I'm probably in the minority but I wouldn't lose a seconds sleep if International football disappeared forever. I just don't have that same connection to the England team as I do United.

I don't particularly like cheering for Liverpool, City, Arsenal and Chelsea players either and I'm sure I'm not alone in that view.

Club football would be more than enough for me.

Perhaps something like 60 games - 50 club and 10 international - would be doable.
====
I get where you are coming from but can see carnage! Imagine getting to the CL final and missing half your squad because they played 50 games because you had an injury crisis. Or a nation like Morocco doing better than expected in the World Cup, reaching the final but you have to leave out your core because you didn't expect to get this far and they played 4 massive games in qualifying just to get you there.

comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 11 minutes ago
I'm probably in the minority but I wouldn't lose a seconds sleep if International football disappeared forever. I just don't have that same connection to the England team as I do United.

I don't particularly like cheering for Liverpool, City, Arsenal and Chelsea players either and I'm sure I'm not alone in that view.

Club football would be more than enough for me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Think a fair few fans of the bigger clubs would agree with you, most others wouldn’t.

comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 11 minutes ago
I'm probably in the minority but I wouldn't lose a seconds sleep if International football disappeared forever. I just don't have that same connection to the England team as I do United.

I don't particularly like cheering for Liverpool, City, Arsenal and Chelsea players either and I'm sure I'm not alone in that view.

Club football would be more than enough for me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Think a fair few fans of the bigger clubs would agree with you, most others wouldn’t.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Utd make me miserable enough as it is right now....I don't need England adding to it. 😂

comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 40 seconds ago
I’m not sure the international calendar is any different than it’s ever been is it? It’s club games that have increased for some.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not particularly - for instance England had 17 fixtures this year compared to 15 in 1990. 8 in 89 and 10 in 23.
However, back then you may have 4 or 5 international players at the club, now you have 20.

One big difference from the 80s/90s is that a lot of internationals were pushed into May and June and the players complained about the extension of their season into these months after a hard season. In 91, for example, 6 games were played from May 21st to June 12th. Other games were played midweek during the season if I remember correctly.

I think the September International break is crazy and I've been waiting for the clubs to rise up against it for years.

Especially during a Euros or WC year when their ridiculously well paid employees come back to training for a week, play 3 league games then disappear off around the world again only to come back knackered and potentially injured.

Strange business!!?

comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 24 minutes ago
I'm probably in the minority but I wouldn't lose a seconds sleep if International football disappeared forever. I just don't have that same connection to the England team as I do United.

I don't particularly like cheering for Liverpool, City, Arsenal and Chelsea players either and I'm sure I'm not alone in that view.

Club football would be more than enough for me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This but just keep the Euro's, AFCON, Copa America and World cup...i think thats enough, alongside club football.

Why does Africa get one and Asia doesn't? Nor North America!

Honestly, for me it's the European club competitions that have got far too big - at some point, people will realise that less is more, both in terms of quality and player welfare. I would also cut down the number of teams that qualify for the Euros and WCs - make it interesting by having a 'lesser tournament', for which the winner automatically gets to the next Euro / WC etc.

Needs more thinking outside the box, both at club and international level.

But money talks and those in charge aren't really interested in the welfare of the game

comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 35 minutes ago
Why does Africa get one and Asia doesn't? Nor North America!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I forgot about the Asia cup tbh...and that too.

comment by kinsang (U3346)
posted 15 minutes ago
Honestly, for me it's the European club competitions that have got far too big - at some point, people will realise that less is more, both in terms of quality and player welfare. I would also cut down the number of teams that qualify for the Euros and WCs - make it interesting by having a 'lesser tournament', for which the winner automatically gets to the next Euro / WC etc.

Needs more thinking outside the box, both at club and international level.

But money talks and those in charge aren't really interested in the welfare of the game
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It looks like we're getting to that point where the 'money men' are going to see that the players, ultimately and collectively, hold the power really
if they all start refusing certain things...the people up top, HAVE to take notice.

I like IAOG idea of a union deciding that players can only play X amount of games.

I'd also perhaps tinker with the Nations League and Major Tournament qualifying in Europe and use the Nations League as a qualifier to the main qualifiers. Instead of groups of 5/6 we have groups of four. Those not qualifying for the qualifiers (stick with me) can play their own Summer tournament during odd years. Hopefully bringing some much needed attention, exposure and finances to them. Call it the Europa Shield or Bowl or something.

comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 56 minutes ago
comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 11 minutes ago
I'm probably in the minority but I wouldn't lose a seconds sleep if International football disappeared forever. I just don't have that same connection to the England team as I do United.

I don't particularly like cheering for Liverpool, City, Arsenal and Chelsea players either and I'm sure I'm not alone in that view.

Club football would be more than enough for me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Think a fair few fans of the bigger clubs would agree with you, most others wouldn’t.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Utd make me miserable enough as it is right now....I don't need England adding to it. 😂
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You support the most successful side in English football history and England have just got to back to back euros finals...

