Internationals.

[nottsblue]

Lingard in the England squad. As is Glen Johnson. Maybe Southgate doesn't want the job full time after all. Shrek is down as a forward

[Justified logic]

Just what is the point of England playing teams like Malta or Germany playing San Marino?

It would make a hell of a lot more sense to play these group games as divisions with Germany, Spain, Italy and the like in the top division and Malta, San Marino, Gibraltar and the like in the lowest division and every two years the top nations could go into the Euros or World Cup. If the divisions were to be kept small - say 4 nations - there could be three promotions/relegations every two years with some time available to play South Americans, etc as well.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Just what is the point of England playing teams like Malta or Germany playing San Marino?

It would make a hell of a lot more sense to play these group games as divisions with Germany, Spain, Italy and the like in the top division and Malta, San Marino, Gibraltar and the like in the lowest division and every two years the top nations could go into the Euros or World Cup. If the divisions were to be kept small - say 4 nations - there could be three promotions/relegations every two years with some time available to play South Americans, etc as well.

How do the likes of Malta and San Marino improve if they're just playing each other? Isn't it more beneficial for them to be pitted against the best? Not saying you're wrong but look at it from all angles rather than looking at it from a what's best for the best and fuck the rest angle.

[Wonderwall]

Just what is the point of England playing teams like Malta or Germany playing San Marino?

It would make a hell of a lot more sense to play these group games as divisions with Germany, Spain, Italy and the like in the top division and Malta, San Marino, Gibraltar and the like in the lowest division and every two years the top nations could go into the Euros or World Cup. If the divisions were to be kept small - say 4 nations - there could be three promotions/relegations every two years with some time available to play South Americans, etc as well.

How do the likes of Malta and San Marino improve if they're just playing each other? Isn't it more beneficial for them to be pitted against the best? Not saying you're wrong but look at it from all angles rather than looking at it from a what's best for the best and fuck the rest angle.

Maybe that's why Southgate has picked lingard, Rooney and Johnson to make it more competitive for them

[Justified logic]

Just what is the point of England playing teams like Malta or Germany playing San Marino?

It would make a hell of a lot more sense to play these group games as divisions with Germany, Spain, Italy and the like in the top division and Malta, San Marino, Gibraltar and the like in the lowest division and every two years the top nations could go into the Euros or World Cup. If the divisions were to be kept small - say 4 nations - there could be three promotions/relegations every two years with some time available to play South Americans, etc as well.

How do the likes of Malta and San Marino improve if they're just playing each other? Isn't it more beneficial for them to be pitted against the best? Not saying you're wrong but look at it from all angles rather than looking at it from a what's best for the best and fuck the rest angle.

By progressing up the divisions, same as happens in the national leagues.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Just what is the point of England playing teams like Malta or Germany playing San Marino?

It would make a hell of a lot more sense to play these group games as divisions with Germany, Spain, Italy and the like in the top division and Malta, San Marino, Gibraltar and the like in the lowest division and every two years the top nations could go into the Euros or World Cup. If the divisions were to be kept small - say 4 nations - there could be three promotions/relegations every two years with some time available to play South Americans, etc as well.

How do the likes of Malta and San Marino improve if they're just playing each other? Isn't it more beneficial for them to be pitted against the best? Not saying you're wrong but look at it from all angles rather than looking at it from a what's best for the best and fuck the rest angle.

By progressing up the divisions, same as happens in the national leagues.

It's not quite the same though is it? At least with national leagues there's room for investment, there's not the same type of opportunity at international level to do this.

[Justified logic]

Just what is the point of England playing teams like Malta or Germany playing San Marino?

It would make a hell of a lot more sense to play these group games as divisions with Germany, Spain, Italy and the like in the top division and Malta, San Marino, Gibraltar and the like in the lowest division and every two years the top nations could go into the Euros or World Cup. If the divisions were to be kept small - say 4 nations - there could be three promotions/relegations every two years with some time available to play South Americans, etc as well.

How do the likes of Malta and San Marino improve if they're just playing each other? Isn't it more beneficial for them to be pitted against the best? Not saying you're wrong but look at it from all angles rather than looking at it from a what's best for the best and fuck the rest angle.

By progressing up the divisions, same as happens in the national leagues.

It's not quite the same though is it? At least with national leagues there's room for investment, there's not the same type of opportunity at international level to do this.

I think Iceland have invested in their national team. Also Belgium and previously Germany, and no doubt others have as well. Don't be fooled by any FA 'root and branch' review and reform after every Euros and WC humiliation. Other countries actually go as far as devising and implementing a plan.

