something of a transition. In fact I guess you could perhaps argue that’s why the European sides tend to do so well at world cups these days- just a general battle hardened experience that other confederations can’t provide. Without wanting to be too euro-centric it’s hard to see beyond an England-Wales 1-2 although our score lines will be very close. It depends which England shows up as to how well they do. It’s very hard not to see them qualify but if Southgate goes full “Cautious Gareth” then they could have a couple of close run games too. |
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Post by iantov on Jun 13, 2022 17:15:23 GMT
U.S fan here. I've been following football since the early 1990's. The only leagues I could catch back then were the Mexican league and La Liga, both in Spanish. English Premier League was on in the mid 90's with commercials, haha. Now you can watch EVERY match of EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Primeira Liga, SuperLig, Brasileiro Série A, Argentinian Superliga and Liga MX (Mexican League). We probably have one of the best TV situations around the world. The sport is growing year after year but it's still not bigger than American Football, Basketball, Baseball and Hockey (mostly a Northern sport but it's huge up there). The U.S. is a very young, but talented team. I'm not a fan of the manager as he's too defensive minded and lacks creativity going forward. A lot of possession with little end product. It sometimes takes a moment of brilliance or defensive lapse when we score. We have players playing big minutes (when healthy which has been an issue) with Chelsea, Lille, Leipzig, Barca, Juventus, Dortmund, Salzburg, Valencia but none of them are over 24. The 2026 World Cup in the U.S will be one which the team has a legit chance to go far (better manager hopefully and barring injuries). This WC is a little too soon to make noise. I watch way too much football and have a pretty good feel for the group. England are the group favorites but I've watched them choke enough to know nothing is certain. Your country is very interesting. Outsiders point of view. Wales has always produced a handful of top talent (Giggs, Bellamy, Speed, Hughes) but the rest of the team was lacking in certain spots before this past generation. I feel like your experience could push you to 2nd in the group. Even though Bale and Ramsey are on the down slope, Bale in particular can still create that little bit of magic that can win a match. I really like Brennan Johnson. I'm not a huge fan of Dan James. He is lacking in end product. Players like Davies and Moore are good players. Iran is really organized in the back. They want the opposition to have the ball and hit them with a quick counterattack. Taremi is a really good Striker that can score at the highest level. This post is already long enough, I'll talk more about the United States at a later time. Cheers Good post (apart from the bit about Dan James...) I think people will be surprised by the quality of both the US and Iran and I wouldn't be surprised if either team took a point off England. Will be an interesting group for sure. He's spot on about Dan James, can't argue with his observation there. |
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Post by fiveattheback on Jun 13, 2022 17:36:02 GMT
I think that is one thing definitely goes in our favour. We have lots of experience playing top sides in international fixtures. Over the past 2 years or so we've played 6 of the top 20 in competitive games at least once. Added to that we've beaten sides like Turkey, Hungary, Czechia, Austria and Ukraine in high pressure games, all of them decent to good sides (each ranked in the top 45). That kind of experience could prove to be crucial. I feel like the US and Mexico have slightly inflated world rankings by virtue of being comfortably the best sides in their confederation. They stack up ranking points by beating some pretty poor sides, Mexico for instance are 9th in the world but were beaten by our B team (in fact it was more like a C team!) That being said I think the US are a good side, some good young players in there. After England, the US probably have the best group of players by far. Their players play for the likes of Barcelona, Juventus and RB Leipzig after all. But whether they're a better team is another question entirely. I think "by far" might be pushing it slightly, over a third of their most recent squad play in the MLS. They have a good midfield and in Pulisic probably one of the best forwards in the group but equally we have some top players as well our first XI is pretty bloody good! They're a good side but not terrifying and not on the level of our last pot 2 opponents |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2022 19:27:11 GMT
Austrailia v Peru on the BBC website right now,winner goes too world cup,being played in the stadium where we will play all the world cup group games,game 0-0 after 60 mins,costa rica v new zealand from same stadium tomorrownight
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Post by saturn9 on Jun 13, 2022 19:43:54 GMT
Austrailia v Peru on the BBC website right now,winner goes too world cup,being played in the stadium where we will play all the world cup group games,game 0-0 after 60 mins,costa rica v new zealand from same stadium tomorrownight
Love to see Peru go to Qatar. Sounds as if it's going to ET and Pens. Peru would smash the filthy Aussies at home, or better still at altitude 😁😁 |
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Post by mikejones on Jun 13, 2022 20:34:20 GMT