It's a symptom of the PL outgrowing England. Possibly the only league in the world where the top teams in the league are far superior to the national team.

Usually it is the other way around with nations like Belgium, Netherlands, France.

So fans of the big PL clubs are used to glory so don't really have the capacity to support England. It can leave them understandably frustrated.

But for the rest of the football world, football isn't just about watching your chosen team win stuff on your iPad.

Football is much more than that and international football brings a lot that stale club football doesn't.

comment by Peks - Comanche Moon (U6618)
posted 2 hours, 40 minutes ago
Football should look at the NFL which is a sport that generates huge money as well

They go by the philosophy of less games generates more interest


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Not that it comes as a shock that you are peddling misinformation.

But the NFL is the opposite of this point. The reduced schedule was always due to the high physical demands of the game and the injuries that are because of it. However the sport has added additional games to the calendar twice in the last decade. As their philosophy is more games = more revenue + more interest.

RE the OP the issue is with club football - international football will always be the scapegoat for people in this country. However we have increased the amount of games in the calendar for European football (&CWC); additional cups with two-legs; long preseason (and postseason) tours mainly for commercial reasons.

comment by Fabián Caballero (U1734)
posted 1 hour ago
comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 56 minutes ago
comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 11 minutes ago
I'm probably in the minority but I wouldn't lose a seconds sleep if International football disappeared forever. I just don't have that same connection to the England team as I do United.

I don't particularly like cheering for Liverpool, City, Arsenal and Chelsea players either and I'm sure I'm not alone in that view.

Club football would be more than enough for me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Think a fair few fans of the bigger clubs would agree with you, most others wouldn’t.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Utd make me miserable enough as it is right now....I don't need England adding to it. 😂
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You support the most successful side in English football history and England have just got to back to back euros finals...
-------------------------------a---------------------------------------
Barrys right. Again !

comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 20 minutes ago
comment by Fabián Caballero (U1734)
posted 1 hour ago
comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 56 minutes ago
comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 11 minutes ago
I'm probably in the minority but I wouldn't lose a seconds sleep if International football disappeared forever. I just don't have that same connection to the England team as I do United.

I don't particularly like cheering for Liverpool, City, Arsenal and Chelsea players either and I'm sure I'm not alone in that view.

Club football would be more than enough for me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Think a fair few fans of the bigger clubs would agree with you, most others wouldn’t.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Utd make me miserable enough as it is right now....I don't need England adding to it. 😂
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You support the most successful side in English football history and England have just got to back to back euros finals...
-------------------------------a---------------------------------------
Barrys right. Again !
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Literally the last major trophy available in English football was won by Man Utd. In England's last major competitive match, they were 4 minutes away from extra time in the final of the Euros....

Absolute misery. Such a terrible state of affairs in the grand scheme of the football pyramid at domestic and international level.

Name me a fan who has suffered more supporting their teams.

People aren't fans, they live through the access of something they have no impact on. Hence the constant whinging and moaning rather than focusing on their own vapid life.

Fans of wealthy football clubs, despite their teams’ frequent victories and trophy collections, often find themselves less content than supporters of smaller, lower league clubs. This phenomenon mirrors the broader concept that money doesn’t necessarily equate to happiness.

For fans of top-tier clubs, the expectation of success can lead to a sense of entitlement and pressure, making victories feel routine rather than exhilarating.

In contrast, fans of lower league teams experience a deeper connection and sense of community, celebrating small victories and enduring losses together, which fosters a more profound and enduring joy. This dynamic is similar to how, in life, those who focus on meaningful relationships and personal achievements often find greater satisfaction than those who chase material wealth. The joy derived from shared experiences and overcoming challenges together often outweighs the fleeting pleasure of financial success.

Supporting your national team can often be more like supporting a less successful club team, so those who do, are more accustomed to it and can take joy from relative success of the national teams.

Fans of the more successful clubs are not always able to cope with long periods of mediocrity associated with supporting certain national teams so they proclaim that they don't care about said national team.

This changes when the team is doing well of course, which obviously doesn't make them a very good fan.

comment by Fabián Caballero (U1734)
posted 1 hour, 13 minutes ago
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 20 minutes ago
comment by Fabián Caballero (U1734)
posted 1 hour ago
comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 56 minutes ago
comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 11 minutes ago
I'm probably in the minority but I wouldn't lose a seconds sleep if International football disappeared forever. I just don't have that same connection to the England team as I do United.

I don't particularly like cheering for Liverpool, City, Arsenal and Chelsea players either and I'm sure I'm not alone in that view.

Club football would be more than enough for me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Think a fair few fans of the bigger clubs would agree with you, most others wouldn’t.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Utd make me miserable enough as it is right now....I don't need England adding to it. 😂
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You support the most successful side in English football history and England have just got to back to back euros finals...
-------------------------------a---------------------------------------
Barrys right. Again !
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Literally the last major trophy available in English football was won by Man Utd. In England's last major competitive match, they were 4 minutes away from extra time in the final of the Euros....

