Casino Royale

[BobLoz3 492]

Oh dear... It seems that Madders probably shouldn't have attempted to take on that horrific red top rag after they slammed his ridiculous backpack. He retorted on Twitter, if you remember...

Now, after being 'too ill' to play for England the other night they've caught him having a little gamble in a casino.

Crikey. A bit silly of young James but also totally predatory of the horrible little paper.

Any thoughts on that? Or can he just do whatever the heck he likes?

[Branston Pickle 3,632]

If he’s been laid low by a bug or flu, there’s every chance he’d not have been training to be fit to play - what he then does in his own spare time is surely up to him. But he also has to realise what it might ‘look’ like in the media.  

In any case, given that there was a Chelsea player available, his chances of playing probably weren’t that high. 

[Alex Moss 2,165]

Not seen the report, but they’re just being silly. I think he’s currently carrying a little knock or something, and I’m fairly confident being stood at a roulette wheel does not require quite the same strain on the body as a top level football match. I don’t see an issue whatsoever. I’m sure Madders will get them back though ; ) 

[BobLoz3 492]

23 minutes ago, Alex Moss said:

Not seen the report, but they’re just being silly. I think he’s currently carrying a little knock or something, and I’m fairly confident being stood at a roulette wheel does not require quite the same strain on the body as a top level football match. I don’t see an issue whatsoever. I’m sure Madders will get them back though ; ) 

He was pictured playing poker so, sitting down... Even better! 🙂

We all would like to have a pop at The S*n I'm sure, but when you're a high profile person you're probably setting yourself up for a fall by doing so.

[JF 694]

Can’t see the problem. England’s camp would have been aware of the reasons he’s pulled out and were obviously happy with it

[hogesar 9,609]

Probably not helping his case with Southgate though who does seem to have some reservations regarding his attitude

[Diane 500]

Here's the article & pictures

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/10123227/james-maddison-casino-england-neil-ashton/amp/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=sunfootballtwitter&utm_source=Twitter&__twitter_impression=true

Does look a bit overdressed for inside a casino 😀 and why wasnt he watching the game 🤣

[keelansgrandad 6,679]

Funny how it still appears that attitude still prevails over ability in this country. As long as the guy is fit and able to play and adds something to the team, I have never understood this feeling that if you don't play bingo or go to watch a Norman Wisdom film while on tour, you are a rebel who can't be trusted.

Declan Rice or Madders? I know they are in slightly different positions but if you are on the pitch then positions can be irrelevant.

[Budapest Canary 152]

Southgate does not seem to be too bothered though.

“Well, once a player has been released from the squad, then it’s up to them how they spend their individual time,” the England boss said.

“So, I guess what James has learned is that if you have an involvement with England, then there’s an increased spotlight on you and increased interest in your personal and private life as well.

“So, that goes with the territory, it’s a high-profile position.”

 

 

 https://www.football365.com/news/southgate-maddison-will-have-to-learn-from-casino-pictures

[Alex Moss 2,165]

That article is so weirdly written, like they’re trying to turn the football world and the public against him. It’s almost as if The Sun have got it in for him or something, but I’m sure that isn’t the case... 

[Lazza 23]

I thought the casino was after he was excluded from flying to Croatia, the night before the game. That doesn't mean he didn't watch it live.

Also, the illness wasn't directly the cause of being dropped. He'd had an ankle knock and the illness meant he hadn't had much training so they probably thought he wouldn't be fit enough to play.

So overall, a nothing story. A player who had been ill but was now well enough to be assessed for a game was not picked due to a lack of fitness so chose to visit a casino. 

[Mr Angry 1,542]

What is it with Leicester players called James in Leicester casinos? Remember Vardy’s incident? 😳

[Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man 3,775]

The physical demands of playing international football are considerably higher than those of sitting at a table. There's nothing wrong with someone who is a bit ill deciding to sit in a warm, cosy building during the evening, which is exactly what he would've been doing had he stayed at home.

