World Cup Russia 2018

[Marco]

Yes, but they need to prove that they're good enough to be at the World Cup finals, not simply be put there as some sort of 'token gesture', simply to try and get them to improve.

Look how crap most of the South African nations have been, for example, and also the others on my list. Personally, I don't think any amount giving them more exposure would turn them into teams good enough to compete at this level, and meanwhile neutrals are forced to watch their dross...

It would certainly help if all the African nations simply amalgamated to become 'South Africa' (or whatever); then they'd have a chance of winning the World Cup! Even when Serbia and Croatia were once just 'Yugoslavia', they were a more potent force. The same would apply to the creation of a British football team, as I mentioned before.

Too much 'watering down' going on, and quantity existing over quality - and that applies to league football, too!

Marco.

[Sherwood]

Yes, but they need to prove that they're good enough to be at the World Cup finals, not simply be put there as some sort of 'token gesture', simply to try and get them to improve.

Look how crap most of the South African nations have been, for example, and also the others on my list. Personally, I don't think any amount giving them more exposure would turn them into teams good enough to compete at this level, and meanwhile neutrals are forced to watch their dross...

It would certainly help if all the African nations simply amalgamated to become 'South Africa' (or whatever); then they'd have a chance of winning the World Cup! Even when Serbia and Croatia were once just 'Yugoslavia', they were a more potent force. The same would apply to the creation of a British football team, as I mentioned before.

Too much 'watering down' going on, and quantity existing over quality - and that applies to league football, too!

Marco.

With the exception of Gareth Bale nothing to be added by the creation of a GB side. Scotland used to be a major force but the economics of industry have undermined national sides. The best move for English football would be a quota on the number of English/British players at club level (say 4 or 5 on the pitch at any time as a minimum). Won't happen.

Geoff

[Marco]

I agree wholeheartedly with the latter point (and also sadly that it won't happen), but aside from Bale, I think Robertson, Tierney and Brown, from Scotland, could make a difference in certain games to a GB team.

Plus, who's to say that in future, if better players come into the Wales and Scotland set ups (N.Ireland will mostly always struggle), that they wouldn't be as good as or better than some of the England players?

The other thing too is that a GB team would guarantee that the whole of the UK was behind them, as there would be a valid reason for everyone to genuinely support the team, instead of as it is now, with the Scots, Welsh and Irish feeling that they're obliged to turn into England fans

Marco.

[Sherwood]

I agree wholeheartedly with the latter point (and also sadly that it won't happen), but aside from Bale, I think Robertson, Tierney and Brown, from Scotland, could make a difference in certain games to a GB team.

Plus, who's to say that in future, if better players come into the Wales and Scotland set ups, that they wouldn't be as good as or better than some of the England players?

The other thing too is that a GB team would guarantee that the whole of the UK was behind them, as there would be a valid reason for everyone to get behind the team, instead of as it is now, with the Scots, Welsh and Irish feeling that they're obliged to turn into England fans

Marco.

You underestimate the power of "anyone but England"!

[Marco]

Lol - but I don't think you'd get many saying 'Anyone but GB'

Other than at the Eurovision Song Contest!

Marco.

[Sherwood]

Lol - but I don't think you'd get many saying 'Anyone but GB'

Other than at the Eurovision Song Contest!

Marco.

Really? Ever been to Australia or to a British Lions game?

[struth]

not a fan of quota's or fair play finances for that matter. if someone wants to buy a team, then why not; as long as the money isnt to be demanded back when he/they get fed up etc. all it does is ensure the big teams stay at top and the less well off sides stay that way.
quota's put pressures on team selection just as much as too many foreign players do. british players need to step up their game; thats the way to do it.

[Marco]

Really? Ever been to Australia or to a British Lions game?

Nope, what's it like?

Anyway. my point still stands. Bale would instantly (and massively) improve things, and Tierney, Robertson and Brown would undoubtedly strengthen the squad of a GB team. I'd certainly support such a team wholeheartedly, if it ever existed, although it's unlikely.

It might also help educate some rather ignorant 'foreigners', who think that England, and the UK, are one and the same!

Especially the Americans I've met who think that LONDON is England, and the rest of the country doesn't exist.....

Marco.

[Sherwood]

I was working in Botswana during the 1995 RWC and drove down to Pretoria to watch the quarter finals (NZ vs Scotland where Lomu destroyed Gavin Hastings). We watched England versus Australia on the big screen in the ground just before the game began. I don't recall most of the Aussies or Kiwis or Afikaneers for that matter distinguishing between England and Scotland in their "friendly banter".

[Marco]

not a fan of quota's or fair play finances for that matter/

Sorry mate, don't really know what you mean...

Marco.