Nations League

[Midlands Yellow 4,714]

What a fantastic tournament and well worth the bonus International Breaks. Does anyone know who came up with the idea? More importantly, does anyone understand it?

[Lord Horn (again) 154]

20 hours ago, Midlands Yellow said:

What a fantastic tournament and well worth the bonus International Breaks. Does anyone know who came up with the idea? More importantly, does anyone understand it?

I still have no idea how it works and don't intend to bother to find out!

[Grando 345]

Its purpose is to prevent wars through collective security and disarmament, and settling international disputes through negotiation and arbitration.

Ah no, sorry, that was the League of Nations in the 1920s. No idea about what the point of the Nations League is, or how it works!

[Branston Pickle 4,169]

I seem to be alone thinking it is actually a fairly decent idea (if slightly flawed) - trying to make ‘friendlies’ more competitive - and we are getting to play ‘second string’ nations because we were utterly crap in it last time.

Edited September 11, 2024 by Branston Pickle

[The Raptor 1,589]

The more competitive 'friendly' aspect I like. But the 'second string' thing not so much. We're only going to get better playing against better teams.

I like the aspect of putting teams against others supposedly at their level. Eg it's better for Dan Marino, Gibraltar, leicenstien etc playing each other rather than getting tonked 5-0 away in a qualifier for a tournament they have no hope to qualify for.  

 

[PurpleCanary 6,463]

Too much anglocentricity here. It is actually a very good idea. it provides games with some point to them, as opposed to the old friendlies. And is a qualifying path for supposedly smaller nations for the Euros and World Cups.

[paddycanary 583]

45 minutes ago, The Raptor said:

The more competitive 'friendly' aspect I like. But the 'second string' thing not so much. We're only going to get better playing against better teams.

I like the aspect of putting teams against others supposedly at their level. Eg it's better for Dan Marino, Gibraltar, leicenstien etc playing each other rather than getting tonked 5-0 away in a qualifier for a tournament they have no hope to qualify for.  

 

And also Dan Marino has to get used to not playing with the oval-shaped ball. It takes time.

[The Raptor 1,589]

4 minutes ago, paddycanary said:

And also Dan Marino has to get used to not playing with the oval-shaped ball. It takes time.

Oooops. Didn't spot that. I bet the climate is different in Miami too.

[Kingston Yellow 259]

1 hour ago, PurpleCanary said:

Too much anglocentricity here. It is actually a very good idea. it provides games with some point to them, as opposed to the old friendlies. And is a qualifying path for supposedly smaller nations for the Euros and World Cups.

This isn’t factual. It’s just an opinion. So cut the pomposity. Most of us think it’s garbage. Also an opinion. 

[Graham Paddons Beard 2,886]

Am I correct in thinking we could have won the group but ended up being relegated all in the same game ? Now we are in the equivalent of the Isthmian League 

[Midlands Yellow 4,714]

4 hours ago, Branston Pickle said:

I seem to be alone thinking it is actually a fairly decent idea (if slightly flawed) - trying to make ‘friendlies’ more competitive - and we are getting to play ‘second string’ nations because we were utterly crap in it last time.

It still doesn’t warrant stoping the domestic leagues 4 matches in. 99 per cent of us surely just want to crack on with NCFC fixtures. 

[Branston Pickle 4,169]

2 minutes ago, Midlands Yellow said:

It still doesn’t warrant stoping the domestic leagues 4 matches in. 99 per cent of us surely just want to crack on with NCFC fixtures. 

There is an agreed international break at this time every year. It’s not a new thing. That we’ve only played 4 league games is down to the slightly later start to the efl season + two rounds of the league cup. 

[Midlands Yellow 4,714]

2 minutes ago, Branston Pickle said:

There is an agreed international break at this time every year. It’s not a new thing. That we’ve only played 4 league games is down to the slightly later start to the efl season + two rounds of the league cup. 

Still so boring though. 

[Midlands Yellow 4,714]

1 hour ago, Kingston Yellow said:

This isn’t factual. It’s just an opinion. So cut the pomposity. Most of us think it’s garbage. Also an opinion. 

Here fcuking here. 

[PurpleCanary 6,463]

28 minutes ago, Midlands Yellow said:

It still doesn’t warrant stoping the domestic leagues 4 matches in. 99 per cent of us surely just want to crack on with NCFC fixtures. 

There will always be these sorts of non- or semi-competitive international breaks because national team managers need them to prepare for competitive qualifying matches.

[Fen Canary 1,463]

I don’t mind it. It’s not a tournament to take too seriously but it keeps teams of similar ability playing each other and thus gives the smaller nations a chance for some wins rather than getting trounced constantly.