[Scatman]

And don't forget that football is a spectator sport and not just a question of who is above whom in whatever league. It would get very boring very quickly if all San Marino fans expected to be able to see their team play against was the Faroe Island, Uzbekistan and Scotland.

[Tokyo Blue]

And don't forget that football is a spectator sport and not just a question of who is above whom in whatever league. It would get very boring very quickly if all San Marino fans expected to be able to see their team play against was the Faroe Island, Uzbekistan and Scotland.

Chortle.

[BlueinBosnia]

Just what is the point of England playing teams like Malta or Germany playing San Marino?

It would make a hell of a lot more sense to play these group games as divisions with Germany, Spain, Italy and the like in the top division and Malta, San Marino, Gibraltar and the like in the lowest division and every two years the top nations could go into the Euros or World Cup. If the divisions were to be kept small - say 4 nations - there could be three promotions/relegations every two years with some time available to play South Americans, etc as well.

That's what - on the face of things - this proposed UEFA Nations League thing is supposed to do. In reality, though, it's designed to take places away from 'lucky' play-off winners, and hand them back to the big boys in the top league divisions that haven't qualified in the normal process.

[johnny crossan]

Just what is the point of England playing teams like Malta or Germany playing San Marino?

It would make a hell of a lot more sense to play these group games as divisions with Germany, Spain, Italy and the like in the top division and Malta, San Marino, Gibraltar and the like in the lowest division and every two years the top nations could go into the Euros or World Cup. If the divisions were to be kept small - say 4 nations - there could be three promotions/relegations every two years with some time available to play South Americans, etc as well.

That's what - on the face of things - this proposed UEFA Nations League thing is supposed to do. In reality, though, it's designed to take places away from 'lucky' play-off winners, and hand them back to the big boys in the top league divisions that haven't qualified in the normal process.

There's some overthinking going on here, these Ruritanian international matches are not worth the effort.

[Original Dub]

Sterling ruled out of both matches?

He better be back for our next game.

[zuricity]

Just what is the point of England playing teams like Malta or Germany playing San Marino?

It would make a hell of a lot more sense to play these group games as divisions with Germany, Spain, Italy and the like in the top division and Malta, San Marino, Gibraltar and the like in the lowest division and every two years the top nations could go into the Euros or World Cup. If the divisions were to be kept small - say 4 nations - there could be three promotions/relegations every two years with some time available to play South Americans, etc as well.

You have short memory . Iceland perhaps ?

[Nigels Tackle]

Sterling ruled out of both matches?

He better be back for our next game.

he's tired

[Justified logic]

Just what is the point of England playing teams like Malta or Germany playing San Marino?

It would make a hell of a lot more sense to play these group games as divisions with Germany, Spain, Italy and the like in the top division and Malta, San Marino, Gibraltar and the like in the lowest division and every two years the top nations could go into the Euros or World Cup. If the divisions were to be kept small - say 4 nations - there could be three promotions/relegations every two years with some time available to play South Americans, etc as well.

You have short memory . Iceland perhaps ?

What's your point?

[Mikhail Chigorin]

[quote="Justified logic"]Just what is the point of England playing[s]teamslike Malta or Germany playing San Marino?[/s]

Edited for accuracy.

[johnny crossan]

Just what is the point of England playing[s]teamslike Malta or Germany playing San Marino?[/s]

Edited for accuracy.

Just what is the point of England playing teams like Malta or Germany playing San Marino?

Edited for accuracy

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Just what is the point of England playing[s]teamslike Malta or Germany playing San Marino?[/s]

Edited for accuracy.

Just what is the point of England playing teams like Malta or Germany playing San Marino?

Edited for accuracy

I like your version better than mine, but we both missed out the question marks.

Hey ho, it's a tough, tough life in Rock 'n Roll, but it's even tougher if you're not in it.

[johnny crossan]

Just what is the point of England playing[s]teamslike Malta or Germany playing San Marino?[/s]

Edited for accuracy.

Just what is the point of England playing teams like Malta or Germany playing San Marino?

Edited for accuracy

I like your version better than mine, but we both missed out the question marks.

Hey ho, it's a tough, tough life in Rock 'n Roll, but it's even tougher if you're not in it.

I rarely miss the opportunity for a rhetorical flourish! Apologies from an old redactionary

[johnny crossan]

I see our youngsters turned out for Ukraine v Turkey - Zinchenko and Unal- anybody watch them?