[Capt. Pants 4,194]

2 hours ago, hogesar said:

Probably not helping his case with Southgate though who does seem to have some reservations regarding his attitude

Agreed. The reaction of my 'non Norwich' work colleagues in the office wasn't quite as kind either.

The trouble with footballers, too much money and time on their hands.

[BobLoz3 492]

1 hour ago, Alex Moss said:

That article is so weirdly written, like they’re trying to turn the football world and the public against him. It’s almost as if The Sun have got it in for him or something, but I’m sure that isn’t the case... 

It's what I was saying in my OP. He was pretty brash on social media about them (fair enough in my opinion) but if you're in the public eye and do that it's entirely possible these kinds of media outlets will attempt to wage war on you.

That's just how it goes.

[BobLoz3 492]

1 hour ago, keelansgrandad said:

 

Declan Rice or Madders? I know they are in slightly different positions but if you are on the pitch then positions can be irrelevant.

Maddison or Mount, should probably be the question

[Mello Yello 2,273]

Madders will be smerkin' tabs, eatin' kebabs an' drinkin' beer next......

 

The media lurv to build you up then knock you down.......

[Mason 47 1,371]

Maybe a lesson in letting your talking happen on the pitch for JM, but really this is a non-issue. It's classic 'English media hunt down England players' time where we have a talent who isn't a boy scout and he's become a target (partially self-inflicted, but still).

Interesting that the article purports that keeping Madders from a maiden cap in the previous round of internationals was meant to be a test of character for him by Southgate. Risky strategy- personally, as a young man I'd have been pretty mad if my manager was playing games with me to make sure I wasn't a bad egg. Could you imagine a young Wayne Rooney reacting with a calm smile in the same situation?

[keelansgrandad 6,679]

My house is on a street called Southgate Street. I'm thinking of asking the council to change it to Tumbleweed Street.

[Alex Moss 2,165]

19 minutes ago, Mason 47 said:

Interesting that the article purports that keeping Madders from a maiden cap in the previous round of internationals was meant to be a test of character for him by Southgate.

I soon as I saw that in The S**, that particular snippet just screamed unsubstantiated nonsense to me. Although I certainly wouldn’t put it past managers to test players in such a way, I would hazard a guess in this particular case they’re in the mood to play a few unsettling mind games between James and Southgate as their ‘payback’ - I suspect most of that article was in place in some form since the day James ripped them a new one on Twitter, they were just biding their time. After the Hillsborough stuff, I would imagine that particular tabloids name is like dog dirt amongst dressing rooms across the land, not just in Liverpool, so no real surprise James’s attitude towards them.

[Mason 47 1,371]

27 minutes ago, Alex Moss said:

I soon as I saw that in The S**, that particular snippet just screamed unsubstantiated nonsense to me. Although I certainly wouldn’t put it past managers to test players in such a way, I would hazard a guess in this particular case they’re in the mood to play a few unsettling mind games between James and Southgate as their ‘payback’ - I suspect most of that article was in place in some form since the day James ripped them a new one on Twitter, they were just biding their time. After the Hillsborough stuff, I would imagine that particular tabloids name is like dog dirt amongst dressing rooms across the land, not just in Liverpool, so no real surprise James’s attitude towards them.

I agree, it seems far too cavalier for an international football manager to  play games like that; the only thing that makes me wonder otherwise is the ongoing reluctance to put JM out for England. Watching the other night as Jordan Henderson trundled around the midfield look busy and delivering the ball straight out of play every now and then makes me roll my eyes, is all.

[The Bristol Nest 513]

He may be a a d1ck but the Scum does not get to tell me what to think.

Edited October 14, 2019 by The Bristol Nest

[BobLoz3 492]

Having looked back at my thread title again, I only wish Madders played for Reading (so do their fans, probably) and then it would have been a great pun.

