Tractor-Boys.com

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37488747

I'm sure most of you know about this by now, but for the stragglers here you go. I wasn't keen on Big Sam as England manager anyway, so for me it's probably a blessing in disguise. It's hard to understand Big Sam's stupidity in the matter, but not surprising in this day and age.

Well no.9 I've listened to the stuff on the Telegraph as I'm sure many on here have and whilst I have never liked the man, I'll defend him because he has been set up and his comments deliberately twisted.

So what if he wanted to take 400k for some Far East after dinner speaking, you can't blame him for that and he repeatedly said that he would need FA approval so he could hardly be accused of doing anything dishonest. Maybe he's greedy but that's a value judgement not a matter or rules. His comments about there being ways around the player ownership issue are completely correct and plenty of deals have been done taking advantage of that. He's not proposing to give advice to shady deal makers (which is how the Telegraph makes it sound), he's just stating facts and they are facts. His comments on Woy & Neville are made in typical Allardyce style but I'll bet that most on here would agree with them and they are his freely and legally held views.

IMO his only sin was allowing a little alcohol (presumably) to loosen his tongue a bit.

I don't believe that there is a candidate in English football clean enough for the job now and the wolves will be out to dig the dirt on any next appointment. A lot of good candidates will not want to be associated with the FA. IMO the FA should have been more careful in their response and could have handled this quite differently.

It just goes to show what a bunch of scum journalists are, the annoying thing about it is that you can bet your last pound those at the FA who have "helped" relieve sam of his duites will be Ten times more corrupt that Sam. Shame as he would have been a very good England boss.

Well free press is what we've got and I wouldn't have it any other way. The FA didn't think hard enough about their response or keep it measured IMO. And they may live to regret that.

I have to admit if was bit of a knee-jerk for the FA to fire him. However, I suppose they had no choice. The England manager's job is such a political position...whomever replaces Sam will need a few courses in media training.

I can't agree that all journalists are scum, Mike ...however, the Telegraph's tactics in this matter were for me very surprising. I read the Telegraph regularly, but I have to admit they've lost some credibility now.

No I shouldn't tar them all with the same brush, there has to be a good one out there somewhere.

number 9 wrote:I have to admit if was bit of a knee-jerk for the FA to fire him. However, I suppose they had no choice. The England manager's job is such a political position...whomever replaces Sam will need a few courses in media training.

I can't agree that all journalists are scum, Mike ...however, the Telegraph's tactics in this matter were for me very surprising. I read the Telegraph regularly, but I have to admit they've lost some credibility now.

Lost credibility, I doubt that very much. Fat Sam bought it 100% on himself. Stupid, greedy and naive to talk to complete strangers about doing something against the rules of his employer.
I find that incredibly stupid. Yes he's human but it was not entrapment.

Crap manager anyway.

The Allardyce outcome is part of a wider journalistic investigation into continued corruption within the game - involving huge amounts of money. An investigation that is entirely legitimate and in the public interest. Were the FA, so quick to criticise UEFA and FIFA, able or willing to get its own house in order, then the continued existence of under the radar practices wouldn't exist. However, the structure of the FA with its cosy, gentlemen's club, mentality and lacking any significant outside representation or scrutiny, means it will always protect what it sees as being in its best interests. Blind eyes, where required.

As for SA, and views regarding his 'entrapment' will differ, were the offers legitimate, it's clear that his poor judgement, lack of integrity, loose tongue and possible greed, are qualities that fall well short of those required of a National team manager. He possibly needs to consider, also, the type of individuals advising him - and their motives. In this instance he's paid the ultimate price for trusting those he thought were acting in his best interests.

It will be interesting to see what else emerges - there will be a number of individuals feeling very nervous. Of course, the great pity is that with smaller clubs struggling along on shoestring budgets, and possibly having to fold, there are a small number of individuals within the game acting dishonestly for personal gain born out of sheer greed.

The English national team : the gift that keeps on giving

Heard it said on various radio phone-ins that following this (latest) debacle the English are now the laughing stock of world soccer, and while it's another talking point they could do without, at least it's been caught early as Allardyce wasn't a name for everyone when appointed.

Southgate as interim manager could work well for them. Fortunate escape it could be argued, getting the other out of the job before it was really underway.

Steve Bruce for the job anyone????

loudnproud wrote:Steve Bruce for the job anyone????

For here, I'd jump at the chance. Someone with ambition and not afraid to give things a go, unlike McCarthy's often mundane approaches. Who cares about the Norwich connections, he's out of work and looking for a new post, he could really do a job for someone.

