mrw072

I always start in France because if you take PSG to one side, it's very competitive. I always start in Ligue 2 though and usually at a team who have fallen on hard times. One thing you do notice in France is that so many teams have great youth systems, so there are a lot of good young players around. One team I really enjoyed managing because of that and actually took them into the European spots after a few seasons were Sochaux (not in FM23). They've got a great youth system and a lot of potential. So I would recommend them or Le Havre. Even though they are in Ligue 2 i'm sure you could take them up after a while. And once that happens you'll just go from strength to strength. But if you really want a Ligue 1 team i'd choose FC Nantes.

I'd think Oldham Athletic would probably fit the bill the most. Maybe after Notts Co. But they're far bigger than the league they're in.

Is that the one where he just didn't give up vs Croatia? And just kept going and going? That's the goal I liked most. Maybe not the most technical, but for sheer determination. Another goal I really liked was Mbappe's in the Final, where he just struck it and it flew in shortly after the first penalty. That was pure instinct. And great technical ability.

I agree completely. Personally I hate seeing that kind of thing go on. It's just totally unnecessary, especially as he's a great keeper. I've actually lost respect for him as I think a true 'champion' wouldn't do that. I know he's a World Cup winner, but he didn't show any sportsmanship from what I saw during the shoot out.

Before it all started I was thinking what's the point of breaking up the football season to watch the World Cup? I was barely interested. But I watched as much as I could as I was lucky enough to be wfh - with the sound off. That's actually true, as I couldn't stand the commentators most of the time. But I feel like that was the best one i've ever seen - there was so much drama yesterday too that I had to give it full marks.

I went to France last summer right when the temperatures were crazy. Anyway a pal of mine had said previously he wouldn't mind tagging along as he hadn't been to France before. To cut a long story short he turned up looking really poorly but put it down to asthma, which is made worse by the heat. So when we got there I was just wondering how to get him from a to b as he started getting worse. Then thankfully we made it back after a few days. Anyway, I later found out that he'd had an embolism and was in hospital for 10 days - touch and go too. Luckily he's pulled through and I asked him what happened. He said the Drs just said it was a combination of things, not one thing in particular. Although I do think he's someone who doesn't look after his health. Or certainly didn't then. But he said it just happened. But I do think travel and the climate played its part there. But in a way it was probably always going to happen with him. It just accelerated things a bit I think.

I can't remember her name off the top of my head but one of the ex SKY presenters fell ill in Brazil and was on life support for a while. Thankfully she recovered. Things like this do happen unfortunately, especially when you have a mix of travel, stress, illness etc.

I don't think the best teams always win Cup competitions - there's a lot of luck involved. Whereas in a league format its very different. In Cups I think a lot depends on the draw. I don't really think you've read what I was trying to say - or maybe slightly misunderstood it. Basically I like it when a team can win a competition such as a World Cup or Euros and go on from there to demonstrate that they're the best. I think it adds credence to the competition. So if France get to the Final and win it I think it cements their standing in the game. If they lose the Final, they'll have passed the baton onto someone else. I'm hoping that's Argentina because i'd like to see Messi add to his legacy also. I don't think all 'winning' teams are regarded in high esteem really - just my opinion. I remember Greece winning the Euros for example. Great achievment for them, but they received a lot of criticism as to the football they played to do that. I'm hoping for a France - Argentina final, but if either of the others win it - i'll certainly think they will have deserved it.

Persoanlly in competitions like the World Cup, I much prefer to see the best teams compete and win. Simply because I think they can go on and create a legacy for themselves. And go down in history as a great era of players for whichever nation it may be. I think that's why Brazil and Germany are regarded in such high esteem, as they've done that. France could do that if they win this time around as they'll be champions twice in a row. Having said that I do think that whoever wins the WC will have thoroughly deserved it as it's not easy to win. I'm hoping Argentina do it for Messi, as I think it'll be a great accomplishment for him and also his team-mates.

If he stays on he also needs to put his faith in actual strikers too. Foden and Saka are good players but neither are what I would class as a striker - a natural goalscorer, someone who can get past defenders really. Unless he's prepared to change things a bit I think it'll be more of the same to come.

It's fine margins. If Maguire's header had gone in. What then? I think England just lack a striker to play with Kane. It would mean dropping either Foden or Saka but I just don't feel theyr'e natural goalscorers.

I've only just seen this thread, so haven't read the previous pages. But personally I thought England were great, they didn't start well but really pressurised France especially in the 2nd half and only remember Giroud having those two chances. When he scored one. But apart from that they were on the back foot. I guess that's why they're World Champions though, by being able to do that. For me England just lack a striker who can play with Kane, as he sometimes drops very deep, and we need someone who can get on the end of loose balls or crosses in the box.

Years ago they had 3 team groups, and England went out without losing in the tournament. What i'd expect is a lot of drawn games. I agree its potentially a bad set-up.

Right now I think Germany must be a decent bet. Or decent odds I should say. I've watched most of the tournament so far and no team has really stood out to me. But I do think it'll be either Brazil or France, with Germany being the best value bet. I think England could do it, but the way they play I just can't see them beating France in the Quarter Finals.

I've watched as much as I can so far - it helps when i'm wfh. I did miss the 6-2 vs Iran though - still think that score must be a mistake with a Southgate team. But i've really enjoyed it so far. Iran vs Wales has been the highlight for me so far. Sorry any Wales fans. But they played with so much freedom I was cheering them at the end. Just hope England can play like that soon

I'd actually forgotten Rice was playing, until I read that.

Italia 90 - with Nessun Dorma is the one I always remember. To be honest I can't remember any others now.

My earliest memory was probably on my 10th birthday watching England beat France 3-1, with Bryan Robson scoring the fastest ever World Cup finals goal. So that has probably been my favourite game and goal. The biggest howler has to be Diana Ross in the opening ceremony in 94, missing that open goal I haven't really watched any games from any weird places. But I remember in 1990 being sat on the stairs in the house during the Belgium game as I couldn't take the pressure

I think a lot depends on how the groups play out. But I think England should have no problems in the group or the next round, as they're likely to avoid Holland then. After that if it is France that'll be difficult, but they have loads of injuries so I think it's a match they could get through. But I do feel that if England were to make it to the semis they'd need more firepower. So i'd expect them to fall there. As a minimum Quarter Finals, but with a bit of luck the Semis.

For me the problem isn't so much the defence. It's up front. I'll be honest - I don't watch friendlies anymore - maybe highlights, but I personally don't think Kane is the same player he is for England, as he is for Spurs. He seems to play too deep. I'm just not sure where the goals are going to come from. Having said that though I think England will walk through the group and into the Quarters. Anything can happen after that I guess. I know he won't do it, but i'd have Callum Wilson in the starting X1.

When Saturday Comes is the only football magazine I buy now - i'd thoroughly recommend that. You'll get a wall chart as well. I used to buy World Soccer too - but I think over the years the quality has gone down a bit.

I'll watch most of it - I usually do. The only reason I won't watch all of it is because I just won't be able to - work etc. Right now i've barely thought about it though - not sure if that's because it's in November during the football season, and not a summer tournament. Location etc. But at the moment I think the tournament could be a bit of a damp squib.

They'll be no problems. It'll be the Swiss in the semi finals where we'll come a cropper.

I can't see past Brazil for this. I think they've got a great mix of younger players and experienced ones. Bruno doesn't seem to be a regular and he'd probably walk into most teams I think.

I think it'll depend on how the figures are calculated. I reckon if it's people watching 15 to 20 mins of the service today, not necessarily live, it'll be much higher than 1 billion. But the number of people watching the full service will be a lot lower than that.