International Break Withdrawal Sympyoms
October 8th 2010 11:49
Link: twitter.com/mattsaltmer
The World Cup this summer was fantastic, four of the best weeks of the year. Wake up, a game was kicking off, get some food, a game was kicking off, settle down with a beer on a night, a game was kicking off. This can't be beaten. But for me personally, club football is what really matters. It is in club football that the real passion lies amongst fans. I could talk to friends for days on end about club football, but beside mentioning a countries best players, what else is there to talk about? International breaks, for pointless qualifying matches, really leave me with withdrawal symptoms from football. Especially when England aren't playing until next Tuesday, 10 days after the last Premier League action.
The only time fans really rally behind their International team in Qualifying years, is during the match to either clinch qualification, or could see them eliminated. Supporting a team like England, arrogant though it may seem, I assume we will qualify. If we don't, its a good reason to complain, and get the manager sacked, as Steve McClaren found out. But nights like tonight offer little excitement.
World Cup runners-up Holland face the mighty Moldova, World champions Spain host the flair of Lithunia, and fourth-placed in South Africa, Uruguay, have a tough friendly, against Indonesia. Please note the sarcasm. There is one game which on paper at least, looks interesting. That is between Germany and Turkey, as these are the two best teams going head to head. The only thing to do therefore, is to concentrate on the matches, which do mean something to you, regardless if that is only a little.
So as an England fan, this means supporting the other British teams. The Wales match does actually have importance, as they are in our group. Under new manager Brian Flynn, they host Bulgaria, in a must win match. They have the players to be successful, the likes of Bale, Bellamy and Ramsey when all fit, are top players. The other game in the group sees Switzerland take on joint group leaders, Montenegro.
Scotland have a very tricky trip to Czech Republic. The scots unconvincingly beat minnows Liecinstein 2-1, with a 95th minute winner, after drawing 0-0 with Lithunia. With Spain also in the group, I don't think I'm the only one not expecting them to get close to qualification. Northern Ireland started well, with an impressive win in Slovenia, but have a tough task following it up with victory tonight, as they take on Italy. After the unpredictable results for Italy at the World Cup however, who knows what could happen, maybe Northern Ireland have a chance.
And finally, Republic of Ireland opened with two wins, but now have two campaign defining matches, starting with Russia at home tonight. They have Slovakia away on tuesday, and bad results this week could see their dreams of making Euro 2012 go up in flames. Coping with the threat of Arshavin is a big must tonight, and if Ireland manage that, then they could well pick up a vital 3 points.
The other bit of action tonight appealing to me, is the play-offs for the Under 21s European Championships. The first legs are tonight, with second legs next Tuesday. Tonight sees the youth side of Czech Republic host Greece, Italy face Belarus, and England take on Romania. Stuart Pearce has said he fancies our chances, and we have a strong Under 21s squad. Jack Wilshere is in this squad and the senior, and it is definitely a case of seeing where he is most needed. Hopefully the younger lads tonight, can fill the void left by this International break, and next weeks football can see normality resume.
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Comment by Champions League Watch
I guess we can always drink a pint and talk about the upcoming matches.
Comment by Matt Saltmer
Procrasturbating
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