14 Oct 2025 17:00:22
Apologies in advance if someone has already written about this subject but I'm sat here wondering whether I should bother watching the England game tonight or not?
Although that sounds somewhat disloyal, it's really not intended to be, but please someone tell me where is the excitement, the challenge, the jeopardy in a World Cup qualifier against Latvia (all due respect to any Latvians who may be reading this! )
When I was growing up the world was a lot smaller - for better or worse (definitely the latter) , Latvia was part of the Soviet block, as were a dozen other states who now play in European group qualifiers. Ditto the combined state of Yugoslavia and one or two other nations who have since gone on to split up.
Fewer, stronger nations competing for far fewer places at a World Cup - the result of which meant that you were placed in a smaller qualifying group that contained one or two 'smaller' footballing nations and another big one, and the jeopardy of which was that there was only ONE spot available - winner took all (no extra knockout qualifier if you didn't make it as a group winners) .
Fast forward that to today and potentially we could be playing an Italy or Germany or France tonight for one spot - now that would get me sitting in front of the telly on the edge of my seat!
Surely it's time for some pre-qualifying tournament so that the smaller nations can have their own head to head battles before joining the likes of ourselves?
I know I'm shouting at the wind here - it'll never go back to the way it was, FIFA want more nations to take part at the finals (more money! ) , and therefore qualifying simply means turning up, pulling on your shirt and giving the compulsory pre and post match interview and you've all but qualified, but my GOD it makes it so boring!
Think I'll go to the pub instead - wonder if they'll be covering all-in mud wrestling from Uzbekistan again?
14 Oct 2025 19:09:45
You're forgetting one thing Cleggy - Money.
14 Oct 2025 19:39:25
Very good post Cleggy and I think we have all felt similarly regarding the lack of excitement and jeopardy in these qualifiers plus the disruption to the top two domestic l3aues but I will say that Tuchel in the last few games has got the England lads playing the most watchable and entertaining football I've seen since Terry Venables in 1996.
Tuchal seems to have found this exciting version of England in the absence of Bellingham and Foden and deploying Rogers and Anderson who have risen to the challenge and I think are there to stay unless performances dramatically fall away or injury dictates the only exception I think Tuchel will make is Palmer when fit will be a certain starter but not in place of Rogers so probably in place of Gordon even though Palmer usually doesn't play on the left so maybe switch Saka to that side but apart from that the rest of the side that plays tonight will I think continue to be Tuchels England first 11 and has a definite chance of World Cup success.
Having said all that and sung their praises I hope I haven't jinxed it and it isn't yet another false dawn and so hopefully the side carries on in its current rich vein of form so I for one will be watching and I would recommend you give it at least the first 30 minutes to reignite your enthusiasm for watching England. enjoy.
14 Oct 2025 19:49:06
It is a bit silly cleggy I agree. I have seen loads of fb posts like how many goals haaland has scored for Norway and pickford has 8 clean sheet equalling banks.
But haaland would not score as many against the top World teams. Pickford has played against teams at times that don't have a shot all match.
But extra game means more money.
But it does make for dull games.
14 Oct 2025 20:02:20
From a purely football standpoint I've got some sympathy with your views Cleggy, but from a geopolitical standpoint I much prefer the mosaic of little friendly countries like Latvia etc than the old Soviet Union that Vlad the invader is trying to reinstate. BTW I will be watching the game - not a fan of all-in mud wrestling.
14 Oct 2025 21:17:49
Tuchel doesn’t care about big names which is good for the team. Players like Jude Bellingham, although a very good player, can be detrimental to what he’s trying to accomplish. There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance.
In saying that today’s players in general are a different breed from my heyday.
15 Oct 2025 09:13:49
For me the joy of the lesser teams making it though is their. Let’s just throw the kitchen sink at it attitude. The likes of Romania. Albania etc. attacking purity. And every now and then they upset a big boy. Think back to the upside down table recently with Germany. Pure delight.
But. I agree that some just have no chance. But. It’s a World Cup so the world deserves at least a chance.
No super league please.
15 Oct 2025 09:46:26
Great post Cleggy, I fell out of love with England under Gareth, who appears to be a very decent bloke, and a unifying force for good, for most things in life, well, other than winning trophies.
Throw in the meaningless friendlies and players simply going through the motions whist all their PR agencies tell us it was the greatest honour of their lives to represent their country.
Therefore, I’ve no problem with minnows playing the big guns usually they are naive but it’s better than the generic snail pace metronomic football on offer where it’s all about the result, it’s quite refreshing to see a minnow try and give a big gun a shock.
It’s starting to bear fruit in cricket with more and more shocks, Namibia beating South Africa.
I think it’s all the meaningless England friendlies and stupid mini leagues that have left a significant portion of England supporters feeling, non plussed, sadly indifferent about the national team.
I watch non league during international breaks, still some great entertainment and reminds me of the fight and passion that first attracted me to the game as a young boy.