Its also handy for developing youngsters as you get to see them against reasonable opposition in a semi competitive environment 

[Fen Canary 1,463]

1 hour ago, Midlands Yellow said:

It still doesn’t warrant stoping the domestic leagues 4 matches in. 99 per cent of us surely just want to crack on with NCFC fixtures. 

England isn’t the only league in Europe, they all start at various points so you’ll never get a date that pleases everybody. If the leagues are that worried they could start and finish the season a few weeks earlier or later to work around it 

[Commonsense 829]

2 hours ago, Kingston Yellow said:

This isn’t factual. It’s just an opinion. So cut the pomposity. Most of us think it’s garbage. Also an opinion. 

An opinion with no evidence. The thread does not even show what ‘most of us think’ at all, and loads of the posts are from Midlands Yellow anyway. Interesting that someone else’s option is pompous but you can post anything you want!

[PurpleCanary 6,463]

1 hour ago, Fen Canary said:

I don’t mind it. It’s not a tournament to take too seriously but it keeps teams of similar ability playing each other and thus gives the smaller nations a chance for some wins rather than getting trounced constantly.

Its also handy for developing youngsters as you get to see them against reasonable opposition in a semi competitive environment 

As I believe England did this week, with one or two players making their international debut.

[LaUnionCanary 150]

4 hours ago, Midlands Yellow said:

Here fcuking here. 

There, there. Or their, their?

[Capt. Pants 5,152]

I actually enjoyed this round of matches, including England, a couple of Scotland games and a little bit of Wales.

Decent crowds at Dublin, Hampden, Wembley and Lisbon too.

There appears to be a market for it and I genuinely believe some players like to get away from their clubs at times!

[PurpleCanary 6,463]

16 hours ago, Lord Horn (again) said:

I still have no idea how it works and don't intend to bother to find out!

You may start to bother if England don't finish top of their qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup!😍

[duke63 758]

Has zero interest for me. International football is generally very very dull.

[SwearyCanary 1,367]

I’m not fussed about it, but equally understand the need for international teams to get together regularly and give players the opportunity at international football to shine/experience it for their careers. 
Perhaps those against it should worry less about having to wait a couple of weeks for their next round of fantasy football and learn a bit of patience. The club game and its associated corporate takeover are loving the desire to bin off international football by fans who have fallen hook line and sinker for the narrative they’ve sold and marketed to them. Or may be it’s unconscious entitlement at living in a world where everything entertainment based it pretty much on demand? 

Not judging, I’m the same in many ways. Still annoys me that Sundays have different opening hours. Literally based on religious beliefs that a tiny minority of the population have. Here’s to those who cook their roasts on a Wednesday!!! 😂

[Midlands Yellow 4,714]

34 minutes ago, duke63 said:

Has zero interest for me. International football is generally very very dull

 

Borefest calendar 24/25.

• September 7, 2024
• October 12, 2024
• November 16, 2024
• March 22, 2025

 

 

[TheGunnShow 7,470]

16 hours ago, Branston Pickle said:

I seem to be alone thinking it is actually a fairly decent idea (if slightly flawed) - trying to make ‘friendlies’ more competitive - and we are getting to play ‘second string’ nations because we were utterly crap in it last time.

Nope, I think it's a great idea as it does give reasonably competitive matches for all countries. All you need to see were those San Marino celebrations when they beat Liechtenstein for their first competitive win in 20 years to get the idea.

[Bethnal Yellow and Green 2,486]

Nations League is much better than the Friendly games that it has replaced, which were necessary for International teams to get together and get game time. If you want World Cups/Euros you need games to give International teams time to play and develop.

Crucially the Nations League isn't creating additional International breaks. The only downside I can see is that England and other major European teams will play teams from outside of Europe less often. These were often a crucial revenue generator for teams in South America/Africa/Asia.

[cornish sam 1,058]

1 hour ago, TheGunnShow said:

Nope, I think it's a great idea as it does give reasonably competitive matches for all countries. All you need to see were those San Marino celebrations when they beat Liechtenstein for their first competitive win in 20 years to get the idea.

First competitive win ever. Their previous win 20 years ago (also against Liechtenstein) was a friendly.

[NewNestCarrow 306]

15 hours ago, PurpleCanary said:

Too much anglocentricity here. It is actually a very good idea. it provides games with some point to them, as opposed to the old friendlies. And is a qualifying path for supposedly smaller nations for the Euros and World Cups.

Sport is based around meritocracy, so why should "smaller nations (teams) be given a backdoor to the Euros or WC Finals, that is meant to feature just the crème de la crème?

If I suggested that Stevenage's success last season in D3 should earn them a place in the PL  you would all think I was crackers, yet this is what the Nations League is effectively doing!

 

[Lord Horn (again) 154]

4 hours ago, PurpleCanary said:

You may start to bother if England don't finish top of their qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup!😍

What makes you think I'm bothered about England???