Don't think Bruce ever featured for the national team which is something of a mystery, although if it did occur damn well unable to recall it. As before Southgate is a good short term replacement and got a lot of respect for the name in question but whether it'll lead to anything more substantial is open to debate.

Didn't want to start a new thread for this, but I found this article interesting:
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37550739

Should I be excited about this? Does England have a future?

number 9 wrote:Didn't want to start a new thread for this, but I found this article interesting:
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37550739

Should I be excited about this? Does England have a future?

In order to try and sell tickets no doubt the FA will label this as the Return Of The Golden Generation.
You never know for once the sequel might be better than the original.

Just returned home after 6 days in Tarragona playing golf and spotted all the lights on at Sam's villa which we can see from our place. I guess he's in hiding since leaving his England job.

SHED...... Will you be in attendance for the England 7 Malta 0 game?

marko69 wrote:SHED...... Will you be in attendance for the England 7 Malta 0 game?

Yes mate. Then fly out from Luton early on Sunday morning for the game in Slovenia on Tuesday night.

Aw man, you are putting me to shame! Few buddies going through to Hampden on Saturday, but I couldn't be arsed! Shocking fan!

marko69 wrote:Aw man, you are putting me to shame! Few buddies going through to Hampden on Saturday, but I couldn't be arsed! Shocking fan!

Got free tickets for tomorrow's game as our wonderful FA managed to issue duplicate tickets at a previous game we attended and I made an official complaint being the miserable barsteward I am! Surprise, surprise they didn't offer me freebies for the Scotland game next month.

Already booked up for the away games against Scotland and Malta next year, looking forward to Malta as haven't been there before.

Enjoy the match Shed, have a great trip.

As much as I'd like to see us put 7 past them I think 4 is more realistic.

Not to single any one nation out, but can't there be another way to determine who qualifies for these damn tournaments other than the way it stands now.

Point being, I'd rather have a Town game today - maybe it would be poor, another setback or lousy score, but at least it would provide some level of discussion - instead of which in it's place there's a number of pointless futile games with some of Europe's say 'more recognized' names taking on a selection of obscure nations from the rest of the continent - all in front of probable half-empty venues and half-assed interest or encouragement.

Can't they put all contending names in a bag at the start of qualification and decide there and then who makes it to the final event by whoever is picked, allowing more time for domestics and free of international games and deciders.

(Recently spent four years in the build up to Euro 2016, hundreds of games played on route to qualification - Portugal win the f**king thing and nobody's even looked back or provided a mention to that achievement ?) Sorry, just get pissed off with the process of things and would ideally wish for different approach.

With the way ITFC are playing....., fairly sure the majority of fans are enjoying the international break.

marko69 wrote:With the way ITFC are playing....., fairly sure the majority of fans are enjoying the international break.

What I want to know is what have I done in my previous life to have to watch the crap that both England and ITFC are producing at the moment?

Another load of sh*te dished up.

I can't remember the last time I couldn't be arsed to watch an England International game shown live on television but from what I've read this morning I don't think I missed much.

I will watch Tuesday nights game but I can't say I have very high expectations although I must say Shed I admire your loyalty, or maybe you just like traveling.

Charny
Like the majority of England fans I enjoy going to different places and visiting countries which I probably would never consider going to if it weren't for the footy.
Also, meeting fans from other clubs and discussing our views is also always interesting. Usually the only thing that puts a dampner on the trips is the 90 minutes of football.

Just like watching Town then !

Shed on tour wrote:Charny
Like the majority of England fans I enjoy going to different places and visiting countries which I probably would never consider going to if it weren't for the footy.
Also, meeting fans from other clubs and discussing our views is also always interesting. Usually the only thing that puts a dampner on the trips is the 90 minutes of football.

Have a good trip Shed, I'll be thinking of you as I watch the game and hope it makes the journey worthwhile.

Just a thought Shed, why not still visit all these beautiful cities etc only cutting out the crap that is the Football ? LOL.

bluemike wrote:Just a thought Shed, why not still visit all these beautiful cities etc only cutting out the crap that is the Football ? LOL.

Mike
Believe me have often thought of doing that! Wasn't going to renew my England Travel Club membership for this qualifying group but then Scotland and Malta came out when the draw was made and decided to change my mind.
It's the same with ITFC I often ask myself why do I keep going but as you know only to well it is so bloody addictive and hard to give up. As you have said in the past the social aspect is often more important and enjoyable than the football. Mind you we are still probably bloody mad.

Those two Scotland v England games, (for Scottish fans) were sold out extremely quickly. In fact those two are just "Scotland v England" games, Fk all to do with the World Cup!

For us, it'll be curtains fairly early if they don't get a result in Slovakia tonight. Horrendous result @ Hampden last Saturday.