The_jagster

My Dad bought me the ITV 1998 one on CD and I still like it to this day. Because it's a re-working of a Jarre track it isn't quite so "of its time". I think that's why classical music is generally popular, so that it doesn't feel immediately dated. Nessum Dorma is both classical and quite uplifting which is why it works whereas those Russian ones jog no memories whatsoever. And they had so much classical Russian music to choose from! ( or folk ) ITV's Brazil was really good too, should have been too cheesy but worked

For all but Morocco more than half were born in the nation they are representing so to say "rely on" is a bit unfair. Not quite Ireland 1990

Isn't it just for an advert?

The Guardian has already been putting out longish previews for each team on its site too

No World Soccer in local Smiths The Athletic did a great podcast series called Euro Stories where they had journos from major countries and Denmark, Greece etc going through past tournaments but I must have been one of about 3 listeners because it hasn't appeared in the same feed for the World Cup

Not that one. Nor that one. Nor that one But one that works for football magazines

Some quite big names they've got for the blu-

I don't think Capello rated James very highly!

Do you not think any attacker is going to look a bit blunt when playing in Southgate's system?

It gives me goosebumps

It's Southgate. No England player looks good in attack, even Sterling is generally quite iffy but he does tend to come up with a few goals.

Also if you want a scorer then Wilson is the in form option over Abraham. If Kane gets injured I think Wislon will look a bit like Immobile against a decent defence, clearly a step down from the rest of the forward line.

Trippier at RWB is much more trusted by Gareth He hasn't even played well for England. But I don't know who would be a better option tbh

As Jonathan Wilson pointed out, "no discrimination" on various grounds is part of the FIFA charter which highlights how much of a mockery the stance is.

Coady's been ok though? Tomori got sent off when playing a better team in Chelsea after Mount got the wrong side of him. Maguire is the one I agree on but I don't think you can really level at Southgate that he doesn't look abroad. Bellingham is starting atm (and is still a teenager), Sancho and Trippier were playing when they were abroad. If he'd been playing brilliantly then that's one thing, why not bring back Chris Smalling too.

I'm sure I heard an Italian football correspondent say Tomori hasn't been as good this season. How many people calling for him to be included can honestly say how good he's been? Bellingham is different because he's clearly great

Was listening to football clichés talking about the opening titles and past kits and all of a sudden I was all "It's the World Cup soon!" Psyched

So much better when you can chill outside before/after imo

With 5 subs available a penalty saver who teamss don't need to worry about taking to the field would be a really good option.

I'll for Benzema since he plays more centrally than Mpabbe. Group B is the only group with a fair amount of fodder but it's also clogged with negative managers.

I can't take time off during the first week really so half a half day on the Monday, and half days for any knockout match. So working for the first week with it on the radio in the background. From some Talksport ad I thought they had it but fortunately it's all on BBC radio. The last group games are rarely that great imo so don't mind missing the 3pm kickoffs for those, but any potential England game I will be able to watch

I think a lot of the debate has been on the deaths being overly high given that they are men of working age and physically capable. Like, is a heart attack natural or the result of strenuous work in Qatar heat? Rather than just deaths due to industrial accidents.

I liked World Soccer but that was about 10 years ago when newsagents and Sainsbury's sold it. I stopped when too many of their pieces were squad lists and tables and I felt there were fewer features. The world cup one was good last time tbf as they cover every team in depth. The lighter tone of the WSC one is good with which former players are pundits and who has endorsement deals, shouldn't really work but just does. I also used to get France Football but print media is dying in France too and it's just a monthly insert in L'Equipe now. No idea if they have a WC special this year.

An interesting post history, a few comments about FM in 2021 and some WUM comments a year later such as: I wondered where Cobbler had got to, couldn't remember if he'd stopped posting or I'd hidden his posts.

Not getting confused with John Mensah?