Tag Archives: England

World Cup of the Underdogs

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This World Cup has been brilliant so far.

The “traditional” top sides are not actually that good, whilst those the level below are a lot better.

It is probably actually misleading to call the likes of Uruguay, Switzerland, Belgium and Croatia “underdogs”.

With the globalisation of football, the majority of their players play for some of the best teams across Europe.

Regulars who perform week in week out for Arsenal, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City, Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan, PSG, Liverpool, Monaco, Chelsea and Napoli are amongst the players in the squads of those 3 countries.

They have La Liga winners, Premier League winners, Ligue 1 winners, Serie A winners, Champions League and Europa League winners in their line ups.

Both domestic and European club football has become predictable and ruined due to money.

The same teams dominating and running away with domestic leagues: the same teams always in the later stages of the Champions League.

You will never get a club side from Croatia or Belgium competing in Europe. The best players from those nations just get bought by the same rich sides dominating domestic foot all. The World Cup is refreshing. It is about talent and tactics rather than money.

It is just a pity that FIFA are trying to ruin the international game with Qatar 2022.

With how domestic football is deteriorating, international football could have become king again. It could have built on this exciting tournament.

Instead we will have a World Cup in a sandpit soulless nation with horrendous human rights record. A winter World Cup just because the Sheikhs of Qatar were able to offer the biggest bribes.

Enjoy this World Cup, as like domestic football, the future is all about money.

Keenos

England, Granit Xhaka & Liam Gallagher

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England

Well that was not fun was it.

After plenty of excitement in the World Cup recently, England defeat was a boring defeat as both B teams struggled to try and win.

Eventually England lost, which might be good, but might be bad. We will find that one out once we play Columbia.

After the 6-1 win over Panama, England were back to their boring best.

Granit Xhaka

I have blogged a few times about how much I rate Granit Xhaka. That he is a top player. Just played out of position.

Since joining Arsenal two years ago, he has had to deal with a lot of criticism from fans and the media.

Xhaka gets a lot of blame for the team being set up unbalanced. He has never really played as the deepest central midfielder.

He needs to be allowed to press and be aggressive. Sitting deep never suited him. He does not deserve the abuse he gets.

At the World cup for Switzerland, he is playing in his more natural position, with a deeper midfielder behind him.

By having someone behind him will allow him to get further forward, to be more aggressive in the middle of the park, and know he has a safety net behind him.

Against Costa Rica he was terrific once more.

Some might say it was “only Costa Rica” but it was only Panama who Harry kane scored a hat trick against. It was only Costa Rica that England drew 0-0 with at the last World Cup.

Next season, with Lucas Torreira set to be behind him, I expexct a big season from the Swiss man.

Liam Gallagher

Anyone else off to see Liam Gallagher at Finsbury Park today? Should be plenty of Arsenal about taking into account its location.

Pity The George has now shut down as it would have been the ideal back street boozer for a few pre-gig pints that not many would know about. Plenty of Oasis, Stone Roses and Courteneers on the juke box. It would have gone off in there.

Instead it will probably be one of the upmarket bars on Upper Street around Canonbury.

LG is not due on until 9pm, so my bet is an afternoon boozing before heading in for between 6 & 7.

I went to Alexandra Palace when he was performing there, it was a top gig. But the great mans voice is going. I watched his performance at BBC Music’s Biggest Weekend and it was underwhelming as he struggled to project his vocals in a huge, outdoor arena.

Regardless, with Liam, it has never really been about his vocals and more about the performance. He is the greatest front man of my generation and I am buzzing for today.

Keenos

https://twitter.com/TheRetroKits/status/1012062751664082944

Granit Xhaka, Mesut Ozil & England

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Granit Xhaka

This morning we wake to news that Granit Xhaka could be in line for punishment after his goal celebration against Serbia.

The Swiss international made the sign of the Albanian Eagle when scoring in the World Cup.

For those that do not know, Swiss born Xhaka’s parents fled war-torn Yugoslavia before Xhaka was born. His father was a political prisoner for 3-and-a-half years

Xhaka Sr’s crime had been to take part in demonstrations against the communist central government in Belgrade.

Xherdan Shaqira, born in Kosovo, also made the same sign when he scored his goal.

Reports are that both men face a two match ban for making a “political symbol” but what a load of tosh.

They are proud of their Albanian / Kosovan heritage, and made a hand sign in support of Albania, in support of their parents. If the Albanian Eagle is a political symbol, then so is every national flag.

It is a symbol of their country. Like the English rose or Scottish thistle.

Would it be different if they were playing for Albania? Making the hand sign when they scored? Probably not.

FIFA have to understand that in a multi-cultural game where players often have duel-nationality or duel-loyalties.

Xhaka is a proud Swissman. He is also a proud Albanian.

If they are banned, will FIFA also ban Muslim players who pray after scoring a goal?

Mesut Ozil

So Mesut Ozil was made scapegoat after Germany’s defeat against Mexico and was dropped to the bench for the game against Sweden.

Ozil in Germany is a bit like Raheem Sterling in England.

He gets a lot of negative press, much of it unjustified, just because he is a little different to many of his team mates.

He is often labelled as “Muslim” and “Turkish” and criticised for not being passionate to play for the country.

This is a player who has 91 caps for his country and was their best player at the last World Cup.

Whilst he gets a lot of criticism, Thomas Muller escapes all criticism. It is not hard to work out the difference between the two.

https://twitter.com/keenosafc/status/1010576983728771072?s=21

Germany struggled to create in their 2-1 victory over Sweden. The same defensive frailties they showed against Mexico were on display last night. Ozil can not be to blame for Germany being poor defensively.

England

Struggled to get into the World Cup, but the buzz returned when Germany nearly went out yesterday. Add in Argentina’s struggles and it has been a horrendous tournament for the Old Enemies.

I am a proud Englishman. Whether it be cricket, rugby or lawn bowls, I will support England.

However the national football team I have always struggled with. Like many I struggle to cheer on Harry Kane and Dele Alli, or Gary Neville and John Terry. But I will cheer on England.

I was out in Lille when England were in France in 2016. We drank the city dry. It is up there with the best of Arsenal Euro-always.

So at 13:00, I will be in my garden, BBQ on, beer in hand, backing the boys.

C’mon England.

Keenos