Superb
Another boring weekend!

I like International football and I'm Scottish!

The one opportunity to put club loyalty aside for the National interest and shout for players you couldn't normally shout for, watching our own home-grown (most of the time) together trying their luck.

It's a bit selfish to deny players from small countries the opportunity the represent their nation, to deny the chance for them to make a bit of history. Where is your romance?

I certainly agree about a pre-qualifying round.
England having two games against likes of San Marino is a waste of everyone's time. They likely regard Thursday night as a good result.
They'll never improve and have no incentive to. I appreciate it's a great thrill for the littler countries to be able to play against the World's best but under the current system they don't have to do anything to earn the privilege. They are guaranteed these games.
In addition to pre-qualifying, I'd also introduce a minnows cup for the teams who don't make it through (because I don't want them doing nothing for two years) and the prize is a guaranteed spot in the next qualifying tournament.
This would be an incentive for teams to try to improve and playing teams closer to their level they might actually get to enjoy the experience of winning games for once.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

There simply isn't the interest in international football
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Maybe not in England but there are 234 other national teams.

Total agreement Superb!

Today is a complete borefest for me and I actually feel agrieved that the domestic game has yet again been put on hold!

comment by Gazza (U1266)
posted 48 minutes ago
Central contracts are the way to properly revolutionise international football.
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Can you expand on that Gazza.

There's plenty of football on today,maybe the lower league's are not that glamorous but better than nothing,get out there a watch some football,you could be pleasantly surprised/

It's a bit selfish to deny players from small countries the opportunity the represent their nation, to deny the chance for them to make a bit of history. Where is your romance?
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Players from the smaller countries would still be able to represent their nation and if they are good enough they'd still be able to play against the bigger nations if they get through the pre-qualifying round

Superb

I see your logic and yes, San Marino will never win but football is the great leveller, anything can happen.

Hector, San Marino don't even have a single professional player in their side.

With all respect do they have a right to be playing England or any other nation that regularly qualifies for the big tournaments ?

I would argue that they don't.

Just to argue the point. As legit members of the UEFA family they have as much right as any other country, we cannot have a 2-tier system in the peoples game, it stinks of snobbery.

but yes it's getting stupid now with Gibraltar becoming a 'Nation' in UEFA's eyes. Not that it's recognition had anything to do with it's unique tax system.

I agree watching England play the likes of San Marino is like watching Chelsea battle it out with teams fighting it out in the conference.

Rather watch England play friendlies with the top nations then these meaningless games.

I think it's fine as is

comment by The Kaiser's Trainers (U5676)
posted 12 minutes ago
I think it's fine as is
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England v San Marino and England v Estonia does it for you then ?

It does it for San Marinons and Estonians.

It isn't always about you.

those countries deserve their chance

comment by Superb (U6486)
posted 1 hour, 34 minutes ago
Hector, San Marino don't even have a single professional player in their side.

With all respect do they have a right to be playing England or any other nation that regularly qualifies for the big tournaments ?

I would argue that they don't.
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I think they have one...& he got substituted

comment by The Kaiser's Trainers (U5676)
posted 34 minutes ago
those countries deserve their chance
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And they'd get one in a pre-qualifying round for the lower seeded nations

comment by Superb (U6486)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by The Kaiser's Trainers (U5676)
posted 34 minutes ago
those countries deserve their chance
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And they'd get one in a pre-qualifying round for the lower seeded nations

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I'd tend to agree...a bit like champions league pre qualifying....wheat and chaff

comment by Sheriff JW Pepper (U1007)
posted 16 minutes ago
comment by Superb (U6486)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by The Kaiser's Trainers (U5676)
posted 34 minutes ago
those countries deserve their chance
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And they'd get one in a pre-qualifying round for the lower seeded nations

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I'd tend to agree...a bit like champions league pre qualifying....wheat and chaff
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Sheriff it would be exactly like Champions League pre-qualifying

CL qualifying is not fair and you want to introduce it to internationals.

I only scrolled down hoping to see gazza's explanation. still waiting

comment by Hector (U3606)
posted 19 minutes ago
CL qualifying is not fair and you want to introduce it to internationals.
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How is CL qualifying not fair ?

It's a good system that means only the better teams make it into the actual group stages.

It maintains the standard of the competition and makes sure we don't have to watch any dross teams.

Mr C I keep looking out for that as well