Soccer would be alot more popular in the USA if we had Hulk Hogan introduce the team and the crowd sang his entrance music rather than trying to do a crappy imitation of foreign soccer culture. It would give the whole world chills even more than your crowd singing a Welsh folk song. To be fair I think when USA truly embraces football they'll be a major force. If Hulk Hogan music is the USA way go for it. Similar to how we go from Zombie Nation before matches, to folk songs, to Frank Sinatra after the match. We certainly are unique in what we do and its creating a massive bond between the fans and players. Even though I think the MLS has done amazing things I think you have to scrap your domestic system at some point and introduce relegation and promotion but I think the ship has sailed at changing that. It might be true that promotion and relegation would work in the US to inject some of the localism of college sports into professional sports. That could be an interesting experiment. I think most people agree that college sports have a better fan atmosphere in the US compared to professional sports. But as you said, that ship has sailed. The owners are paying massive expansion fees and cities are putting up hundreds of millions for soccer specific stadium on the basis that they will have a MLS club. And professional sports leagues like to have open markets so they can extort their current markets for more handouts. |
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Post by welshrover on Jun 13, 2022 20:59:23 GMT
Austrailia v Peru on the BBC website right now,winner goes too world cup,being played in the stadium where we will play all the world cup group games,game 0-0 after 60 mins,costa rica v new zealand from same stadium tomorrownight
Love to see Peru go to Qatar. Sounds as if it's going to ET and Pens. Peru would smash the filthy Aussies at home, or better still at altitude 😁😁I don't condone violence but if anybody needs a good hiding it is the substitute Australian goalkeeper, what a complete and utter weapon he is |
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Post by futbolguru on Jun 13, 2022 22:19:04 GMT
[Croeso / Welcome to you. Similar questions I put to your countryman who opened this thread: 1. Are you more Jerkyboys or Crank Yankers? 2. Buffalo Wild Wings or Hooters? 3. How often do you eat at Olive Garden? 4. What state are you from? Thank you! 1. Definitely Jerky Boys. That first album was a classic....."you killed Uncle Freddy" lololololol 2. If I had to pick one it would be Hooters. There are other places I prefer if I'm wanting to eat chicken wings. 3. I haven't been to an Olive Garden in at least 15 years. Where I'm from in the states National chain restaurants are kind of frowned upon as the local businesses have better food. 4. I'm from Louisiana (New Orleans to be exact). I moved to Houston, Texas in my 30's as the Job market is fantastic. It is a bigger city (4th largest population in the U.S.) with more opportunity. Diolch / Thanks for a wonderful set of responses. You and I are going to be friends liverlips. 1. My time in Washington State changed when I was exposed to the Jerkyboys. It had a similar impact on me that the Young Ones (UK comedy early 80s). I was listening to come Jerkyboys bootleg material earlier this week and there are a couple I had not heard before. 2. Any tips let me know. I see that you are from New Orleans. The Capital of Food. I have eaten at Copelands. The best Shrimp ever. For chicken, I much prefer Popeyes to KFC. 3. It was a little like that when I went to Fort Worth a few years ago but we managed to find an Olive Garden. 4. I have never been to Houston but would like to visit it and San Antonio in the future. Sorry I'm just getting back to you, my wife just had our 3rd child and I'm in my mid 40's........this is harder than when I was younger. Yes, I miss the food in New Orleans. It is some of the best you would find in the States. Copeland's, started by Al Copeland, is the founder of Popeyes. He opened up the first Popeyes on the Westbank of the Mississippi River across the River from the famous French Quarter area. Houston is an ok city to visit; San Antonio is a better visiting destination in my opinion. |
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Post by futbolguru on Jun 13, 2022 22:20:57 GMT
Willie's Chicken was my favourite in New Orleans 😄 Someone told you the right place to go to. Probably my favorite in the city! |
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Post by conwy10 on Jun 13, 2022 22:35:52 GMT
To be fair I think when USA truly embraces football they'll be a major force. If Hulk Hogan music is the USA way go for it. Similar to how we go from Zombie Nation before matches, to folk songs, to Frank Sinatra after the match. We certainly are unique in what we do and its creating a massive bond between the fans and players. Even though I think the MLS has done amazing things I think you have to scrap your domestic system at some point and introduce relegation and promotion but I think the ship has sailed at changing that. It might be true that promotion and relegation would work in the US to inject some of the localism of college sports into professional sports. That could be an interesting experiment. I think most people agree that college sports have a better fan atmosphere in the US compared to professional sports. But as you said, that ship has sailed. The owners are paying massive expansion fees and cities are putting up hundreds of millions for soccer specific stadium on the basis that they will have a MLS club. And professional sports leagues like to have open markets so they can extort their current markets for more handouts. Very American system if you don't mind me saying so. It should pay off soon either way with the investment going in, it must be difficult running a national team when half your players are on a different continent though. It's good to have someone come on here from another country. Truly feels like we've made it global now 🤣🤣 |
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Post by mikejones on Jun 14, 2022 4:53:13 GMT
