Blatter under investigation

[ZacNaloen]

So... they aren't good enough then?

I never said it was a lack of potential, we just dont produce enough good enough players and never have

[papereyes]

Our recent performances at the world cup are pretty much as good as we've ever done with an obvious exception. The fact is our players haven't been good enough. And that is the reason there arent more in the premier league now scouting networks can afford to go global.

Don't think that's the case. It's far easier to buy in talent from elsewhere, than to establish and develop our own. Young players take a while to really come good and they don't get the chance here often. Combined with the fact that our youth system is too heavily emphasised on pace and physique over genuine footballing skill and thought means we don't develop the quality of youngsters with potential into actual stars.

Last bit is true-ish.

I've started doing my coaching badges with the club up here and the bit I found depressing was that UK has 10 % of the number of people with any coaching qualifications compared to our major European neighbours. Half of the first day of the very first course was saying that if this course means that the guy who runs the under 8s team actually thinks about what he's doing, then that's a massive start.

Even up here, in a decent-ish side, the moment a big, strong lad* turns up, I get dumped back on the bench. Meh. I'm floppy haired and well-spoken so can't 'put it about'

[papereyes]

So... they aren't good enough then?

I never said it was a lack of potential, we just dont produce enough good enough players and never have

We produce good players for the league we're in and buy players from elsewhere to fit. The national team reflects this.

World Cups require a slightly different approach to the usual league games and our players seem unable to adapt. I've said for YEARS that half of the problem is, well, brains - being able to adapt to different circumstances, formations, training regimes and being able to play a more controlled, considered game.

[papereyes]

The other bit is the differences in scale between the teams. England should be beating 40+ of the 50 teams in UEFA. So pissing their qualifying group should be the bare minimum, not something to get hyped up about.

Since June 2001, they have been pretty much between 15th and 5th in the FIFA rankings, with most of that spell higher than 10th, so that's quarter-finals of a tournament with the possibility of a semi - but realise there are better teams out there. That's how good they are. I can't find the UEFA rankings, but I think its safe to say that at least four teams will have been better for the most part of that period - again, quarter finals and beaten by the first good team they play.

That's how good they are - good, but not quite great.

I may go and watch highlights of the Germans doing England in 2010. Now that was a footballing display.

[ZacNaloen]

I thought I might have been channeling your Info with that particular rant. tbf the fa have the right idea, there is a concerted effort to sort out the grass of the football training pyramid. More better players being produced by clubs will mean more english players in the premier league. But until are producing the these players are clubs supposed to win things or what?

[Uke]

I thought I might have been channeling your Info with that particular rant. tbf the fa have the right idea, there is a concerted effort to sort out the grass of the football training pyramid. More better players being produced by clubs will mean more english players in the premier league. But until are producing the these players are clubs supposed to win things or what?

Don't think it's really working

There are now far too many youth leagues, youth teams, etc... Every other Dad seems to be a coach or a manager

Which mean the really good players are lost in the noise. Before only the keen and good got to play, now everyone gets a first team game

Bring back elitism

[ZacNaloen]

I'm not involved in that level so I can't really tell about that, but isn't it also true that although we have a higher average number of supporters (against population) compared to a lot of Europe, we have one of the lowest numbers of players, coaches, etc and that we only really draw our players from the "working class" which is only about a third of the population. We should be looking at talent in the middle classes, a much bigger pool of potential players.

[papereyes]

and less likely to be brain-dead idiots.

[ZacNaloen]

ouch

[Uke]

Because they concentrate on learning more than kicking balls




The middle class are the target market, not the workforce...

[frimmers3]

we are talking about a man that mooted lady players wearing tighter shorts...so not us let dismiss this giant of football without due consideration.

[papereyes]

Because they concentrate on learning more than kicking balls




The middle class are the target market, not the workforce...

The fact that other sports seem to do quite well 'recruiting' from that pool suggests a fair bit more to it than that.

[Uke]

Because they concentrate on learning more than kicking balls




The middle class are the target market, not the workforce...

The fact that other sports seem to do quite well 'recruiting' from that pool suggests a fair bit more to it than that.

Warning - this post includes massive generalisations

Access to facilities?

Rugby, cricket, tennis, sailing, etc... fairly middle class rooted

Anything with horses - (teribbly upper class except for Jockeys and Jordan)

[papereyes]

Possibly. But that is an aside to 'they concentrate on learning more than kicking balls' isn't it.

[papereyes]

I can't remember when it was, but there was one prick on here who wound me right up with some 'working class people make better sportsmen' fishing trip.

What an utter cunt.

[Wax Jacket]

Martin Johnson
Steve Redgrave
Ken Barrington

he may have had a point

[Uke]

Possibly. But that is an aside to 'they concentrate on learning more than kicking balls' isn't it.

A result of where the more affluent parents spending of their disposable income, absolutely nothing to do with ambition, intellect or ability

Access to facilities and subsidised coaching would encourage a wider spread of sports, which is why the SSP's played a valuable role in giving kids exposure to new sports (although Street Dance is debatable)

[Uke]

I can't remember when it was, but there was one prick on here who wound me right up with some 'working class people make better sportsmen' fishing trip.

What an utter cunt.

+1,000

[southbank1871]

Because they concentrate on learning more than kicking balls




The middle class are the target market, not the workforce...

The fact that other sports seem to do quite well 'recruiting' from that pool suggests a fair bit more to it than that.

Wouldn't the sports that are considered more important at private and grammar schools be relevant too (not to mention at the top universities)? I'm assuming gr8er emphasis is placed on cricket and rugby and there are links with local clubs and top coaches that just aren't there with football.

[Uke]

Because they concentrate on learning more than kicking balls




The middle class are the target market, not the workforce...

The fact that other sports seem to do quite well 'recruiting' from that pool suggests a fair bit more to it than that.

Wouldn't the sports that are considered more important at private and grammar schools be relevant too (not to mention at the top universities)? I'm assuming gr8er emphasis is placed on cricket and rugby and there are links with local clubs and top coaches that just aren't there with football.

Its more access to facilities and the predominant sport(s) in the area

From the examples above

Steve Redgrave came from Marlow
Martin Johnson from Leicester
Ken Barrington from a dump with a lower division underachieving footie team


Depends on the schools attitude to sports as well. Whether it's based on filling the time with the requisite hours of "sport" or giving kids access to try different sporting experiences. All within bugetary contraints...