The Football Thread

Scotland had a better game than against Japan, only 2 started from the last game, so the manager got a good look at what other options he has available.

The lack of a goal threat is nothing new with the Scotland national team, but i am sure they can raise their game when the World Cup (which i won't be watching, because it is corrupt) comes around. The Russia, followed by Qatar World Cups, i avoided watching them too.

If former FIFA president Sepp Blatter says it is corrupt, then that's good enough for me! (He had to resign in disgrace over corruption).

I pretty much only care about my local team, but will watch most games if i am at a loose end.

There are too many Europeans ending up guests of ICE. You couldn't pay me to go, even if I had a passport.

I'll tell you what I have heard all my life about the England football team.

It isn't anything against the players or supporters, but your media and pundits, who always seem to suggest their team just has to turn up, and whatever cup has their name on it.

I saw Ian Wright talking about them winning the World Cup, totally heaping pressure on them to do so!

Also your media always banging on about 1966, which is a very long time ago! They have won a World Cup way back then, but how many have Germany won, or Brazil? Even Uraguay have won it twice!

Scotland have never progressed beyond the group stage, and nobody here thinks we are winning anything. I always say qualifying is our goal, anything else would be a bonus. Some deluded people had us winning in 1974, but that must have been something in the water!

I imagine they will win it again, one of these days, but the expectation levels in the English media, it doesn't help the team.

Athletics wise, none of those famous names would start a game these days, the sports science of today didn't exist back then. You must have seen pictures of them all smoking in the dressing room?

On saying that, the grit and steeliness of a bygone era, that is definitely missing! I have heard Willie Miller say numerous times how if you took a hard tackle, I mean the kind that would be an instant red today, that you didn't want to let them know it hurt, and just got up, intending to get them back for it.

They used to squeeze testicles, pull armpit hair, stamp, all the dark arts of the dirty side of the game! A solitary referee, quite possibly struggling to keep up with the play, there was not much chance he would see such behaviour.

Bottled stout and cigarettes? Can you imagine Ronaldo doing that? Lol. Bobby Charlton looks like somebodies grandfather in some photos!

Bolton Wanderers captain - Nat Lofthouse, after his team won the 1958 FA Cup.