Absolute misery. Such a terrible state of affairs in the grand scheme of the football pyramid at domestic and international level.

Name me a fan who has suffered more supporting their teams.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

lol!

comment by Fabián Caballero (U1734)
posted 34 minutes ago
Fans of wealthy football clubs, despite their teams’ frequent victories and trophy collections, often find themselves less content than supporters of smaller, lower league clubs. This phenomenon mirrors the broader concept that money doesn’t necessarily equate to happiness.

For fans of top-tier clubs, the expectation of success can lead to a sense of entitlement and pressure, making victories feel routine rather than exhilarating.

In contrast, fans of lower league teams experience a deeper connection and sense of community, celebrating small victories and enduring losses together, which fosters a more profound and enduring joy. This dynamic is similar to how, in life, those who focus on meaningful relationships and personal achievements often find greater satisfaction than those who chase material wealth. The joy derived from shared experiences and overcoming challenges together often outweighs the fleeting pleasure of financial success.

Supporting your national team can often be more like supporting a less successful club team, so those who do, are more accustomed to it and can take joy from relative success of the national teams.

Fans of the more successful clubs are not always able to cope with long periods of mediocrity associated with supporting certain national teams so they proclaim that they don't care about said national team.

This changes when the team is doing well of course, which obviously doesn't make them a very good fan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thing is it's a totally different style of support.

Win lose or draw Spurs is a religion/lifestyle to me.

England just happens to be where I was born.

If we had north v south England them I could get alot more up for it. The north can have Birmingham.

comment by PawlBawron (U1055)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Fabián Caballero (U1734)
posted 34 minutes ago
Fans of wealthy football clubs, despite their teams’ frequent victories and trophy collections, often find themselves less content than supporters of smaller, lower league clubs. This phenomenon mirrors the broader concept that money doesn’t necessarily equate to happiness.

For fans of top-tier clubs, the expectation of success can lead to a sense of entitlement and pressure, making victories feel routine rather than exhilarating.

In contrast, fans of lower league teams experience a deeper connection and sense of community, celebrating small victories and enduring losses together, which fosters a more profound and enduring joy. This dynamic is similar to how, in life, those who focus on meaningful relationships and personal achievements often find greater satisfaction than those who chase material wealth. The joy derived from shared experiences and overcoming challenges together often outweighs the fleeting pleasure of financial success.

Supporting your national team can often be more like supporting a less successful club team, so those who do, are more accustomed to it and can take joy from relative success of the national teams.

Fans of the more successful clubs are not always able to cope with long periods of mediocrity associated with supporting certain national teams so they proclaim that they don't care about said national team.

This changes when the team is doing well of course, which obviously doesn't make them a very good fan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thing is it's a totally different style of support.

Win lose or draw Spurs is a religion/lifestyle to me.

England just happens to be where I was born.

If we had north v south England them I could get alot more up for it. The north can have Birmingham.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You mean Bellingham?

comment by Fabián Caballero (U1734)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by PawlBawron (U1055)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Fabián Caballero (U1734)
posted 34 minutes ago
Fans of wealthy football clubs, despite their teams’ frequent victories and trophy collections, often find themselves less content than supporters of smaller, lower league clubs. This phenomenon mirrors the broader concept that money doesn’t necessarily equate to happiness.

For fans of top-tier clubs, the expectation of success can lead to a sense of entitlement and pressure, making victories feel routine rather than exhilarating.

In contrast, fans of lower league teams experience a deeper connection and sense of community, celebrating small victories and enduring losses together, which fosters a more profound and enduring joy. This dynamic is similar to how, in life, those who focus on meaningful relationships and personal achievements often find greater satisfaction than those who chase material wealth. The joy derived from shared experiences and overcoming challenges together often outweighs the fleeting pleasure of financial success.

Supporting your national team can often be more like supporting a less successful club team, so those who do, are more accustomed to it and can take joy from relative success of the national teams.

Fans of the more successful clubs are not always able to cope with long periods of mediocrity associated with supporting certain national teams so they proclaim that they don't care about said national team.

This changes when the team is doing well of course, which obviously doesn't make them a very good fan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thing is it's a totally different style of support.

Win lose or draw Spurs is a religion/lifestyle to me.

England just happens to be where I was born.

If we had north v south England them I could get alot more up for it. The north can have Birmingham.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You mean Bellingham?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He was born in Dudley so with the Birmingham/Midlands being classed as the north he's one of theirs.

It is interesting the excuses fans of bigger clubs come up with for not supporting their national team.

Rangers because they like the royal family for some reason

Liverpool because, I am not sure? Because their accent is different?

Man U as well. I think maybe we don't like the attention the media gives the national team when it is normally us getting the attention. Think it's a jealousy thing.

Can people not just admit the real reason, of being a glory hunter?