England, Wales, Netherlands and the USA at the Qatar World Cup 2022

[Roger]

England are going into the tournament after a run of 5 games without a win ? That's not encouraging but you never know     And what about the selection of Sterling, McGuire, Henderson and even Rashford   

Sterling now at GBP300K pw for 5 years with Chelsea, doesn't seem to me, to be the player he was a few years ago. McGuire seems to have lost the plot since his GBP million wedding - badly out of form and favour. Henderson is getting older and not starting regularly.

MotD were lauding Dan Burn of Newcastle as a centre back hand even before his brace yesterday, I was sure that Ivan Tomey would be in the squad.

It's disappointing and I fear that Gareth will stick to his Pals and it'll be too late to change if we play badly. Never mind - England for the World Cup   

[Roger]

I see Qatar lost 0-2. If they go out maybe the Govt. will reinstate them   

Ivan Toney is in big trouble over gambling - oh dear !

Harry Kane might START with a yellow if he wears his rainbow - that's silly.

The whole shebang looks a bloody nonsense and this is already heading to be the worst World Cup in history. It's so sad. Even more important - the Beckham brand is in disgrace 

Come on England 

https://youtu.be/dhqpKER5E5o

[Roger]

What a great win for England    Sterling, McGuire and Rashford all proved me wrong    I was worried about fiddling around at the back too much and better teams will find us out   

The whole team did very well - we should fly through this Group  . . . .

And Wales - Bale as usual     What a shame he's frittered a lot of his career away at Real Madrid. A great Player but surely his last World Cup.

[Roger]

Nowt to say about the USA game. A typical Southgate performance. Foden's absence inexplicable. Sterling and Rashford ineffective but McGuire playing well again 

To lose to Wales - can it be done ? They're not strong at all . . .

Just watched Japan v Costa Rica - I'd expected much more from Japan BUT one good thing about that Group - Germany are bottom. Might Germany actually go out at this stage ?

France, Argentina, Brazil to come     We'll see - come on England, and Holland !

[Roger]

I slept through but well done England and good that Southgate has resurrected McGuire and Rashford. A decent win with Foden central to events. Much bigger tests to come - this was an 'easy' Group.

As for Iran - "Iran’s football team has reportedly been warned that their families will face “violence and torture” if they do not “behave” themselves for the rest of the World Cup. A security source involved in the tournament has reportedly told CNN that the players were summoned to a meeting with officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) following their refusal to sing the national anthem before their opening match against England on Nov 21." https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/11/29/families-iran-football-team-threatened-torture-players-misbehave/

As $ rich Middle East and the USA slowly take over the EPL - time for reflection maybe - just where is this going? MMMmmm Johnny Haynes - the first GBP100 pw footballer ! https://youtu.be/Uocx3AJskE0 Different game in those days - the lighter ball introduced 40 years ago changed everything, for the better really - particularly risks of concussion etc.

Come on England . . . .