It might be true that promotion and relegation would work in the US to inject some of the localism of college sports into professional sports. That could be an interesting experiment. I think most people agree that college sports have a better fan atmosphere in the US compared to professional sports. But as you said, that ship has sailed. The owners are paying massive expansion fees and cities are putting up hundreds of millions for soccer specific stadium on the basis that they will have a MLS club. And professional sports leagues like to have open markets so they can extort their current markets for more handouts. Very American system if you don't mind me saying so. It should pay off soon either way with the investment going in, it must be difficult running a national team when half your players are on a different continent though. It's good to have someone come on here from another country. Truly feels like we've made it global now 🤣🤣 American professional sports leagues are all run as cartels. I do think that in the pre WWII days it may have been impossible to build a national league in any other form, given the geographic size of the USA. No professional league has ever tried to go away from the cartel model laid down by baseball in the late 1800s. There are constantly new leagues being formed to challenge the existing leagues in major sports or to try and grow minor sports. Every single one that I know of is based on the franchise model. There are legal exemptions written into antitrust law so that sports leagues don't have to follow the same monopoly laws as other industries. I'm not sure how you would even go about setting up promotion / relegation system from scratch. |
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Post by mikejones on Jun 14, 2022 4:57:22 GMT
Diolch / Thanks for a wonderful set of responses. You and I are going to be friends liverlips. 1. My time in Washington State changed when I was exposed to the Jerkyboys. It had a similar impact on me that the Young Ones (UK comedy early 80s). I was listening to come Jerkyboys bootleg material earlier this week and there are a couple I had not heard before. 2. Any tips let me know. I see that you are from New Orleans. The Capital of Food. I have eaten at Copelands. The best Shrimp ever. For chicken, I much prefer Popeyes to KFC. 3. It was a little like that when I went to Fort Worth a few years ago but we managed to find an Olive Garden. 4. I have never been to Houston but would like to visit it and San Antonio in the future. Sorry I'm just getting back to you, my wife just had our 3rd child and I'm in my mid 40's........this is harder than when I was younger. Yes, I miss the food in New Orleans. It is some of the best you would find in the States. Copeland's, started by Al Copeland, is the founder of Popeyes. He opened up the first Popeyes on the Westbank of the Mississippi River across the River from the famous French Quarter area. Houston is an ok city to visit; San Antonio is a better visiting destination in my opinion. Yeah. I'm not sure why anybody would visit Houston outside of having a specific reason to be there. If you're going to visit a big city in Texas you'll want to go to San Antonio or Austin. |
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Post by bringbackelmo on Jun 14, 2022 10:22:57 GMT
Sorry I'm just getting back to you, my wife just had our 3rd child and I'm in my mid 40's........this is harder than when I was younger. Yes, I miss the food in New Orleans. It is some of the best you would find in the States. Copeland's, started by Al Copeland, is the founder of Popeyes. He opened up the first Popeyes on the Westbank of the Mississippi River across the River from the famous French Quarter area. Houston is an ok city to visit; San Antonio is a better visiting destination in my opinion. Yeah. I'm not sure why anybody would visit Houston outside of having a specific reason to be there. If you're going to visit a big city in Texas you'll want to go to San Antonio or Austin.Seconded! Having been to both I'd say San Antonio is ok, worth a visit, but Austin is brilliant. |
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Post by bale-droed on Jun 14, 2022 10:36:32 GMT
Hey guys we’re all bonding I have also been to Texas. Drove all over the state. I can third how great San Antonio is. Austin and El Paso I thoroughly enjoyed
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Post by saturn9 on Jun 14, 2022 11:00:14 GMT
Hey guys we’re all bonding I have also been to Texas. Drove all over the state. I can third how great San Antonio is. Austin and El Paso I thoroughly enjoyed Thoroughly enjoyed Texas, and wasn't to hot in the Autumn of 93. Stayed for a few nights in a budget motel in Waco. And quite rightly, there was still controversy surrounding the siege, where the Federal Government killed over 25 unarmed women and children. |
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Post by dai on Jun 14, 2022 11:01:03 GMT
Nothing says soccer better than a picture of Hulk Hogan holding a Unites States flag. Soccer would be alot more popular in the USA if we had Hulk Hogan introduce the team and the crowd sang his entrance music rather than trying to do a crappy imitation of foreign soccer culture. It would give the whole world chills even more than your crowd singing a Welsh folk song.Right, c'mon, come clean. Are you either English, Scottish or Irish? |
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Post by bale-droed on Jun 14, 2022 11:09:14 GMT
Soccer would be alot more popular in the USA if we had Hulk Hogan introduce the team and the crowd sang his entrance music rather than trying to do a crappy imitation of foreign soccer culture. It would give the whole world chills even more than your crowd singing a Welsh folk song.Right, c'mon, come clean. Are you either English, Scottish or Irish? He’s 100% Irish. |
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Post by welshrover on Jun 14, 2022 13:31:05 GMT
Did any of you chaps whilst visiting Texas come across Cordell Walker 😊
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Post by jimexotic on Jun 14, 2022 14:11:49 GMT
This thread, what the hell, Hulk Hogan dominating it.
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Post by mikejones on Jun 14, 2022 18:07:21 GMT
Right, c'mon, come clean. Are you either English, Scottish or Irish? He’s 100% Irish. Not sure I've ever been more insulted. |
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