Mind you, he likes casinos so maybe he also likes Foxy Bingo?

 

.... No? Ah f**k it!

[keelansgrandad 6,679]

Maddison or Mount, should probably be the question

I mentioned Rice because of his lack of flair which Madders has in abundance.

Southgate is talking about going to a back three after Friday. Maybe he should take the blinkers off about Henderson and Rice instead.

[Woodman 92]

 

5 hours ago, Budapest Canary said:

Southgate does not seem to be too bothered though.

“Well, once a player has been released from the squad, then it’s up to them how they spend their individual time,” the England boss said.

“So, I guess what James has learned is that if you have an involvement with England, then there’s an increased spotlight on you and increased interest in your personal and private life as well.

“So, that goes with the territory, it’s a high-profile position.”

 

 

 https://www.football365.com/news/southgate-maddison-will-have-to-learn-from-casino-pictures

There have been lots of rumours that Southgate is testing Maddison to shrug off his billy big blocks attitude & concentrate on being the very good footballer that he is.  If what Southgate is reported in this article is true, it can equally read as a criticism.

[BobLoz3 492]

26 minutes ago, keelansgrandad said:

Maddison or Mount, should probably be the question

I mentioned Rice because of his lack of flair which Madders has in abundance.

Southgate is talking about going to a back three after Friday. Maybe he should take the blinkers off about Henderson and Rice instead.

I agree. Apparently he wanted to try a different formation against CZR, one we've never used under him, basically to shoehorn Mount into the side.

I guess his feeling was that Henderson and Rice would act as a screen for the defence, pivot, whatever you want to call that kind of formation.

Instead, they looked hopeless and lost, without much of a clue on how to stop the Czech's attack.

[kick it off 1,948]

Be interested to see if Rooney would make the team under Southgate as his evening entertainment normally consisted of shagging a pensioner for money. What about John Terry - would Southgate be dropping him for banging his team-mate's missus? 

The questions about Maddison's attitude are a joke considering some of the scumbags that have captained the team over recent years.

Of course that's if anyone actually believes a word the Scum has to say.

Edited October 14, 2019 by kick it off

[Grando 260]

I reckon it's a bit rich to have a go at Maddison for being in a casino when more than half of all Premier clubs are sponsored by gambling firms...

[lake district canary 4,530]

From what we know of James Maddison and his time at Norwich, he is a person who has a big heart and who also likes to live life to the full, whether it is on the pitch or off it, whether it is helping worthy causes or out on the town.  If you understand him, he is not a billy big b*ll*cks - just very sure of what he wants and how to get it.

He could easily have gone to a bigger club than us - but chose us because he wanted to get more game time and it was only Alex Neil's lack of knowing how to deal with him that held up his progress - he could easily have made the breakthrough that season. He also showed his big heartedness with some personal stuff and charity work.   Daniel Farke showed how to get the best from him and set his career back on track.  

Sorry, this is turning into an essay, but just to see JM as a billy big b*ll*cks as the toilet rag newspapers do, is to miss the point. He is a young man giving it his all, driven, confident and big hearted.  If the likes of Southgate can't handle that then maybe it is they who are at fault, not JM.  English football is littered with huigely talented players who were not well managed at international level....I reckon if Messi was English, he would have had trouble in getting regular games for England, given the track record of countless England managers.

I applaud Southgate in some ways for trying to maake something of the English football team different from the past, but he is making the same kind of mistakes as previous managers - not being able to handle the egos. Not since Terry Venbables in 1996 have we had a character in charge capable of getting the best out of players and that includes the last world cup which was not great (imo), semi final or no semi-final.

[Budapest Canary 152]

6 hours ago, Alex Moss said:

That article is so weirdly written, like they’re trying to turn the football world and the public against him. It’s almost as if The Sun have got it in for him or something, but I’m sure that isn’t the case... 

The dumbed-down style actually reminds me of Ladybirds books, or rather their grown-up versions. 😀